Saturday, February 18, 2012

Rise of the Oligarchs

Recently the billionaire brothers, Charles and David Koch, hosted a private three-day retreat in California. In order to make sure the meetings were totally private, the conference organizers and their guests bought out all 500+ rooms of the hotel in Indian Wells, California. The resort restaurants were closed, the grounds were locked down with private security and many of the workers were sent home.

It is reported that those in attendance pledged approximately $100 million to one cause - the defeat of President Obama in the 2012 elections. Since the Supreme Court has ruled that money is speech, it seems that these very rich donors plan to do a lot of talking.

Many pundits claim that this election will be a referendum on President Obama and his policies. However, I see this election as a choice about the kind of nation we want to be. Do we want to be a nation of subjects ruled by wealthy oligarchs who meet together at super exclusive and secretive gatherings to decide government policies among themselves, and then have those policies made law by their bought and paid for political marionettes? Or, are we to be a nation of free peoples - full citizens who exercise their rights in a free society?

During this election season, we should be sure to educate ourselves on the issues and candidates. We cannot allow ourselves to be swayed by the coming deluge of toxic political ads spewing over our airwaves 24 hours a day. We must be certain that we have fulfilled all the requirements necessary to register and cast our votes. Because, even though the oligarchs have millions of dollars to spend in an effort to buy governance, they only get one vote – just like the rest of us.

Word of the Week – Oligarchy

Government by the few; a government in which a small group exercises control, especially for selfish and corrupt purposes.

By Jackie Lambert

"Just a Season"
Legacy – A New Season the sequel is coming!

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