Finding a Balance in Society

Written by Harold McNeill on July 6th, 2015. Posted in Tim Hortons Morning Posts


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Richard Buckminster Fuller, an amazing man who published 30 books and during his lifetime he worked tirelessly at finding conditions that would lead to a balance in society. Check the section on ‘Depression and epiphany’ in the link.

Introduction

All I need do is start reading a comment such as that above or the cartoon and linked articles in the footer and I’m off on a new venture of trying to put my own thoughts in some kind of logical order.  Because these posts often ‘evolve’ over time, this article will likely change as I do more reading and correct some of the logical errors. However,  most of you who choose to read this will get a pretty good idea of where I stand ideologically.  Why do I do it?  Well, it’s fun and I like trying to make sense of the world around me.  Perhaps Greece is melting down, but, then again, perhaps the challenges the Greeks face is just a symptom of the greater socioeconomic challenges that face mankind.  Some friends on FB make reference to the bloody ‘socialists’ in Greece as being the problem, others blame the banks.  I rather suspect they all contribute an equal share.

Finding a Balance in Society

The above meme was originally posted by the Occupy Wall Street group.  It was then re-posted by a FB friend Ted Godwin, a generally quiet and non-controversial guy.  His comment: “Now, somebody needs to point out to the 1% how land “ownership” is simply a paradigm for organization of physical space agreed to by society rather than an inviolable right.”

While the above comments do not wholly match the content below, they did prompt me to think more about the manner in which people are governed and how we seek to find a balance between competing societal social interests. As we approach an election (for that matter any election) people seem to sink to the lowest common denominator with their meme’s and comments. It seems that once we have set our minds on an ideological course, that ideology sticks like crazy glue. As for attack ads and posters, every political party does it, but some are much better at it than others.  I suppose that is why we end up taking extreme positions on just about every issue. Distill it down to one sentence or one photo and that is our position.  This demonstrates why we so often fracture on overarching issues.

On one extreme we have supporters of absolute free enterprise as being the best (only?) solution for the distribution of wealth and well-being of mankind. That extreme is represented by the richest 10%, the Donald Trump’s, the multinationals and the moneyed class of the world. These free enterprisers suggest a trickle down effect works to promote economic prosperity and equity in society. Give the money to the rich, let them build businesses that generate wealth, then let that wealth trickle to the masses. The state is often seen as a blockage point to the wealth generation. It comes across as a good idea, but the poor and middle class might wish to raise a few question about the actual outcomes.

At the other extreme we have full blown Communism where the state exercises total control of the wealth and systems of well being.  Communist parties insist they govern in the interests of the people (e.g. The Peoples Republic of China, the Peoples Court of the Peoples Republic, etc.). In our society the word socialist is often paired with Communism, but that is just another extreme used to inflame.  Putin’s Russia is a further example of total control by a small group of super rich who are one small step away from a complete dictatorship. All sides often wrap themselves in a nationalist flag to demonstrate they are working in the best interests of the people.

Not unexpectedly, these extremes all end up achieving the same ends. In one, the free enterprisers, wealth (and power) is11060265_742943769161053_6842319532726006419_n accumulated by a few whose personal interests tend to supersede that of everyone else. The Wall Street Traders and Banks come to mind (meme on right). It seems they are again heading in that direction as High Frequency TradersDark Pools and milliseconds in lead time, is increasingly used to game the system. It is a system in which wealth accumulation among big banks and multinationals make them ‘to big to fail’.  Greece and the Greek Debt is small by comparison.  Compare Greek debt that to that owed by the United States and the US is certainly to big to fail, but who, other than China, could bail out the US?

In Russia, a man like Putin and his team of oligarchs do the same thing as the big banks, except they don’t even bother to try and cloak their dealings in respectability. In that regard they are likely more honest than the Wall Street bankers and traders.

Photo: (Web Source): This list came with an article about Greece, but also makes a point about accumulation of wealth by the 1% and the origins of that wealth. See cartoon and links in the footer for more on the Greek crisis.

