Economic Hit Man

One of my recent Kindle reads was 'Confessions of an Economic Hit Man' with the subtext 'The shocking story of how America really took over the world.' Author John Perkins.

The book itself reads like one of those 'naughty government' thrillers. Where some 'operatives' lose the plot and go off track. In a way 'Confessions of an Economic Hit Man' is such a book. The author John Perkins claims that he was employed for years as a snake oil salesman for big business and government. He describes his role as being part of an elite group of men and women who utilise financial organisations. Intended to create conditions that make other nations subservient to those people running our biggest corporations, our government and our banks.

The plot is quite a simple one.  If someone or some country has something that you want. You first of all give them something that you make them think that they need. Then when they discover that they did not need what you gave them. They are left high and dry in a position where they cant pay you back. You get whatever it was that you wanted in the first place in exchange.

Lets say that you want one of your countries businesses to hold the rights to mine minerals in another country. You convince that country that they need an hydro electric dam. You inflate the need, you inflate the benefits and you offer to lend the money at a low interest to build the dam. As part of the deal, you also supply the business to build the dam. Then when the dam proves to be less economic that it was predicted to be. The country has to bargain in other ways to repay the debit. The role of the 'economic hit man' is to put such 'business' opportunities in place. For individuals, governments and businesses. Perkins found himself working as a hit man in developing countries such as Saudi Arabia, Ecuador and Panama. the book tells the tale.

Perkins claims that economic hit men are highly-paid professionals who are recruited to cheat countries around the globe out of trillions. They funnel money from the World Bank and other foreign "aid" organisations into the coffers of huge corporations and the pockets of a few wealthy families who control the planet's natural resources. Their tools included fraudulent financial reports, rigged elections, pay-offs, extortion, sex, and murder. They play a game as old as empire, but one that has taken on new and terrifying dimensions during this time of globalisation. Perkins claims that the proposed conditions for this debt repayment, often require countries to sell off their health, education, electric, water and other public services.

Later...