My father's favorite saying was, "Everything in moderation." I like that, and, for the most part, you can rely on things working out if you live by this principle. Of course, I wouldn't recommend using hard drugs in moderation—not at all. Or even soft ones, like the effects of marijuana being no more harmful than alcohol as President Obama mentioned recently. But on the whole, the saying focuses on not eating or doing too much of anything. Even an excess of bananas would cause problems. Like my experience in the 70s, during a twelve month trip around Australia in a caravan with three children, I saw hippies living on a diet of wild mangoes at Cooktown in Queensland, Australia. Weeping sores covered their skin.
Today's news features a story about the disproportion of wealth. A report from development charity Oxfam, titled Working For The Few, points out how global inequality has increased to such an extent that the combined wealth of the 85 richest people is equal to half of the world's population—the poorest 3.5 billion.
Today's news features a story about the disproportion of wealth. A report from development charity Oxfam, titled Working For The Few, points out how global inequality has increased to such an extent that the combined wealth of the 85 richest people is equal to half of the world's population—the poorest 3.5 billion.
The Oxfam report found that over the past few decades, the rich have successfully wielded political influence on issues ranging from financial deregulation, tax havens, and anti-competitive business practices to lower tax rates on high incomes, and cuts in public services for the majority.
Politicians and business leaders will meet in the Swiss ski resort of Davos this week at the World Economic Forum. Oxfam called on attendees to take a personal pledge to tackle the problem by refraining from dodging taxes or using their wealth to seek political support.
Mmmm. What little I know about big money suggests that would be the last thing the wealthy elite would be willing to do.
Do I know anyone with enormous wealth? No. Although I've known people who amassed plenty of worldly goods. On the whole, the wealthy friends and relatives I came in contact with in the past were willing to share their hospitality, but not their bank balance.
Politicians and business leaders will meet in the Swiss ski resort of Davos this week at the World Economic Forum. Oxfam called on attendees to take a personal pledge to tackle the problem by refraining from dodging taxes or using their wealth to seek political support.
Mmmm. What little I know about big money suggests that would be the last thing the wealthy elite would be willing to do.
Do I know anyone with enormous wealth? No. Although I've known people who amassed plenty of worldly goods. On the whole, the wealthy friends and relatives I came in contact with in the past were willing to share their hospitality, but not their bank balance.
And yet, on considering equality, do I share what little I have with beggars? I do not. I've never met a person who was in genuine need. We've all heard stories about beggars on the street with huge bank balances. If I discovered someone in real distress, I'd like to think I would share the roof over my head and my food.
But that would be silly. Frail, elderly people shouldn't share their personal space. They'd be open to threat. I see the logic in giving money now. Even giving cash and thereby depriving yourself would be preferable to losing everything you hold dear.
I'd much prefer to return to the tribal way of living. Chuckle. Of course, if so, I wouldn't have lived to such a ripe age in a free society. It's all about balance.
But that would be silly. Frail, elderly people shouldn't share their personal space. They'd be open to threat. I see the logic in giving money now. Even giving cash and thereby depriving yourself would be preferable to losing everything you hold dear.
I'd much prefer to return to the tribal way of living. Chuckle. Of course, if so, I wouldn't have lived to such a ripe age in a free society. It's all about balance.
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