For the love of money
The love of money is causing the destruction of American democracy. As the great economist John Maynard Keynes said: “Capitalism is the extraordinary belief that the meanest of men for the meanest of motives will somehow work for the benefit of all.” He’s talking about human beings who have forgone their humanity and become greedy “mutts” as he calls them.
Yes, achievement and drive are good aspects of our system, but the desire by many of our leaders and industry to live like a king and damn the consequences are dead wrong. Some smart and sophisticated mutts maybe, but still mutts. Jared Kushner is trying to give nuclear secrets to the Saudis to rescue him from bad debt. For the love of money Robert Murdoch is trying to destroy the free press and divide the entire country like the Civil War.
The NRA has fostered a death cult for the sake of profits. Christian leaders disregard the teachings of Jesus in favor of the “prosperity doctrine” – that is, God favors the rich and hating others who don’t buy their take on God is just fine. Fossil fuel industries completely deny climate change, but know for a fact they have caused it. Billionaire owners of Purdue Pharma push opioid drug Oxycotin hard despite knowing it could kill. The Republican tax plan gives American corporations a $2 trillion tax break at a time when they’re enjoying record profits and stashing piles of cash in offshore tax shelters.
The richest one percent now hold nearly half the nation’s total wealth, up from one-third 10 years ago. More “supply-side” trickle-down nonsense. The real reason is a trickle-down payback for Trump donors. They buy themselves tax cuts, special subsidies, bailouts, lenient antitrust enforcement, favorable bankruptcy rules, more intellectual property protection and many other laws that add to their wealth. Exactly what Keynes was aiming at. Our average working people and the poor are basically redistributing their earnings to top executives and investors. There is no such thing as a “fair share” in America today. Republicans love taxing the poor and especially love dumb presidents. Talk about a less caring party. They love money more than they love America.
—William Hui, Clearlake
Discrediting climate change issues
Regarding the Opinion published in the Lake County Record Bee in: “From Our Readers” dated: March 6, 2019- “Al and Alexandria”, submitted by: Leona M. Butts, Clearlake Oaks.
In regards to “Al and Alexandria” on March 6, 2019 – It is quite clear this opinion was not about issues of climate change – considering the author Leona M. Butts has determined by her own “research”- climate change issues are a hoax. The author has only used this issue as a basis to personally attack Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (AOC) focused on in her message of the “Green New Deal”. A convenient topic for attack to pursue a mission.
This perception is obvious in Ms. Butts’ “introduction” as she refers to AOC: “In her 29 years AOC has gotten around” … and ends her sketchy, biased portrayal and condescending review of AOC’s personal history, employment and accomplishments as it began: ‘With this background, yes, she has gotten around .. ”
When it’s necessary to leave the country to locate a “scientist” who is also a climate change denier- it speaks to the desperation necessary to prove a belief in an effort to support a prejudice but then attempt to appear as though the production of irrelevant “facts” substantiates the claim. The Australian “scientist”- Ian Rutherford Plimer, listed with a variety of accolades in fields of interest that are not only irrelevant to climate issues, they are in direct conflict. He posted a “scientific fact” that has since been proven false and his theories are in conflict with scientists not involved in his real interests being the Director of Australia based Coal Gas company; Ormil Energy and director of three Australian based Mining companies: Ivanhoe, CBH Resources and Kefi Minerals. He is a life member of Australian Skeptics – a climate change skepticism organization.
In November 2009 – he was named a member of the academic advisory council for Nigel Lawson’s global warming skeptic group, The Global Warming Policy Foundation, listed as a member of the mining lobbying group, Gina Rinehart’s Australians for Northern Development & Economic Vision (ANDEV) whose focus is to oppose all government efforts to reduce emissions and greenhouse gases, promotes development and climate change denial, pursues reduced taxation and less regulations. This is the “expert” compared to Al Gore. The founder of the lobbying group ANDEV- Gina Rinehart-is a mining magnate (coal & iron) & one of Australia’s richest people and one of the world’s richest women. (Wikipedia). In light of the condescending and insulting criticism and portrayal presented of AOC Ms. Butts did not offer her own area of expertise, academic history or educational grading nor was a description of her life hardships and accomplishments by/at age 29.
The “research” provided is lacking in credibility to support her “expert” conclusion. Perhaps a fraction of time spent to discredit AOC and Al Gore could be redirected towards reality in America informed by fact based scientists without special interests connected to their area of research.
—Karen McClellan Clearlake Park
