Dickson Igwe. Photo: Provided

His vast wealth and power means that as the sun sets over his three hundred million dollar island paradise in the Caribbean somewhere, and while he swims a number of laps in a gargantuan and superbly sculpted swimming pool, so incredibly integrated into his villa’s environs, one would think it is natural to the geography of his private island. The billionaire’s every heart beat determines the economic livelihood and welfare of thousands of his employees, agents, and their families around the globe.

Jack, his gold bullion, and his vast corporate empire: made up of everything from high finance, digital technology, retail, space exploration, air transportation, shipping, and multimedia; to oil, mining, arms production, manufacturing, and commodities, is the product of a new paradigm in global capitalism, post Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher.

This is a new world driven by information science and technology: a knowledge economy that makes the world the oyster of those with the requisite, frequently esoteric skills, and resources. A paradigm in economics, that instead of creating a more egalitarian world of opportunity, and a prosperous global middle class, has instead, concentrated control of the world’s resources in the hands of just under 1500 billionaires. Jack Billionaire is the poster boy of the adage, that money begets money. Yes, Jack is at the pinnacle of the wealth and power pyramid.

As of late 2013, a few hundred families control a global economy that consists of over six billion consumers, worth a hundred trillion dollars annually in output. These vastly rich and powerful people, who basically own the world, are commonly referred to as the .0001%. They are super wealthy: with names like Wal Mart, Buffet, Gates, Page, Slim, Abramovich, Dangote, add a young rookie named Zuckerberg. It is even rumoured that Russian President Vladimir Putin has joined the group owing to a vast interest in Russian energy stocks worth in excess of 70 billion USD.

The majority of the colossally rich are US citizens; many are European; albeit the emerging world is increasingly seeing the emergence of its own billionaire class in places such as India, China, Mexico, Russia, Arabia, and Nigeria.  

Inequality and social tension

Now, this vast inequality is already creating social tensions in the developed world, with governments trying to bridge the wealth gap. In the USA, the much spoken of AMERICAN DREAM is today a NIGHTMARE OF INEQUALITY, with advancement to the multi millionaire class blocked by Jack and his chums, who rule the US economy with an iron rod. Jack and Co have practically, bolted the door to the poor and middle classes, from entry into Jack’s super exclusive club. Jack has done this, using his incredible wealth to buy power, privilege, and patronage: Jack practically owns governments, and directs whole societies and economies, with his hundreds of billions. In parts of Africa, and the Middle East, Jack has national leaders and their security apparatus comfortable parked in his back pocket.

OK, governments, attempt to bridge that inequality gap. In the USA, keeping Jack in check, albeit a near impossible task, is conducted through a Barack Obama driven attempt at egalitarianism, that provides subsidized healthcare, infrastructure spending in poor areas, free job training, subsidized housing, and a plan to bring relief to longsuffering undergraduates and graduate school students burdened by debt, and more. This is ideally done by increasing the taxes on the super rich Jack, and the other one percent, who own the US economy. In Europe, the Welfare state has checked the unrelenting advance of Jack the Billionaire post the Second World War. Of course, these wealth redistribution formulas are ideas that Jack violently opposes. In the USA it is practically impossible these days to tax Jack and his friends, courtesy of a Congress Jack controls.

Jack the billionaire and his Caribbean playground

In the Caribbean, Jack’s vast wealth means that he is increasingly buying up whole islands and the waters that surround them. Jack is also buying up the most pristine cays, atolls, isthmuses, bays, and beaches, and planting his mark of ownership firmly in these geographies, and much to the consternation and dismay of the natives.

This places scores of beaches, and fishing sites, in the Virgin Archipelago, and elsewhere in the Caribbean, out of bounds to natives, locals, and tourists. And this was observed on a fateful day sail in early September, when this Old Beach Boy visited two dots of island close by Jost Van Dyke: Sandy Cay and Sandy Spit. Natives sailing the Virgin archipelago as of this late 2013 will notice that increasingly, there are no go areas. It is a miracle Jack hasn’t yet scooped up these two tiny pieces of delightful geography. Or maybe this sea shell hunter has spoken too soon.

Yes, as of this September 2013, whole islands are out of bounds to Virgin Islanders and residents. The sailor cum captain, who chaperoned the joyous group this Observer sailed with, was extremely wary about sailing close to these islands owned by Jack the Billionaire. The clearly frightened man advised that it was too risky visiting these private islands with their surrounding beaches and bays. He stated that well trained guard dogs could be set on unwelcome guests, and other not so friendly methods of deterrence. So sailing the Virgin Islands archipelago today is becoming an increasingly limited affair, limited to what remaining piece of island and sea has not been gobbled up by the Super Wealthy Jack. 

A cry to Jack by a small island man

This Resident beseeches Jack to be the philanthropist and compassionate human being Jack is so capable of being. Allow the local people to use your beaches and fishing grounds Jack. Grant the natives access to your islands, and not just your fellow billionaire and multimillionaire celebrity crowd.  This will create a much nicer country for you to enjoy Jack; and a country full of smiling, grateful, and compliant natives.

Just think of it Jack: all those smiling locals, happy at Jack’s providence and kind heartedness. Yes Jack, you could become a veritable hero over night and not the super elusive and exclusive billionaire you clearly are; and when you lay that billion dollar head and mind on that million dollar pillow, you can smile at night Jack, and sleep with a clear conscience.

Might as well buy the lot Jack

Just one other thing Jack: since you have already bought up all the surrounding islands: why not finish the job. Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke are superb pieces of real estate. Tortola it is said would make a great bird sanctuary Jack. Just think of the myriad species you could cultivate on the largest island in the Virgin archipelago: from the bald eagle to the mighty sparrow. One of your chums has already started a monkey colony and farm on one of the other islands Jack: so this bird paradise idea is a great one.

Jost van Dyke could be your personal shark institute Jack. Just imagine sinking a number of gigantic cages into the pristine reef Jack; and you could keep your own collection of killer, sharks and the odd killer whale. And Jack, do not forget Virgin Gorda with the most pristine beaches on earth. You could sink some very long poles into the sea bed, and all around the island’s coast, and be the first to have flood lighting on all your beaches. Think of it Jack. You and your super wealthy pals could swim 24 / 7. And all year round.

A few dollars under the table, wet a few palms, a nod here, and a wink there, a few invites for wealthy and powerful natives to a sumptuous dinner in your palatial home, a ride on one of your jets, a free cruise on your palatial yacht, and the rest of the archipelago could well be yours Jack.

Only allow the poorer natives access to the beaches and fishing grounds of your private island estates Your Imperial Highness. Yes Jack, allow the locals access to your private islands: a miserable and unhappy local population is not in your best interests Jack: but of course you have read Niccolo Machiavelli Jack, how else could you have reached where you are today? And just think about the great advice this Observer has just given Jack: his commission is only .0001%.

 To be continued...

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