The Ascent of Money (and what it’s done to US)
PBS has an excellent series called "The Ascent of Money" that provides a fascinating discussion of the origins of money, and how it has been used by elites to affect the course of history. The French Revolution, the Battle at Waterloo and the US Civil War are rarely discussed in terms of the role of the financiers in general. One family that is discussed is the Rothschild’s, who were pioneers in terms of developing the role of the modern financial barons.
From the series:
“The evolution of credit and debt was as important as any technological innovation in the rise of civilization, from ancient Babylon to the silver mines of Bolivia. Banks provided the material basis for the splendors of the Italian Renaissance while the bond market was the decisive factor in conflicts from the Seven Years’ War to the American Civil War.”
You can watch the series here:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/ascentofmoney/cate...
Now, take that into consideration before watching this next short clip. This is a discussion of how the Federal Reserve has secretly funneled three trillion (that is not a typo) dollars of taxpayer funds (some in real funds, others in borrowed money the public will have to pay back with interest) into a Goldman Sachs engineered bailout. At issue here is, if wealthy interests can have this much control over congress and the Treasury, and make secret backroom deals, how much of a democracy do we really have? Is what is visible to us, in terms of Congress doing its job of legislating just the surface kabuki show for all the rubes, while the real machinations go on behind the scenes and without the consent of the voters? You decide.
The Treasury and other financial departments and programs of the federal government are riddled with Goldman Sachs alums. Hank Paulson, Bush’s Treasury Secretary engineered the bailout and put in place many of his people to administer the bailouts.
Essentially, the same forces that have been manipulating governments and undermining democracies behind the scenes with money have a long history. They’ve been able to hone the process over the centuries and today, with technology and an increasing lack of integrity of our political leaders, what they haven’t been able to steal out right, they buy.
My question is, are we stuck with this, or is there a way out?
From the series:
“The evolution of credit and debt was as important as any technological innovation in the rise of civilization, from ancient Babylon to the silver mines of Bolivia. Banks provided the material basis for the splendors of the Italian Renaissance while the bond market was the decisive factor in conflicts from the Seven Years’ War to the American Civil War.”
You can watch the series here:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/ascentofmoney/cate...
Now, take that into consideration before watching this next short clip. This is a discussion of how the Federal Reserve has secretly funneled three trillion (that is not a typo) dollars of taxpayer funds (some in real funds, others in borrowed money the public will have to pay back with interest) into a Goldman Sachs engineered bailout. At issue here is, if wealthy interests can have this much control over congress and the Treasury, and make secret backroom deals, how much of a democracy do we really have? Is what is visible to us, in terms of Congress doing its job of legislating just the surface kabuki show for all the rubes, while the real machinations go on behind the scenes and without the consent of the voters? You decide.
The Treasury and other financial departments and programs of the federal government are riddled with Goldman Sachs alums. Hank Paulson, Bush’s Treasury Secretary engineered the bailout and put in place many of his people to administer the bailouts.
Essentially, the same forces that have been manipulating governments and undermining democracies behind the scenes with money have a long history. They’ve been able to hone the process over the centuries and today, with technology and an increasing lack of integrity of our political leaders, what they haven’t been able to steal out right, they buy.
My question is, are we stuck with this, or is there a way out?
This a very powerful subject Clark. Frankly there is so much we are in dark about when it comes through to the light, still we find that many are caught up in the typical webs of money and ties it binds. I'm very skeptical of money dealing. Then too, I admit there is so much unknown about where it's leading government, men and nations. Watching this program may give me more insight of what I never pay much attention too under the suface.