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| New York condo owned by Ekaterina Rybolovleva |
While those of us who belong to the nearly extinct category of human beings known as the middle class, brace ourselves for our January credit card invoices, it warms the cockles of my heart to know that a Russian businessman can buy his daughter a penthouse condo overlooking Central Park for the paltry sum of $88 million dollars. She's in school in New York, and this would be a nice place to hang for the duration of her studies.
Yes, during this season of giving, we also get inundated with ads about children starving in third world countries, in the hopes that our generosity extends to those less fortunate than ourselves. I wonder if this Russian mining magnate has ever been guilted into parting with his rubles, to contribute to charitable causes. If so, was it purely to dodge taxes? In the end, at least the money would get to where it's most needed. Or would it?
I've reached a point in my life that I can honestly say I am skeptical of any philanthropic endeavours unless they are local and I can see direct evidence of how capital is invested and spent in real dollars. Look at how many millions are raised every year for a cure for cancer, yet the numbers of people diagnosed has increased, if anything.
All the more reason to conclude that the oligarchs who control the banking systems and military industrial complex under which our grandchildren would be indentured servants - if all goes according to plan - have no intention of feeding, educating, or supporting the increased comfort levels of the masses in any way, shape, or form. We are, in all probability considered an inferior species that doesn't deserve to continue consuming, and breeding uncontrollably.
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| view of Central park |
For this reason, I, as a parent and concerned citizen, can only recommend that the masses wake up to what is really happening, and do more than sit back on their living room couches, and watch the Wall Street activists make a point. There are people in the office where I work, who are actually angry with the Toronto version of this occupation, and complain about these "squatters" getting in the way of honest, hard working taxpayers. All I can say to that is: "Bah, humbug!" If it isn't apathy, it will be ignorance that will be the public's downfall.
I leave you with a quote from
Henry David Thoreau to ponder during this festive time of year:
Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slaves.
Have a revolutionary New Year!