Sunday, July 26, 2009
A response to "the government can't run anything" statement
Is there anything run well in this country? Corporations are no better than government, but in a democracy all citizens are responsible. Poor managerial acumen is no excuse for leaving millions without access to health care. Unquestionably, it is a complex issue without simple answers, however, it is not the government that is in trouble but the society that has eroded to such a degree that it would forsake basic human decency for petty squabbling. If we believe in responsibility and accountability we can create a system that will do its job because the people employed to do the job do it right. Checks and balances, anyone? We have the capabilities, the intelligence, and the will, do we not? We call it innovation, creativity, determination! The meaning is defined by its use! If the social climate is so cynical to believe it is not even remotely possible then we are lost. History shows that those who have and don't share don't have for long.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
A Crisis of Capitalism
Watch Bill Moyer's Journal on "A Crisis of Capitalism?"
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/09282007/watch.html
In October of 2007 Bill Moyer's interviewed Economist John Bogle. Bogle said some important things that few want to acknowledge or face in American society. Here are a few that stood out to me: "A society out of control." "We are betraying our values." "When is enough enough?" In June, "The Journal" reported on the "Highflying Executives" of Northwest airlines. [Here is the link http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/blog/2007/06/preview_highflying_executives.html comments]
The CEO's and exec's are paying themselves at the expense of those that labor for them. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. When the market determines morality we see hubris defined and everything and everyone is commodified. When we speculate for profit on the human soul what are we left with? Our "greedy soul" as Robert Bly calls it, rules the land and we are left in the darkness of endless want. The bottomless pit of insecurity where superficial desires, lust for power, and empty lives rule and promises a better life keeps us following the "pathological mutilations" of profiteering. Where does hubris take us? Mr. Bogle sees what others have the fall of the Roman Empire. We will fall under the obesity of our greed and anemia of our morality.
As a citizen of the 21st century Rome I often ask myself, how do we justify a culture of greed? What are we teaching our children about social justice and personal responsibility? All the children will witness is hypocrisy that is the United States. Yet, in their innocence they are wise for they become cynical rightfully so. Young people know not to trust society, educators, and politicians because they are aware. Aware that children are not nurtured and loved unconditionally by society but objects of a "Bottom line Society" and consumer market, mere commodities that are speculated on.
I dare say we are world leaders of greed and what's worse we want to export it. We have blatantly disregarded the wisdoms and warnings and instead embraced radial hubris. Someday we will have to answer future generations and they will ask why? Why did you treat us as "bottomlines"? What will we say? The market made me do it! No No I need more stuff instead of caring for you.
Years later, in the grip of the current economic crisis Bogle's words are confirmed, our culture and economy are in ruins. The culture of greed takes no prisoners.
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/09282007/watch.html
In October of 2007 Bill Moyer's interviewed Economist John Bogle. Bogle said some important things that few want to acknowledge or face in American society. Here are a few that stood out to me: "A society out of control." "We are betraying our values." "When is enough enough?" In June, "The Journal" reported on the "Highflying Executives" of Northwest airlines. [Here is the link http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/blog/2007/06/preview_highflying_executives.html comments]
The CEO's and exec's are paying themselves at the expense of those that labor for them. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. When the market determines morality we see hubris defined and everything and everyone is commodified. When we speculate for profit on the human soul what are we left with? Our "greedy soul" as Robert Bly calls it, rules the land and we are left in the darkness of endless want. The bottomless pit of insecurity where superficial desires, lust for power, and empty lives rule and promises a better life keeps us following the "pathological mutilations" of profiteering. Where does hubris take us? Mr. Bogle sees what others have the fall of the Roman Empire. We will fall under the obesity of our greed and anemia of our morality.
As a citizen of the 21st century Rome I often ask myself, how do we justify a culture of greed? What are we teaching our children about social justice and personal responsibility? All the children will witness is hypocrisy that is the United States. Yet, in their innocence they are wise for they become cynical rightfully so. Young people know not to trust society, educators, and politicians because they are aware. Aware that children are not nurtured and loved unconditionally by society but objects of a "Bottom line Society" and consumer market, mere commodities that are speculated on.
I dare say we are world leaders of greed and what's worse we want to export it. We have blatantly disregarded the wisdoms and warnings and instead embraced radial hubris. Someday we will have to answer future generations and they will ask why? Why did you treat us as "bottomlines"? What will we say? The market made me do it! No No I need more stuff instead of caring for you.
Years later, in the grip of the current economic crisis Bogle's words are confirmed, our culture and economy are in ruins. The culture of greed takes no prisoners.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
4th of July Meditation
The Four day of July is experienced in the U.S. as a celebration of the Independence of the United State of America from Great Briton two hundred and thirty three years ago. What have we done with the freedom fought for and won? The premises of self-determination and freedom have fallen to rhetoric and propaganda. As with most societies we have fallen to the same human vices that others have…greed and self-interest. We experience a world saturated with fear, self-absorption, without reasoned principles. A world power that follows an “anything goes” is the rule of self-interest and imperialism of old renewed. Each fourth I read the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. My hope every year is that we reflect on the principles of this country and contemplate the meaning.
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