When Bill Gates starts doing the rounds we know we are in trouble. Known as a philanthropist, these acts of apparent kindness merely sow the seeds for his next big extraction plan. The father of rent seeking software aka SaaS, typifies the globalist greed and desire for power. He is the most powerful man in the world, in reality the first of the tech bro prophets, presumably now the honorary high priest or Chief Rabbi, of what has now become the Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist Church of the Poison minds.
All the tech bros show the same selfish lack of moral compass, because, they believe they are serving a higher power, on a par with doing gods work. They are doing things for their humanity, their belief system not ours. Having leached from every real industry they and their inner circle now have the endless amounts of money needed to push their ideals through. That and control of Hollywood, the media, social media and the algorithms is why they can trample everyone who gets in the way underfoot. Tell a lie enough and it is perceived as the truth. Have AI controlling everything and you change not only the narrative , but our history and therefore humanities resilience to their path going forward.
No wonder then that a sense of unease and foreboding permeates modern society. Many feel as though the foundations of their prosperity are crumbling, their aspirations fading, and their happiness, health and wellbeing slipping away. At the heart of this concern lies the perception that this powerful elite – the “oligarchs” – are systematically eroding the middle class and the very fabric of our well-being. This is a legitimate fear, so what can be done?
The Widening Divide
The core of the issue is economic inequality. The gap between the ultra-wealthy and the rest of society continues to expand, driven by factors like globalisation, technological advancements and shifting economic policies from our bought and paid for governments. For they are the enablers, Vichy collaborateurs that have ushered in wage stagnation, coupled with the rising costs of essential goods and services, that leaves many feeling trapped in a cycle of financial insecurity with no democratic way out.
The Oligarchy phase is the final one in a civilisational cycle. It has happened throughout our ‘rewritten’ history (one written by the victors), because it can only be stopped by democratic change (never), revolution or war, which is actually the most profitable of the three for the oligarchs. Then they can restart their cycle of greed all over again. Take neoliberalism in the mid 1970s after the great compromises and social contracts formed after World War Two. We got thirty years of rapid innovation and progress spurred by the mixed economy of public sector and humane free market capitalism.
The “American Dream” and similar ideals around the world have become no more than propaganda – Hollywood and TV brand story telling. The real aspiration, work ethic and belief in upward mobility is to say the least losing its luster. The idea that hard work and education guarantee a better future is becoming a myth and yet another debt imposed by the system. Fact is moving forward it’s not what you know but who you know. This family, religious more than social peer group and luck, dictates your social standing and therefore whether you own a house or support a rent-seeker who calls themselves a property entrepreneur. This erosion of hope breeds frustration and despair, impacting not just finances, but also mental and emotional well-being.
The Shadow of Influence
Adding to the problem is the unfair influence of wealthy individuals and corporations on political processes. They don’t pay in because they just want to take out. Therefore policies are crafted to benefit the few, not the many, further exacerbating the existing inequalities. This breeds a sense of powerlessness and a belief that the system is rigged.
Is Inevitability a Reality?
Are we destined to witness the continued destruction of the middle class? The answer, while complex, is not necessarily a resounding yes. History demonstrates that societies can adapt and implement change. However, it requires a concerted effort to challenge the status quo.
Pathways to Change
Several avenues can be explored to address these concerns:
- Political and Policy Reform: They won’t want it but we can campaign for finance reforms to curb the influence of money in politics, progressive taxation to redistribute wealth, strengthen social safety nets (not UBI that helps extraction) We can also try to reboot robust antitrust regulations to promote competition, and protect labour rights are all potential solutions.
- Societal and Individual Actions: In the face of social media foghorns and digital feeds we must fund and promote media literacy and critical thinking, engage in community organisation to push up, support ethical consumption, ensure accessible education, and increased civic engagement for these are crucial for empowering individuals and communities.
- Global Cooperation: International agreements to address issues like tax avoidance and climate change are vital for creating a more equitable and sustainable global system.
A Call to Action
The challenges we face are significant, but not insurmountable. By collaborating as global citizens, recognizing and breaking down the complexities of the situation we can actively pursue change through political, societal, and individual action. Let us not just survive but thrive, let us strive to create a more just and equitable future. The fate of the aspirational middle and working class as well as the well-being of society as a whole, depends on it.
