When we talked about the power of the little guys, I had to exercise a great deal of restraint. I knew what none of them could possibly know, that the corporatocracy, its band of EMHs (economic hit men) and the jackels (the CIA) waiting in the background would never allow the little guys to gain control.
~ John Perkins, "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man"
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He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.
~ Socrates
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Photo by Chor Hung Tsang on Unsplash
The Answers Appear, But Are We Really Listening?
While I haven't finished John Perkin's page turning book entitled, "Confessions of an Economic Hitman," I am not only impressed with his crystal clear reflections into the past but distressed by his inability to temper his greed. John saw poverty next to great wealth but did little to help the 99% other than learn about the culture through research and direct immersion. It makes for a great read, if you can stomach the reality that many are just willing to look the other way for a big fat paycheck.
Many times throughout the book John does have his doubts. Maybe he doesn't want to fully disclose his despair at the disparity between the two worlds he was bouncing between. He was able to meet many people from other countries who knew exactly what John's bosses wanted him to do and let him know repeatedly.
Big business wanted to loan 3rd world countries with unrepayable loans. The borrowed money had to be spent on American contractors that would put in bridges, dams, electrical lines, water treatment systems, and roads.
At first it sounds great and that these organizations have altruistic intentions until you realize that John Perkins "cooked the books." He inflated the numbers purposefully so that the growth projections seemed possible enough that the corruptible politicians easily signed on the dotted line. That was the job of an economic hit man.
The the cash strapped country would then be forced to give up its land and resources to pay back the interest on their loan to the greedy American bankers who would NEVER make enough money. NEVER exploit enough riches. It would never be enough and all the while the poverty numbers would rise and the suffering would continue as the few made billions.
Sharing is Caring
The question should be: Does greed serve me?
We all definitely have needs: Food, shelter, clothing, community, family, fellowship, etc. How does one realize that they have enough? Or even too much? Or that they might be hurting others buy hoarding? Not easy questions to ask, especially if you aren't used to asking such questions during quiet reflection. Write it down and see what manifests. We all have something to work on and improve.
With John Perkins, he knew that he wasn't doing the right thing. He knew that he was corruptible. Hindsight is 20/20, so I will give him the benefit of the doubt that we learn a lot about ourselves after many years of just living our daily lives. John was awestruck by the wealth that was given to him if he would just do what was asked of him: Give projections that are high and believable so they can make the sale. He traveled a lot and lived in a way that some might call "the high life." Nice cars, expensive homes, pleasure boats, parties, women, etc., etc. And yet there was an ache that something wasn't quite right.
In America, it is easier to not see the ugly truth. When going to other countries like Indonesia and Columbia, John saw the poverty up close and personal. To his credit, he met locals that showed him the cultures that would be further harmed by the huge, unpayable infrastructure loans. These cultures were beautiful to him. He knew there could be another way but he was already in the thick of it and there was no turning back.
More Later
I do think this author makes amends, at least by writing this "tell all" book. We will see. I will keep you posted.