"Trump is a gifted salesman..." ----> "Trump is a grifting salesman...."
Fixed it.
The takeover of America by billionaires is proceeding apace. I'm about halfway through Brooke Harrington's superb book, Offshore: Stealth Wealth and the New Colonialism. I recommend it.
I do not often find myself in the habit of thanking Elon Musk, but he has done an exceptional job of demonstrating a point that we have made for years — and that is the fact we live in an oligarchic society in which billionaires dominate not only our politics and the information we consume, but our government and economic lives as well.
.
That has never been more clear than it is today.
.
But given the news and attention Mr. Musk has been getting over the last few weeks as he illegally and unconstitutionally dismantles government agencies, I thought it was an appropriate time to ask the question that the media and most politicians don't seem to be asking: What do he and other multi-billionaires really want? What is their endgame?
.
In my opinion, what Musk and those around him are aggressively striving for is not novel, it is not complicated and it is not new. It is what ruling classes throughout history have always wanted and have believed is theirs by right: more power, more control, more wealth. And they don’t want ordinary people and democracy getting in their way.
.
Elon Musk and his fellow oligarchs believe government and laws are simply an impediment to their interests and what they are entitled to.
.
In pre-revolutionary America, the ruling class governed through the “divine right of kings,” the belief that the King of England was an agent of God, not to be questioned. In modern times, the oligarchs believe that as the masters of technology and as "high-IQ individuals,” it is their absolute right to rule. In other words, they are our modern-day kings.
.
And it is not just power. It’s incredible wealth. Today, Musk, Bezos and Zuckerberg have a combined worth of $903 billion, more than the bottom half of American society — 170 million people. Since Trump was elected, unbelievably, their wealth has soared. Elon Musk has become $138 billion richer, Zuckerberg has become $49 billion richer and Bezos has become $28 billion richer. Add it all up and the three wealthiest men in America have become $215 billion richer since Election Day.
Meanwhile, while the very rich become much richer, 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, 85 million are uninsured or under-insured, 25% of seniors are trying to survive on $15,000 or less, 800,000 are homeless and we have the highest rate of childhood poverty of almost any major country on earth.
.
Do you think the oligarchs give a damn about these people? Trust me, they don’t. Musk’s decision to dismember U.S. AID means that thousands of the poorest people around the world will go hungry or die of preventable diseases.
.
But it’s not just abroad. Here in the United States they’ll soon be going after the healthcare, nutrition, housing, and educational programs that protect the most vulnerable people in our country - so that Congress can provide huge tax breaks for them and their fellow billionaires. As modern-day kings, who believe they have the absolute right to rule, they will sacrifice, without hesitation, the well-being of working people to protect their privilege.
.
I am not going to kid you — the problems this country faces right now are serious and they are not easy to solve. The economy is rigged, our campaign finance system is corrupt and we are struggling to control climate change — among other issues.
But this is what I do know:
The worst fear of the ruling class in this country is that Americans — Black, White, Latino, urban and rural, gay and straight — come together to demand a government that represents all of us, not just the wealthy few.
.
Their nightmare is that we will not allow ourselves to be divided up by race, religion, sexual orientation or country of origin and will, together, have the courage to take them on.
.
Will it be easy? Of course not.
.
The ruling class of this country will constantly remind you that they have all the power. They control the government, they own the media. “You want to take us on? Good luck,” they will say. “There's nothing you can do about it.”
.
But our job today is to not forget the great struggles and sacrifices that millions of people have waged over the centuries to create a more democratic, just and humane society:
* Overthrowing the King of England to create a new nation and self-rule. Impossible.
* Establishing universal suffrage. Impossible.
* Ending slavery and segregation. Impossible.
* Granting workers the right to form unions and ending child labor. Impossible.
* Giving women control over their own bodies. Impossible.
* Passing legislation to establish Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, a minimum wage, clean air and water standards. Impossible.
In these difficult times despair is not an option. We’ve got to fight back in every way we can.
.
We have to get involved in the political process — run for office, connect with our local, state and federal legislators, donate to candidates who will fight for the working class of this country. We have to create new channels for communication and information sharing. We have to volunteer not just politically, but to build community locally.
.
Whatever we can do is what we must do.
.
Needless to say, I intend to do my part — both inside the beltway and traveling throughout the country — to stand up for the working class of this country. In the days, weeks, and months ahead I hope you will join me in that struggle.
