In opposition to executive salaries Benjamin Franklin, June 2, 1787 Antifederalist #5
[Excerpt] "Sir, there are two passions which have a powerful influence on the affairs of men. These are ambition and avarice; the love of power,and the love of money. Separately each of these has great force in prompting men to action; but when united in view of the same object, they have in many minds the most violent effects. Place before the eyes of such men, a post of honour hat shall be at the same time a place of profit, and they will move heaven and earth to obtain it. The vast number of such places it is that renders the British Government so tempestuous. The struggles for them are the true sources of all these factions which are perpetually dividing the Nation, distracting its Councils, hurrying sometimes into fruitless and mischievous wars, and often compelling a submission to dishonorable terms of peace.
And of what kind are the men that will strive for this profitable pre-eminence, through all the bustle of cabal, the heat of contention, the infinite mutual abuse of parties, tearing to pieces the best of characters? It will not be the wise and moderate; the lovers of peace and good order, the men fittest for the trust. It will be the bold and the violent, the men of strong passions and indefatigable activity in their selfish pursuits. These will thrust themselves into your Government and be your rulers. And these too will be mistaken in the expected happiness of their situation: For their vanquished competitors of the same spirit, and from the same motives will perpetually be endeavouring to distress their administration, thwart their measures, and render them odious to the people." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/D/1776-1800/federalist/anti5.htm ========================
----- Original Message ----- From: Jonathan Lassen To: lbo-talk at lbo-talk.org Sent: Friday, August 27, 2004 9:13 PM Subject: Re: [lbo-talk] Psychologists say many bosses could be "psychopaths"
I think I got this from this list a year or so ago:
"Instead of the comforting rationale that merit breeds success and the successful have merit, a more rational approach would be to speculate that in our society wealth and power tend to accrue to those who are ruthless, cunning, avaricious, self-seeking, lacking in sympathy and compassion, subservient to authority and willing to abandon principle for material gain…" —Noam Chomsky
John Thornton wrote:
>
>> New Scientist has a more in depth article on this subject for those
>> interested at
>>
>> http://archive.newscientist.com/secure/article/article.jsp?rp=1&id=mg18324615.200
>>
>> Snakes in suits
>> New Scientist vol 183 issue 2461 - 21 August 2004, page 40
>> by Laura Spinney
>> if anyone would like, I could post a copy assuming it gets past the size
>> limits.
>
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