I can never look at Musk as a philanthropist. He gutted social programs with glee. That is not someone thinking about enabling those who are less fortunate. He is someone who takes great pleasure in seeing those who will never make up his ladder.
Carnegie, Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Melon: they all contributed to society through libraries, universities, etc., but not a one of them believed that ordinary people could be trusted with money. Not a one of them believed in fair wages. It was all nobless oblige for them. But at least they did SOMETHING. Has Musk donated money to anything to help anybody?
Beautiful as always, John. So, what are your thoughts? Will this obvious gap ever be approximated, if not closed? How does a capitalist society rein in the corruption and riches-driven goals for a more equal society?
We go into the streets and we vote the bums out. I think most Americans are at the point now where we want to fire them all (politicians) and that's not a bad thing. The reason we are in the state we are in is because we have never demanded it with our feet and our votes.
If we want to focus more on healthcare and education and a living wage and giving a hand up to others...the basics really of a decent life... then we need to vote for people who won't hedge from saying the tax rates need to go up and the DoD budget needs to go down. And they either do what we demand or they get fired next time, too.
Another excellent commentary, and as always, one that stimulates deeper thought. And perhaps a bit of anxiety. Will there be a sort of societal equilibration over time or will the wealth/power gap continue to increase to the point of stimulating calls for revolutionary action?
That is up to us. We are on the verge of losing democracy entirely. Perhaps the time for patience and 'giving the benefit of the doubt' to people who have not earned it should stop now.
Wow. Much to ponder here. I've been saying for ages that capitalism needs regulation, and--yes, I'd be in favor of a wealth cap. Part of the problem, it seems to me (and I will admit that economics isn't a subject I truly understand) is the stock market. Money grows exponentially for those who can enter that arena; for others, who earn each dollar through labor... well, money doesn't grow. Someone with a sizeable investment--say, in the millions--can 'earn' more money in a year than I earned in several decades as a community college teacher. To me, that's a problem. Also, at a time when the income gap is increasing, social consciousness is diminishing. Combine the 'me first' mantra with a world in which a small portion of the population is skyrocketing to the top of that ladder and something's gonna break.
The best explanation of our current situation I’ve seen. My concern is how do we change the direction without greater participation of the very people most affected by the wealth gap and the absence of an equitable social contract. Over time we have done a poor job of educating people about the historical events in our Country, many don’t know about how we got here and what happened to get us here and most importantly they have little interest or curiosity to learn. All of us have played a part in creating this mess and it will take all us, or at least a majority, to get us out of it. Sadly without real knowledge and understanding of our past I don’t see that happening. But I’ll continue to try my best to talk to anyone willing to listen, maybe even not so willing, what I believe are the issues and I’ll be using your piece as some valuable material. Thanks for sharing and keep these pearls coming.
Money = power. Power over one's own life. With every dollar I add to my personal wealth, I am slightly more removed from any vulnerability to my personal freedom, AND personal liberty.
As someone with serious F-U money:
I can hire the best defense attorneys that will largely immunize me from being either found guilty of crimes, or being punished for them.
I can make sure my children are GIVEN the best schools, the best experiences, the best material goods, the best opportunities, the best of anything society has to offer.
Despite being as ugly as a mud fence, and smelling like a pig sty, I can have sex with beautiful people, as much as I want.
I can move around the world at will, seeing and doing whatever it has to offer.
None of these things are available to those who earn just enough wages to survive.
Now that getting rich has become a significant motivation for U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators, and the resulting regulatory capture by international corporations, it is hard to see a way to anything like fairness/justice.
Thank you for this lucid commentary. I struggle with the time we live in and how it must have felt in past history, from the wealth of pharaohs and world conquerors, to feudal society and to the French and American revolutions. Yes, we in general live in a healthier society, however the same issue is at the forefront: wealth unchecked is a powerful drug. The rich get richer and the rest of society assumes a heavier yoke. We need to say enough and get beyond compromise to work towards consensus. Robert Greenleaf in his book “On Becoming a Servant Leader” writes about the value of consensus. Can we all listen more and seek common ground?
I can never look at Musk as a philanthropist. He gutted social programs with glee. That is not someone thinking about enabling those who are less fortunate. He is someone who takes great pleasure in seeing those who will never make up his ladder.
