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Written by: Super User

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Published: 23 March 2025

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Henry A. Wallace quote, FDR's vice-president 1941-1945

Henry A. Wallace saw how human ambition could turn to greed, and he saw it during FDR's New Deal.  That greed had been running rampant before the New Deal.  Those who opposed the concentration of corporate power were starting to come to power themselves during this time.  They felt "the fortunes of the people (should) not be dependent on the whim or caprice, the political prejudices, the emotional stability of a few self-appointed men"^[1]  Sound familiar?   We seem to be living through a similar 'pre-New Deal' time with billionaires with their quirks, eccentricities, and narrow view of the world again are lording over us.  People who seem to feel they can never have enough money!

The following Reading List starts with books that provide a broad view of corporate monopoly power and the few people who hold that monopoly power.  People who can't see much beyond their obscene salaries, bonuses, and balance sheets. 

It ends with what just might be the most egregious example of monopoly power gone amuck - kidney dialysis.  It might as well be said now, EVEN KIDS DEATHS have been fair game in the pursuit of profit!

Books:

Goliath: The 100-Year War Between Monopoly Power and Democracy by Matt Stoller 
A startling look at how concentrated financial power and consumerism transformed American politics, resulting in the emergence of populism and authoritarianism, the fall of the Democratic Party—while also providing the steps needed to create a new democracy.

Monopolized by David Dayen
Mentions how four major banks control most of our money and just four airlines choke off business to smaller cities.  If you are sick, choice is limited with three main pharmacies filling your prescriptions, and hospitals have only a few large suppliers to choose accessories from.  Innovation and choice have been stifled.  Also the book came down hard on Warren Buffett, America's Folksiest Predator.

Division of Light and Power by Dennis Kucinich 
Kucinich's fight as mayor for the public electric utility Muny Light was epic and read like a thriller.  The greedy for-profit Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company (CEI) utility looked to be only wanting to jack up customers utility bills - and their own salaries and bonuses.  And to further add to the story's plot, the mafia is alleged to have made attempts on Mayor Kucinich's life!  note: utilities and dialysis clinics both carve out a geographical area and can operate quite similarly

Car Guys vs. Bean Counters by Bob Lutz, former President of Chrysler Corp.. Featured in Blog #9 here at DialysisEthics2.org

Hostile Takeover by David Sirota, "Do you ever wonder if there’s a connection between the corruption scandals in the news and the steady decline in the quality of life for millions of Americans?" David Sirota seems to think so.

*****How to Make a Killing: Blood, Death and Dollars in American Medicine ***** by Tom Mueller, out since August 1st, 2023! (aka 'Dialysis 4-You!')
Blurb from the author's site: How did a lifesaving medical breakthrough (kidney dialysis) became a for-profit enterprise that threatens the people it’s meant to save?  Read the book and find out.  

This site is based on what many of us have seen going on in kidney dialysis.  We have personal experience and also saw many of our friends' poor care contribute to their early demise!  LOOKING FOR A BLATANT EXAMPLE OF CORPORATE MONOPOLY POWER GONE AMUCK, THIS IS IT!!!  P.S. This site also put up a review of Tom Mueller's book.

Quote from Hannah Arendt, a German-American historian
and philosopher

Hannah Arendt escaped the Gestapo and Germany before eventually coming to the US.  She is known for coining the term the 'the banality of evil'.  From the 'Eichmann in Jerusalem' wiki page: Her thesis is that Eichmann was actually not a fanatic or a sociopath, but instead an average and mundane person who relied on clichéd defenses rather than thinking for himself.  We who have been with DialysisEthics have seen it with targeted dialysis staff or patients who have complained about the care, or lack of care they have seen: "Oh that staff member is just disgruntled", "That patient is an ingrate who should be grateful we are keeping them alive!" and to that last statement I would add keeping patients barely alive!  This reading list emphasizes patients and many staff have been left with crumbs while upper management runs off with the cake!

^[1] History of United States antitrust law