I tend to do my personal speculation somewhat backwards. I think that’s why I somehow manage to baffle most point “A” to point “B” thinkers. This edition of Inspection will be no different…

The Great Depression… was it intentional?

I was observing the horrific economic trend we are in right now. If we were to enter a depression: as bad or worse as the 20s, who would benefit? Could it be the very same interests who are herding us towards that outcome? I understand the late 20’s “banker who jumped out the window” historical semi-fact. Fact: “yes.” Over told story that makes the actual carnage seem worse that it was? Well, also “yes.”

Yet most of these suicidal few were not those who actually drove us there. They may have been in the front seat of the station wagon, but they weren’t in the driver’s seat.

It’s also a less known, but absolute, fact that many got quite rich during the Depression.

I know of no studies; no proof, showing what I am suggesting. Not because it isn’t true, but I don’t recall anyone studying the concept. I’m not sure it’s even possible because it would require identifying who was to blame first for the Great Depression, then investigating what happened to them after. If you’ve ever done such research and analysis using standardized methods you know that’s the exact opposite of how one does this type of research.

I wonder…

…are most of us getting ready to be tossed over the economic cliff so those in control: like George Bush and his corporate owners, can live in luxury off our monetary corpses? My father trapped for furs so that the rich could live in more luxury during the thirties. He told me that many of the rich buyers were the same as before the crash: only a lot richer.

I’m not sure any of us will have that kind of opportunity my father had: make even that kind of meager living after the next crash, unless…

…that’s why the new prisons Halliburton/KBR are being built? And if anyone can be jailed, and kept there, by mere accusation or because some president says, “Make it so,” not one politically incorrect person is safe. Hell, prison for the poor might be the next wave of, “Things have changed since 9/11.”

So maybe most of us can look forward to the joys of slave labor? We’re not only allowed the privilege of killing our own pets with Chinese made dog food, poison our children with their toys… soon we’ll be part of our own prison-slave labor camp. Let’s race! I bet I’ll get there before you!

Ah, life is good.

-30-

Inspection is a column that has been written by Ken Carman for over thirty years. Inspection is dedicated to looking at odd angles, under all the rocks and into the unseen cracks and crevasses that constitute the issues and philosophical constructs of our day: places few think, or even dare, to venture.