“Armaments, universal debt and planned obsolescence - those are the three pillars of Western prosperity.”

Probably should give this a thumbs down. One star for that which is perceived as prosperity. Armaments to gain prosperity (not as a defensive tool) is imperialism with only a fleeting perception that stolen booty is wealth and strength. While debt may be needed to expand passed one's present position, borrowing to prosperity justifies such ultimate thievery as is the Fed, and is a major cause for the current recession. Planned obsolescence, is a self deprivating mentality that migrates into all facets of life, leaving substantive morality an obscene gesture.

I doubt that debt brings much prosperity. As to individuals, debt is slavery and should be avoided. This should also apply to our government but they seem to love debt, the more the merrier.

These are the unseen truths that provide government's with a flawed reasoning to continue with and increase taxation, and corporation's with a way to keep selling us an inferior product. Now that money is no longer worth saving and is merely a medium of exchange, these are the tools that provide government and corporations with everlasting control and profit. We're living on a treadmill that goes no where. Pay taxes, consume, and die before you collect SS. like a "good" citizen.

Wow! what foresight - yes, yes, yes, the more debt we have the more money is made of the debt great quote - by the way it is inverted comment that provides the lesson.

I hate lists but here he obviously missed one: interchangeability of parts.

I'm afraid this is all too true. I once mentioned to a friend that our 'money' is but debt and backed by nothing of intrinsic value. He said, "Yes it is -- plutonium! 'We deal in lead, mister.' " Only arms can keep funny money afloat. Remember, even while our economy is tanking, the money we used to have is in someone else's hands -- debt is very 'prosperous' for those creating the money. FDR's New Deal is based entirely upon the premise of the quote.

I think that E Archer is right.

A [perhaps] incorrect observation from this 84 year old who lived in the WWII period with (A) a "Defense Department"
( we'd have become Germans or Japanese by now had we not had such ) ... (B) debt acquired to provide those decidedly NECESSARY armaments .. and (C) yes, our capitalistic system in "them-there-days" was based on "planned obsolescence."
CONCLUSION; in HIS day, maybe, correct. No longer ... we now have different problems .. someone else will have to name the trip -- I ain't that bright !

Prophetic considering when it was written.... if he was alive today he would add corporate hegemony.....