Hacker Read

kevin_thibedeau · 2021-01-29 20:19:34+00:00

The people who really control things in the US aren't politicians. That is way beneath the scions of multi-generational wealth. Even T* isn't in their club.

kevin_thibedeau | karma 19088 | avg karma 2.16 · | 2021-09-13 11:44:28

The power resides in generational wealth not some commoners who got lucky. These people don't need to hold elected office because they can buy whatever they want, including manipulating government in their favor.

fnord77 | karma 3305 | avg karma 1.75 · | 2020-11-16 01:57:07+00:00

unelected billionaire citizens shaping policy. This isn't democracy.

megous | karma 7536 | avg karma 1.9 · | 2020-09-27 18:54:51

Most people don't have any influence. And that rules don't apply (or at least apply just selectively) to powerful people is no surprise either.

dqpb | karma 1905 | avg karma 1.14 · | 2022-03-01 19:33:49

I think most people in positions of power aren’t creators. Control and ownership is the only thing they know.

sonicanatidae | karma 921 | avg karma 1.35 · | 2024-01-12 11:08:28

Officials are not in power, Money is in power.

User23 | karma 6892 | avg karma 1.23 · | 2021-05-28 00:15:29

The US federal government is basically a giant case of regulatory capture so many people understandably confuse power and influence. However the distinction remains and it is of essential importance. None of the big tech companies have any real power, all they have is influence. In countries where they don’t have politicians under their influence they are helpless.

whodunnit | karma 92 | avg karma 2.56 · | 2022-01-18 13:29:56

It’s not about taxes it’s about power and control.

asgard1024 | karma 1234 | avg karma 1.89 · | 2014-01-20 15:51:41+00:00

Unfortunately, these are not all the people or institutions with power.

Gigachad | karma 15126 | avg karma 2.88 · | 2021-10-10 14:41:37

They don’t have any power over the government or the average US voter. They only have power over random corporate employees and universities.

dbpokorny | karma 45 | avg karma 0.35 · | 2016-03-22 06:01:16

Don't say "we", say "a few very wealthy and powerful individuals who do not represent anyone other than themselves"

quisquous | karma 417 | avg karma 13.9 · | 2015-11-30 04:51:09+00:00

Many (powerful) people value control more than they value (more) money.

asynchronous | karma 1082 | avg karma 2.18 · | 2023-05-14 17:52:51

I’m talking those who make decisions about what to do with my tax dollars, and no, we do not have much control over those people

Johnny555 | karma 14666 | avg karma 3.76 · | 2022-04-06 17:19:38

Isn't that kind of where we are now? Wealthy people and large corporations have an outsized say in decisions by elected officials?

ajdlinux | karma 4342 | avg karma 4.52 · | 2016-05-06 05:09:52

Most ordinary Americans in 2016 don't have the same level of power and influence - which many people value in and of itself - as Rockefeller did in 1916.

nullptr888 | karma 7 | avg karma 2.33 · | 2016-06-18 10:34:03

tl;dr: People with power and money do their own thing.

st3v3r | karma 1197 | avg karma 0.62 · | 2016-07-19 22:22:48

That's not exactly something that most people have any power over.

cscurmudgeon | karma 2720 | avg karma 1.34 · | 2023-04-26 21:55:53

Politicians have much more power than CEOs.

throwaway290 | karma 1892 | avg karma 0.62 · | 2023-08-12 02:16:27

People who have a lot of money or some other influence do actually have more control. Doesn't imply they always put it to good use...

northwest | karma 1135 | avg karma 3.81 · | 2013-08-03 23:37:48+00:00

It's really just about the money/power and influential people sharing it among them and protecting it.