Comments on: Unprotecting Middle Class Wealth http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/09/unprotecting-middle-class-wealth/ a radical newsletter in the struggle for peace and social justice Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:27:33 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: James Keye http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/09/unprotecting-middle-class-wealth/#comment-28815 James Keye Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:58:01 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=3305#comment-28815 I have enjoyed Mr. Koontz’s comments, however, I must take exception to this one. Capitalism is a design of economic action with particularly unfortunate consequences when uninhibited. I can see no advantage in calling it or socialism or communism or fascism a conspiracy. I do absolutely agree with the observation that it is difficult to recognize with clarity the properties of the medium in which we are immersed whether it is gravity, the air or an economic process. For a similar reason calling life a conspiracy does no service to either life or the concept of conspiracy. And the last is the very hubris that is doing us harm. Let our first effort be to “save” ourselves by becoming as human (competent in our specieshood) as possible. Working at saving the world is how we got into this trouble in the first place. I have enjoyed Mr. Koontz’s comments, however, I must take exception to this one. Capitalism is a design of economic action with particularly unfortunate consequences when uninhibited. I can see no advantage in calling it or socialism or communism or fascism a conspiracy. I do absolutely agree with the observation that it is difficult to recognize with clarity the properties of the medium in which we are immersed whether it is gravity, the air or an economic process.

For a similar reason calling life a conspiracy does no service to either life or the concept of conspiracy. And the last is the very hubris that is doing us harm. Let our first effort be to “save” ourselves by becoming as human (competent in our specieshood) as possible. Working at saving the world is how we got into this trouble in the first place.

]]> By: Brian Koontz http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/09/unprotecting-middle-class-wealth/#comment-28811 Brian Koontz Thu, 25 Sep 2008 05:26:44 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=3305#comment-28811 Capitalism is a conspiracy to maximize exploitation, in whatever form and method that entails. But because capitalism is what we breathe, what we drink, and what we eat, we don't see it that way. A way of life is always a conspiracy and a religion. Hopefully our conspiracy to save the world will succeed. Capitalism is a conspiracy to maximize exploitation, in whatever form and method that entails. But because capitalism is what we breathe, what we drink, and what we eat, we don’t see it that way.

A way of life is always a conspiracy and a religion. Hopefully our conspiracy to save the world will succeed.

]]> By: James Keye http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/09/unprotecting-middle-class-wealth/#comment-28778 James Keye Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:43:18 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=3305#comment-28778 Rubens, The thing that has brought every human design to an end, the madness of hubris. We think that we can see the options coming and we cannot. We are not a species that plays it safe, but now the game is such that we must learn to. I fear it will be a very hard lesson. Rubens,

The thing that has brought every human design to an end, the madness of hubris. We think that we can see the options coming and we cannot. We are not a species that plays it safe, but now the game is such that we must learn to. I fear it will be a very hard lesson.

]]> By: rubens http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/09/unprotecting-middle-class-wealth/#comment-28775 rubens Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:53:23 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=3305#comment-28775 fair enough. At least I'm glad I'm not the only one exploring that idea. The obstacle I come across, however, is why would the elite gamble like this? Don't they know what kind of effects this will have? To a certain extent they're safe because the police state will always protect them. But from another perspective, they are on the way of ruining the very economic system that made them wealthy in the fist place, and they're on the verge of creating the most powerful fascist dictatorship the world has ever known; and who knows what kind of resistance and violence this will spark. The future is unclear, and that's my point. Why would the elite class gamble like that? Do they have a plan? Are they not thinking about the consequences? And why isn't anybody else talking about this? I don't think this is simply the way capitalism works. I think there's something else going on, and I think you're on to something. fair enough. At least I’m glad I’m not the only one exploring that idea. The obstacle I come across, however, is why would the elite gamble like this? Don’t they know what kind of effects this will have? To a certain extent they’re safe because the police state will always protect them. But from another perspective, they are on the way of ruining the very economic system that made them wealthy in the fist place, and they’re on the verge of creating the most powerful fascist dictatorship the world has ever known; and who knows what kind of resistance and violence this will spark. The future is unclear, and that’s my point. Why would the elite class gamble like that? Do they have a plan? Are they not thinking about the consequences? And why isn’t anybody else talking about this? I don’t think this is simply the way capitalism works. I think there’s something else going on, and I think you’re on to something.

