Franklin's Focus 8/2/10

Is Money Really the Root of All 'Evil'?

I've come to believe that money is indeed at the root of nearly all
the so called 'evils', and certainly at the root of most of them. To a
large extent it has to do with the fact that money equals power, and
the world is full of megalomaniacs. WWI, which was one of the greatest
horrors of human history was over the natural resources of Africa and
Asia. Put more simply it was over the means for a small number of
persons to obtain vast amounts of money, i.e. huge amounts of power.

I suggest that an uncontrolled distribution of money undermines any
democracy and turns it into a plutocracy. Amerika is certainly a
plutocracy, not a democracy. Not even close! The founding fathers
actually and intentionally created the new American nation as a
plutocracy. If I'm right, and I arrogantly believe I am right, what is
the solution to this dilemma?

It's rather simple. We need only limit incomes by law to something
like $125,000 annually per adult. A married couple together could then
be allowed to earn $250,000. If they can't live well on that, then
tough luck. The total accumulation of wealth should also be limited to
a maximum. This would encourage people to spend most of their money,
which in turn would create an economically vibrant economy.

Money could be poured into areas that could benefit society as a
whole. There would be no shortage of funds for development in
healthcare, a great shipping and passenger railroad system, fine
bridges kept in good shape, affordable cars running on electricity
(there would not be such a need for rushing about at high speeds) and
more national parks for camping and recreation. Pollution of air and
water could be vastly decreased. The pace of life in general would
slow down. People would find more time for socially constructive
activities. Child neglect, divorces, crime, and so forth would decrease.

Unemployment, above all, would shrink dramatically. Businesses could
hire a huge group of persons for the same amount of money given to
outrageously greedy CEOs today. Putting a near end to unemployment
would have a dramatic effect on crime, divorce, sickness, and multiple
other problems.

Greed is largely responsible for global warming, our sick oceans, our
dusty, worn out fields, plus countless health problems that could be
solved or prevented. Greed is not good. It is bad for society and
individuals. The belief that greed is somehow natural and is good is
absolute crap. Gordon Gekko was speaking for a whole class of
greedsters in Amerika. It was not simple filmic satire. It was a
powerful underscoring of what is usually a hidden principle of
capitalist societies.

Most of the common problems we have today would still exist to some
degree if big incomes were hugely reduced, but they surely would exist
with far less quantity and intensity.

In summary, a constitution for a new democratic state would be well
advised to place a limit on all incomes. Without that feature, it will
fail as a democracy. I strongly believe that. It is not possible to
have a democracy in a society wherein power is distributed in vastly
unequal shares.

That's my rant for today. In the final analysis, those kinds of
thoughts are why my government has trampled over my life for the past
60 years.

Warmest regards,
Richard