It is my considered opinion, after having shuffled around this planet for 3/4’s of a century,  that having a large and relatively well-to-do middle-class holding sufficient economic and political clout to make the extremes sit up and listen (and really listen) is what helps to balance the scale. Perhaps if all the money was held by the middle class and small business that was governed by a strong socially oriented government, the wealth might then be allowed trickle out to the extremes just to keep them content with having a bit more than others..

Of course, in all this I stand with democracy, as I think an elected government provides the greatest opportunity to achieve a balance, but even democracy cannot avoid the pitfalls. This happens because money talks and when it does, governments listen. In that regard the 1% (or 10%) have a far greater voice and can influence outcomes in a manner that can never be achieved by the 90%.  In 2008 when Wall Street rigged the system in their favour, then failed, the cost of that failure was simply transferred to the middle class. With only a few exceptions, Wall Street kept chugging along with the same shysters still in command. By way of comparison, if an ordinary citizen started robbing banks to try and even things soon, be would soon be looking out from behind bars. Another post, an Oak Bay Bank Heist, discusses this phenomena.

Speaking of money transfers, did you know the Greek of some 340 billion was transferred to the EU and IMF as a means to relieve the large private banks (who originally loaned the money to Greece) from suffering the effects of a possible default. Those private banks should have suffered the default for making such stupid loans and Greece might not now be facing a crisis.  Look what happened in the US when banks began approving all those sub-prime mortgages to purchases who could never make good on the loans if the market came apart.

As it is now, if (when) Greece goes into default the loss will be spread around among middle class with poor take the biggest hit just as happened in the United States after 2008. In this case the hit will be small – 340 billion compared to the 13 trillion given to the banks after 2008.  In the process of these defaults, the top 1 -10% actually become relatively better off as the bottom 90% are left to pick up the pieces, just as ordinary Greeks will be asked to do.  We clearly need a strong Government system that can hit back in favour people, rather than in favour of the banks, big business and monied class who often precipitate these situations. You see now how easily I display my ideology?

On the other hand, countries within the Communist realm and other dictatorships, such as Russia are generally worse off as there is seldom a chance to change the ruling authority other than by revolution, but to suggest that absolute free enterprise is likely to be more fair than communism or or an oligarchy, would, in my opinion, be wrong.  Both take advantage of the poor and middle class as they enrich themselves.

While it takes a revolution to bring change, one thing Occupy Wall Street has found following the failure of the early movement, is that a revolution can now be initiated through Social Media rather than with flags, placards, clubs, protests and harris-harper-thumb.png_itok_FPB5Xprgtear gas on the street.  It is no wonder communist countries and dictatorship use every means possible to control social media.  I rather expect several democratic governments will soon be working to bring limits to social media as a means to better control the message.

Photo (Web Source). Oops, I put them on the left.  Was that a Freudian slip on my part?  Here Stephen Harper looks with admiration at that which was accomplished by Mike Harris in his Common Sense Revolution.  It seems there was not much common sense in that revolution and those chickens are now coming home to roost.

While I often speak harshly of governments that trample citizen rights, I still favour democracy as providing the best chance at maintaining  a strong middle class and the equity that brings within a social system. The danger, as has been happening in Canada and other countries that have steadily moved towards a conservative style, authoritarian democracy, is that big business, special interests and the monied class tend to game the system. It is a movement that started in England and the United States under leadership of Thatcher and Reagan in the 1970’s, then entered Canada big-time through the Common-Sense Revolution that took Ontario by storm in the 1990’s.  But, it seems, change is on the horizon.

We all watched in amazement as Albertans voted to begin moving their Province towards a more people oriented system and early indicators suggest Canada is moving in that same direction. Only time will tell whether we can succeed in rebuilding a balance in which wealth and well-being becomes more evenly spread across the spectrum than it is in a country owned by big oil, big business and big money.

Harold

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This cartoon and the following links arrived on FB via my nephew Lorin Yochim. If you have time to scan the links you might come away with a few new perspectives on the ‘Greek Crisis’.

