Not accepting responsibility and being powerless are two sides of the same coin

Charles Hugh Smith writes that anecdotal evidence indicates we are a nation divided into two classes, the overworked and the involuntarily idle. Income-wise, America is now a three-and-a-half class society

The entrenched incumbents on top (the "half class"), the high-earners who pay most of the taxes (the first class), the working poor who pay Social Security payroll taxes and sales taxes (the second class), and State dependents who pay nothing (the third class).

Mr. Smith has written a book.

In it he outlines five core reasons why things are falling apart.

1. Debt and financialization

2. Crony capitalism and the elimination of accountability

3. Diminishing returns

4. Centralization

5. Technological, financial and demographic changes in our economy

If we want sustainable prosperity rather than collapse, we must embrace a new model that is Decentralized, Adaptive, Transparent and Accountable.

We are not powerless. Not accepting responsibility and being powerless are two sides of the same coin: once we accept responsibility, we become powerful.