Scams And Political Hams

Source: Wikipedia Commons

To scam, or not to scam. That is the question! TIs nobler in the eyes of mankind to suffer the slings and arrows of poverty, but, damn, scamming sure does pay good! Especially, in Washington, D.C.!

Basic Definition

“This is the Psychics Of The Dimension Of The Other Side Hotline. May I have your name please?”

“Guess.”

“Sir, we need your name please.”

“Not much of a psychic, are you!

_______________________

According to Wikipedia, the definition of a scam, or confidence trick is “an attempt to defraud a person or group by gaining their confidence. A confidence artist is "an individual operating alone or in concert with others who exploits characteristics of human psyche such as dishonesty and honesty, vanity, compassion, credulity, irresponsibility, naivety and greed." (1)

I Know What I'm Doing, Vote For Me!

Source: Wikipedia Commons

I Know What I'm Doing! Vote For Me!

Source: Wikipedia Commons

Election 2012

According to the Democratic National Convention speeches, Romney is an incompetent candidate for President of the United States and cannot be trusted to do the right thing for the majority of Americans.

According to the Republican National Convention speeches, Obama has proven himself to be an incompetent President of the United States and cannot be trusted to do the right thing for the majority of Americans.

“What if both parties are right?

Scary thought, isn't it?”

Remember the 1973 movie, “Paper Moon” and starred Ryan and Tatum O’Neal as scam artists. This father and daughter preyed upon those thatbelieved strongly in the Bible by preying upon those same emotions tosell more Bibles as they journeyedacross the country.

“Let’s see... both Obama and Romney seem to be preying upon those thatbelieve strongly in America and using those same feelings of patriotism tosell themselves as the one to vote for as they travel across the country on the campaign trail."

"I’m beginning to see a pattern!”

"Could this be a political scam?"

I'm supposed to be doing what?

Source: Wikipedia Commons

Scams Are All Around

Scam artists are all around us. Why? Because most people are desperate and gullible. Honest and somewhat innocent folks want so badly to believe that others will be honest and provide them with a miracle. A miracle for what they've prayed for so desperately they fail to see the lies they're being told. All scam artists target this weakness, as well as the greed concept!

"And we all know about greed, don't we? By the way, what were the latest Powerball numbers?"

However, the scam artists are not the only ones at fault. Most victims understand there is another element to deal with. There's even a saying about it:

“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!”

(Unless you watched President George W. Bush attempt to say it on Sept. 17, 2002,

“There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again.”

"That’s okay, George. Enjoy your retirement!"

Yet, believe it or not, Americans are not totally naive. We still know that scams are all around. Some of the most common scams, internet scams and broadcast scams of today are:

enlargement of certain body parts (unmentionable on Hubpages, I'm being good this hub)
online business opportunity groups (make hundreds per day working at home)
exercise guru and fad diet offerings (lose weight easily without exercise, maybe in another world)
auto repair and warranty specialists (never pay for repairs again... walk while your car sits there broken down)
drug and prescription advertising for a multitude of ailments (again... many unmentionable on Hubpages, see I told you I'm being good, until four hours pass and then I'm seeing a doctor)
political advertising that mud slings opponents (like we're going to believe either one of them after seeing these ads, like we're supposed to mimic Madeline Kahn In "Blazing Saddles"..."It's true..It's true")

All of these continue to be exceptionally profitable “short term” ventures. The old adage is true, “There’s a sucker born every minute!” (And I don’t think we mean the newborns breast feeding.)

This is my mug shot from the front. I think my profile is much more attractive, in fact, if you'd like to invest a little, I'm sure we can persuade them to provide it!

Source: Wikipedia Commons

Bernie Madoff, Scammer Supreme

When we think of con men, one immediately comes to mind, Bernard Madoff. Now, “Uncle Bernie” was a stockbroker, investment advisor, and financer. Trouble was, for almost two decades, his clients money went into accounts in his name, usually outside of the United States. (He knew better than to trust our banking system!)

His biggest con was called the Ponzi scheme. It netted him over $18 billion dollars by court records. Of course, Bernie’s in jail now serving a 150 year sentence. However, he’s stated that he’s being treated with all the respect of a mafia don. (Nice to know he’s not suffering.)

One would think, "White building equals good guys in white hats!" That's what one would think. They'd be wrong, but that's what they would think!

Source: Wikipedia Commons

At Least These Scammers Are On The Map!

Is Washington D.C. Scamming Us?

Yet, as badly as Bernard Madoff is portrayed, did he do anything that politicians are not?

Let's see:

Bernie took investors money and put it into accounts they had no control over. Politicians take our (tax) money and put it into accounts of which we have no control. (Where it's generally already spent.)
Bernie sold people on ideas of grandeur in return for their cash contributions. Politicians simply use the I.R.S. and visions of representation in return for our cash. (At least with Bernie's you had a choice to invest or not.)
Bernie lived extremely well for many years off of his clients, many who suffered financial hardship after contributing. Politicians live exceptionally well with their escalated salaries, retirement benefits, and expense accounts while many of those they supposedly represent suffer financial hardships after contributing.(And we all know the politicians feel sorry for those suffering... yeah, right!")
Bernie utilized America's legal system to gain many profits and avoid prosecution for many years. Politicians changed the law to allow lobbyist contributions to avoid prosecution forever. (At one time, the taking of money for vote influence was called graft. It was highly illegal. Now, the name has been changed to lobbying. With the name change came a certain amount of legality. Kind of like when strip joints became gentlemen's clubs)

"Hey Ma! Notice any similarities?"

A Final Thought

Scams surround us. It is up to each and every person to research what is being presented and make decisions as to what route they need to choose. Please, don't choose and then cry, "Foul!" You've only yourself to blame.

What's ironic about the American public is that they recognize politicians are scam artists. If you ask them at any time (except during an election year), you'll hear most citizens talk about how "they're all a bunch of crooks."

Only in an election fervor does one candidate become honest and the other candidate become the crook. And like a true American, when the elected later proves he scammed you, in self defense you can always say, "But he had good intentions."

(You have to love the way we think!)

So, when you enter the voting booth this year, consider what you’re voting for.

Is it:

1) still the American Dream, 2) the lesser of two evils, or 3) because one pulled a better scam than the other?

Keep thinking about it even after you leave the voting area.

It’ll give you something to do while waiting in line at the unemployment office.