The Koch brothers are a prime example of the avaricious ways
of extreme capitalism. They have essentially established a plutocracy through
both exploitation and expropriation. Through their virtually endless source of
capital, they have employed lobbyists and politicians to do their bidding. The sole
ends of their motives seem to be control and accrual of addition capital. This
agenda leaves a wake of tangible destruction. Koch funded policies have
negatively impacted the environment, schools, social security – the list goes
on. When faced with opposition, they employ ruthless lawyers to slander and
deface the individual/group that contended with them. Our government has a
checks and balances paradigm to help deter this sort of infiltration, but they
diligently have begun to erode and undermine this structure in a monstrous
fashion. They have no regard for other human beings and their
self-absorption/greed is an example of a living, breathing “many headed hydra”.
The monstrosity of their nature is furthered by the sheer figure of their
wealth. By syphoning vast amounts of money away from the lower and middle
classes, they live beyond any necessary means. The expense – the suffrage of
many. Derived from their wealth, they hold a great deal of power and could
easily be philanthropic and contribute positively to the world. Yet they’ve
chosen to be detrimental to the good of humanity.
This is a smart example. Like you mentioned, one of the most harmful ways that the Koch brothers have harmed the planet due to their own greed in their company's profits is their funding into climate change denial. Climate change, which is unilaterally seen in the scientific community as real and caused by humans, can easily be derailed by the sheer amounts of campaign money that the Koch brothers can siphon into climate change denial propaganda. If they cared about anything other than their own vast interests, they very well could choose to use their money for positive global impact, but their own interest is in defending their coffers. Greed and capital has turned them to be selfish, rather than selfless.
ReplyDeleteI like your example of the Koch brothers. Unfortunately, the Koch brothers are a good example of how having money can allow you to get away with anything. It's also a good example of how our politicians can be bought. It makes me think, how much money does a person need? I'll never understand why people like the Koch brothers can't be happy with a modest living and a clean conscience. Same goes for the lobbyists and politicians that you mentioned, did they really need the money that the Koch brothers bribed them with? Probably not, they probably would have gotten by just fine without it.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this is a great example. However, the "many-headed hydra" in our reading referred to the way those in positions of power characterized the poor masses.
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