Personal Reflections of a Middle-Aged Man

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.—Mark 10:15

There was a recent headline that caught my eye as I scrolled through BlueSky. The article was about billionaires buying islands or large tracts of land around the world. In the article, it talked about how, what I’m calling the billionaire class, such as Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), Bill Gates (Microsoft), Oprah Winfrey (Harpo, Inc.), Larry Ellison (Oracle), and other celebrities and businesspeople, are spending lavish amounts to build these bunkers. I believe the article stated Zuckerberg’s fortress will cost around $400 million, which represents only about 0.2% of his overall wealth of $270 billion.

As I read the 2024 article, all I could think about was the Bible verse, Mark 10:15, quoted above. In these bunkers, billionaires are including bowling alley’s, moats around the compound, two meter thick walls, water and air filtration, and even well stocked medical facilities, operating room included. 

Are they building these because they have so much money they don’t know what to do with it? That rather than doing good in the world with that $400 million, they just waste their funds kind-of one-upping other billionaires? I mean why not, some of the billionaires are using vast sums of money just to go into space for what, a 10-minute joyride at huge environmental impact.

Or are they building these bunkers in hopes they will survive the chaos and waste they are creating with their businesses? Do they know that at some point the people are either going to rise up to take back their power and planet, or that their business practices and greed are going to cause the downfall of society and make the planet mostly inhabitable? Do they think these bunkers will protect them from viruses, pollution, nuclear fall-out, or any other unimaginable catastrophe? That they are the chosen ones because they have the money (again see Mark 10:15).

What it says to me is they are well aware of what they are doing in the name of greed and power to the planet, that they believe their money will protect them, and that they don’t really care about the rest of us as long as they are “safe.” After all, self-sufficiency and a paid mini-militia protecting them can probably go a long way in keeping the real-world at bay. I will never deem to speak for God in the judgement of others because I’m not Him. However, based on my readings of the teachings of Jesus, His son, there is a likelihood that these rich and powerful people will eventually reap what they’ve sown. 

I’m all for one to earn a good profit in their business, which people and businesses have always done. There was a time when the tax rate was around 91% on the ultra-wealthy (meaning Zuckerberg would still have over $25 billion left). During that time they still had plenty of money to buy their lavish houses and eat the best foods. It was also a time of prosperity for the nation as a whole as well in the use of funds for the general good. A time when most, but not all, benefitted from those public works.

There are billionaires who may be also be building bodacious bunkers, but are also giving their hordes of money away for good causes, such as Melinda Gates, Warren Buffett, and MacKenzie Scott. They have helped support women’s rights, education and scholarships, and Habitat for Humanity. All of which are helping to improve the world and society.

Let’s hope we can help the billionaires get back on track as we move to take back our democracy. We will all be the better for it.

I’ve often said we all need to be involved in saving democracy in the ways which fit our lives and our comfort levels. These can be blogging, reposting on social media, calling your elected officials, letters to the editor, donating to organizations, and/or marching in the streets. Nothing is too little or too much. Here are some ways to get involved whether from the comfort of your own homes, or on the streets, over the next few weeks:

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• Call your U.S. Senator to demand they fight the Republican administration’s defiance of the court in following laws and the Constitution. The switchboard number is 202-224-3121. They will connect you with the correct senators. If you get their voicemail, which I do often, make sure to leave your name and address for your call to be registered as received.
• Call your congressional members and let them know as one of the people they represent, it is past time for Musk to be fired and DOGE dismantled. Call this number and the switchboard will connect you to your representative or senator: 202-224-3121. Even if you don’t know who your members are, they will find them for you based on your address, which they will ask you to provide.
• Call the White House switchboard to express your disappointment in what is happening and that Musk must go: 202-456-1414 (switchboard) or 202-456-1111 (comments). I recommend the switchboard myself.
• Sign up for General Strike and commit to participating.
• Download the app Five Calls to help let your elected officials know you are paying attention and don’t approve. Website: https://5calls.org/ 
• Join a local group of Indivisible.
• Participate in the action items of50501: 50 Protests, 50 States, 1 Movement.
• Continue to boycott companies who have bent the knee or no longer believe in equality. Don’t buy from national chains or companies, such as Target, Amazon, Tesla, and Walmart.
• Plan to make no purchases for the second full economic blackout on April 18-20.
• Write letters to your local papers expressing your disappointment and tell your stories of how the Republican administration is harming your families.
• Please say thank you in some way to the universities, law firms, companies, and organizations not bending the knee and capitulating to the Republican Administration.