September 16, 2009 - 11:27am
Michael Moore, the man of many hats – documentary filmmaker, political scientist and now, singer.
Moore has been making the rounds to promote his new movie, “Capitalism: A Love Story.” On NBC’s Sept. 15 “Jay Leno Show,” Moore appeared and was asked what was wrong with capitalism.
Michael Moore, the man of many hats – documentary filmmaker, political scientist and now, singer.
Moore has been making the rounds to promote his new movie, “Capitalism: A Love Story.” On NBC’s Sept. 15 “Jay Leno Show,” Moore appeared and was asked what was wrong with capitalism.
“Capitalism is actually legalized greed,” Moore said. “There’s nothing wrong with people earning money, starting a business, selling shoes. That’s not what I’m talking about. We’re at a point now Jay, in this country, where the richest 1 percent, the very top 1 percent have more financial wealth than the bottom 95 percent combined.”
Moore explained that his vision of democracy is redistributionist, and he gave no voice to the idea that self-reliance and hard work can propel one to great wealth.
“That’s insane, we live in a democracy,” Moore continued. “We’re supposed to have like fairness and equality. And you know when you have a pie on the table … there’s 10 slices and one guy at the table says nine of those slices are mine and the other nine of you, you can fight over the last slice. I mean that’s essential the kind of economy we have now.”
However, Moore didn’t just use the platform of Jay Leno’s new show to plug his campaign against the American style of capitalism. He also showcased his vocal abilities and performed Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-changin’”:
Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don’t stand in the doorway
Don’t block up the hall
For he who gets hurt
Is he who has stalled
There’s a battle outside and it’s ragin’
Please, it’ll shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times, they are a-changin’
Come mothers and fathers throughout the land
Don’t criticize what you can’t understand
Your sons and your daughters are beyond your command
Your old road is rapidly agin’
Please get out of the new one
If you can’t lend a hand
For the times, they are a-changin’
Like this article? Sign up for “The Balance Sheet,” BMI’s weekly e-mail newsletter.
