The real story is that we are living a lie. Like my MAIN resume, we have created a veneer that hides the fatal cancers beneath the surface. Those cancers are exposed by the X-rays of our statistics, which disclose the terrifying fact that history's most powerful and wealthiest empire has outrageously high rates of suicide, drug abuse, divorce, child molestation, rape, and murder, and that like a malignant cancer, these afflictions spread their tentacles in an ever-widening radius every year. In our hearts, each of us feels the pain. We cry out for change. Yet we slam our fists to our mouths, stifling those cries, and so we go unheard.
"Confessions of an Economic Hit Man," John Perkins
Is Knowing Your Oppressors Enough?
Mr. Perkins states plainly that he is writing a book about his past mistakes but not really in a way that moves us in the direction of fixing the problems. He honestly, as one can without divulging many details, tells a tale of unfulfilled wants and needs during his upbringing which resulted in the job choices he made after college graduation.
What wasn't discussed at length was the culture he grew up in which promoted the ideals of wealth and power over honesty and equity. At times while reading this book, I wondered how much John really knew and how much he left out or even misled just enough to keep the commonly known history firmly in place. He was great at keeping secrets, even among his peers. Much was probably left out due to the nature of his work. He put the blame of his own deeds firmly in front of us to see, and yet I left with more questions. Was this book more fiction than fact?
Initially, John wasn't terribly worried about the long term ramifications of his participation in the "economic hit man" system. The power, money, and glamour of his job was the carrot that kept him busy. No time to think too fully on who he hurt as he ascended to the top.
So it was that in January 1971 I was offered a position as an economist with MAIN. I had turned twenty-six - the magical age when the draft board no longer wanted me. I consulted with Ann's family; they encouraged me to take the job, and I assumed this reflected Uncle Frank's attitude as well. I recalled him mentioning the possibility I would end up working for a private firm. Nothing was ever stated openly, but I had no doubt that my employment at MAIN was a consequence of the arrangements Uncle Frank had made three years earlier, in addition to my experiences in Ecuador and my willingness to write about that country's economic and political situation.
What is an Economic Hit Man?
Economic hit men (EHMs) are highly paid professionals who cheat countries around the globe out of trillions of dollars. They funnel money from the World Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and other foreign "aid" organizations into the coffers of huge corporations and the pockets of a few wealthy families who control the planet's natural resources. Their tools include fraudulent financial reports, rigged elections, payoffs, extortion, sex, and murder. They play a game as old as empire, but one that has taken on new and terrifying dimensions during this time of globalization.
I should know; I was an EHM.
The above quote starts out the preface to the book. Seems like a pretty great beginning, right? Well, I will tell you after finishing the book last night that this isn't the "tell all" book that I thought it was going to be. Again, maybe it is because this book came out 15 years ago and that I personally do a bit of research on the corruption of governments and their politicians that I ended this book disappointed. It was a fast and easy read. No new words to look up. I had a least heard of all the people, places, and events that John discussed. For me, there was a lot that was missing from the equation.
Patriots Don't Tell
John felt that it was he was patriot. Sometimes he seemed to think that being a good patriot was to support your government at all costs, even to the detriment of another country. Don't get me wrong, he did like other governmental leaders in Panama and Colombia but he always felt the need to mention his patriotism. Was he really a patriot or was he telling himself this over the years to justify his ill gotten gain which resulted in much destruction and added poverty to already impoverished nations?
Conversation Starter for the Uninitiated and the Youth
While I would recommend parents reading this before they allow their home schooled children to read, I think this would be an excellent book for junior high aged children. Greed is everywhere and should be addressed at an early age. Taking more than one needs is a great life lesson because everything we do does affect others. And in the end, Mr. Perkins had to purge to get some relief from depression and regret.
Why live a life of lies? Why not make choices that might not get you rich but will sustain you and your community none-the-less. John seemed to have everything, but in the end he will have to repent for his choices while others suffer and die do to his participation in these crimes of theft and deceit.
"Confessions of an Economic Hit Man" is a tale to be read and discussed, especially by our impressionable youth. We can make a difference if we participate in our communities with an open heart and open hand to help others when we can.