The American Dream

So who is responsible for this economic crisis – this recession/depression? I have determined that it is not inner-city homeowners seeking the American dream, predatory banks that loaned money to them, legislators who prodded the banks to do so, Wall Street that crafted an illusory securities product to fuel growth out of illusion, Chief Executives who will earn even more mega millions in salary if they convince the market their companies are generating marginally higher revenue, and any of the other myriad of characters blamed for the situation (yes, even former President Bush). Look in the mirror for the answer. The answer is us. We reward big results no matter how illusory it may seem. The individuals that fuel the growth are the ones rewarded no matter how illusory the growth may be; the individuals who keep the train running are ignored. The companies that expand beyond their prowess are encouraged; the companies that stick to their core prowess are not. But perpetual growth such as perpetual acceleration needs increasing stimulus and force, and those elements if utilized to fuel the growth are taken from somewhere else. In this case, it comes from the core of our economic and societal foundation; it is a zero-sum game in that regard. So to rebuild the foundation requires a change in thought, attitude and value – a return to fundamentals if you will. But having eaten the apple, are we ready to go back to the cauliflower?