When times are tough, as they are now, people are more open to sharing and working towards the common good.
But once the crisis is over some of us will want to put their individual wants ahead of the well-being of everyone in our society.
So what kind of New Zealand do want our post -pandemic economy to fund ?
Do you want to continue with neoliberalism – the politics and economics of selfishness ?
Or do you want us to have a political and social revolution where we co-operate with each other and work for the common good as well as ourselves?
I’m convinced many New Zealanders don’t know our recent economic history so I have included 10 minutes of my 2013 documentary Mind the Gap to explain how the WE society we once had was hijacked by right wing economists who turned New Zealand into a ME society.
Bryan Bruce is one of NZs most respected documentary makers and public intellectuals who has tirelessly exposed NZs neoliberal economic settings as the main cause for social issues.
People have wanted an end to neo liberalism for decades but the parties are simply not listening. An end to paid donations and lobbying would be a good first step to ensure govt in general acts in the interests of the people first and foremost. A fixed sum paid to all parties proportionally at election time to make their case to the public would be desirable.
Making that happen however would require real change and I wonder if people have simply become too complacent or maybe too defeated to demand better form our political overlords?
Unfortunately some folk just want better interest rates on their savings or better prices and dividends on their shares.
Those folk are included in our retirees numbers as well as others who want money without working for it.
The pension is a contract you benefit from after a lifetime of work.
Change the information they are fed. Radical flyers where used in the 1930 mainly written by John A Lee.
Many of those still apply today
The debt finance system.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_A._Lee
Where are our radicals in govt today.
And let’s look at the bigger picture of globalism and economic bartering such as signatories to belt and road, ‘sister cities’ which helps aids a small percentage in a country become richer while driving up costs for the majority or adding government debt to be paid back from future generations.
Coronavirus Outbreak Highlights Countries’ Close Ties With the Chinese Regime
https://www.theepochtimes.com/coronavirus-outbreak-highlights-countries-close-ties-with-the-chinese-regime_3268885.html
Here is Jonathan Pie battling with his inner ME while commenting unfavourably about those who don’t know how to live in a WE society. A bit confused as are some of us, me for instance.
(https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2252757571696278
I went to the supermarket the other night and tried to keep at least 2 degrees of separation but don’t know whether I was successful. I rubbed my hands with foamy disinfectant and they are cleaning the handles of the trolleys, and have removed the baskets for better control.
Now I am counting the days unsure if I was taking a chance. Next time I will wear a mask and gloves which I will wash after. I will hang the mask on the line in the sun.
The coronavirus crisis has exposed the ugly truth about celebrity culture and capitalism
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/31/the-coronavirus-crisis-has-exposed-the-ugly-truth-about-celebrity-culture-and-capitalism
extract…
“Now it seems that Pharrell Williams has become the latest celebrity who is stuck inside but can’t read the room. Last week, the musician called on his Twitter followers to donate to hospitals. A representative reply: “You’re worth over $150 million, donate your own money.” Williams later clarified that he had already donated; nevertheless, it feels as if an awful lot of celebrities are more keen on soliciting money from us plebs than reaching into their own purses. The chef and TV star Bobby Flay, for example, who is said to be worth about $30 million, set up a GoFundMe campaign to help him pay his restaurant employees. That is capitalism for you: eventually you have to rely on other people’s money.
Celebrities being clueless is nothing new, but it feels as if there has never been such anger levelled at the jet set. Far from being a “great equaliser”, coronavirus has made inequality impossible to ignore. That is not just wealth inequality, but inequality of access to healthcare. A new famous person seems to test positive for coronavirus every day while exhibiting mild symptoms at best. Meanwhile, our friends and family can be coughing up their lungs and still not get access to a test or a hospital bed.”
Don’t get bitter with celebrities savenz get even with the virus. Anything that can be done should be done and we shouldn’t bite the hands that speak up, and spread negativity. Envy and back biting are extra loads on us and only depress the people who need help most. The celebrities could be encouraged to give $10 for every $1 donated through legitimate channels. That would be making lemonade out of lemons.
Today the message is Always look on the bright side of life.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_-q9xeOgG4
I set up a book stall for CORSO at a LP meeting. I had to endure David Lange urging members to endorse Douglas’ measures. Because the Douglas family were long-time loyal supporters of the LP!! It would be treachorous not to!! Such stupidity was never erased from my memory.
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