Who wins?

I have mentioned before that my daughter and I used to watch religion channels for the fun of it. She is still exploring her beliefs. For me, it was an exercise in being able to sit silently (HA!) and take in another point of view. I wish I could say I was good at the silent part.

There was one particular program that for some reason really worked me up. The evangelist died a few years ago and I actually said out loud, “Thank God. There will be less of his poison spreading.”

Not my proudest moment, I agree. But as far as his particular brand of “poison”, well it’s still alive and well.

His family has managed to keep the broadcast on TV, using it mostly to support their political agenda. If you didn’t know better, you would be certain that the same people who spin for the likes of Glenn Beck or the Tea Party actually work there.

But they all love Jesus, don’t they.

This morning, my daughter let me know she recorded a recent program. As she turns it on, I hear “Socialism is alive and well in America.”

Oh for Christ’s sake.

I wonder how many people who get themselves all in a tizzy about the word really know what it means. So, I looked up the dictionary’s definition:

so-cial-ism/ n. 1. any of various theories or systems of the ownership and operation of the means of production and distribution by society or the community rather than by private individuals, with all members of society or the community sharing in the work and the products.

Hmm…..

Sounds awful, doesn’t it?

I mean, why on earth would I want to live in a society where I shared in the ownership of the means of production? Where we all did?

Oh…because I can’t get filthy rich off the backs of others.

Trust me, people, I have no problems with money. Or wealthy people.  This sistah, loves, loves, loves her some money.

All I ask is that you take a look around with your eyes wide open, your mind unplugged from the damn TV and tell me:

Has capitalism, in it’s present form in the US, created a society that works for ALL?

If you’re struggling with that answer, I’ll be happy to take some pictures of neighborhoods here in Saint Louis to show you how well it’s working.

If you have prospered from this economic collapse, no doubt you have a different view. I can respect that. But while millions of Americans (hell, people all over the world) go to bed hungry, struggle from paycheck to paycheck (if they are “lucky” enough to have a job), wonder how their kids will get a decent education or get a job that pays enough to provide them with a decent standard of living, I wonder how you can possibly believe (using the brain that god gave you) that we have created a system that works for ALL?

I’m not saying we need to become a socialist society. I am saying, that our current economic model is NOT sustainable in any way, shape or form. Something has to change. And as Einstein once said, “you can’t solve a problem at the same level of mind that created it.”

The people crying the loudest about socialism are those that control the means of production. And here’s a clue if you haven’t been paying attention: THEY DONT CARE ABOUT YOU. In the last 30 years, wages have remained stagnant while corporate profits have gone through the roof. People work more and more hours just to stay afloat. Something’s not right here. And if you not angry as hell, perhaps you should check your pulse. (Or check out Capitalism Hits the Fan by Richard Wolff)

I am tired of worn out excuses and justifications on why we can’t change the system. We can create a society that works for everyone. Win-Win-Win doesn’t have to be a pipe dream. We just have to believe it’s possible.

And if we believe that we live in the land of opportunity, let’s get to it.