Has the U.S.A. Become a Kleptocracy?
First a definition from wikipedia.
Kleptocracy, alternatively cleptocracy or kleptarchy, from Greek: κλέπτης (thieve) and κράτος (rule), is a term applied to a government subject to control fraud that takes advantage of governmental corruption to extend the personal wealth and political power of government officials and the ruling class (collectively, kleptocrats), via the embezzlement of state funds at the expense of the wider population, sometimes without even the pretense of honest service. The term means "rule by thieves". Not an "official" form of government (such as democracy, republic, monarchy, theocracy) the term is a pejorative for governments perceived to have a particularly severe and systemic problem with the selfish misappropriation of public funds by those in power.
There are many of us that think our government now fits this definition quite succinctly. We are about to reap a coward's reward. We have a government that allowed control fraud to occur. A government that lifted all lending standards, removed controls, created free money out of thin air with the FED and plunged the U.S. into the greatest collapse- perhaps of all time. This could not happen without the help of Congress. Once it did happen, our Congressman- most of which were bribed with campaign contributions from bankers and corporate America and had cozy mortgage deals of their own- turned a blind eye. Our government then stole tax payer money and converted it. Giving it away. Though it's been two years, the dust has hardly settled. The proof of this grand conspiracy is that not one fraudulent banker has been criminally charged. Not one. The problem is so enormous that the world is collapsing. Our government response so far beyond complete indifference, is to print more money and further dilute our wealth with the inflation tax. It may be Ireland today, but our day is coming.
We are a country ruled by thieves and ethically corrupt politicians. Clearly, we are. So what do we do when we ultimately realize that our Federal government is systemically corrupt? That they cannot police themselves? What is it going to take to change this culture of corruption?
When government is systemically corrupt, such that it is, no amount of voter anger can change that. Substituting new politicians and inserting them cannot and will not alter the course of events. You can't take a few seemingly honest people, insert them into this giant and powerful kleptocracy as freshman legislators, and think they are going to miraculously effect any significant change. The system will spit them out. Look at Ron Paul. They label him and demonize him- look what happened to the Audit the Fed bill. http://www.infowars.com/ron-paul-audit-the-fed-bill-fails-after-former-co-sponsors-flip-flop/ They have marginalized Paul to the extent that he is ineffective. So if the senior guys, the non corrupt ones can't effect any change...just what the hell are you going to do with a bunch of rookies? So what is the solution?
A good spot to squeeze this in. Wonderfully written, well worth the read at Washington Rebel. http://www.washingtonreb.com/2010/11/28/the-cosmic-hammer/
I'm not sure, quite honestly. There is talk of a Constitutional Convention. My guess is that the Federal Government will do anything they can to prevent that. We have a President that could facilitate such an effort but at this point in time, I have seen no evidence that he is even remotely interested in pulling his head out of his ass and acting like a leader. In fact, Obama has significantly added to the kleptocracy rather than admitting it exists or heaven forbid- taking action to arrest it. He is a beneficiary of it.
I think quite easily, by definition, we have devolved into a kleptocracy. Never in the history of this country have we seen such an event as that of 2008. Completely uncharted and without legal precedence. Many believe the bailouts were illegal. Great leaders such as Lincoln, Jackson, Kennedy have faced such critical events and conquered them. This time around, we didn't face the problem. We turned and ran from it like cowards. And now we will reap a coward's reward.
Kleptocracy, alternatively cleptocracy or kleptarchy, from Greek: κλέπτης (thieve) and κράτος (rule), is a term applied to a government subject to control fraud that takes advantage of governmental corruption to extend the personal wealth and political power of government officials and the ruling class (collectively, kleptocrats), via the embezzlement of state funds at the expense of the wider population, sometimes without even the pretense of honest service. The term means "rule by thieves". Not an "official" form of government (such as democracy, republic, monarchy, theocracy) the term is a pejorative for governments perceived to have a particularly severe and systemic problem with the selfish misappropriation of public funds by those in power.
There are many of us that think our government now fits this definition quite succinctly. We are about to reap a coward's reward. We have a government that allowed control fraud to occur. A government that lifted all lending standards, removed controls, created free money out of thin air with the FED and plunged the U.S. into the greatest collapse- perhaps of all time. This could not happen without the help of Congress. Once it did happen, our Congressman- most of which were bribed with campaign contributions from bankers and corporate America and had cozy mortgage deals of their own- turned a blind eye. Our government then stole tax payer money and converted it. Giving it away. Though it's been two years, the dust has hardly settled. The proof of this grand conspiracy is that not one fraudulent banker has been criminally charged. Not one. The problem is so enormous that the world is collapsing. Our government response so far beyond complete indifference, is to print more money and further dilute our wealth with the inflation tax. It may be Ireland today, but our day is coming.
We are a country ruled by thieves and ethically corrupt politicians. Clearly, we are. So what do we do when we ultimately realize that our Federal government is systemically corrupt? That they cannot police themselves? What is it going to take to change this culture of corruption?
When government is systemically corrupt, such that it is, no amount of voter anger can change that. Substituting new politicians and inserting them cannot and will not alter the course of events. You can't take a few seemingly honest people, insert them into this giant and powerful kleptocracy as freshman legislators, and think they are going to miraculously effect any significant change. The system will spit them out. Look at Ron Paul. They label him and demonize him- look what happened to the Audit the Fed bill. http://www.infowars.com/ron-paul-audit-the-fed-bill-fails-after-former-co-sponsors-flip-flop/ They have marginalized Paul to the extent that he is ineffective. So if the senior guys, the non corrupt ones can't effect any change...just what the hell are you going to do with a bunch of rookies? So what is the solution?
A good spot to squeeze this in. Wonderfully written, well worth the read at Washington Rebel. http://www.washingtonreb.com/2010/11/28/the-cosmic-hammer/
I'm not sure, quite honestly. There is talk of a Constitutional Convention. My guess is that the Federal Government will do anything they can to prevent that. We have a President that could facilitate such an effort but at this point in time, I have seen no evidence that he is even remotely interested in pulling his head out of his ass and acting like a leader. In fact, Obama has significantly added to the kleptocracy rather than admitting it exists or heaven forbid- taking action to arrest it. He is a beneficiary of it.
I think quite easily, by definition, we have devolved into a kleptocracy. Never in the history of this country have we seen such an event as that of 2008. Completely uncharted and without legal precedence. Many believe the bailouts were illegal. Great leaders such as Lincoln, Jackson, Kennedy have faced such critical events and conquered them. This time around, we didn't face the problem. We turned and ran from it like cowards. And now we will reap a coward's reward.
Comments
I'd say thanks for a great article but I'm not feeling very thankful at the moment.
I view this stuff as a public service. I would love to engage the conscious public and make people aware. That's why guys like you and I write what we do. I wanna throw some cold water on these zombies and say wake up folks. We're in trouble, but I never let it get to me personally. If it gets real shitty, I am looking at Belize with my first scouting trip tabbed for late Jan or Feb.
Thanks Jim!