Raising Objections Is Not Enough

There's a lot of criticism of callous rich people out there. From well-researched, well-written articles and editorials to scathing memes to trite tweets, all sorts of people in “the other 99%” (along with a few in the 1% who really do care about the rest of us) are pointing out the destructive behavior of the very wealthy and the corporations they run.

The main problem I see with all these creative jabs at the 1% is this: they don't care what we think.

In their world, we are beneath them. We, their employees and customers, serve only to make them wealthy. We work for them to support ourselves and our families, but in their minds we work for them to increase their profits. If we become sick, or are injured, it means profits from drugs and medical care. If we have children, it means profits from all the things we must buy to raise them. If we send them to college so they can hopefully find a career they love, it means more profits for the school and probably the student loan brokers. When we grow old, and our children put us in a care facility, it again means profits.

Very seldom does the real human factor in how they view us come into play. If it did, if they cared, they would reduce their profit margins in order to make things such as health care, homes, food, and a good education both better quality and more affordable for the most number of people.

What matters to them is their wealth and power. They only associate with those like themselves. They are an exclusive segment of society, patting each other on their collective backs for being who they are, achieving what they have achieved and having what they have. Their collective goals in life are wealth and power, and so each of them has plenty of like-minded people around, so they can look at each other and tell each other they are successful people and those who object to their greed and power-mongering and corrupting influence are simply jealous.

We are the little people who serve the 1% because we deserve our station and life and they deserve theirs. Never mind myths about how hard they worked to get there. Many achieved their status merely by being born into it. This is part of the reason why some of them are so elitist: they believe it's a gift from God that they were born wealthy, and with few exceptions the idea that God wants them to use that wealth to benefit all of mankind never enters their minds.

They love the Machiavellian concept that those who are smart and capable enough to rule become rulers over those less capable, by divine mandate, and that those they rule serve those who rule, not the other way around. This is why they have no hesitation in corrupting our elected officials and distorting the system in order to favor themselves. To the 1%, that's the natural order of things.

Even when they engage in philanthropy, most of the time it's for things such as museums or arts programs which will mostly benefit themselves and others wealthy and "cultured" enough to partake of the results of their philanthropy. It's a laughable event when Forbes and Fortune magazine run articles on philanthropy among billionaires, and we read that most of it consists of endowing a college library or donating artwork to a museum, with very little done to relieve the suffering of the needy. But these article commend the donors for their generosity, as though giving a few million dollars out of their billions is a great sacrifice.

There are wealthy people who give to charities such as children's hospitals, scholarships and other programs to help primarily lower and middle class people. Some support environmental organizations which in turn help the entire human race. Sadly, these are in the minority.

Yet, even when they do give, the majority give only 1% to 2% of their income. Sure, to the average person a donation of $1.5 million to a scholarship fund for underprivileged children seems like a lot of money. However, when the donation comes from someone with a net worth of a billion dollars or more, it's a paltry sum. Plus it's tax deductible, so in the end they aren't really out any money. It's a scenario not unlike the story Jesus told about the rich man and the widow. He commended the widow for giving the few pennies she had, not the rich man for giving thousands.

So, if the people in the 1% strata don't care what the 99% think, why am I bringing it up? Because I care what the 99% thinks, but even more importantly, I care about what we do. Just writing articles pointing out the problem isn't enough. I'm not saying we should stop pointing out the issues, but we need to make sure in doing so we also suggest solutions.

In war, a key to victory is disrupting he enemies supply lines. That's why, during World War 2, major bombing missions targeted factories, supply stores and train depots, rather than front line military targets. A strafing run which destroyed a train carrying food or ammunition did as much, if not more, to defeat the enemy than an attack on front line. Front line troops don't fight well if they lack food or ammunition. Even if they have plenty of bullets, lack of the beans will destroy morale: demoralized troops are more likely to surrender or run away from a battle.

I bring up the war analogy because we are engaged in class warfare, whether we believe it or not. Like most wars, it's not intended to destroy a populace so much as control it and so exploit the resources of the populace, including the people themselves. The 1% want to maintain control over us because we are their source of profits. Take us out of the picture and their world comes crashing down as profits disappear, and the sense of power gained through their wealth is lost.

Certainly we can't commit mass suicide just to spite the 1%. We can, however, stop feeding the Beast. We can look for ways to stop adding to the profits of those corporations, and their owners, which are the worst offenders when it comes to the matter of how they treat human beings. We can reward those corporations and wealthy individuals who truly support their workers and try to help mankind.

