If you run a lootocracy, you have no conception of sufficiency. You set up
the rules to grab as much money as you can, as if you've won a supermarket
shopping spree. You also concentrate power, the better to arrange the world
for your benefit. Unchecked by modesty, satiety, or shame, you take all you
can get away with. You loot until someone stops you.
The word lootocracy was originally coined to describe the corrupt cartels
that have ruled and plundered countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and some of the
former Soviet Republics. But with an amazingly small amount of national
debate, George Bush is installing a more global and sophisticated
version-one where those on top can do whatever they choose without the
slightest constraints. Bush began his presidency by giving the wealthiest
five percent of all Americans massive tax breaks of $75 billion a year. He
paid for them in part by cutting child abuse prevention, community policing,
Americorps, low-income childcare, health care, housing, and even support for
military families. This spring he passed another round of cuts, $35 billion
a year targeted overwhelmingly to the same lucky lootocrats.
