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Michael Moore is one of those people you either love or hate. For reasons I can no longer recall, I once found him annoying. As a result, I put off watching his 2002 film Bowling for Columbine. But then it somehow ended up on my Netflix queue and in a moment of boredom, I watched it. And I learned a few things... like the surprising fact that I have something in common with Marilyn Manson. We both believe that the media perpetrates a society of fear. Since then I watched 2004’s Fahrenheit 911 and 2007’s Sicko. So it made sense to watch his latest cause-on-film entitled Capitalism: A Love Story.
Some may claim that Moore's storytelling is one-sided and preachy, to which I respond "duh." It's his film; he'll project and preach what he wants to. Is his behavior radical? Perhaps. But he is trying to make a point… sometimes you have to get a little crazy in order for people to pay attention. And his point? The original hopeful concept of Capitalism has changed and become something corrupt, devoid of morals... and maybe even evil. It is the reason our country is currently in the toilet. It would appear to the audience member that the new Capitalism is not about creating something… products, services, jobs… but it is actually based on making money from moving money around... in complicated ways that the “average Joe” can't understand. Quite a coincidence given that they are on the losing end of this new economic plan... literally losing their homes and pensions. It’s pretty heavy subject matter. Maybe not a good choice for a first date.
I learned that major corporations take out life insurance policies on employees. Such policies are meant to compensate companies for the financial loss they would incur if a significant contributor to the operation passed away, like a CEO. However, many major corporations… including Wal-Mart and Hershey… have taken out policies on easily replaceable employees in a practice referred to as “dead peasant insurance.” That is not a typo. Evidently, profiting from employee death is now part of financial statements. Young women are most lucrative since they have the longest life expectancy. And none of the monies are given to the families of the deceased.
According to Moore, 99% of the American population is exploited by the remaining 1%, also known as the rich. Their goal is to become as rich as possible in an effort to maintain control of the country… by financing politicians and, in return, public policy from which they will financially benefit. The biggest fear of the rich? That the aforementioned peasants will revolt. They must have been terrified when Barack Obama was elected, the first win for the peasants in the current revolution. But then the rich scored with the bailout, giving themselves obscene bonuses while “Main Street America” suffers. So Moore attempted to conduct a citizen’s arrest on various banking institutions… complete with yellow crime scene tape. I admire his nerve.
I confess I still did not get the title, so I Googled it. According to capitalismalovestory.com, the film explores the question “what is the price that America pays for its love of capitalism.” I guess it’s one of those tragic love stories… but I’m still hoping for an alternate ending.
