A PARADIGM SHIFT (PLEASE RE-POST)
ShareTHE PROBLEM :
"Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of a cancer cell" - Edward Abbey.
Global Corporatism:
Global Corporatism is the greatest threat facing humanity. Mainly impoverished nations now but it will begin to affect everyone as we are interconnected and interdependent on each other and nature. I am confident this will become clearer over time. The West has lost a lot appreciation for many of these connections. This current path / paradigm also negatively impacts on future generations (socially, ecologically, and economically), as well as many other forms of life that which we depend on for our survival.
It is all about Companies now, not Countries. Multinationals don't care about the Nation-State. Their sole objective is the "bottom line" increasing revenues and reducing expenditures. They maintain more power than then individual or the state. State capitalism has morphed into Global Corporatism. The result will negatively impact on future generations (socially, economically, ecologically). Short-term profits and politics need to be replaced with the long-term health of people and the planet. When corporations control the state, that is just another form of Fascism. Instead of the separation of church and state, we should be calling for the separation of corporation and state.
Big Business. (i.e. Central Banks, The Military Industrial Complex, Petrochemical Industry, Agribusiness, The Pharmaceutical Industry, Construction, etc.) Government, along with it’s institutions (i.e. a dysfunctional educational system) and the Media are controlled by these private interests and are used to help extract resources and expand markets while maintaining monopolies (i.e. alternative energies are not being developed due to petrochemical interests). These institutions should be used to work for people and their rights.
Our priorities need to shift from 'extracting resources and expanding markets' To ‘People’, basic human rights (Food, shelter, air, water, land). People are being exploited by the private sector's current aims to extract resources and expand markets. A shift to a green economy is good for our economy, culture, and environment. Our current path leads to more instability - economic, social, cultural, ecological, particularly for future generations. Water, food, air, land should be a right and a priority (not a ‘commodity’). We require global standards with regards to human rights along with regional agrarian / renewable closed loop systems. How is it we can fund the military industrial complex and petrochemical sectors and not produce safe/affordable/accessible
http://www.youtube.com/wat
"We must bear in mind that Imperialism (Global Corporatism) is a world system, the last stage of capitalism and it must be defeated. We must eliminate the foundations of imperialism: our oppressed nations, from where they extract capitals, raw materials, technicians and cheap labor, and to which they export new capitals; instruments of domination; arms and all kinds of articles; thus submerging us in an absolute dependence."— Che Guevara
“Our civilization is locked in a grip of an ideology – Global Corporatism, an ideology the denies the rights and legitimacy of the individuals as the citizens in a democracy. The particular imbalance of the ideology leads to the worship of self-interest and the denial of the public good. The practical effects on the individual are passivity and conformism in the areas that matter, and non-conformism in the areas that don’t.” - John Saul
Problems are more profitable than solutions for these private interests which own our government, the media, our resources & are preventing real solutions / alternatives from being realized in the name of short-term profits (i.e. maintaining the status quo / their monopoly). The rights of multi-nationals have superseded the rights of nation-states and the rights of individuals. When are we going to start acting like a sovereign country, instead of just another state in the union? Western Democracy is an ‘Illusion’. The World is Run by Violence, Corruption, Self-Interest, Greed, and Global Corporatism.
In addition to that, the following barriers have made the implementation of solutions (see below for details) difficult:
Below is a list of barriers which I feel have prevented positive changes from being realized.
1. Our educational system is dysfunctional. The youth is taught to focus on facts, figures, and numbers. Repetition is used to train children subconsciously to blindly accept what they are being taught. Children are not rewarded to question what they are taught, instead they are ridiculed. Many (not all) who learn to blindly regurgitate and ace the tests go on to be our ‘leaders’. Holistic thinking is discarded (where everything is interconnected and one). Instead we are brainwashed to believe in these separations which serve to divide and conquer the masses. Later on (In the universities) research conclusions end up being based on private funding and not good science. Research directions are based on short-term profits and not the long-term interests of humanity or the planet resulting in everything we see all around us. The result, Critical Thinking combined with True Dissent is Rare, while Conformity becomes the Norm. Indoctrinating our children into this dysfunctional system. We should be teaching our children how to think, not what to think (other concepts such as conflict resolution, being mindful of one’s ego, thoughts, and emotions i.e. fear and love, tolerance and respect for other cultures, the problems facing humanity and the planet along with solutions, etc.)
2. Mass Media helps keep people distracted by the show, divided and conquered, afraid, and 'asleep' by selectively providing us the same information. Brainwashing & indoctrinated into believing in this unsustainable paradigm.
3. Many people get paid to look the other way or not see a problem, since they profit off it (i.e. their paycheck depends on them not seeing a problem).
4. Global Corporatism owns our government, the media, our resources. The power and influence of this corporate paradigm has stood in the way of change also and that needs to acknowledged and dealt with. (one option would be top nationalize our resource base and take "our" resources out of the hands of these corporate raiders)
5. Many people just don't care enough to risk their own personal safety or sacrifice anything with which involves their standard of living. Western Ego, ‘Economic Growth’, Materialism, Mass Consumption, and the Resulting Mass Waste is a Fallacy & Has Been Metastasizing Around The Planet Like A Cancer (since the days of colonialism).
The U.N. is not even a democracy. The 5 permanent members of the security council are the 5 largest arms dealers in the world (with veto power) selling arms to poor nations, de-stabilizing them, propping up other corrupt dictators in an effort to extract resources and expand markets. The west armed and funded the Taliban against the soviets, Saddam/Iraq against Iran, Pakistan against India all of which while not reported on by the media came back to bite them into the ass. The Southern Hemisphere needs to be let into this exclusive club. How is it we can fund the military industrial complex, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, agribusiness, ect... and not produce safe, affordable, accessible food, water, air, and land or ensure a stable economic, social, and ecologically sound environment for future generations?
A short study of human history shows that benign and rather peaceful civilizations (i.e. native cultures) have always 'encountered violent opposition' from more aggressive ones and have been absorbed, wiped out, or have been enslaved through abject poverty as a result. The Roman Empire, Colonialism, The British Empire, The Spanish Empire, The Nazis, State-Capitalism (which has now morphed into Global Corporatism) Subjugates & Enslaves Poor Nations To This Very Day.
Our abuse of developing countries is also Abhorrent, Canadian Operations Abroad (Recent killings linked to Canadian-owned nickel mine in Guatemala, Mexico, Exporting Asbestos To Poor Nations i.e. India, Shell Oil in Nigeria), The Terrorization of Dissent, All Shameful:
PROBLEMS ARE MORE PROFITABLE THAN SOLUTIONS:
1. The Military Industrial Complex: War is more profitable than Peace (See Below For Details)
2. The Petrochemical Industry: Oil is more profitable than alternatives. they want to maintain their monopoly. If this monopoly was broken, the U.S.’ could not justify these wars based on their “need” for oil or as a 'national security issue'.
RE: Energy Fallacy
Question: What would we do if we had a clean and unlimited source of energy?
Answer: Keep growing, building, and ‘developing’ faster in the same unsustainable direction until we hit another resource wall such as water. It is more than just about energy alone.
3. Agribusiness: Global Trade is more profitable than regional self-sufficient agrarian economies.
4. Central Banks: The federal reserve is a credit scam. They lend money with interest resulting in automatic debt / slavery.
5. Construction: Developing the periphery (green space) is more profitable than utilizing the spaces that have already been developed and where the infrastructure already exists. People could live where they work resulting in less transportation and the pollution associated with it.
6. The Pharmaceutical Industry: Treatment is more profitable than cures (or prevention) so that where the money goes.
The pharmaceutical industry are the biggest drug dealers in the world and not to be trusted. Many of their drugs do nothing, have side effects which require more drugs and are evasive. They have banned many naturally occurring substances (i.e. Tryptophan), and made synthetic substitutes which they can monopolize and capitalize on. Big Pharm. Gives some researcher a million dollars to research a drug they want to bring to market. The researcher approves the drug because they were just given a million dollars (research conclusions which are not based on science alone, but tainted by funding). On top of that they hire their own “scientists” to peer review these articles which is a form of academic dishonesty, a public hazard, and a conflict of interest. They want to bring these drugs to market ASAP so they don't concern themselves with the long-term effects either. Why is Asthma, Allergies, Autism, New Flu Strains, etc. on the Rise. We (along with Big Pharm.) are making our planet & people sick, and the earth is going to return the favor some day. We evolved alongside nature for a long time, separating ourselves from this process is bound to lead to disease and dysfunction in our society. .
7. Planned Obsolescence: We make things for the dump, so they have to be replaced, resulting in more profits for that particular industry. Cars, Fridges, Stoves, ect….
8. They get paid twice, once to break it, and then a second time to rebuild it. Seems to apply to institutions (War torn states) and individuals.
