Random Thoughts for Today
Submitted by Aldon Hynes on Tue, 01/25/2005 - 16:10
Ownership society, n (ca. 2004) 1 a: a state or condition in which a small minority of the wealthiest members of society owns the majority of its capital wealth, property or commercial assets b: the disproportionate control of large segments of a national economy by a handful of corporations or individuals 2: the effort to promote or justify the extreme concentration of wealth into the hands of a powerful few syn see PLUTOCRACY, CORPORATE FEUDALISM
Martin Luther King Jr., Updated for 2005
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their state on an electoral map but by the content of their character."
Matthew 22:37-40, updated for certain people voting based on 'values'
You shall try with all your soul and with all your strength to get your neighbor to stop doing things you disapprove of. This is the first and great commandment. And a second is like it: You shall try to get your neighbors to be as self-righteous as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the Pharisees.
As Usual
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 01/25/2005 - 21:03.Right on the money- but then again, no surprise.
However- are you advocating a system other than a capitalist system? In other words, are you advocating the 'non reward' for effort, innovation, ect.?
I know- loaded questions. But I would like to hear your views.
SC&A
Capitalism and rewards
Submitted by Aldon Hynes on Wed, 01/26/2005 - 07:12.And, as expected, your question is great, and I fear my answer will be somewhat unclear. I do believe that capitalism, done right, has a lot to offer. However, I believe that 'the ownership society' is not capitalism done right.
First, I would suggest that there are more types of capital and more types of rewards that monetary rewards and capital.
The satisfaction of being sincerely thanked by someone you have just helped out, or even just the knowledge that you have just helped someone out is a great reward that too often gets forgotten. It is an intangible form of capital often described as karma or good will.
I fear that many of the plans of the 'ownership society' overlooks these forms of capital and rewards, and may, in the sense of having a fulfilled life actually be more damaging than beneficial.