Which is it Money or Power? You Decide

[Dave Hiccup]

Dave Hiccup

May 26, 2023 at 8:11 pm #274

We need to discuss the question of why unethical people in high places of authority do the dastardly things they do. For Pete’s sake is it really that difficult to determine what they’re after. To help understand their motivation shouldn’t we try to find out what their end game is? . . .which is doubly the case for those scoundrels in govt. Is it money, is it power, or maybe it’s both? Some even suggest they do it for the notoriety, publicity, or popularity. My sense is that far too many pundits claim — and the consensus seems to support them — that power is their ultimate desire & final goal. But how can that be? Yet “experts” continue to insist that the large majority of those inside operators are only after power with money being a distant second. Let see if we can finally agree once and for all whether if it’s one or the other or some combination. Because understanding what motivates these people will help us be on the lookout for them, recognize the potential damage they can do, and try to head them off before it’s too late.

In many cases the answer is…it depends. For the majority of those who are somewhat new to the game of illicit & nefarious operations — and even for many who are veterans — stealing public money is their one and only concern, they’re simply in it for the dough. Sure, having power to go along with the money inflows would be great, but first and foremost is their need to feed their greedy desire for plunder. Naturally there are exceptions to every rule. (And no, I won’t be repeating that worn out slogan show me the money, a show business creation which needs to be thrown back into the Hollywood dumpster where it was found).

For the old farts, those veteran thieves who’ve been around seemingly forever – like a Teddy Kennedy or Harry Reid type – more ill-gotten cash is of little importance. After all you can only spend so much money in a lifetime, and once you get to whatever your desired level of satisfaction — obviously it’s different for each person — that’s when the power trip comes to the forefront and you start looking around for new worlds to conquer. At that distinguished stage its time to stop focusing on stealing and start addressing the power impulse and the irresistible urge you now have to push people around. It’s also more fun and much safer than larceny. Do you really think someone like Kill Gates or Dr. Evil (Soros) wants to pilfer another billion dollars? Besides by the time you get rich you have to fight off the rich man’s guilt syndrome which comes along with all those bloated bank accounts. The natural progression once your kleptomaniacal desires burn away is to use some of your ill-gotten gain to buy power, influence, respect & notoriety you now yearn for. After all, what else is left? This unfortunate mental evolution is a human trait aptly named Libido Dominandi, oder (der) Wille zur Macht: (the) desire to dominate, (the) will to power.

Another type are those who know or feel they cannot immediately get their hands on enough booty for fear of reprisals, so they pursue the power angle which will enable them to grab some later on. Naturally their m.o. & focus is obtaining power, first and foremost and as quickly as possible. The classic example is the fresh, young, and upcoming social climber & bad actor who recently enters the political arena. This guy’s hunger for wealth along with a something-for-nothing desire drives him to political power to fulfill that end. He’s the wolf in sheep’s clothing who will turn himself inside out to get it, which is the penultimate goal enabling him to reach his ultimate goal: money & wealth.

So what’s the bottom line here? Does money beget power or is it the reverse, power begets money? IMO it’s a horse race but I believe one thing really stands out. Whether they admit it or not, money & property are what primarily drives people to do bad things, whether they are acting out of malevolence or benevolence. I feel greed, avarice, and self-interest are the underrated factors which are the main culprits. In most cases, with a few exceptions, power is simply a tool used to get the stuff you want. It is the means to an end, which is getting rich & acquiring wealth. Yes there are plenty of psychological misfits & bad guys out there who want power to control, punish & abuse people, or even take over the world (the Hitler mindset). But I think those scumbags take 2nd fiddle to the greedy & unscrupulous villains who want your money at any cost. The problem I have is that too many so-called experts almost always say that the majority of crooked insiders are doing it for the power. To those people I would say you might want to reconsider your position on this. Yes, power is a “powerful” aphrodisiac, but human greed is even stronger.

[Author]

Posts