Bless Bernie. up until Obama took him aside in 2016 and told him "how the cow ate the cabbage" he was my hero. Now? A shill for his big pharm masters. Oh well, still a clear thinker and only partly compromised. In the ironic twist of all time it has become the Trump Team that is doing the impossible. Bringing the federal rot to the light...and D.C. will never be the same.
Michael, all of the accusations being made by Musk have not been backed up with any proof and so far there is no transparency. Also, everything they are doing is illegal.
We must be watching different Congressional committee meeting. I do hear the hue & cry of "illegal, unconstitutional, etc" but I haven't hear a single voice say DOGE exposure of any particular funding item is a lie. I have heard democrats scramble to justify some of the revealed spending outrages as being in America's interest...but the justifications have sounded pretty weak so far. But I am listening.
And DOGE "exposed" those 150-year-olds collecting Social Security. Jim and Jane COBOL, specifically. And fired people maintaining and securing our nukes. And claimed, without evidence, rampant fraud and corruption.
Honestly, if you or anyone asserts that "I haven't hear a single voice say DOGE exposure of any particular funding item is a lie," then you and they are simply not paying attention.
You want to find some real waste? Look at Medicare Advantage, and the whole health insurance industry. And the Pentagon.
A lot of things have been said at the congressional meetings, but these people are not under oath and many have no particular interest in the truth. Musk was asked to testify at what I believe they are calling the DOGE committee or the DOGE caucus, and he didn't show up. He created a .gov website but it wasn't secure and classified information was exposed.
Certainly you have heard about the supposed $50 million worth of condoms sent to Gaza? It was Gaza, a province in Mozambique and it was to prevent the spread of AIDS. This is one example, there are many.
Musk is trying to distract us by accusing government agencies of fraud so that no one is overseeing his self-dealing.
Bravo, Peter, right on the mark! Not only in Medicaid, but red states in general receive more tax dollars in benefits coming to their state from the Feds, but pay less taxes. But that fact does not register with them when they scream for cutting spending. More non-critical thinking from the MAGA masses.
One of the things I liked about living in Canada was that over 80 percent of the population, when polled, said they were willing to pay higher taxes to have universal health care and a social safety net for all residents. Canada has oligarchs - the Westons, the Irvings, the Sharps, the Thomsons, and the Pattisons - many of whom I met in business. I never once felt that they opposed the social welfare system built over more than 75 years of Conservative and Liberal administrations. To many of them, wealth brought obligation and responsibility. No 51st state, if you please.
Cliff Bentz has agreed to schedule 4 town hall meetings on Wednesday and Thursday of next week. None will be held anywhere near Ashland or Medford so he likely will not have challenging questions from the red constituency that will attend. A large part of the population in Oregon has not bought the nonsense that Trump has been selling. The less educated and economically challenged citizens seem to be the one's more susceptible to purchasing from Trump the master salesman.
Yikes! I am in despair! Will we ever be able to find our way back to something approaching “the rule of law” again? As imperfect as it has been, at least it makes an attempt at fairness and provides a base for shared expectations. And in theory, we can change the law. The felons and (F)Elon’s have taken over and it seems it’s their way or the highway (to nowhere).
Learn to live with less. What a concept. Balanced federal budget. Clinton did it, I think. The last administration didn't help matters with the over the top spending. Blame both parties if that makes everyone happy but at least try to cut the federal budget. I ran a small business for 46 years. Made payroll every month and paid my 'fair' share to the government. I don't wake up every morning happy to be paying the aca welfare portion of working folks insurance. I just don't and no guilting will make me feel better about it.
As DOGE finds enormous fraud in wasteful programs dems don't seem to care about it and just attack DOGE. Perhaps when they are done, funding for those medicaid recipients will be there. Let's find out!
I wonder if you had asked your employees whether they would rather have had the per capita $12,000 you paid for deductible (talk about waste) health insurance in their paycheck along with universal health care—such a simple, cheap, and less wasteful system. Just ask Canadians, Brits, Germans, or ...
Let us not forget medicaid payments do not only affect individuals but they affect rural and inner city hospitals and clinics. Prior to the passage of Obama care , the American Hospital Association foretasted that approximately 40% of rural and inner city hospitals would close for lack of funding, principally due to bad debt if there were no change in funding. The forecast may be right but its timing wrong. Trump's medicaid cuts will provide the stiletto to these important services.
Interesting statistics on Medicaid levels in our congressional district. This infers poor and unhealthy populous. Why are we that way? Stuff for a deeper dive, perhaps?
"Trump is a gifted salesman..." ----> "Trump is a grifting salesman...."
Fixed it.
