Capitalism, That Sublime Temptress

“Pride is the recognition of the fact that you are your own highest value and, like all of man’s values, it has to be earned.” -Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged

Income equality/inequality is a slippery slope. While the gender gap that exists is a legitimate grievance, the overall socio-economic one between lower (i.e. “poor”) and upper (i.e. “rich”) classes is not. It is capitalism, and anything that seeks to disrupt and redistribute that balance is nothing less than socialism. Those who want to institute this “economic justice” seek to create a new class that encompasses all in “economic equality,” failing to realize that such a system is not sustainable or viable. How do we know? From the failed examples of Cuba, North Korea and the former Soviet Union. (China, under communist rule since the 1950s, is an intriguing example, its “success” dubious given its capitalistic tendencies in economic stratification and international trade since the 1970s. It's a communist nation that literally thrives on the backbone of capitalism.)

I understand the desire, the want, to change the rules. More often than not, capitalism can feel rigged for only the few given the secret; meanwhile, the humbled and poor huddle to account for their pittance. As D.H. Lawrence said of the sea, “they say the sea is cold, but the sea contains the hottest blood of all, and the wildest, the most urgent.” Likewise, capitalism can be cruel and unfair, but still provide the warmest intent and opportunity. No other economic system thus far developed in human history can make such a claim, where any person can rise above their circumstances with proper effort and inspiration. When government seeks to manipulate this scenario artificially by propping up the alleged disenfranchised, it sets up the system for failure and collapse from the bottom by unnecessarily agitating class warfare.

There will always be, and must always be, differentiation in the means of production between leaders (i.e. owners) and laborers (i.e. workers). Those who seek “economic justice”/“economic equality” want all the reward of the leader but none of the sacrifice of the laborer in a competitive environment. They will achieve neither. In essence, they want to remove competition because the playing field is deemed slanted toward a particular group over another. Nevertheless, that’s how capitalism works, and how the benefits from it are derived – by way of competition, for production, for resources and for market share.

Now, as far as the gender gap? Compensation in a job always should be based on achievement, function and merit, not gender or any other demographics. By today’s standards, it is stupid that this is even an issue. Sadly, it is still part of the discourse on discrimination in the workplace. This truly is cruel, and it truly is unfair.

©2015 Steve Sagarra

Lessons In Civility From My Printer

“Indeed, my friend, if measures are not soon taken, and the most vigorous ones, to root out these pernicious weeds, it will be in vain for America to per-severe in this generous struggle for the publick [sic] liberty.”
-Sam Adams to James Warren, February 16, 1777

My copier/printer constantly beeps, flashes and taunts to remove and check either the black or the color cartridge. I think, man that’s pretty racist that my printer believes the problem is caused by either the black or the color cartridge. Must be though, right? After all, there’s no white cartridge stirring up the trouble. It’s black against color, and vice versa.

Then I think about the white paper. Just lazily sitting in its tray, even being indolent while others do all the work – i.e. the black and color cartridges – as it slowly glides thru the printer. Who gets all the glory? That lily-white piece of paper with all the neat words, pictures, etc, on it. Meanwhile, the black and color cartridges that printed them are sent back to their compartment, hidden away inside the printer without thought or recognition. Without either, though, neither could do their job. It’s a harmonious coexistence, which must be maintained for flawless operation. If the ink goes out, neither words nor pictures can be displayed on the paper; if the paper goes out, neither cartridge can perform their duty.

Now imagine what would happen in society if half suddenly stopped “working,” no longer cooperating – willfully or otherwise – with the other half. We all have our “jobs” in society to do; the first, and frankly only, priority should be to work together in our daily lives in creating a better one for the future. Instead, there is the constant drone of beeping, flashing and taunting for attention that serves no useful purpose toward that end. It’s time we give thought to recognizing that for what it is, rather than giving credence to what it unfortunately has become.

When your printer jams, you clear the obstruction. When it breaks down, you repair it. And when it is beyond such remedies, you replace it – hopefully, with something more efficient and reliable, yet with similarly familiar useful features. Perhaps, it is time we gave some thought to that as well. At every turn and on every level the system – government, education, society – is broken. Why is this? Because, as Green Arrow would say, we have failed it. We have failed to provide the proper maintenance to maintain it, while expecting it to function more reliably and efficiently. As the situation is allowed to continue, it is almost seemingly beyond any remedy.

Is it time for a replacement? Or, just more civility rather than increasingly less? 

©2015 Steve Sagarra

No Guarantee of Quality Intended

For several years, I have been attempting to turn a few family recipes into marketable products. I researched, read, analyzed and studied the process. However, since I do not have the necessary capabilities or facilities for large-scale production, I have contacted numerous contract packers/private label distributors (“co-packers”) for the task. How many have returned a reply? None. Zero. Zilch. Probably because I don’t have a famous name like John Q. Celebrity, who slaps their name on every bowl, box or can of craptastic mediocrity and runs laughing to the bank. Granted there are some that are worth it, but, typically, it’s more like Famous Persons Overpriced Garbage.

I’ll let Tommy Callahan explain it further…

*WARNING:  SALES PITCH ALERT* A runner-up recipe in the 2008 Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest, there really is nothing on the market like our Lasagna Florentine Roll-Ups. They’re based on the 40+ year-old family lasagna recipe – which in our haughty, biased opinion is far superior to many, if not most, available major national brands. Likewise, most, if not all, currently available chili brands cannot compete in taste or texture to our three flavors. Far too often, they either are skimpy or, worse, soupy; ours are neither of these, filled with a balanced mix of natural ingredients including ground beef, beans, vegetables and spices. (At one Super Bowl party years ago, my fire chili recipe almost sent two people to the hospital from the spiciness but they continued eating…if that isn’t marketing gold, Mr. Draper, I don’t know what is!)

My point is to take note in buying quality brands – even if they’re generic store ones, some of which are competitively better – rather than following herd mentality because of the name on the brand. (And also that you should purchase my creative works today! *Not John Q. Celebrity endorsed* - sassafrasgazette.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html) 

©2015 Steve Sagarra