Bacon's Rebellion

Democracy Thrives in Sunlight

WHAT DRIVES TOO MUCH OF TODAY’S THIRD ESTATE — THE INSTITUTIONAL ESTATE

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by

James A. Bacon
in

For those who have read PART I and PART II of “The Estates Matrix” and wonder why in PART IV we will make a strong case for Citizens and Households to establish a robust, well informed presence in The Fourth Estate:

Take a look at Richard Feldman’s Op Ed “A Gun Lobbyist’s Lament: The NRA’s Main Target? Its Members’ Checkbooks.”

My father was one of the gun owners who Mr. Feldman would like to represent. M. E. Risse died in 1963. I have his NRA life membership pin. Acquiring that membership was one of the most, and perhaps only, extravagance he (and my mother) allowed themselves in the last 30 years of his life.

EMR

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3 responses to “WHAT DRIVES TOO MUCH OF TODAY’S THIRD ESTATE — THE INSTITUTIONAL ESTATE”

  1. E M Risse Avatar
    E M Risse

    Forgive me:

    I forgot the footnote : > ) Larry.

    The item cited is in today’s WaPo.

    EMR

  2. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    EMR,
    I liked the Post article you cite as it shows interest groups as self-sustaining entities. You might say the same for Alzheimer’s groups which seem to be trying to get the draw of the NRA. Am dealing with a situation and am impressed about how their play to emotions means big six figure salaries for someone or another.

    Peter Galuszka

  3. E M Risse Avatar
    E M Risse

    Peter:

    I am not sure I would use the word “liked” but it is a vivid example of what Institutions (as we define them) have morphed to become.

    It matterns not if they are focused on Alzheimers, retired folks (AARP), military insurance (USAA), Red Cross, United Way, Cato, Brookings, Reason, First Fundamentalist Bible Mission…

    … or any of ones we cite in discussing Row 4 of The Estates Matrix.

    That is why we suggest that all citizens must come to understand what forces organize the comtemprary world.

    While waiting for Linda to edit something just now, I flipped open one of her “spendid architecture” books on French Chateaus.

    The first sentence of the Introduction reads: “In 1100, everyone knew that the world was composed of three groups…”

    Citizens need to understand where we are now and Instituions are the Third Estate.

    EMR

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