Okay, I'll bite. Am responding to the MPR thread, previous posts about corporate subsidies (pick your favorite, economic development/downtown Saint Paul, pharmaceutical bailout, ya da). Had a recent conversation with brother about how it seems we're at a juxtaposition of history much like the industrial revolution. At the time, unrestrained capitalism led to the robber barons, child labor, unholy work conditions (e.g., mining). In essence, the acquisition of capital at the expense of human capital. Thanks to the labor movement, child labor laws, the 40 hour work week, and other worker and environmental protections were established. (I still think the labor folks need to create a bumper sticker that reads, "Unions - the people that brought you the weekend." Too many see themselves as separate, not benefiting from this historical effort.) Today, technology has redefined capitalism on the global scale. UK 411 calls are answered in India, WalMart strong-arms vendors into outsourcing to China. What doesn't apply are the protections on a global scale - US companies pay below minimum wage in China where laws aren't enforced; perhaps most appalling are the companies operating on the other side of the Rio Grande, causing birth defects and miscarriages on both sides of the river (US and Mexico). Ultimately, what's happening describes the tension between capitalism and democracy. Unrestrained capitalism says, "Go for the gold, regardless of the cost." Democracy says "Of the people, by the people, for the people." Fundamentally, the purpose of a democracy is to restrain capitalism to humane practices. Unfortunately, we don't have an international code of ethics that applies. I'm all for the values vote: cast your vote where your values lay, but I have a really hard time understanding how people can't see past what people say to what they do. I understand (but may be wrong) that last year the White House asked the EPA to change a chapter of their annual report. The EPA wrote back, "We don't change science." By executive order, that chapter was eliminated from the report; and I understand an annual housing report was due out in October, but the White House ordered its release delayed until after the election. (It would be great if someone would go back and check these. I didn't save.) I always thought actions speak louder than words. How many of you personally know people who lost their retirement because they were "laid off" just months before they became vested? (I do.) How many of you know people who are hard working but can't afford health care? (I do.) How many of you know children who don't have a winter coat or enough to eat? (I do.) This is a wealthy country (just drive to the suburbs and look at those houses!) I heard on the news that meals-on-wheels delivered 14,000 meals in Saint Paul on Thanksgiving Day. Does that mean they deliver that many meals every day? The report was one of those wonderful holiday spirit of giving stories, but what does it tell us of if we dig deeper? I've heard philanthropy is down. I've heard this generation more than any other is concerned only about "What's in it for me?" and is unwilling to invest in the future. All those people earning all that money from taxpayer subsidized college degrees now unwilling to provide the same opportunities for the next generation. It does seem to me that we're at a critical juncture in history. Do we have the foresight to see how what's playing out at the micro (local) level reflects what's happening at the macro (global) level? Do we have the political will to restrain capitalism on a global scale? I don't have any answers. Only questions. --Jennifer Armstrong Payne/Phalen _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul
Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
