Re: ‘Golden age’ for Poland caps 500 years of pain, Dec. 22
Seeing the statement “communism’s iron grip” was too much. What about capitalism’s iron grip? Communism has come and gone in Poland, Russia and many other countries. But we have endured capitalism for centuries and it shows no sign of abating.
It tells us that we live under democracy, when in fact we can do nothing to stop the actions of mean and disgusting people like Stephen Harper and Rob Ford, when binding treaties are negotiated without our knowledge, when we are not permitted to know when we are eating genetically modified food, when the poor get poorer while the rich get richer. Capitalism has resulted in climate change, of which there is no end in sight, other than the destruction of the world.
Our so-called “democratic” structures were set up centuries ago by the rich and powerful to attempt to make capitalism run smoothly, and, above all, to guarantee the system’s persistence. It has not run smoothly, but it has stayed in place.
How do we extricate ourselves from the iron grip of capitalism?
Ken Ranney, Peterborough
H/t The Toronto Star
Pope Francis understands who is in control, Lorne. His attitude may become contagious.
ReplyDeleteI really hope so, Owen. It is long overdue to have a forceful advocate for the other side of the equation.
ReplyDeleteWhen you and Owen and I were growing up, Lorne, we were fed the idea that democracy and capitalism were two sides of the same coin. We never foresaw that, as the limits of growth neared, capitalism would turn against democracy in favour of plutocracy and corporatism as the vehicle necessary to consume the middle class and transfer their wealth and political power to the richest of the rich.
ReplyDeleteAnd, with that, a very Merry Christmas to you both.
You have captured the ethos of our formative years exactly, Mound. Although I hate the term, I'll use it and say that I hope a new paradigm takes hold very, very soon.
DeleteMerry Christmas to you, Mound.
Merry Christmas Lorne and wishing you the best of all good things for you and your family. Thank you for your insights and dedicated blogging. It is very much appreciated and read daily by me.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your greetings and kind words, Beijing. Merry Christmas to you and yours, and may 2014 be a good year for everyone.
DeleteI hope we will come up with an answer to that question soon, Lorne.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a Merry Christmas. Thank you for your thoughtful blog.
Thank you, Karen. May you and yours have a restful and Merry Christmas.
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