I liked this, and agreed with the last paragraph. I'm just not convinced that a better pay/slower growth strategy will work. Slower growth means fewer jobs, so the people who have jobs have better jobs, but there will more people with no job at all. P. S. You're a talented writer with something to say, so yes to the Substack and yes to the book.
Thanks Roy, I couldn't find a definition of "greed brakes" but having a little experience with German companies I know they are very strict about layoffs and director liability.
'Greed-brakes' is an old concept - borrowed from (German) engineering and fluid dynamics. ('Yaw-ing, if you must - but it is a metaphor.)
It simply says there should be some limits to 'wealth' (aka 'skewing' or the potential for 'distorting' the social contract by 'individuals' - 'agency' in old money) as follows:
1. A ceiling on the amount of total shareholding (= 'wealth') in all funds / companies, per individual (choose your %age, &/or specify a fixed amount.)
2. A ceiling on individual disposable wealth (choose a number of dollars - usually from US$ 500k, upwards, per capita.)
3. The balance is automatically forfeit, into either the general fiscus, or into a blind 'communal' / investment / 'sovereign wealth fund' (or charity, if you must) - choice No. 3.
4. And once you determine how you index this (for inflation - choice No. 4), you have to stick to it (all).
It's a modest start (particularly with 3 or 4 choices embedded in it), but it is a start.
What it does, quite obviously, is it puts a ceiling on 'individual wealth' (however you define 'individuals' and 'wealth'. And you can add to / edit / to taste ...
If it is agreed, it can prevent 'egregious' distortions in the social contract , starting today.
Excellent essay(s) - as usual. Writers, or all creative types really, tend to see the world more deeply. We are curious, empathetic and want to understand what others are thinking and feeling. That can stir up a lot of emotion. We also tend to be perfectionists in our own way. How many times do you rewrite the same sentence? Think about the tortured writers and artists from the past. They created works of art but were often tormented by inner demons, I don’t think that applies to you (or me), but I can certainly relate to having days when I feel down and melancholy. And then guilty because, like you, I am financially comfortable and need to stop the pity party… as if money really solves that problem. I also try to cover up my moods because, one, I don’t want to subject others to them, and two, again, what do I have to complain about? Thanks for your honesty in this essay. I also enjoyed the second essay and agree we need to do something to provide hard working people with living wages that don’t require them to go on government aid. This is a complicated topic because there is abuse at some levels, but there are definite things companies need to do make their workers lives better. So timely in today’s news… good luck with the novel. That is also on my “to do” list.
American price earnings ratios could do with a little less profit, more taxes, less debt, stronger unions and making more people food secure. Now, figuring out how we attack the insurance premium problem and we can both focus on our novels.
The GOP cutting Medicaid by 50%, and ending the ACA subsidies, will effectively kick the poorest 15-20% off insurance. When those folks get sick, they'll go to the ER, and the hospital will then pass those costs on to the insurance companies, who then pass it on to us as higher health insurance premiums.
The emerging health insurance pricing apocalypse is a pretty simple economic equation.
Second attempt: (the first didn't get past the substack algorithm)
Disclosures:
1. Al Filreis's Modpo course is what I cite more often than not as the pinnacle of online learning.
I urgently need to investigate the 'Writer's Room' - I seem to have missed that one somehow.
2. I come from a long line of 'worthies' across Europe, as well as First Nations women from Southern Africa, as well as blacksmiths from Fife in Scotland.
3. I am a semi-retired academic, designer, researcher, lately involved in "Visualising Shakespeare" (on Substack and - prospectively - on Metalabel.
4. So? So I too am 'beset' with how to fit all these jig-saw puzzle pieces into the same box.
Keep scribbling - it's the only thing that keeps me (reasonably) sane in these topsy-turvey times.