]]> By: James Keye http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/09/unprotecting-middle-class-wealth/#comment-28746 James Keye Wed, 24 Sep 2008 03:05:35 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=3305#comment-28746 Conspiracies can happen in many forms. In 1970, as a young faculty member, I was part of closing down a college after the Kent State and Jackson State killings, and creating a 3 week “teach-in” that looked at the current state of politics in the country. To accomplish this required a conspiracy of fact, but only when supported by a much larger “conspiracy” of interest. What I believe we are witnessing is a definite conspiracy, a hidden agenda maintained and motivated by a few powerful individuals spread through government and the business community, to position themselves and their associates to extract wealth that had been protected by regulation and “normal” business practice. In this process a much larger conspiracy of interest has formed to raid all the wealth that the new forms of practice allowed. This would be completely expected by those in the administration who understood what they were doing; expected and approved of both as cover for their own thievery and as part of the ideological agenda of weakening the support of government for the people – to make government an instrument for the control and subjugation of the people, not a tool of the people for the pursuit of their benefit. Conspiracies can happen in many forms. In 1970, as a young faculty member, I was part of closing down a college after the Kent State and Jackson State killings, and creating a 3 week “teach-in” that looked at the current state of politics in the country. To accomplish this required a conspiracy of fact, but only when supported by a much larger “conspiracy” of interest. What I believe we are witnessing is a definite conspiracy, a hidden agenda maintained and motivated by a few powerful individuals spread through government and the business community, to position themselves and their associates to extract wealth that had been protected by regulation and “normal” business practice. In this process a much larger conspiracy of interest has formed to raid all the wealth that the new forms of practice allowed. This would be completely expected by those in the administration who understood what they were doing; expected and approved of both as cover for their own thievery and as part of the ideological agenda of weakening the support of government for the people – to make government an instrument for the control and subjugation of the people, not a tool of the people for the pursuit of their benefit.

]]> By: rubens http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/09/unprotecting-middle-class-wealth/#comment-28732 rubens Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:31:38 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=3305#comment-28732 I'm not saying it's a conspiracy, but I've never been able to overlook the facts that the Bush administration changed the bankruptcy law in 2005 (or so) to make it harder for the average person to file for bankruptcy, and that Bernanke, a student of the Great Depression, was chosen to take over the Fed. from Wikipedia: "Bernanke is particularly interested in the economic and political causes of the Great Depression, on which he has written extensively. On Milton Friedman's ninetieth birthday, November 8, 2002, he stated: "Let me end my talk by abusing slightly my status as an official representative of the Federal Reserve System. I would like to say to Milton and Anna: Regarding the Great Depression. You're right, we did it. We're very sorry. But thanks to you, we won't do it again." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Bernanke#Education I’m not saying it’s a conspiracy, but I’ve never been able to overlook the facts that the Bush administration changed the bankruptcy law in 2005 (or so) to make it harder for the average person to file for bankruptcy, and that Bernanke, a student of the Great Depression, was chosen to take over the Fed.

from Wikipedia:

“Bernanke is particularly interested in the economic and political causes of the Great Depression, on which he has written extensively. On Milton Friedman’s ninetieth birthday, November 8, 2002, he stated: “Let me end my talk by abusing slightly my status as an official representative of the Federal Reserve System. I would like to say to Milton and Anna: Regarding the Great Depression. You’re right, we did it. We’re very sorry. But thanks to you, we won’t do it again.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Bernanke#Education

]]> By: MrSynec3 http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/09/unprotecting-middle-class-wealth/#comment-28711 MrSynec3 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:04:49 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=3305#comment-28711 Very informative and illuminating article for the masses without any arcane mumbo-jumbo. Unfortunately, very few of the amsses read this site or have any idea of what is really going on. Hopefully, this article will help spread awareness. Very informative and illuminating article for the masses without any arcane mumbo-jumbo. Unfortunately, very few of the amsses read
this site or have any idea of what is really going on. Hopefully, this article will help spread awareness.

]]> By: Gliscameria http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/09/unprotecting-middle-class-wealth/#comment-28671 Gliscameria Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:21:17 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=3305#comment-28671 I've never seen it stated so simply. It's can't be long before the masses realize that an armed majority rules, not a wealthy few. I’ve never seen it stated so simply. It’s can’t be long before the masses realize that an armed majority rules, not a wealthy few.

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