9. Lawyers are probably the most classic example which most people recognize. A long drawn out complicated legal process (the perpetuation of 'problems' such as the war on drugs) instead of a simple solution.
10. Also applies to the waste management industry, and the rather large regulatory framework which is not properly monitored or enforced.
I should preface that by saying I think they are 'profitable' in the 'short-term' for a few, however, most likely will cost future generations (i.e. not so profitable for them). Global corporatism is going to leave future generations footing the ‘bill’ (economic, social, cultural, ecological, ect). Times will become increasingly desperate for future generations if we continue along this unsustainable path of non-stop growth for the sake of growth. Common problems require common solutions.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
RE: Water
Coral reef is the most diverse ecosystem on the planet, Ocean acidification is destroying it, eutrophication, oil spills, pollution, and overfishing in general is killing the sea and many forms of life, while threatening our own. Some say the ocean could be dead by 2050.
While fresh water is becoming a 'commodity' and not a right. Private interests are looking to profit off the scarcity as water and food in the future. Future Wars will be over Water (Not Just Oil). The American livestock industry is using 70% of water in the American West.
http://www.bluegold-worldw
http://www.waterwarcrimes.
Desertification: Forests act much like oceans in that they are sinks for water and help transfer it to other areas. When we take away these massive tracts of forest, this moisture cannot be transferred resulting in "Desertification". Another of many consequences if we continue along this path / paradigm. The 'scarcity of water, food, and land' is becoming the 'commodity' of the future, instead of a right. Private interests profiting off people's very survival.
Climate Change, Species Extinction (i.e. bees, frogs, ..), Desertification, Soil Erosion, Loss of Habitat, The Poisoning of Lakes, Rivers & Groundwater, Deforestation, Urban Sprawl, Mass Waste, Pollution (Air Quality, Water Quality, Contaminated Land), Wars of Water (Not Just Oil), Environmental Refugees, Eutrophication, Flooding, Ocean Acidification and Death, Oil spills, Loss of Land, A Decline in Human Health, Food Shortages, Development, Over fishing, Social and economic decay, etc.
This “cumulative “ effect over time is compromising many forms of life, not just our own and effects more than any one system (since they are all interconnected). A finite system (our planet) cannot handle infinite growth. It is Madness. A system which requires no growth is possible since "growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of a cancer cell" - Edward Abbey
Just some of many consequences that come to mind if we continue along this unsustainable Path / Paradigm. Our priorities need to shift from short-term profits and politics to the long-term health of the planet and people (i.e. a descent life for future generations, social, economic, and ecological)
GOVERNMENTS:
"Politicians are like diapers, they both need to be changed often and for the same reason" - Mark Twain
"We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office." - Aesop (620 BC - 560 BC)
Most of our so called leaders are just scapegoats, puppets, lawyers and managers (can think of some other names, anything but leaders) for private interests. The people who become our political leaders often worked for industry before they came to power or as lobbyists afterward. They are all indoctrinated early on by many forces, as are most of us (Mass media and a dysfunctional educational system). The difference between the conservatives and the liberals is like the difference between coke and Pepsi - No Difference. The government is Stupid, Non-Transparent, Unaccountable (since they change every couple years), and Irrelevant. They Government look to Industry to produce the same unsustainable jobs of the past. They (us) are disorganized and as a result get taken advantage of by private interests which are organized like an army. The government is a complete distraction.
Presidents are pawns and puppets of larger private interests who are pulling the strings of power. They blamed everything on Bush (scapegoat), and then re-branded America with another puppet. The difference between the Democrats and the GOP for me is analogous to the difference between Coke and Pepsi, virtually no difference. They are both pawns of the same private interests which own the media and the government (i.e. the military industrial complex, the pharmaceutical industry, petrochemical, agribusiness, central banks, resource, extraction, waste management, construction & development, ect.) The effects of the media result in cultural assimilation. A culture (or lack thereof) of mass consumption & waste, conformity, which is fragmented and marginalized. Political leaders are scapegoats for private interests who capitalize on the status quo and through the creation of crisis.
Global corporatism, and its influence, extends beyond the state through mass media and through the very nature of its multi-national operations. I think it is important we nationalize our resource base which belongs to the people and not these private interests. We could then re-invest into a sustainable economy with the green jobs of the future. The current path of global corporatism leads future generations with debt (social, cultural, ecological, and economic). “Obama" is an attempt to re-brand America while blaming everything on Bush (the puppet). It is a shell game where everything is blamed on Bush (scapegoat) and a new puppet is installed to take the fall for the next crisis / war? Our political ‘leaders’ have to first embrace the system, before they can rise through its ranks. We need a government that can stand up for people, not just the short-term profits of these private interests. The country is run by managers and lawyers, not leaders. Political leaders are scapegoats for private interests who capitalize on the status quo and through the creation of crisis.
RE: The Nation-State
All people are equal and should be treated that way. I disagree with anything that divides people (whether it be religion, the nation-state, race, sex, etc.) The discourse is always the same because people are brainwashed / indoctrinated by a dysfunctional educational system and mass media into believing in these separations (instead of our similarities which are far greater).
1. Nationalism has been used as an excuse to fight many wars (which makes it dangerous).
2. Polluted air and water (from initial subject / link) "Transcend" political boundaries. i.e. water and air pass through political boundaries. Thus, Global problems require global solutions. When one country pollutes it's air and water, that effects everyone else (since we are all in the same boat) and all other forms of life since we are all interconnected and interdependent on each other and nature. Conclusion: I believe the nation-state should be re-organized into "bio-regions" (I used to called them 'sustainable autonomous regions' until someone recently communicated to me that something very similar had been proposed by a fellow named Bookchin, which he refers to as "bio-regions" instead)
3. Multinationals don't care about the Nation-State. Their sole objective is the "bottom line" increasing revenues and reducing expenditures. They maintain more power than then individual or the state. State capitalism has morphed into Global Corporatism. The Nation-State is ill equipped to deal with the magnitude of this problem. Global standards are Required.
THE MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX:
“We have guided missiles, yet misguided men.” - Martin Luther King Jr.
America is looking for WDM when they are the largest arms dealer in the world? The U.S. armed and funded the Taliban & Bin Laden against the Soviets, Saddam against Iran, Pakistan against India, Central America, Africa, countless others. Force is Failure. Future wars will be over resources such as food and water (not just oil). They are one of only two countries have not ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which prohibits the use of soldiers younger than 15.
Militarism is glorified in the west. We are asked to “remember” the fallen, yet keep fighting in these same unjust conflicts at the same time (many of which we are responsible for starting). It makes no sense?:
http://www.youtube.com/wat
Western powers are among the largest arms dealer in the world. They work with the military industrial complex as do the 4 other permanent members of the U.N. security council (by no coincidence, the next 4 largest arms dealers in the world with veto power) to prop up corrupt dictators in an effort to extract resources, divide and conquer, create political instability, expand unsustainable markets, 'strategic interests', etc.
War is all about greed, power, and exploiting the powerless. War has nothing to do with freedom, loving your country, or being a hero. War is about killing innocent people, stealing what they have and keeping power over them through violence & propaganda.
A fraction of the money spent on the military industrial complex could eradicate hunger (Food, Not Bombs!), and all other social and ecological problems humanity faces.
Western Foreign Policy Is Abhorrent In General (since the days of colonialism)!
"Victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat, for it is momentary." - Mahatma Gandhi, Indian political and spiritual leader (1869 - 1948)
The military's own auditors can’t account for 2.3 Trillion dollars of taxpayer’s money in one year alone. The U.S. victims in Iraq have exceeded those of 9/11 (3000+), Thousands more have lost limbs, not to mention the massive civilian toll which creates more terrorists. The Military Industrial Complex, Petrochemical Industry, and Central Banks are just some of the Institutions which profit off running this War Machine.
If the U.S. is so interested in bringing democracy to countries, I would like to see them bring democracy to Saudi Arabia, or China. Of course this would never happen as the U.S. / Corporate Leadership need Saudi Oil, and Cheep Chinese Labor to feed this unsustainable standard of living here in the west. This is why they are not interested in peace in the middle east either. Divide and conquer. I remember during President Obamas Nobel Peace Prize Speech he said "America has never attacked a democracy". This is total double speak. America has armed and funded countless dictators, thus preventing democracies from forming.
For me supporting the troops means bringing them home. I would like to send our so-called 'leaders' to the front lines to fight the wars they start but cannot end!
I don’t believe in sending innocent young men and women to fight in a war that is strategically flawed. You don't send solders to die in vain or to "create more terrorists". I agree we should support the troops, for me that means taking them out of conflicts that are strategically flawed OR more innocent young men and women will die for nothing on both sides.
