SOME BRIEF THOUGHTS ON THE ECONOMIC CRISIS

Within capitalism, there has always existed the exploiter and the exploited. Today's economic crisis is the result of a select few bent on extreme greed being able to accumulate as much wealth and resources from others without consideration of those who they exploited to amass their wealth. There must be 'winners' and 'losers', the winners are those who have been able to play the game and obtain the resources. But this does not take into account that many were never allowed to be part of the 'game' to begin with, and that many of the 'winners' never played by the rules or chose to frequently change the rules. This has also been a part of how our government has interacted with other nations. The government has often occupied other nations or intervened in its affairs solely to advance the 'game' and to protect the interests of corporations and the elite. When our government commits violent acts and attrocities, we are told it is 'war', when others do it, we are told it is 'terrorism'. Both are wrong. While enslaving others, we are told that we are fighting for 'freedom', but whose freedom?
This translates to many going without basic human necessities or at best being in 'survival mode', and such is what is leading to a rise in anti-social behaviors as many are feeling hopeless and in despair, and families are being forced to 'abandon' their children to take on more work and responsibilities just to survive. At the same time, there are others who have accumulated many resources, but it is accomplished by exploiting others.
Hopefully, rather than falling into overwhelming and debilitating despair, we can begin to tackle the core issues, and to strive towards building a society where persons basic human rights and necessities are provided, where we begin to come together in community again, where workers are respected and provided an appropriate wage, where there is freedom and a real sharing together in the future direction of our nation.

-Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D.
www.humanepsychiatry.info