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Fear and greed move the ruling class
Published Friday, November 6, 2009
Governments were created to legitimize and preserve the privileges of the powerful who fear any system of “wealth distribution other than the one they use to enrich themselves. They want an ever increasing level of economic activity from which they profit those profits enhancing their sense of security. When force is their instrument governments are — totalitarian. Other elites concluded that seduction of opponents was less disruptive and thus more profitable than the use of force. It would appear that fear and greed are the motivations of the ruling classes. They tell us that greed is good, that private consumption trumps public programs and that a larger gross national product is desirable even if it pollutes our environment and exhausts planetary resources. Our founding fathers offered participation to a select segment of the public through the elective process but our elites act to subvert the legislative process. One need look no further than the recent bankruptcy reform or the health care reform fiasco for examples.
Sadly, most of us cooperate in our own rape and that of the planet by endorsing a political system where both political parties support and are funded by corporate interests. Is the purpose of economic activity to advance corporate interests, to provide more toys to the public, to provide for the national defense or to build healthy communities for healthy people? Prioritizing such options is important public business but the decisions are left to those who profit from staying the course. As your homes are being repossessed, your toys are for sale on the sidewalk and your retirement funds shrink ask yourself whether this broken system is one which you wish to give your children.
John Gibson
Blooming Prairie
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Comments
Posted by MissIndependent (anonymous) on November 6, 2009 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
John - you do make some interesting points, but what system would you like to see? Would you want to live in China, for example?
I agree that special interests, corporations, etc. cause issues in politics - no question. The other problem is we have career politicians that will do or say whatever to keep their jobs.
Posted by realchange (anonymous) on November 6, 2009 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There is no perfect system, but what would you prefer, the redistribution of wealth, socialism? In American you can become one of the rich and powerful if you work for it. Do you think hard work pays off in Cuba? Socialism has only two classes, the rich politicians and the poor citizens. Do you really want to give your money to people that think they are "entitled" to it without having to work for it? Do you want our government to tell you how much you can make and if you do more, they take it and give to someone else to line their pockets in it? Capitalism isn't perfect, but look at what it did for us, made us the richest and most powerful and yes, the only place left that is free. We need to clean up the government, and keep our freedom. That freedom is to have the opportunity to get rich......if we so choose.
Posted by ErnieGann (anonymous) on November 6, 2009 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Market democracy is the worst system in the world . . . except for all the rest. ..."--Winston Churchill
Posted by NoDFL (anonymous) on November 6, 2009 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok John I will bite.... How is your plan any better? You point a lot of fingers yet no really solutions.
Posted by bornFree (anonymous) on November 6, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
John, stop eating those Blooming Mushrooms in Blooming Prairie, didn't anyone warn you about not eating them when they start to Bloom this time of year? They make you hallucinate.
Posted by outoftownlandlord (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
John,
You should read all the post under the poll. But really read the one from NoDFL about the true role of government. It may help you to wake up from the strange dream world you live in.
Posted by TameThaTane (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 2:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When I read letters like this, I'm reminded of the 30 year "brain drain" we've experienced and how the best and brightest of us have moved on to other places to live their lives.
And letter writers like this is all we're left with. It's disheartening and sad really, but reality.
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