I have to say that sometimes the news brings me down so badly.
I’ve been thinking about and advocating the idea that until humanity decides that its highest priority is to maximize the quality of life for all, we will inevitably fall victim to the default alternative which is that every individual’s highest priority is to look out for themselves.
And, by themselves, I mean both individual people and corporations.
Today, I read the August 5th copy of the International Herald Tribune and there was this:
“In need of a new hip, but priced out of the U.S.” – A man went to Belgium and had his hip replaced for $13,600 USD. You’ll have to read the article to see how much it would have cost him in the U.S., and why.
I warn you, it’s going to be all about profits over the welfare of people.
And then this:
“Nuclear scandal snowballs in S. Korea” – A story about how many of the tests and inspections that were intended to ensure the safety of S. Korean nuclear plants has been discovered to have been faked by the testing companies and the nuclear plant designers.
I warn you, it’s going to be all about profits over the welfare of people.
And then this:
“As cost of importing food soars, Jamaica turns to the earth” – a little story about how the Jamaican government is now strongly advising people to begin to grow their own food.
I wonder if any of you saw the documentary entitled, ‘Life and Debt’ 10 or 15 years ago? It was about Jamaica, Mon.
It was about the arrival of “Globalization’ and how the low price of imported grain had driven most of the small farmers off their land and into the cities since they could not complete with the price of the grain being dumped into their market.
But, at the time it was explained, ‘Globalization’ was all for the good of all of us long-term.
Now that the Jamaicans don’t grow much food, it’s the time to hike the prices and squeeze them. And so the circle turns.
I warn you, it’s going to be all about profits over the welfare of people.
And that was just one issue of the paper on an apparently normal day.
And then when I tell people that the corporations, looking out for their own best interests, are steadily taking over governments and their regulatory processes – and I see that they think I’m peddling conspiracy theories to them, I’m stunned.
It’s as if I’m watching a line of cows entering the slaughter house and I’m warning them about where they’re going and they all laugh; sure that they are off to a Caribbean vacation.
I haven’t posted much here for awhile since I’ve been traveling. But, not much need. Nothing’s changed.
dennis
Saw “hip” article, missed others, but agree that corporate power — by structural definition “for profit of owners” — represents a clear and present danger to basic existence. I am slightly less pessimistic (read “slightly more rosy-lens glassed”) than you, see occasional glimpses of orgs putting humanity ahead of profit. But far too rarely — so much so that it always makes headlines! I am not giving up, and will continue to do what I can to slow the trend, or even alter it.