What To Do With A Diamond Clad Cabinet
Let’s use it to break MAGA
MAGA is really putting its corrupt elite on parade right now. From Elon, to Bob Jr., to Linda McMahon, the ultra-opinionated uber-wealthy are taking over slot after slot of Trump’s cabinet picks. While they may be accepted by Trump voters, they are notably underqualified for the positions in which they are slated to serve. So, what are they qualified to do?
As they stand in the spotlight, they sell the idea that honorable Americans accrue a lot of money and buy luxury. Their mere presence in prestigious positions pushes the idea that their wealth makes them special, trustworthy, and talented. They lift up the uncommon man with their platforms, and they sell that lifestyle, even to those who can’t afford it.
Cue the Trump Store:
The consumer culture we are surrounded by in America does not happen naturally. When I say this, I mean it takes work to maintain.
Believing that buying stuff cheaply is akin to political freedom and buying lavishly is a sign of civic health is not logical. It comes from powerful individuals persistently repeating rubbish narratives about the sanctity of their version of capitalism. It takes root from years and years of equating patriotism with spending, community building with charity, and activism with buying power.
It takes a constant effort to keep people believing that their worth is defined by the material things they have and the experiences and benefits they can afford. To convince people that those with wealth deserve it based on their own merit. To imply that those with less money have less intelligence, work ethic, and value.
It’s remarkable that many of the people being convinced of these ideas have less wealth themselves.
Unfortunately, we have an army of interested individuals dedicated to keeping the ruse going. Donald Trump is so invested in it that he was willing to become Commander in Chief of that army, ready to lead his nation of consumers.
Those interested in amping up consumerism are not just those we encounter in the political sphere, even though they tend to be the most toxic right now. They’re embedded everywhere, and they have lots of incentive to promote their agenda.
The ultra wealthy benefit from two big things:
People spending lots of money, and
People not caring about the gobs of money billionaires make from their spending. This includes, among other things, not caring about wage and income disparities, not caring about disparities in how environmental destruction affects their homes and livelihoods, not caring about the cause of environmental destruction, and not caring about disparities in the tax system.
Brainwashing that accomplishes these two things seeps in from every sector of our culture. Social media, entertainment, retail, religion, news, and literature all amplify a wish-fulfillment environment. They sell ideas that you’ll be a better person if you buy more things. That your choices in the market reflect who you are and what you are worth.
They repeat messages over and over that reify the idea that ultra wealthy people are not just okay, but that they are true Americans. Their messages say that exuberant wealth and material accumulation are good, meaningful, and fun. They say that those at the top are to be admired and copied, and to be granted privileges and forgiveness that others aren’t.
We consume these ideas on the regular, often without blinking an eye. They are powerful, and it doesn’t feel good when you adopt any part of them. I know I have had times, especially when I was younger, where I felt less worthy because of my inability to afford certain things.
Until we confront and counter those ideas, the billionaires that erode our democracy by preying on these vulnerabilities will remain powerful. They will remain acceptable. They will use Americans' feelings of not being enough and not having enough against them, wielding them to demonize anyone who could get in their way of getting rich.
We have to call out this insidious enemy. We have to call it out often. We need everyone to understand at the most basic level that, far from being desirable, having extreme wealth is highly questionable. It’s likely corrupt. It’s not to be stood for in our democracy.
With Trump's mega donor loyalists now on display, we have to hold them to the highest standard. We have to point up their indiscretions and not let go, and we have to shine a spotlight on the damage they’ve inflicted in their professional and personal corruption. They may come out looking ridiculous, cruel, stupid, criminal, or insane. But they cannot look honorable.
We’re going to use them to crack the veneer they’re trying to uphold. We’ll replace their empty pedestals with kind heroes that believe in the common good, and we’ll hold up that example everywhere we can. Let’s start now.
With love and hope for the future,
Stephanie
I challenge you to keep an eye out today and notice messages that lift up wealth, luxury, and elitism. Do you see messages that promote looking out for the common good too? Keep a mental tally of them and where they come from.
What stands out to you?
This is right on the money. Pun intended. You brilliantly explain our current state of spiritual deprivation. I believe the essence of evil is greed and materialism. And although it began way before Citizens United with money pouring into politics, it has become the mantra of our over culture. There are some teachings that say we’re in “long dark” times, I hope we can thwart some of the worst of times and suffering with your call for courage, compassion, strength and love in action. Thank you.
people fall hard for the mirage of wealth. Especially when that wealth can get you out of trouble, keep you in power, etc., etc.