America as cash cow. This, apparently, is how the one-percenters view the world. They may pay lip service on rare occasions to the more abstract, ethereal qualities of life. But they’re pretty much locked in to acquiring wealth and power. Capitalism is their god, the religion that sustains them.
Working the system, taking advantage, making money hand over fist. Saying “I dare you” to taxation and obligations to anybody but shareholders and their own bottom lines. It’s a well-rehearsed spiel.
They’ll claim a grand vision, that their gigantic projects will unleash local productivity, provide employment, pretty much be a godsend in numerous ways—all in exchange for low or non-existent taxation. They’ll claim they need the revenue to put back into the operation, for expansion, etc. They may even provide funding for paving local roads, build a bike path that hardly ever gets maintained, or make a contribution to a local food bank—anything that keeps the skeptics at bay and polishes their image. It smacks a bit too much of bribery.
It’s difficult not to be skeptical of motives and philosophies where, when most everything is peeled away, all that’s left is strategy in the pursuit of liquidity and profit. Almost like a never-ending game, or an addiction.
In any event, shiny and new often enough turns to dull and rusty, and the players take the money and run.
3 Cents' 