Well, David, I hate to disagree with your opening, but I find your posts incredibly revealing of your inner self, and not just the conflicts you discuss openly. That, I'm afraid, comes with trying to write seriously, as you are. Some of it, of course, is more obvious, as in, I'm incredibly rich, but don't hate me because I'm sensitive to those beneath me on the economic ladder--which is just about everyone--and I have problems too, which is an ongoing theme. But less apparent is a deeper view of self, for which writing is not a cure but rather a reflection. The most admirable thing about you is not your willingness to dredge up real truths but your eagerness to do so. I'm not sure you realize how very few people are willing to strip away those last layers of bullshit. I'm not certain you understood you were doing that when you first started, but you're into it now and do not do seem to be backing off. (Hint: Because of the lessons of the craft, most other writers--painters, etc, too--have learned to be more not less fundamentally dishonest about who they are and instead hide behind a faux artistic smokescreen. Trick is finding the few who don't.)
Just to add...when Nancy wrote her first book, which was a memoir about being one of the first women to run a trading desk, she said that she was trying to explain herself to herself. Every subsequent book has been the same. I would say my work, both fiction and non- comes under the same heading. Most good writing does. We're not talking about people who turn out a formulaic mystery or romance novel every two weeks...and there are a lot of those...but rather people, like you, who want to begin a journey of exploration. For me, it's been the most valuable experience of my life.
Thanks Larry! I really appreciate the comment and your encouragement. Although I question whether you "hate to disagree" with me. I don't feel a post is "real" unless there is some LG pushback, all of which I treasure ( maybe not all!).
See? You're a real writer. Misdirection and irony. 😇 Thing is, I respect what you're trying to do, especially since, as your posts reveal, haha, why you want to do it. I actually didn't know why I started...Nancy pushed/shamed/cajoled me into it...but from the very first day, I knew I was home. From there, it just poured out. Still does, more than thirty years later. I told you about Alan R. and "Need to Act," didn't I?
It's obvious that Bezos, Zuckerberg, Musk, et al should be paying more in taxes than they do, but the GOP (and Trump) are beholden to them. I'm not saying they are no billionaire Democrats, but the out and out Inaguration attending, Tim Cook presenting a made up award to Trump, etc, make it clear.
I've purposely bought as little as possible from Wal Mart for years because of their treatment of their workers. I read an article in the WSJ years ago that they deliberately classify the majority of their hourly workers as part time to avoid paying benefits. In counties where Wal Mart is the main employer, the majority of ER visits are from Wal Mart workers because they can't afford to go to a doctor. A year or two a story went viral that a local Wal Mart was having a food drive... for its own employees! I don't want to hear how wonderful the Crystal Bridges Museum is if you are not paying your workers enough.
I am a retail sales person on commission in an upscale suburban mall. My employer likes to consider themselves 'one of the good ones' and in many instances they are. But retail is retail, they are going to schedule you when they want (luckily my kids are grown so I don't have to worry about childcare) and tell you to do multiple jobs so they don't have to hire more support staff. I'm not sure that a Union works for commission associates, but never forget that we have a weekend because of the Unions!
Thanks Pam. If Walmart were unionized their profits and stock price would go down and their workers would be paid more. Walmart is a great example of how the current system has gotten out of hand. Walmart is one of the most ani-union companies in the country. Their stockholders have the most to lose. But they can afford it.
Walmart and the rest of retail have a business model that is *subsidized* by the taxpayers.
Require all part-time employees to be paid all the ancillary benefits the full-timers get--even if it's on a prorated basis--and the problem gets mostly fixed.
Hi David, first-time commenter here. I’m glad I found your Substack and have enjoyed what I’ve read so far.
I’d just like to posit that a better social safety net - like we have here in Europe - as well as unions, jobs that pay a living wage, etc. are both important; not just one or the other.
Sounds like we agree; you state that your idea of 18 months ago doesn’t feel like a good standalone solution. If I didn’t live in Europe, I’d probably be living under a bridge (or something close to it; the social net here is a matter of life or death, and even though it’s somewhat frayed, it’s definitely better than in the US.)
