This is so very pertinent Louise, especially in todays sky rocketing augmentations of food price, fuel price and basically everything else that is a necessity to survive this life with a modicum of comfort…. I don’t think any government policy, no matter how well meant, ever really helps the poorest of our nations. I believe Mr Reagan had a heart, more so perhaps than many recent American presidents but he was misdirected and of course, his new policies were open to abuse… and they were, tenfold!
You know, there’s something I just don’t understand... I hear that things are hard economically from students and friends in the U.S., Spain, and I know firsthand about the situation here in Japan. What I don’t “get” is why? What is it that triggered this word-wide economic whiplash people are experiencing? COVID? I’m not an economist, so I can’t add anything of value to that conversation. I know that global temperatures are/will be wreaking havoc on crops and, hence, prices in that way... Was there a sudden bump in oil prices that I missed in the news? That would account for widespread economic difficulties, I suppose, as the “Trickle-down” syndrome works to our disadvantage. Yet major corporations are profiting more than ever, n’est-ce pas? Here, Toyota made a profit of 4.5B yen last year for the first time but still prefers part-time workers (cheaper, no bonuses or retirement). The U.S. has seen millions of new jobs over the past 3 years. Will that help things there? Where are those jobs in other countries? Are they for everyone or just select groups?
Oh, I’m rambling (never answer a post comment after a glass of wine with dinner ;-) , but I do have questions that I cannot answer... Thoughts? How are things in France (besides the problem with the pension...)?
Sassy is still sound asleep Louise… I’ll give her a hug from Mouse when she wakes…
I too am no expert and couldn’t even begin to give you details or answer your questions with any intelligent or well researched answers. I believe though a high percentage of countries on this planet are run by corrupt governments payed by equally corrupt large corporations (and vise versa) who are spreading a highly contagious disease… called Greed…
When I see profits like that which you mention of Toyota I feel my blood boiling, how many starving mouths could be fed with that money? And how many actually are? And what do they do with it? They use it for making weapons of war, for experimenting in laboratories with lethal viruses - why do we need any more viruses on this planet I wonder - hence Covid and all with an end to make more money…
The best answer to your questions I give in answer to all your questions is greed, war, confinement… and it’s not over yet!
Yes, that's the essence of it, isn't it - greed. Greed for some, ignorance or ambivalence for others, and for yet others, exhaustion and simply maintaining the ability to survive.
You would think that in the 21st century humanity would have learned important lessons.
Or maybe we ARE learning. Throughout history, people have banded together to fight back, to fight for a better planet (and they have sung together - hence my Substack ;-). In recent years, we have seen the forgiveness of IMF loans, larger numbers of people saying no to war, the outrage over the treatment of civilians in Palestine.
Are you familiar with the story of Lysistrata? On a global scale, maybe that could help end the madness!
I do believe there is hope, but it is also frustrating so see the corruption.
Reaganomics and trickle down -- what a scam that was!
Did that way of thinking end?
This is so very pertinent Louise, especially in todays sky rocketing augmentations of food price, fuel price and basically everything else that is a necessity to survive this life with a modicum of comfort…. I don’t think any government policy, no matter how well meant, ever really helps the poorest of our nations. I believe Mr Reagan had a heart, more so perhaps than many recent American presidents but he was misdirected and of course, his new policies were open to abuse… and they were, tenfold!
Hi Susie,
You know, there’s something I just don’t understand... I hear that things are hard economically from students and friends in the U.S., Spain, and I know firsthand about the situation here in Japan. What I don’t “get” is why? What is it that triggered this word-wide economic whiplash people are experiencing? COVID? I’m not an economist, so I can’t add anything of value to that conversation. I know that global temperatures are/will be wreaking havoc on crops and, hence, prices in that way... Was there a sudden bump in oil prices that I missed in the news? That would account for widespread economic difficulties, I suppose, as the “Trickle-down” syndrome works to our disadvantage. Yet major corporations are profiting more than ever, n’est-ce pas? Here, Toyota made a profit of 4.5B yen last year for the first time but still prefers part-time workers (cheaper, no bonuses or retirement). The U.S. has seen millions of new jobs over the past 3 years. Will that help things there? Where are those jobs in other countries? Are they for everyone or just select groups?
Oh, I’m rambling (never answer a post comment after a glass of wine with dinner ;-) , but I do have questions that I cannot answer... Thoughts? How are things in France (besides the problem with the pension...)?
P.S. Give Sassy a hug from Mouse and me.
Sassy is still sound asleep Louise… I’ll give her a hug from Mouse when she wakes…
I too am no expert and couldn’t even begin to give you details or answer your questions with any intelligent or well researched answers. I believe though a high percentage of countries on this planet are run by corrupt governments payed by equally corrupt large corporations (and vise versa) who are spreading a highly contagious disease… called Greed…
When I see profits like that which you mention of Toyota I feel my blood boiling, how many starving mouths could be fed with that money? And how many actually are? And what do they do with it? They use it for making weapons of war, for experimenting in laboratories with lethal viruses - why do we need any more viruses on this planet I wonder - hence Covid and all with an end to make more money…
The best answer to your questions I give in answer to all your questions is greed, war, confinement… and it’s not over yet!
Hi Susie,
Yes, that's the essence of it, isn't it - greed. Greed for some, ignorance or ambivalence for others, and for yet others, exhaustion and simply maintaining the ability to survive.
You would think that in the 21st century humanity would have learned important lessons.
Or maybe we ARE learning. Throughout history, people have banded together to fight back, to fight for a better planet (and they have sung together - hence my Substack ;-). In recent years, we have seen the forgiveness of IMF loans, larger numbers of people saying no to war, the outrage over the treatment of civilians in Palestine.
Are you familiar with the story of Lysistrata? On a global scale, maybe that could help end the madness!
I do believe there is hope, but it is also frustrating so see the corruption.
Thank you for your comments! x
I haven’t heard of Lysistrata but I am about to put the question to my husband who I’m certain will enlighten me? If not there is Google…
I hope your week-end is a calm one Louise… x
Thanks, Susie. Same to you❣️