When megalomanic, multi-billionaire barons of industry suddenly announce that they are boundless geniuses who must remake society, government, and nature – perk up and pay attention!
The very existence of billionaires is evidence of an unworkable society. Economic democracy demands that the laws, connections and corruption that led to them becoming billionaires need to be completely overhauled.
Whole heartedly agree. If someone has accumulated a billion dollars, they’ve done something terribly wrong with their life. It is beyond time for the other 99.x% of us to correct that, starting with a return to 90% tax rates for those in that top percentile.
GOLLY GEE ! the rich must live in another world -- like a fanteseyland so let them live there if it's like they say ? but HELL NO the rich won't live there, there to afraid of what the imangined PLACE WOULD BE----yes--- they are NUTS-- - NUTS--- NUTS and that's why they are NUTS !
Sep 28, 2023·edited Sep 28, 2023Liked by Jim Hightower
Neither floating upon the seas, orbiting in space nor on Mars is far enough away. Those characters are Exhibit A in the case against Capitalism American Style.
Planet "U" comes to mind but I wouldn't suggest that to you because I agree with what you are saying! And besides, you're a fellow Lowdowner! Have a great day JS!
"Meanwhile, what if more of our billionaires invested their money and political influence in funding real solutions to real problems in the real cities America already has?"
Here's what you have to believe to be a libertarian. John Galt, while working a full time janitor's graveyard shift in Pittsburgh, commuted by train and back every weekend to Galt's Gulch in the Colorado wilderness (2000 miles one way) where he and his fellow millionaires built mansions, from scratch, so they on their own chopped down all the trees and then milled all the lumber and mined and smelted the copper and lead then manufactured water pipes and electric wires and again just a few dozen millionaires built a sewage system and fabricated all the fixtures and every other component that goes into building a mansion, also incidentally performed all the labor too, then did the same for a power plant and a railroad, including the locomotive, and then to top it off they mined 20 tons of gold ore and cast a giant solid gold dollar sign and by the way they built a huge crane first to hoist it up. They also probably killed a Al Queda or two with their bare hands at some point. So while I appreciate the commitment to a philosophy so completely at odds with reality, I cannot afford it even one iota of credibility. The point is we are all every one of us inextricably tied to and dependent on each other. It's no wonder Ayn Rand died alone and dependent on Social Security. I don't know if she resides in an unmarked pauper's grave, but if ever someone deserved that fate, it's her.
The billionaires (and millionaires) do NOT care! They ONLY care about Money, money, money, money AND Power to get more money, money, money, money..................... American CANNOT function with ALL this money in only a few hands. And they just want us to buy their BS and their poorly made products and that is all! MONEY and POWER - that is all they care about as America slides into oblivion............
Jim you hit the nail on the head. Unless the are purged American democracy is doomed because thinking and uncorrupted Americans are standing against their grandiose plans. The media knows it but is terrified to admit what is really behind Trump and the destruction of the Supreme Court ,dirty dark money,sick egotistical billions with more money than scruples.
The only interest in space should be for communications and national security for every country and person. WTH are we going to other planets when we are experiencing the rapidly increasing destruction of the planet we are on now.
There has to be ways for the money obsessed to make more of what they want while improving the standard of living for more people. One problem that needs a solution now is to create more potable water.
Problem: Need more usable water
Problem: sea waters are rising and will wipe out many inhabited areas around the world
Answer: Could it be possible to design a way to desalinate massive quantities of water for human use and irrigation in a cost effective and efficient way without adding more problems to the ecosystem?
Now about all that plastic in the oceans that are finding its way into the seas and other waterways as well as into the bloodstreams of every human.
You’re correct about who will be in control of it. Some companies will use their government to help keep it in their control and other countries will set up companies as façades. Most of the dictatorships will take it from the private sector just as they take other natural resources.
There are many in different segments of academia and think tanks who are predicting warfare over water rights. It is needed for a society to survive.
I pour hot tap water through my Berkey water filter. It gets out chlorine and everything for clear, odorless and tasteless water H2O free of toxic chemical pollutants. I ordered it from Lehman's non electric catalogue
I am not a billionaire or a fan of billionaires but I remember Mr Bass renovating Sundance Square in Fort Worth and it was good for a lot of people for a long time. He did use government money too but it worked out that his name is on a nice concert hall and the city benefited. Sports fans claim the stadiums stimulate commerce but it seems to make the rich richer. Billionaires shouldn’t need to raid taxpayers’ pockets.
The very existence of billionaires is evidence of an unworkable society. Economic democracy demands that the laws, connections and corruption that led to them becoming billionaires need to be completely overhauled.
Absolutely fact!
Whole heartedly agree. If someone has accumulated a billion dollars, they’ve done something terribly wrong with their life. It is beyond time for the other 99.x% of us to correct that, starting with a return to 90% tax rates for those in that top percentile.
