Tuesday, October 12, 2010

How to survive in this new world

Maybe it's just me, but I'm having a real hard time figuring out how to survive in this "NEW" world.

It seems to me, that all the worst of human traits are required to really survive and succeed in the society that has been created.

Ripping off customers to make a buck...great...no problem.
Ripping off taxpayers to make a profit...great...no problem.
Lying to keep your job and pretending to be something you are not...great...no problem.
Using people by getting into a relationship with them to make YOUR life better...great...no problem.

Being honest and full of integrity and expecting honestly and integrity in return...HUGE problem.

What the hell happened...and why didn't I get the memo?

Friday, July 9, 2010

Misery

At what point is it acceptable to give up? Why does our society insist that people must keep trying when it is evident that no matter what some try their lives will still be bad? Life is NOT wonderful for many people, it's just the way it is and that sucks. Some people are simply unlucky and some people simply are NOT cut out for the "dog eat dog" world that we have created. It is unfortunate? Most definitely. It is sad? No doubt. Is it fair? No, life isn't fair. Is a change of attitude enough? NO., sorry but it's not.

Pretending everything is "ok" doesn't help FIX the situation. Neither does ignoring it or not talking about it or trying to change perspective. At some point no matter HOW you look at some situations, there is no "bright side". NOT everything HAS a bright side.

I've often heard people say "life is what you make it" or " that it isn't the situation but how one reacts to it" or my personal favorite "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger"..and many other such pithy comments about how to deal with the trials and tribulations of life. Yet all the cute idioms in the world can't make a bad situation better. Some situations are simply just bad, pretending otherwise is devoid of reality.


What is the point? I mean, really, WHAT is the point of living a miserable existence? Change in attitude can only help to a certain extent. AT some point, some losses are simply too much to bare and are such that life is NOT worth living under the circumstances.

Poverty is NOT a choice. NO one chooses to live in poverty...contrary to popular mythology. Some don't possess the SKILLS and abilities to get out of it. We live in a Capitalist society. Thus without capital or access to capital it is VERY difficult and sometimes JUST impossible to climb out of poverty. Horatio Alger stories are rare and ARE stories, that ARE NOT indicative of actual reality for most.

NOT everyone has a MARKETABLE talent that is able to provide a means to make money and thus survive. Some people are NOT MARKETABLE. The market will only pay what the market DEEMS of value. Or put another way, people will BUY something they think they want for a price they think the item is worth. Thus unless a human being has the the certain skills or talents which society deems of value, that human being WILL NOT be able to sell themselves to ANYONE regardless of what they do.

NO one likes to admit these things. WE all like to pretend any obstacle CAN Be overcome, but that is simply NOT true. Man is limited in his abilities. MAN is NOT omnipotent or omniscient. Therefore, MAN is LIMITED by what is in his mind and within his talents. NOT everyone possesses the same abilities. DUH!. Yet we as a society insist that "everyone" can do "anything"...that is utter BULLSHIT!

No matter what I do, I will NEVER be able to do certain things....I cannot for example, look at body fluids without gagging and vomiting. Thus a career in medicine IS OUT OF THE QUESTION for ME. NO matter what I do, I will NEVER be able to make a career out of playing sports, as I am a KLUTZ, and most sports are MALE dominated, and I'm not a male. Not matter HOW a man tries, he will not be able to give birth naturally, of course, he doesn't possess the necessary equipment. Shouldn't this go without saying?

MY talents lie in my ability to think and reason. WOW...that sounds great doesn't it? I mean, doesn't it sound good to be intelligent and possess critical thinking skills? One would think...but the truth IS our society does NOT value intelligence. WE pretend we do, we act like we do, we pay lip service to the concept....but we really don't...how else does one explain Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin? None of these three people are Mensa candidates, YET all three are paid handsomely for their ability to manipulate. AND that my friends is the true "intelligence" our society pays for and values. WE don't value true intellect...we value those who can tell us a story that we like. NOT matter how much evidence there is to the contrary, we as a society believe the con artists, always have.

Thus people who have ethics and morals that are contrary to the mythology we have created, who ALSO see the world for WHAT it really IS and not what everyone PRETENDS it is, have a very difficult time surviving in our society. Throughout history, we have been told the stories of artists, writers, politicians, philosophers, etc, such as Van Gogh, Tolstoy, Nietzsche, Hemingway, Thoreau; who although THEIR works have been lauded for their genius, at the same time have been riddled with extreme mental issues, too. Did it ever occur to anyone that because of their extreme intelligence they UNDERSTOOD how truly FUCKED up the world was and they COULD see it CLEARLY? These people weren't mental, they were RIGHT...they simply SAW the WORLD in all it's ugliness and realized that LIFE is full of lies, manipulation and BULLSHIT.

