From: nospam@example.net   
      
   I'm currently reading Human, all too Human part 2, and did you know that   
   Nietzsche predicts the EU in the book? Writing that the history and   
   customs of the individual cantons (as he calls the member countries, after   
   the swiss system) will gradually fade over time.   
      
   Then he continues to write about the three threats to democracy:   
      
   1. The have-nots.   
   2. The ultra-rich.   
   3. Political parties.   
      
   As with Nietzsche, he always writes short chapters which sometimes makes   
   it difficult to divine what he has in mind.   
      
   My theory is the following:   
      
   1. The have-nots.   
      
   If people who live on the system, get to control the system, the ones who   
   do work and contribute will eventually become slaves if the have-nots   
   continue to increase. To vote you should have "skin in the game" (be a   
   net-contributor).   
      
   2. The ultra-rich.   
      
   The ultra-rich have enormous power and influence and can bribe, use their   
   companies as platforms for spreading their message, newspaper, social   
   media etc. That gives them an outsized influence. Today, we have   
   ultra-rich who owe most of their wealth not to capitalism, but to their   
   ability to suck up to the government to get nice contracts.   
      
   3. Like the ultra-rich, political parties become enormously powerful over   
   time. They sink deep roots into society by think tanks, non-profits, and   
   eventually the politicians become professional politicians who never had a   
   job in the private sector. They pass on their power within the family and   
   become political clans. They will fight tooth and nail for stasis, to   
   remain in power.   
      
   I think a big part of Nietzsches analyses was inspired by ancient greece.   
   During my recent vacation I read a history book about ancient greece, and   
   except for the have-nots, nr 2 and 3 did happen in ancient greece.   
      
   So what do you think?   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)