Western Democracy is an Illusion! The World is run by Violence, Corruption, Self-Interest, and Global Corporatism! How Can the UN Promote Peace and Security when the 5 Permanent Members are the Five Largest Arms Dealers in the World? (U.S., France, England, China, Russia) with veto power (here is our WMD), selling arms to poor nations, destabilizing them (i.e. divide and conquer), and propping up corrupt dictators in an effort the extract resources and expand markets. The U.S. (like all other western powers) armed and funded Saddam/Iraq against Iran, The Taliban against the Soviets, Pakistan against India, ect. Could cite a 1000 examples such as this. All of which (while not reported on by the media) came back to bite them in the ass. The military industrial complex (like most of these firmly entrenched industries) are never part of the news and have a vested interest in conflict. “Problems are more profitable (in the short-term) than solutions.” (i.e. war is more profitable than peace for these institutions). We have not learned the lessons of history. Violence begets violence. Force is Failure. Future wars will be over resources such as food and water (not just oil). A fraction of the money spent on the military industrial complex could solve our problems of world hunger and climate change. Instability and terrorists come from mainly impoverished nations. If poverty can be eliminated, then terrorism is reduced as well in the process. The military's own auditors can’t account for 2.3 Trillion dollars of taxpayer’s money in one year alone. The U.S. victims in Iraq have exceeded those of 9/11 (3000+), Thousands more have lost limbs, not to mention the massive civilian toll which creates more terrorists. The Military Industrial Complex, Petrochemical Industry, and Central Banks are just some of the institutions which profit off running the war machine.
"Victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat, for it is momentary." - Mahatma Gandhi, Indian political and spiritual leader (1869 - 1948)
RE: The U.N.
Why is the U.N. not a democracy? Why are the 5 permanent members of the security council the 5 largest arms dealers in the world (with veto power)? Selling arms to poor nations, propping up corrupt dictators in an effort to extract resources and expand markets. We require global standards with regards to human rights along with regional agrarian / renewable closed loop economies. How is it we can fund the military industrial complex, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, agribusiness, ect... and not produce safe, affordable, accessible food, water, air, and land or ensure a stable economic, social, and ecologically sound environment for future generations?
RE: Observations with Regards to Afghanistan:
1. It seems like NATO is fighting “Pashtun Nationalism” here. These people have no interest in exporting terrorism. The Taliban (like Iraq) never attacked the U.S.
2. History has shown that an effective counterinsurgency requires a strong civil administration and local police force which is not corrupt. Is there a plan for this? If not, then this exercise is a waste of resources (both human and financial). Afghanistan will become another Vietnam with just “more troops”.
3. I think Canada should stick to peacekeeping, aid, and reconstruction. This is what we were known for around the world and is what has made us great as Canadians. American foreign (and domestic) policy is very harmful. We should distance ourselves from such policies, not move closer to them, in my humble opinion.
4. They put an oil man in charge of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzia; No bidding on contracts, all given to Halliburton & Cheney was the CEO of this company, not exactly standard operating procedure; They need this oil pipeline, and along with the military industrial complex in general are forces who have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo and these wars.
5. The U.S. armed and funded the Taliban against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Other states are now using the Taliban to fight a proxy war against America.
6. If we are so interested in promoting “democracy”, why don’t we try and bring democracy to Saudi Arabia? Or China? OR the U.N.
7. America is the largest arms dealer in the world selling arms to poor nations (i.e. the Taliban against the soviets, Pakistan against India, Iraq (Saddam) against Iran, ect.)
8. How is it that we can produce bombs but not food. A fraction of the money spent on the military industrial complex and petrochemical industry could solve world hunger. Alleviating poverty is crucial since poverty is the underlying cause of many of these problems (population expansion, terrorism). Please consider the following:
9. The threat comes from primarily impoverished countries. Thus, if this money was spent on alleviating poverty for the Palestinians for example, one, would not only solve a grave humanitarian problem, but diffuse a situation which Hamas and Iran exploits resulting in the spread of terrorism.
10. You can’t keep what you take by force. The art of negotiation combined with a series of carrots and sticks to work with the more moderate elements and marginalize the extremists. Actions such as the invasion of Iraq only inflame the situation and combine problems. Force is failure. Force without wisdom falls on its own weight – Horace
11. Education is also important (i.e. conflict resolution skills). Wars used to be over land, religion, and markets. Now over Oil and in the Future over Water.
“Those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it”
MASS MEDIA:
“Any dictator would admire the conformity, uniformity, and obedience of mass media" - Chomsky
The media and government are puppets and pawns of larger, firmly 'entrenched' private interests who would like to maintain the Status Quo (Or Create A Crisis In Which They Can Capitalize On). The media does not tell us the whole story. It is a distraction to keep people away from the truth (the world is run by violence, not democracy). The media changes the way we look at things and thus changes those things. It is the greatest weapon used to subdue the people. The result is isolation and fear which intern results in a culture of economic growth, ego, materialism, mass consumption, and mass waste. They manipulate and create ‘stories’ that suit the objectives of private interests.
They use the media to employ techniques of social control (i.e. pitting people against each other based on sex, race, class, country, politics, religion – divide and conquer). The effects of the media also results in cultural assimilation. This resulting culture (or lack thereof) promotes conformity and a fragmented and marginalized population. For example, It is amazing how they "fooled" the masses with the "media" to start this war in Iraq. Other consequences include cultural and ecological destruction.
Manufactured Consent (Chomsky): The basic premise behind this idea is that it is easier to control people if they believe in what they are doing. The media play a big role in this to help maintain the Status Quo. The former way was fascism, where you needed a large police force to 'keep people in line' by force. This was highly resource intensive, inefficient, and brutal. Before the media, the church used to be the primary tool to help 'manufacture consent' (i.e. swallow what they are selling). Our dysfunctional educational system which indoctrinates people into this unsustainable paradigm is not helpful either.
You won't find any of the following in the "news" because it all helps maintain our standard of living here in the West. Most don't want to make any sacrifices of their own (their unsustainable standard of living, their personal safety, Critical Thinking combined with True Dissent, asking "pointed" questions to those in power (i.e. bringing truth to power, etc.). Conformity is the Norm:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/
http://www.youtube.com/wat
Western Democracies are largely an 'illusion'. The world is run by violence, corruption, self-interest, and Global Corporatism. Multinational private interests have more rights than nation-states and the individual. "might makes right" (under this current paradigm)
Humans have advanced technologically in a wrong direction based on short-term profits and politics instead of the long term health of people and the planet. The spiritual, social, cultural, and ecological progress has not kept pace, resulting in the dysfunction we see in our society.
FUTURE IMPLICATIONS: Future Generations will Pay a Heavy Price (social, economical, ecological, cultural) Wars Over Water and Food (Not Just Oil): http://www.worldwaterwars.
SOME POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS: A complete paradigm shift. Raw resources (i.e. less lumber) could be turned into value added products (more jobs here at home) as part of a regional, closed-loop, self-sufficient, agrarian economy, which requires No Growth. Making more out of less. Our priorities need to shift from short-term profits and politics to the long-term health of the planet and people (i.e. a descent life for future generations).
1000’s of solutions exist but there has never been any political will to deal with these firmly entrenched vested private interests (i.e. petrochemical). P.S. Cap and Trade is a massive distraction.
(1) Regional, closed-loop, self-sufficient systems are the way to go. Sustainable Systems which require No Growth and create local green Jobs.
(2) states could and should be re-organized into more 'sustainable autonomous regions' as nationalism itself is a disease. Global corporatism "growth for the sake of growth" along with the underlying layer of nationalism which I think is also a problem lies in the way of this.
(3) The second element under such a system I 'imagine' would be a truly representative united nations with global standards with regards to human rights which include equal representation from each of these 'sustainable autonomous regions'.
(4) Resources (human, financial, and material) would shift from short-term profits to the long-term health and happiness of people and the planet.
(5) Please note that I recognize this post as a 'pipe dream', however, another 'construction' is not that hard to conceive or implement if not for the powerful opposing forces of global corporatism and it's many tentacles (governments, the media, ect.) which continue to distract, divide, and conquer.
(6) My suggestion with regards to the nationalization of our resources is not ideal, but one step closer to reality than what is proposed above (1 through 5)
(7) Raising our collective level of awareness to a 'critical mass' which can "implement" the 100s of solutions which already exist is our best hope. A system which requires no growth since "economic growth for the sake of growth in the short-term s the ideology of a cancer cell. “Growth for the Sake of Growth is the Ideology of a Cancer Cell” – Edward Abbey
(8). 'try and be the change I want to see in the world" - Gandhi (on a personal level, am a vegetarian and work from my home to reduce my impact on the earth).
(9). lobby, organize, write letters, get articles published in newspapers to help try and raise awareness about various social and environmental issues.
