THE PLUSH NEW COMPANY STO'
You remember the bad old company sto', don't you? - - that sold beans and salt, and charged us more than our paychecks could bring in?
The new company sto' is plush, deluxe! It sells everything, including cruises - - and keeps us in debt forever.
In the old company sto', the point was to keep us broke (binding us to another week of servitude pickin' crops or minin' coal). In the new sto', the point is to give us plenty of money - - but if we'll notice, it's on a "pass-through" basis, attached by a bungee cord which yanks it right back to the top.
In the old sto', we worked long hours but had nothing to show for it. In the new, we work long hours, and despite all, may still have no "net financial worth" after all obligations are paid and college tuitions faced (and that doesn't count well over a hundred grand per taxpayer as the average share of the Federal debt backed by the "full faith and credit" of you-the-people).
We're encapsulated in this seductive new sto', being entertained on every side, every minute. Somebody's planned this - - it didn't just happen. You're a consumer. Psychologists in advertising and marketing know everything about you, and what makes you respond. You're going to be given work, loans, no-money-down deals, no-payments-till-next-year (but watch out for the penalties in that small print!) for your furniture, leases on just about anything except your spouse - - all to keep the money flowing. The bucks reach us only momentarily or maybe not even that if they are invisibly electronically deposited and withdrawn.
The "pyramid" is growing, with a wealthier, more powerful few at the top, many struggling in the middle, and many more in the bottom; but instead of operating in "crushing mode," it's smarter now, operating in "seduction mode."
The walls of the new prison are plush, not seen because we're in a pleasant glide into its virtual dungeons, watching "Batman in Love," or the current sports tournament - - or porn on the internet.
For sure, the average-bloke family now has things - - and that certainly beats having nothing as in the old sto'. But don't let this fool you.
Every aspect of your life is controlled by groups of giant firms that collectively are the sto'. Shopping, entertainment, TV news, communications, manufacturing, air travel, banking....
But whereas control was blatant in the old sto', it's hidden today, and part of its sales job on you is to tell you you're in control. You ain't.
You're surrounded and stimulated. Since the company sto' makes money only when you're spending, it provides work and credit everywhere. The economy depends on you running in that squirrel cage.
Are you hopelessly behind financially? In Jolly Old England, you went to debtors' prison. Fifty years ago in the US you were socially disgraced by bankruptcy, and a disqualifying mark was permanently placed on your credit. Today, a limo picks you up after your quick court processing, and immediately you can get credit cards, and buy furniture and cars.
Do you feel uneasy that maybe you're on a joyride that might wind up in the bottom somewhere far inside with no way out - - therefore want to complain? Since the voice of the individual has been muffled today at levels above local topics on local radio and in letters to local editors, if the new company sto' is ever discussed on a major TV analysis show, the panelists will be from...you guessed it...big finance, industry, entertainment, government, and so on. They'll have smooth answers prepared by professional PR people, to tell the people of the nation there ain't no such a thing as the Plush New Company Sto'.
The government opposed the old sto', but loves the new.
© 2008 Karl Roebling. All rights reserved.
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