Once again I've been reading from Mr. Edward Abbey's work, and was struck with another quote that hit home. I think I might just have to have the Ed Abbey quote of the day on my blog from time to time, seeing as I've collected so many of them. Here's today's:
”If America could be, once again, a nation of self-reliant farmers, craftsmen, hunters, ranchers, and artists, then the rich would have little power to dominate others. Neither to serve nor to rule: That was the American dream.” -Edward Abbey
4 comments:
Then nothing would come out of America except food? What about all the other important advances America has made for itself and the world? --Mark
Ah yes, I thought some may be hesitant to enjoy Mr. Abbey's quote. I'm certainly not as extreme as the man, but I see the value in some of his ideas. I think people can be self reliant while at the same time working alongside their fellow citizens. And I also think that is possible within our current structure. Many advances have been made due to Americans working together, no doubt. Don't read too much into it. I think his quote is more financially based. Personally, I defiantly agree that there is an ability for those with wealth to control those without. History old and new is full of the proof. Debt = Vulnerability. It is that vulnerability that I think Mr. Abbey wishes for people to avoid.
And don't get me wrong, I'm no America-hater, but I do believe that we as citizens are to critic the way our freedoms are being managed. That's why I dare to even bring up such sensitive ideas. I leave you with another of Abbey's quotes that reflects that:
"Any hack can safely rail away at foreign powers beyond the sea; but a good writer is a critic of the society he lives in."
Debt=Vulnerability? I believe history also says debt=opportunity. That’s not to say that anyone who uses debt automatically succeeds, but it gives a lot of people a chance. Think about how many of us could have afforded college with out debt? How many of us could afford a house with out debt? How many of us could start our own business with out debt? Debt if used correctly CAN be a powerful tool for citizens to help further them and help further others. You only have to go back one year to see this. How many Americans became millionaires due to the recent real estate boom (no bubble)? How did they fund this endeavor? Through debt. From a less selfish point of view some of the most leveraged businesses are communications companies, where would we be with out that? Pharmaceutical companies need leverage, life changing medication takes years to develop and they need cash to get through those times…how many lives has that debt impacted for good? One last note…you say that we as citizens are to critique how are freedoms are managed? So then are you saying we are not truly free? If you say we are not free because we are riddled by debt then I would like to point out that we were free to make the decision to go into debt. Anyways, that’s it. Seriously Ben, you need to come to Oregon, everyone here (except me) would agree with you J.
Oregon sounds good to me. :) Maybe I'll have to head out your way soon.
I do enjoy this type of discussion, and I hope you realize I was not calling you a hack with the last Abbey quote. Just the opposite; discussion and critic has to happen in our own society amongst our own kinds. Exactly what we're doing. I suspect there are more following this discussion with their own opinions that simply wouldn't join in for fear that political/financial talk can be uncomfortable.
So as for my response to the last entry:
Yes, debt = both vulnerability and opportunity. One is excepting a chance to further one's self in exchange for being vulnerable to someone else. Debt is not for everyone, as is must be meticulously managed to find it anything but a burden, but it seems to be a part of most American's lives. I think it may just be an issue of education. I think for the individual trained in the management of wealth, it can be very easy to utilize debt in a very positive way. But to hand a loan/credit card application to an individual who really has no decent financial idea of what exactly they are getting into is not entirely ethical. This is an extreme comparison, but it is like handing a power tool to a child. Serious risk is present, but with education, serious opportunities to build something spectacular are present. And yes, I can hear some arguments arising, such as, "are we to thoroughly interview each loan applicant, not just by their financial abilities physically, but mentally as well?". "How would we accomplish this?" I don't know that we can. In bringing up such touchy issues, I never have claimed to have a concrete solution to fix the woes I see, however, nobody will find me to be a man willing to say nothing when I see a situation I think could use improvement. American is a country built on the ability of it's citizen's to be heard and represented. Represented is an important word. Going back to the original quote that built this whole discussion, I'll close by asking whether or not you think our officials represent our citizens, or if their decisions can be swayed by issues of wealth? Do you see the rich dominating the poor in our country, regardless of how each individual ended up in the financial situation they are in? This may clue you in to the answer to your question of whether or not I think we are truly free while living in our current economy. Keep in mind that I am just bringing up discussion, and am not intending to make any major generalities or say that one person is right or wrong. Many times I am right, and many times I am wrong. Things just need talking about. Enough for one entry.
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