The mainstream German magazine Spiegel asks has the United States of America become an Oligarchy?

[Democrats Ramshield]

The mainstream German magazine Spiegel asks has the United States of America become an Oligarchy?
by Democrats Ramshield

A review written by an American expat Business Librarian who holds an MBA degree in marketing and A 2nd Masters degree in Library and information Science who as a business information professional lives and works in the European Union.
My email is: [email protected]

As an American expat living in the European Union, I have come to see that mainstream European media outlets provide an insight which I have found to be unavailable in the for-profit American media which is owned by the Oligarchy. As such this diary provides a review of the German mainstream magazine Der Spiegel which is unavailable in America. The English translation has only recently become available. This diary offers a review that I invite you to give a close read to. Also let's please remember that the European Union has a larger Economy than the U.S. and has a larger population than does the U.S. and it's currency the Euro rivals the U.S. Dollar.

DEATH OF THE WORKING CLASS AMERICAN DREAM marked by a 2nd GILDED AGE IN AMERICA!
Der Spiegle quote:

"The Occupy Wall Street movement is just one example of the sudden outbreak of tension between America's super-rich and the "other 99 percent." Experts now say the US has entered a second Gilded Age, but one in which hedge fund managers have replaced oil barons -- and are killing the American dream."

This mainstream German news outlet asks, has America become an Oligarchy? Has America stopped being a mixed economy?

(To further read this Daily Kos diary, please click on the link below.)
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/12/13/1044550/-The-mainstream-German-magazine-Spiegel-asks-has-the-United-States-of-America-become-an-Oligarchy

[Eddie Haskell]

1. K&R

The American dream's become a nightmare.

[Leopolds Ghost]

2. I saw this coming, but too many Americans suffer from frog-in-pot syndrome

I blame a lack of civics education. Even conservatives used to preach in civics classes the DIFFERENCE between the "american" system and why it is not a "democracy". There was at least an attempt to craft a shared narrative that could be changed. Now the attempt is to make consumers (not citizens) believe anything that the media wants them to think on any given day.

[Enthusiast]

15. You are exactly correct.

It is the frog-in-pot syndrome.

[Huey P. Long]

3. kr

[femrap]

4. K and R

I've been telling people that if they want the American Dream, it's in Denmark!!

I traveled through Europe twice when I was in college. I fell in love with it. And now that the Robber Barons have resumed control of us, I miss it even more. To have health care and a decent vacation is beyond my reality now.

And the FOOD....OMG! Unless one is living in one of the more cosmopolitan cities in the US, the food sucks!

Of course, those visits were in the mid '70's and I imagine there has been some change...but they still have health care and vacations.

eta: btw I backpacked and camped through Europe with the $10/day Book! In fact, I spent nearly 3 months there on $500.00!!!! And the dollar was low back then as well. Their campgrounds were very cool.

[bikebloke]

7. 1977 was my first eye opening backpacking trip there.

I saw a better society and wanted to live there. And I certainly tried, except for marrying someone, thus probably blowing my chance.

Hostel dorm beds were $2. Blimey, you could travel a long time on a few hundred dollars.

[femrap]

9. Camping was 50 cents

in 1973. I stayed at some hostels, but I couldn't sleep...due to snoring. And camping was much freer...you didn't have to get up at a certain time. They had grocery stores, showers, a bar, jukebox, and washer/dryers. And you met all kinds of people and shared great places to visit.

That's what I need to do....go to Europe and find a husband!!! Alas, I'm rather old.

[bikebloke]

17. Later, I camped.

When I was hitchhiking, I'd always free camp. It is nicer than dorms. Not there there were many hostels near major lift-catching arteries.:shrug:

I've had marriage offers, but wisely turned those women down. Unfortunately, it never happened with the ones I clicked with.

[JuniperLea]

10. I have my eyes on Norway...

I'm not sure about the long dark coldness though, being a California girl and all.

[vssmith]

5. Plutocracy is more accurate

[JuniperLea]

11. Correct

$$$ talks.

[WildNovember]

6. All the putative democratic countries are oligarchies. Duh.

and your labor just contributes to increasing their power.

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[WildNovember]

18. Not true? Definition of "oligarchy":

ol·i·gar·chy

1. a form of government in which all power is vested in a few persons or in a dominant class or clique; government by the few.
2.a state or organization so ruled.
3.the persons or class so ruling.


Western Europe is as much ruled by a dominant elite class as the US. Having better social benefits doesn't change that basic fact. Good social benefits are not incompatible with oligarchy, and in some ways serve oligarchy well.

You can see the shape of ruling oligarchies in Europe the same way you can in the US: Look at concentration of wealth and income; look at the bios, connections and genealogies of those who administer the state and the ruling institutions and businesses; and look at institutional history.

I have no idea what your broad-brush use of the word "liberal" is about, but it sounds like Limbaugh-speak to me.

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[WildNovember]

21. Yes, oh wise, all-knowing one. I ain't your "grasshopper".

An oligarchy is rule by an elite class. That is what we have. That is what Europe has. That is what nearly every place in the world has, and has had for most of recorded history.

It isn't a matter of debate. It's verifiable by studying the leadership of the institutions at the "commanding heights" of the economy and state and the continuity of factions and families.

[Kaleko]

8. How about fuck yes! ?

I don't care whether you call it plutocracy (rule by the wealthy),
oligarchy (rule by a small elite)
or the combo of both: Plutarchy.

It sucks the lifeblood out of of the living and when there's no more blood left to syphon off the productive segments of society, it turns upon itself in a final act of cannibalism - which is what we're witnessing now.

[riderinthestorm]

12. K&R. too tired after a very long day to do much else but this is worth a read. nt

[lbrtbell]

13. We should be so lucky

We're headed down the road to fascism. :scared:

[KoKo]

20. Shhhh! is is not to be spoken out in Public........Shhhhh! n/t

[Mnemosyne]

14. K&R