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Forum Post: Diverting our attention from the lust for extreme personal wealth to the lust for power.

Posted 9 years ago on Aug. 20, 2014, 8:02 p.m. EST by StillModestCapitalist (343)
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I've noticed the growing campaign to excuse the richest 1% for their relentless efforts to concentrate as much wealth as possible. I've noticed the more recent effort to divert our attention instead to a smaller minority of multi-billionaires. As if the lesser concentrations of millions are insignificant. Finally, I am aware of the ABSURD claim that the rich and corrupt are motivated by a lust for 'power' not money. This claim is often made in an attempt to vilify Democrats in particular. As if their ultimate goal is to 'control the masses'.

The link below is for a complete list of Federal politicians, judges, and staff members convicted of 'on the job' corruption going back over 100 years. As you will see, the vast majority have been inspired directly by a desire to get or stay rich. Of the examples that remain, a desire to get or stay in paid office is indicated more often than not. Lies have been told (often in relation to financial matters), evidence has been withheld (often in relation to financial matters), and a few motives remain unclear (some of which certainly pertain to financial matters) but none of the criminal acts listed below were inspired by anything remotely resembling a desire to 'control the masses'. Unless of course, you consider sexual harassment of two employees such an attempt.

The pattern of financially motivated corruption has applied to both major political parties going back over 100 years. It shows that Democrats and Republicans alike, are inspired almost exclusively by a desire to get rich. Not by a desire to 'control the masses'. Not by a lust for 'power'.

Https://ListOfConvictedReps.Blogspot.com

There you go. Over 100 years worth of convictions. The vast majority of which prove that corrupt politicians, Democrats and Republicans alike, are inspired almost exclusively by a desire to get rich. Rarely by anything but. Almost never by anything remotely resembling a desire to 'control the masses' or by a lust for 'power'.

Of course, the ongoing campaign to divert our attention from the evil of wealth concentration to the lust for power will continue. Not that I deny the corrupt influence of power or the harm that has been done by those who wield too much. But the single greatest force of government, business, and societal corruption is the desire for extreme personal wealth. Not the lust for 'power'. Any claim to the contrary is absurd.

6 Comments

6 Comments


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[-] 3 points by elf3 (4203) 9 years ago

What do you say to people like me squeezed between corrupt system of state and fed workers largely driven by baby boomers...business owners unwilling to pay wages in proportion to inflation and cost of living largely driven by baby boomers...derivative trading and house flipping bonanza largely driven by baby boomers...and a minority privledge system which rewards misguuded youth with the best money my secretary dollars can buy largely driven by baby boomers...and a complete deregulation of the markets which gave rise to the new monopoly age largely driven by baby boomers. I'm being squuzed on all sides getting taxed out of my ass as I watch minority spanish guys with their pants down and ebt get into their cars with college stickers on their cars...and the ever growing invisible fence towns where homes don't go for less than $550,000...so I live in a gang zipcode where the government rewards them with college aid ...and is perfectly happy to keep me working on my shit wage treadmill to keep on paying for it all. I don't qualify for aid ...they save it for the minorities...as well as the lical and community colleges have stopped all evening credit courses which means those working full time have no shot in hell of attending...so all these asshole wealthy elites get their tax loopholes...gated housing and relegate me and people like me to pay for the juvenile delinquents which surround me in my city to live and get privledges based on their ethnicity alone...I'm stuck in the middle of all the assholes as a workhorse of Orwellian and Vonnegut proportions. Thanks baby boomers. Thanks for screwing the working class.

[-] 1 points by trashyharry (3084) from Waterville, NY 9 years ago

The problems didn't really start with the Boomers.The problem started when an entire generation of Americans was tricked into participating in WWI,which was done to them on behalf of Bankers,who wanted to make sure that France and England would be able to repay their outstanding debts.That war was followed by a series of booms and busts,culminating in The Great Depression.The so-called "Greatest Generation," having been turned into zombies by that horrible life experience,were manipulated into participation in WWII with relative ease.Upon returning home from the incredibly dehumanizing and mind-numbing experience,of WWII,the so-called "Greatest Generation" was simply not in the mood to do anything but keep on sleep-walking through life,and having lots and lots of child producing sex.Old,but not out of commission,the so-called "Greatest Generation" gave us Reagan/Thatcher Neoliberalism.The Boomers really have no excuse for the evils they aided & abetted-they all knew that business as usual would bring us where we are today.It would be hard to imagine a more lazy,weak and stupid group than my generation,the Tail End of the Boomers.They never organized anything.Unable to afford college,they died of alcoholism and drug addiction.Those who did go to college took 10 years to finish.Most of the people my age have turned out to be apathetic,lackluster losers,whose life strategy has been to wait for their parents to die,so they can then get a life.Corrupt,selfish,lazy,stupid people for 100 years-putty in the hands of American Capitalists.People say Millennials have all of these bad qualities,but my view is that they are not going to make any deals with American Capitalism.They will start doing the things that need to be done to get rid of it,because they know Capitalism won't let us live.Who even wants to live knowing you are born to be a sucker? Fk that.

[-] 0 points by StillModestCapitalist (343) 9 years ago

I've gotta hand it to you. Although I don't agree with much of your angle, I will admit that it's one I've never heard or read before.

Have an opinion about the relationship between distribution of wealth/income and economic instability? Was Einstein right about the Great Depression in your opinion? What about Greenspan's warning to Congress in '05'? Pure coincidence or does it tie in with your angle?

[-] 1 points by trashyharry (3084) from Waterville, NY 9 years ago

Since you don't say what exactly you don't agree with,I can't really elaborate too much.People really did turn into emotionally numbed-out zombies during the Depression.Everyone was uprooted in those days,to the point that people no longer said goodbye to each other.They said to people about to embark on their wandering,pointless job search-"write if you get work,"-leaving unsaid-"we don't care if we never hear from you again if you don't find work." Just that alone shows an astounding degree of emotional damage.There are many theories about what the Depression was about,or "used for." I think the Depression,credit crunch and mortgage crisis that came after were created events to torture and weaken the working class.Whether intentionally created or not,that is the function they had,along with a gathering and concentration of capital.I had a horribly painful experience observing the hideous duplicity of Supercreep Alan Greenspan,Bubblepumper Extraordinaire.He is a a traitor and Supervillain for the ages.I will have to get back to you on Einstein,because the piercing howls of children who want to use the computer are having their effect.

[-] 1 points by StillModestCapitalist (343) 9 years ago

Most baby boomers are middle class. Many are still working to cover their outrageous health care expenses. Most minorities are poor even after you account for their government aid. I'll agree that rich baby boomers and rich minorities are a problem but then again, so is Taylor Swift. When a 21 year old concentrates hundreds of millions of dollars, that 21 year old inevitably causes actual hardship for others.

I don't care how old the rich are, I don't care what race they are, and I don't care what brand of tissue they wipe their rank asses with. If they are rich, then they are part of the problem.

[-] 1 points by MattHolck0 (3867) 9 years ago

with great power comes great responsibility

with great money comes freedom to pay for what you want