Old Cronies

Cronyism before 1900 was a group of old long time friends. They were close and had a long shared history together and their relationship was mutually beneficial. Usually when we would refer to people as 'old cronies' that's what we thought of, two old dudes who knew the endings of the others stories no matter how old the story was.

In the 1900's "cronies" started to take on a more sinister meaning taking that giant step from one of long-term friendship and mutual benefit to one of corruption and nepotism and in the process the layer known as friendship was peeled away and replaced by layer of power instead.

You are hearing more and more today about this term 'crony capitalism' - a term which describes the success of business as dependent upon a close relationship between business people and government officials. Now the old cronies have become Wall Street and the Treasury Department.

Today's cronies are made up of corporations with power and money to back them up to accomplish whatever it is they want to do. Even when it comes to crime and punishment, the cost of penalty is nothing more severe than a tap on the wrist. If rules and regulations are changed the 'cronies' make sure any changes that come about will be ones that can easily be worked with.

Perhaps when the OWS supporters emerge this Spring they will see that it is necessary to stop the cronies now, cut off their air supply, which is their unlimited ability to fund campaign elections. Take the necessary steps for campaign reform, amend the Constitution to put a stop to this and get 'the people'  back in to the mix of things.

Nothing will heal in the country, nothing will get better until cronyism is stopped and it starts with the ability to fund election campaigns, which then allows the creation of rules and regulations on how those old cronies do business.