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In reply to the discussion: Michael Steele said that if Merick Garland tries to prosecute Trump [View all]Hermit-The-Prog
(36,631 posts)32. Buchanan wrote his book about it in 1975 ...
[ ... ]Economists Tyler Cowen and Alexander Tabarrok, both of George Mason University, have noted the two mens affinities, heralding Calhoun a precursor of modern public choice theory who anticipates Buchanans thinking. MacLean observes that both focused on how democracy constrains property owners and aimed for ways to restrict the latitude of voters. She argues that unlike even the most property-friendly founders Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, Buchanan wanted a private governing elite of corporate power that was wholly released from public accountability.
Suppressing voting, changing legislative processes so that a normal majority could no longer prevail, sowing public distrust of government institutions all these were tactics toward the goal. But the Holy Grail was the Constitution: alter it and you could increase and secure the power of the wealthy in a way that no politician could ever challenge.
Gravy Train to Oligarchy
MacLean explains that Virginias white elite and the pro-corporate president of the University of Virginia, Colgate Darden, who had married into the DuPont family, found Buchanans ideas to be spot on. In nurturing a new intelligentsia to commit to his values, Buchanan stated that he needed a gravy train, and with backers like Charles Koch and conservative foundations like the Scaife Family Charitable Trusts, others hopped aboard. Money, Buchanan knew, can be a persuasive tool in academia. His circle of influence began to widen.
[ ... ]
https://www.ineteconomics.org/perspectives/blog/meet-the-economist-behind-the-one-percents-stealth-takeover-of-america
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Yep, Rotten Ronnie was the puppet they needed. We've been fighting it ever since.
Hermit-The-Prog
Feb 2021
#36
And what he is charged with. Would not be my big worry...donors. I think it will solidify Dems
dutch777
Feb 2021
#33
Michael Steele is the most republican of all TLP founders. I do not trust him
Thekaspervote
Feb 2021
#20
Not this donor. I'm not one of the big cats but there are a lot more like me. In fact it would light
dameatball
Feb 2021
#30