GOLLY GEE ! the rich must live in another world -- like a fanteseyland so let them live there if it's like they say ? but HELL NO the rich won't live there, there to afraid of what the imangined PLACE WOULD BE----yes--- they are NUTS-- - NUTS--- NUTS and that's why they are NUTS !
Neither floating upon the seas, orbiting in space nor on Mars is far enough away. Those characters are Exhibit A in the case against Capitalism American Style.
I feel sorry for Mars. Destroy another Planet!
Planet "U" comes to mind but I wouldn't suggest that to you because I agree with what you are saying! And besides, you're a fellow Lowdowner! Have a great day JS!
"Meanwhile, what if more of our billionaires invested their money and political influence in funding real solutions to real problems in the real cities America already has?"
A billion here, a billion there?
Soon you're talking real money!
Forever California: "We are founding this city."
City of Solano: "But it is not lost."
Jim ,I’ve been subscribing to the LOWDOWN for years . I miss my paper copy that I could pick up and lay down at will. Oh well progress ,I guess.
yeah...
Here's what you have to believe to be a libertarian. John Galt, while working a full time janitor's graveyard shift in Pittsburgh, commuted by train and back every weekend to Galt's Gulch in the Colorado wilderness (2000 miles one way) where he and his fellow millionaires built mansions, from scratch, so they on their own chopped down all the trees and then milled all the lumber and mined and smelted the copper and lead then manufactured water pipes and electric wires and again just a few dozen millionaires built a sewage system and fabricated all the fixtures and every other component that goes into building a mansion, also incidentally performed all the labor too, then did the same for a power plant and a railroad, including the locomotive, and then to top it off they mined 20 tons of gold ore and cast a giant solid gold dollar sign and by the way they built a huge crane first to hoist it up. They also probably killed a Al Queda or two with their bare hands at some point. So while I appreciate the commitment to a philosophy so completely at odds with reality, I cannot afford it even one iota of credibility. The point is we are all every one of us inextricably tied to and dependent on each other. It's no wonder Ayn Rand died alone and dependent on Social Security. I don't know if she resides in an unmarked pauper's grave, but if ever someone deserved that fate, it's her.
The billionaires (and millionaires) do NOT care! They ONLY care about Money, money, money, money AND Power to get more money, money, money, money..................... American CANNOT function with ALL this money in only a few hands. And they just want us to buy their BS and their poorly made products and that is all! MONEY and POWER - that is all they care about as America slides into oblivion............
Please, please, please send them to those places where they long to be!!
If it helps, I will be happy to chip in 5 bucks.
Jim you hit the nail on the head. Unless the are purged American democracy is doomed because thinking and uncorrupted Americans are standing against their grandiose plans. The media knows it but is terrified to admit what is really behind Trump and the destruction of the Supreme Court ,dirty dark money,sick egotistical billions with more money than scruples.
The only interest in space should be for communications and national security for every country and person. WTH are we going to other planets when we are experiencing the rapidly increasing destruction of the planet we are on now.
There has to be ways for the money obsessed to make more of what they want while improving the standard of living for more people. One problem that needs a solution now is to create more potable water.
Problem: Need more usable water
Problem: sea waters are rising and will wipe out many inhabited areas around the world
Answer: Could it be possible to design a way to desalinate massive quantities of water for human use and irrigation in a cost effective and efficient way without adding more problems to the ecosystem?
Now about all that plastic in the oceans that are finding its way into the seas and other waterways as well as into the bloodstreams of every human.
AND WAIT Multibillionaires, THERE’S MORE!
I am so glad you brought up water!
Since I was in my 20's I realised drinking potable water was a huge issue.
Water will be the first to go and whatever is left will be run by Company's. People laughed at me!
I think it was Octavia Butler who wrote a book about this?
You’re correct about who will be in control of it. Some companies will use their government to help keep it in their control and other countries will set up companies as façades. Most of the dictatorships will take it from the private sector just as they take other natural resources.
There are many in different segments of academia and think tanks who are predicting warfare over water rights. It is needed for a society to survive.
Meanwhile, back in outer space…
I pour hot tap water through my Berkey water filter. It gets out chlorine and everything for clear, odorless and tasteless water H2O free of toxic chemical pollutants. I ordered it from Lehman's non electric catalogue
I am not a billionaire or a fan of billionaires but I remember Mr Bass renovating Sundance Square in Fort Worth and it was good for a lot of people for a long time. He did use government money too but it worked out that his name is on a nice concert hall and the city benefited. Sports fans claim the stadiums stimulate commerce but it seems to make the rich richer. Billionaires shouldn’t need to raid taxpayers’ pockets.
They should not be allowed to! Period.
Yes, how about helping what we have work better?
Problem solvers invite interested parties to participate in creating solutions not imposing them.
Love it Jim! Yes I agree. Now please excuse me while I go sharpen my PITCHFORK!
truth.