Kleptocrat. From ancient Greek κλέπτω (kléptō, “steal”) and suffix -κρατία (-kratía), from κράτος (krátos, “power, rule”; klépto- thieves + -kratos rule, literally “rule by thieves”).
No, this is not an essay on “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” and, Kleptocracy is government ruled by a Kleptocrat (one who would “use their power to exploit the people and natural resources of their own territory in order to extend their personal wealth and political power.”)
Without making reference to present or past American or foreign governments, it is important to note that certain conditions are requisite for a Kleptocracy to exist and thrive. The prime requirement is external oversight of the ruling power is impossible or does not exist. External oversights would include a free press and a governmental checks and balances.
A Kleptocrat does not have to steal directly from the people ruled or embezzle from the government. Manipulation of those things within the purview of persons in power for personal financial benefit is sufficient to identify these despicable people.
Without a healthy free press to point out abuse, the populace remains ignorant. It takes more than three shells and a pea to run a successful shell game. There also must be more than one rube, an unsuspecting or trusting public for the shell game or Three-card Monte to work. A highly skilled operator must develop trust and perform a bit of magic to keep the mark unaware of the sham and remain in the game.
How many knowledgeable observers does it take to stop Kleptocracy around the world? A free press can point out its existence. It takes a motivated public to do something about it.
Kleptocrats frequently convert natural resources to their own wealth and balance sheets in far greater proportion than their personal ownership of those resources. This unjustified personal capitalization of public natural resources is criminal. We must start paying attention to what is really going on about us. Will we permit rule by the very rich to continue? How does continuing an oligarchy benefit the the majority of the world’s or America’s peoples?
Recognize this Three-card Monte and call an end to it. Our focus has been misdirected and distracted too long.
Unite. Join hands. Eliminate all oligarchies, autocratic and nepotistic governments, spawning grounds for Kleptocrats. Do not continue to remain spellbound by what is going on around us. Stop listening to all the rhetoric. Unleash and encourage a free press to call a spade a spade.
A free press will feed us along with “Alternative Facts” the TRVTH, whole truth, and nothing but the truth. For this we need to see both sides of the coin and stop becoming so startled it is one coin.
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