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Does Anyone Think the Uber-Rich are Usually on Their Side?
- Thread starter Sunstone
- Start date
The Koch Bros are on my side.
Criminal justice reform will save money & enhace civil liberty.
https://www.charleskochinstitute.org/issue-areas/criminal-justice-policing-reform/
They also support libertarian organizations, oppose the Patriot Act,
promote free enterprise, & make leftish media very very angry.
Ref....
Political activities of the Koch brothers - Wikipedia
But of course, the wealthy are diverse, so some will oppose my interests.
Criminal justice reform will save money & enhace civil liberty.
https://www.charleskochinstitute.org/issue-areas/criminal-justice-policing-reform/
They also support libertarian organizations, oppose the Patriot Act,
promote free enterprise, & make leftish media very very angry.
Ref....
Political activities of the Koch brothers - Wikipedia
But of course, the wealthy are diverse, so some will oppose my interests.
Considering the ultra-rich exist because of systems I am opposed to (e.g., poorly regulated capitalism), it's highly unlikely.
I'm sure there are a few exceptions, but on the whole, the uber-rich are pillaging societies and the planet - so, no.
HonestJoe
Well-Known Member
I don’t see why they would be. Nobody else is.
It largely depends on what the issue is.
One thing my grandfather used to say all the time (usually when addressing matters of business or wealthy people): "They're in business to make money." That's the one thing that I always keep in mind whenever someone at that level in society tries to propose something political. It has to be assumed that their motives are financial.
Of course, that doesn't mean that they all think alike.
Historically, some wealthy have taken more liberal positions, presumably as a way of hedging their bets and making an investment in political stability - which is vital if they want to keep most of their wealth. So, by sharing some of their wealth, it can keep the lower classes contented with at least some form of sustenance. They believe they can get more flies with honey than vinegar.
The conservative wealthy seem to be heavier on the vinegar. They tend to operate under the maxim that only the strong survive and that force is the best way of solving most problems. That's why they generally support more police, more prisons, more restrictive laws, and a huge military. In their view, that's the better investment to keep the peasants in line.
I don't even know what my "own best interests" are politically or economically. I have certain beliefs and opinions on political issues, but these don't have much basis in fact. For instance, I wanted and continue to want my marriage to my husband to be recognized by the state, but the fact is that the state's recognition of our marriage could eventually cost me a hell of lot more money than if we had just continued living together in sin. Living together in sin is sometimes more fun than merely having a marriage license.
Other than that, I'm not sure what the uber-rich can do politically or economically to affect me. I know that they can't buy elections--if they could, then Hillary Clinton or Jeb Bush would be in the White House right now. The uber-rich can wine and dine politicians more impressively than I can, but I might could argue as well as any of them. My problem is I often waste my best arguments trying to persuade dogs and cats at the animal shelter.
Anyway, as already noted here, the uber-rich are a diverse group. I suspect that politicians who are Democrats get as much of whatever the uber-rich are offering as Republicans do.
Sunstone, do we expect the poor to be aligned with one's own best interest too?
Or just anyone else?
I've never assumed the uber rich to be aligned to my interest, but I'm not seeing why that should be the case. The only one that has my interest is really, just myself.
I imagine the motivations of the uber-rich are as multifaceted as anyone else's. They just have more money to facilitate their endeavors. I don't expect them or anyone else to go out of their way to help me unless they see some benefit in it.
Not saying altruistic acts don't happen between folks. Even among uber-rich. I've committed a few myself, but it's rare.
I also imagine among the uber rich, they get used to the world catering to them.
This is a misnomer.
They still aren't on your side. They're on their side which parallels you. If you were to change your beliefs tomorrow, they're not going to care what your new beliefs are.
Everyone is on their own side and a democracy builds the overall policies. Of course, the rich has a bigger influence through power of marketing and such... But really, in theory, the poor has the advantage in actual numbers and voting power. Just the poor happens to be lemmings some times. Sorry if that comes off the wrong way. I'm still surprise as to why some people vote the way they do given all their complaints about health care, education, immigration and so on.
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A majority of Democrats tend to.
It happens occasionally, someone will go out of their way to help another person. Just not something I'd expect to happen.
I suppose the thing is, I don't expect it from government either. I expect the government to act in its own best interest as well, not mine.
Aristocracy vs peasants, Boyars vs serfs -- a recurring theme.
There's always a tiny cadre of Social Dominants who manipulate the reigns of power. They undermine the Social Contract, insinuate themselves into leadership positions, legislate to undermine the interests of the people to their economic advantage.
The US is no longer a democracy. It's a military empire, an oligarchy of the rich.
Where are today's Jacobins?
There's always a tiny cadre of Social Dominants who manipulate the reigns of power. They undermine the Social Contract, insinuate themselves into leadership positions, legislate to undermine the interests of the people to their economic advantage.
The US is no longer a democracy. It's a military empire, an oligarchy of the rich.
Where are today's Jacobins?
Audie
Veteran Member
Subduction Zone
Veteran Member
All of the time. Just yesterday I read how Bill Gates was going to give me $10,000.00 for sharing a post ten times. That is a thousand bucks a share! Who else has promised anyone such easy money?
ThePainefulTruth
Romantic-Cynic
Meaning what, "poorly regulated" redistribution of wealth/legalized theft? In a SJW's just arbitrary world, everyone would be making $3000 a year, the global average--with the "poor" in the US squawking the loudest, while the actual poor in the would only see a 2 cents on the dollar, if that.
Where does this concept of beneficent governments come from? 150 million were killed in the 20th century by their own governments.
To be frank, I have a problem with capitalism in general since its inherently exploitative of human persons and especially non-human persons. When this tendency to be exploitative is not curtained with regulations, it's just horrible. Poorly regulated capitalism means corporations can throw their waste into local rivers and streams without care or consequence. It means things like not fairly compensating your human workers for their time because doing that cuts into your bottom line. Things like that. Look into the history of labor laws and environmental laws for an idea of what poorly regulated (or absent regulation) looks like.
While we're not to the point in America that we've regressed back to the really bad abuses, the past few decades have seen an erosion of the checks and balances. That, in of itself, enabled these ultra-wealthy people to exist, from what I understand. I can't say I understand all the nuances of it - my background is in life science, not economics - but it's really unfortunate when a society empowers multi-billionares to exist and doesn't finance a basic need like education properly.
Daemon Sophic
Avatar in flux
Like any large coorporation, donations are made to both sides, in order to point at these red herrings and say “See how nice we are?” regardless of who wins, and regardless of their overall leanings.
Wow. Do you have problems with all the bits of strawmen getting stuck in your teeth? Even Ayn Rand is palming her face.
BSM1
What? Me worry?
No...but I have been in contact with this Nigerian prince...