Greece Just Taught Capitalists a Lesson

End Greece’s Bleeding

The Greeks are Correct

 

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Comments

  • Mike Fedorowich

    September 1, 2023 |

    I have gone through the above noted text and have found it quite informative.
    I am a former member with several law enforcement agencies from across Canada.
    I worked in the First Nations service under the authority of the RCMP with the over sight of the OPP. My law enforcement service was conducted under the authority of the Nishnawbe – Aski Police Service in North West Ontario the Louis Bull Police Sevice in Hobbema AB, the Kitasoo Xaixais Police Service in Northern in side passage on Swindle Island, the Lac Suel Police Service North West Ontario and the Vancouver Transit Authority Sky Train Police Service. I’m presently dealing with an RCMP member for falsifying a report against me for a road rage event. Court case is finished and the charge was dropped but I have an on going complaint with the member and have forwarded to the WATCH DOGS IN OTTAWA FOR the RCMP review and consideration. I believe the said officer is in violation of his oath of office and should be held accountable for falsifying his RTCC all the while dragging me through the court system here in Nanaimo. RCMP continue to stonewall the appeal but Ottawa and the crowns office are still looking into the matter. if your able and find the time or the interest in this very brief introduction, I would very much like to speak with you and would be grateful to hear any wisdom that may come across from your end. I served with First Nations Police Services for ten years in isolation and six years with Transit Police out of New West Minster. I do value and appreciate any time you could spare to chat for a bit on this particular subject matter. Respectfully with out anger but an open mind, Mike Fedorowich Nanaimo BC 250 667 0060

  • Harold McNeill

    February 28, 2022 |

    Hi Robert, I do remember some of those folks from my early years in Cold Lake (Hazel was my aunt and our family spent many fond times with Uncle Melvin, Aunt Hazel and Family. I knew Lawrence and Adrian. Having read a half dozen accounts it is clear their were many false narratives and, perhaps, a few truths along the way. I tried my best to provide an even account from what I read. Cheers, Harold. (email: Harold@mcneillifestories.com)

  • Robert Martineau

    February 25, 2022 |

    Its been a long time since any post here, but its worth a shot. My Grandfather was Hazel Wheelers brother Lawrence, and son to Maggie and Adrien. Maggie Martineau (nee Delaney) is my great grandmother. The books and articles to date are based on the white mans viewpoint and the real story as passed down by the Elders in my family is much more nefarious. Some of the white men were providing food for the Indians in exchange for sexual favors performed by the Squaws. Maggie was the product of one of those encounters. Although I am extremely proud of my family and family name, I am ashamed about this part of it.

  • Julue

    January 28, 2022 |

    Good morning Harold!
    Gosh darn it, you are such a good writer. I hope you have been writing a book about your life. It could be turned into a movie.
    Thanks for this edition to your blog.
    I pray that Canadians will keep their cool this weekend and next week in Ottawa. How do you see our PM handling it? He has to do something and quick!
    Xo Julie

  • Herb Craig

    December 14, 2021 |

    As always awesome job Harold. It seems whatever you do in life the end result is always the same professional, accurate, inclusive and entertaining. You have always been a class act and a great fellow policeman to work with. We had some awesome times together my friend. I will always hold you close as a true friend. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you this summer.
    Warm regards
    Herb Craig

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Hi Dorthy, So glad you found those stories and, yes, they hold many fond memories. Thanks to social media and the blog, I’ve been able to get in touch with many friends from back in the day. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Well, well. Pleased to see your name pop up. I’m in regular contact via FB with many ‘kids’ from back in our HS days (Guy, Dawna, Shirley and others). Also, a lot of Cold Lake friends through FB. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Oh, that is many years back and glad you found the story. I don’t have any recall of others in my class other than the Murphy sisters on whose farm my Dad and Mom worked.

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Pleased to hear from you Howie and trust all is going well. As with you, I have a couple of sad stories of times in my police career when I crossed paths with Ross Barrington Elworthy. Just haven’t had the time to write those stories.

  • Howie Siegel

    November 25, 2021 |

    My only fight at Pagliacci’s was a late Sunday night in 1980 (?) He ripped the towel machine off the bathroom wall which brought me running. He came after me, I grabbed a chair and cracked him on the head which split his skull and dropped him. I worried about the police finding him on the floor. I had just arrived from Lasqueti Island and wasn’t convinced the police were my friends. I dragged him out to Broad and Fort and left him on the sidewalk, called the cops. They picked him up and he never saw freedom again (as far as I know). I found out it was Ross Elworthy.