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Part V: Overcoming the Divide and Conquer Strategy — The Economic Elite Vs. The People of the USA |
By David DeGraw, AmpedStatus Report
This is the fifth-part of a six-part report. Click on the links below to view other parts.
——-I: Casualties of Economic Terrorism, Surveying the Damage
——-II: The Rise of the Economic Elite
——-III: Exposing Our Enemy - Meet the Economic Elite
——-IV: The Financial Coup d’Etat
——-V: Overcoming the Divide and Conquer Strategy
——-VI: How to Fight Back and Win: Common Ground Issues That Must Be Won
V: Overcoming the Divide and Conquer Strategy
“The conflicting propaganda of opposing parties is essentially what leads to political abstention. But this is not the abstention of the free spirit which asserts itself; it is the result of resignation, the external symptom of a series of inhibitions. Such a man has not decided to abstain; under diverse pressures, subjected to shocks and distortions, he can no longer (even if he wanted to) perform a political act. What is even more serious is that this inhibition not only is political, but also progressively takes over the whole of his being and leads to a general attitude of surrender.” — Jacques Ellul, Propaganda: The Formation of Men’s Attitudes
The primary reason why the Economic Elite have gained such dominance is their commitment to psychological operations that divide-and-conquer the US public. They use their overwhelming influence over mainstream media outlets and political candidates in very clever ways to divide us.
It is known among political scientists that powerful forces always seek to gain control of pre-existing social and political institutions so they can usurp their powers. The Economic Elite gained control of both the Democratic and Republican political parties because they knew that hardworking Americans loyally followed these parties, and we believed these parties were looking out for our best interests. We have, for the most part, been lifelong Republicans or lifelong Democrats, but until we see that our favored party has been seized by power and greed addicted interests, we will all continue to lose. These are extremely hard truths to face, but until we face them, we will continue our decline.
With half the US population loyal to Democrats and the other half loyal to Republicans, gaining control of both these parties meant total control for them. The past decade is testament to their total control of both parties.
In manufactured public opinion, Obama represented a far left swing in US politics, and Bush represented a far right swing, and these two supposed polar opposites also had a Congress overwhelmingly run by members of their own party. Did we get drastically different policies? In what matters most, in both cases, the results were the same: more money and power for the Economic Elite and the continued decline of the US middle class. This fact is now undeniable.
Yes, there are definite differences in their rhetoric and on some social issues, but this is the key to the psychological operations, to the divide-and-conquer strategy that they use so effectively.
To distract and divide us, they use rhetoric on social issues like religion, gay marriage, abortion, etc., all serious and significant issues that we bitterly disagree on, but in the overall picture, these issues are secondary to the larger, more fundamental political and economic issues that lead to our wealth being stolen from us, and ultimately, our lives being increasingly dominated by a small few.
Bush appealed to conservative Republicans and then ran up the deficit to record levels. Obama appealed to liberal Democrats, but increased war spending and support for Wall Street billionaires. In both cases, the candidates severely divided the US middle class, but in the policy decisions that mattered most, they both sided with the economic top one percent at the expense of hardworking Americans.
Just look at the last few election cycles. In 2006 and 2008 US citizens rose up in record-breaking numbers to kick out the Republicans in power, whom they felt had betrayed them. Now, with the Democrats in power, the consensus seems to be that in the 2010 mid-term elections we will vote for Republicans and kick out the Democrats who have failed to deliver on the much needed and promised changes.
Do you not see the ridiculous nature of this divide-and-conquer strategy? This is a vicious cycle that will continue to lead to our destruction.
Psychological Operations 101: Obama Vs. Fox News
For those of us who are strong enough to see beyond our propaganda-induced preconceptions and prejudices, the insidious nature of the Economic Elite’s divide-and-conquer strategy is on full display in the feud between Obama and Fox News. About half of the country loves Obama and hates Fox News, and the other half loves Fox News but hates Obama. They both use very effective propaganda to seduce their followers. However, as hard as it is for people who love one of them to admit, they both serve the same masters.
Once again, let’s look at Goldman Sachs. They financed Obama’s campaign and he has rewarded them with policies that have led to them making record-breaking profits, instead of investigating them for the many illegal activities they participated in and continue to take part in.
