The Danger of Protecting the "Endangered Species"

"These and other blessings are showered upon us by legislators in Washington who feel compelled to protect us, much as if we were spotted owls or some other endangered species. It’s nice to have friends in high places."  -- Warren Buffet

Just as the mega-rich enjoy having political friends (i.e. the decreasing tax rates) -- I think the more advantageous friendship is the reversal. Some may say the relationship is symbiotic, but it my opinion -- there is an aspect of commensalism. For instance, it seems as though the politicians benefit more so from "having friends in high places", whereas the rich are not deeply affected by the relationship. While some politicians were essentially born wealthy...others depend on the wealthy to support their campaigns, projects, and ideologies. While the extremely wealthy make up only about 1% of the population (hence Occupy’s slogan -- 'We are the 99%'), they seemingly control the opposite. When a small group of individuals control such a large portion of our world's wealth-- they, in turn, control a similar amount in terms of power. In reality, the whole relationship is unhealthy and dangerous. It reinforces the ideal that money can be used to buy power. As politicians treat the mega-rich as "endangered species" -- they are doing so to protect their motives from going extinct. Let's put an end to the protection of the "endangered species" not to cause harm to the rich, but to challenge our politicians in a way where they are forced to make decisions based upon morality and values and not on 'saving face'.