Understanding the world and it's bullshit makes living in the world honestly VERY difficult if NOT impossible. Doesn't that stand to reason? Seriously, if one has ethics that say it is wrong to lie and cheat another, than a career in sales is PROBABLY going to cause some conflicts. SALES is NOT an honest profession...it's the epitome of manipulation. Our society ACCEPTS it as an "acceptable type of manipulation" but manipulation IS LYING....it's NOT honest.

Why do I even HAVE to spell this out???? I shouldn't have to tell people that SALES people don't CARE about THEM..they care about SELLING THEIR PRODUCT and making THEIR COMMISSION....PERIOD. THEY will say and DO whatever it takes to GET YOU TO GIVE THEM YOUR MONEY. When a sales person tells YOU you look lovely today, DON"T BELIEVE THEM...they say that to just about EVERYONE...the art of sales is to tell someone something plausibly true that the person WANTS to hear.

Marketing is another career rife with manipulation. Corporations spend literally Billions of dollars getting YOU to think their product is the best thing since sliced bread...they do it because IT WORKS...and MOST people FALL for it....again manipulation=lying.

There is another career an ethical, intelligent person CAN'T do. Politics....OBVIOUSLY. That one I shouldn't have to SPELL out! Debt collection? That one too seems to be OBVIOUS. Lawyer? Another OBVIOUS disconnect. Law is interesting and is great for an intelligent person to study...but for an honest, ethical intelligent person to practice....it has many complications.

Business as a whole is difficult for honest, ethical intelligent people because it is rife with manipulation, back stabbing, double dealing,etc. ONE has to be devoid of ANY REAL moral values to TRULY succeed in business.

So basically, someone who is intelligent, moral and ethical has only a few choices: Writing books, (journalism is OUT as it was taken over by business...no ethics there) writing blogs, volunteer work (but that DOES NOT pay the bills) artist, philosopher, stay at home parent, comedian. That's it. Those are the only real career choices available for a person with those skills and talents. WOW...not a lot of opportunities to REALLY make money, are there?

Even teaching is no longer immune to the effects of our immoral unethical society. Sad...as that one always seemed to be a good one, too. Or at least it should have been...but it too has been taken over by manipulation...that whole "no child left behind" thing seems to have destroyed the concept. WE now want indoctrination and memorization for our children...we don't encourage REAL thinking anymore. So sad.

Thus it seems morals and values have become passe. So it appears that in order to survive in this world, one has to give up on being a decent human being IF they wish to be able to keep a roof over their head, food on the table and maybe enjoy some of what life has to offer. THIS is acceptable...HOW??? or WHY??? Personally, I don't think it is acceptable...hence my desire to give up!

I want to live a good life. I want to be able to pay my bills, eat, enjoy some of life's pleasure and STILL remain loyal to my beliefs...what is wrong with that? WHY am I the bad "guy" for wanting to live an honest life? WHY must I suffer from my inability to fuck people over???

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Our Country and the economy

What has happened to our once great country? When did we as a society make the decision that we would abandon free market principals and common sense, in favor of a model of economic activity that benefits a very few at the expense of the many?

The feudal Kings, Queens and lords would be jealous, as WE did this to ourselves willingly!

Every day it amazes me, how so many are so oblivious to the fact that our economic and government systems are NOT working, at least NOT for the majority of people. While there are some who are benefiting immensely from the corruption and misplaced priorities, MOST are not. The numbers and statistics bear this out.

Most people know they are angry, and rightly so, they just don't know where to focus their anger. Thus they scream at the government, and ABOUT the government, actually wishing to abolish the very entity and policies which would help them and which are their only defense, in favor of ideas and entities which do NOT have their best interests at heart!

Any economic system and ANY government system, needs to work for the majority of the people in order to be successful. THAT is the point of any economic theory or any political theory. To provide for the majority of people and to allocate resources most effectively and efficiently.

It's become all too apparent than there are far TOO many people, who don't realize the point of a democratically elected government. NOR do these same, deluded folks, realize the need for a strong and powerful entity to be on their side. They don't seem to realize, that without this entity they would be serfs, and nothing more.

Over the last 30 years, actual income and purchasing power for the majority of people has fallen...whether they realize it or not, especially after adjusting for inflation. The consumer economy has been being fueled by credit, not actual tangible money. The majority of people have seen their share of the pie shrink, will a very small minority having seen their share grow exponentially.

Yet with all the obvious data in front of them, most people actually support the very large multi national corporations who are enslaving them and allowing them to become indentured servants.
It's truly amazing!

So, with all this in mind, it is my suggestion that, "WE, THE PEOPLE" take our country back. Take it back from the robber barons and multi national corporations. Take it back from those shysters who have sold the American public a bill of goods that wasn't worth the paper it was printed on.

