Why Are the Rich Such Whiners?

Several times this week we were treated to ultra-rich being their usual arrogant selves, then somehow getting all defensive when 99% of the people were horrified by their remarks. At the beginning of the week, we were treated to Tom Perkins, billionaire extraordinaire, comparing some slight criticism of his rich ilk, to Kristalnacht and the Holocaust.

Writing from the epicenter of progressive thought, San Francisco, I would call attention to the parallels of fascist Nazi Germany to its war on its "one percent," namely its Jews, to the progressive war on the American one percent, namely the "rich." ...This is a very dangerous drift in our American thinking. Kristallnacht was unthinkable in 1930; is its descendant "progressive" radicalism unthinkable now?

When called out, he apologized for using the word Kristalnacht, "but not the sentiment.".

After solemnly explaining that he’d spoken to Abe Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League, Perkins drew an odd distinction, disavowing his use of the word Kristallnacht, but apparently not the broader Nazi comparison.
Then he embarked on a rambling discourse that essentially reiterated the very comments that ignited the furor.

 He still thought criticisms of how the one percent operate was comparable to the persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany. Hey, Tom, when you bastards are being rounded up into concentration camps, being hung or shot, and your fortunes appropriated by the government, then we can talk about oppression, but seriously, until then you're just a whiny spoiled rich jerk, with an over inflated idea of his own importance.

Of course, since his comments were printed as an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, the mouthpiece of the American plutocracy, the editorial board printed their own defense of Perkins. What else would we expect from a rag owned by Rupert Murdoch? Murdoch's defending himself and his class.

Then Samantha Bee, at the Daily Show, nailed billionaire Peter Schiff's attitude, "You're worth what you're worth." In his case it was "mentally retarded" earning $2 an hour. When he saw that most people considered him a total ass, he tried to blame the Daily Show, as if it wasn't an accurate portrayal of him.

Finally, we come to Lady Ann Romney. Why the Romney's think anyone in America gives a rat's hoot what they think is beyond me. Still Lady Ann still felt some compulsion to sniff, "We lost, but truly the country lost by not having Mitt as president." Come on, Lady Ann, you lost because most of American rejected you as their rulers, because you and your husband are out to lunch. 

Seriously, the rich demand and get the best of everything. They pretty much live in a world most of the rest never even get to glimpse. It is they that determine our futures, but somehow they are unfairly being put upon by some mild criticism of the way they operate? As they say around here, what whiny a** little b*****s. 

2014: Important Political Year in Georgia

This is a very important political year in Georgia, and a very good possibility for Democratic gains, as long as we Democrats get busy and do some work. I've mentioned before, five dollars and an hour a week will do amazing things. Just everyone pledge to do more than ever. I'll start locally:

The 2010 turncoats maintained their seats in 2012. I'm optimistic that we will field strong candidates against each of them: Amy Carter, Ellis Black, and Tim Golden. They've been in office a long time. What have they done for Valdosta and Lowndes County? Nothing that I know of.  Dexter Sharper is my representative out of Valdosta, and I'm very happy with him.

For the U.S. House of Representatives, we have Tea Party Republican, Austin Scott, as our representative. He's gone two election cycles without a Democratic opponent. Uh, how democratic is that? Seriously, what has Austin Scott done for the citizens of Valdosta, Lowndes County, and Georgia District 8? He has voted with the Republican extremists in DC at every turn, and could be very vulnerable with a serious challenger and well run campaign.

We have an open seat in the US Senate, with the retirement of Saxby Chambliss. On the Republican side there are eight candidates, including three sitting congressmen,: Jack Kingston, Paul Broun, and Phil Gingry. Throwing his hat into the ring is the cousin of former governor Sonny Perdue, David Perdue, a wealthy businessman.

On the Democratic side,we have Michelle Nunn, daughter of long time senator, Sam Nunn, who seems to think because she is Sam's offspring, she has some sort of right to the office, even though she's never run for anything in her life, or had any public experience. I recently had the honor of hearing and meeting Steen Miles. I would love to have this woman representing me in the US Sernate. I think you would, too.

Finally, we come to the governor's house. You know, I once lived just up the road form the governor's mansion, on Pace's Ferry Place in Buckhead, and would often drive by the mansion on Pace's Ferry Road. TBH, it was back in '75 and '76, when Atlanta was just hitting one million, and the Perimeter (285) was way out there. Here we have arguably the most corrupt governor in America, presently under FBI investigation, running for reelection, ostensibly, against Jimmy Carter's grandson. This can be a victory for Democrats, retaking at least one branch of state government, and that ain't bad.

I have to say again, The truth is, our opponents are financed much greater than we. We depend on the people, the grassroots, chipping in what they can, and by our numbers we can level the field against the deep pockets of the Republicans.