Economic Crisis Passes Over the Rich

I just read this - a new record has been set for the selling price of a private home.

So, I thought I'd write just a quick post on this. "The World's Most Expensive Home," should serve as an indicator at how ridiculous our economic system is now. I concede that the sale was made in Monaco, but it is still right to say "our" economic system, because capitalism is a global phenomenon that if not supported by, is at least driven, ideologically, by the US. So we now live in a world where Americans, citizens of the most powerful nation on Earth, can't afford to hang on to their homes, nor find jobs to remedy that situation, but there remain people who can throw away $305 million on a place to live. I'm not suggesting the rich should give away their money to the poor. I'm suggesting that our economic system is so broken that gobs of money land in the hands of a few, while the rest of the world struggles everyday - and America has it pretty easy despite our unemployment rate and various other problems; there are plenty of locales with MUCH greater poverty.

Capitalism is FUNDAMENTALLY about competition and the amassing of wealth and power - it is a game and winning is obviously the prime objective. Some would argue you shouldn't begrudge the wealthy the spoils of their success. I agree. I also believe you shouldn't make sport of human existence. Capitalism means there WILL be losers. If one man has $305 million, that means $305 million less to go around. Free-market fundamentalists are deluded with the idea that there is always room for growth and expansion. How can this possibly be true so long as we are bound on this solitary planet? If you live under the condition that success means the accumulation of wealth and power, that means without debate: LESS wealth and power for those who are NOT successful at the crap-shoot called capitalism. If you let one man control a picnic table and he doesn't feel like sharing, everyone else who showed up to the party goes hungry. This metaphor is incredibly simplistic and doesn't nearly touch on all the facets of capitalism, but it holds truth that still applies.

If there is a global economic crisis afoot, then no one should be setting spending records. And yet it's happening. Sadly, many would say more spending is good for the economy, but the divide between incomes of the rich and poor means that money spent mostly finds its way back into the pockets of those holding the reigns. Since the economic crisis isn't really affecting the rich, its just affecting the rest of us, those with the wealth and the power have little incentive to care.

Pastor Passes on Petraeus's Plee

UPDATE: This post still has relevant opinions, but I feel obligated to acknowledge that Terry Jones did not follow through on his plan to burn the Qu'ran and promised never to do so in the future either. However, some I read some where that another idiot did in fact burn some pages from said holy book. I apologize for not having a link to that story, but I'm sure you can find it on Google. The original post follows:

A growing theme for this blog is identifying the frightful way our nation fosters a gather fascist storm. I this light, it is difficult deciding what to make of news that a Florida church led by pastor Terry Jones has plans to burn Qu'rans "in memory" of September 11, and that General Petreaus has condemned this event. You see, it is great to have a figure of authority, a military man no less, speak out against such an act of ignorance and hate, but this particular church will still proceed, and it shows such an utter lack of tolerance, and such a perversion of Christianity that one begins to lose all hope in anything.

I tend to be mistrustful of organized religion for precisely the reason that it is so easily co-opted and misused, but I recognized at the heart of Christian doctrine teachings that have intrinsic value. But this only makes it that much more frustrating to see the evil perpetrated in this country by so-called Christian leaders.

To put it unoriginally, we are living in a difficult time and difficult situation (as if that status was any different from all of human history). Decent people derive something of value from Islam and if it provides what they need to cope with the world, feeds a spiritual inclination, then it is worth protecting. Yet the struggle remains because most of the other dominant religions are able to co-exist with secular governments, while Islam is more geared towards theocracy.

This is not a religious blog, and I am a strong proponent for keeping religion out of politics at all turns, but we find ourselves in an era when our leaders have sought to instigate a Christian vs. Muslim struggle, and in so doing, send our civilization back to the Dark Ages. And so I am inclined to comment on religious matters in a political context. I may have certain sympathies with one religion or another, but I promote none and discourage none. Instead, what I have to say is that Christianity is supposed to be based on the teachings of Christ, and having encountered those teachings in my formal education, I can say that one of his primary concerns was tolerance and love for all. Love thy neighbor, love thy enemy. Ergo, you cannot be a proselytizer of Christainity and preach hatred of other religions and people. I also believe in free speech, and would not ask to prevent Terry Jones from speaking his mind or even from burning whatever books he chooses. But he cannot do so in the name of Jesus. To do so makes him a hypocrite, a deceiver, a manipulative war-monger, and a messenger of hate.