c-rational
c-rational's JournalMore Wise Words
"Ignorance leads to fear, fear leads to hate, and hate leads to violence. This is the equation."
Ibn Rushd (1126-1198)
Muslim Philosopher
I recognized the truth immediately, yet I was surprised by the source and the time.
Wise words.
Reading of species extinction, climate change, plastic waste in the oceans I recall a Quote of the Day I read recently.
"Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand i it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself."
Chief Seattle (1786-1866)
How ignorant we are as a species.
Interesting fact about the United States of Amereca and War.
Yesterday, the local gardener told me that the US has been at war for 222 years out of its 239 year history. I always knew we had a wartime economy, but this figure shook me. It needs IMO more play. We divert entirely too much 'capital' to war efforts. This also IMO benefits the corporations over the individual. Beware the military industrial complex.
Let's bring back the Dirigibles.
Not sure how many DU's watch the show :Alex Ruins Everything" but I saw an episode recently on air travel. Not a pretty picture, especially after deregulation of the airlines by the FAA with a push from Ralph Nader. It lead to a demise of regional airports and an increase in hubs as well as a reduction in the number of airlines. Surprise, the free market does not always work as many costs are not factored into the equation properly. Use of dirigibles (much safer today) could be an answer to medium distance travel and have a much lower cost in terms of infrastructure investment needed. I tink I might enjoy such a trip.
Shocking news on income inequality.
I saw on MSNBC today that the top 1% increased their wealth by 900 billion, and that the top 24 individuals have more wealth (about 1.4 trillion) than the bottom 3.8 billion people. We, me included have been fed a false dream about the American dream that hard work will get you ahead. And the media has helped convince people it is somehow a personal fault. We should not be cowed into thinking raising taxes on the wealthy is wrong or will hurt society or our economy.
Disparate thoughts.
In 5th grade (catholic elementary school) I remember hearing reading that we lived in a country with limitless resources. Why did this stick with me for so many decades.
Believe in the free market. There is no such thing as the markets do not properly price all costs.
We were not born into this world, we came out of it. Not to understand the effects of pollution not only on environment but also on ourselves is frightening and may well be catastrophic.
The powers that be have the little people arguing amongst themselves, and against rational solutions to our problems. Last year on the NYC subway during one of the innumerable delays that the recent fare hike was going to pay for the MTA employees health care. Universal health care is a realistic option.
I watched Panic, the HBO documentary on the 2008 financial meltdown. How can you not believe that markets need regulation.
We need better messaging. Remember the Powell Doctrine.
Relevant words today, from the Tao Te Ching-Translation by Stephen Mitchell
Chapter 18
"When the great Tao is forgotten,
goodness and piety appear.
When the body's intelligence declines,
cleverness and knowledge step forth.
When there is no peace in the family,
filial piety begins.
When the country falls into chaos,
patriotism is born."
First verse of Chapter 46
"When a country is in harmony with the Tao,
the factories make trucks and tractors.
When a country goes counter to the Tao,
warheads are stockpiled outside the cities."
Note-"The Tao is defined as the basic principle of the universe, and the book is about wisdom in action... "it teaches how to work for the good with effortless skill...and applies equally to good government, sexual love, child rearing, business and ecology."
"The Tao Te Ching is the most widely translated book in world literature, after the Bible."
All hands on deck. A call for national service.
What about the idea of starting mandatory national service. All Americans are required to serve. If you want to go into the military fine. If not we need to fix our infrastructure (maintenance included), repair our national parks, provide jobs, and make all Americans a little more equal. This should also help get out the vote and should include civics lessons and mandatory voter registration.
Thoughts for Health Care Reform.
What about starting with the VA, one of the best run public agencies. Create legislation that would allow the VA to start medical schools and train their own doctors. They graduate with no debt and agree to work for the VA for 250-500K per year. Use national security as part of the rationale based on costs. This would surely infuriate the AMA who voted against Medicare. Educate people that privatizing is simply a means of draining dollars to corporations and the wealthy. Once this is shown to work well then expand to the private sector. In the meantime, expand Medicare to 55 year olds. Business would likely buy into this as the older groups are the more expensive. Chip chip chip away until we do have Medicare for all.
In life, do you think we first have experiences and based on those experiences we develop
beliefs, or do you think that as a result of the beliefs we hold experiences follow? Again, do experiences precede beliefs or do beliefs precede experience?
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Member since: Fri Mar 24, 2017, 11:24 PMNumber of posts: 2,590