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merrily

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19. None of that alters the fact that the US is not just recently becoming an oligarchy, does it?

Mon Apr 21, 2014, 03:00 AM

Apr 2014

As I am sure you realize, that was my point, not whether some of the framers eventually lived beyond even their considerable means. Maybe the East India Company eventually went broke too. If so, that would not alter my point, either.

BTW, I've read that Jefferson willed his slaves, including, I think, at least most of his children with Sally Hemmings, to his children from his marriage. I don't know how that squares with his having died a bankrupt. But, again, none of that is relevant to my point.

If Warren Buffett were to die broke, would that mean he was not an oligarch while he was rich? The existence of an oligarchy does not depend on the identity of the individuals who make up the rich class at any given moment. How many people who were know to be poor in the later 1700s participated in writing of the Constitution? That's relevant.

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Krugman & Moyers: How the United States is becoming the Very System Our Founders Revolted Again [View all] KoKo Apr 2014 OP

K&R n/t handmade34 Apr 2014 #1

Excellent segment... ljm2002 Apr 2014 #2

Becoming? East India Company? John Hancock. merrily Apr 2014 #3

Jefferson died a bankrupt. JDPriestly Apr 2014 #13

None of that alters the fact that the US is not just recently becoming an oligarchy, does it? merrily Apr 2014 #19

People came here, worked for some time and were more easily able to buy property than we can JDPriestly Apr 2014 #20

Interesting again, but again, does not refute my original post. merrily Apr 2014 #21

How do you define oligarchy? JDPriestly Apr 2014 #23

Candidly, merrily Apr 2014 #25

The US veered toward oligarchy in the Gilded Age and during the 19th century to the 20th century JDPriestly Apr 2014 #31

P.S. As to Madison, read the once secret notes of the merrily Apr 2014 #22

But after the American Revolution, the original oligarchy, those who did not support the JDPriestly Apr 2014 #24

"the House was from the beginning intended to represent the people and be very close to the people." merrily Apr 2014 #26

+1 lunasun Apr 2014 #28

Let's take Alexander Hamilton. JDPriestly Apr 2014 #29

As an oligarch, would you be thinking of Robert Morris? JDPriestly Apr 2014 #30

As I previously stated, the life stories of individuals do not determine if merrily Apr 2014 #33

HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!! WillyT Apr 2014 #4

Excellent post.. blue14u Apr 2014 #5

I like the fact that Krugman says we shouldn't give up......unlike many here! LongTomH Apr 2014 #6

Fight on! sorechasm Apr 2014 #11

The Oligarchs, Corporations And Banks Own And Control The Politicians That Own And Control Us cantbeserious Apr 2014 #7

Most of the politicians who own and control us are themselves oligarchs. merrily Apr 2014 #8

All Too True cantbeserious Apr 2014 #9

The people whom we elect have a lot more choices than we do. merrily Apr 2014 #10

Will Enough Non Rich People Wise Up? colsohlibgal Apr 2014 #12

Or actually outright serve on the board of Wal-Mart? merrily Apr 2014 #27

May the better angels be. K&R think Apr 2014 #14

Before anything changes in this country will we throw Enthusiast Apr 2014 #15

Third Way = Wealth Disparity Perpetuation Machine. Enthusiast Apr 2014 #16

Try Jeb and Condosleeza swilton Apr 2014 #17

I thought exactly the same thing. Enthusiast Apr 2014 #18

Was just going to post this. nt bananas Apr 2014 #32

kick nt Electric Monk Jul 2014 #34