1. My husband is European, and has been a blue collar worker under two systems. At his first American job, he was shocked at how much harder Europeans work, but for fewer hours. Americans working jobs that aren’t intrinsically fulfilling know very well they’re being overworked and underpaid and their work attitude sometimes shows it. Why wouldn’t it? We use the stick, not the carrot. European leans more toward carrots, and people have vastly more benefits and protection. (And a month of vacation TO START!) We need unions and respect. People will throw their heart into their work if they are treated well. I knew a manager who favored immigrants for this reason.
2. Waldman’s book is about the same people as mine. Hers is about where they work, mine is about where they live (The Trailer Park Rules.) If you like one, you’ll probably like the other.
3. You can write a novel and a Substack at the same time but you will need to give up things like TV. (I think of you sometimes when I’m cooking/cleaning/mowing the yard etc and think, “Man, people like David can write all day! That must be heaven!” But to be honest, I neglect all kinds of chores in favor of writing and freelancing work all the time. I need to dust and I still haven’t getting everything outdoors winterized. There are always tough choices.)
Thanks Michelle. My brain has a switch where after too much writing I need a break. Perhaps that's because I'm relatively new as a writer and haven't built up those particular mental endurance muscles. But yes, if I didn't watch TV...
I would love to hear more about how you are reconciling novel-writing time commitments against posting. I am pitching my first novel, and have yet to start my second. (January.) I'm holding (currently) to one post a week, but as you know, those demand a time investment. When I'm writing fiction, I'm all in. If you have any future thoughts as to serving multiple masters, I'd welcome them!
Thanks Diana for the comment. I find writing posts not at all say but in another category of degree of difficulty than writing a novel. With other thing that I want to do or need to do given my role in a large family. I haven't touched or looked at the current draft of my novel for about three weeks and it's been a nice break.
I agree about using multiple tools to change things, and, being a loving wife, I loved this:
"I go through moods of sadness that my wife experiences fully because we are together so much. When I’m down, I present a false front of cheerfulness to almost everyone else, which makes it worse for her.
I have fits of impatience and, as with my moods, my wife bears the brunt of it."
"When I press publish, I always feel some measure of terror." One of the things I try to impress on the people who sign up for my creative writing courses is that feeling terror is par for the course. The big difference between writers and the people who are g"oing to write one of these days" is that real writers feel that terror and press publish anyway. Ultimately, they agree (perhaps not consciously) with the Duke of Wellington who said, albeit in a rather different context, "Publish and be damned, woman!".
I remember your previous post and if I recall you mentioned Canada as a potential country where we have a good social safety net. I think the solution includes both what you suggested in your first post (increased social safety net) and providing a good paying job for people. What came to mind for me is a country like Sweden. My family is from there and I have cousins that live there. They have varying different jobs, teacher, government administrator, factory worker, farmer. The common thread is they are paid well for the work they do and they have good benefits. Taxes are higher, but expenses for such things as medical care, child care, school, post secondary education are minimal. So, it's all balanced out at the end. Life expectancy is high and quality of life is also high. Not to say they also don't have issues, but when it comes to the stress of daily life, many of the stressors being faced by people in the US at the moment, like food scarcity, job loss and medical care are not a key factor.
I think my comment on your previous post about admitting your envy had something to do with "it's nice to see you're human!" So, ditto for this mini-essay here. I don't see it as complaining, I see it as being real. (Although I do understand your reticence in admitting such when you also have great wealth.) It just goes to show that money and privilege doesn't change human emotion and normal insecurities.
Great post. I like the mini-essay format, and I like your longer think pieces too.
Thanks Kim. And Sweden is a capitalist country with some very wealthy people I believe. The culture is just very different there. And we are regressing here. Moving farther away at the moment.
