Capitalism: Let's All Be Part of the Solution
The Thinker by Auguste Rodin
Money: The Root of All Evil
The capitalist system -- or at least what's left of it -- has something exceptionally good going for it. It relies on the initiative and ingenuity of people living under it to devise their own way of beating the odds.
Despite the system's many faults, anyone who really is dead set on it can succeed; if not by being more clever than the next guy, then by working hard and long at jobs most people don't want: hard labor, factory sweat shops and the like. If one job isn't enough, two or three will do the trick.
Success Remains Achievable
Even in today's technological revolution, it remains possible -- if measurably more difficult -- for individuals to achieve economic success.
Most people, it seems, do not mind breaking their backs or racking their brains if it means raising their personal standard of living; more money in the bank, a better car, a better home, a better education for themselves and their families.
That's all well and good, but the system often crashes when it comes to solving societal problems; the more removed the problem is from the individual and the family, the less effort -- physically and mentally -- we care to expend on finding a fair and just solution.
Elusive Solutions
Sure, we'd like to see society's problems solved -- problems such as the homeless and housing, crime and the justice system, mass transportation, corporate greed, union excesses, health insurance, whistleblowers -- but we really don't have the time to contribute to the solutions.
While there's a great deal of truth to the fact that few of us have the time to sit down and come up with solutions to the world's problems, it also is true that when it comes to hard thinking few of us care to indulge. It's a lot easier to leave that chore to the other guy. Unfortunately, the other guy is saying the same thing!
We Just Don't Like to Think
Let's face it, we just don't like to think -- or at least not unless it's going to pay us direct dividends.
So solutions to problems are left to the system; politicians on every level from towns and villages, cities and states to national and international come up with proposals and either put them to a vote or impose them with little or no feedback from us. Boards of directors and corporate officers create policies that affect all of us; occasionally we're consulted, but often decisions are made in an ivory tower.
Think -- And Think Again
If we're to find the best answers to the myriad questions we face -- and will face over the next decade -- it will take the best we have to offer -- all of us! Our ideas and our opinions must be put in the mill so that politicians and other decision makers can do their jobs better, so the solutions they find for our problems are the best solutions -- the ones we'd like them to make:
* * * Think of a better and cheaper way to transport people around our cities and towns across the country.
* * * Think of how we can find jobs for our workers and improve our economy!
* * * Think of a better way to operate our justice system!
* * * Think of ways to help the homeless!
* * * Think of ways to help the poor and those trapped in the welfare system.
* * * Think of ways to prevent crime!
* * * Think! And be part of the solution!,
This is a column I wrote for The Hour newspaper of Norwalk Conn., on April 9, 1994.
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Comments
As long as "WE THE PEOPLE" continue to be blinded by our own greed or selfishness we will never really see that our individual prosperity depends on the prosperity of everyone else.Even billionaires would agree that it is the love of money that keeps people enjoying the fruits of their labors.A bilionaire certainly doesn't need a billion dollars to live comfortably.At least not yet. Inflation will eventually catch up to even a billionaire given enough time.
Its strangely ironic how 13+ years ago still applies today. People assume we're making some progress on some of these issues but not really.
Great Hub, I think about all the above things you mention and I wished i was in a position to do something about some of them.
William! Great HUB! And I agree with Earth Angel's comments. We all need to work together and look out for each other. I don't have a lot but I and mine don't go hungry as nobody should...
A little by many adds up
regards Zsuzsy
GREAT Hub William!! (Bob, I don't understand your comment above??) Again, you were way ahead of your time!! I agree!! One of the most critical issues facing the U.S. and the world today is the lack of independent thinking!! If we can spend so much time and energy supporting our personal standard of living, we can do the same for our many social ills!! None of us live in a bubble!! We can become self made millionaires and still lose everything because an early-release parolee gets drunk, goes for a joy ride and kills our loved ones!! "To those who much is given, much is expected!!" Again, GREAT Hub William!! Blessings, Earth Angel!!
Bill........Capitalism is what built this Country the best in the world. You see what communism did to Russia. Socialism has moved France back into the dark ages. They are finally trying to change their system.When a person works hard to get ahead and succeeds, he sure vdoesn't want to turn it all over to the Government to hand out to those that just come around with their hand out .
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