Today, in partnership with AlterNet, we are launching a new investigation of the class of American super-rich we’ve deemed the Bubble Barons, “a select group of American multi-billionaires who saw astronomic gains in wealth during the housing bubble, and who so far have evaded all accountability in the midst of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.” Read the full AlterNet article introducing the project.
We’ve identified 67 bubble barons to target with our investigation. Drawing from Forbes’ lists of the wealthiest Americans for the past ten years, we selected individuals who were worth $2 billion or more (multi-billionaires); whose business activities are mainly in the real estate and finance sectors; and who saw significant gains in net worth over the past ten years (50% or more). Who are they? How have they made their money? Where have they invested it? How have they spent it? Who are their spouses, their friends, their closest business partners?
Join the Bubble Barons research group to help find out!
From the AlterNet piece, a brief explanation of how this will work:
You will be asked to adopt a bubble baron and find out as much as you can about that individual. Which companies has he worked at, founded or owned? Which boards does he sit on? Where does he invest his money? Does he make charitable donations? If so, to whom? Where did he go to school? Who are his closest professional associates and business partners? Who is he married to?
You can find a more extensive research checklist here. I will also be running several trainings for new analysts. Specific times and call-in information will be sent out in an email later today. You can also reach me by note if you have questions.
In past (and ongoing) investigations, LittleSis analysts have compiled lists of healthcare lobbyists, dug deep into the Chamber of Commerce’s networks, and mapped Bay Area power structures. Most recently, a small group of analysts, including destructor, priscilla, sundin, leia, and bob, profiled 250 of the most powerful visitors to the Obama White House.
It’s high time the bubble barons got the investigation they deserve. Let’s hold them accountable!
OMG… People, our US democracy don’t seem to seems to function so well lately. Sometimes i wonder if european and other countries are laughing the the US. We start to turn into a third world nation lately …
Zoe,
don’t worry. We europeans live in a quasi fascist state, called EU. A phony parliament with no rights whatsoever, commisionairies who are unelected but selected, as the new “president” van rumpoy. Can’t even spell his name!
The corporations took over, as well as the US as the european countries as well as most of the politicians. Corruption everywhere.
Watch on youtube a short clip, search for “Nigel Farage harangues EU President Herman van Rompuy” – that little speech tells it all:
“Who are you? Who voted for you? Oh, I know democracy is not popular in here……”
The chaos is coming!
Grumbleduke
Calling the EU a Fascist state (whilst dramatic) only serves to hide the true criminals.
In my opinion Zoe is right..America is screwed…we are ALL screwed.The EU is our ONLY defence against US and Israeli extremists who are dragging us all into a global apocalypse.Greed -Power and Ignorance are our enemies not the EU.
Mark…
USA is yet far from 3rd world country I assure you. Been there and seen that. In fact what we all generally refer to as 3rd w. country is what was in large part caused by USA and countries of EU. But that is another story. I have experienced in my life both – communist totalitarian system and so called “democratic” capitalism system. The later (admittedly) in my estimate is on very definite turn to become as totalitarian, brainwashing, scumbag run as any communist or fascist system. In US this of course did not start just recently but it most certainly was taken to the new levels by government deviant minds during the past 10 years. Led by war blood thirsty criminal individuals who have no other goal then total control of population in order to establish their empire. Why you ask? well it is of course because of “more money” but mainly because “they” believe that it is a game! Just a game of devious minds. So in the end it may not matter much what name you assign to it. Fascist, communist, capitalist … all lost meaning in today’s world.
And yes America is screwed but so is Europe. Trust me, to think that one is better off then other is a mistake. These people do not have borders – not geographic and not political. Only border that they recognize is an “enemy” border – which is anyone unwilling to join the club and share. Share with “them” of course! To share resources – oil, energy, water, livestock (beef, pigs, people etc.)… you get the picture. And finally yes the future is very uncertain. Rather gloomy I’d say. Because they know the fight is cumming and they will not go quietly. They might even choose such desperate moves as “real war” after which they would hope to start over whilst anyone fighting them will be dead. Do not confuse the war I’m talking about with money making scheme in Iraq or Afghanistan. These are business ventures that make “them” a lot of money. OK … enough of my rant.
It is about POWER.
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