[oneolcop]

Okay. I'm not "rich and powerful" but I'm comfortable. I know the public officials in my state and some outside. I'm not threatened by "power" in the least. I was in Dubrovnik, Croatia a while back with some mega-rich people. Mostly, they want "the good life" too. I believe that the position you take is mostly correct, but I also believe that most of us would slip into the same behavior. What makes us what we are (potentially at least) is the rule of law. I believe that therule of law is breaking down. It is being assaulted by those who want POWER and perceive that they don't have it. They perceive that those of us who have prospered under the rule of law have POWER.

In fact, we do. That makes us, in their eyes, a power bloc. It seems to me that the problem is a little like the proverbial elephant being examined by the five blind men. It depends on from where you're looking, what it looks like.

[Snoopers-868th]

I believe that the position you take is mostly correct, but I also believe that most of us would slip into the same behavior. What makes us what we are (potentially at least) is the rule of law. I believe that therule of law is breaking down. It is being assaulted by those who want POWER and perceive that they don't have it. They perceive that those of us who have prospered under the rule of law have POWER.

I agree the above premise is correct and that it refers to Congress.

In fact, we do. That makes us, in their eyes, a power bloc. It seems to me that the problem is a little like the proverbial elephant being examined by the five blind men. It depends on from where you're looking, what it looks like.

That is where the do-anything-politician for a vote comes in. Not for one minute do I believe any common American (wealthy or not) has any power unless it benefits the benefactor(s) who supported the chosen one. (Ex: During the S&L bailout it was a good thing to buy CD's and many average did so--but how many really made a bundle off them before the rules were changed). Guess what, McCain was one of the shameful Keating Five and he is running for President! How quick we forget.

The REAL power is behind the scenes (the super rich) calling the shots by grooming/mentoring those to be the future power that will do their work. Kind of like Soros only I do not think Soros is one of the guilded.

I believe there are elite groups in all countries that meet independently (each with their own power/money interest) and then out of those groups are the ultra elite who meet internationally. These ultra elite are huge money people who own or hold significant stock in newspapers and finance, utilities, etc which enable them to control the masses. And we keep electing the bums because someone says they will do what we want. They don't even care what we want.