The Corporate Foot Soldiers

How Neoliberal Elites are Undermining U.S. Interests And Who They Are

DISCLAIMER: This is Chromo’s personal opinion and not intended to defame any of the individuals named.
Over the past half a century small group of powerful individuals has quietly shaped the course of American policy, not in the name of public good, but to serve global corporate interests. These people operate in the shadows of well-established think tanks and policy institutions, and through a revolving door between government and private business, they have systematically pushed for policies that destabilize American industries and undermine the well-being of ordinary citizens. Its time to shine a light on these corporate foot soldiers, their affiliations, and how their actions have paved the way for the erosion of American sovereignty and economic security.

The Revolving Door Between Government and Corporations

At the heart of this issue is what’s known as the “revolving door”—the constant movement of individuals between high-ranking government positions and lucrative private-sector roles in major corporations, particularly in finance, defense, and global consulting firms. This pattern allows these individuals to push policies in government that benefit their corporate interests, only to later cash in on those policies when they return to the private sector.

Take Dick Cheney as an example. Cheney began his career in government, serving in the Nixon and Ford administrations before becoming Secretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush. In the late 1990s, Cheney made a move to the corporate world as CEO of Halliburton, a major defense contractor. Under Cheney’s leadership, Halliburton reaped enormous profits from defense contracts linked to U.S. military actions, including the Iraq War—actions he helped orchestrate when he returned to government as Vice President under George W. Bush.

Cheney is not alone. Figures like Robert Rubin, Larry Summers, and Paul Wolfowitz have followed similar paths. Rubin, for instance, worked as co-chairman of Goldman Sachs before becoming Secretary of the Treasury under Bill Clinton, where he pushed for financial deregulation. This laid the groundwork for the 2008 financial crisis, yet Rubin landed comfortably back in the private sector, later joining Citigroup and continuing to wield influence in financial policy through prestigious think tanks.

The Think Tanks and Institutions Behind the Curtain

While many Americans may not know their names, influential think tanks like the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and the Trilateral Commission play a pivotal role in shaping U.S. and global policy. These organizations serve as gathering points for corporate elites, government officials, and academics to develop and promote policies that align with neoliberalism—a system focused on free markets, deregulation, and privatization.

The Trilateral Commission, for example, was founded by David Rockefeller in 1973 to promote cooperation between North America, Europe, and Japan. What sounds like a noble goal has, in practice, become a vehicle for pushing neoliberal policies that open up global markets to multinational corporations while eroding local industries and national sovereignty. The Council on Foreign Relations, one of the most prestigious foreign policy think tanks in the world, similarly acts as a space where corporate elites can shape U.S. policy in a way that benefits global businesses over national interests.

Who Are These Corporate Foot Soldiers?

Many individuals who’ve played key roles in these institutions also occupy powerful positions in both government and corporations. Henry Kissinger, for instance, served as National Security Advisor and Secretary of State, where he pursued aggressive foreign policies that benefited global corporations, particularly in energy and defense. After leaving office, he founded Kissinger Associates, a consulting firm advising multinational corporations on global strategy. Despite leaving government, his influence remains strong through his continued participation in organizations like the CFR and the World Economic Forum.

Another prominent figure is Robert Zoellick, who has held high-ranking positions in both government and the private sector. Zoellick served as U.S. Trade Representative, where he negotiated trade agreements that favored big business, and later became President of the World Bank, where he promoted policies that aligned with neoliberal corporate interests. Like Kissinger, Zoellick is a frequent participant in forums like the CFR and the Trilateral Commission, helping shape the global economic policies that benefit multinational corporations.

Neoliberalism: The Core of the Problem

At the heart of the actions of these individuals is a shared belief in neoliberalism—the idea that free markets, deregulation, and privatization are the keys to prosperity. But in practice, neoliberal policies often undermine U.S. economic stability and increase inequality.

What Is Neoliberalism?

Neoliberalism is a political and economic philosophy that believes governments should play a minimal role in regulating the economy. Instead, it advocates for:

• Deregulation: Removing rules that limit what businesses and corporations can do, allowing markets to regulate themselves.
• Free Trade: Encouraging trade between nations without tariffs or restrictions, often benefiting large multinational corporations.
• Privatization: Shifting public services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure into private, for-profit hands.

While these ideas may sound promising in theory, they often result in greater power for large corporations and less protection for ordinary people. Over time, this system favors corporate profits over worker rights, environmental protections, and fair wages. For example, the deregulation of the financial industry allowed banks to take greater risks with people’s money, leading to the 2008 financial crisis. Similarly, free trade agreements have often resulted in the outsourcing of American jobs, leaving communities devastated.

