We are finding ourselves immersed in a period of rapid change all around us, for which neither ourselves nor our society is prepared. Both our social perception and our economic expectations of and for ourselves are no longer applicable. We are either unconscious of the meaning of these changes or we are in denial for lack of any idea of what needs to be done or changed in our own lives.
Both technology and finance have marginalized much of the population, and will continue to do so with increasing velocity. There is an active effort to drive down wages yet increase consumption. Instead of increasing wages, we are extended credit. At the same time, our social values remain steeped in a traditional work ethic based on obsolete Calvinistic and capitalist ideas, as well as personal and social goals based on 'growth' that is no longer reasonable nor sustainable. Our political system is not functioning in a way to accommodate such changes in manner that will benefit the large majority of the population.
Despite our having a representative democracy, it has fallen under the influence of the goals of the wealthiest few among us, favoring the interests of finance and corporate cronyism. These entities are now legally able to drain the wealth gained here out of the country, even resenting the idea of giving back through taxes the some of the profits needed to maintain the society that helped produce this wealth. Since a 'real economy' based on actual production is decreasingly needed to generate these profits, the people who built this wealth by actually working are less and less needed. Those who benefited the most do not even have the decency to provide a way for those who helped build their wealth to continue living securely. Many must worry now that they are no longer needed and their past efforts are no longer valued.
We are given the illusion of democratic choice which is cultivated by divisions regarding emotional social wedge issues, while the overall philosophy and economic goals of both parties in our stringently two-party system are almost identical. The neoliberal capitalist growth model has taken hold of not only our government, but most governments throughout the world. Profits must always increase, measured quarterly, ignoring the limits of natural resources that can no longer sustain our economic system. There is no plan for what to do with all the people who are no longer needed to generate these profits, and like other costs in capitalist production or wealth generation, our economic and political system seems fine with 'externalizing' people.
We seem to be unable to change this outcome politically for a number of reasons. We, as individuals, are still immersed in obsolete social mores concerning work and wealth. We may consider ourselves conservative or liberal, and posture our beliefs around these general paradigms. Like supporting a sports team, our loyalty to the group we perceive ourselves to be part of prevents us from challenging the ideas perpetuated by that group. We trust its leaders to form and express our own mostly emotional views which remain largely unexamined. We aren't allowed the time or energy to think things through and be informed and thoughtful active citizens.
Our occupations and/or other time and energy are consumed trying to constantly sustain ourselves, leaving us tired and wanting to rest, eat, relax or otherwise entertain ourselves. Few people want to spend their limited free 'leisure' time spending the hours required to stay informed enough to make truly rational judgments about public policy or act on them. We are prevented from thinking about the future in ways other than continuing down the same road without personal financial mishap. Our goals consist of greater wealth, property, and maintaining our personal security. There are very few who think about alternative future visions unless forced by an interruption of their current financial security. But even in this situation, we find ourselves scurrying looking for another job, seeing no other feasible alternatives, which is not altogether unreasonable for most of us who indeed have pressing obligations to family if not our own survival..
My goal in this blog is to discuss new ideas, critically analyze current economic and political situations, share some of my music, and invite discussion. Although loathsome, there is a lot to say about the circus election coming up next year. There is a lot to critique on both sides of the fence, and it is my hope to uncover for my readers how there is very little difference between our available political choices, and what we can do both within and outside of the system to help ourselves and others adapt to the coming changes. I wish you all well, and invite you to subscribe to my blog.
Both technology and finance have marginalized much of the population, and will continue to do so with increasing velocity. There is an active effort to drive down wages yet increase consumption. Instead of increasing wages, we are extended credit. At the same time, our social values remain steeped in a traditional work ethic based on obsolete Calvinistic and capitalist ideas, as well as personal and social goals based on 'growth' that is no longer reasonable nor sustainable. Our political system is not functioning in a way to accommodate such changes in manner that will benefit the large majority of the population.
Despite our having a representative democracy, it has fallen under the influence of the goals of the wealthiest few among us, favoring the interests of finance and corporate cronyism. These entities are now legally able to drain the wealth gained here out of the country, even resenting the idea of giving back through taxes the some of the profits needed to maintain the society that helped produce this wealth. Since a 'real economy' based on actual production is decreasingly needed to generate these profits, the people who built this wealth by actually working are less and less needed. Those who benefited the most do not even have the decency to provide a way for those who helped build their wealth to continue living securely. Many must worry now that they are no longer needed and their past efforts are no longer valued.
We are given the illusion of democratic choice which is cultivated by divisions regarding emotional social wedge issues, while the overall philosophy and economic goals of both parties in our stringently two-party system are almost identical. The neoliberal capitalist growth model has taken hold of not only our government, but most governments throughout the world. Profits must always increase, measured quarterly, ignoring the limits of natural resources that can no longer sustain our economic system. There is no plan for what to do with all the people who are no longer needed to generate these profits, and like other costs in capitalist production or wealth generation, our economic and political system seems fine with 'externalizing' people.
We seem to be unable to change this outcome politically for a number of reasons. We, as individuals, are still immersed in obsolete social mores concerning work and wealth. We may consider ourselves conservative or liberal, and posture our beliefs around these general paradigms. Like supporting a sports team, our loyalty to the group we perceive ourselves to be part of prevents us from challenging the ideas perpetuated by that group. We trust its leaders to form and express our own mostly emotional views which remain largely unexamined. We aren't allowed the time or energy to think things through and be informed and thoughtful active citizens.
Our occupations and/or other time and energy are consumed trying to constantly sustain ourselves, leaving us tired and wanting to rest, eat, relax or otherwise entertain ourselves. Few people want to spend their limited free 'leisure' time spending the hours required to stay informed enough to make truly rational judgments about public policy or act on them. We are prevented from thinking about the future in ways other than continuing down the same road without personal financial mishap. Our goals consist of greater wealth, property, and maintaining our personal security. There are very few who think about alternative future visions unless forced by an interruption of their current financial security. But even in this situation, we find ourselves scurrying looking for another job, seeing no other feasible alternatives, which is not altogether unreasonable for most of us who indeed have pressing obligations to family if not our own survival..
My goal in this blog is to discuss new ideas, critically analyze current economic and political situations, share some of my music, and invite discussion. Although loathsome, there is a lot to say about the circus election coming up next year. There is a lot to critique on both sides of the fence, and it is my hope to uncover for my readers how there is very little difference between our available political choices, and what we can do both within and outside of the system to help ourselves and others adapt to the coming changes. I wish you all well, and invite you to subscribe to my blog.
