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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums5 Obnoxious Libertarian Oligarchs Who Earned Fortunes from the Government They'd Like to Destroy
http://www.alternet.org/economy/5-obnoxious-libertarian-oligarchs-who-earned-fortunes-government-theyd-destroy![](http://www.alternet.org/files/styles/story_image/public/story_images/screen_shot_2014-02-05_at_12.29.24_pm.png)
Peter Thiel
1. Tom Perkins
Perkins has already received well more than his deserved 15 minutes of fame. But, while hes been appropriately reviled for his infamous Kristallnacht comment, comparing the treatment of America's 1% to that of Jews in Nazi Germany, too few people have taken to task for the depth of his ignorance on economic issues.
***SNIP
2. John Mackey
John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods, is one of the nations most visible free-market libertarians. Mr. Mackey said this about government, and specifically about Obamacare, last year on NPR:
In fascism, the government doesn't own the means of production but they do control it and that's what's happening with the health care program with these reforms and so I'd say the system is becoming more fascist.
***SNIP
3. Peter Thiel
Whatever his shortcomings, John Mackey can also be an engaging and interesting personality. Internet tycoon Peter Thiel, on the other hand, shows all the signs of being a rather unpleasant individual. He doesnt think women or minorities excuse me, I mean welfare beneficiaries should be allowed to vote, for one thing. Since 1920, Thiel fulminated in an essay, the extension of the franchise to (these two groups) have (sic) turned capitalist democracy into an oxymoron."
***SNIP
4. Elon Musk
As the old brain-teasers used to say, one of these things is not like the others. Elon Musk differs from the other people on this list in one very important way: Hes a smart guy who actually invents things. They are real things, useful things, tangible things. Where the other Silicon Valley libertarians merely imagine theyre real inventors like Ford and Edison, while doing nothing more than making trivial front-ends for existing technology, Musk really seems to be what he appears: an inventor and entrepreneur in the old-school style.
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5 Obnoxious Libertarian Oligarchs Who Earned Fortunes from the Government They'd Like to Destroy (Original Post)
xchrom
Feb 2014
OP
Mackey was an asshole back in the 70's when he ran SaferWay, long before Whole Paycheck.
hobbit709
Feb 2014
#2
Trust me they only want to destroy the government that prevents them from making more money
liberal N proud
Feb 2014
#3
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)1. Posted to for later reading. n/t
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)2. Mackey was an asshole back in the 70's when he ran SaferWay, long before Whole Paycheck.
Now he's an asshole with another 40 years experience at it.
liberal N proud
(60,336 posts)3. Trust me they only want to destroy the government that prevents them from making more money
If there is a part of the government that helps only their group (the 1%), they will fight to keep it.
stillwaiting
(3,795 posts)4. John Mackey is an asshole, AND
I agree with him that the system is becoming fascist, AND
John Mackey is an asshole.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)5. K&R ! Libertarians work daily to destroy democracy for their fascist system with no Commons left:
Definition of Fascism by Franklin Roosevelt:
"The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is fascism - ownership of government by an individual, by a group..."
Now called privatization, local control and 'reform.' It is economic apartheid. Those who will be able to pay higher costs for what was given through the Commons, will find that state of affairs wonderful, mainly if it gives them a cut and keeps the 'undesirables' out of their milieau.
Those who are struggling or impoverished for any reason, be it bigotry or injury, will not be able to prosper in their system. Thus the Libertarian will cheer at the death of people who could not afford health care and call UHC or even the ACA 'tyranny.' They don't know the meaning of the word and dehumanize those who aren't born wealthy or have property.
"The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is fascism - ownership of government by an individual, by a group..."
Now called privatization, local control and 'reform.' It is economic apartheid. Those who will be able to pay higher costs for what was given through the Commons, will find that state of affairs wonderful, mainly if it gives them a cut and keeps the 'undesirables' out of their milieau.
Those who are struggling or impoverished for any reason, be it bigotry or injury, will not be able to prosper in their system. Thus the Libertarian will cheer at the death of people who could not afford health care and call UHC or even the ACA 'tyranny.' They don't know the meaning of the word and dehumanize those who aren't born wealthy or have property.