On the other side of this psychological operation, you have Fox News. When was the last time you saw Fox News doing an investigation into the illegal practices of Goldman Sachs? Even the Obama-appointed Tim Geithner, the Economic Elite’s main man on the economy, escapes the significant focus of Fox News’ powerful attack force.
Looking at the Business Roundtable, a significant majority of Obama’s campaign funding came from Roundtable members and, as mentioned earlier, he frequently meets with Roundtable members. On the other hand, Fox News is owned by Roundtable member Rupert Murdoch, and Fox relies heavily on advertising money from Roundtable members. Rupert Murdoch even supported Obama over McCain. As someone who monitors Fox News, I can’t recall the last time I heard Fox reporting on the activities of the Business Roundtable, not that any mainstream “news” companies do.
The list of similarities between the two, when it comes to exposing and holding the Economic Elite accountable, is extensive. So here you have an excellent divide-and-conquer psychological operation. Fox News declares Obama the enemy, and Obama declares Fox the enemy, yet the Economic Elite remain in the shadows, behind the scenes, untouched and continuing their plunder.
Just think of all the misplaced outraged spent on these two puppets. Sure, people have many reasons to like and dislike both, but imagine if all the diehard Obama-haters focused their rage on the people who put Obama in power, and if the diehard Fox-haters stopped criticizing everything Fox says and focused on the Economic Elite who control the media environment in which Fox News operates.
If the Fox-haters and the Obama-haters united and focused their combined outrage on the common forces behind the both of them, we would all be much better off.
The most significant bias in the mainstream media is not the liberal or conservative views propagated to divide, distract, confuse and create apathy among the populace; the ultimate bias is in what is missing from the coverage. The investigative reporting on the most powerful forces within our society is left out of the discussion.
McClatchy, one of the few real journalism news organizations, has repeatedly reported on the illegal activities of Goldman Sachs and the crime syndicate they operate in. Yet, an overwhelming majority of mainstream news outlets ignore these reports and nothing is done to hold Goldman Sachs accountable. In fact, two of the leading figures in the outright theft of our money have recently been lauded in their propaganda press. When you see Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke become the Person of the Year in Time Magazine and Goldman Sachs CEO Llyod Blankfein become the Financial Times Man of the Year, you begin to see where the real media bias lies.
The main bias is in favor of the thieves who stole our country and economy, and own the mainstream media companies. The omni-present mainstream media is the greatest weapon of oppression humanity has ever known.
Although the Internet has had an impact, television news is still by far the most influential news medium. Despite all the new information platforms, this year we have set a new record by watching an average of four hours and 49 minutes of TV per day. We have been subjected to heavy doses of propaganda on a daily basis, for hours a day, every day of our lives.
The mainstream media creates what is known in mass psychology as the “spectrum of thinkable thought.” By constantly discussing and debating surface issues, they limit the range of debate. Having the Republican vs. Democrat paradigm leads us to never debating the underlying Economic Elite who control both of the parties, not to mention their ownership of the media platform on which this debate is taking shape. The more important underlying issues are never discussed, and therefore never enter public consciousness.
The censorship that is most prevalent today is the most dangerous form. Not the censorship of explicit words, sex, or violence, but the censorship of any thoughts outside of elite corporate ideology. Any debate that leads to critical thought on prevailing elite economic dominance is not allowed to enter into the mass media or mainstream public consciousness.
“We must conclude that a changeover is imminent and ineluctable in the co-opted caste who serve the interests of domination, and above all manage the protection of that domination. In such an affair, innovation will surely not be displayed [in the mainstream media]. It appears instead like lightning, which we know only when it strikes.” — Guy Debord, Comments on the Society of the Spectacle
Part VI: “How to Fight Back and Win: Common Ground Issues That Must Be Won” will be posted on Thursday. To be notified via email, subscribe to our newsletter here.
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Part V: Overcoming the Divide and Conquer Strategy — The Economic Elite Vs. The People of the USA : Veterans Today said:
[...] By David DeGraw, Amped Status Report [...]
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Ed said:
Good article, as were the first four in this series. Looking forward to reading the finale on Thursday. Organizing the masses to challenge the elitist regime may be akin to herding cats…..