(10). conduct numerous civil disobedience campaigns
(11). Protests, petitions, ect..
12).. Use e-mail, FB, and other tools to help raise awareness and effect positive change.
(13) Basically, try and shoot my arrows in all directions.
(14) Wind power is particularly feasible is areas of southern Alberta due to the Chinook winds.
(15) Allow green power to be purchased by local utilities. A two way grid where energy is fed back into the main grid. For example, solar panels can be placed on rooftops to generate electricity. When energy is not being used it can be fed back into the main grid.
(16) Co-generation is a viable alternative that used steam produced by industry to generate electricity which is then used to heat surrounding neighborhoods. (It is interesting to note that cogeneration is used to extract oil from the Alberta tar sands. This represents the largest oil reserve in the world. When the price of oil rises due to supply shortages, it would become more economically viable to extract this oil, making Canada a powerful economic force. However, with such power, comes great responsibility.)
(17) Mandatory vehicle efficiency standards.
(18) Aggressive promotion of electricity conservation. For example, the implementation of an extensive infrastructure program that is aimed at building renovations. Cost-effective building renovations could slice energy consumption by one-third. The energy savings in the long term would more than make up the cost of renovations.
(19) Taxes would be shifted from income and wealth production ("goods") to resource extraction and waste disposal ("bads!" keep in mind that wealth production does NOT have to equal resource extraction) and restructuring of municipal zoning laws and tax systems to encourage densification and reduce sprawl.
(20) A tax exemption places on cleaner burning fuels such as fuels derived from agricultural crops such as corn and hemp. A national fuels mark to show that fuels meet environmental standards.
(21) An elimination of the current 4 billion dollars in current government subsidies that are being allocated to Canada's energy industry. This might help create a level playing field allowing alternative energy producers to compete.
(22) The promotion, enhancement, of mass transit systems which is Universal (like health care).
(23) Reduction in energy use.
(24). A switch to natural gas
(25) The adoption of a Federal Environmental Bill of Rights similar to that of Ontario's EBR.
(26) New Federal standards for air quality and emission reductions.
(27) Emissions Monitoring, Reporting, and Enforcement. (Not just the “Legislative Framework”)
(28 The shutdown of Coal-Fired Power Plants
(29) Promotion of walk able communities linked by light rail & Bike Trails
(30) Establish a phase out timetable for Ontario’s aging reactors and implement a full provincial environmental assessment on the proposed restart of two old Bruce A reactors by Bruce Power.
(31) Include Quotas for renewable energy sources.
(32) Better Urban Planning which utilizes spaces already developed. The creation of economies where people live where they work would reduce the need to travel and therefore reduce car pollution.
(33) Federal (If not Global) standards with regards to the quality of our air, water, and land. Water and air transcend political boundaries. Therefore, it is a global problem, which requires a global solution.
(34) Regional Self-Sufficient Systems (instead of global trade which adds to GHGs)
(25) A fraction of the money spent on the military industrial complex could solve word hunger.
(26) Educate People/Children on how to reduce their Carbon Footprint, Conflict Resolution, Tolerance, Respect for Other Cultures, and about the problems facing the Planet/Humanity along with Solutions. Lessons in Spirituality i.e. Living in the Present, being Mindful of our ego, The close observation of one’s feelings and emotions. (Not just Science and Technology)
(27) Mitigation through Industrial carbon capture and sequestration (Collect and Store Carbon Underground.). *Please note however, this is no solution on its own. It is now being used as an excuse to do nothing substantial. Similar to “clean coal” technology.
(30) Hydroelectric power from the Bay of Fundy.
(31) More energy efficient buildings.
(32) The creation of regional value added economies (i.e. making something out of our lumber instead of hauling it off to the U.S.) which would create secondary regional green jobs and involve less transportation which intern would lead to less of an impact on our biosphere.
(33) Civil Disobedience
(34) Work from Home
(35) Controls/Monitoring placed on the following industries: The Federal Reserve/Central Banks, The Military Industrial Complex (A fraction of the resources allocated here could end world hunger and help the ecological crisis which is coming), The Petrochemical Industry, Agribusiness, Waste Management, and The Pharmaceutical Industry.
(35) Becoming a Vegetarian / Vegan
(37) Turn our military force it a peace force and divert funds from here too food and medicine for the people living in abject poverty.
(38) Own a business that sells or fixes second hand items or buy second hand
(40) Tell someone you love them
(41) Turn off the T.V.
(42) Slow your life down, redeem the time
(43) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rethink
(44). Drink tap water
(45) Eat more whole plant foods grown locally
(46) Rest, Exercise and Diet (Nutrition). Make the RED principle work for you
(47) Prepare your food from scratch
(48) Plant a garden
(49) Talk and act on world hunger however and whenever you can (A fraction of the money spent on the military industrial complex could solve world hunger)
(50) Hug someone
(51) Nationalize our resource base. ( A very successful PR effort by private interests and scaremongering prevented Trudeau from implementing a similar National Energy Plan)
(52) global standards with regards to human rights along with regional agrarian / renewable closed loop systems which require no growth.
(53) A truly democratic and representative U.N.
(54) Shift financial, human, and material resources from the military industrial complex / petrochemical industry to solving the problems of humanity (hunger, the future health of our planet, our life sustaining system.ect..)
(55) Buy Less and Buy Local
(56) Protest, Lobby, Organize, Write Letters.
(57) Help Raise Societies Level of Collective Awareness
Another 'construction' is not that hard to conceive or implement if not for the powerful opposing forces of global corporatism and it's many tentacles (governments, the media, etc.) which continue to distract, divide, and conquer the masses. Given this, I suggest nationalization of our resource base which is at least one step closer to reality than what I propose here (which I have to admit is really 'out there' given the current paradigm we face).
Long-time activists have argued it does not take everyone. Even if only 5% of the population were to stand up and make their voices heard and ask tough questions (i.e. 'bring truth to power') positive changes could be realized. Unfortunately, conformity is the norm, and dissent comes with a heavy price (from my experience in both the public and private sectors). If there were more critical thinkers and less people blindly conforming to authority, positive changes could be realized.
A new mission / vision is required and will be based on a new philosophy and sense of spirituality (i.e. Holistic Thinking, where everyone is interconnected and interdependent on each other and nature). The strategies, objectives, and goals to accomplish this mission / vision will involve technologies which already exist, the reallocation of resources, regional sustainability, etc. Just need a 'critical mass' of individuals to raise societies collective level of awareness about this unsustainable paradigm for such changes to be realized.
A system which requires "no growth" is possible, since “growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of a cancer cell” (Edward Abbey). However, private interests only view short term profits, not considering the impact on future generations (socially, ecologically, or economically). A complete paradigm shift is required. Resources could easily be redirected to end poverty and ecological destruction. Regional, closed-loop, self-sufficient systems are the way to go. Sustainable Systems which require No Growth and create local green Jobs here at home.
States could and should be re-organized into more 'sustainable autonomous regions' (Bookchin refers to something similar called “bio-regions) as nationalism itself is a disease (has been used as a excuse to fight many wars). The second element under such a system I 'imagine' would be a truly representative united nations with global standards with regards to human rights which include equal and proportional representation from each of these 'sustainable autonomous regions' or ‘bio-regions. Global problems require global solutions / standards since air and water transcend political boundaries. The current U.N. is totally undemocratic, not representative, and represent the interests of the 5 largest arms dealers in the world - the 5 permanent members of the security council with VETO power. Resources (human, financial, and material) would shift from short-term profits to the long-term health and happiness of people and the planet.
My hope is that more people will begin to realize that we are all interconnected and interdependent on each other and nature and that this current paradigm is seriously flawed. The consequences of this paradigm will become clearer over time I think. Things will have to get a lot worse before they get any better but things are always changing (emergent thinking). The truth will not go away just because one closes their eyes too it. I guess what I am trying to convey is that as things get worse, more people will wake up until a 'critical mass' of individuals is reached which can bring about positive change. It may be that the next generation will have to deal with the legacy we leave them i.e. our children will feel the negative social, ecological, and economic consequences of this current paradigm (Short-Term Profits and Politics over the Long-Term Health and Happiness of People and the Planet). Since "growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of a cancer cell" - Edward Abbey "Implementation" of most of the solutions would be easy, if not for the current barriers which I am confident will be removed, it is just a matter of time. However, the longer it takes, the more painful it will become.
“Our strategy should be not only to confront Global Corporatism, but to lay siege to it. To deprive it of oxygen. To shame it. To mock it. With our art, our music, our literature, our stubbornness, our joy, our brilliance, our sheer relentlessness - and our ability to tell our own stories. Stories that are different from the ones we're being brainwashed to believe.”- Arundhati Roy
Thank you all for taking the time to read my note.
