Thank you Donald, I also sometimes watch episodes of "Invisible People" on YouTube. The sad reality of the rigged game is that all who oppose God and his commandments are opposing themselves by dent of why ignorance fails to recognize itself. (Another YouTube video by Macmillan Learning with psychologist David Dunning) That Spirit of life that all the living share, like the sunshine, air and experience that teaches us the the richest things in life are free (an like freedom) are undervalued, while those who chose to serve tyrants instead of God (sycophants who have sold their own souls, and have no issues with selling out their neighbors) are the most ungrateful and least thankful among us. The idolatry of "Status" has replaced the empathy they once shared, and like in Dante's Divine Comedy, Pride is the leading rebel.
Once again this article serves to make a case for no government. When do they really serve the people by solving problems? They do not, they create them then “act” to solve them. The transfer of wealth to the most powerful is mind blowing. We the masses have been and still are asleep. To think Trump is going to save the day is a fairytale. The people in my community have helped a family who was living in their car get an apartment, jobs and things to furnish the apt. It was quite amazing. It’s we the people who will create the change we seek, but not until the masses truly awaken to the deception of government and true freedom. No one is invisible in Gods eyes.
There truly are folks who need help. When I count my blessings, the one I value the most, is the fact of being born with above-average intelligence. I have struggled to survive all adult life, with the exception of 1998-1999 (lucky break) and now (due to my dad dying from the clot shot). It took everything I had, constant brainstorming, intense frugality, exploiting every opportunity that came my way, going to extremes to avoid any problems that would end up costing me money...in short ...expending huge amounts of energy...just to keep my head above water. It was exhausting. It is so obvious to me that probably 99% of the very bottom strugglers would never be able to do these things. For Christians, it is our moral duty to help these folks. There seems to be a point of no return in the homeless cycle...where short of winning the lottery, one simply can't get on their feet again without help. I am grateful now for my struggles. It forced me to develop self-reliance. I can switch into survival mode, like flipping a switch.
I think you analyzed it perfectly, Kris. Most people who are simply born into bad situations, or have a long run of really bad luck, are not going to be capable of turning things around by themselves. The system is huge and heartless. And very difficult to navigate. You are a rarity. Thanks.
I have always distinguished between ill-gotten wealth and honestly earned wealth. For example, there are many honest entrepreneurs out there, who created companies, worked 80 hours per week for decades, saved and invested their money, and became wealthy. Then there are politicians and bureaucrats who have no service or product, have salaries ranging from tens of thousands to the low hundreds of thousands, who somehow amass tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. If we are going to discuss redistribution, it should not be focused on everyone, just the criminals. The problem is that criminals are in so many positions in the legal, executive and judicial systems, that the system has evolved into an enormous criminal mafia.
Thanks great, this is so important. I too have been deeply concerned about gross wealth inequality my whole life. Usually "what to do" means some sort of claw back for distributive justice. What about pre-distributive justice where the factors of wealth creation are set up on fairness as proposed under extension of classical economics work of Henry George? Of fair share rights to the earth's land and natural resources (Left-Libertarianism)? Might we talk sometime? i from alannahartzok@gmail.com more here:
Thought provoking piece Don! I loved reading your thoughts and the comments from your readers. Like you, I try and help where I can. I am blessed, I had a great career, I worked hard and never spent above my means. Even in retirement, I continue to work part time. I work with people that work 2 and 3 jobs. The jobs are physically demanding and long hours. I wonder how these middle age people will be able to work into their 60's and 70's? They have no real retirement. I have become so cynical about our rigged system. I wonder, what can we do? How can we turn this big disastrous ship around? Reading your article, I realize we have to do what we can by helping one person at a time. Reaching out and being part of the solution, helping when we can! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
I really appreciate your kind words, Robin- it means a lot. I think you have it right; lacking any Huey Longs on the horizon, it will be up to each of us to do what we can. At the very least, no one should be abandoned by their families. As RFK noted in one of his greatest speeches, we should strive to send forth tiny ripples of hope. Thanks!
Thank you Donald, I also sometimes watch episodes of "Invisible People" on YouTube. The sad reality of the rigged game is that all who oppose God and his commandments are opposing themselves by dent of why ignorance fails to recognize itself. (Another YouTube video by Macmillan Learning with psychologist David Dunning) That Spirit of life that all the living share, like the sunshine, air and experience that teaches us the the richest things in life are free (an like freedom) are undervalued, while those who chose to serve tyrants instead of God (sycophants who have sold their own souls, and have no issues with selling out their neighbors) are the most ungrateful and least thankful among us. The idolatry of "Status" has replaced the empathy they once shared, and like in Dante's Divine Comedy, Pride is the leading rebel.
