"I support them and give them food, and clothes, and cars, and houses. Who gives it to them? Does someone else give it to them? Do I know that I have—Who makes the game? Do I make the game, or do they make the game? Is there 30 owners, that created the league?" -Donald SterlingBy now, everyone who hasn't been living under a rock has heard the tapes of Mr. Sterling's argument with his mistress. At least as much as they could stomach. The stunning ignorance and racism is bad enough. But the above quote, to me, is indicative of a contempt that goes beyond racism, and extends to, well, everyone else.
These aren't just the comments of some dim-witted old man, but an idea fully embraced by many we call the 1%. The belief that what standard of living we hold is not the result of our own labors and talents, but of their generosity only. And they're a little pissed off because we apparently haven't shown the appropriate amount of gratitude.
From Romney's infamous 47% remark, to the constant vilification of the poor on Fox News, it's an attitude becoming more and more prevalent.
They are the makers. They are the only ones who produce. The rest of us? We're just hanging on to their coattails. Or worse, we're lazy no-accounts who just want free stuff. Their stuff.
It's a mindset so twisted and obscene, that they actually try to use their own racism as a justification of that view.
The worst thing I could wish for them, is to have to actually live in the stagnant, sterile, mono-cultural "utopia" they envision for themselves. Or, perhaps not. It seems that many are quite content living within the bubble they've created within this world.
More's the pity.
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