The business of America is.................

[Jack Sprat]

UNBRIDLED GREED. In my mind, it has been the major malfunction since 1981 when Reagan unleashed his 'War on the Middle Class'. Suddenly, the 'I'm okay, you're okay as long as you don't mind me getting rich even if I have to step over your cold body to do it' crowd began showcasing the very worst in humanity. Around this time, it became popular to degrade American workmanship. Tax rates on the wealthy were reduced to 50%, then in 1986 to 28%. While the jet-setters were having their honeymoon with Reaganomics, organized labor was equated to socialism. Government was redefined as the Public Enemy #1. Church pastors began urging their parishioners to invest in America's stock market and disavowed any past sermons opposed to the pursuit of wealth. Heckfire, some business CEO's even began encouraging 'Prayer Breakfasts' to receive God's blessings from a new acquisition or merger or hostile takeover. It was suddenly all good. It was also about the time that businesses began hiring independent auditors to determine which jobs could be eliminated to increase maximum profitability for the shareholders. Since the stock market had come out of its' 50 year modesty, even members of the labor class jumped aboard for almost certain profits. Greed had become perfectly acceptable to the nation at large. After all, the business of America is business. So, when off-shoring of American manufacturing became the next step in profitability, it was acceptable. When trade agreements were sanctioned to the further detriment of American labor, it was acceptable. Anything in the name of business profit was acceptable, even if insider trading and crime was involved.

I grew up in what must have been 'Socialist America'. Eisenhower was president in my youth. The maximum graduated tax rate was 91% on those making over 5M a year. Very few people were rich in those times. People were thankful that we were no longer at war. Most of us lived in 3br/1ba homes and had little need to feel class envy. Even the small percentage at the top of the income ladder in larger homes were content to pay what was considered their fair share. It was a fair share. They didn't complain that they were fortunate enough to pay it. I guess you could describe them as modest. It was bad manners to appear otherwise.

Anyways, I feel lucky to have been raised in those old 'socialist days' of Eisenhower. I know he was a Republican, but he was the best of them I recall. He really did warn us all of bad people with the worst of intentions lurking in the shadows. I reckon many of his generation, including my folks, were somewhat socialistic. They had seen some rough times before and after the Great Depression, then a world war. They knew something. I wish our nation could be content with peace and modest prosperity. I believe our country is again in dire need of social reform. Unbridled and unregulated greed always has a way of destroying everything around it before it reaches a climax that is usually catastrophic. I think we have almost come full circle. It may be like the spring of 29, when the first cracks began to open. I hope not. Nevertheless, the business of America has been shipped away for the sake of greed. Unless it returns, there is little left for a national cohesive spirit of real unity. The divide will deepen and the wounds won't heal themselves. When the business of America becomes totally business, then people don't matter anymore. That's how I see it.