I’ve been perplexed since 2008, unable to comprehend what happened to alter the arena of commerce so badly as to be no longer recognizable. Now comes an article which has thoroughly opened my eyes to something I’ve long suspected, but couldn’t quite explain to myself. (The article is a bit long, but worthy of your consideration.) It articulates how voters and elected representatives alike have been seduced by a false premise, posing as a FREE MARKET – but aggressively buying up the competition. This commercial coup has emerged as vast monopolies in nearly every sector. What we have today, as a result, is a new feudalism where competition has been eliminated by politicians cooperating with big capital.
I’ve been pondering this recent pratfall while reading a new book belatedly titled The Fourth Revolution which comes from pedigreed talent at The Economist magazine – (my review of the above book is linked at Amazon, and your votes are coveted). But the pair of authors has missed it. The revolution wasn’t even televised! Young people world-over have inherited not a serious recession, but a long term depression, even for those who might find jobs. It’s time to take back the marketplace. Ralph Nader has a new book about opposite sides working together to take it back; but that may be a long wait.
Good article and hope you are enjoying life in Merida. Unlikely we can or have the political will power to correct the large controls over the US economy. Big Banks, Big Govt, Big Def, and Big Biz!!!!! too much money –too much power. But we can hope, indeed, expect a breakdown in the currency at some point. Sad news since the fall will hurt the small more than those who will reorder their wealth. Best to keep a little hard money mi amigo, walter
Good point, Walt. ~eric.
“When it comes to the political economy, both parties are run by the same people”.
That says it all, Eric. The USA needs a third political party to bring change to government – and bring the leverage to break up those monopolies. Obama tried to change things, but failed because the mid-term elections were coming up. Those big companies are more powerful than the politicians — or are believed to be more powerful — and they prevent change. With a third political party in joint power, it is far more difficult to back down because the threat is more immediate.
Thanks, Pete. I’ve gone for third parties numerous times. Some day it will come.
Bastards, indeed! It’s time we quit pretending to be free, middle class members and unite as the feudal serfs we truly are. Live simply. Buy locally. Boycott everyone else.
Thanks for the link, Eric.
Thanks, Paul. Your called-for course adjustment will require of me some major self-correction, as I have been patronizing monopolies unwittingly for a great long while. I must now figure out how to alter my buying habits. For example, I’ve boycotted beef for many years over my disapproval of feedlot practices. But that’s a relatively minor matter. Will I rise to boycott Amazon, or big grocery chains? Convenience is an addiction which will require severe attention on my part. Choices have consequences, especially when it comes to purchasing. Clearly we’ve bought our own enslavement by allowing our own capital to take the path of least resistance (“maximization of exchange”).