Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : View from the Center and Left -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: axial who wrote (385887)	10/23/2018 7:09:38 PM
From: Wharf Rat	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 540807

"Post '45 to ~ '75-'80 was the apogee." I think we peaked the day I turned 39. The 1973 oil crisis began in October 1973 when the members of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countriesproclaimed an oil embargo. The embargo was targeted at nations perceived as supporting Israel during the Yom Kippur War. [1] The initial nations targeted were Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States with the embargo also later extended to Portugal, Rhodesia and South Africa. By the end of the embargo in March 1974, [2] the price of oil had risen from US$3 per barrel to nearly $12 globally; US prices were significantly higher. The embargo caused an oil crisis, or "shock", with many short- and long-term effects on global politics and the global economy. [3] It was later called the "first oil shock", followed by the 1979 oil crisis, termed the "second oil shock." October 16— Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Qatar raise posted prices by 17% to $3.65 per barrel and announce production cuts. [32] en.wikipedia.org

To: axial who wrote (385887)	10/23/2018 9:13:53 PM
From: Sun Tzu	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 540807

I've been thinking about the excessive concentration of power in the hands of few. With few exceptions, this has always been bad for the society at large because not only it leads to unresponsive government, it also tends to eventually lead to disastrous wars. Historically this problem was dealt with through beheading, however, after the French revolution, a longer-term solution in the form of Modern Democracy was able to spare the lives of the ruling elite by providing a social pressure valve. Those who did not take advantage of this new tool (e.g. the Romanovs) eventually regretted it. The problem now is that the power has shifted from bloodlines and fixed geography to capital and global stage. And there is no accountability or pressure valves to deal with our new overlord classes. It really doesn't matter if you are a lefty and hate Koch bros or Robert Mercer, or a Righty and hate Soros etc. These are powers unaccountable to the people that shape the society at large. Other than pitchforks and scythes, does anyone see an alternate ending?