March 22, 2025

Killing the Goose that Laid the golden Egg - Why American Billionaires are Playing Themselves

https://factkeepers.com/killing-the-goose-that-laid-the-golden-egg-why-americas-billionaires-are-playing-themselves/

March 13, 2025

Killing the Goose That Laid the Golden Egg: Why America's Wealthy Are Playing Themselves

If history has taught us anything, it’s that billionaires who cozy up to authoritarian rulers are about as wise as a turkey voting for Thanksgiving.

Donald Trump and his entourage—let’s call them “oligarch wannabes”—harbor an outright disdain for American democracy, believing a dictatorial state run by a “unitary executive” (read: a king in a bad spray tan) would be far more profitable for the ultra-rich.

But there’s one small problem: that’s not how dictatorships work.

The Dictatorship Myth: When the Rich Get Played

American billionaires seem to think they’ll be running the show under an autocrat, but they might want to have a quick chat with Russia’s oligarchs—or at least the ones who haven’t “accidentally” fallen from balconies.

In Putin’s Russia, the richest don’t own their wealth; they rent it from the regime.

Step out of line, and your assets—along with your ability to breathe—become state property faster than you can say, “defenestration.”

Historically, this isn’t a new trend.

When the Roman Republic collapsed after the Gracchi brothers were killed trying to limit the amount of land the wealthy could own, the empire that followed quickly became a playground for despots. The wealthy thought they’d be safe under imperial rule, but what they got instead was a parade of megalomaniacs like Nero, who famously set fire to Rome (and probably would have called it “fake news” if Twitter existed).

Trump’s Pyramid Scheme for the Rich

Right now, we’re watching a similar illusion play out.

Figures like Elon Musk and other Trump-aligned billionaires have convinced themselves that democracy is an inconvenience to their bottom line.

They see taxation and regulations as a burden, failing to realize that in an authoritarian state, their entire fortune becomes a line item in the dictator’s personal budget.

And here’s the kicker: they know Trump is running a con—at least on his working-class supporters.

These billionaires understand that Trump’s economic promises are as solid as a Trump University diploma.

They know he has no intention of uplifting the average American.

The irony, though, is that these same billionaires are also his ultimate marks.

Once Trump—or any would-be autocrat—controls the levers of power, their wealth is only theirs until he decides it isn’t.

That’s how every dictatorship operates. In Nazi Germany, Hitler strong-armed industrialists into funding his war machine. In Venezuela, Hugo Chávez nationalized businesses at will.

And in modern Russia, billionaires don’t have power—they have permission.

The Big Reveal: Billionaires Aren’t as Smart as They Think

The wealthiest Americans might be clever when it comes to stock manipulation and tax loopholes, but they seem oblivious to one fundamental truth: authoritarian rulers don’t share power.

Trump’s loyalty lasts exactly as long as you’re useful to him.

The moment you’re not? Well, let’s just say the walls at Mar-a-Lago might start looking a little taller.

The super-rich are betting on Trump to dismantle democracy so they can make a quick buck, but they fail to realize that once democracy is gone, so is their safety net.

The American legal system, while annoying to them now, is the only thing standing between their billions and a leader who wakes up one morning and decides they should “donate” their fortunes to his cause.

At the end of the day, they’re not the puppet masters of a dictatorship.

They’re just the next in line for the scam. And as history shows, the house always wins.

But don’t think the working stiffs are going to benefits somehow from an imperial Trump, none of the money will trickle down, either. Put in is worth an estimated 800 billion, and the average Russian makes $600/month, or 600 Trump 2025 eggs.

February 14, 2025

What's preventing us from creating a reverse DOGE team and running around undoing what DOGE is doing?

Can I get some supporters here and in the leadership?

January 25, 2025

Did a Private Equity Fire Truck Roll-Up Worsen the L.A. Fires?

https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/did-a-private-equity-fire-truck-roll

What I’ll show you in this piece is that the increasing price is a result of a private equity firm, American Industrial Partners, consolidating the fire truck industry and forcing up prices across the board.

For decades before the 2010s, the fire apparatus industry was characterized by relatively stable (inflation-adjusted) prices and ample production capacity.

Then, however, AIP bought multiple fire-truck manufacturers and rolled them up into conglomerate called the REV Group.

