A BUNCH OF RICH WHITE GUYS
Our country is being run by a bunch of rich, mostly white, guys (and a few gals). So… is it any wonder that the economy tanked and the common good is not a major consideration in government decisions?
The Decider-in-Chief, who cuts social programs at every turn, has a net worth estimated at $30 million.
Don’t you wonder what his attitude about these programs might be if his rich daddy and friends hadn’t funded him throughout his life?
The Shadow-Decider, who, on national television, arrogantly dismisses what the American public thinks about the war, has an estimated net worth of just under $100 million.
Don’t you wonder what his attitude about war might be if he had actually fought in one?
The Secretary of the Treasury, who is proposing an overhaul of the financial regulatory system that will give the Fed more power and some aspects of which will reduce rather than increase regulation, has an estimated net worth of over $700 million.
Don’t you wonder what his attitude might be if he was just a consumer and not a long time bigwig in investment banking?
58 percent of the Senate’s members could be considered millionaires and 44 percent of House members have a net worth estimated to be at least $1 million*. At the same time only about 1 percent of all American adults have a net worth greater than $1 million. Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics said: "Now that the nation's economic road is turning rougher, members of Congress have a far more comfortable cushion than most Americans have to ride it out. If their constituents experience economic hardships, policymakers, who are in a position to help boost the economy, generally won't feel the same pain."
Don’t you wonder what the attitude of these governing bodies might be if they did feel the same pain?
*SOURCE: 10th Anniversary Edition of the World Wealth Report by investment firms Merrill Lynch and Capgemini, published 2006.
Comments
I wonder what any of these attitudes would be if there was some compassion and empathy in most of these individuals, which is basically what you are saying. I don't think Bush is smart enough to care, and Cheney, pardon my french, is a prick. I saw a piece on cable news the other day where Cheney basically states after either the 2000 or 2004 election that they don't have to live up to any promises made during the campaign. His point being that you say what you need to say to get elected, and after that it doesn't matter. I remember asking myself who died and made him God?
As far as those in Congress, no doubt Lord Acton was correct about power corrupting, etc.. It's a shame that so many in politics, and business for that matter, have so little integrity. I'm not quite sure how they justify that to themselves. I was brought up to be as honest as possible, and I'm sure most of these people were as well. Life's lessons have also taught me that honesty is its own reward, being very powerful and the safest route in the long run. How easy is it to revise that during your life, and decide honesty isn't important if dishonesty gets you more money and power? How often do we see the definition of success revised in people's minds to mean it's okay to screw others as long as you don't get caught, or at least have a good chance of not being caught.
It's unfortunate, but our society has become one that is vulnerable by reason of its own actions. I'm a true believer in "what goes around comes around," and "as you sow so shall you reap." This is not only true of individuals, but nations as well. The more harmful greed I observe in the outer world, the more motivated I become to make my own world right; it is ultimately the only real protection there is.
Posted by: Stephen | April 3, 2008 03:36 PM