Some ideas:

• Shop locally instead of big, national chains. The prices may be higher, but not that much higher. Also, you will be making sure the money you spend helps members of your own community more. Most of it stays in the community rather than being funneled up a system that rewards a CEO far more than he or she is actually worth. If you are going to shop at a chain store, choose Costco or Aldi or other smaller chains which offer decent pay and benefits. Buying from locally owned businesses is all about beneficial relationships, as well, and you will find that making friends with the people who actually own the store reaps many benefits the big chain stores don't offer.
• Resist “consumeritis”. Do you really need that 52” TV while the 42” one is still working fine? Do you really need that premium cable package when you really only watch 6 channels? Is the need for a new car genuine, or just a matter that you are bored with the one you have? Are there shoes or clothes sitting in your closet that you haven't worn in over 6 months, season permitting? We are bombarded at many levels with a deluge of ads, articles and other things intended to make us think we can only be happy if we accumulate enough “stuff”. This simply isn't true: there is much research indicating that people who simplify their lifestyles are much happier than those who get caught up in rampant consumerism.
• Buy modestly. If you really do need that new TV, buy from a local dealer, or even a pawn shop. Local dealers are often willing to “horse trade” and negotiate a price below the one on the tag. You can walk out of the store with the TV, knowing that the few dollars extra you spent is helping someone in your town feed his family or save up for his daughter's college education. Pawn shops are great places to buy electronics, cameras, tools and especially jewelry. If you take the time to inspect the item, and do a little negotiating, you can walk out with nearly new items at a fraction of the retail price. To save on clothing, housewares, even furniture, try Goodwill, Salvation Army or local consignment and second hand stores. I bought a $300 coat at Goodwill for $8. It had hardly been worn: it looked brand new.
• A healthy lifestyle means big savings. Buying locally pays off in another way. If you buy as much local produce as you can, you are probably going to eat more healthfully than buying from a chain grocer. Also, taking the time to prepare you own food, using as much fresh produce and “naturally” raised meats as possible, is good for you. Being healthier means less likelihood of illness, which means less money spent on doctor visits and medications. Consider that reducing cancer risk or preventing a heart attack or diabetes, are much less costly than treating them.
• Garden. Growing your own vegetables is healthier, and cheaper, than buying produce at the grocer. It's not that hard, and with creative container gardening, even apartment dwellers can find some savings, even if it's just through growing fresh herbs in a window container. It's also a great way to get you outside and connected with the earth.
• Explore alternatives. As with the above topic of healthy lifestyle, there are a lot of herbs that can be introduced into the diet that can prevent, reduce, or even eliminate, the need for certain pharmaceuticals. For instance, turmeric used regularly in foods can eliminate a lot of inflammation for which people normally take ibuprofen or aspirin. (Always check with your doctor regarding serious conditions. Doctors much prefer diabetes be controlled by diet and exercise, rather than drugs, but will still want to monitor your blood sugar level until it stabilizes enough to be assured drugs are no longer necessary). Coops and bartering are other ways to save money. Need your washer repaired? Maybe you could get it repaired at “no cost” by trading a skill you have, or an unwanted item, with a member of a coop or bartering exchange?
• Reduce waste by learning to recycle/upcycle. The internet has a wealth of free information about how to turn broken or unwanted items into something else that you do want or need. For instance: old tires combined with a few cans of spray paint can become attractive planters or garden barriers, or even delightful toys. We are using old pallets for things such as the platform for a storage shed, fencing and building garden containers.
• Get off the grid as much as possible. Learning to reduce energy use not only saves money but helps preserve the earth. There are plenty of ideas to be found on the internet or in the library. Charge your phone while driving, rather than plugging it into a wall socket at home. Small, self-installed solar power systems are getting cheaper every year. They may not take you completely off grid, but they can reduce the need for utility supplied electricity. Passive systems can heat a home very well if done right. If zoning allows, you can install a wind system that further reduces the need to pay for electricity that usually depends on fossil fuel or nuclear power plants. One idea I plan on doing next winter is to make small space heaters out of flower pots, carriage bolts and washers and a candle. Placed near a computer desk or in a small room, they can provide enough heat, without electricity or gas, to replace a conventional space heater in some cases and help reduce the need for using whole house heat at a certain level.
• Vote for the right candidates. Don't just vote your party of choice based on a couple of issues you prefer. Do some research, think about the greater picture, the impact a candidate's actions will have on all of us, and our children and grandchildren rather than what you believe will give an immediate solution to your personal concerns. Don't be afraid to vote third party. Use your right to vote to send a message to leaders who cater to the wealthy and corporations that you want those who will stand firm in support a government that is truly by the People, of the People and for the People.