GREED-CAPITALISM
It is now quite clear that the banks and other financial institutions scream against government interference, but when they screw up money matters badly, they scream for the government to help them. It seems that when they are making money and getting huge bonuses they bravely broadcast against the government, but when things get tough, help! They want all of the benefits and bonuses but none of the risks. Disgusting. This is only the tip of the ice berg when it comes to our current capitalist beggars. Since Ronald Reagan schemed in the White House to secret arms deals with Iran for money to support the illegal Contras, the double standard among wealthy right-wingers has been rampant. Perhaps the saddest part of it is how they have used lobbyists to hood-wink the average American.
By all accounts, the Cash for Clunkers program has not only worked but has been a huge success. The federal government came up with a wonderful way to jump-start the auto industry in the U.S. AND get rid of some of the old gas-guzzlers. One problem: the auto dealers, those local capitalists, have tried to scam the system in many places. They had signed deals with customers to sell a car, then they pulled the old double-switch and told the customers that the car price was higher but don't worry you are still getting a good deal with the government's help. And now some dealers are complaining that they are selling too many cars and hate to wait for the government's reimbursement. There is no end to greed.
Greed-capitalism is not only rampant among big business. This greed phenomenon has gripped all Americans. We do not now buy to meet our need, we buy to meet our greed. We do not save, we over-spend and in the process see ourselves as "real" Americans and the underserved as "those" Americans. There is little room for empathy, compassion, charity, equality, and sharing in a greed-capitalist mindset. "I've got mine, too bad about you." We have not only lost our way, we have lost our values. Thank goodness we now have a man in the White House who has a more humane perspective.
Today, far too many Americans think it is acceptable that 50 million of their fellow citizens do not have health insurance. Too many Americans think it is okay to mistreat the children of immigrants. Too many Americans think we can bully our way to international democracy [U.S. style, that is]. Too many Americans see themselves as Christians and act like they never heard the compassionate words of Jesus of Nazareth. Too many Americans do not see the connection between the arts and civilization. Too many Americans buy the corporate behemoth propaganda and proudly think they understand. Too many Americans have taken on greed as their religion, and to hell with the rest.