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Mica said:
The level of insight displayed over the course of this series is awe-inspiring. You’re like some rogue insider who has turned on the powers-that-be.
I don’t know what you will put forth as needing to be done to defeat these people and restore the rule of law, but you can count on me rallying to the cause!
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Nakis said:
Again, well stated David. I would only add that for most of the history of the United States this has been going on. Though they have reached massive new levels of sophistication of the past 50 plus years. I would be rather impressed if it didn’t make me so sick.
I too look forward to the last installment. I hope it has some good insights on how we can alter this mess.
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Allen L Roland said:
Thank you, David for your thorough expose of the financial elite, their methods of manipulation and the ultimate puppet master ~ The Business Roundtable. I can’t wait for Part Six of this extraordinary and timely series.
Allen L Roland
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:14 pm
pamgreen said:
I’d like to know more about your background, David. It seems that you’ve been studying this subject for a long time. Would you post your bio, please?
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Part V: Overcoming the Divide and Conquer Strategy — The Economic Elite Vs. The People by David DeGraw « Dandelion Salad said:
[...] via Part V: Overcoming the Divide and Conquer Strategy — The Economic Elite Vs. The People of the USA … [...]
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:39 pm
dmay1 said:
Great part five. Looking forward to part six, on how we can defeat the Economic Elite.
d_may1
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:47 pm
The Economic Elite Vs. The People of the United States of America - Part I | Amped Status said:
[...] Part V: Overcoming the Divide and Conquer Strategy — The Economic Elite Vs. The People of the USA [...]
February 23rd, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Part II: The Rise of the Economic Elite — Economic Elite Vs. The People | Amped Status said:
[...] Part V: Overcoming the Divide and Conquer Strategy — The Economic Elite Vs. The People of the USA [...]
February 23rd, 2010 at 5:27 pm
Part III: Exposing Our Enemy - Meet the Economic Elite | Amped Status said:
[...] Part V: Overcoming the Divide and Conquer Strategy — The Economic Elite Vs. The People of the USA [...]
February 23rd, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Ben said:
this piece actually does a great job of explaining why Americans are so passive in the face of such an onslaught.
“The conflicting propaganda of opposing parties is essentially what leads to political abstention.”
“The most significant bias in the mainstream media is not the liberal or conservative views propagated to divide, distract, confuse and create apathy among the populace; the ultimate bias is in what is missing from the coverage.”
This reminds me of what my friends always say after watching TV news. It’s always a Repub and Dem spewing BS and that makes everyone just throw up their hands and turn away from politics altogether.
I’m going to have them read this full report and see what their reaction is. Maybe after people actually hear the truth and get real information they will be more willing to fight for these issues and actually defend their own interests….
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Phil Verostko said:
Free Markets and Mission Creep 02-20-10
Our economy has a problem.
For thirty years, beginning with the Reagan administration, we have embraced an economic policy of lower taxes, and free markets. It has become an unquestioned mission for our politicians, and policy makers to promote and implement the ideology of “supply side”, and free trade economic policy. It is our system, it is our mission.
Milton Freidman, and Alan Greenspan spent their lifetimes espousing the virtues of this system, while they oversaw the implementation of the system which is now our mission. As Chairman of the Social Security Commision, and later as Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan consistently called for lower taxes for corporations, and the wealthy. He also promoted higher taxes on social security, while slashing benefits, and using SS funds for other government spending. He promoted the idea of free markets, and “laissez faire” capitalism. Business thrived, and the rich got wealthier, as we took his advice as gospel.
Today, this system is an institution. Our presidents promote it, our politicians preach it, our CEO’s and business leaders remind us daily, the media glorifies it, and the workers live with it. We have defended this mission at every turn with threats of exclusion, heavy handed directives, debt driven solutions, poverty driven trade policies, wall street bailouts, and even war (illegal occupations).
In the fall of 2008, Alan Greenspan testified before congress that this policy does not work. Yet, here we are. Our politicians struggle, and do not seem to be on the same page. Our courts are still defending the mission. We have bailed out wall street and large corporations. And the rich become wealthier, and still there is but crumbs for the people as the mission creeps.