200 years ago, if I showed up at your door and said, "I'm taking your horse," we'd likely have a physical altercation. I took a risk, I might well suffer for it. Today, I can take away your job to advance my career, swap out your raise for my stock price, reduce your health coverage to increase my bonus...all without ever meeting you. There is virtually no physical threat to counter my anonymous greed, and the only mental threat is my conscience, or those of my peers on the board. We claim to have evolved into a civilized society, but honestly, that feels light-years in the future. If anything good comes from the present administration, it will be that we now have an archetype for the absolute worst of mankind. Just add catsup.
Thanks Jeff. You make a good point that blame is defused and anonymous. I think hat;s why reform has to come from government but a government that is not cruel and corrupt and those words do not do justice to what they are doing.
A mix of self-confidence and self-doubt probably makes for a balanced, healthy ego, which doesn't preclude the torments of experiencing our own flaws. I choose to believe this because that describes me as well as you.
Retreating to the world in your second piece, you early on raised a skepticism in my mind that you came to address by your conclusion. Some other commenters doubt your proposals there are workable, and I think you provide the answer, as far as it goes, yourself: "Everyone behaves according to the rules of the system. They really don’t have a choice."
When one buys into the game, part of ante is to play by its rules. If the system can't by its rules produce more equitable and humane results, then the choice is clear. It doesn't have to be exactly what the Europeans do, but among the ultimate failures of the United States has been always to believe that the American way of doing everything was better than how everyone else did it, even when there was so much empirical evidence to the contrary.
I liked this, and agreed with the last paragraph. I'm just not convinced that a better pay/slower growth strategy will work. Slower growth means fewer jobs, so the people who have jobs have better jobs, but there will more people with no job at all. P. S. You're a talented writer with something to say, so yes to the Substack and yes to the book.
And add AI to the list and we’re going to have even more unemployed…
However ... as 'Einstein' was purported to have said: 'Stupidity is doing the same thing, over and over, and expecting different outcomes.'
Conclusion: What 'we' are doing now is not working. We need a 're-set' or even a 're-boot.' Any ideas? How about 'German' 'greed-brakes' for starters?
Thanks Roy, I couldn't find a definition of "greed brakes" but having a little experience with German companies I know they are very strict about layoffs and director liability.
'Greed-brakes' is an old concept - borrowed from (German) engineering and fluid dynamics. ('Yaw-ing, if you must - but it is a metaphor.)
It simply says there should be some limits to 'wealth' (aka 'skewing' or the potential for 'distorting' the social contract by 'individuals' - 'agency' in old money) as follows:
1. A ceiling on the amount of total shareholding (= 'wealth') in all funds / companies, per individual (choose your %age, &/or specify a fixed amount.)
2. A ceiling on individual disposable wealth (choose a number of dollars - usually from US$ 500k, upwards, per capita.)
3. The balance is automatically forfeit, into either the general fiscus, or into a blind 'communal' / investment / 'sovereign wealth fund' (or charity, if you must) - choice No. 3.
4. And once you determine how you index this (for inflation - choice No. 4), you have to stick to it (all).
It's a modest start (particularly with 3 or 4 choices embedded in it), but it is a start.
What it does, quite obviously, is it puts a ceiling on 'individual wealth' (however you define 'individuals' and 'wealth'. And you can add to / edit / to taste ...
If it is agreed, it can prevent 'egregious' distortions in the social contract , starting today.
Excellent essay(s) - as usual. Writers, or all creative types really, tend to see the world more deeply. We are curious, empathetic and want to understand what others are thinking and feeling. That can stir up a lot of emotion. We also tend to be perfectionists in our own way. How many times do you rewrite the same sentence? Think about the tortured writers and artists from the past. They created works of art but were often tormented by inner demons, I don’t think that applies to you (or me), but I can certainly relate to having days when I feel down and melancholy. And then guilty because, like you, I am financially comfortable and need to stop the pity party… as if money really solves that problem. I also try to cover up my moods because, one, I don’t want to subject others to them, and two, again, what do I have to complain about? Thanks for your honesty in this essay. I also enjoyed the second essay and agree we need to do something to provide hard working people with living wages that don’t require them to go on government aid. This is a complicated topic because there is abuse at some levels, but there are definite things companies need to do make their workers lives better. So timely in today’s news… good luck with the novel. That is also on my “to do” list.
