Friday, August 12, 2011

RSA Animate - Crises of Capitalism

Economics in World Crisis: REQUIRED Reading/viewing for this course. this means you. P.S. There will be a pop quiz.



Quiz: 1. What is pablum?
2. Define crap in the context of this video.

We require new thinking. What is the basis for your understanding of our economic problem solving now? What steps should we take? Write an essay, submit your comments. Winner gets to be the hero of the world.

Colbert SuperPAC Packs A Punch

Yesterday Stephen Colbert's SuperPAC made waves across the national news networks as it began to make itself known in the political arena. High-budget commercials spots appeared on two of the three Des Moines, Iowa news stations in prime time. The activity has been covered on several of the national cable news networks.


What began as a protest or answer to the unlimited use of money and power in the election process by superpacs, and their ability to influence public opinion and election outcome, has become more than a joke. Colbert's SuperPAC is 165,000 strong and counting, and has yet to define what it stands for. "making a better tomorrow, tomorrow" is the byline, and it appears that it is starting yesterday.

With the airing of the commercials, ostensibly in support of Rick Parry(with an A), the Colbert SuperPAC has come out swinging. We'll be watching and waiting to see how these developments affect the narrative of politics in America. We'll be waiting to find out what we stand for. We'll be wondering if anyone punches back.

Confusing Patriotism and Democracy With Capitalism

Even if you've been hiding under a rock lately, you must know by now that our country has had a few problems these past few weeks and months. Social, economic, political, the list goes on; but one stands out today. Politics.

Last night I received an email from the White House asking me to watch the Republican candidates debate on FOX channel. That was a tall order for me, but in the name of duty, I complied. What struck me as a common thread throughout the debate was an underlying confusion stemming from this: they all seem to confuse patriotism with capitalism. Nowhere in the Constitution of the United States do I recall seeing a plank that prescribes strict adherence to dogged capitalistic principles. Not that capitalism is a bad thing, it's just that democracy in its fundamental form does not require a strict economic theory in order to function. In fact, what we are seeing with these arguments about the debt, deficit, and budget may indicate the complete opposite.
Our democracy is brought to a grinding halt by those who will not compromise on economic principles of free market capitalism.
Last night at the debate, every single one of the candidates raised their hand to pledge No Compromise on raising taxes. This does not bode well for healthy democracy. Government of the people, by the people, and for the people suggests something other than absolutes, particularly when the question is not one of democratic form and substance. Economics does not equal democracy. Somebody should tell the candidates.



No Problem

Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me..You know the way to the place where I am going. John 14:1...4



The words of Jesus are simple and clear. In Jamaican parlance, "No problem, man." There are plenty of things to trouble one's heart today, and if you let yourself get carried away with fears, anxiety, despair, disputes, violence of word, thought, or action you could become completely incapacitated. But you don't have to. Just go back to the basic principles that Jesus teaches. Have faith. Trust in Him. Forgive. Have mercy. Do justice. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances. Shout for joy, even.

It's been said that the shortest passage in the Bible is "Jesus wept." Which he did. But the shortest command that he gave was "Follow me." It's short and sweet. No Problem.