Applause, Applause ... this is your best yet in my opinion, Shanley! To my knowledge, the country of Bhutan is the closest to idyllic life that humankind has achieved. And now they're threatened to be wiped out by climate change. I just watched 2 hours of Ken Burns' documentary about the American Revolution on PBS. The USA was still fighting for independence and Congress was already a useless bunch of greedy men fighting amongst themselves and doing nothing worthwhile. The war was merciless and horrible and years long. Toward the end the Indians were literally burned down ... their nice homes, successful communities, healthy crops & orchards all burned ... Washington ordered that absolutely nothing of theirs be spared for any reason ... and it was done. The USA began 250 years ago with elitism, racism, and unconscionable violence. Definitely not a history to hearken back to. Rather, one to learn from and improve on. When I was employed in the field of industrial quality assurance, we talked about root cause and corrective action. It's a premise that I still believe in. I agree with you Shanley, we'll never get it exactly right ... nothing is static and people are inconsistent and untrustworthy ... but with goals of peace, fairness, justice, basic human rights for all, etc, we should be striving for better. We need a Bill of Rights and/or a Constitution ... didn't I just read that somewhere? Definitely too much money taints and corrupts people ... that's a root cause that needs corrective action!!
Your thoughts and suggestions make so much sense. With each one I said “Yes!” But then reality hits me, and I realize that the economic/political powers opposing these concepts are totally in control in our country. And those of us not at the top of the pecking order have little to no power to change the status quo.
I would like to endorse Phil's comment. A truly wonderful essay. Sadly, our society, from its beginnings, is heavily invested in greed. Even those in the lower four quintiles will not vote for equality or other community values because they hope some day to be among the most well off.
I think many of the Native communities were fairly close to an equal sharing of wealth, particularly those based on the Potlatch tradition where it was a source of pride and power to gift others with your wealth. And women were respected which is always novel. Not to say they were perfect, they raided and kept slaves but were sophisticated and thoughtful in their societal governing. Thank you so much for your writing. It is always encouraging to attack the darkest subjects with humor and I appreciate the depth of your analysis concerning this despicable administration.
Rents are another thing that go up every year, regardless of the fact that people’s incomes don’t. In my senior’s building they go up 6% or more every year though Social Security has never gone up that much. I’m grateful for SS income, not complaining about it bc I have always had enough for rent and food and a few extras. But at this rate, it won’t be long before I won’t be able to live here - it scares me bc at 82, with no family to pitch in, I don’t know what I’ll do then. I don’t wish to die - yet.
Applause, Applause ... this is your best yet in my opinion, Shanley! To my knowledge, the country of Bhutan is the closest to idyllic life that humankind has achieved. And now they're threatened to be wiped out by climate change. I just watched 2 hours of Ken Burns' documentary about the American Revolution on PBS. The USA was still fighting for independence and Congress was already a useless bunch of greedy men fighting amongst themselves and doing nothing worthwhile. The war was merciless and horrible and years long. Toward the end the Indians were literally burned down ... their nice homes, successful communities, healthy crops & orchards all burned ... Washington ordered that absolutely nothing of theirs be spared for any reason ... and it was done. The USA began 250 years ago with elitism, racism, and unconscionable violence. Definitely not a history to hearken back to. Rather, one to learn from and improve on. When I was employed in the field of industrial quality assurance, we talked about root cause and corrective action. It's a premise that I still believe in. I agree with you Shanley, we'll never get it exactly right ... nothing is static and people are inconsistent and untrustworthy ... but with goals of peace, fairness, justice, basic human rights for all, etc, we should be striving for better. We need a Bill of Rights and/or a Constitution ... didn't I just read that somewhere? Definitely too much money taints and corrupts people ... that's a root cause that needs corrective action!!
One of your best pieces I’ve read! A must read for every city manager, CEO, mayor, and governor. I love Germany’s codetermination law.
Your thoughts and suggestions make so much sense. With each one I said “Yes!” But then reality hits me, and I realize that the economic/political powers opposing these concepts are totally in control in our country. And those of us not at the top of the pecking order have little to no power to change the status quo.
I would like to endorse Phil's comment. A truly wonderful essay. Sadly, our society, from its beginnings, is heavily invested in greed. Even those in the lower four quintiles will not vote for equality or other community values because they hope some day to be among the most well off.
I think many of the Native communities were fairly close to an equal sharing of wealth, particularly those based on the Potlatch tradition where it was a source of pride and power to gift others with your wealth. And women were respected which is always novel. Not to say they were perfect, they raided and kept slaves but were sophisticated and thoughtful in their societal governing. Thank you so much for your writing. It is always encouraging to attack the darkest subjects with humor and I appreciate the depth of your analysis concerning this despicable administration.
Rents are another thing that go up every year, regardless of the fact that people’s incomes don’t. In my senior’s building they go up 6% or more every year though Social Security has never gone up that much. I’m grateful for SS income, not complaining about it bc I have always had enough for rent and food and a few extras. But at this rate, it won’t be long before I won’t be able to live here - it scares me bc at 82, with no family to pitch in, I don’t know what I’ll do then. I don’t wish to die - yet.
What you write I will read. When you have your own Substack I will subscribe. You will help keep me from congealing. Hal
Hi Shanley and all - for a good perspective (admittedly before the current Iran fiasco)
read
Halfway Between Kyoto and 2050: Zero Carbon Is a Highly Unlikely Outcome- Vaclav Smil