Carnegie, Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Melon: they all contributed to society through libraries, universities, etc., but not a one of them believed that ordinary people could be trusted with money. Not a one of them believed in fair wages. It was all nobless oblige for them. But at least they did SOMETHING. Has Musk donated money to anything to help anybody?
Well, I think he probably sees Musk as a 'philanthropist' in quotations. As he said, they pick projects they like.
Beautiful as always, John. So, what are your thoughts? Will this obvious gap ever be approximated, if not closed? How does a capitalist society rein in the corruption and riches-driven goals for a more equal society?
We go into the streets and we vote the bums out. I think most Americans are at the point now where we want to fire them all (politicians) and that's not a bad thing. The reason we are in the state we are in is because we have never demanded it with our feet and our votes.
If we want to focus more on healthcare and education and a living wage and giving a hand up to others...the basics really of a decent life... then we need to vote for people who won't hedge from saying the tax rates need to go up and the DoD budget needs to go down. And they either do what we demand or they get fired next time, too.
Yes, except that people can be rich enough to essentially buy elections. Campaign finance reform is needed!
Another excellent commentary, and as always, one that stimulates deeper thought. And perhaps a bit of anxiety. Will there be a sort of societal equilibration over time or will the wealth/power gap continue to increase to the point of stimulating calls for revolutionary action?
That is up to us. We are on the verge of losing democracy entirely. Perhaps the time for patience and 'giving the benefit of the doubt' to people who have not earned it should stop now.
Wow. Much to ponder here. I've been saying for ages that capitalism needs regulation, and--yes, I'd be in favor of a wealth cap. Part of the problem, it seems to me (and I will admit that economics isn't a subject I truly understand) is the stock market. Money grows exponentially for those who can enter that arena; for others, who earn each dollar through labor... well, money doesn't grow. Someone with a sizeable investment--say, in the millions--can 'earn' more money in a year than I earned in several decades as a community college teacher. To me, that's a problem. Also, at a time when the income gap is increasing, social consciousness is diminishing. Combine the 'me first' mantra with a world in which a small portion of the population is skyrocketing to the top of that ladder and something's gonna break.
Musk and father were into Apartheid and probably still are!
The best explanation of our current situation I’ve seen. My concern is how do we change the direction without greater participation of the very people most affected by the wealth gap and the absence of an equitable social contract. Over time we have done a poor job of educating people about the historical events in our Country, many don’t know about how we got here and what happened to get us here and most importantly they have little interest or curiosity to learn. All of us have played a part in creating this mess and it will take all us, or at least a majority, to get us out of it. Sadly without real knowledge and understanding of our past I don’t see that happening. But I’ll continue to try my best to talk to anyone willing to listen, maybe even not so willing, what I believe are the issues and I’ll be using your piece as some valuable material. Thanks for sharing and keep these pearls coming.
Money = power. Power over one's own life. With every dollar I add to my personal wealth, I am slightly more removed from any vulnerability to my personal freedom, AND personal liberty.
As someone with serious F-U money:
I can hire the best defense attorneys that will largely immunize me from being either found guilty of crimes, or being punished for them.
I can make sure my children are GIVEN the best schools, the best experiences, the best material goods, the best opportunities, the best of anything society has to offer.
Despite being as ugly as a mud fence, and smelling like a pig sty, I can have sex with beautiful people, as much as I want.
I can move around the world at will, seeing and doing whatever it has to offer.
None of these things are available to those who earn just enough wages to survive.
Now that getting rich has become a significant motivation for U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators, and the resulting regulatory capture by international corporations, it is hard to see a way to anything like fairness/justice.
You nail it EVERY TIME!
Thank you for this lucid commentary. I struggle with the time we live in and how it must have felt in past history, from the wealth of pharaohs and world conquerors, to feudal society and to the French and American revolutions. Yes, we in general live in a healthier society, however the same issue is at the forefront: wealth unchecked is a powerful drug. The rich get richer and the rest of society assumes a heavier yoke. We need to say enough and get beyond compromise to work towards consensus. Robert Greenleaf in his book “On Becoming a Servant Leader” writes about the value of consensus. Can we all listen more and seek common ground?