Warmest Regards,
Nick Gupta
"Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of a cancer cell" - Edward Abbey.
Global Corporatism:
Global Corporatism is the greatest threat facing humanity. Mainly impoverished nations now but it will begin to affect everyone as we are interconnected and interdependent on each other and nature. I am confident this will become clearer over time. The West has lost a lot appreciation for many of these connections. This current path / paradigm also negatively impacts on future generations (socially, ecologically, and economically), as well as many other forms of life that which we depend on for our survival.
It is all about Companies now, not Countries. Multinationals don't care about the Nation-State. Their sole objective is the "bottom line" increasing revenues and reducing expenditures. They maintain more power than then individual or the state. State capitalism has morphed into Global Corporatism. The result will negatively impact on future generations (socially, economically, ecologically). Short-term profits and politics need to be replaced with the long-term health of people and the planet. When corporations control the state, that is just another form of Fascism. Instead of the separation of church and state, we should be calling for the separation of corporation and state.
Big Business. (i.e. Central Banks, The Military Industrial Complex, Petrochemical Industry, Agribusiness, The Pharmaceutical Industry, Construction, etc.) Government, along with it’s institutions (i.e. a dysfunctional educational system) and the Media are controlled by these private interests and are used to help extract resources and expand markets while maintaining monopolies (i.e. alternative energies are not being developed due to petrochemical interests). These institutions should be used to work for people and their rights.
Our priorities need to shift from 'extracting resources and expanding markets' To ‘People’, basic human rights (Food, shelter, air, water, land). People are being exploited by the private sector's current aims to extract resources and expand markets. A shift to a green economy is good for our economy, culture, and environment. Our current path leads to more instability - economic, social, cultural, ecological, particularly for future generations. Water, food, air, land should be a right and a priority (not a ‘commodity’). We require global standards with regards to human rights along with regional agrarian / renewable closed loop systems. How is it we can fund the military industrial complex and petrochemical sectors and not produce safe/affordable/accessible
http://www.youtube.com/wat
"We must bear in mind that Imperialism (Global Corporatism) is a world system, the last stage of capitalism and it must be defeated. We must eliminate the foundations of imperialism: our oppressed nations, from where they extract capitals, raw materials, technicians and cheap labor, and to which they export new capitals; instruments of domination; arms and all kinds of articles; thus submerging us in an absolute dependence."— Che Guevara
“Our civilization is locked in a grip of an ideology – Global Corporatism, an ideology the denies the rights and legitimacy of the individuals as the citizens in a democracy. The particular imbalance of the ideology leads to the worship of self-interest and the denial of the public good. The practical effects on the individual are passivity and conformism in the areas that matter, and non-conformism in the areas that don’t.” - John Saul
Problems are more profitable than solutions for these private interests which own our government, the media, our resources & are preventing real solutions / alternatives from being realized in the name of short-term profits (i.e. maintaining the status quo / their monopoly). The rights of multi-nationals have superseded the rights of nation-states and the rights of individuals. When are we going to start acting like a sovereign country, instead of just another state in the union? Western Democracy is an ‘Illusion’. The World is Run by Violence, Corruption, Self-Interest, Greed, and Global Corporatism.
In addition to that, the following barriers have made the implementation of solutions (see below for details) difficult:
Below is a list of barriers which I feel have prevented positive changes from being realized.
1. Our educational system is dysfunctional. The youth is taught to focus on facts, figures, and numbers. Repetition is used to train children subconsciously to blindly accept what they are being taught. Children are not rewarded to question what they are taught, instead they are ridiculed. Many (not all) who learn to blindly regurgitate and ace the tests go on to be our ‘leaders’. Holistic thinking is discarded (where everything is interconnected and one). Instead we are brainwashed to believe in these separations which serve to divide and conquer the masses. Later on (In the universities) research conclusions end up being based on private funding and not good science. Research directions are based on short-term profits and not the long-term interests of humanity or the planet resulting in everything we see all around us. The result, Critical Thinking combined with True Dissent is Rare, while Conformity becomes the Norm. Indoctrinating our children into this dysfunctional system. We should be teaching our children how to think, not what to think (other concepts such as conflict resolution, being mindful of one’s ego, thoughts, and emotions i.e. fear and love, tolerance and respect for other cultures, the problems facing humanity and the planet along with solutions, etc.)
2. Mass Media helps keep people distracted by the show, divided and conquered, afraid, and 'asleep' by selectively providing us the same information. Brainwashing & indoctrinated into believing in this unsustainable paradigm.
3. Many people get paid to look the other way or not see a problem, since they profit off it (i.e. their paycheck depends on them not seeing a problem).
4. Global Corporatism owns our government, the media, our resources. The power and influence of this corporate paradigm has stood in the way of change also and that needs to acknowledged and dealt with. (one option would be top nationalize our resource base and take "our" resources out of the hands of these corporate raiders)
5. Many people just don't care enough to risk their own personal safety or sacrifice anything with which involves their standard of living. Western Ego, ‘Economic Growth’, Materialism, Mass Consumption, and the Resulting Mass Waste is a Fallacy & Has Been Metastasizing Around The Planet Like A Cancer (since the days of colonialism).
The U.N. is not even a democracy. The 5 permanent members of the security council are the 5 largest arms dealers in the world (with veto power) selling arms to poor nations, de-stabilizing them, propping up other corrupt dictators in an effort to extract resources and expand markets. The west armed and funded the Taliban against the soviets, Saddam/Iraq against Iran, Pakistan against India all of which while not reported on by the media came back to bite them into the ass. The Southern Hemisphere needs to be let into this exclusive club. How is it we can fund the military industrial complex, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, agribusiness, ect... and not produce safe, affordable, accessible food, water, air, and land or ensure a stable economic, social, and ecologically sound environment for future generations?
A short study of human history shows that benign and rather peaceful civilizations (i.e. native cultures) have always 'encountered violent opposition' from more aggressive ones and have been absorbed, wiped out, or have been enslaved through abject poverty as a result. The Roman Empire, Colonialism, The British Empire, The Spanish Empire, The Nazis, State-Capitalism (which has now morphed into Global Corporatism) Subjugates & Enslaves Poor Nations To This Very Day.
Our abuse of developing countries is also Abhorrent, Canadian Operations Abroad (Recent killings linked to Canadian-owned nickel mine in Guatemala, Mexico, Exporting Asbestos To Poor Nations i.e. India, Shell Oil in Nigeria), The Terrorization of Dissent, All Shameful:
PROBLEMS ARE MORE PROFITABLE THAN SOLUTIONS:
1. The Military Industrial Complex: War is more profitable than Peace (See Below For Details)
2. The Petrochemical Industry: Oil is more profitable than alternatives. they want to maintain their monopoly. If this monopoly was broken, the U.S.’ could not justify these wars based on their “need” for oil or as a 'national security issue'.
RE: Energy Fallacy
Question: What would we do if we had a clean and unlimited source of energy?
Answer: Keep growing, building, and ‘developing’ faster in the same unsustainable direction until we hit another resource wall such as water. It is more than just about energy alone.
3. Agribusiness: Global Trade is more profitable than regional self-sufficient agrarian economies.
4. Central Banks: The federal reserve is a credit scam. They lend money with interest resulting in automatic debt / slavery.
5. Construction: Developing the periphery (green space) is more profitable than utilizing the spaces that have already been developed and where the infrastructure already exists. People could live where they work resulting in less transportation and the pollution associated with it.
6. The Pharmaceutical Industry: Treatment is more profitable than cures (or prevention) so that where the money goes.
The pharmaceutical industry are the biggest drug dealers in the world and not to be trusted. Many of their drugs do nothing, have side effects which require more drugs and are evasive. They have banned many naturally occurring substances (i.e. Tryptophan), and made synthetic substitutes which they can monopolize and capitalize on. Big Pharm. Gives some researcher a million dollars to research a drug they want to bring to market. The researcher approves the drug because they were just given a million dollars (research conclusions which are not based on science alone, but tainted by funding). On top of that they hire their own “scientists” to peer review these articles which is a form of academic dishonesty, a public hazard, and a conflict of interest. They want to bring these drugs to market ASAP so they don't concern themselves with the long-term effects either. Why is Asthma, Allergies, Autism, New Flu Strains, etc. on the Rise. We (along with Big Pharm.) are making our planet & people sick, and the earth is going to return the favor some day. We evolved alongside nature for a long time, separating ourselves from this process is bound to lead to disease and dysfunction in our society. .
7. Planned Obsolescence: We make things for the dump, so they have to be replaced, resulting in more profits for that particular industry. Cars, Fridges, Stoves, ect….
8. They get paid twice, once to break it, and then a second time to rebuild it. Seems to apply to institutions (War torn states) and individuals.
