The great political cartoon POGO had a famous saying. “WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY AND HE IS US.”
Jugurtha described Rome as “urbem venalem et mature perituram, si emptorem invenerit” (“a city for sale and doomed to quick destruction, if it should ever find a buyer”)
[Note* How about mainland China? Aren't we in debt to the Chinese?].
If you have ever wondered if we become ancient Rome, the proof is the rise of the American Optimates. Not only do we see a ‘Wall Street’ sense of entitlement, where do they get the gall to act ‘shocked’ by the pope’s criticisim.
Pope Francis has attacked unfettered capitalism as “a new tyranny”, urging global leaders to fight poverty and growing inequality.
The pope is quoted as saying: “How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure but it is news when the stock market loses two points?”
The ‘Wall-Streeter’s’ claim that the Catholic Church would whither away if it was not for THEIR contributions. My response is: Oh, sure, a religious organization that has survived longer than any corporation (or government) on earth…depends on them! Right. Oh, why didn’t I realize that?” [sarcasm inserted]
The rise of the American Optimates can be seen in the vast inequality of wealth across the nation, and now the law doesn’t even apply to them. A boy that mowed down people with his car, killing some, and sending others to a lifetime prone on a bed, unable to move, has been sentenced to a resort-like rehabilitation center under the excuse of the AFFLUENZA DEFENSE. Yes, according to woman that does not even know the DSM he was just too affluent to know right or wrong. He must be saved…at least according to the judge. What the boy really had is commonly called in my circle as “BEING A SPOILED BRAT.” Yes, yes, I agree the law provides protection…even to the rich. Given. I concede. What’s more the poor deprived child, who got off under the Affluenza Defense, not only robbed a store but tried to rape a 14 year old girl. Let us SAVE this fine and upstanding lad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [Sarcasm submitted].
I think we need a new POGO saying: “WE HAVE MET THE OPTIMATES, AND THEY…OWN US.”