Ed Stahlman sent a message to Charles Jones that said:
âPyramid of Capitalist System,â issued by Nedeljkovich, Brashick and Kuharich, Cleveland: The International Publishing Co., 1911.
http://www.uniquescoop.com/2012/01/100-year-old-political-cartoon-still-as.html
This Pyramid of the Capitalist Money System is a provocative illustration of the hierarchical system of capitalist rule in America (My note Chuck: Not much different from what's found globally. Also, I have taken the liberty to embolden, highlight and add some thoughts to this description). In this beautifully colored portrait, the artist depicts the multiple tiers of working class oppression. At the top of the pyramid sits the state, which serves the interests of the ruling class and functions under capitalism as the protector of private wealth and property. [ (My Note Again: What the artist wasn't aware of (or perhaps he/she was forbidden to show who was/is at the tippy-top of the pyramid where âCapitalismâ is) is that the money bag above the state represents the wealthy family dynasties. These are the self-appointed âeliteâ families â 320 or so globally (just a small fraction of 1%) â who control most of the financial wealth and natural resources on planet earth . . . somewhere in the range of 80 to 90%!!! THEY are the puppet masters. THEY direct their puppets in organized religion, the top executives of all corporations, multi-national as well as national corporations, the top level politicians in all government agencies, the top âleadersâ in the public âeducationâ system, top level bank executives, etc., etc., etc.) ]. Below the state stand the religious leaders, clergymen, and preachers of false consciousness who encourage obedience to and acceptance of the status quo, entreating the working masses to accept their âordained fateâ and seek their just rewards not on earth but in that glorious hereafter.
If obedience cannot be encouraged it will surely be enforced by the members of the next tier. As events in Homestead and Pullman clearly testified, the police and militia had as their objective not the protection of âthe people,â but rather the protection of capital from âthe people.â Beneath the military sit the parasite class, the bourgeoisie, who exploit the toilers of the world and profit by their labor power.
Beneath it all, bearing the weight of the entire system, are the workers who produce all things fundamental to the perpetuation of life and the continuation of this system. Thus, in addition to illustrating the multi-layered oppression and exploitation of workers, this image also begs the question, âwhat would happen to capitalism if the workers simply withdrew their support?â
http://www.uniquescoop.com/2012/01/100-year-old-political-cartoon-still-as.html
