From Thomas Paine’s Corner
By Jayson R. Johnson

Milton Freidman was the major architect of the economics of Reagan, Bush 1, and the shrub that currently inhabits the Oval Office. Oft labeled “Trickle Down Economics”, it is more akin to the game Jenga—you know, the one where you pile up all the blocks (profit) and then take turns pulling them out one by one till the pile collapses. I never did like the term “Trickle Down,” as it reminds me too much of the after effects of a hurried urination. Come to think of it, that is all that “trickled down” is to the working class.

We have allowed nearly everything to be privatized: water, power, transportation, energy. There is very little of any value left in public hands, and what is left is already tied up in long term leases that are very beneficial to the private parties holding those leases. The power elite has stripped most industry and manufacturing from this country and out-sourced them overseas. They have sold off much of what remains to foreign investors. The sacking of America is nearly complete and all we common citizens get for it is the debts.

If there is any justice in this world, Freidman is writhing in torment in Dante’s 9th Circle right now….and I fervently hope he remains there for eternity. He is in good company.

So, we are left with the aftermath, and everyone seems to have an idea that will bring us out of the hole we are in. Many look back at the FDR solution, but fail to recognize that what FDR actually did was give Corporate America time to rebuild. His was the third administration to try controlling Capitalism in the short history of the United States, and ultimately he failed to permanently chain the dragon. Reagan turned it loose again and we are now being ravaged by it.

There is an alternative that few seem to want to contemplate. Let’s do away with the source of food for the dragon. Let’s eliminate our horrid system. I can visualize your expression right now, but before you become apoplectic, consider the following. We have everything we really need to do this right now. We US Americans are able provide for most of our current needs without relying upon capitalism. We have the technology and the resources necessary to accomplish this. All we lack is the vision.

Read more Ninth Circle