We Need an Economic Revolution

Hypothesis:

Because of Federal Reserve money pumping, the power of Washington lobbyists, and the consolidation (monopolization) of industries by technology companies, about 10% of the US population, either directly or indirectly, is now too big to fail.

The other 90% are too small to succeed.

10% of the population has rigged the system. Opportunity for the masses is an illusion. The only viable industries are technology, health care, hospitality, tourism, and service which are dominated by a few people at the top making billions while millions earn less than what it takes to afford a sustainable middle-class lifestyle.

People with jobs that pay less than a livable wage should be counted as unemployed. There are no more Mr. Smith Goes to Washington morality plays.

It’s game over. Forty years ago, a poor student could study hard, get into a good college, graduate with no student debt, and compete with the upper class.

Now, most children of working-class parents, need to take on upwards of $100,000 in student loans to get an advanced degree, and unless that degree is in an ever-shrinking field that pays a living, they will never achieve economic independence: homeownership, a car, children, a yearly vacation, etc…

People are falsely worrying about inflation, but there is not enough money flowing to the masses to inflate prices. The top 1% can only buy and sell assets to each other for so long before even they won’t pay the price.

We are quickly approaching a generation with ever-decreasing pensions who will hit the age of 67 (full retirement) with no savings and about $1500 a month in social security.

As charming as it is, most people pushing 70 aren’t dreaming of living out of a van or sharing a room in a nursing home.

I don’t blame the top 1% for rigging the system. Self-preservation makes sense. But it is not sustainable for the masses. And kills the American dream.

Solutions:

1. Nonviolent Civil Disobedience: We talk about million-man (and woman) marches, how about a 10-million-person march. Imagine Washington paralyzed by millions of people peacefully taking it over until meaningful reform occurs.

2. Making the Uber Rich Uncomfortable: I’m not a huge climate guy, but if the world is really coming to an end due to fossil fuels and overconsumption, why is it okay for billionaires to consume enough energy (private jets, mega-mansions, Yachts) to fuel an entire state? With respect, why can’t Jeff Bezos, Elon Muck, and Bill Gates fly commercial? Sure, they're famous, but there are lots of celebrities who find ways to mingle with the masses. If the uber-rich want to live in 15-bedroom mansions and use enough electricity to satisfy a small country, they should at least pay the same tax rate as the Fed Ex guy delivering their Rolexes.

3. Break the Student Loan Mafia Stranglehold: Enough is enough. Lazy rivers, sushi, and luxury apartments are not necessary to the higher education experience. Affordable dormitories, Ramon noodles, and let’s not forget the greatest cook of all time, Chef Boyardee are the perfectly acceptable environments for learning. Millions of 18 to 24-year-olds are being handed tens of thousands of dollars to pay for inflated food, housing, tuition, books, and “fees” and told this is just the way it is. Bullshit. We’re pulling them into an economic racket where the only winner is the Universities and the banks. No more. The second the government stops backing these uncollateralized loans is the second they will disappear.

Sure. We can have a country where only 10% get to participate in its promise. Where technology keeps us in line. Where every aspect of our lives is controlled by a few monopolies supported by bribed politicians.

But that’s not America. That’s not what the founding fathers had in mind.

But at some point asking becomes futile.

Call it what you wish, socialism, communism, anarchism…no society has ever survived without equitable distribution of wealth.

Not free bread and circuses, just a fair shot in an unrigged game, that’s all we ask.