I don't think socialism will work if the human heart remains selfish. (I don't think capitalism will work either, but that's another topic.)
Yes, it is a good thing if a factory is owned by the workers themselves. That way, the factory cannot be moved to another cheaper country all of a sudden, out from under the workers' feet.
But how many of us really have the unselfish attitude required to not hold a little bit extra for ourselves? Are we willing to be paid the same wage as everyone else? Are we willing to be paid a lower wage while others get more, while we wait and work for progress? Are we willing to do this quietly, without anger, bitterness, or protest?
I often dream of running a communal restaurant, where the poor could work and live and eat, and the public could come and buy cheap, healthy food. Pipe dream? I hope not. But I know I need to face the fact that within myself there is already a battle, just on the grounds of the dream, where I want to own the restaurant, and control it, and make sure it does not deviate from its founding principles. I don't want greed to take over and ruin my dream, yet I see that same greed already at work in me, desiring control and power to fend off greed in others.
Would I be willing to sell my home to help buy a restaurant to make this dream come true? And would I be willing to give up control to the rest of the workers?
These kinds of questions are so fundamental, and I think they need to be answered in our own hearts, before any call to "workers unite!" will be useful. I'm not yet sure I have all the answers, so calling for workers to unite seems premature. Once strife dies in every heart, *then* unity will begin to be possible. Until then, each of us has to cross over to the strife-less side one at a time.
"No one could have told me anything" - yes, that´s exactly the problem with juveniles drinking and taking drugs; on the contrary, they´ll laugh at you because you are so conservative as not to try them. A colleague of mine (well, that was years ago) once told me, but you have to experience that at least once in your life, waking up in the morning and not knowing how you came home.... (It was carnival at that time and everyone was wondering why I didn´t drink alcohol but I don´t need alcohol to have fun ;-) ) Well, as much as I know my luck, I would not have come home but found myself lying somewhere on the pavement and that´s an experience I do NOT need.... ;-)
Just don´t agree with your "if there´s a god, life is a cruel joke". Absolutely not. No joke. It´s a kind of exam and one should try to pass it so that you can come to heaven one day. And the best is, no matter whatever you did wrong in your life, there´s always a way to return to HIM.... even if people won´t forgive, HE does when the sinner changes his or her mind....
Hey Kelly, I meant to clarify months ago that this is NOT the Kim you were thinking, wanted to reassure you that I am another Kim in Tennessee that had made a comment post. I do enjoy your blogs - comical and down to earth. Ha, you just can never win with these cellmates. So funny. Wipe the sink? He needs to get a life. You hang in there and take care. Respectfully - Kim C.
RSS
Just read your post on socialism.
I don't think socialism will work if the human heart remains selfish. (I don't think capitalism will work either, but that's another topic.)
Yes, it is a good thing if a factory is owned by the workers themselves. That way, the factory cannot be moved to another cheaper country all of a sudden, out from under the workers' feet.
But how many of us really have the unselfish attitude required to not hold a little bit extra for ourselves? Are we willing to be paid the same wage as everyone else? Are we willing to be paid a lower wage while others get more, while we wait and work for progress? Are we willing to do this quietly, without anger, bitterness, or protest?
I often dream of running a communal restaurant, where the poor could work and live and eat, and the public could come and buy cheap, healthy food. Pipe dream? I hope not. But I know I need to face the fact that within myself there is already a battle, just on the grounds of the dream, where I want to own the restaurant, and control it, and make sure it does not deviate from its founding principles. I don't want greed to take over and ruin my dream, yet I see that same greed already at work in me, desiring control and power to fend off greed in others.
Would I be willing to sell my home to help buy a restaurant to make this dream come true? And would I be willing to give up control to the rest of the workers?
These kinds of questions are so fundamental, and I think they need to be answered in our own hearts, before any call to "workers unite!" will be useful. I'm not yet sure I have all the answers, so calling for workers to unite seems premature. Once strife dies in every heart, *then* unity will begin to be possible. Until then, each of us has to cross over to the strife-less side one at a time.
What do you think?
- Chris
A colleague of mine (well, that was years ago) once told me, but you have to experience that at least once in your life, waking up in the morning and not knowing how you came home....
(It was carnival at that time and everyone was wondering why I didn´t drink alcohol but I don´t need alcohol to have fun ;-) )
Well, as much as I know my luck, I would not have come home but found myself lying somewhere on the pavement and that´s an experience I do NOT need.... ;-)
Just don´t agree with your "if there´s a god, life is a cruel joke".
Absolutely not. No joke. It´s a kind of exam and one should try to pass it so that you can come to heaven one day. And the best is, no matter whatever you did wrong in your life, there´s always a way to return to HIM....
even if people won´t forgive, HE does when the sinner changes his or her mind....
Got nothing to do with a joke!!!!
Love you always and forever.