Here’s how these neoliberal policies have played out in practice:

1. Deregulation of Industries: Corporate foot soldiers push to remove government regulations that limit corporate behavior. While this benefits large companies, it leaves the average citizen exposed to exploitation, from unsafe products to unstable financial markets.

• Example: The repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act in 1999 allowed commercial banks to merge with investment banks, leading to financial institutions becoming “too big to fail.” This deregulation set the stage for the 2008 financial crisis, which devastated millions of Americans while bailing out the same corporations that caused the collapse.

1. Free Trade Agreements: Trade deals like NAFTA are sold as ways to stimulate economic growth, but they often result in outsourcing jobs and the hollowing out of local industries.

• Example: NAFTA contributed to the decline of American manufacturing as companies relocated factories to countries with cheaper labor, leaving entire communities in economic ruin.

1. Privatization of Public Goods: Neoliberal policies also push for the privatization of public services, from healthcare to education, putting profit over public welfare.

• Example: The push for privatized prisons, driven by large corporations, incentivizes the incarceration of more people, turning the justice system into a profit machine rather than a means of public safety.

Moving Away from Classical Liberalism: The Cost to Economic Stability and Freedom

As the U.S. has moved further away from the principles of classical liberalism—which emphasize individual liberty, limited government, and free but fair markets—we’ve seen a direct reduction in both economic stability and personal freedom. Classical liberalism promotes a balance between government oversight and free enterprise, ensuring that markets serve the people, not just corporate elites.

In contrast, neoliberalism’s unchecked focus on corporate profits and global markets has led to:

• Weaker protections for individuals and workers, as deregulation allows corporations to operate with less accountability.
• Greater concentration of wealth and power, which undermines economic mobility and widens the gap between the rich and poor.
• Erosion of national sovereignty, as international corporations gain more influence over U.S. policies and laws.

Every step away from the values of classical liberalism—which aimed to ensure personal freedoms, fair competition, and local accountability—has resulted in a loss of economic independence and a shift toward an economy dominated by a few multinational corporations. This shift has made the economy more fragile, as industries that once thrived in local communities are now hollowed out, leaving American workers and consumers more vulnerable than ever.

What Can Be Done?

Understanding how these corporate elites have shaped U.S. policy for their benefit is the first step in resisting their influence. Here are some ways we can push back:

1. Strengthen Regulations: Re-establish strong government regulations on finance, industry, and labor to protect citizens from corporate exploitation.
2. Reform Campaign Finance Laws: End the stranglehold that corporations have on U.S. politics by overturning decisions like Citizens United, which allows unlimited corporate money to flow into political campaigns.
3. Support Local Economies: Push for policies that support small businesses and local industries rather than multinational corporations that prioritize profit over people.
4. Demand Transparency: Hold politicians accountable by demanding transparency about their connections to corporations and think tanks that promote corporate interests.

Conclusion

The corporate foot soldiers operating within our most powerful institutions have succeeded in shifting the balance of power away from the American people and toward multinational corporations. Through their revolving door between government and corporate jobs, they continue to push neoliberal policies that destabilize the U.S. economy, erode sovereignty, and increase inequality. It’s time for Americans to recognize the corporate capture of our institutions and take action to restore power to the people, not global elites. Below is a list of their names and institutional associations.

The Corporate Henchmen

• Dick Cheney
• Paul Wolfowitz
• John Bolton
• Henry Kissinger
• Robert Rubin
• Larry Summers
• Madeleine Albright
• Timothy Geithner
• George H.W. Bush
• Condoleezza Rice
• Zbigniew Brzezinski
• Robert Zoellick
• Peter G. Peterson
• Paul Volcker
• Robert Rubin
• Robert Zoellick
• David Rockefeller

Related Institutions:

1. American Enterprise Institute (AEI)

• Focus: Free-market economics, deregulation, and limited government intervention.
• Affiliated Individuals:
• Dick Cheney (former member of the Board of Trustees)
• Paul Wolfowitz (scholar at AEI)
• John Bolton (Senior Fellow at AEI)
• Henry Kissinger (has collaborated with AEI on foreign policy initiatives)

2. Brookings Institution

• Focus: Public policy research on economics, governance, foreign policy, and global development.
• Affiliated Individuals:
• Robert Rubin (former Chairman of the Council on Foreign Relations and a Trustee of Brookings)
• Larry Summers (affiliated scholar)
• Madeleine Albright (often involved in foreign policy panels)
• Timothy Geithner (collaborated with Brookings on financial reform post-crisis)

