There are areas where I agree with Michael Bloomberg and areas where I don’t. I support his goals in spending $50 million this year to curb gun violence, even though I don’t support a political system that let’s billionaires throw money around like this. However, quite apart from that, I’m startled at what a high opinion he has of himself.
Mr. Bloomberg was introspective as he spoke, and seemed both restless and wistful. When he sat down for the interview, it was a few days before his 50th college reunion. His mortality has started dawning on him, at 72. And he admitted he was a bit taken aback by how many of his former classmates had been appearing in the “in memoriam” pages of his school newsletter.
But if he senses that he may not have as much time left as he would like, he has little doubt about what would await him at a Judgment Day. Pointing to his work on gun safety, obesity and smoking cessation, he said with a grin: “I am telling you if there is a God, when I get to heaven I’m not stopping to be interviewed. I am heading straight in. I have earned my place in heaven. It’s not even close.”
I don’t believe that I’ll have to answer for myself when I die, but I do my best. Even so, by the high standard Jesus supposedly set, I’d surely fry. I don’t think my position would improve if I spent tens of millions of dollars on issues I think God should support.
Bloomberg gets it that 330 million loose firearms out in the country might possibly be dangerous for billionaires if ever US politics turned dramatically. The Kochs and Adelmans think the NRA’s constituency are rubes that can easily be exploited as a billionaire’s army against the government.
They differ only in their tactics for self-preservation.
The Kochs and Adelmans think the NRA’s constituency are rubes that can easily be exploited as a billionaire’s army against the government.
That can’t really be it. It’s just more distraction from the Koch and Adelson types fleecing governments.
I’ve been saying this for awhile and I think it’s correct (go figure):
The second amendment, conceal-carry permits, Stand your Ground laws, and guns…guns everywhere are what the oligarchs want because it provides them with their own feudal army.
They already own land, corporations, politicians, local/state governments, and enjoy way more rights than you or I can even imagine.
Conceal-Carry + SYG Laws allow an oligarch to hire their own security force, and provides limited liability for their goons when they inevitably shoot someone. Think King Arthur and the Round Table, with the hicks and gunclowns being the Knights.
To complete the transition from pseudo-oligarchy to aristocracy, the oligarchs need to get rid of the “death tax”, need to neuter/eliminate/capture the Federal Government, and need to be able to wield arms to control their own land/property.
The reason you see the sheer amount of excitement and spittle flying over this ranching thing out west is that it is just one more test case for the oligarchs.
What is politically feasible right now? Can an individual with guns and the state government tell the Federal government to go fuck itself? How will the Federal government respond? How will the rabble respond?
It’s not a distraction. It’s just one of many, many cuts that the oligarchs are making on the body of Federal government in their long-stated mission of shrinking it down so they can murder it.
Seriously, they discuss, openly, of eliminating the Federal government. Sedition and treason, yes.
That is why there should be a 99% wealth tax on all wealth over $250m. Period.
The fucking framers, who I do not worship, would be aghast at how much this country is becoming an aristocracy.
Cringeworthy, indeed!
Has no one ever told Michael Bloomberg that there are some things you just don’t say out loud, even if you believe them to be true?
No. Some things don’t apply to billionaires. They can say any darn fool thing they want. It’s an extension of their privilege as wealthy people. Hence, Lloyd Blankfein (technically only half a billionaire) can claim to be doing “god’s work.” Can whine like the Kochs that they are under attack and treated unfairly by the “have nots.”
well it illustrates why billionaires are so hard to deal with and why they shouldn’t be able to buy our government. but he’s certainly one up on Langone criticizing the Pope for paying too much attention to the poor.
Got this in an email from his group
Should have an impact
http://everytown.org/scenes/accidental-death/?akid=1466.1407908.NGim3W&rd=1&t=1
Wow. I want to say that video blew me away, because I don’t have any other words for how it left me speechless and very affected. Not trying to be funny or make a play on words.
I’m not a theologian, but I actually think Jesus set the bar pretty low. Ask for forgiveness and it will be given to you. Ask for redemption and grace and redemption and grace will be yours.
It was a bunch of angry old celibate men who made it hard to get to heaven.
Don’t think Bloomberg has converted to Christianity; so, the “bar” for him would differ.
Sure hope for Michael he has chosen Rome for forgiveness and does not adhere to the teachings of Martin Luther:
21. Thus those indulgence preachers are in error who say that a man is
absolved from every penalty and saved by papal indulgences.
The 95 Theses Martin Luther nailed to the Wittenburg church door
Even Tony Blair found ‘salvation.’ That was a tough nut to crack. 🙂
Sorry Bloomie — that fast pass to heaven will cost you at least 99.9% of your wealth in real good works and not some comparatively infinitesimal amount thrown at a couple of your pet projects. If your descendants can’t make do on $33 million — well, tough.
Presumptuous.
Some people have a ventriloquist god.
So, in other words, he bought his way into Heaven. A proud moment, no doubt.
For one-tenth of a penny on the dollar like a savvy capitalist.
Why wouldn’t a billionaire think they can buy their way into heaven?
They think they are entitled to buy the government.
Governments are real and have always been for sale. Heaven not real but has long been for sale by priests, ministers, charlatans, and hucksters to the delusional.
Perhaps somewhere there is an sewing needle through the eye of which Mr. Bloomberg might pass. And, perhaps lemurs will fly out of my butt.