The takeover of America by billionaires is proceeding apace. I'm about halfway through Brooke Harrington's superb book, Offshore: Stealth Wealth and the New Colonialism. I recommend it.
https://www.chapter1bookstore.com/book/9781324064947
Here is Bernie Sanders:
I do not often find myself in the habit of thanking Elon Musk, but he has done an exceptional job of demonstrating a point that we have made for years — and that is the fact we live in an oligarchic society in which billionaires dominate not only our politics and the information we consume, but our government and economic lives as well.
.
That has never been more clear than it is today.
.
But given the news and attention Mr. Musk has been getting over the last few weeks as he illegally and unconstitutionally dismantles government agencies, I thought it was an appropriate time to ask the question that the media and most politicians don't seem to be asking: What do he and other multi-billionaires really want? What is their endgame?
.
In my opinion, what Musk and those around him are aggressively striving for is not novel, it is not complicated and it is not new. It is what ruling classes throughout history have always wanted and have believed is theirs by right: more power, more control, more wealth. And they don’t want ordinary people and democracy getting in their way.
.
Elon Musk and his fellow oligarchs believe government and laws are simply an impediment to their interests and what they are entitled to.
.
In pre-revolutionary America, the ruling class governed through the “divine right of kings,” the belief that the King of England was an agent of God, not to be questioned. In modern times, the oligarchs believe that as the masters of technology and as "high-IQ individuals,” it is their absolute right to rule. In other words, they are our modern-day kings.
.
And it is not just power. It’s incredible wealth. Today, Musk, Bezos and Zuckerberg have a combined worth of $903 billion, more than the bottom half of American society — 170 million people. Since Trump was elected, unbelievably, their wealth has soared. Elon Musk has become $138 billion richer, Zuckerberg has become $49 billion richer and Bezos has become $28 billion richer. Add it all up and the three wealthiest men in America have become $215 billion richer since Election Day.
Meanwhile, while the very rich become much richer, 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, 85 million are uninsured or under-insured, 25% of seniors are trying to survive on $15,000 or less, 800,000 are homeless and we have the highest rate of childhood poverty of almost any major country on earth.
.
Do you think the oligarchs give a damn about these people? Trust me, they don’t. Musk’s decision to dismember U.S. AID means that thousands of the poorest people around the world will go hungry or die of preventable diseases.
.
But it’s not just abroad. Here in the United States they’ll soon be going after the healthcare, nutrition, housing, and educational programs that protect the most vulnerable people in our country - so that Congress can provide huge tax breaks for them and their fellow billionaires. As modern-day kings, who believe they have the absolute right to rule, they will sacrifice, without hesitation, the well-being of working people to protect their privilege.
.
I am not going to kid you — the problems this country faces right now are serious and they are not easy to solve. The economy is rigged, our campaign finance system is corrupt and we are struggling to control climate change — among other issues.
But this is what I do know:
The worst fear of the ruling class in this country is that Americans — Black, White, Latino, urban and rural, gay and straight — come together to demand a government that represents all of us, not just the wealthy few.
.
Their nightmare is that we will not allow ourselves to be divided up by race, religion, sexual orientation or country of origin and will, together, have the courage to take them on.
.
Will it be easy? Of course not.
.
The ruling class of this country will constantly remind you that they have all the power. They control the government, they own the media. “You want to take us on? Good luck,” they will say. “There's nothing you can do about it.”
.
But our job today is to not forget the great struggles and sacrifices that millions of people have waged over the centuries to create a more democratic, just and humane society:
* Overthrowing the King of England to create a new nation and self-rule. Impossible.
* Establishing universal suffrage. Impossible.
* Ending slavery and segregation. Impossible.
* Granting workers the right to form unions and ending child labor. Impossible.
* Giving women control over their own bodies. Impossible.
* Passing legislation to establish Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, a minimum wage, clean air and water standards. Impossible.
In these difficult times despair is not an option. We’ve got to fight back in every way we can.
.
We have to get involved in the political process — run for office, connect with our local, state and federal legislators, donate to candidates who will fight for the working class of this country. We have to create new channels for communication and information sharing. We have to volunteer not just politically, but to build community locally.
.
Whatever we can do is what we must do.
.
Needless to say, I intend to do my part — both inside the beltway and traveling throughout the country — to stand up for the working class of this country. In the days, weeks, and months ahead I hope you will join me in that struggle.