3. Heritage Foundation

• Focus: Conservative policies, promoting free-market capitalism, defense, and deregulation.
• Affiliated Individuals:
• Dick Cheney (worked closely with Heritage on defense policies)
• Paul Wolfowitz (has contributed to Heritage discussions on foreign policy and defense)
• John Bolton (affiliated with Heritage as a Senior Fellow)

4. Hoover Institution

• Focus: Classical liberalism, free markets, and limited government intervention.
• Affiliated Individuals:
• George H.W. Bush (worked with Hoover on foreign policy discussions post-presidency)
• Henry Kissinger (longtime contributor to Hoover publications and foreign policy panels)
• Paul Wolfowitz (affiliated with Hoover on defense and national security issues)
• Condoleezza Rice (Director of Hoover, closely aligned with Bush administration figures like Cheney and Wolfowitz)

5. Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

• Focus: Defense, national security, and international policy.
• Affiliated Individuals:
• Zbigniew Brzezinski (served as a senior advisor and trustee)
• Henry Kissinger (frequent collaborator and participant in CSIS initiatives)
• Madeleine Albright (member of various advisory boards)
• Robert Zoellick (has worked with CSIS on trade and economic policy)
• Paul Wolfowitz (has collaborated on defense-related topics)

6. Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE)

• Focus: Global economic policy, international finance, and trade.
• Affiliated Individuals:
• Peter G. Peterson (Founder and namesake)
• Larry Summers (frequent speaker and collaborator on financial policy)
• Timothy Geithner (regularly collaborates with PIIE on global economic issues)

7. Council of Economic Advisers (CEA)

• Focus: Provides the President with advice on economic policy.
• Affiliated Individuals:
• Larry Summers (Chairman of the Council under President Clinton)
• Paul Volcker (advised multiple administrations, including as Chairman of the Federal Reserve)
• Robert Rubin (heavily involved in economic policy during Clinton’s presidency)

8. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

• Focus: International affairs, diplomacy, and peace promotion.
• Affiliated Individuals:
• Madeleine Albright (frequently involved in diplomacy initiatives)
• Zbigniew Brzezinski (advisor and policy collaborator)
• Henry Kissinger (collaborates on international diplomacy)
• Robert Zoellick (has advised on trade and international policy)

9. Bilderberg Group

• Focus: Annual private meetings of elites from business, politics, and academia to discuss global issues.
• Affiliated Individuals:
• Henry Kissinger (longtime participant and influencer)
• Zbigniew Brzezinski (frequent attendee)
• Robert Rubin (attended multiple times to discuss global finance)
• Timothy Geithner (participated in discussions on global finance and trade)
• David Rockefeller (co-founder and regular attendee)

10. World Economic Forum (WEF)

• Focus: Globalization, international cooperation, and public-private partnerships.
• Affiliated Individuals:
• Larry Summers (frequent speaker at Davos and WEF events)
• Timothy Geithner (regular participant in WEF discussions on global finance)
• Robert Rubin (involved in shaping WEF’s financial sector discussions)
• Robert Zoellick (participates in trade and economic discussions)
• Madeleine Albright (regular speaker on global governance and diplomacy)

11. Atlantic Council

• Focus: Foreign policy and defense, with a focus on NATO and transatlantic relations.
• Affiliated Individuals:
• Henry Kissinger (advisor on foreign policy and defense matters)
• Madeleine Albright (involved in foreign policy strategy with a focus on NATO)
• Robert Zoellick (advisor on global economic and defense policies)
• Paul Wolfowitz (has contributed to defense and strategy discussions)

12. International Monetary Fund (IMF) / World Bank

• Focus: International financial stability, development, and global trade.
• Affiliated Individuals:
• Robert Zoellick (former President of the World Bank)
• Larry Summers (has worked extensively with both institutions)
• Timothy Geithner (former official at IMF and continued involvement with World Bank initiatives)
• Paul Volcker (has advised the IMF on global economic policy)

13. Aspen Institute

• Focus: Leadership development and policy research on social and economic issues.
• Affiliated Individuals:
• Robert Rubin (involved in economic policy discussions)
• Madeleine Albright (frequent participant in diplomacy panels)
• Henry Kissinger (involved in leadership initiatives and policy discussions)

14. RAND Corporation

• Focus: Defense, policy research, and national security.
• Affiliated Individuals:
• Paul Wolfowitz (involved in defense-related research)
• Zbigniew Brzezinski (advisory role on national security)
• Henry Kissinger (involved in foreign policy analysis)