Surviving Capitalism (Not) : The Road To World War III: The Global Banking Cartel Has One Card Left To Play

We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The Road To World War III: The Global Banking Cartel Has One Card Left To Play

by David DeGraw from Amped Status.

Guess what that card is--

For those of us who have been paying attention to economic imperial operations that have been carried out against countries throughout the world, this looks all too familiar. The IMF and global bankers have conquered the second and third world, and they have now moved on to countries within the first world. Western European and American working classes are in the cross-hairs now.

I differ with DeGraw on certain background assumptions and tone, but the numerous details he provides to support his thesis are impressive.

For example, I do not believe that there is a "financial terrorism network" that has taken over the US government--or, at least, I would not put it that way. His tone seems to be informed by an evil people theory of history, and as such, is much too sensational and paranoid. It is not that I don't believe that the US working class is being preyed upon; it is simply that framing the issue in such sensational terms diverts attention away from the system itself which supports the actions of key players in the financial institutions.

I believe that this distinction is important for how we cope with the continuing economic attacks of the capitalist class against the interests of working people and the health of the planet. Framing the issue in such sensational terms tends to incite extreme and ineffective responses.

Capitalists are merely acting according to the logic of their system which requires them to seek ever greater sources of wealth. They have effectively plundered the 2nd and 3rd world countries, and now the first world is left.

Capitalists no longer identify with the interests of a particular country. Capitalism has become globalized. Many capitalists have numerous homes scattered all over the world and they often see themselves as global citizens. Their investments are anywhere they can make a profit, and they frequently stash their money in off-shore banks to avoid taxes. They play at Aspen, Monte Carlo, Davos (Switzerland), and Dubai.

So, with these caveats in mind, I recommend reading this excerpt which is Part I to his new book, The Road Through 2012: Revolution or World War III.