Ridding Ourselves of the Econopaths

I suggest that, in order to move forward as a nation and as a society, we engage some kind of psychological testing for all people in elite positions, from high office to the boardroom of American's corporations. What we want to do is eliminate those in our midst who are most likely to do us great harm---the sociopaths. They are the most ambitious, the most aggressive, and the least conscientious members of our society, willing, often, to step on others to get to the trough. If they harmed themselves only, we needn't be concerned, because the consequence of their own damage is limited to their own spheres. But they harm us in countless invisible ways. If they did to an individual what they do to the masses, we would call them economic murderers. But because their actions enjoy a diffusion of responsibility, we instead look to the individual and blame him instead for his circumstances---as if the actions from on high were divinely inspired or an act of God. If these people were limited to using their own resources, they would not have the power they have; remember, they have at their disposal the cumulative resources of thousands or millions of people, and have granted themselves the divine right of looting our collective treasuries to fuel their personal, feckless ambitions. They steal from the great collective and then give it back in forms of libraries and foundations---a redistribution of wealth they so vociferously campaign against. Talk about hypocrisy. And that must be the mark of a sociopath or the American capitalist version---the econopath.

How we can live free

We must get to the root of the problem of oppressions: economic, social, and other forms. Recognizing that natural---and thus man-made---resources are not distributed equally around the world, if we are empathetic, we must find ways to redistribute resources---or help regions locally produce their own resources (efficient for those regions) with some initial investment (a hand up---not a hand out). I believe people do not want to be dependent on others for want of pride. People want to survive, and those who live in the greatest fear of their survival are the greatest threat to the human community---for they become thieves that grow up to be brutal dictators. It's not necessarily a question of desiring power, but the power for self-destiny. When people have the ability to pursue self-destiny, it may be too inefficient and self-destructive to become a dictator. Once dictators---in the streets and at the head of nations---are removed, resources flow freely for people to live free.

Citizen Client is the Damsel in Distress

I just want to share this great description of government and corporations both pretending to do what's best for the citizen client:

"The reality is a bit like a scam you’d see in a bad movie. Some guy is harassing a girl at a bar and another guy steps in to chase the jerk away. For good measure, he gets tough and just a little bit physical. After the jerk is gone, the 'hero' is free to accept whatever thanks he can from the damsel who thought she was in distress. She, of course, has no way of knowing that the two guys were friends and will switch roles the next time they try the scam."

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/business/general_business/april_2010/60_say_capitalism_better_than_socialism

Disconnected Metaphor for the Stupid American?

Are you paying attention, America? I'm beginning to think that unemployment insurance is not insurance for the unemployed, but rather hush money to keep the unemployed from revolting against this fraud parading around as business. Why aren't Americans angry? I'll tell you why: Americans think it is easier for them to eventually work their way up to a position where they can cash in by fraud than it is to change the fraudulent system (the system, incidentally, they have been told is the 'goodest' in the world). No need to change the system, if it is already the best in the world, right? How is it that Americans do not understand how it affects them personally? Do they not realize that John Q. Taxpayer is not just one person who lives in Dubuque, Iowa, but a purposefully disconnected metaphor for the stupid American?