9. Lawyers are probably the most classic example which most people recognize. A long drawn out complicated legal process (the perpetuation of 'problems' such as the war on drugs) instead of a simple solution.
10. Also applies to the waste management industry, and the rather large regulatory framework which is not properly monitored or enforced.
I should preface that by saying I think they are 'profitable' in the 'short-term' for a few, however, most likely will cost future generations (i.e. not so profitable for them). Global corporatism is going to leave future generations footing the ‘bill’ (economic, social, cultural, ecological, ect). Times will become increasingly desperate for future generations if we continue along this unsustainable path of non-stop growth for the sake of growth. Common problems require common solutions.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
RE: Water
Coral reef is the most diverse ecosystem on the planet, Ocean acidification is destroying it, eutrophication, oil spills, pollution, and overfishing in general is killing the sea and many forms of life, while threatening our own. Some say the ocean could be dead by 2050.
While fresh water is becoming a 'commodity' and not a right. Private interests are looking to profit off the scarcity as water and food in the future. Future Wars will be over Water (Not Just Oil). The American livestock industry is using 70% of water in the American West.
http://www.bluegold-worldw
http://www.waterwarcrimes.
Desertification: Forests act much like oceans in that they are sinks for water and help transfer it to other areas. When we take away these massive tracts of forest, this moisture cannot be transferred resulting in "Desertification". Another of many consequences if we continue along this path / paradigm. The 'scarcity of water, food, and land' is becoming the 'commodity' of the future, instead of a right. Private interests profiting off people's very survival.
Climate Change, Species Extinction (i.e. bees, frogs, ..), Desertification, Soil Erosion, Loss of Habitat, The Poisoning of Lakes, Rivers & Groundwater, Deforestation, Urban Sprawl, Mass Waste, Pollution (Air Quality, Water Quality, Contaminated Land), Wars of Water (Not Just Oil), Environmental Refugees, Eutrophication, Flooding, Ocean Acidification and Death, Oil spills, Loss of Land, A Decline in Human Health, Food Shortages, Development, Over fishing, Social and economic decay, etc.
This “cumulative “ effect over time is compromising many forms of life, not just our own and effects more than any one system (since they are all interconnected). A finite system (our planet) cannot handle infinite growth. It is Madness. A system which requires no growth is possible since "growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of a cancer cell" - Edward Abbey
Just some of many consequences that come to mind if we continue along this unsustainable Path / Paradigm. Our priorities need to shift from short-term profits and politics to the long-term health of the planet and people (i.e. a descent life for future generations, social, economic, and ecological)
GOVERNMENTS:
"Politicians are like diapers, they both need to be changed often and for the same reason" - Mark Twain
"We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office." - Aesop (620 BC - 560 BC)
Most of our so called leaders are just scapegoats, puppets, lawyers and managers (can think of some other names, anything but leaders) for private interests. The people who become our political leaders often worked for industry before they came to power or as lobbyists afterward. They are all indoctrinated early on by many forces, as are most of us (Mass media and a dysfunctional educational system). The difference between the conservatives and the liberals is like the difference between coke and Pepsi - No Difference. The government is Stupid, Non-Transparent, Unaccountable (since they change every couple years), and Irrelevant. They Government look to Industry to produce the same unsustainable jobs of the past. They (us) are disorganized and as a result get taken advantage of by private interests which are organized like an army. The government is a complete distraction.
Presidents are pawns and puppets of larger private interests who are pulling the strings of power. They blamed everything on Bush (scapegoat), and then re-branded America with another puppet. The difference between the Democrats and the GOP for me is analogous to the difference between Coke and Pepsi, virtually no difference. They are both pawns of the same private interests which own the media and the government (i.e. the military industrial complex, the pharmaceutical industry, petrochemical, agribusiness, central banks, resource, extraction, waste management, construction & development, ect.) The effects of the media result in cultural assimilation. A culture (or lack thereof) of mass consumption & waste, conformity, which is fragmented and marginalized. Political leaders are scapegoats for private interests who capitalize on the status quo and through the creation of crisis.
Global corporatism, and its influence, extends beyond the state through mass media and through the very nature of its multi-national operations. I think it is important we nationalize our resource base which belongs to the people and not these private interests. We could then re-invest into a sustainable economy with the green jobs of the future. The current path of global corporatism leads future generations with debt (social, cultural, ecological, and economic). “Obama" is an attempt to re-brand America while blaming everything on Bush (the puppet). It is a shell game where everything is blamed on Bush (scapegoat) and a new puppet is installed to take the fall for the next crisis / war? Our political ‘leaders’ have to first embrace the system, before they can rise through its ranks. We need a government that can stand up for people, not just the short-term profits of these private interests. The country is run by managers and lawyers, not leaders. Political leaders are scapegoats for private interests who capitalize on the status quo and through the creation of crisis.
RE: The Nation-State
All people are equal and should be treated that way. I disagree with anything that divides people (whether it be religion, the nation-state, race, sex, etc.) The discourse is always the same because people are brainwashed / indoctrinated by a dysfunctional educational system and mass media into believing in these separations (instead of our similarities which are far greater).
1. Nationalism has been used as an excuse to fight many wars (which makes it dangerous).
2. Polluted air and water (from initial subject / link) "Transcend" political boundaries. i.e. water and air pass through political boundaries. Thus, Global problems require global solutions. When one country pollutes it's air and water, that effects everyone else (since we are all in the same boat) and all other forms of life since we are all interconnected and interdependent on each other and nature. Conclusion: I believe the nation-state should be re-organized into "bio-regions" (I used to called them 'sustainable autonomous regions' until someone recently communicated to me that something very similar had been proposed by a fellow named Bookchin, which he refers to as "bio-regions" instead)
3. Multinationals don't care about the Nation-State. Their sole objective is the "bottom line" increasing revenues and reducing expenditures. They maintain more power than then individual or the state. State capitalism has morphed into Global Corporatism. The Nation-State is ill equipped to deal with the magnitude of this problem. Global standards are Required.
THE MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX:
“We have guided missiles, yet misguided men.” - Martin Luther King Jr.
America is looking for WDM when they are the largest arms dealer in the world? The U.S. armed and funded the Taliban & Bin Laden against the Soviets, Saddam against Iran, Pakistan against India, Central America, Africa, countless others. Force is Failure. Future wars will be over resources such as food and water (not just oil). They are one of only two countries have not ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which prohibits the use of soldiers younger than 15.
Militarism is glorified in the west. We are asked to “remember” the fallen, yet keep fighting in these same unjust conflicts at the same time (many of which we are responsible for starting). It makes no sense?:
http://www.youtube.com/wat
Western powers are among the largest arms dealer in the world. They work with the military industrial complex as do the 4 other permanent members of the U.N. security council (by no coincidence, the next 4 largest arms dealers in the world with veto power) to prop up corrupt dictators in an effort to extract resources, divide and conquer, create political instability, expand unsustainable markets, 'strategic interests', etc.
War is all about greed, power, and exploiting the powerless. War has nothing to do with freedom, loving your country, or being a hero. War is about killing innocent people, stealing what they have and keeping power over them through violence & propaganda.
A fraction of the money spent on the military industrial complex could eradicate hunger (Food, Not Bombs!), and all other social and ecological problems humanity faces.
Western Foreign Policy Is Abhorrent In General (since the days of colonialism)!
"Victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat, for it is momentary." - Mahatma Gandhi, Indian political and spiritual leader (1869 - 1948)
The military's own auditors can’t account for 2.3 Trillion dollars of taxpayer’s money in one year alone. The U.S. victims in Iraq have exceeded those of 9/11 (3000+), Thousands more have lost limbs, not to mention the massive civilian toll which creates more terrorists. The Military Industrial Complex, Petrochemical Industry, and Central Banks are just some of the Institutions which profit off running this War Machine.
If the U.S. is so interested in bringing democracy to countries, I would like to see them bring democracy to Saudi Arabia, or China. Of course this would never happen as the U.S. / Corporate Leadership need Saudi Oil, and Cheep Chinese Labor to feed this unsustainable standard of living here in the west. This is why they are not interested in peace in the middle east either. Divide and conquer. I remember during President Obamas Nobel Peace Prize Speech he said "America has never attacked a democracy". This is total double speak. America has armed and funded countless dictators, thus preventing democracies from forming.
For me supporting the troops means bringing them home. I would like to send our so-called 'leaders' to the front lines to fight the wars they start but cannot end!
I don’t believe in sending innocent young men and women to fight in a war that is strategically flawed. You don't send solders to die in vain or to "create more terrorists". I agree we should support the troops, for me that means taking them out of conflicts that are strategically flawed OR more innocent young men and women will die for nothing on both sides.
