Billionaires Behaving Badly (aka The Virtues of a Tilted Playing Field)

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Melissa Harris at the Chicago Tribune talks to Ken Griffin - founder of Citadel, and yes, a Billionaire.  The money quote
Q. [...] What do you think in general about the influence of people with your means on the political process?...
A. [...] I think they actually have an insufficient influence. Those who have enjoyed the benefits of our system more than ever now owe a duty to protect the system that has created the greatest nation on this planet ... Not for themselves, but for their kids and for their grandchildren ...
I actually happen to think he is correct.  They do have "insufficient influence".
Huh?  What?
Look at it this way - a level playing field sucks from the perspective of your team winning.  You want your team to have the most tilted field possible, to ensure your own victory.  This may, of course, suck for the spectators, but thats their problem, not yours, right?
So, yes, Ken Griffin is correct, he does have insufficient influence.  Ideally, he'd pay up his campaign contribution to his Congressman / Senator / President, and in return, he'd get pretty damn much anything he wanted.  And he'd be happy.
'nuff said.

I think the key here is the word Insufficient.  After all, he is not saying "no influence".  For example, if he was in, say, Nigeria, Zaire, Russia, or Kenya, he'd be have all the influence he wanted or needed, right? 

Oh, as far as the bit about "kids and their grandchildren", f**k 'em.   I mean, isn't the whole point here that you should be willing to sell your grandmother's soul for an extra buck? :-)  The kids should fetch a wee bit more, right?




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