This extraordinary little booklet presents the compelling thesis for the legality and economic contribution of the pyramid scheme in modern American business. In particular, this booklet is the most comprehensive defense of the multi-level marketing (MLM) industry ever published. The MLM business includes such companies as Amway, Herbalife, and Nu Skin, and hundreds of others. The booklet argues that multi-level marketing companies are both legitimate businesses and they are pyramid schemes. The author's thesis is that what is today defined as pyramid fraud is in fact a common business model involving hundreds of companies with as much as $30 billion in annual revenue in the USA alone. The booklet shows that the alleged "harm" done to the public by multi-level marketing in terms of consumer losses actually mirrors the overall picture of wealth distribution in the general American economy with the vast majority of benefits accruing to a tiny percentage at the top. The booklet presents a persuasive argument that the "deception" perpetrated by MLM companies in income claims is not significantly different from the deception, exaggeration and misrepresentations that are found throughout advertising and marketing. The one difference, the author says, is in MLM's unique ability to gain control of people's thoughts and to powerfully influenced their social lives, and for this it is generally esteemed by the investment community.
Finally, it claims that the charge of "unsustainability" against pyramid schemes is hypocritical since the entire US economy depends upon perpetual expansion and the exploitation of finite resources. This booklet is the first to openly challenge the laws against pyramid schemes as biased and outdated, arguing that pyramid scheme economics (unsustainable, borrowing from Peter to Pay Paul, etc.) are pervasive throughout the US economy, from household budgets and credit card charging to national debt, the real estate market, corporate finance and the federal budget.
The most powerful aspect of the thesis of this booklet is the defense of the values on which pyramid schemes operate - hope and survival in a matured economy where income opportunities are destined to decline. The booklet argues that MLM is the last sector of the economy where people are excited about their income chances and that its "self-employment", survival-of-the-fittest model is the purest form of capitalism. The booklet bases much of it thesis that pyramid schemes are valid businesses on the fact that MLMs and pyramid schemes are wildly popular in the marketplace, both on Main Street and Wall Street. This market support validates the model, he claims, since "The Market" is the ultimate arbiter of all human activity and the only system for meeting human needs.
Finally, the booklet reassures supporters of multi-level marketing that the chances of government prosecution of the business are minimal and insignificant. This is because, the author argues, the industry is now "too big to jail." It has reached a tipping point with far too many people participating, including some who were formerly government regulators, and it has built up such a powerful political lobby that the current laws will never be enforced.
Finally, it claims that the charge of "unsustainability" against pyramid schemes is hypocritical since the entire US economy depends upon perpetual expansion and the exploitation of finite resources. This booklet is the first to openly challenge the laws against pyramid schemes as biased and outdated, arguing that pyramid scheme economics (unsustainable, borrowing from Peter to Pay Paul, etc.) are pervasive throughout the US economy, from household budgets and credit card charging to national debt, the real estate market, corporate finance and the federal budget.
The most powerful aspect of the thesis of this booklet is the defense of the values on which pyramid schemes operate - hope and survival in a matured economy where income opportunities are destined to decline. The booklet argues that MLM is the last sector of the economy where people are excited about their income chances and that its "self-employment", survival-of-the-fittest model is the purest form of capitalism. The booklet bases much of it thesis that pyramid schemes are valid businesses on the fact that MLMs and pyramid schemes are wildly popular in the marketplace, both on Main Street and Wall Street. This market support validates the model, he claims, since "The Market" is the ultimate arbiter of all human activity and the only system for meeting human needs.
Finally, the booklet reassures supporters of multi-level marketing that the chances of government prosecution of the business are minimal and insignificant. This is because, the author argues, the industry is now "too big to jail." It has reached a tipping point with far too many people participating, including some who were formerly government regulators, and it has built up such a powerful political lobby that the current laws will never be enforced.
