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Old 01-28-2011, 09:46 AM
 
7,150 posts, read 10,897,373 times
Reputation: 3806

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The predominance of financial disaster news for the entire world is well established these days. And California, being a world-economy beyond a mere state economy, is, rightfully so, often cited nationally and internationally. Brilliant, and not-so-brilliant, economists are struggling for answers and making pronouncements daily. They argue about union influences and pension fund drains. They argue about going global with manufacturing. They argue about lifting environmental regulations to stimulate business growth. They argue and argue and propose and postulate.

Here linked are two stories from Fortune and from the LA Times that fit the trends and passions of the day. And both articles are good. But neither address the real scariest of all issues -- the unspoken reality at the root: consumerism is the ultimate Ponzi scheme ... and one which our culture has no alternative for. Worry if you will about the "Big One" or the coming "Great Flood". They may happen in our lifetime -- perhaps not for a thousand years -- perhaps never. But what is certain is our own demise by our own stupidity: addiction to the superficial.

Aside from filling our lives with the spiritually empty distraction of shiny baubles and trinkets that have little to no real meaning or value to happiness, survival, or satisfaction, -- consumerism is destroying our very host for life: our resources. I'm not talking about saving the planet. The planet doesn't need saving: we do.

When I read so many comments from folks on this Forum hollering about California's restrictive environmental protection laws that are choking business from saving the state from financial ruin, I wonder where is the human ability to analyze logically. Who is it exactly that should lead the way to a sustainable future? North Dakota? Or a broad based, resource rich land such as California -- with all its great minds as well as natural advantages?

Read the linked articles if you're of a mind to ponder the horror of finance that relies on endless growth. But consider the true meaning of relying on endless, unrestricted growth based on destroying the body that supports breath itself.

Jeb Bush, Newt Gingrich: Allow states to declare bankruptcy - latimes.com

Japan downgrade: The beginning of the end? - Fortune Finance
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Old 01-28-2011, 01:28 PM
 
2,093 posts, read 4,697,746 times
Reputation: 1121
So...... what are you saying?
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Old 01-28-2011, 01:32 PM
 
Location: San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties
6,390 posts, read 9,683,178 times
Reputation: 2622
Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell" Ed Abbey
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Old 01-28-2011, 01:33 PM
 
2,093 posts, read 4,697,746 times
Reputation: 1121
Real economic growth is dead.
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