While money and power are tightly intertwined, they are not synonymous. Money can buy power, but power alone doesn not guarantee wealth. Worse, if you simply look at todays headlines, those that are falling out of power still can commandeer money... just look at the CEOs of the U.S. auto makers and banks.
I was reading online about the sequel to Oliver Stone's 1987 Wall Street, and realized the only difference:
Then, the government was trying to fight corporate corruption and greed
Now, the government is a willing participant with bailouts and backroom deals.
And if they need more? They just keep printing more money...
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Old Gekko line: Greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right, greed works.
New Gekko line: This is the new greed, pal. How much do you want? The government is paying.
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Old Gekko: (attacking an underperforming board of directors): The new law of evolution in corporate America seems to be survival of the unfittest.
New Gekko: The new law of evolution is still survival of the unfittest - Citi, Bank of America, GM, AIG. I could go on.
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Perhaps a better question to ask:
Is greed the root of all evil?