Thanks Peggy! It's always good to find a kindred soul!
American price earnings ratios could do with a little less profit, more taxes, less debt, stronger unions and making more people food secure. Now, figuring out how we attack the insurance premium problem and we can both focus on our novels.
Thanks Phillipe!
The GOP cutting Medicaid by 50%, and ending the ACA subsidies, will effectively kick the poorest 15-20% off insurance. When those folks get sick, they'll go to the ER, and the hospital will then pass those costs on to the insurance companies, who then pass it on to us as higher health insurance premiums.
The emerging health insurance pricing apocalypse is a pretty simple economic equation.
Second attempt: (the first didn't get past the substack algorithm)
Disclosures:
1. Al Filreis's Modpo course is what I cite more often than not as the pinnacle of online learning.
I urgently need to investigate the 'Writer's Room' - I seem to have missed that one somehow.
2. I come from a long line of 'worthies' across Europe, as well as First Nations women from Southern Africa, as well as blacksmiths from Fife in Scotland.
3. I am a semi-retired academic, designer, researcher, lately involved in "Visualising Shakespeare" (on Substack and - prospectively - on Metalabel.
4. So? So I too am 'beset' with how to fit all these jig-saw puzzle pieces into the same box.
Keep scribbling - it's the only thing that keeps me (reasonably) sane in these topsy-turvey times.
Thanks Roy! The KWH online book groups are great. wonderful to know of our connection through Al.
Love this!
Well, David, I hate to disagree with your opening, but I find your posts incredibly revealing of your inner self, and not just the conflicts you discuss openly. That, I'm afraid, comes with trying to write seriously, as you are. Some of it, of course, is more obvious, as in, I'm incredibly rich, but don't hate me because I'm sensitive to those beneath me on the economic ladder--which is just about everyone--and I have problems too, which is an ongoing theme. But less apparent is a deeper view of self, for which writing is not a cure but rather a reflection. The most admirable thing about you is not your willingness to dredge up real truths but your eagerness to do so. I'm not sure you realize how very few people are willing to strip away those last layers of bullshit. I'm not certain you understood you were doing that when you first started, but you're into it now and do not do seem to be backing off. (Hint: Because of the lessons of the craft, most other writers--painters, etc, too--have learned to be more not less fundamentally dishonest about who they are and instead hide behind a faux artistic smokescreen. Trick is finding the few who don't.)
Just to add...when Nancy wrote her first book, which was a memoir about being one of the first women to run a trading desk, she said that she was trying to explain herself to herself. Every subsequent book has been the same. I would say my work, both fiction and non- comes under the same heading. Most good writing does. We're not talking about people who turn out a formulaic mystery or romance novel every two weeks...and there are a lot of those...but rather people, like you, who want to begin a journey of exploration. For me, it's been the most valuable experience of my life.
Thanks Larry! I really appreciate the comment and your encouragement. Although I question whether you "hate to disagree" with me. I don't feel a post is "real" unless there is some LG pushback, all of which I treasure ( maybe not all!).
See? You're a real writer. Misdirection and irony. 😇 Thing is, I respect what you're trying to do, especially since, as your posts reveal, haha, why you want to do it. I actually didn't know why I started...Nancy pushed/shamed/cajoled me into it...but from the very first day, I knew I was home. From there, it just poured out. Still does, more than thirty years later. I told you about Alan R. and "Need to Act," didn't I?
It's obvious that Bezos, Zuckerberg, Musk, et al should be paying more in taxes than they do, but the GOP (and Trump) are beholden to them. I'm not saying they are no billionaire Democrats, but the out and out Inaguration attending, Tim Cook presenting a made up award to Trump, etc, make it clear.
