In Defense of Karen

The thin pink line? [Altucher Confidential] February 22, 2023 [WEBSITE]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE]( None of what you see in the American public sector is incompetence, says McKay. It’s far worse. [Hero_Image] In Defense of Karen By Chris Campbell [External Advertisement] The single greatest medical breakthrough of all time? We are on the cusp of [a medical breakthrough.]( And soon, this single breakthrough could lead to the cure of over 6,000 genetic diseases, including Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and even cancer! This reminds me of Amgen, where early investors made as much as 46,751% when they released their revolutionary drug to the market. [Get all the details here.]( [Chris Campbell] CHRIS CAMPBELL “OK, KAREN.” Let’s face it. It’s a bad decade to have been named Karen. The name’s been co-opted by the Interwebs to describe those — starting of course with white women, but has since branched out as an umbrella term — who complain, as Wikipedia put it, “beyond the scope of what is normal.” By the way, Wikipedia is quick to mention that this flavor of scorn is nothing new. Before Karen there was Barbecue Becky. Before her, Cornerstone Caroline. And let’s not forget Permit Patty. Our slang etymologists trace all of these derivatives back to the classic, but less alliterative, “Soccer Mom.” Karen has hit such a tender nerve that the once 3rd most popular name in America — peaking in 1965 — has fallen from grace. Alberta reported last year that precisely zero Karens were born in 2022. And, according to the Social Security Administration, Karen dropped from 660th place in 2019 to 831st in 2020. The reason’s clear. Nobody wants the slur cast in their direction. Not just that. These days, if you’re unfortunate enough to catch a Karen, you also run the risk of inflaming the Internet’s spontaneous, but always half-cocked, Anti-Karen League. Sometimes (though certainly not always) even if one’s complaints come with reason. A landlord asks her tenant to pay her rent on time? “OK, KAREN.” Tired of that gaping pothole in the street? “OK, KAREN.” Think your local schools are in shambles? “OK, KAREN.” If you’re wondering if this animosity is a symptom of a larger trend… You’re not alone. One might point toward a thickened sense of complacency — learned helplessness, as it’s called — about a fraying of the social, political, and economic fabric of America. But then, an even bigger question arises: What’s at the root of this unraveling? If you ask Scott McKay at the Spectator, he’d say it’s obvious. Especially in our major cities. He calls it… Weaponized Governmental Failure Many operate under the assumption that the majority of our political leaders are just… well… incompetent. (Although many put it in ways less polite.) That’s why things — even basic things — don’t get done. McKay argues the opposite. “The crime and the graft and the potholes and the bad drainage, not to mention the spotty trash collection or nonexistent snow shoveling, aren’t incompetence. In fact, none of what you see in the American public sector is incompetence. The people responsible for it are quite highly educated and well-trained in their craft. You just need to understand what their craft is.” McKay defines Weaponized Governmental Failure (WGF) as the “deliberate refusal to perform the basic tasks of urban governance for a specific political purpose.” To do a bad job, he argues, is a choice. Especially when it comes to the basic amenities of a well-functioning city. There are consequences to doing those things effectively: “If you do those things effectively, after all, what you will get is middle-class voters moving in.” And, therein lies the problem: “middle-class voters are a pain in the ass.” Former white house advisor exposes diabolical plot [Click here for more...]( He predicted the 2008 financial crisis, the war in Ukraine, and the 2022 market meltdown. He even notified the world of America’s involvement in the Nordstream Pipeline attack, 26 days BEFORE the whistleblower report was released. But now, former White House advisor Jim Rickards just EXPOSED a secret war being waged against U.S. investors. Everthing Jim knows is [right here.]( [Watch Jim's video now before it's too late to act.]( To Rule Over Ruin Because they have more mobility, middle-class voters demand more bang for their buck from their taxes. They demand things like good roads, safe streets, functional drainage, decent schools, friendly business climates, etc. Rich voters aren’t usually as aggressive. They’re not going to show up en masse and yell at the school board. They can afford private security, private schools, and gated communities. When middle-class voters don’t get what they want… they leave. And, McKay points out, this isn’t just about the so-called white flight: “Those suburbs the folks are leaving for?” McKays asks. “Their minority population share usually increases as their population does.” McKay’s argument is this: The more middle-class voters you drive out of the city, the fewer “Karens” you have to deal with. Add to that, says McKay, “the more pliable the electorate becomes. A pliable electorate is one you can rule forever without successfully governing.” Therefore, he says, the craft of politicians isn’t to govern effectively. It’s to rule. “They rule over a ruin,” says McKay, “but they rule.” The Thin Pink Line If we revisit the original definition from Wikipedia, we see that a Karen is one who demands those things “beyond the scope of what is normal.” If we are to believe McKay, the current progression in America is to normalize lower standards. Perhaps McKay is onto something. But perhaps his argument is too simplistic. The complaining “Karen” certainly isn’t the thin pink line between civilization and chaos… But perhaps the meme is an early signpost of where we’re at: Increasingly, those with higher standards above “normal” shouldn’t always be comfortable expressing it. Lest you offend those who expect you to expect less. Meanwhile, the Weaponized Governmental Failure continues… The Death Star’s Next Blast This time, according to our colleague, the WGF is coming for your investment portfolio… All in the name of a popular investment trend taking the world by storm. Our colleague has all the details on what’s happening… why you should be aware (and why you should care)… and how to strike back… [Everything you need to know is right here at this link.]( Until tomorrow, [Chris Campbell] Chris Campbell For Altucher Confidential Secret Gold Back currency RUINING Biden’s plans for a digital dollar? [Click here for more...]( What I’m holding in my hand is a completely new form of money… As we speak, it's being used as an alternative currency across the U.S. minting in places like Utah, New Hampshire and Nevada… And since it’s made out of a thinly printed sheet of REAL gold... It may be the single best way to protect your wealth from Biden’s plan for a government controlled digital dollar. That’s why, I want to offer to send one to you today. But since I have a limited number I need you to respond to [this message]( by Wednesday at midnight. 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