An underlying idea behind today's post is what a true Meritocracy must include, but don't in the world today. Inclusive of an individual's achievement(s) must be the impact the achievement or achievements have on Society. In other words, is there merit in an achievement that only destroys Society? If, for instance one figures out a way to kill off 99.99% of all Humans without causing harm to any other species, habitat or ecosystem, is there merit in their actions? On a more relatabke and relevant scale, is there merit in leadership that impoverishes, incarcerates, or limits opportunity of a majority of those they lead? If you've heard the word Meritocracy in the news, it's always directed at a small segment of Society and it always implies an almost divine right of those in charge to be in charge. It requires that the rest of believe that our leaders have the status they have because they deserve said status. It relegates the rest of us to the scrapes those leaders deem us worthy to receive. It demands a certain amount of hubris that seems to blind today's elected officials to the misery they have forced upon so many and the peril in which they have placed themselves.
It is reminiscent of the perceived invulnerability of the Monarchy before the French revolution or the American revolution. Though today's nobility no longer have titles like King or Queen, they do act as if they're entitled to everything they survey, including your freedom, fortune and future.
If the benefits of a Meritocracy only include a small minority who dictate the aspects and traits of the Meritocracy what good does it serve the majority who must exist on the outside? This question ties directly into today's post.
Business innovations that could have helped America avoid the recession it supposedly has "not" been in for years never seem to materialize. It seems to me that the business innovations we see most in the world today are those that benefit the few.
Sure, you may say that those who innovate with some new technology or some new service deserve everything they get in return, but is this true? Is the idea of giving most of the resources to those who innovate even sustainable? The trends I see in inequality, surveillance, mistrust, poverty seem to suggest not.
What good is a business that leads to the destruction of communities the way Walmart has in small towns across America? And with Walmart ioffering loans to buy groceries at 26% interest which can be stretched over two years, how can we tolerate such innovation?
In terms of communications, how much importance should be placed on Social Media platforms that seek to censor free speech? When in history have those seeking to censor been on the right side of history? How could 1% down loans on mortgages be a good idea when most Americans don't have emergency savings amounting to $400 Dollars? I forsee home repossessions occuring as frequently as car repossessions occur at those buy here pay here used car lots. Is this the type of business innovation we should seek out? Is this the type of business innovation that should be allowed to persist in a merit-based system of governance? Should these types of businesses be subsidized by our own tax dollars, as are Google and other giant corporations? Maybe collectively, we should demand more than to right to work our entire lives to enrich others while leaving nothing for our children. Maybe a Meritocracy should include businesses that don't pay enough to keep its employees impoverished and in debt beyond their lifespans.
Business models should include living wages, especially when those businesses are subsidized by tax payer's dollars. How sustainable is a country that demonizes Socialism while subsidizing businesses like Google, Facebook, pharmaceutical and oil companies as well as banks whenever they crash or threaten to crash the economy? What merit is there in a system that serves so few?
The wealth they've stolen from us will have to be taken back by force, because they believe it is their by divine right. They believe that, not only what they have taken from us to date is theirs but whatever we have left is theirs as well. Until someone can show any evidence to the contrary, I can only believe that they will continue to take.
In 2018, I wrote a book highlighting the problems Humanity would face if more power, wealth, and control was funneled to a small group of elite individuals, groups, or organizations. In my book, I provided solutions (from myself and others) to the inevitable problems and also a means for the Public to analyze, compare, and contrast the words and deeds of those we choose to follow against reality. In my book Solutions: Enough complaining. Let's fix America.
In "Solutions...", I provide the means for readers to disseminate information as provided by their news sources of choice, their elected officials, and any other authority they choose to follow. The book also offers a means to hold their leaders up, not just to a higher standard than is currently accepted but to one that would improve their lives and the lives of those for whom they care.
