Our Priviledged Class Is an Oligarchy - or How the Wealthy Are Enslaving Us

opinion | May 19, 2006 | Bob Ireland

[ovrtaxt]

Yes, it's extremely time consuming, no doubt. Wrapping one's head around international banking and monetary policy is not an easy task.

It is fascinating, though, to see many of the names on your list here, and easily recognizable names from American history, intertwined in curious partnerships.

Enough to blow your faith that anybody really has your personal interests at heart!

[Bob Ireland]

***"privileged" do not have a "d" before "g"***

True ... ooops! Thanks. [Likewise in the Latin]

[defenderSD]

"What this accomplishes is to attenuate any effort at advancing ones material status through punitive taxation;"

That's a wild, unsubstantiated statement. We all know taxes are excessive in New York City. Unless you make a whole lot of money that is not the place to build any wealth. Middle class people have the right to get out of NYC and Mass if they want and they are doing that. We left California two years ago and one big reason was the high state income tax and property taxes in CA. The family that bought our house paid a lot of $ for it and they could afford it because they are succssful small business people with very high incomes despite all the regulations in CA.

It's not necessary to invent an entirely new product to succeed in business, but at the very least you need to be innovative in the way you run your business and run it better than your competitors in some way.

But I understand your position. There's far too much taxation and regulation of business. I don't think this is part of any big NWO scheme to "enslave" us. It's just the usual abuse of power by federal, state, and local legislative powers and government agencies that use the police power of government to extract resources from productive people. This has been going on for many centuries all around the world. That's why Jefferson (IIRC) added the first 10 amendments to our constitution, to specifically protect the rights of the people. As JimRob says, "the beast never dies." It just mutates and changes form from one century to the next and one country to the next. The price of freedom is eternal vigilence, and thus it is time to be vigilent and throw the real bums out of congress.

[Bogolyubski]

When did class warfare become a conservative talking point?

I don't think that is what he's really talking about here. In the first place, the left's class warfare is just part of the dialectic. It's really a rope-a-dope scheme to get people to vote for the expansion of the state and the closing of opportunities - something which is actually works the further enrich and empower the real oligarchs. Wealth per se does not make one an oligarch. Instead, it's the ability to control a nation through its government and create a closed system like the one found in Mexico presently. Mr. Ireland's point is that the same process is well under way here in the US.

[jwh_Denver]

"I guess he told me, eh?"

I never forget when and if I call a talk show the man with the microphone and the mute switch will seemingly win everytime.

[defenderSD]

Yes, IMO the NEA is packed to the rafters with hypocrites who only pretend to care about good education for our children. Anyone who opposes free market school reforms and school choice is a hypocrite by definition, and probably has a hidden agenda to keep kids out of those "conservative private schools and christian schools."

[Bob Ireland]

***It's just the usual abuse of power by federal, state, and local legislative powers and government agencies that use the police power of government to extract resources from productive people.***

just the usual abuse? What do you think we are talking about?

[Bob Ireland]

***when and if I call a talk show***

This was by e-mail... I was attempting to be discreet. ?:-/

I told him I was sorry I required him to sound intelligent and encouraged him to continue to harrangue his audience with his biases and narrow-mindedness. hee hee

[Bogolyubski]

This quote from Mr. Schenker, former president of the National Federation of Teachers (now part of the NEA) sums up the NEA attitude nicely:

"I'll start caring for students when they start paying union dues!"

[defenderSD]

I know, we're talking about the same thing. I'm just saying that your rhetoric is exagerrated with claims that an oligarchy is trying to "enslave us." There's no organized plot to literally enslave us, it's just excessive taxation and regulation. But perhaps I'm making too big an issue out of the fine points in your rhetoric. This is a good post and you're making some excellent points about the hypocrisy of very wealthy liberals who want to needlessly increase taxes on middle class people and the rising stars in small businesss. I don't mean to irritate you ahead of your weekend. You posted some information that really needs to be read and understood by the public.

[Centurion2000]

When did class warfare become a conservative talking point?

Probably about 20 seconds after those IDIOTS in the Senate decided to amnesty about 12 million illegal aliens.

[Bob Ireland]

As you say: 'The price of liberty...' I do not wish to wait until I have to sing their praises as I march into the work camp. ;-)

FReegards

[Bob Ireland]

***Probably about 20 seconds after those IDIOTS in the Senate decided to amnesty about 12 million illegal aliens***

LOL! But I think you mean ...about 112 million ...

FReegards

[Bob Ireland]

***This quote from Mr. Schenker ... "I'll start caring for students ..."

Hoo Boy! If you can source that it would be good to have it in the FR archives [if it isn't already here.]

[Bob Ireland]

Just a passing thought: look at posting #42 ... it demonstrates that these oligarchs intend to gouge every penny from us they can squeeze.

FReegards

[little jeremiah]

BTTT.

[Bogolyubski]

It was Albert Shanker, late (d. 1997) president of the American Federation of Teachers (not part of the NEA, but they considered a merger in the early 90s). Here's a link to an article that contains the exact quote:

"When students pay union dues, the union will represent students."

http://www.educationpolicy.org/pressconf5-99/Q-A.htm

I've seen the quote used by David Horowitz, also, in opposition to the NEA and its agenda.

[Bob Ireland]

***Albert Shanker***

Of course! Good find ... although it is ancient [like me! ;-)]

Who was it that said World War III started when Albert Shanker got ahold of a nuclear weapon? hee hee

[Cacique]

bump for later read

[texastoo]

Thanks for the post. Do you have any idea what the wealth of these people were prior to taking office? I would especially like to see G.H.W. Bush before and after.