Parasites

Hey Folks,

I've heard it said that Americans refuse to resent the wealthy because of the "American Dream" that someday they can be rich too. Of course, the wealthy and their lapdog toadies in the press scream "Class Warfare" whenever anything is proposed to help the people (e.g. health care, minimum wage, pensions).

That's not unlike the plantation owners' focusing on religion for their slaves - not to save souls, but to offer potential pie in the sky to avoid trouble over actual deprivation on earth.

Well, folks. Read below how our masters spend their time and your money; then listen to the NPR report on Mexico and India:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7492272 Mexico

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7492275 India (where 300 million people [the population of the USA] live in dire poverty.)

Which direction do you think the "American Dream" is heading?

- Uke Man


A toy for every billionaire at Verona luxury fair
By Mathias Wildt Mon Feb 19

VERONA (Reuters) - Is there a better way to show off how rich you are than to pave your yacht's floors with gold?

The Verona luxury fair in northern Italy -- where billionaires find the kinds of things they hope can distinguish themselves from mere millionaires -- can answer that question.

The six pavilions teemed with attractive saleswomen pitching helicopters, Ferrari and Bentley cars, 1.5 million euro watches and hot tubs with champagne bottles in silver ice buckets.

"Verona is The Luxury Fair, and it's much better than other dusty shows in Italy," said antiques dealer Umberto Campi, from Milan, surrounded by Japanese samurai suits of armor from the 1600s complete with ghoulish masks that start at 20,000 euros ($26,290).

Exhibitors like the Verona fair, which ran from February 10 to 18, because it brings in a diverse audience, from industry professionals to window shoppers like Mauro Giovanardi from Modena, who walked his leashed Chihuahua along carpeted halls.

"It's a way of spending the day looking at shiny things," Giovanardi said.

At one booth, Italian company Aurum showed off its durmast oak parquet flooring covered in 24 carat gold leaf on offer for around 6,800 euros a square meter. The same price could get you a central Milan apartment.

"We're the first in the world," said commercial director Riccardo Risetto. "Others just have gold-painted floors."

Risetto said Aurum is in talks with designers Dolce & Gabbana, who just opened a bar in Milan called Gold, and a shipbuilder who wants to use it for the big luxury yachts he builds.

DIAMOND PRESS

Clothes are a major status symbol for the super-rich just like anyone else. But standing out from the average designer label-wearing rich person can be tricky.

How about champagne-washed, diamond-studded, gold-festooned jeans made by jeweler Xipe of Vicenza and Verona fashion company Move easy? They sell for just 150,000 euros ($196,800).

An added benefit is that the gold lining the pockets can be worn as bracelets and the belt loops turned into earrings. The button which holds them up is a 4 carat diamond.

Plenty of other shiny things could be found at LifeGem, which makes diamonds using the compressed carbon from human or pet hair, ashes or placenta by placing it in a diamond press for six to nine months.

Fausta Benedetti, a jeweler from Trento visiting the LifeGem booth said she was interested in carrying the rocks because "they have meaning."

One of the fair's top attractions testified to the age old adage that it is lonely at the top.
At the Real Doll booth a blonde in transparent lingerie and a brunette in skin-tight top and skirt sat invitingly on a couch with legs spread and mouths puckered.

Both are full-size, very life-like, silicone sex toys with a plastic skeleton and steel joints so they can be placed in any position, Chief Executive Officer and Creative Director Matt Krivicke said.
They cost $6,500.