[saymaListserv] Where's the Money? Economic Social Concerns

[Janet Minshall]

Hi Charles Schade,  You can share anything I write.  I try to hold to 
"one standard of truth".

The reason I am pessimistic is because it seems to me that we are 
prone, just like the stock market, to "overcorrect" in any direction 
taken.  Leadership is also a factor.  I sent out a message a year or 
more ago on the intelligence services in this country examining how 
to maintain control in the event of a sudden significant drop in 
population.  I think their plans, while likely predicated on the 
possibility of a extraordinary natural event, would be put into 
effect at the first signs of anything gone seriously awry. I am not 
at all confident of the purposes of those who control them.

A further comment on my use of the "four horsemen" is that people, 
especially Friends who see Socialism as a better system despite its 
consistent failures, seem to take a change in the economy very 
lightly, as if it were relatively simple.  It isn't simple at all 
since all of our basic institutions are based on the only reality 
we've known (growth) in the last 700 years or more. Anytime there is 
an event which disrupts the way things are, those who suffer most are 
the poor, the sick, the disabled, the very young and the very old -- 
those on the fringes of the economy.

The awful events of the "Middle Ages" such as the plagues and the 
famines, were, most likely, brought on by the change in economic 
systems from Feudalism to the beginnings of Merchant Capitalism. 
Capitalism did not appear suddenly to guide us through the 
Rennaisance.  It was being built, step by step and institution by 
institution, as it grew from the ashes and disasters arising out of 
the previous economic system.

I hope this clarifies.  Janet Minshall



In reference to Janet's letter to Errol Hess sent 5-19:

>That is an interesting position for you to take, in light of your 
>previous writings.  I'm sorry if you see the four horsemen as 
>inevitable products of some economic invisible hand gone awry, which 
>is one way someone could read the letter to Errol.
>
>I'm pessimistic myself, because I think we have very poor 
>leadership, but I am not persuaded that a future of disease and 
>decline is inevitable.   Stability and balance are achievable in 
>nature.  If there weren't natural feedback systems designed to 
>stabilize nearly everything alive, we'd have succumbed before 
>crawling out of the cave.
>
>The only question in my mind is whether people's greed and intellect 
>will prevent a stable balance from being achieved.  And that's where 
>Quakers and other optimistic religions may be able to make a 
>contribution.  Which I think was the point made at the end of your 
>letter.  I heartily agree.
>
>With your permission, I'd like to share your letter the next time 
>our meeting has a discussion of environmental issues.
>
>Thanks for writing.
>
>cps
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