In my last blog entry, I presented the idea that being happy all year long was a matter of choice. I said, further, that that choice was not at the mercy of adverse conditions, or implacable situations. I told you that each year I resolve to do just that--to be happy, to take everyone's wish for me, and extend it throughout the year. But, being happy all year long, doesn't mean I have to give up mad, that is M.A.D.--the drive to Make A Difference in my world.Frankly, the madder you get, the better.
So now, I'm inviting you all to become as M.A.D. as I am at the moment, to Make A Difference. You see, just being angry can take you only so far, but M.A.D. can take you a long way toward ameliorating conditions on the ground--the remedying of social and political ills with which you and your fellow citizens may be struggling.
I don't know if you saw this segment on MSNBC yesterday, but even if you did, I'm inviting you to watch it again, and get M.A.D. It describes those forces that conflated to created the financial mess we're in now, and how that mess almost brought the world to its economic knees, dragging us down with it. And we're not out of the woodshed yet. We're still taking quite a financial beating, some folks more than others.
If after watching this, you're not M.A.D. as hell, and not going to take it anymore, then brace yourself: the ride ain't over.
I was aware of much of the information presented here, but not all. The segment structures that information so that laypersons can follow the connecting of the dots, a connecting that demystifies the problem--a problem that charlatans would have us believe is beyond our intellectual capacity to understand, and beyond the government's power to supervise and regulate.
In part, it's about the derivative market, a 750 trillion dollars strong market worldwide, greater than the combined annual GNP (Gross National Product) of the world's nations.
That's scary stuff. After watching and digesting the video clip to follow, let's discuss it.
We have to remove this Damocles sword, lest we find ourselves in this economic predicament again, made worse by our inaction. Talk to your neighbors about it, have them watch the video, not necessarily here, but on the MSNBC Web site.Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
The MSNBC video clip that follows is not THE solution for fixing the problem. But it is a beginning. Peter Welch, Congressional Representative from Vermont, is garnering support (sponsors) for a bill that will tax bank bonuses over $50,000.00 at 50% (a windfall profits tax). Write your congressperson, e-mail, snail mail, or fax your support for such a bill.
You know the problem. Now, I invite you to get M.A.D.Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
The acronym, M.A.D., has other meanings. It can also mean, Mobilize And Defeat, as well as, Mobilize And Defend. Oftentimes, we're called on to do one or the other, or both simultaneously.
If we're going to Make A Difference in our world on behalf of our neighbors--those who live next door, within our state, our nation, or the entire world--we need to get M.A.D., Mobilize And Defend, and, where necessary, Mobilize And Defeat. Which tactic we use, will depend upon the situation or circumstance we face.
But if we don't get M.A.D. at all, it won't matter. The key to success is to get M.A.D. and stay M.A.D.
If a corporation, or a business, is too big to fail, then it's too big to exist. Our government is as complicit in creating this economic disaster as the rapacious corporations who fought for the passage of laws, and the reduction of governmental oversight, to create it. We must hold our government officials accountable--now, and in the future.
If you decide to get M.A.D., here's a sample letter. E-mail, snail mail, or fax (Revise, augment, or personalize as needed.):
Dear Sir or Madame:
Please support Vermont Congressman Peter Welch's proposal to impose a 50% windfall tax on bank bonuses that exceed $50,000.00. That money can then go toward small business loans so desperately needed in this struggling economy.
Banks could have used Federally provided zero percent interest money in a couple of ways--to lend out, or shore up their balance sheets--but, instead, they chose to line their pockets.
This is an unacceptable use of taxpayer dollars. The money should have been used to revive our economy. The passage of a windfall tax on bank bonuses will send a strong message to those who would use public monies for their own private gain.
