The New Confessions of an Economic Hit Man

1. Economic Hit Men: The Secret Agents of Corporate Empire

"Economic hit men (EHMs) are highly paid professionals who cheat countries around the globe out of trillions of dollars."

Covert operatives of greed. Economic Hit Men (EHMs) are the hidden architects of global empire, working to expand corporate and government influence through economic manipulation. Their primary tools include:

• Fraudulent financial reports
• Rigged elections
• Payoffs and extortion
• Sex and murder

Modus operandi. EHMs convince world leaders to accept enormous loans for infrastructure projects, knowing that:

• The projects primarily benefit local elites and foreign corporations
• The country will be unable to repay the debt
• This debt burden allows the U.S. to control the country's resources and political decisions

Historical context. The EHM system evolved from earlier forms of imperialism, becoming more sophisticated and less visible over time. It gained prominence after World War II as a way to spread American influence without resorting to military force.

2. Debt as a Weapon: How Countries Are Enslaved Through Loans

"The unspoken aspect of every one of these projects was that they were intended to create large profits for the contractors, and to make a handful of wealthy and influential families in the receiving countries very happy, while assuring the long-term financial dependence and therefore the political loyalty of governments around the world."

Debt trap diplomacy. The EHM system relies on saddling countries with unsustainable debt, which is then used as leverage to:

• Extract natural resources
• Control political systems
• Force privatization of public assets
• Impose austerity measures on local populations

Case studies. The author provides numerous examples of this process in action:

• Indonesia: Massive energy projects that primarily benefited U.S. corporations
• Panama: Infrastructure development tied to political control of the Panama Canal
• Ecuador: Oil exploration deals that devastated indigenous communities and rainforests

Long-term consequences. This system perpetuates global inequality and environmental destruction while concentrating wealth and power in the hands of a small elite.

3. The Corporatocracy: A Global Network of Elites Controlling World Affairs

"The corporatocracy is not a conspiracy, but its members do endorse common values and goals."

Power behind the throne. The corporatocracy consists of:

• Multinational corporations
• International banks
• Colluding governments

Shared goals. This network of elites works together to:

• Maximize profits and shareholder value
• Maintain control over global resources
• Expand their influence over political systems

Revolving door. Key players move seamlessly between:

• Corporate boardrooms
• Government positions
• International financial institutions

This constant interchange of personnel ensures alignment of interests and policies across sectors.

4. Development Aid: A Trojan Horse for Exploitation and Resource Extraction

"Aid is what keeps the Third World in debt to the First."

False promises. Development aid is often presented as altruistic assistance, but in reality it serves as:

• A means of creating markets for Western goods and services
• A tool for gaining access to natural resources
• A way to impose Western economic and political models

The World Bank and IMF. These institutions play a crucial role in the EHM system:

• Providing loans with stringent conditions
• Imposing structural adjustment programs that benefit foreign investors
• Perpetuating debt cycles that keep countries dependent

Hidden costs. The author reveals how development projects often:

• Displace local communities
• Destroy traditional ways of life
• Prioritize corporate profits over genuine social and economic progress

5. The Jackals: When Economic Manipulation Fails, Violence Follows

"When the EHMs fail in this scenario, the jackals are called in to finish the job."

Escalation of force. If a country's leaders resist EHM tactics, more aggressive measures are employed:

1. CIA-backed coups
2. Assassinations
3. Military interventions

Historical examples. The author cites several instances where jackals were deployed:

• Iran (1953): Overthrow of democratically elected Prime Minister Mossadegh
• Panama (1981): Assassination of President Omar Torrijos
• Ecuador (1981): Plane crash that killed President Jaime Roldós

Modern jackals. The author notes that contemporary methods have evolved:

• Increased use of private military contractors
• Drone warfare and targeted killings
• Sophisticated propaganda and disinformation campaigns

6. Personal Journey: From EHM to Whistleblower and Activist

"I was part of a system that made feudalism seem just."

Recruitment and training. The author describes his own path to becoming an EHM:

• Approached by the National Security Agency (NSA)
• Trained by a mysterious woman named Claudine
• Taught to use economic projections as a tool for manipulation

Crisis of conscience. Over time, the author becomes increasingly uncomfortable with his role:

• Witnessing poverty and exploitation firsthand
• Forming relationships with people in target countries
• Recognizing the long-term damage caused by EHM activities

Transformation. Eventually, the author decides to leave his EHM career and expose the system:

• Writing "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man"
• Founding nonprofit organizations
• Advocating for sustainable and equitable development models

7. The Death Economy vs. The Life Economy: A Call for Systemic Change

"The time has come for you — for all of us — to make the choice between a death economy and a life economy."

The death economy. Our current global system is characterized by:

• Reliance on warfare and the threat of war
• Exploitation of finite resources
• Unsustainable levels of debt and consumption

The life economy. The author envisions an alternative based on:

• Regenerative practices that heal damaged environments
• Clean energy and sustainable technologies
• Economic models that prioritize well-being over profit

Individual action. The author emphasizes that everyone has a role to play in this transformation:

• Conscious consumption and investment choices
• Political engagement and activism
• Supporting businesses and organizations aligned with life economy principles

8. Modern EHMs: How Corporations and Governments Exploit Their Own Citizens

"Today's economic hit men . . . are bankers, lobbyists, corporate executives, and others who use the global economy to create a web of control."

Domestic exploitation. The EHM system has evolved to target citizens within developed countries:

• Predatory lending practices
• Corporate subsidies and tax loopholes
• Privatization of public services and infrastructure

Key players. Modern EHMs include:

• Wall Street executives
• Lobbyists and think tanks
• Corporate-funded politicians

Tactics. These new EHMs employ strategies such as:

• Complex financial instruments that obscure risk
• Regulatory capture and revolving door hiring
• Massive marketing campaigns to shape public opinion

The result is a system that concentrates wealth and power while eroding democratic institutions and social safety nets.

9. Resisting the Empire: Strategies for Individual and Collective Action

"We have the power. We must use it."

Personal responsibility. The author emphasizes that every individual has a role to play in creating change:

• Educating oneself and others about the EHM system
• Making conscious consumer and investment choices
• Supporting organizations working for systemic change

Collective action. Broader strategies for resistance include:

• Building alternative economic models (e.g., cooperatives, local currencies)
• Engaging in nonviolent direct action and civil disobedience
• Creating cross-cultural and international solidarity networks

Transforming institutions. The author advocates for:

• Corporate charter reform to prioritize social and environmental responsibility
• Campaign finance reform to reduce the influence of money in politics
• International debt relief and fair trade agreements

By working on multiple levels – personal, community, and systemic – we can create a more just and sustainable global economy that serves all of humanity.

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Last updated: July 31, 2024