Although AIP initially made a show of allowing these manufacturers and their distributors to continue operating independently, under the surface it quickly moved to operate them as a single firm, like a food conglomerate selling a bunch of different brands that all appear to be different companies.

As one industry executive has observed, “There are now times when all vendors at a bid table, each with a ‘different’ product, are all owned and managed by the same parent company. How is that competitive for the purchaser?”

The answer, of course, is that it isn’t. And you don’t need to take my word for it. REV Fire Group Vice President of Sales Mike Virnig made it clear in 2020:

“What I won’t tolerate is negative selling,” he said. “I won’t tolerate it with our competitors, and I won’t tolerate it within the group. If I even get a hint or see anything like a dealer taking a shot at another dealer, we step in and say, ‘Stop it.’”

January 25, 2025

California Wildfires 2025: set by Trump and his disaster capitalist buddies!?

It follows the disaster capitalism model outlined by Naomi Klein in The Shock Doctrine:

First we have State Farm dropping policies in CA last March:

“Then, in March 2024, State Farm announced it was not going to renew 72,000 policies in California in certain zip codes deemed too risky to continue to insure. They cited 'ongoing financial pressures' caused by the previous factors, along with outdated state insurance regulations as reasons for the decision.”

https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/breaking-news/state-farm-to-pull-out-of-72000-california-insurance-policies-482069.aspx

Then we have fires set during wind storms around the uninsured area:

https://ktla.com/news/california/wildfires/8-more-suspects-charged-with-arson-looting-crimes-in-connection-with-l-a-fires/

Then we have Trump saying he won’t help the homeowners retain the properties:

https://www.dailynews.com/2025/01/23/trump-raises-possibility-of-withholding-disaster-aid-from-california/

So now his rich buddies can go buy up the properties for pennies on the dollar:

https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/01/14/governor-newsom-issues-order-to-protect-fire-victims-from-predatory-real-estate-speculators/

Classic disaster capitalism model.

Plus, he blamed hydrants, but the same thing happened in 1962. https://www.lafire.com/famous_fires/1961-1106_BelAirFire/1961-1106_LAFD-Report_BelAirFire.htm.

Plenty of Republican leaders since then could have addressed the issue of loss o water pressure during large fires like they’ve done in liberal SF. It’s a cost issue. It takes more taxes and they’ve cut them!



The original quote is "The time to buy is when there's blood in the streets, even if the blood is your own". It's attributed to Baron Nathan Rothschild, a British banker and member of the Rothschild family in the 19th century.

January 17, 2025

Will Trump pull a Putin?

The possibility that the “Trump v. U.S.” decision granting U.S. presidents the unchecked authority to seize assets and act outside the law without penalty may fundamentally dismantle the rule of law and constitutional governance.

Will Trump pull a Putin and start asset seizure?

https://bsky.app/profile/peacethroughlove.bsky.social/post/3lfxhbtbj6s23

January 17, 2025

Where can I post memes?

Don’t see anywhere to upload memes as pictures….

Is there a forum for this??

TIA!

November 9, 2024

Do not despair. We are stronger than this. We win in the end.

September 5, 2024

Trump: Tax Cuts are The Bait; Asset Seizure is the Switch

Ah, tax cuts for the wealthy. That sweet, irresistible tune that has had millionaires and billionaires humming along since time immemorial. And now, the self-proclaimed maestro of fiscal conservatism, Donald Trump, is once again conducting his familiar symphony of economic incentives. But, dear reader, hold on to your gilded monocles, because this symphony might just end with a surprising crescendo.

Let’s dive into the latest Trumpian promise: another round of tax cuts for the wealthy. Yes, those same wealthiest of the wealthy who, let’s be honest, could use a few extra yachts. But before you pop the champagne in celebration of a few extra zeros in your offshore account, consider the fine print—particularly the part written in invisible ink.

The Fine Print of Dictatorial Aspirations

As we gleefully dissect Trump’s grandiose tax plan, it’s worth noting that this time around, there’s more at play than just lowering the top marginal rate. Remember that Trump v. US case? The one where he amusingly redefined executive power? Well, it’s back in play, and this time, it’s personal.

You see, there’s a delightful theory floating around that Trump’s real plan is not just to cut taxes, but to lay the groundwork for his ascension to full-fledged dictatorship. As a dictator, of course, one has certain perks—like the ability to seize assets on a whim! And what’s better than cutting taxes for the wealthy? Taking all their money once you’ve lulled them into a false sense of security!