Western Democracy is an Illusion! The World is run by Violence, Corruption, Self-Interest, and Global Corporatism! How Can the UN Promote Peace and Security when the 5 Permanent Members are the Five Largest Arms Dealers in the World? (U.S., France, England, China, Russia) with veto power (here is our WMD), selling arms to poor nations, destabilizing them (i.e. divide and conquer), and propping up corrupt dictators in an effort the extract resources and expand markets. The U.S. (like all other western powers) armed and funded Saddam/Iraq against Iran, The Taliban against the Soviets, Pakistan against India, ect. Could cite a 1000 examples such as this. All of which (while not reported on by the media) came back to bite them in the ass. The military industrial complex (like most of these firmly entrenched industries) are never part of the news and have a vested interest in conflict. “Problems are more profitable (in the short-term) than solutions.” (i.e. war is more profitable than peace for these institutions). We have not learned the lessons of history. Violence begets violence. Force is Failure. Future wars will be over resources such as food and water (not just oil). A fraction of the money spent on the military industrial complex could solve our problems of world hunger and climate change. Instability and terrorists come from mainly impoverished nations. If poverty can be eliminated, then terrorism is reduced as well in the process. The military's own auditors can’t account for 2.3 Trillion dollars of taxpayer’s money in one year alone. The U.S. victims in Iraq have exceeded those of 9/11 (3000+), Thousands more have lost limbs, not to mention the massive civilian toll which creates more terrorists. The Military Industrial Complex, Petrochemical Industry, and Central Banks are just some of the institutions which profit off running the war machine.
"Victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat, for it is momentary." - Mahatma Gandhi, Indian political and spiritual leader (1869 - 1948)
RE: The U.N.
Why is the U.N. not a democracy? Why are the 5 permanent members of the security council the 5 largest arms dealers in the world (with veto power)? Selling arms to poor nations, propping up corrupt dictators in an effort to extract resources and expand markets. We require global standards with regards to human rights along with regional agrarian / renewable closed loop economies. How is it we can fund the military industrial complex, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, agribusiness, ect... and not produce safe, affordable, accessible food, water, air, and land or ensure a stable economic, social, and ecologically sound environment for future generations?
RE: Observations with Regards to Afghanistan:
1. It seems like NATO is fighting “Pashtun Nationalism” here. These people have no interest in exporting terrorism. The Taliban (like Iraq) never attacked the U.S.
2. History has shown that an effective counterinsurgency requires a strong civil administration and local police force which is not corrupt. Is there a plan for this? If not, then this exercise is a waste of resources (both human and financial). Afghanistan will become another Vietnam with just “more troops”.
3. I think Canada should stick to peacekeeping, aid, and reconstruction. This is what we were known for around the world and is what has made us great as Canadians. American foreign (and domestic) policy is very harmful. We should distance ourselves from such policies, not move closer to them, in my humble opinion.
4. They put an oil man in charge of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzia; No bidding on contracts, all given to Halliburton & Cheney was the CEO of this company, not exactly standard operating procedure; They need this oil pipeline, and along with the military industrial complex in general are forces who have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo and these wars.
5. The U.S. armed and funded the Taliban against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Other states are now using the Taliban to fight a proxy war against America.
6. If we are so interested in promoting “democracy”, why don’t we try and bring democracy to Saudi Arabia? Or China? OR the U.N.
7. America is the largest arms dealer in the world selling arms to poor nations (i.e. the Taliban against the soviets, Pakistan against India, Iraq (Saddam) against Iran, ect.)
8. How is it that we can produce bombs but not food. A fraction of the money spent on the military industrial complex and petrochemical industry could solve world hunger. Alleviating poverty is crucial since poverty is the underlying cause of many of these problems (population expansion, terrorism). Please consider the following:
9. The threat comes from primarily impoverished countries. Thus, if this money was spent on alleviating poverty for the Palestinians for example, one, would not only solve a grave humanitarian problem, but diffuse a situation which Hamas and Iran exploits resulting in the spread of terrorism.
10. You can’t keep what you take by force. The art of negotiation combined with a series of carrots and sticks to work with the more moderate elements and marginalize the extremists. Actions such as the invasion of Iraq only inflame the situation and combine problems. Force is failure. Force without wisdom falls on its own weight – Horace
11. Education is also important (i.e. conflict resolution skills). Wars used to be over land, religion, and markets. Now over Oil and in the Future over Water.
“Those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it”
MASS MEDIA:
“Any dictator would admire the conformity, uniformity, and obedience of mass media" - Chomsky
The media and government are puppets and pawns of larger, firmly 'entrenched' private interests who would like to maintain the Status Quo (Or Create A Crisis In Which They Can Capitalize On). The media does not tell us the whole story. It is a distraction to keep people away from the truth (the world is run by violence, not democracy). The media changes the way we look at things and thus changes those things. It is the greatest weapon used to subdue the people. The result is isolation and fear which intern results in a culture of economic growth, ego, materialism, mass consumption, and mass waste. They manipulate and create ‘stories’ that suit the objectives of private interests.
They use the media to employ techniques of social control (i.e. pitting people against each other based on sex, race, class, country, politics, religion – divide and conquer). The effects of the media also results in cultural assimilation. This resulting culture (or lack thereof) promotes conformity and a fragmented and marginalized population. For example, It is amazing how they "fooled" the masses with the "media" to start this war in Iraq. Other consequences include cultural and ecological destruction.
Manufactured Consent (Chomsky): The basic premise behind this idea is that it is easier to control people if they believe in what they are doing. The media play a big role in this to help maintain the Status Quo. The former way was fascism, where you needed a large police force to 'keep people in line' by force. This was highly resource intensive, inefficient, and brutal. Before the media, the church used to be the primary tool to help 'manufacture consent' (i.e. swallow what they are selling). Our dysfunctional educational system which indoctrinates people into this unsustainable paradigm is not helpful either.
You won't find any of the following in the "news" because it all helps maintain our standard of living here in the West. Most don't want to make any sacrifices of their own (their unsustainable standard of living, their personal safety, Critical Thinking combined with True Dissent, asking "pointed" questions to those in power (i.e. bringing truth to power, etc.). Conformity is the Norm:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/
http://www.youtube.com/wat
Western Democracies are largely an 'illusion'. The world is run by violence, corruption, self-interest, and Global Corporatism. Multinational private interests have more rights than nation-states and the individual. "might makes right" (under this current paradigm)
Humans have advanced technologically in a wrong direction based on short-term profits and politics instead of the long term health of people and the planet. The spiritual, social, cultural, and ecological progress has not kept pace, resulting in the dysfunction we see in our society.
FUTURE IMPLICATIONS: Future Generations will Pay a Heavy Price (social, economical, ecological, cultural) Wars Over Water and Food (Not Just Oil): http://www.worldwaterwars.
SOME POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS: A complete paradigm shift. Raw resources (i.e. less lumber) could be turned into value added products (more jobs here at home) as part of a regional, closed-loop, self-sufficient, agrarian economy, which requires No Growth. Making more out of less. Our priorities need to shift from short-term profits and politics to the long-term health of the planet and people (i.e. a descent life for future generations).
1000’s of solutions exist but there has never been any political will to deal with these firmly entrenched vested private interests (i.e. petrochemical). P.S. Cap and Trade is a massive distraction.
(1) Regional, closed-loop, self-sufficient systems are the way to go. Sustainable Systems which require No Growth and create local green Jobs.
(2) states could and should be re-organized into more 'sustainable autonomous regions' as nationalism itself is a disease. Global corporatism "growth for the sake of growth" along with the underlying layer of nationalism which I think is also a problem lies in the way of this.
(3) The second element under such a system I 'imagine' would be a truly representative united nations with global standards with regards to human rights which include equal representation from each of these 'sustainable autonomous regions'.
(4) Resources (human, financial, and material) would shift from short-term profits to the long-term health and happiness of people and the planet.
(5) Please note that I recognize this post as a 'pipe dream', however, another 'construction' is not that hard to conceive or implement if not for the powerful opposing forces of global corporatism and it's many tentacles (governments, the media, ect.) which continue to distract, divide, and conquer.
(6) My suggestion with regards to the nationalization of our resources is not ideal, but one step closer to reality than what is proposed above (1 through 5)
(7) Raising our collective level of awareness to a 'critical mass' which can "implement" the 100s of solutions which already exist is our best hope. A system which requires no growth since "economic growth for the sake of growth in the short-term s the ideology of a cancer cell. “Growth for the Sake of Growth is the Ideology of a Cancer Cell” – Edward Abbey
(8). 'try and be the change I want to see in the world" - Gandhi (on a personal level, am a vegetarian and work from my home to reduce my impact on the earth).
(9). lobby, organize, write letters, get articles published in newspapers to help try and raise awareness about various social and environmental issues.
