I just finished listening to a book called Limitarianism: The Case Against Extreme Wealth,
by Ingrid Robeyn. There are a lot of details and examples of what works and what doesn't regarding wealth distribution (or lack of it) but what I kept thinking as I listened was the absolute absurdity of it all. People with so much money they can lose a few billion and not miss it and yet it is never enough for them. The author makes the argument that we would be doing them a favor to relieve them of some of their wealth. I agree!
I wonder if my grandchildren will get to experience what it is like to have a president with moral values and hope that this is still a possibility.
The corruption--the rot--carries an overwhelming stench.
But just as our olfaction is eventually fatigued, leading to "nose blindness", we can learn, from overexposure, not to be outraged by these criminal and unethical behaviors.
We are in danger of surrendering. Eventually, each crime will be met with a resigned shrug, and everyday people will engage in casual crime and accept the monstrous crimes, and the fabric of society will be in ruin. Unless we act now.
As long as there has been government, there have been theft, bribery, and fraud. After all, that is where the money is. Even Abraham Lincoln had to "fire" his Secretary of War at the outset of the Civil War and get him out of the picture by naming him the ambassador to Russia.
One difference today is that the corruption has reached into the Oval Office and gobbled up the President. Other major corruption scandals have reached into the oval office but none has touched the President himself with the possible exception of Harding. My belief that today is simply the culmination of the Republican philosophy first enunciated clearly during the Reagan administration - "I got mine crump, you get yours."
Another difference today is that it has reached into other governmental agencies and institutions. Historically, only a small group in one or two bureaus have been involved, but today it is hard not to believe that Congress, the Supreme Court, state houses, Governors and even school board members have not adopted the Reagan philosophy. Why not? The MAGA base and its leaders accept the behavior because they believe that it is best way to get theirs. The rest of us are crumps.
Thank you for a concise review of the fabulous crimes of our "Grifter in Chief." Isn't it amazing how Trump will lend his name to the tiniest of grifts - a watch that isn't made in America, a phone that isn't made, a Bible. And yet, Hunter Biden's inflated art sales and Ukrainian directorship are far worse. By all means, have J.D. Vance lead a campaign against states with Medicare fraud. Is it a coincidence that the healthcare executive, Philip Esformes, whom Trump pardoned, embezzled the same amount, $1.3 billion of Medicare funds, that are being withheld from California? He got 20 years and now doesn't have to pay back a penny.
The biggest Medicare fraud case at the time was against Columbia/HCA while Rick Scott was CEO. It’s hard to find how much they defrauded the public, but their fine was $1.7 billion. Rick wasn’t charged but left in disgrace. Republicans subsequently made him governor of Florida and then a senator. Fraud for them has become a way of life.
Thank you, Bruce. Very well said. And in case anyone needed any further confirmation of what you said, today’s MSN newsfeed had an article on exactly that:
'Outright lies': Congressman brings literal receipts after Eric Trump makes false claim about family’s investments
I just finished listening to a book called Limitarianism: The Case Against Extreme Wealth,
by Ingrid Robeyn. There are a lot of details and examples of what works and what doesn't regarding wealth distribution (or lack of it) but what I kept thinking as I listened was the absolute absurdity of it all. People with so much money they can lose a few billion and not miss it and yet it is never enough for them. The author makes the argument that we would be doing them a favor to relieve them of some of their wealth. I agree!
I wonder if my grandchildren will get to experience what it is like to have a president with moral values and hope that this is still a possibility.
That was a great book!
The corruption--the rot--carries an overwhelming stench.
But just as our olfaction is eventually fatigued, leading to "nose blindness", we can learn, from overexposure, not to be outraged by these criminal and unethical behaviors.
We are in danger of surrendering. Eventually, each crime will be met with a resigned shrug, and everyday people will engage in casual crime and accept the monstrous crimes, and the fabric of society will be in ruin. Unless we act now.
As long as there has been government, there have been theft, bribery, and fraud. After all, that is where the money is. Even Abraham Lincoln had to "fire" his Secretary of War at the outset of the Civil War and get him out of the picture by naming him the ambassador to Russia.
One difference today is that the corruption has reached into the Oval Office and gobbled up the President. Other major corruption scandals have reached into the oval office but none has touched the President himself with the possible exception of Harding. My belief that today is simply the culmination of the Republican philosophy first enunciated clearly during the Reagan administration - "I got mine crump, you get yours."
Another difference today is that it has reached into other governmental agencies and institutions. Historically, only a small group in one or two bureaus have been involved, but today it is hard not to believe that Congress, the Supreme Court, state houses, Governors and even school board members have not adopted the Reagan philosophy. Why not? The MAGA base and its leaders accept the behavior because they believe that it is best way to get theirs. The rest of us are crumps.
Thank you for a concise review of the fabulous crimes of our "Grifter in Chief." Isn't it amazing how Trump will lend his name to the tiniest of grifts - a watch that isn't made in America, a phone that isn't made, a Bible. And yet, Hunter Biden's inflated art sales and Ukrainian directorship are far worse. By all means, have J.D. Vance lead a campaign against states with Medicare fraud. Is it a coincidence that the healthcare executive, Philip Esformes, whom Trump pardoned, embezzled the same amount, $1.3 billion of Medicare funds, that are being withheld from California? He got 20 years and now doesn't have to pay back a penny.
The biggest Medicare fraud case at the time was against Columbia/HCA while Rick Scott was CEO. It’s hard to find how much they defrauded the public, but their fine was $1.7 billion. Rick wasn’t charged but left in disgrace. Republicans subsequently made him governor of Florida and then a senator. Fraud for them has become a way of life.
Fraud and sexual abuse seem to be ties that bind them.
Thank you, Bruce. Very well said. And in case anyone needed any further confirmation of what you said, today’s MSN newsfeed had an article on exactly that:
'Outright lies': Congressman brings literal receipts after Eric Trump makes false claim about family’s investments
Very good piece. Thank you for sharing it.