I've purposely bought as little as possible from Wal Mart for years because of their treatment of their workers. I read an article in the WSJ years ago that they deliberately classify the majority of their hourly workers as part time to avoid paying benefits. In counties where Wal Mart is the main employer, the majority of ER visits are from Wal Mart workers because they can't afford to go to a doctor. A year or two a story went viral that a local Wal Mart was having a food drive... for its own employees! I don't want to hear how wonderful the Crystal Bridges Museum is if you are not paying your workers enough.
I am a retail sales person on commission in an upscale suburban mall. My employer likes to consider themselves 'one of the good ones' and in many instances they are. But retail is retail, they are going to schedule you when they want (luckily my kids are grown so I don't have to worry about childcare) and tell you to do multiple jobs so they don't have to hire more support staff. I'm not sure that a Union works for commission associates, but never forget that we have a weekend because of the Unions!
Thanks Pam. If Walmart were unionized their profits and stock price would go down and their workers would be paid more. Walmart is a great example of how the current system has gotten out of hand. Walmart is one of the most ani-union companies in the country. Their stockholders have the most to lose. But they can afford it.
Walmart and the rest of retail have a business model that is *subsidized* by the taxpayers.
Require all part-time employees to be paid all the ancillary benefits the full-timers get--even if it's on a prorated basis--and the problem gets mostly fixed.
Hi David, first-time commenter here. I’m glad I found your Substack and have enjoyed what I’ve read so far.
I’d just like to posit that a better social safety net - like we have here in Europe - as well as unions, jobs that pay a living wage, etc. are both important; not just one or the other.
Sounds like we agree; you state that your idea of 18 months ago doesn’t feel like a good standalone solution. If I didn’t live in Europe, I’d probably be living under a bridge (or something close to it; the social net here is a matter of life or death, and even though it’s somewhat frayed, it’s definitely better than in the US.)
Thanks for commenting Elizabeth. I do think we need both although I think a lot of it can come from corporate profits and cash flow.
Lots of thoughts here:
1. My husband is European, and has been a blue collar worker under two systems. At his first American job, he was shocked at how much harder Europeans work, but for fewer hours. Americans working jobs that aren’t intrinsically fulfilling know very well they’re being overworked and underpaid and their work attitude sometimes shows it. Why wouldn’t it? We use the stick, not the carrot. European leans more toward carrots, and people have vastly more benefits and protection. (And a month of vacation TO START!) We need unions and respect. People will throw their heart into their work if they are treated well. I knew a manager who favored immigrants for this reason.
2. Waldman’s book is about the same people as mine. Hers is about where they work, mine is about where they live (The Trailer Park Rules.) If you like one, you’ll probably like the other.
3. You can write a novel and a Substack at the same time but you will need to give up things like TV. (I think of you sometimes when I’m cooking/cleaning/mowing the yard etc and think, “Man, people like David can write all day! That must be heaven!” But to be honest, I neglect all kinds of chores in favor of writing and freelancing work all the time. I need to dust and I still haven’t getting everything outdoors winterized. There are always tough choices.)
Thanks Michelle. My brain has a switch where after too much writing I need a break. Perhaps that's because I'm relatively new as a writer and haven't built up those particular mental endurance muscles. But yes, if I didn't watch TV...
I would love to hear more about how you are reconciling novel-writing time commitments against posting. I am pitching my first novel, and have yet to start my second. (January.) I'm holding (currently) to one post a week, but as you know, those demand a time investment. When I'm writing fiction, I'm all in. If you have any future thoughts as to serving multiple masters, I'd welcome them!
Thanks Diana for the comment. I find writing posts not at all say but in another category of degree of difficulty than writing a novel. With other thing that I want to do or need to do given my role in a large family. I haven't touched or looked at the current draft of my novel for about three weeks and it's been a nice break.
If you ever want to chat via Zoom,. let me know at robertsdavidn@gmail.com
I really enjoy talking with fellow writers.
