FWIS3

Many of us think we’re special because “this is America.” We think we’re immune to the same forces that started the Arab Spring—or the French and Russian revolutions, for that matter. I know you fellow .01%ers tend to dismiss this kind of argument; I’ve had many of you tell me to my face I’m completely bonkers. And yes, I know there are many of you who are convinced that because you saw a poor kid with an iPhone that one time, inequality is a fiction.

Here’s what I say to you: You’re living in a dream world.

Oh, so the downfall of late-stage capitalist exploitation is the deluded and xenophobic doctrine of American Exceptionalism? I knew it had to be good for something.

Between this piece and Hank Poulson's on climate change, looks like the few remaining moderates left on the right are finally trying to stop the nutjobs. However, it looks like a case of too little, too late.

Hmmm. I'm no historian, but will point out that we are currently at the equivalent of the wealth concentration of the Gilded Age again, yet then we didn't have mass revolution. Bloody and violent labor strikes, yes, but that's a few steps away from nationwide instabilities.

So how was it diverted then? Or is the argument that if we continue the way we're going now it'll end up there? Just thinking out loud.

According to the "Pinko Commie Liberals", it was diverted by Teddy Roosevelt & Co as a response to the political unrest caused by the strikes and such.

Yeah, that's what I think is really still missing today- we have not had any mass protests of real substantial value even though many are upset. Despite what some like to claim (including the article) I don't think Occupy Wall Street was successful at all- ok, they gave us "the 1% vs the 99%" terminology, but there was no agenda or suggestion on how to change things.

So while I think the article has good points, I think it won't get much traction because there's a lot that can happen before "bring out the pitchforks" which implies armed revolution. I mean I grew up a few miles from where the Homestead Strike happened, when literally armed company mercenaries murdered strikers. Crazy stuff that required thousands of militiamen to end and was the worst labor incident up to then, but the rest of the country didn't dissolve into revolution as a result, nor did it really hurt Andrew Carnegie at all (or Frick, who was a real asshole who many believe would've deserved it).

I guess while I'm happy more people than just Warren Buffet are out there saying "hey fellow rich guys, let's think about this" I don't know how much fighting rhetoric with rhetoric accomplishes. I also frankly don't know if much change can happen before the Republicans become completely marginalized at the rate they're going (remember how Romney reminded them all two years ago how they have to change if they want to win? nothing's changed)... which is one of the points he's trying to get accross.

Sigma: Pretty much. It was diverted the same way that it was diverted in Germany - conservatives realized that they needed to create a social safety net in order to prevent revolution. That is literally the stated reason that Bismarck brought in old-age pensions. To keep the proles quiet. It worked.

Rommie: I dunno, I can see some bad shit coming down the pipe, here. I fully expect unrest to increase over time unless something is done.

What have you got against Pinko Commie Liberals??

brite wrote:What have you got against Pinko Commie Liberals??

You're asking ME?