It’s no secret that America has a ruling class. political and financial power both travel in families and social circles, and members of the upper class have so many thousands of times more money and power and influence than the common man that any claim of egalitarianism is simply laughable. But we’ve accepted this for centuries based on the capitalist rhtoric which says the rich are being compnensated for extraordinary skills and abilities, which allow them to keep the entire economy strong and safe, benefitting everyone in the country. Now, with the system crashing around our ears, real people suffereing, and both the political and financial elites revealed as at the very least incompetent and uncarring and at worst criminals and frauds, the general public is no longer willing to accept that rhetoric.

The outrage at the AIG bonuses isn’t because it’s a misuse of the bailout funds, it’s because it’s a final, incredibly blatant and insulting confirmation of the fact that competency, hard work, and good results are NOT what is rewarded in this economy, and that the elites we entrust our economy to are completely corrupt and looking out only for themselves. And the reason politicians are denouncing these bonuses is because they recognize the only way to keep public confidence in themselves is to throw some of the other elites to the lions in an attempt to placate the angry masses.

Surely you have come around on seeing the problems with the bailout but wow this is a very strong denunciation.

Now if only Darwin were susceptible to reason. That would truly be something.