I agree about using multiple tools to change things, and, being a loving wife, I loved this:
"I go through moods of sadness that my wife experiences fully because we are together so much. When I’m down, I present a false front of cheerfulness to almost everyone else, which makes it worse for her.
I have fits of impatience and, as with my moods, my wife bears the brunt of it."
Thanks Jennifer. It's so true!
This your offering inspired me to write a new article as a reply / Thank You ! / see here : http://substack.com/home/post/p-177731313
Thanks Heartworker. I will read it!
"When I press publish, I always feel some measure of terror." One of the things I try to impress on the people who sign up for my creative writing courses is that feeling terror is par for the course. The big difference between writers and the people who are g"oing to write one of these days" is that real writers feel that terror and press publish anyway. Ultimately, they agree (perhaps not consciously) with the Duke of Wellington who said, albeit in a rather different context, "Publish and be damned, woman!".
Thanks Terry. I looked that up. Takes a lot of chutzpah to blackmail the Duke!
Indeed! 😂
I want to know more about your course. I’m in research mode for a novel based on a real person. What does your course entail?
I remember your previous post and if I recall you mentioned Canada as a potential country where we have a good social safety net. I think the solution includes both what you suggested in your first post (increased social safety net) and providing a good paying job for people. What came to mind for me is a country like Sweden. My family is from there and I have cousins that live there. They have varying different jobs, teacher, government administrator, factory worker, farmer. The common thread is they are paid well for the work they do and they have good benefits. Taxes are higher, but expenses for such things as medical care, child care, school, post secondary education are minimal. So, it's all balanced out at the end. Life expectancy is high and quality of life is also high. Not to say they also don't have issues, but when it comes to the stress of daily life, many of the stressors being faced by people in the US at the moment, like food scarcity, job loss and medical care are not a key factor.
I think my comment on your previous post about admitting your envy had something to do with "it's nice to see you're human!" So, ditto for this mini-essay here. I don't see it as complaining, I see it as being real. (Although I do understand your reticence in admitting such when you also have great wealth.) It just goes to show that money and privilege doesn't change human emotion and normal insecurities.
Great post. I like the mini-essay format, and I like your longer think pieces too.
Thanks Kim. And Sweden is a capitalist country with some very wealthy people I believe. The culture is just very different there. And we are regressing here. Moving farther away at the moment.
200 years ago, if I showed up at your door and said, "I'm taking your horse," we'd likely have a physical altercation. I took a risk, I might well suffer for it. Today, I can take away your job to advance my career, swap out your raise for my stock price, reduce your health coverage to increase my bonus...all without ever meeting you. There is virtually no physical threat to counter my anonymous greed, and the only mental threat is my conscience, or those of my peers on the board. We claim to have evolved into a civilized society, but honestly, that feels light-years in the future. If anything good comes from the present administration, it will be that we now have an archetype for the absolute worst of mankind. Just add catsup.
Thanks Jeff. You make a good point that blame is defused and anonymous. I think hat;s why reform has to come from government but a government that is not cruel and corrupt and those words do not do justice to what they are doing.
A mix of self-confidence and self-doubt probably makes for a balanced, healthy ego, which doesn't preclude the torments of experiencing our own flaws. I choose to believe this because that describes me as well as you.
Retreating to the world in your second piece, you early on raised a skepticism in my mind that you came to address by your conclusion. Some other commenters doubt your proposals there are workable, and I think you provide the answer, as far as it goes, yourself: "Everyone behaves according to the rules of the system. They really don’t have a choice."
When one buys into the game, part of ante is to play by its rules. If the system can't by its rules produce more equitable and humane results, then the choice is clear. It doesn't have to be exactly what the Europeans do, but among the ultimate failures of the United States has been always to believe that the American way of doing everything was better than how everyone else did it, even when there was so much empirical evidence to the contrary.
Thanks Jay. I do think this will end in a definite repudiation of "America always does things better." I hope it ends with votes not violence.