Evidence? Of Course!

Before you accuse me of spinning a conspiracy theory worthy of a Netflix special, let’s look at some of the evidence. Consider Trump’s obsession with executive power. In 2020, he famously stated, “When somebody is the President of the United States, the authority is total.” Ah, the sweet smell of ambition. While the courts disagreed with his self-assessment at the time, Trump never let go of the dream.

Enter the Trump v. US case. Here, the former President argued for unprecedented executive immunity, a stance that critics (and a few wisecracking judges) noted could lead to the erosion of checks and balances. The President can seize assets as long as it’s a “core official act”, like in the interests of National Security! The case set a precedent—or, as some say, a ticking time bomb.

Now, imagine a Trump who returns to office, emboldened by lessons learned, and driven by a hunger for power that makes his previous term look like a quaint rehearsal. The promise of tax cuts becomes the Trojan Horse, luring the wealthy into a false sense of security, only for the doors to swing open to reveal not tax relief, but asset seizures under a newly minted regime. It’s the ultimate bait-and-switch, folks, and the irony is almost too delicious.

A Dictator’s Dream: Seizing the Spoils

Of course, any good dictator knows that control over wealth and the wealthy is the key to absolute power. What better way to consolidate control than to make the rich even richer with a round of tax cuts, then swoop in and seize it all, or at least have the legal authority to do just that? It’s the ultimate irony, a plot twist worthy of the best political satire.

Supporting this are a few eyebrow-raising moments from Trump’s history. Remember the time he refused to divest from his businesses while in office, raising countless conflicts of interest? Or when he hinted at wanting to “punish” his political enemies? A dictator with an ax to grind against the wealthy—especially those who might have funded his opponents—could indeed find such powers irresistible.

Dictatorship for Dummies: Putin and Xi’s Greatest Hits

If you think this sounds far-fetched, let’s take a page out of the Dictator’s Handbook. In Russia, Putin doesn’t just cut taxes for the rich—he lets them get comfortable, then swoops in like a hawk and seizes their assets. Some of those once-wealthy oligarchs are now either exiled, imprisoned, or worse—pushing up daisies. Xi Jinping’s no slouch either. In China, he’s been grabbing billionaires’ fortunes faster than you can say “Communist Party.” Just ask Xiao Jianhua, who had 1.2 trillion yuan’s worth of assets vanish into thin air.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “That’s China, that’s Russia—this is America!” Trump v. US is now a real thing. It gives Trump the kind of power that makes “checks and balances” sound like an antique phrase. Suddenly, your assets aren’t just yours; they’re the government’s—more specifically, his. And if you think your gold-plated yacht is safe, you’re in for a rude awakening.

The Ultimate Bait-and-Switch

Picture this: Trump’s back in office. He cuts taxes, you’re feeling good, you’re making bank. Then one day, he decides he’s had enough of playing nice. The tax cuts were just the bait. Now, it’s time for the switch. Your assets? Seized. Your yachts? Repossessed. Your wealth? Poof! Gone. It’s like waking up after a wild party and realizing all your stuff is missing—and the guy who threw the party is laughing all the way to the bank.

The Joyous Conclusion

So, to my wealthy readers, I say: Enjoy those tax cuts while they last. Because if Trump’s master plan unfolds, you might just find yourself funding his next golden escalator ride… from the back of a golden cage.

In conclusion, Trump’s tax cut promises are like a beautifully wrapped gift with a surprise inside—a surprise that might involve your assets mysteriously vanishing. As with any good con, the setup is everything. Just remember to read the fine print and keep an eye on the exits, because this might be one show where the audience doesn’t get their money back.

So, here’s to tax cuts, dictatorial dreams, and the glorious unpredictability of politics in the Trump era. Cheers!

Graham Green

June 1, 2024

This is a critical time to reach out to those who may have some doubts about Trump after his conviction.

In my view it is critical that we not polarize them at this juncture.

We need every vote we can get in November.

Trump is not the victim, we are his victims.

Trying to get them to understand that they are the victims of his fraud seems to have the most impact.

Trump, after all, pardoned Steve Bannon who stole from Trump supporters. He also was found guilty of defrauding his own students.

Good luck, I know, it’s hard for me to just not yell at people, lol.😂

Many are corrupt, but there are some who are deeply caught up in the right wing ecosystem of lies and propaganda.