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The Existential Threat of Ultra-Billionaires. A handful of rich guys will burn human society to the ground rather than pay a dime in tax. (prospect.org)
submitted 11 months ago by Novocirab@feddit.org to c/usa@midwest.social
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[–] SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 88 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

Like all powerful people in all of history, something is broken in their brains. They would be happy to rule over the ashes of civilization as long as they get to call the shots. No amount of actual failure will make them think any of it is their fault, because they're a genius, doncha know?

Like Jim Jones, they are true believers in their own bullshit, which is part of why other people find them so easy to believe, because there is never any doubt in their own minds that this is the right path. Jim Jones didn't just kill other people in his name, he also killed himself.

All these billionaires suffer from the same malady, believing their own bullshit.

[–] groolthedemon@lemmy.world 28 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

The 1st and 2nd Amendments exist for a reason. If powerful captains of industry and elected leaders don't want to comply with the Constitution and pulse of the people we're allowed to revolt. It's fucking written down. Voting isn't our only civic duty. Sometimes "good trouble" and non violent Kumbaya sit-ins aren't enough. The rich and powerful have convinced multiple generations that it isn't democratic to revolt. It's bullshit and anyone paying attention knows it.

Edit: A lot of the arguments below prove my point that they've been successful in convincing us not to fight. It isn't just about the guns it's about the will and tactics more than anything. Rebels can do the same thing with some gas and a bit of gunpowder that a multifaceted multi billion dollar army can.

[–] Alloi@lemmy.world 21 points 11 months ago

[–] AwkwardBroccolli@lemmy.ml 7 points 11 months ago (2 children)

US is armed to the teeth. The local home guard is more armed than militaries of some countries. This is before the army gets called in. Any chance of an armed uprising is naught. The only thing that will work is making the police join in the strikes.

Violence will be used as an excuse to attack people who stood against the govt. This part has been played many times in history. The last major one being in Tianenmen.

[–] krashmo@lemmy.world 8 points 11 months ago (1 children)

We don't need to defeat the US government as a whole or entire branches of the military. We need to assassinate like 8 people. That's definitely doable.

[–] AwkwardBroccolli@lemmy.ml 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Its a hydra and not a minotaur. 8 heads will spawn 16 heads in stead. Structural changes require non violent continous revolution of Gramscian nature. Violence does not work as well as you think it would.

[–] krashmo@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago

Maybe not but I think it would work better than you think it would.

[–] HK65@sopuli.xyz 0 points 11 months ago (1 children)

An armed insurgency just defeated the US military in Afghanistan though

[–] AwkwardBroccolli@lemmy.ml 3 points 11 months ago

Not the same. US tried to establish a government and then leave the place. They had no plans what would happen after the invasion. If the plan was to establish permanent colony, there would be control structures which make sure that happen.

[–] Tempus_Fugit@midwest.social 27 points 11 months ago

From my perspective these ultra-rich just don't seem to think they have any responsibility to humanity. It's one thing to say they don't care about their home country, but they just don't care about humanity at all. If they do anything philanthropic it's because they're seeing direct benefits from it. They sit on their unfathomable stockpiles of wealth like a dragon. At best they do nothing, at worst they actively work to destabilize order.

The ultra-rich should not exist!!!

[–] Teppichbrand@feddit.org 20 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

I'll share this again. Keep swiping!

[–] ShaggySnacks@lemmy.myserv.one 5 points 11 months ago

This website always make me both depressed how bad wealth inequality has gotten and angry that we have to do something about it.

[–] TankovayaDiviziya@lemmy.world 14 points 11 months ago

It is fall of the Roman Republic all over again.

[–] gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works 4 points 11 months ago

[–] someguy3@lemmy.world 4 points 11 months ago

"Only little people pay taxes."