[DiogenesLamp]

So I'm thinking DiogenesLamp stumbled slightly closer to truth on this, though both Lost Causers are distorting actual history for their own propaganda purposes.

[DiogenesLamp]

Here is Lincoln himself articulating my very own argument.

“We may congratulate ourselves that this cruel war is nearing its end. It has cost a vast amount of treasure and blood. . . . It has indeed been a trying hour for the Republic; but I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. As a result of the war, corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed. I feel at this moment more anxiety for the safety of my country than ever before, even in the midst of war. God grant that my suspicions may prove groundless.”

Lincoln to (Col.) William F. Elkins, Nov. 21, 1864.

Lincoln talks about "Corporations", "Corruption", and "Money Power". He sounds like me, except I would argue this is how the war began, and he was their agent.

[BroJoeK]

This is an odd map which greatly understates European Union GDP and commercial centers while exaggerating the relative size of the New York metropolitan area.

Today's US GDP is about $20 trillion, of which the entire Boston to DC corridor represents roughly 15%.