It won't be easy, but it IS doable. Quit spending your money at their establishments, buy your goods from small locally owned and operated vendors. Take your money out of their banks. COMPLAIN and COMPLAIN loudly and everywhere, when YOU receive bad service or products for your hard earned dollar. DON'T remain apathetic. TAKE control. The very forces that enslave YOU , need YOU...even IF they don't realize it. REMEMBER they need YOU more than YOU need them. They have just brainwashed us all into THINKING we need them. They can only control US and take advantage of US if we let them!

BTW....The United States when abbreviated is US...that means YOU, me and everyone...we are US, we are the US and as Benjamin Franklin so eloquently said "".We must, indeed, all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately. ...".

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Dear Wal-mart Executives and Major Share Holders

Dear Wal-mart Executives and Major Shareholders:

I read an article today about your company, Wal-Mart, it appears you aren't doing as well as you would like. I would propose that perhaps your business model is antiquated and perhaps not well suited to the times.

I make this suggestion, because YOU seem to have forgotten, that unless YOUR core customers can actually AFFORD to shop (other than for basic necessities) THEY WON'T shop for anything else.

YOU built the business on the concept of servicing low income buyers.

Well, I have news for you, Wal-mart executives and major shareholders. when YOU pay less than a living wage AND when your customers are in debt, make minimum wage (or just above) AND can no longer afford the basics, your market share will most likely decrease.

The only reason YOU, Wal mart, has managed to thrive as long as you have, was that YOUR customer base was living on credit. Now that the credit has dried up, THEY (your customers) no longer can afford to buy most of the products you stock.

Why didn't you realize this? Why didn't it occur to those of you in management, that eventually, the well would run dry? Have none of you heard of the "Efficiency Theory of Labor"?

Seriously, most of YOU, supposedly EARNED degrees at accredited Universities and Colleges. Thus, you all should know the basics of economic theory, right? Regardless which specific theory you espouse, the basic tenets are the same, that is, UNLESS, you didn't really study, and were too busy partying while in school, and simply bought the papers necessary to receive a passing grade, and then relied on "networking" and "daddy's friends" to get your a job, you SHOULD know the basics tenets.

I mean, seriously, YOUR customer base (not to mention your employees) are those who are not well off. Didn't it occur to YOU that eventually, those who were making low wages and just scraping by, would no longer be able to afford to buy most of your products, regardless of HOW low the price was? By the way, your prices (when considering the quality of most of your products) are NOT that great...maybe a cent or two, or maybe a dollar less than your competition.

Honestly, this little game you had going, couldn't go on forever. Eventually, your prices wouldn't be low enough for you to still make a profit. Eventually, you had to realize, that your, low income customers wages, weren't going to keep up with inflation? Seriously, you all in the executive suite, had to realize that this game couldn't go on forever?

It stands to reason; IF you DON'T pay the bulk of YOUR employees a living wage AND you buy ALL your products from 3rd world countries and IMPORT them into the U.S. , while creating ample SUPPLY of cheaply made products, while demanding your suppliers CUT their prices to accommodate YOU, (BTW, did it ever occur to you, that perhaps they TOO had to reduce wages and thus, they TOO went overseas to produce products AND at the same time, laid off their employees...YOUR customers?) eventually the bulk of customers would be phased out of the market.

Perhaps, YOU didn't realize, that people have to actually have enough MONEY, to buy your low priced products. IF enough people DON'T have ENOUGH money for basic necessities of life (you know...food, shelter, utilities) those hordes of people ARE NOT going to buy bedding, toys, bathroom decor, electronics, costume jewelry, bikes, gardening supplies, etc.

YOU see, I realize, that those of you in the "ivory tower" don't have to worry about paying YOUR rent, mortgage, gas bill, electric bill, transportation costs, health care AND groceries, but YOUR customers DO. Since your customers are barely eking by, perhaps YOU should recognize WHY, your customers are just barely affording the necessities.

Wages, over the last 10 years have been stagnant. The average American worker, actually LOST purchasing power of the last decade, while CEO compensation increased 500%. In addition, the AVERAGE American, relied on credit to purchase goods other than BASIC necessities. These were YOUR customers.

Perhaps, it would be a good idea, for the lot of YOU, to have lunch with your buddies at the club, you know, those at the other corporations (like the banks, and the other Wall Street favorites) and insist they do something to remedy the situation.

Most of them, are raking in a ton of money, as are you all. Maybe, if that money was trickled down, as promised (based on supply side theory) YOUR customers could still afford to buy YOUR products. Wouldn't that be in YOUR best interests to continue making money? I mean, let's face it 400 people can only buy so many bikes, TV's, etc. before THEY get bored and move on...besides which those 400 people aren't YOUR customers are they? They would NEVER be caught dead in YOUR stores...and YOU know it.

If you hope to continue doing business and making oodles of money, don't YOU think, it is necessary to maybe share the wealth a little?

Just a thought to think about.

Sincerely.

Abbyrose