I'm not a puppet...I'm a real boy!

In Plato's The Republic, the story of "The Cave" provides a glimpse of the deceptive methods used to influence people.  As the puppet master controls what the other individuals in the cave are able to see, a parallel comparison can be made with the government in the United States.  I have just completed the Cashflow Quadrant, which is Robert Kiyosaki's book that outlines the simple steps necessary to become wealthy.  His primary argument is that the United States seeks to retain more ignorant citizens as opposed to enlightened individuals.  By deceiving Americans in regards to personal assets, liabilities, taxes, salaries, and security, the government is able to absorb more income.  This increase in income is gained directly from the expenses of the lower and middle classes of ignorant American citizens.  The ironic comparison to "The Cave" becomes even more interesting after examining the individual that escaped from the puppet master's prison.  He became known as a philosopher after he experienced true reality; however, when he returned to release his companions, they believed him to be crazy.  Similarly in Kiyosaki's book, enlightened American citizens are perceived to be crazy because they combat the normal thought process that most people practice in economics.  The truth exists in the fact that the philosopher did experience true reality, and Robert Kiyosaki is a billionaire because he followed the steps outlined in his book.  Both of these people chose not to be ignorant puppets under the control of a seemingly superior being; instead, they enlightened themselves and sought to change the rest of the world.