Happy Labor Day

Monday, September 4, 2006...Labor Day

I would like to take this opportunity to send my best wishes to all those who have lost their jobs this year. To those who had manufacturing jobs that left for China...my condolences. To those in IT whose jobs left for India...I commiserate with you. For those struggling to feed their families because their corporate masters felt compelled to create more profit for shareholders...my heartfelt sympathy. I send my deepest concern to those who no longer have health insurance, to those who have lost their houses, and to those who have lost their pensions due to corporate malfeasance and greed.

Studies have shown that corporate profits have grown substantially in the past 10 years. Studies also show that many executives make in one day what it takes an average American to make in one year. Golden parachute deals, executive severance packages and other corporate raiding have shot through the roof. Pension plans are losing their backing and are underfunded by some 400 billion dollars.

Our trade deficit with China is astronomical. Our federal budget deficit is approaching figures that are beyond our imaginations. Our government claims that the economy is healthy but tell that to the person who has no insurance, who can't feed her kids, who can't make rent.

It is obvious that the class war , perhaps the ONLY war being waged today, is raging. One can make the case that the so called "war on terror", that misnomer, is really an extension of a global class war. Sure...those religious zealots, regardless of what continent on which they dwell, fuel the fires of extremism and hate. But...most of the recruits they manage to acquire are dissatisfied with their lives, for one reason or another, and are ripe for the picking.

It should be equally obvious that the way to end the subversion of otherwise innocent and ordinary populations is to address poverty, hunger and lack of medical assistance. I watched a repeat on 60 Minutes last night about 13 doctors and paramedics, from New York City, who had gone to Pakistan following the earthquakes of last year. They were some of the few who could not stand by and watch and had to become involved. These intrepid and caring souls went to offer their medical expertise and their hearts. The respect they garnered, for themselves and for America was priceless and irreplaceable. Asked if there were a better way to win the hearts and minds...these doctors remarked, "Probably not".

This is truly the way towards preventing the terrorists and extremists of the world from gaining a foothold amongst those in need. We can applaud the efforts of Bill Gates, his wife and the Gates Foundation. We also extend our thanks to Warren Buffet and his family. But, the corporate world, in general, is NOT following suit. Their goal is monolithic...self aggrandisement.

I call on the corporate world to lose the blinders, to open the windows and doors of their hearts and souls, to abandon the philosophy of greed, and to embrace all the earth's creatures with care and respect, and in harmony. Use your mind's eyes...see the possibilities. Acknowledge the crossroads in the course of human history at which we have arrived...make the choices that go beyond selfishness. We have the power...you and I and all of us...to make changes that will restore a balance, embrace equal opportunity and equal rights. Please don't let the moment slip away...the results will be horrendous.

trickster108