Howdy!
I think Jay is basing his analysis on an antiquated view of society where
individual and families reigned supreme and were the fundamental
productive and social units in the community.
Today, corporations have this role. In terms if information, spin not
truth rules. There is not nurturing of the democratic mentality (in a
militaristic hierarchy model). There is little accountability for actions
orther than those associated with the bottom line. Profit is virtue, and
virtue is profit. And the welfare of the community is defined in terms of
what's best for corporations.
-- CJR
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
"Salus populi suprema est lex" (Cicero)
The welfare of the people is the highest law.
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"True Freedom of Speech does not exist in Businessland." (CJR)
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On Wed, 2 Sep 1998, Jay Hanson wrote:
> From: Dennis Paull <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
> >You have made many good points in describing the problem. However the range
> >of solutions is broader than your world view seems to allow.
>
> There may be theoretical, technical solutions for some aspects of these
> environmental problems, but we have no "political" means to implement them
> universally. One can't save the bow of our Titanic while the stern sinks.
>
> People who assume away the political problems are skipping the hard part.
>
> American politics selects for "more-of-the-same" -- it was designed to
> resist change (constitution). It's a positive-feedback system that can
> only become more-and-more extreme until it fails.
>
> Here is how our political system works on the local level:
>
> BAD DRIVES OUT GOOD
> by Jay Hanson (8/1/97)
>
> "The aim of every political constitution is, or ought to be,
> first to obtain for rulers men who possess most wisdom to
> discern, and most virtue to pursue, the common good of the
> society; and in the next place, to take the most effectual
> precautions for keeping them virtuous whilst they
> continue to hold their public trust."
> James Madison, FEDERALIST #57 (1787)
>
> "I see the White House is like a subway -- you have to put
> in coins to open the gates."
> Johnny Chung (1997)
>
> Systems that select for failure are often called Greshamite systems after
> the English financier Sir Thomas Gresham (1519?-1579). His name was given to
> Gresham’s Law, the economic principle that "bad money drives out good. "
> When depreciated, mutilated, or debased (bad) money circulates concurrently
> with money of high value (e.g., silver or gold), the good money disappears
> because of hoarding. As more and more people notice that good money is being
> hoarded, more and more good money is hoarded -- runaway positive feedback.
> Ultimately, the monetary system fails.
>
> American Democracy can also be seen as a Greshamite system. To understand
> why, first consider the theoretical premise of our political system: a
> government that is willing to act for the Common Good. Next, consider two
> very different candidates for public office. Ms. Honesty believes in the
> principle embodied in our Pledge of Allegiance "... liberty and justice for
> all." If Honesty is elected, she will treat everyone fairly and pursue the
> Common Good.
>
> Mr. Corruption is a good capitalist who is motivated to pursue his own
> private gain. He has studied the system carefully and knows that he can gain
> political power by rewarding his friends and punishing his enemies.
>
> Which of these candidates has the advantage? Obviously, Corruption has the
> advantage! Here's why:
>
> Mr. Jones is a local developer who has money, employees and influence.
> Philosophically, he is an average, self-interested individual who was
> trained by television (and to some extent by his family and formal
> education) to consume as much as he can. In fact, Jones can’t even remember
> ever hearing about public goods.
>
> Will Mr. Jones contribute to Ms. Honesty? No, why should he? If she wins,
> Jones will receive justice and fairness from her anyway (a public good). If
> she loses, Jones will be punished by Mr. Corruption for helping her.
>
> Will Mr. Jones contribute to Mr. Corruption? Yes, because Jones has been
> promised a change of zoning (a private good) so he can build his new gated
> community. Jones writes a check for $2,000 to Mr. Corruption and has a few
> dozen employees volunteer to help out on Corruption’s campaign.
>
> American Democracy tends to elect politicians who are motivated to maximize
> their own private gain (there are some rare exceptions). Runaway positive
> feedback occurs as politicians need more and more money to run for public
> office. As this process continues, more and more politicians are corrupt.
>
> Bad drives out good and Corruption drives out Honesty. To what end? In the
> end, we do not even have a political system (one-person-one-vote), only an
> economic system (one-dollar-one-vote).
>
> Jay
>
>
>
