The whole thing was a scam • Hacker News Board

Re: The whole thing was a scam

#61

Post by coldtea » Sat, Feb 28, 2026, 8:28 PM UTC

mentalgear wrote: post #3

PS: If openly bribing a crony gov to cancel your competitor is now the de-facto standard of making business in the US, I don't see how any rational investor could still see US companies as a secure investment. When the rule of law degrades into pay-to-play politics, the inevitable result is a mass exodus of both capital and top-tier talent.

>I don't see how any rational investor could still see US companies as a secure investment.

Investors just care for the returns. As long as they can identify and bet on the side doing the bribing, they're fine...

Re: The whole thing was a scam

#62

Post by erelong » Sat, Feb 28, 2026, 8:29 PM UTC

sounds likely and plausible but also like an "unproven conspiracy theory"

Re: The whole thing was a scam

#63

Post by coldtea » Sat, Feb 28, 2026, 8:29 PM UTC

jfengel wrote: post #13

mentalgear wrote: post #3

PS: If openly bribing a crony gov to cancel your competitor is now the de-facto standard of making business in the US, I don't see how any rational investor could still see US companies as a secure investment. When the rule of law degrades into pay-to-play politics, the inevitable result is a mass exodus of both capital and top-tier talent.

It's bizarre seeing the outright bribery. A lot of things that people call "bribery" is really just ensuring that your preferred candidate gets in office. You couldn't give money directly to the candidate for personal use. Donations went to the campaign of the guy who already agreed with you. The FEC used to take a dim view of outright pay-for-service, even dressed up. This is new. And now people need to decide how t…

>A lot of things that people call "bribery" is really just ensuring that your preferred candidate gets in office.

Having a preferred candidate you give money to is already bribery - whatever the law says. You fund your favorite pony to get the power. They then scratch your back or lend a sympathetic ear.

Re: The whole thing was a scam

#64

Post by 7sigma » Sat, Feb 28, 2026, 8:29 PM UTC

"In capitalism, the market decides.

In oligarchy, connections and donations decide."

Who's gonna tell him there never was a difference?

Re: The whole thing was a scam

#65

Post by mpalmer » Sat, Feb 28, 2026, 8:30 PM UTC

Is this a blog post or someone's notes for a blog post?

Re: The whole thing was a scam

#66

Post by cyanydeez » Sat, Feb 28, 2026, 8:30 PM UTC

erelong wrote: post #62

sounds likely and plausible but also like an "unproven conspiracy theory"

which part is unproven enough to not seem like a kleptocracy?

Re: The whole thing was a scam

#67

Post by dlev_pika » Sat, Feb 28, 2026, 8:30 PM UTC

> In capitalism, the market decides.

> In oligarchy, connections and donations decide.

> It sure look like the US is transitioning from the former to the latter.

I thought this was already pretty clear - since Elmo bunny hopped on Trump’s rally stage

Re: The whole thing was a scam

#68

Post by ilamont » Sat, Feb 28, 2026, 8:31 PM UTC

mentalgear wrote: post #3

PS: If openly bribing a crony gov to cancel your competitor is now the de-facto standard of making business in the US, I don't see how any rational investor could still see US companies as a secure investment. When the rule of law degrades into pay-to-play politics, the inevitable result is a mass exodus of both capital and top-tier talent.

> When the rule of law degrades into pay-to-play politics, the inevitable result is a mass exodus of both capital and top-tier talent.

No, it's not inevitable. What you've described is the way a lot of authoritarian states work, such as China. China attracts plenty of capital and external talent, including people from other countries such as Taiwan and the United States. You have be all-in on the CCP's rules, though.

Vietnam operates in a similar way. Untold billions of FDI in the past 20 years from Japan, the U.S. and China. Talk with top executives there, and you'll frequently find close connections or family ties with leaders in Hanoi.

Re: The whole thing was a scam

#69

Post by maxbond » Sat, Feb 28, 2026, 8:32 PM UTC

ProllyInfamous wrote: post #8

mentalgear wrote: post #3

PS: If openly bribing a crony gov to cancel your competitor is now the de-facto standard of making business in the US, I don't see how any rational investor could still see US companies as a secure investment. When the rule of law degrades into pay-to-play politics, the inevitable result is a mass exodus of both capital and top-tier talent.

>I don't see how any rational investor could still see US companies as a secure investment. 2025 was also the first year that the majority of stocks were traded off-market (i.e. hedgie darkpools, no public price discovery) . ---- Hope ya'll bought your gold before Monday . #RemindMe2days [gold@5290USD, this post]

Trades in dark pools still get published to the consolidated tape; they're still part of price discovery. What's "dark" about them is that you don't see the order book, but people break up large orders into smaller orders to disguise their order size in lit markets too.

Re: The whole thing was a scam

#70

Post by bloomingeek » Sat, Feb 28, 2026, 8:32 PM UTC

nickdothutton wrote: post #58

I'll try not to be too flippant but... he thought the US ever _wasn't_ an oligarchy?

Flippant be hanged! IMO, it all started with W Bush, who put the icing on that cake by invading Iraq based on a televised lie. He was "sneaky" but the current administration doesn't even try to sneak. The mid-terms may be our final chance to save our nation.