While
often remembered for his philanthropy, the last surviving grandson of
America’s first billionaire died today, leaving behind a dark
legacy indicative of how American nobility often shape policy from
behind the scenes.
by
MintPress news desk
No one
person encapsulates the enduring legacy of the “robber barons” of
the Industrial Age quite like David Rockefeller. Rockefeller, who
died today at the age of 101, was the last surviving grandson of John
D. Rockefeller, the oil tycoon who became America’s first
billionaire and the patriarch of what would become one of the most
powerful and wealthiest families in American history. David
Rockefeller, an undeniable product of American nobility, lived his
entire life in the echelons of U.S. society, becoming symbolic of the
elite who often direct public policy to a much greater extent than
many realize, albeit often from the shadows.
Rockefeller
made it clear that he preferred to operate out of public view despite
his great influence in American – and international – politics.
Due to his birthright, Rockefeller served as an advisor to every
president since Eisenhower, but when offered powerful positions such
as Federal Reserve chairman and Secretary of the Treasury – he
declined, preferring “a private role.”
As evidenced
by the numerous obituaries bemoaning the loss of the last of the
Rockefeller’s grandsons, he was largely successful in hiding his
most significant wrongdoings from public view, as evidenced by his
characterization as a generous philanthropist and influential banker.
But as is
often the case, Rockefeller’s true legacy is much more mired in
controversy than major publications seem willing to admit. In
addition to having the ear of every U.S. president for the better
part of the last 70 or so years, Rockefeller – once again operating
“behind the scenes” – was instrumental in shaping the more
cringe-worthy aspects of U.S. policy during that time, as well as
being a major force in establishing banking policies that led to debt
crises in the developing world.
Rockefeller
– as the head of Chase Manhattan Bank from 1969 to 1981 – worked
with government and multinational corporations throughout the world
to create a “global order” unequivocally dominated by the 1
percent, of which his family was a part. As the New York Times noted
back in the 1970s, Rockefeller became embroiled in controversy when
his constant trips overseas caused the bank to become less
profitable, as he prioritized the bank’s influence on foreign
politics over its actual business dealings.
During his
time as Chase CEO, Rockefeller helped laid the foundation for
repressive, racist and fascist regimes around the world, as well as
architecture for global inequality. In addition, Rockefeller helped
to bring the debt crisis of the 1980s into existence, in part by
direct action through Chase Bank and also indirectly through his
former employee-turned-Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker. Two
years before the debt crisis erupted, Rockefeller, Volcker and other
top bankers met at the International Monetary Conference in 1980s to
argue for the establishment of a “safety net” for major banks –
like Chase – that were embroiled in bad loans given largely to
countries in the developing world.
After the
crisis brought financial ruin to Latin America and other developing
areas throughout the world, Rockefeller – along with other bankers
– created austerity programs to “solve” the debt crisis during
subsequent IMC meetings, provoking inequality that still persists to
this day. However, thanks to the “safety net” conveniently
established years prior, Chase avoided the economic consequences for
its criminal actions.
In addition,
Rockefeller supported the bloody and ruthless dictatorships of the
Shah of Iran and Augusto Pinochet of Chile while also supporting
Israeli apartheid. Rockefeller then went on to found the influential
Trilateral Commission while also serving as a major force on the
Council on Foreign Relations that he, along with his close friend
Henry Kissinger, would come to dominate.
Both of
these organizations have come under fire for using their powerful
influence to bring about a “one-world government” ruled by a
powerful, ultra-wealthy elite – an accusation to which David
Rockefeller confirmed as true in his autobiography. Far from the
generous philanthropist he is made to be, David Rockefeller deserves
to be remembered for his true legacy – one of elitism, fascism and
economic enslavement.
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