Tom’s Big Picture

Steve Sailer does more original investigative reporting in Obama’s past.  Democrats, please nominate this man!  A) If Republicans nominate a real conservative (not likely but possible), he could win against Obama and B) it will be a darn entertaining 2008 for those of us who enjoy being spectators to politics, what Huey Long called the “Sport of Kings”.

This morning I was struck when I watched the following video featuring former Tyco CEO Dennis Kozlowski.  Materialism, especially in a soulless alienating place like New York, can completely consume one’s identity.  Kozlowski was taken down on a technicality, avoiding sales tax by shipping art to New Hampshire instead of New York.  But his real crime was the ugly materialism- when you consume like he did, you make yourself a target.  The video also highlights the complete decadence of our elites- those who should be our leaders waste their time and money holding four-day parties complete with Jimmy Buffett.  We’ve come a long way from the days of Jefferson, when the wealthiest were often those most interested in projects, notably politics and education, to improve their state and country.

This video is a warning to anyone lucky or skilled enough to accumulate wealth- materialism has no upper limit, and I think there has to be a harsh judgment for someone who allows so many financial resources to be utterly wasted on meaningless stuff.  To him whom much is given, much is required.