The Die Is Cast - To Survive We Must Be Friends
By Lionel Anet
24 June, 2015
Countercurrents.org
Humanity’s problems are multifaceted; some of them can take time to become obvious such as global warming, sea level rise, water scarcity and many more. But, what’s obvious now; is that neoliberal policy are a clever ruse to enrich the wealthy and so far all attempts to change it to a fairer and more rational basis have failed. There’s no hopeful sign of any change coming from governments. The media are supposed to keep governments and businesses honest while one of governments’ purposes is to ensure the media is independent and competitive. A circular system that reinforces tendencies that’s now outrageous. So no matter how much we discuss socioeconomic theories, none will be appreciated by the public unless the media allows those discussions to be included. The difficulty for the media is that, under the present condition, it would counter their individual interest and viability.
It’s obvious no one would voluntarily and knowingly do anything that’s against their interest; therefore we need to change the interest of those very few people who are in control. That’s possible, as life must have a strong survival interest for it to be alive, which makes it our common interest. But at present, we can only have that common interest if we are all faced with a dire situation and are aware of it. Although the present situation is grossly unfair, inflicting much suffering on the majority, but in spite of that, people have, in the main, survived that. On the other hand, it’s what we inflict on nature that can be our demise, for the poor, also for the rich. The wealthy 0.01% lives is dependent on the bottom 99.9% but, they’re the people they rob, despise and fear. Nevertheless, it’s in that tiny minority’s interest that everyone survives and stays orderly this century. The wealthy few must have notion of grander to justify that wealth nevertheless they must act as equals to survive.
The necessary measures would have to be more stringent than even the one we had during WWII. And as I recall, because the rationing was as fair as the government in Australia could make it, even so, a few of the top end of society still complained but for their good they accepted the situation. The present situation is far worse than it ever has been, on the other hand, that will be for our children so there’s no worry, yet. Nevertheless, it’s our natural duty to leave our children with the best possible world, otherwise we be committing the worst possible crime, and I think there would be very few even amongst the o.1% of wealthy people that would knowingly sacrifice their children, just to be able to increase their fortune. We all need to be aware of what we are doing but with the present neoliberalism, which is an effective blindfold for the highfliers and hence for nearly everyone - it’s a terrifying future. While that blindfold is on those few wealthy people, there’s little hope of changing the masses. There must be a way to remove that blindfold, and it’s that, we haven’t tried yet, furthermore, we can’t while we see that 1% as enemies.
That tiny fraction of the world’s people will not entertain any measure that would be against their interest. But wealth may not be an absolute barrier to flexibility. Looking at past event such as during and after the WWII the establishment did concede many rights to workers and agreed to limit their profit in order to save themselves and their wealth. The danger they faced then is nothing compared to what they will experience if those billionaires don’t see they have a common interest of survival.
Placing any racism aside, I can see that chance plays the major part, in what we have, know, and are. Wealth and skin colour plays no part in what we are. Regrettably, too many people have experienced trauma, and our education is taught as a belief, to grow and justify the economy. But whatever the problem we face, we are bigger. It’s largely luck that one needs, to come out as a peaceful cooperative individual in this violent competitive chaotic world, with only average dedication.
What’s needed is for the power behind the political leaders to imagine their future and their children’s future. We must help them see that, furthermore, it’s possible to do it before it’s too late; also, it may be possible to start on that track very soon. We need to follow up on the Encyclical “Laudatum Si' ” by Pope Francis, and the Lancet Health and climate change: policy responses to protect public health. We only have a narrow window of opportunity to change humanity’s direction, how narrow that opportunity is can only be found out after it’s too late.
Lionel Anet is a member of Sydney U3A University of the Third Age, of 20 years standing and now a life member
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