The Errant Æsthete

No matter what political banner you wear or ideological bent you believe, it’s hard to overlook our own responsibility or lack thereof when you consider that this country was originally established as a republic with we, the people, responsible for making it a democracy.

Following that theme, a sobering read out the NY Times by Nicholas Von Hoffman evaluating Paul Krugman’s recent publication of “The Conscience of a Liberal.”

The latest figures on income disparity are out simultaneously with this book and they are grim. The Wall Street Journal reports: “The wealthiest 1% of Americans earned 21.2% of all income in 2005, according to new data from the Internal Revenue Service. … The bottom 50% earned 12.8% of all income, down from 13.4% in 2004 and a bit less than their 13% share in 2000.” It is such alarming facts which prompt Krugman to write that, in addition to low- and middle-income families falling behind, there is “… the damage extreme inequality does to our society and our democracy.

Also might want to take a look at the eye opening interview truthdig conducted with Krugman on the part that former economic czar Greenspan played in contributing to this mess). Excellent case being made here for keeping people down keeps them preoccupied…with survival.