Jim Hightower, Bush's Economic Nostrum, August 30, 2006
"Starting around 1980, American society began to undergo a series of deep shifts. Deregulation, weakened antitrust enforcement. Money began to play a larger and more corrupting role in politics. America fell behind other nations in education, in infrastructure, and in the performance of many of its major industries. Inequality increased. As a result of these and other changes, America was turning into a rigged game—a society that denies opportunity to those who are not born into wealthy families, one that resembles a third-world dictatorship more than an advanced democracy."
Charles Ferguson, Predator Nation, 2012
"The 20th century has been characterized by three developments of great political importance: The growth of democracy, the growth of corporate power, and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of protecting corporate power against democracy."
Alex Carey, Taking the Risk out of Democracy, 1995
"Why are people so reluctant to believe that sociopaths and narcissists can use the power of the pen to prey on people? Because they are well spoken and organized? These are the most dangerous of the emotionally warped with a need to acquire, dominate and control, because they are smarter and more calculating than the impulse murderers, burglars, rapists, thieves, and pedophiles.
The notion that people become naturally good, rational and well-adjusted because they are wearing a suit is ludicrous, especially to anyone who has worked with many of those who move in the upper echelons of money and power. There will always be those at the extremes. But for most of us, restoring a sense of justice and order and putting the nation back into some kind of working balance will be high on the priority list, if not for ourselves, then for our families. The sooner we start, the sooner it will be over.
Jesse, Predator Class, 26 December 2008
“The Senator was vulgar, almost illiterate, a public liar easily detected, and in his 'ideas' almost idiotic, while his celebrated piety was that of a traveling salesman for church furniture. Certainly there was nothing exhilarating in the actual words of his speeches, nor anything convincing in his philosophy.”
Sinclair Lewis, It Can't Happen Here, 1935
“Anyone who has ever lived or worked in a corrupt dictatorship knows what happens. When the system is rigged, when ordinary citizens are powerless, and when whistle-blowers are pariahs at best, three things happen. First, the worst people rise to the top. They behave appallingly, and they wreak havoc. Second, people who could make productive contributions to society are incented to become destructive, because corruption is far more lucrative than honest work. And third, everyone else pays, both economically and emotionally; people become cynical, selfish, and fatalistic. Often they go along with the system, but they hate themselves for it.”
Charles H. Ferguson, Inside Job, 2010
Stocks rallied today, founded in part by news of another 'breakthrough' in discussions with Iran.
Gold and silver bounced.
Bitcoin held its ground at support and managed to bounce a bit.
We have earnings on deck, which may have some influence on the market at the extremes.
But all in all, the looming global recession and oil shortage is barely given its appropriate risk weighting.
I have seen some very ugly and awful things in my life. I was a child of the 50's and 60's after all, But the current level of open corruption and hypocrisy in Washington is a disgraceful stain on the country.
Those who fail to uphold their oaths to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution from enemies, foreign and domestic bear a heavy responsibility.
History will not be kind. And it ought not to be. There is no excuse for this.
People of faith must bear witness to the terrible sins against the Spirit being committed by those who cloak themselves in a gospel soaked in money and blood. They will be reaping the wages of sin.
"You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again that you did not know.”
William Wilberforce, Speech to Parliament, 1791
Have a pleasant evening.
