The progressive tax system worked ... although not 100%; BUT it redistributed surplus thus insuring that the economic cycle would repeat itself.

But then over the past century the wealthy class grew and became innovative.

While preaching the rule of law  - they made the laws.

Lawyers and bean counters became the surrogates of the rich as well as politicians.

How did this happen?

Using greed.

Let's face it folks, we Americans (and most humans) are ALL greedy. Everyone wants more than they need, especially when they see someone else has it!

Those few who take a vow of poverty are actually not poor but recognize the natural richness of life. Having what one needs is not poverty.

But in this upside down world that capitalists have created we Americans all believe we should have more than what we need.

Definitely more than other nations citizens since WE ARE AMERICANS!

YUH THINK!

How about we come down to earth, take a look in the mirror and become human beings once again? huh!

The immediate reaction to what I write is usually one of anger, cries of outrage "I built it!" "I worked for what I have!" "I'm not supporting someone who is too lazy to support themselves!"

A lot of those who are crying are victims themselves but false pride will not allow them to admit it. After all white people can't be poor and ignorant, can they??

Those few who are a worldwide minority of wealthy tyrants have thrown 7 billion human beings under the bus - most of whom don't even realize it! The largest contingent of these wealthy bastards are white male Americans.

In trickle round economics, surplus should be recycled to improve the quality of life of human society as a whole.

America sets examples that many follow ... and emerging third world nations are going to blame America for their inevitable failure.

OUR model of greed has worked for us up to now but will not work for China, India and Brazil as well as other heavily populated Nations emerging from a century of economic suppression.

Visionaries like the Clintons and Gates and Obama's and even the Bushes are realizing the mistake America has made.

America is the grasshopper that didn't provide for the economic tsunami that greed and waste and obscene consumption causes.

Earth itself cannot withstand the ravaging hoards of human beings who like locusts are devouring everything nature provides and even more!

Some few have poked a hole in America's washing machine and what is leaking out is going into secret offshore bank accounts.

The sophisticated millionaires who populate congress understand what is happening.

The wealthy politicians (democrats and republicans) have chosen to take their life boats and money by virtue of their abandonment of the obvious solution.

Progressive taxation and reform and a major shift in priorities from consumption based economics to conservation based economics.

This is not my personal opinion  - it is a fact that we must do this, or be doomed as a Nation and ultimately as a species.