The passage of the tax “reform”legislation by the Senate would seem to confirm that we are at high risk of becoming an Oligarchy, if not already in that state. It isalso cause to wonder, as George Orwell said in a somewhat similarcontext, whether the ruling elites are wicked or merely stupid.
This is a question for our time because it is in everyone's interest that we maintain a nominally egalitarian society in which there is a least a modicum of opportunity for anyonewith talent and drive to improve their economic and social position. The Republicans' tax plan, which seems likely to emerge in some form from a conference committee, will exacerbate an already powerful trend toward concentration of wealth. It will also contribute to afurther fraying of the social “safety net,” and there is an argument to be made that that is more deliberate than incidental. The longer term effect is to harden the already existing social and economic conditions.
We are told that the poor are always with us, and that is true. However, history teaches that the poo rare not always the same people. Abase and deprive any group long enough and they will rise against their oppressors, and at some point the social and legal structures that permit such oppression will give way. The theory that a rising tide raises all boats would seem to be borne out by the post-WW2 prosperity, and revolution in a contented society is unlikely. Taking the longer view, this tax plan serves nobody's interest.
We know that the motivation behind the push for this perverse “reform” is the return for campaign contributions. Buying politicians is an ancient practice, and has along history even in our young nation. In the present instance,greed – pure indecent love of money – is at the heart of the matter. But one really does have to wonder whether this greed springs from the evil within men's hearts, or is simply a reflection of that particular weakness of mind that results in such shortsightedness.