Working for the Few

Oxfam International - Political Capture and Economic Inequality

Working for the Few

Political capture and economic inequality

Published: 20 January 2014

Author: Ricardo Fuentes-Nieva, Head of Research, Oxfam GB; Nicholas Galasso, Research and Policy Advisor, Oxfam America

"Almost half of the world’s wealth is now owned by just one percent of the population, and seven out of ten people live in countries where economic inequality has increased in the last 30 years. The World Economic Forum has identified economic inequality as a major risk to human progress, impacting social stability within countries and threatening security on a global scale.

"This massive concentration of economic resources in the hands of fewer people presents a real threat to inclusive political and economic systems, and compounds other inequalities – such as those between women and men. Left unchecked, political institutions are undermined and governments overwhelmingly serve the interests of economic elites – to the detriment of ordinary people.

"In this paper, Oxfam shows how extreme inequality is not inevitable, with examples of policies from around the world which have reduced inequality and developed more representative politics, benefiting all, both rich and poor. Oxfam calls on leaders at the 2014 World Economic Forum at Davos to make the commitments needed to counter the growing tide of inequality."

Please download a PDF of this brief at Oxfam International. You may also read it online at Issuu.com or below.

Only 85 people.

Now that you know, what will you do about it?

Wealth Inequality In America

Nearly everyone is completely mistaken about this. This excellent graphic video will reveal the truth. You will be shocked. Guaranteed.

http://youtu.be/QPKKQnijnsM

Source: Politizane

Bill Moyers

The Huffington Post writes about Bill Moyers, "A broadcast journalist for more than four decades, Bill Moyers has been recognized as one of the unique voices of our times, one that resonates with multiple generations. In 2012, at the age of 77, Moyers began his latest media venture with the launch of Moyers & Company on air and online at BillMoyers.com – providing "conversations on democracy" and explorations of contemporary culture, making sense of what matters to us all." We encourage you to watch, listen and learn from the cogent interviews and commentary he presents on the most pressing issues of our time.

Inspiring Presence

That’s been one of my mantras – focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains. - Steve Jobs

Welcome to the Plutocracy

"The first Howard Zinn Memorial Lecture is delivered by veteran journalist, Bill Moyers. Citing Zinn as his inspiration, Moyers focuses on the challenges facing our democracy. He decried what he says has been a 30-year trend toward plutocracy, where the rich get richer at the expense of the average citizen."

Corporations are People?

Why do corporations have so much power? What does this do to our democracy? What can we do about it? Sign Move to Amend. Overrule the Court.

Wendell Potter's book is a Must Read!

A Must-Read!

"Wendell Potter is a straight-shooter– and he hits the bull's-eye here with an exposé of corporate power that reveals why real health care reform didn't happen, can't happen, and won't happen until that power is contained." Bill Moyers

Deadly Spin: An Insurance Company Insider Speaks Out on How Corporate PR is Killing Health Care and Deceiving Americans, by Wendell Potter


Bill Moyers interviewed Mr. Potter on July 10, 2009, and again on March 5, 2010. This is the place to start. Learn why and how health insurers/corporations are skewing our beliefs and perceptions about health care through ruthless PR campaigns funded with their (our) member's premium dollars, all while protecting their Wall Street investor profits and mind-bogglingly high executive compensation packages. Watch Michael Moore's Sicko, if you haven't yet done so. Get Deadly Spin. The truth is out there. We Citizens need to dig to find it!


The Center for Media and Democracy at prwatch.org is a great source. The insurers are cutting spending on care and dropping unprofitable members while racking up third-quarter profits of $3.4 BILLION. All this while Republicans are aiming to kill consumer protections by repealing the new law.

"The insurance companies are jacking up rates and selling lousy coverage without regard to the devastating impact on real people's financial security and their health," said HCAN (Health Care for America Now) Executive Director Ethan Rome. "Their behavior is offensive, and it's outrageous that the Republicans in Congress want to give control of our health care back to the insurance companies by repealing the Affordable Care Act. We need the law and the protections it provides."

Wendell Potter states on his website, "Since I walked away as head of communications at a top health insurance company in May of 2008, I've worked tirelessly as an outspoken critic of corporate PR and the distortion and fear manufactured by America’s health insurance industry. It is a PR juggernaut that is bankrolled by millions of dollars, rivaling lobbying budgets and underwriting many "non-partisan" and "grassroots" organizations."

"The twentieth century has been characterized by three developments of great political importance: the growth of democracy, the growth of corporate power, and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of protecting corporate power against democracy." Alex Carey

We must be vigilant. We must inform ourselves of the truth, however difficult it is to unearth.