Democracy & Money

Rick Ragan
3 min readMay 27, 2023
Fruits Protected by Thorns

Rick Ragan, May 27, 2023

We find ourselves in a new era where the fight to uphold democratic values in America teeters on the brink. The conservative billionaire class has launched an unyielding offensive against the middle and lower classes of society, challenging our equality and freedom.

The Influence of Wealthy Elites:
Lobbyists representing influential figures like Thiel, Mercer, and Koch give money to Republican politicians through campaign donations. The GOP becomes their obedient tool to redirect trillions of dollars allocated to us, back to these conservative billionaires in the form of tax cuts. Consequently, Federal money designated for the middle and lower classes is now depleted. The GOP’s decision to force an artificial debt crisis amounts to an illegal raid on Medicare, Social Security, healthcare, and education. We now shoulder a massive deficit, a direct consequence of the criminal transfer of trillions of dollars to the super-rich during Trump’s presidency.

Diversion and Manipulation:
Those who fail to recognize the reality of this struggle, the billionaires’ war against the middle class, have succumbed to a successful strategy of diversion fueled by hatred, intolerance, and grievances rooted in racial tensions. Republican politicians exhibit a relentless pursuit of wealth and power, and the billionaires continue to back them since the GOP fills their coffers with trillions intended for the middle class. This phenomenon, commonly referred to as the wealth gap, perpetuates the obscene enrichment of the ultra-rich, facilitated by the corrupt actions of the GOP.

The Battle for Attention:
Within the lower 90% of society, many become ensnared in the distractions of culture wars, encompassing debates on transgender rights, immigration, LGBTQ+ issues, abortion, wokeness, liberal ideals, and the fear of social status decline. By perpetually feigning outrage over these topics, the GOP ensures that the true economic war remains hidden from view. The billionaires shrewdly exploit the Republican party, manipulating public sentiment through throwing this “red meat” to the voters. Consequently, the plight of the middle and lower classes, subjected to systematic distraction by the GOP, remains obscured.

Mobilizing for Change:
To avert an impending catastrophe, it is imperative that we exert immense political pressure on both Democrats and Republicans, insisting they prioritize the interests of the lower 90% over those of the ultra-rich. The time for decisive action has arrived. Failure to address the widening gap will bear severe consequences for our nation and its democratic foundations.

Obstacles to Overcome:
The struggle we face is rife with challenges. The middle class finds itself bereft of support, receiving little assistance from a corrupt Supreme Court and a compromised news media. Journalists, under the influence of billionaires, disseminate information tailored to their interests, limiting the broader picture. Meanwhile, as we remain divided and bicker amongst ourselves, the wealthy elite eat our lunch at an elegant table, savoring the fruits of our labor while we fight amongst ourselves for meager scraps on a dirty floor.

Conclusion:
We must confront the ongoing assault on democratic America waged by a powerful conservative billionaire class. Open your eyes to the diversions and manipulations that pervade our society. Insist upon change, get politically involved, and safeguard the integrity of our democratic institutions. The struggle for a more equitable society demands unwavering commitment and collective action. The era of passively watching the disaster unfold from the sofa is behind us. Activism is now imperative. Campaign and vote for those who believe in the middle class. Do not support the strong men or the authoritarians. Trumpism is an ugly disease that leads to violent fascism. Unless you engage now, we and our children will lose our democratic principles and the promise of a brighter future.

Rick.

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Rick Ragan

PhD in Psychology, 31 yrs at a Fortune 50 company designing software to be more usable, frustrated voter, upset w/ the Democrats, furious w/ the GOP