I haven't seen "Invisible People," Clyde. Will have to check that out. Thanks.
Once again this article serves to make a case for no government. When do they really serve the people by solving problems? They do not, they create them then “act” to solve them. The transfer of wealth to the most powerful is mind blowing. We the masses have been and still are asleep. To think Trump is going to save the day is a fairytale. The people in my community have helped a family who was living in their car get an apartment, jobs and things to furnish the apt. It was quite amazing. It’s we the people who will create the change we seek, but not until the masses truly awaken to the deception of government and true freedom. No one is invisible in Gods eyes.
I keep getting pushed closer and closer to anarchism, Sheryl. Thanks.
That’s great!!
There truly are folks who need help. When I count my blessings, the one I value the most, is the fact of being born with above-average intelligence. I have struggled to survive all adult life, with the exception of 1998-1999 (lucky break) and now (due to my dad dying from the clot shot). It took everything I had, constant brainstorming, intense frugality, exploiting every opportunity that came my way, going to extremes to avoid any problems that would end up costing me money...in short ...expending huge amounts of energy...just to keep my head above water. It was exhausting. It is so obvious to me that probably 99% of the very bottom strugglers would never be able to do these things. For Christians, it is our moral duty to help these folks. There seems to be a point of no return in the homeless cycle...where short of winning the lottery, one simply can't get on their feet again without help. I am grateful now for my struggles. It forced me to develop self-reliance. I can switch into survival mode, like flipping a switch.
I think you analyzed it perfectly, Kris. Most people who are simply born into bad situations, or have a long run of really bad luck, are not going to be capable of turning things around by themselves. The system is huge and heartless. And very difficult to navigate. You are a rarity. Thanks.
I have always distinguished between ill-gotten wealth and honestly earned wealth. For example, there are many honest entrepreneurs out there, who created companies, worked 80 hours per week for decades, saved and invested their money, and became wealthy. Then there are politicians and bureaucrats who have no service or product, have salaries ranging from tens of thousands to the low hundreds of thousands, who somehow amass tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. If we are going to discuss redistribution, it should not be focused on everyone, just the criminals. The problem is that criminals are in so many positions in the legal, executive and judicial systems, that the system has evolved into an enormous criminal mafia.
Of course, Kev. I think when you get into the billionaire category, that it is hard to believe it was honestly earned. Thanks.
Thanks great, this is so important. I too have been deeply concerned about gross wealth inequality my whole life. Usually "what to do" means some sort of claw back for distributive justice. What about pre-distributive justice where the factors of wealth creation are set up on fairness as proposed under extension of classical economics work of Henry George? Of fair share rights to the earth's land and natural resources (Left-Libertarianism)? Might we talk sometime? i from alannahartzok@gmail.com more here:
Author, Earth Belongs to Everyone https://theiu.org/books
Commons Rent Tax Shift https://tinyurl.com/Short-Audio-Talk
Meme: https://tinyurl.com/HartzokMeme
Aradhana Airwaves https://alannahartzok.substack.com/
E.F. Schumacher Lecture: Democracy, Earth Rights, Next Economy
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6eWpo96sOB1NG2NHtCz4eK
Administrator & UN NGO Rep. International Union for Land Value Tax
(Commons Rent) https://theiu.org
Ownership of Land, Control of Earth
https://worldservice.org/issues/febmar96/letter.html
I'm glad to know we see this situation similarly, Alanna. Thanks.
Thought provoking piece Don! I loved reading your thoughts and the comments from your readers. Like you, I try and help where I can. I am blessed, I had a great career, I worked hard and never spent above my means. Even in retirement, I continue to work part time. I work with people that work 2 and 3 jobs. The jobs are physically demanding and long hours. I wonder how these middle age people will be able to work into their 60's and 70's? They have no real retirement. I have become so cynical about our rigged system. I wonder, what can we do? How can we turn this big disastrous ship around? Reading your article, I realize we have to do what we can by helping one person at a time. Reaching out and being part of the solution, helping when we can! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
I really appreciate your kind words, Robin- it means a lot. I think you have it right; lacking any Huey Longs on the horizon, it will be up to each of us to do what we can. At the very least, no one should be abandoned by their families. As RFK noted in one of his greatest speeches, we should strive to send forth tiny ripples of hope. Thanks!