Washington, we may have a problem:
“The causes and motives of seditions are, innovation in religion; taxes; alteration of laws and customs; breaking of privileges; general oppression; advancement of unworthy persons; strangers; dearths; disbanded soldiers; factions grown desperate; and what soever, in offending people, joineth and knitteth them in a common cause….
“Above all things, good policy is to be used, that the treasure and moneys, in a state, be not gathered into few hands. For otherwise a state may have a great stock, and yet starve. And money is like muck, not good except it be spread. This is done, chiefly by suppressing, or at least keeping a strait hand, upon the devouring trades of usury, ingrossing great pasturages, and the like.”
– Francis Bacon, “Of Seditions And Troubles”
- Innovation in religion, check.
- Taxes, check.
- Alteration of laws and customs, check.
- Breaking of privileges, check.
- General oppression, check.
- Advancement of unworthy persons, check.
- Strangers, check.
- Dearths, check.
- Disbanded soldiers, check.
- Factions grown desperate, not yet.
And as for suppressing the devouring trade of usury, well, the economy may be in the doldrums and the employment/population ratio is down, but at least the stock market and the big banks are doing well.