"This cartoon by Joseph Keppler, who was both the editor and main cartoonist for Puck, which became one of, a very popular satirical weeklies in the post-Civil War period, expresses a general public discontent and concern about the growing impact and power of large businesses in the United States in the Gilded Age, particularly as this indicates, by businesses that have become monopolies in one way or another, and their control over the political process.
This is the period of time when the Senate is beginning to be conceived of as a millionaire’s club. It’s not quite called that yet, but it’s getting there, and certainly the sort of power and influence of business has become palpable.
And this is a wonderful snapshot, if you will, of the relationship between the two, with the bloated figures, having squeezed their way through the door saying, 'Entrance for Monopolists,' and surrounding the Senate with the Lilliputian figures of the different senators, all of whom would be recognized by viewers because their faces are quite realistic. And the influence is quite clear between the monopolists and their impact on the legislators who are either going to be manipulated by or intimidated by these figures.
The quote from the Gettysburg Address referred to the democracy, 'the government by the people and for the people' as opposed to, in this case, the corruption of it, which is, 'by the monopolists and for the monopolists.'"
Josh Brown, The Bosses of the Senate, November 20, 2022
“Against such foolishness we are defenseless. Reason falls on deaf ears; facts that contradict one’s prejudgment simply need not be believed – in such moments the foolish person even becomes critical – and when facts are irrefutable they are just pushed aside as inconsequential, as incidental. In all this the foolish person, in contrast to the malicious one, is utterly self satisfied and, being easily irritated, becomes dangerous by going on the attack.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison
For these are a rebellious people, deceitful children, unwilling to listen to the commandments of the Lord. They say to their seers,‘Do not see!’, and to the prophets,‘Say nothing of what is right. Tell us only the things that please us — prophesy illusions.'"
Isaiah 30:8-10
Stocks continued their downward spiral, following a much weaker than expected Non-Farm Payrolls report and a rise in the unemployment rate.
So far this is just a correction. Today the SP 500 tagged the 50% Fibonacci retracement for this current bubble up rally.
Gold and silver held their ground reasonably well.
The Dollar was knocked down 1.23.
VIX rose higher.
Gold and silver seem to be retaining their 'safe harbor' status. Although we must be reminded that in a thankfully rare general liquidation panic everything is sold.
Including the souls of many recognizable figures, who seem to have no hesitation prophesying lies and bending their knee to a donor class of malignant narcissists.
This increasingly reminds me of 1913.
And because of the increase in wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.
Need little, want less, love more. For those who abide in love abide in God, and God in them.
Have a pleasant weekend.
