}

Friday, September 23, 2011

Worth quoting: Elizabeth Warren


In the video above, Elizabeth Warren, Democratic candidate for US Senator from Massachusetts, speaks a core truth and demolishes the rightwing nonsense about how the rich have no obligation to the rest of society. Short version: They absolutely do have an obligation. Her point is as true here in New Zealand as it is in the United States or Massachusetts.

Here’s a transcript (source) of what she said:
"‎There is nobody in this country who got rich on his own. Nobody. You built a factory out there — good for you. But I want to be clear. You moved your goods to market on the roads the rest of us paid for. You hired workers the rest of us paid to educate. You were safe in your factory because of police forces and fire forces that the rest of us paid for. You didn’t have to worry that marauding bands would come and seize everything at your factory. … Now look. You built a factory and it turned into something terrific or a great idea — God bless! Keep a big hunk of it. But part of the underlying social contract is you take a hunk of that and pay forward for the next kid who comes along."
— Elizabeth Warren, speaking on her Senate campaign talking tour.

Tip o’ the hat to Jeffrey Taylor.

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