(10). conduct numerous civil disobedience campaigns
(11). Protests, petitions, ect..
12).. Use e-mail, FB, and other tools to help raise awareness and effect positive change.
(13) Basically, try and shoot my arrows in all directions.
(14) Wind power is particularly feasible is areas of southern Alberta due to the Chinook winds.
(15) Allow green power to be purchased by local utilities. A two way grid where energy is fed back into the main grid. For example, solar panels can be placed on rooftops to generate electricity. When energy is not being used it can be fed back into the main grid.
(16) Co-generation is a viable alternative that used steam produced by industry to generate electricity which is then used to heat surrounding neighborhoods. (It is interesting to note that cogeneration is used to extract oil from the Alberta tar sands. This represents the largest oil reserve in the world. When the price of oil rises due to supply shortages, it would become more economically viable to extract this oil, making Canada a powerful economic force. However, with such power, comes great responsibility.)
(17) Mandatory vehicle efficiency standards.
(18) Aggressive promotion of electricity conservation. For example, the implementation of an extensive infrastructure program that is aimed at building renovations. Cost-effective building renovations could slice energy consumption by one-third. The energy savings in the long term would more than make up the cost of renovations.
(19) Taxes would be shifted from income and wealth production ("goods") to resource extraction and waste disposal ("bads!" keep in mind that wealth production does NOT have to equal resource extraction) and restructuring of municipal zoning laws and tax systems to encourage densification and reduce sprawl.
(20) A tax exemption places on cleaner burning fuels such as fuels derived from agricultural crops such as corn and hemp. A national fuels mark to show that fuels meet environmental standards.
(21) An elimination of the current 4 billion dollars in current government subsidies that are being allocated to Canada's energy industry. This might help create a level playing field allowing alternative energy producers to compete.
(22) The promotion, enhancement, of mass transit systems which is Universal (like health care).
(23) Reduction in energy use.
(24). A switch to natural gas
(25) The adoption of a Federal Environmental Bill of Rights similar to that of Ontario's EBR.
(26) New Federal standards for air quality and emission reductions.
(27) Emissions Monitoring, Reporting, and Enforcement. (Not just the “Legislative Framework”)
(28 The shutdown of Coal-Fired Power Plants
(29) Promotion of walk able communities linked by light rail & Bike Trails
(30) Establish a phase out timetable for Ontario’s aging reactors and implement a full provincial environmental assessment on the proposed restart of two old Bruce A reactors by Bruce Power.
(31) Include Quotas for renewable energy sources.
(32) Better Urban Planning which utilizes spaces already developed. The creation of economies where people live where they work would reduce the need to travel and therefore reduce car pollution.
(33) Federal (If not Global) standards with regards to the quality of our air, water, and land. Water and air transcend political boundaries. Therefore, it is a global problem, which requires a global solution.
(34) Regional Self-Sufficient Systems (instead of global trade which adds to GHGs)
(25) A fraction of the money spent on the military industrial complex could solve word hunger.
(26) Educate People/Children on how to reduce their Carbon Footprint, Conflict Resolution, Tolerance, Respect for Other Cultures, and about the problems facing the Planet/Humanity along with Solutions. Lessons in Spirituality i.e. Living in the Present, being Mindful of our ego, The close observation of one’s feelings and emotions. (Not just Science and Technology)
(27) Mitigation through Industrial carbon capture and sequestration (Collect and Store Carbon Underground.). *Please note however, this is no solution on its own. It is now being used as an excuse to do nothing substantial. Similar to “clean coal” technology.
(30) Hydroelectric power from the Bay of Fundy.
(31) More energy efficient buildings.
(32) The creation of regional value added economies (i.e. making something out of our lumber instead of hauling it off to the U.S.) which would create secondary regional green jobs and involve less transportation which intern would lead to less of an impact on our biosphere.
(33) Civil Disobedience
(34) Work from Home
(35) Controls/Monitoring placed on the following industries: The Federal Reserve/Central Banks, The Military Industrial Complex (A fraction of the resources allocated here could end world hunger and help the ecological crisis which is coming), The Petrochemical Industry, Agribusiness, Waste Management, and The Pharmaceutical Industry.
(35) Becoming a Vegetarian / Vegan
(37) Turn our military force it a peace force and divert funds from here too food and medicine for the people living in abject poverty.
(38) Own a business that sells or fixes second hand items or buy second hand
(40) Tell someone you love them
(41) Turn off the T.V.
(42) Slow your life down, redeem the time
(43) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rethink
(44). Drink tap water
(45) Eat more whole plant foods grown locally
(46) Rest, Exercise and Diet (Nutrition). Make the RED principle work for you
(47) Prepare your food from scratch
(48) Plant a garden
(49) Talk and act on world hunger however and whenever you can (A fraction of the money spent on the military industrial complex could solve world hunger)
(50) Hug someone
(51) Nationalize our resource base. ( A very successful PR effort by private interests and scaremongering prevented Trudeau from implementing a similar National Energy Plan)
(52) global standards with regards to human rights along with regional agrarian / renewable closed loop systems which require no growth.
(53) A truly democratic and representative U.N.
(54) Shift financial, human, and material resources from the military industrial complex / petrochemical industry to solving the problems of humanity (hunger, the future health of our planet, our life sustaining system.ect..)
(55) Buy Less and Buy Local
(56) Protest, Lobby, Organize, Write Letters.
(57) Help Raise Societies Level of Collective Awareness
Another 'construction' is not that hard to conceive or implement if not for the powerful opposing forces of global corporatism and it's many tentacles (governments, the media, etc.) which continue to distract, divide, and conquer the masses. Given this, I suggest nationalization of our resource base which is at least one step closer to reality than what I propose here (which I have to admit is really 'out there' given the current paradigm we face).
Long-time activists have argued it does not take everyone. Even if only 5% of the population were to stand up and make their voices heard and ask tough questions (i.e. 'bring truth to power') positive changes could be realized. Unfortunately, conformity is the norm, and dissent comes with a heavy price (from my experience in both the public and private sectors). If there were more critical thinkers and less people blindly conforming to authority, positive changes could be realized.
A new mission / vision is required and will be based on a new philosophy and sense of spirituality (i.e. Holistic Thinking, where everyone is interconnected and interdependent on each other and nature). The strategies, objectives, and goals to accomplish this mission / vision will involve technologies which already exist, the reallocation of resources, regional sustainability, etc. Just need a 'critical mass' of individuals to raise societies collective level of awareness about this unsustainable paradigm for such changes to be realized.
A system which requires "no growth" is possible, since “growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of a cancer cell” (Edward Abbey). However, private interests only view short term profits, not considering the impact on future generations (socially, ecologically, or economically). A complete paradigm shift is required. Resources could easily be redirected to end poverty and ecological destruction. Regional, closed-loop, self-sufficient systems are the way to go. Sustainable Systems which require No Growth and create local green Jobs here at home.
States could and should be re-organized into more 'sustainable autonomous regions' (Bookchin refers to something similar called “bio-regions) as nationalism itself is a disease (has been used as a excuse to fight many wars). The second element under such a system I 'imagine' would be a truly representative united nations with global standards with regards to human rights which include equal and proportional representation from each of these 'sustainable autonomous regions' or ‘bio-regions. Global problems require global solutions / standards since air and water transcend political boundaries. The current U.N. is totally undemocratic, not representative, and represent the interests of the 5 largest arms dealers in the world - the 5 permanent members of the security council with VETO power. Resources (human, financial, and material) would shift from short-term profits to the long-term health and happiness of people and the planet.
My hope is that more people will begin to realize that we are all interconnected and interdependent on each other and nature and that this current paradigm is seriously flawed. The consequences of this paradigm will become clearer over time I think. Things will have to get a lot worse before they get any better but things are always changing (emergent thinking). The truth will not go away just because one closes their eyes too it. I guess what I am trying to convey is that as things get worse, more people will wake up until a 'critical mass' of individuals is reached which can bring about positive change. It may be that the next generation will have to deal with the legacy we leave them i.e. our children will feel the negative social, ecological, and economic consequences of this current paradigm (Short-Term Profits and Politics over the Long-Term Health and Happiness of People and the Planet). Since "growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of a cancer cell" - Edward Abbey "Implementation" of most of the solutions would be easy, if not for the current barriers which I am confident will be removed, it is just a matter of time. However, the longer it takes, the more painful it will become.
“Our strategy should be not only to confront Global Corporatism, but to lay siege to it. To deprive it of oxygen. To shame it. To mock it. With our art, our music, our literature, our stubbornness, our joy, our brilliance, our sheer relentlessness - and our ability to tell our own stories. Stories that are different from the ones we're being brainwashed to believe.”- Arundhati Roy
Thank you all for taking the time to read my note.
Warmest Regards,
Nick Gupta