[new cruelty]

3. ”The government of the People’s State of Mexico has issued a proclamation ... asking the people to be patient and put up with hardships just a little longer ... Now the planners are asking their people not to blame the government, but to blame the depravity of the rich...” Are there already echoes of this in today’s headlines?

Manhunt: Accused Financier Scammer Stanford Missing. Authorities say Investor Losses Could Rival Madoff Scandal

Texas financier R. Allen Stanford is accused of cheating 50,000 customers out of $8 billion dollars but despite raids Tuesday of his financial empire in Houston, Memphis, and Tupelo, Miss., federal authorities say they do not know the current whereabouts of the CEO.

This does not directly address your question, but it does mirror events in the book.

[Savagemom]

I thought the same thing! First Madoff, now this guy. Now all we need is Ragnar to show up...