Forum Post: How Greed is Killing this Country

In 2007 (before the bailouts, etc.) the Government took in 5.2 Trillion dollars of tax revenue. For comparison, that same year Exxon (direct descendant of Rockefeller's Standard Oil) took in 390 Billion; Walmart, 350 Billion; and Goldman, 69 Billion. In total these three companies generated 15% of what the government generated in 2007 in terms of revenue.

With 5.2 Trillion dollars the Government gave us a bankrupt social security system, two bankrupt health care assistance programs, countless under-performing immigration (visa) programs, a neglected national power grid and other key infrastructures, an under-performing school system, continued problems with homelessness and poverty, and the list goes on and on.

Where did the money go? It went to inefficient programs largely aimed at providing good sounds bytes on the evening news with the goal of winning votes.

It is the greed of the politician that is destroying this country - his greed to the tune of 5.2 Trillion dollars. Don't condemn the special interests, for it is their duty to fight for their causes, just as this movement feels it has a duty to fight for its causes. Condemn the politicians who are unable to stand-up to the special interests and do what is right by the people. Condemn the politicians who would rather get re-elected than solve problems. Condemn the politicians who cannot look a CEO, or a union representative, or a lobbyist in the eye and tell him why he respects his view, and will defend his right to share it, but that his view is not in the country's best interest.

Elect leaders who will honor the privilege of managing 5.2 Trillion on behalf of the American people. We've worked hard for that money and can easily take it back.