MDMD: Dynasties!

Given the intergenerational character conflicts in M&D and that novel's
concerns with the origins of the American nation and dream (and the
eventual betrayal of that dream, as prefigured through the eyes of some of
the novel's characters) (connections to other Pynchon novels, too, of
course) some readers may find this article interesting:

July 8, 2002

DYNASTIES!

by Kevin Phillips


Maybe it's time for a new set of Fourth of July orations. Only at first
blush is there silliness to the idea of the United States--the nation of
the Minutemen, John and Samuel Adams and Thomas Jefferson--becoming a
hereditary economic aristocracy. When you think about it, there is evidence
for serious concern.

More than a decade ago, the United States passed France to have the highest
inequality ratios of any major Western nation. More and more of the
country's richest clans have been setting up family offices, captive trust
companies and other devices to manage and entrench their swelling fortunes.
The elimination of the inheritance tax being sought by the Bush
Administration will only make that entrenchment easier.

Politically, we already have a dynasty at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue: the
first son ever to take the presidency just eight years after it was held by
his father, with the same party label. This dynasticism also has its
economic side: both Bushes, père et fils, having been closely involved with
the rise of Enron, another first for a presidential family, more on which
shortly. [...] it seems clear, counting campaign contributions,
consultancies, joint investments, deals, presidential library and inaugural
contributions, speech fees and the like, that the Bush family and entourage
collected some $8 million to $10 million from Enron over the years, which
is more than changed hands in Harding's Teapot Dome scandal. Depending on
some still-unclear relationships, it could be as high as $25 million. [...]


... continues at

http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20020708&s=phillips