In solidarity,
Bernie Sanders
Bless Bernie. up until Obama took him aside in 2016 and told him "how the cow ate the cabbage" he was my hero. Now? A shill for his big pharm masters. Oh well, still a clear thinker and only partly compromised. In the ironic twist of all time it has become the Trump Team that is doing the impossible. Bringing the federal rot to the light...and D.C. will never be the same.
Michael, all of the accusations being made by Musk have not been backed up with any proof and so far there is no transparency. Also, everything they are doing is illegal.
We must be watching different Congressional committee meeting. I do hear the hue & cry of "illegal, unconstitutional, etc" but I haven't hear a single voice say DOGE exposure of any particular funding item is a lie. I have heard democrats scramble to justify some of the revealed spending outrages as being in America's interest...but the justifications have sounded pretty weak so far. But I am listening.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8jBi8At2cE
And DOGE "exposed" those 150-year-olds collecting Social Security. Jim and Jane COBOL, specifically. And fired people maintaining and securing our nukes. And claimed, without evidence, rampant fraud and corruption.
Honestly, if you or anyone asserts that "I haven't hear a single voice say DOGE exposure of any particular funding item is a lie," then you and they are simply not paying attention.
You want to find some real waste? Look at Medicare Advantage, and the whole health insurance industry. And the Pentagon.
A lot of things have been said at the congressional meetings, but these people are not under oath and many have no particular interest in the truth. Musk was asked to testify at what I believe they are calling the DOGE committee or the DOGE caucus, and he didn't show up. He created a .gov website but it wasn't secure and classified information was exposed.
Certainly you have heard about the supposed $50 million worth of condoms sent to Gaza? It was Gaza, a province in Mozambique and it was to prevent the spread of AIDS. This is one example, there are many.
Musk is trying to distract us by accusing government agencies of fraud so that no one is overseeing his self-dealing.
Bravo, Peter, right on the mark! Not only in Medicaid, but red states in general receive more tax dollars in benefits coming to their state from the Feds, but pay less taxes. But that fact does not register with them when they scream for cutting spending. More non-critical thinking from the MAGA masses.
One of the things I liked about living in Canada was that over 80 percent of the population, when polled, said they were willing to pay higher taxes to have universal health care and a social safety net for all residents. Canada has oligarchs - the Westons, the Irvings, the Sharps, the Thomsons, and the Pattisons - many of whom I met in business. I never once felt that they opposed the social welfare system built over more than 75 years of Conservative and Liberal administrations. To many of them, wealth brought obligation and responsibility. No 51st state, if you please.
Cliff Bentz has agreed to schedule 4 town hall meetings on Wednesday and Thursday of next week. None will be held anywhere near Ashland or Medford so he likely will not have challenging questions from the red constituency that will attend. A large part of the population in Oregon has not bought the nonsense that Trump has been selling. The less educated and economically challenged citizens seem to be the one's more susceptible to purchasing from Trump the master salesman.
News flash. Jackson County went "Red" last election. Trump won a majority.
Yikes! I am in despair! Will we ever be able to find our way back to something approaching “the rule of law” again? As imperfect as it has been, at least it makes an attempt at fairness and provides a base for shared expectations. And in theory, we can change the law. The felons and (F)Elon’s have taken over and it seems it’s their way or the highway (to nowhere).
Learn to live with less. What a concept. Balanced federal budget. Clinton did it, I think. The last administration didn't help matters with the over the top spending. Blame both parties if that makes everyone happy but at least try to cut the federal budget. I ran a small business for 46 years. Made payroll every month and paid my 'fair' share to the government. I don't wake up every morning happy to be paying the aca welfare portion of working folks insurance. I just don't and no guilting will make me feel better about it.
As DOGE finds enormous fraud in wasteful programs dems don't seem to care about it and just attack DOGE. Perhaps when they are done, funding for those medicaid recipients will be there. Let's find out!
I wonder if you had asked your employees whether they would rather have had the per capita $12,000 you paid for deductible (talk about waste) health insurance in their paycheck along with universal health care—such a simple, cheap, and less wasteful system. Just ask Canadians, Brits, Germans, or ...
Let us not forget medicaid payments do not only affect individuals but they affect rural and inner city hospitals and clinics. Prior to the passage of Obama care , the American Hospital Association foretasted that approximately 40% of rural and inner city hospitals would close for lack of funding, principally due to bad debt if there were no change in funding. The forecast may be right but its timing wrong. Trump's medicaid cuts will provide the stiletto to these important services.
Interesting statistics on Medicaid levels in our congressional district. This infers poor and unhealthy populous. Why are we that way? Stuff for a deeper dive, perhaps?