Chris Hedges: Economic Elite Steals

Meaning of Chris Hedges Money Quote: saying moneyed interests are often governing us because they hold power due to their money and sometimes steal more. Chris Hedges said:
 

 


 

“Our nation has been hijacked by oligarchs, corporations, and a narrow, selfish, political, and economic elite, a small and privileged group that governs, and often steals, on behalf of moneyed interests” — Chris Hedges

Chris Hedges is arguing that the United States has essentially been taken over or “hijacked” by a small, powerful group of oligarchs, large corporations, and a narrow political and economic elite.

According to Hedges, this privileged minority now largely governs the country and often acts corruptly, primarily serving wealthy special interests and moneyed entities rather than the broader population.

He asserts that the nation is being run for the benefit of a few powerful groups and individuals rather than representing the interests and will of ordinary citizens.

In Hedges’ view, the country’s democratic system and policies are being controlled or dictated by this selfish, wealthy minority to the detriment of most Americans.

George Bernard Shaw: Money Class

George Bernard Shaw Money Quote saying experience with the wealthy illuminates the value of a death sentence. George Bernard Shaw said:
 

 

“The more I see of the moneyed classes, the more I understand the guillotine” — George Bernard Shaw

George Bernard Shaw criticizes the wealthy classes in his time. He seems to be saying that observing the wealthy more has given him greater understanding and sympathy for why the guillotine (used in the French Revolution to execute aristocrats) was used against the rich.

Shaw appears to believe the wealthy classes of his era were corrupt or out of touch, and that this justified the violent class warfare of the revolution. Overall, he seems to be expressing disdain for how the wealthy classes behaved and a belief that their actions could provoke a similar uprising against them.

Birthday: July 26, 1856 – Death: November 2, 1950

Warren Buffett: Only Individuals Contribute

Warren Buffett Money Quote saying in September 2000 in NY Times Editorial that only voters should finance our government election campaigns – never more than $1000 per person. Warren Buffett said:
 

 

“Let only individuals contribute — with sensible limits per election. Otherwise, we are well on our way to ensuring that a government of the moneyed, by the moneyed, and for the moneyed shall not perish from the earth” — Warren Buffett

In this quote, Warren Buffett is advocating for campaign finance reform and limits on political donations. He believes that only individuals, and not corporations or other groups, should be allowed to contribute money to political campaigns, and that there should be reasonable limits on how much each individual can donate per election.

Without such limits, Buffett warns that wealthy individuals and corporations will have an outsized influence on elections and policymaking, leading to a system where the government primarily serves the interests of the wealthy instead of ordinary citizens. In other words, he is arguing that unlimited political donations could undermine democratic governance and result in a plutocracy where a small, wealthy class wields the most power.

George Orwell on Foreign War Profits

George Orwell Money Quotation saying armed conflicts and war bring profit to corporations building weapons and supplies. George Orwell said:
 

 

“War against a foreign country only happens when the moneyed classes think they are going to profit from it” — George Orwell

George Orwell is referring to wealthy individuals and groups (the “moneyed classes”) who stand to gain financially from war.

Specifically, he means that wars are more likely to break out when powerful economic interests, like weapons manufacturers and military contractors, believe they can increase their profits by selling arms and supplies to the countries involved in an armed conflict.

Orwell is suggesting that private economic incentives, rather than purely strategic or ideological reasons, often play a role in decisions around going to war.

Birthday: June 25, 1903 – Death: January 25, 1950