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Confessions of a professional liar Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, (2004, By GEOFF DAVIDIAN ShorewoodVillage.com In Confessions of an Economic Hit Man,
John Perkins gives us a good insight into everything wrong with capitalism,
and in doing so shows us an example of the kind of person who makes it all
wrong. More than
100 years ago, philosopher William James asked us to consider a society in
which millions were kept permanently happy on the one simple condition that a
certain lost soul on the far‑off edge of things should lead a life of lonely torture. “What except
a specifical and independent sort of emotion can it
be which would make us immediately feel, even though an impulse arose within
us to clutch at the happiness so offered, how hideous a thing would be its
enjoyment when deliberately accepted as the fruit of such a bargain.” A more
hideous and less philosophical suggestion is put forth in John Perkins’ best
selling treatise on post WWII America, Confessions
of an Economic Hit Man. Perkins
portrays a world where a few are kept permanently happy on the one simple
condition that millions of souls lead lives of economic misery and
exploitation, through a system in which religious groups, corporations and
U.S. policy converge wherever poor nations have resources we want. Part Richard
Nixon (I’m not guilty but I’m responsible), part Anthony Robbins without hot
coals, the 60-year-old Perkins worked as an economist for Chas T. Main, Inc.,
an independent professional engineering firm providing comprehensive services
associated with electrical power, industrial, and related environmental
facilities. Perkins writes that he was recruited by the defunct
From “And we
wonder why terrorists attack us?” he writes. Perkins says
that he sickened of the business and quit, only to become an “expert witness”
for the nuclear energy industry at the same firm with a retainer three times
his old salary. “My job was
to justify, under oath, the economic feasibility of the highly controversial
Seabrook nuclear power plant,” he writes. “Part
of my job on the Seabrook case was to convince the New Hampshire Public
Service Commission that nuclear power was the best and most economical choice
for generating electricity in the state. Unfortunately, the longer I studied
the issue, the more I began to doubt the validity of my own arguments. The
literature was constantly changing at that time, reflecting a growth in
research, and the evidence increasingly indicated that many alternative forms
of energy were technically superior and more economical than nuclear power. “The
balance also was beginning to shift away from the old theory that nuclear
power was safe. Serious questions were being raised about the integrity of
backup systems, the training of operators, the human
tendency to make mistakes, equipment fatigue, and the inadequacy of nuclear
waste disposal. I personally became uncomfortable with the position I was
expected to take — was paid to take – under oath in what amounted to a court
of law.” Later, he
writes, he took a bribe to not disclose any of his insider secrets, which he
nevertheless does in this book, which is in its eighth printing. During a
recent appearance at the In a Web
site for Dream Change, an organization he founded, Perkins is now selling
social consciousness. “Dream Change (DC) is a world wide grass roots movement
of people from diverse cultures and backgrounds dedicated to shifting
consciousness and promoting sustainable lifestyles for the individual and
global community. The objective of inspiring earth-honoring changes in
consciousness is accomplished through programs that educate and foster
environmental and social balance. DC was originated to encourage new ways of
living.” The site
goes on to say, “John Perkins defied a code of silence and broke through
personal fears when he wrote Confessions
of an Economic Hit Man.” “To many it
seemed heroic,” he says. “But for me it was a matter of journeying out of the
physical plane, seeing my life from a time-less perspective, and realizing
the freedom of going deeply into the divine self that lies at the core of
each of us.” Once we allow the process, we experience cellular changes." Perkins
continues: “We vibrate at higher frequencies and realize our limitless
potential.” Since he
stopped pitching nuclear power under oath (although he didn’t believe his own
testimony), Perkins has written several other books, including: Shapeshifting:
Shamanic Techniques for Global and Personal Transformation; Spirit of the
Shuar: Wisdom from the Last Unconquered People of the Amazon; The Stress Free
Habit: Powerful Techniques for Health and Longevity from the Andes, Yucatan,
and Far East; and Psychonavigation: Techniques for Travel Beyond Time, in which “John Perkins relates his
encounters with the Bugis of Indonesia, the Shuar of the Amazon, the Quechua
of the Andes, and other psychonavigators around the world. He explains how
the people of these tribal cultures navigate to a physical destination or to
a source of inner wisdom by means of visions and dream wanderings. Learn to
attract the inner guidance you seek.” But a cynic
might suggest that Perkins has just found a new group of victims to exploit,
the progressives and new age do-gooders who want to understand the indigenous
peoples Perkins uses to reinforce his argument that he really is a good
person down deep, regardless of all the lies he has been telling. In Confessions of an Economic Hit Man,
Perkins connects the dots of He also
peppers the story with his dysfunctional sexual history, scenes of his
drunken depression and anger that rarely turns into action. It’s hard to tell
where John Perkins the professional liar ends and whether John Perkins the
social and environmental activist begins. Perkins says
he told all, despite his bribe and promises, because he wants to redeem
himself and to make the world a better place for his daughter. In a recent
interview, we asked Perkins whether coming out as a lifelong liar for hire
has made it difficult for him to get out his message that the world needs to
change the way it thinks. No, he says,
he had never considered that, although he sees how it could be a problem. No, he says,
no government official, no foreign country, no lawyer had contacted him about
any of his revelations. And, of
course, no one is culpable. Asked
whether he would consider giving up his copyright or making his book
available online for a less hefty price, Perkins said, “That’s up to my
publisher.” Then added, “But it is coming out in paperback, probably in a
year.” Meanwhile,
you may be interested in Perkins’ upcoming event: LIMITED SPACE! On magical Deer Isle,
Maine* |