Thoughts on "Greed" Oct 10, 2017 I see greed as the desire to have more money, power, food or status than one actually needs. Greed can, and certainly does, lead to societies that function less well compared to societies whose assets are more evenly distributed. I also believe that greed is a major factor in the downward spiral of today’s market capitalism.
Now the very rich would rarely admit that they, themselves, are greedy. They will always say that they worked for it – or it proves they are smart – or that wealth handed down to them is good and proper. And then there’s the quest for capital to finance worthy undertakings such as Tesla’s initiative to bring electric transportation and green technology to the masses. That’s not “greed”.
Maybe you argue that “greed” helps to advance human progress by pushing us to reach higher toward accomplishing something? I don’t see that as “greed”? Greed is not “competition” which is a person or group trying to achieve certain goals in competition with another person or group. Right now car companies are competing to be the first with a mass produced electric car. The “status” and “profit” that would flow from being the first would not be motivated by “greed”.
Here’s where the dictionary definition of “greed” comes into question. It often lists excessive “status” as an example of greed. The trouble is when the status in question is “unwarranted”. I usually see “status” and “respect” as being related. Many of us respect Noam Chomsky so his “status” in society is very high to a great many people. Don’t we all want respect and the position of status that comes with it? An example of “unwarranted status” is the presidency of Donald Trump who does not deserve the “status” and “respect” we normally give to such a high office.
Thoughts Before The American Election 2016 Sept 9, 2016 In a way I think both Bernie and Trump appeal to populist sentiments and both are a nightmare to their respective party establishments. The fact that Trump is doing so well reflects the weakness of the other Republican contenders. He’s been a disruptive force on the right and he’s exposed the broad underlying sediments of right-wing voters. The GOP must now face the real possibility that Trump may actually win the nomination. He’s also a gift to the Democrats because Trump will divide the GOP. The thing that could stop Trump is if Republican voters began to believe, (they will believe anything), that Trump is actually a clever ruse employed by the Democrats.
Bernie speaks very well to the sentiments of progressive white Americans. Strong on domestic issues his weaknesses are foreign policy, which he tends to dodge, and his questionable ability to appeal to blacks and hispanics. I don’t give him much of a chance of getting the nomination if Clinton performs well. And lately she has been impressive stealing the Keystone XL pipeline issue from Sanders and her recent appearance on Saturday Night Live made her seem a bit more human. She’ll likely win the nomination. Clinton is very much the establishment candidate so she will not bring needed change or reform and her hawkish tendencies could get us all into trouble.
Bernie clarifies his foreign policy HERE Sept 21 2017