There is another way for moneyed interests to get what they want out of government: convince the 99 percent that they have shared interests. This strategy requires an impressive sleight of hand; in many respects the interests of the 1 percent and the 99 percent differ markedly. The fact that the 1 percent has so successfully shaped public perception testifies to the malleability of beliefs. When others engage in it, we call it brainwashing and propaganda.1
The quote highlights a strategy employed by wealthy interests to align their goals with those of the majority, the 99 percent. This method relies on a manipulative narrative that obscures the fundamental differences between the wealthy elite and the broader population. The 1 percent often shapes public perception in ways that make their interests appear congruent with those of average citizens, despite significant disparities in priorities and needs.
The effectiveness of this tactic reveals how beliefs can be influenced and molded, akin to brainwashing or propaganda. This manipulation underscores the challenge of addressing inequality, as the interests of the few can dominate the discourse, diverting attention from the real needs and issues faced by the many, thus perpetuating the cycle of disparity.
