Corpulent America - II O History, that prates of evolution, What lessons can you utter to our age? In 1832, the richest men, According to Andrew Jackson, were not Content with equal opportunity But tried by act of Congress to get richer. He vetoed this. He said the corporations Have nor bodies to kick nor souls to damn. In 1892, the Populists Complained corruption dominated Congress And touched even the ermine of the bench. The fruits of others' toil, they said, was stolen To build colossal fortunes for a few. How then do sages of this present time Describe our state? Today, the rich buy laws And loopholes that they want from Congress and Executive protection from the White House, Says Bill Moyers. Today, the corporations Don't have to lobby government, they are The government, adds Jim Hightower, the former Agriculture Commissioner for Texas . The best return for capital invested, According to The Vanguard Group's John Bogle, Is found in making campaign contributions. From comments such as these we may conclude: Apart from Jackson's vetoes, nothing's changed. July 2002