Phil Verostko
I sent this to several newsapapers over the weekend. I just finished reading David’s article. This is the most informative document I have read since the Shock Doctrine. Great JOB,
Thank You,
veros
February 23rd, 2010 at 7:42 pm
The War on the Middle Class, Part 5: Is The Economic Elite Really In Control of the Debate? | A Second Look said:
[...] to the A Second Look RSS feed for updates.Powered by WP Greet Box WordPress PluginRe: Part V: Overcoming the Divide and Conquer Strategy — The Economic Elite Vs. The People of the USA …, By David DeGraw, AmpedStatus Report, Posted on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 “The conflicting [...]
February 24th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Derek said:
David,
Do you have a military or intelligence background? I know what that graphic at the end of the report means bro.
You are a true warrior - Strength in Truth!
DM
February 24th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
itstarted said:
Awesome. Where have you been, David?
I can’t remember when I’ve read a better organized, easy to read, clear and well constructed essay. The many links answer any questions about whether the points made are fact or opinion.
In particular, the psychological analysis of the structure of the propaganda machine is so astute that it brings together some of the parts that didn’t seem to make a lot of sense.
As the world speeds up, some of us older guys need a little extra help and insight to understand the new paradigm.
The country is in need of clear thinkers who can find a way through the morass.
Understand that speaking truth to power takes a little while to bring results. It’s good to see the appreciation and support. Let’s all hope that the hundreds of followers will turn into millions.
I’m a faithful reader of divers philosophers and Guru’s from Chomsky to Henry Liu… looking for insight and fact… Whatever your politics, you are in good company of wise men.
Thanks for filling the gap that so many of the yellow journalist wanabees leave with their poorly reasoned but fiery blogs.
The concentration of wealth has see so little in-depth analysis. The gene pool and dynastic continuum has been developing (IMO) since the end of WWII. Sometime in the future, this may be a subject for study… skull and bones stuff.
Thanks again … Will be looking for more.
February 24th, 2010 at 11:37 pm
tarryfaster said:
Not sure why, but it somehow seems relevant that after graduating from Columbia, Obama went to work for a CIA front company. Is joining the CIA rather like joining the Mafia … you are never allowed to leave?
Anyway, here is just one of many sites that give more details on this topic:
http://onlinejournal.com/artman/publish/article_5161.shtml
February 24th, 2010 at 11:48 pm
Bumblebye said:
Thursday has come and gone, but part VI hasn’t.
Is the battle lost already???
February 26th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
backyard203 said:
This has been such a great series, and I’ve been so looking forward to part VI. Any reason why it has not been posted yet?
February 26th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
zeke701 said:
Where is Part VI? Why has it not been posted yet?
February 27th, 2010 at 11:42 am
justice4you said:
THE SAME STRATAGIES THAT ROMAN’S USED TO CONQUER AND DIVIDE WHEN INVADING COUNTRIES.
February 28th, 2010 at 11:51 am
How to Fight Back and Win: Common Ground Issues That Must Be Won-Part VI Economic Elite Vs. The People of USA | American Pendulum said:
[...] Exposing Our Enemy – Meet the Economic Elite ——-IV: The Financial Coup d’Etat ——-V: Overcoming the Divide and Conquer Strategy ——-VI: How to Fight Back and Win: Common Ground Issues That Must Be [...]
March 1st, 2010 at 1:52 am
Part IV: The Financial Coup d’Etat — The Economic Elite Vs. The People of the United States of America | Amped Status said:
[...] Part V: Overcoming the Divide and Conquer Strategy — The Economic Elite Vs. The People of the USA [...]
March 1st, 2010 at 12:50 pm
The Economic Elite Vs. The People of the United States of America said:
[...] - V: Overcoming the Divide and Conquer Strategy [...]
March 4th, 2010 at 11:00 am
The Economic Elite Vs. The People of the United States of America – Part I « Coreys Views said:
[...] Economic Elite III: Exposing Our Enemy: Meet the Economic Elite IV: The Financial Coup d’Etat V: Overcoming the Divide and Conquer Strategy VI: How to Fight Back and Win: Common Ground Issues That Must Be [...]
August 2nd, 2010 at 4:27 pm