[Grovenet] consumerism

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Ha! Ha! 

David wrote: For the most part, we are not looking out for us, we are
looking out  
for "me".

Isn't that the basis of a free society, including ours? 

The only justification for laws in our society is to allow people to do
whatever they want - to look out for themselves as they wish - to the extent
they do not harm their neighbors. The purpose of law is to set those limits
past which we harm one another. 

David wrote: I realize that I cannot survive without you,  
so for my own personal, selfish ends, I want you to survive.

Absolutely, for all the reasons you cited. Long ago human kind discovered
that we can do more through reasonable cooperation than unrestricted
competition. I believe that's what caused family units to form, which lead
to tribes, communities, societies, and nations. 

Because our closest social group - family and friends - is the most
important to us (outside of ourselves) advertisers have been attacking our
fear of rejection by those very people as a way to convince us we really
NEED an iPhone, big screen TV or new car. That's one of the key points of
the video Martha shared. 

Ron D'Eau Claire 







-----Original Message-----
From: grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com [mailto:grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com] On
Behalf Of David Morelli
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 11:50 PM
To: Forest Grove local interests list
Subject: Re: [Grovenet] consumerism



On Dec 18, 2007, at 9:35 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
...
> Getting back to Ed's question, first people need to understand that
> "they" (government) are NOT 'looking out for us'!!
>
> Ron D'Eau Claire

If I may be a grinch, perhaps the American free enterprise system  
works as well as it does ( and it is quite efficient at doing what it  
does ) because, ...

it is based upon the pursuit of self interest.

Not only is the Government not looking out for us, ...

For the most part, we are not looking out for us, we are looking out  
for "me".

I am well aware that there are some fine people who have a larger  
vision, and they look out for more than "me".

I am not that generous.  I realize that I cannot survive without you,  
so for my own personal, selfish ends, I want you to survive.

I don't want you to fail, because that threatens my success.

I don't want you ignorant, because that threatens my future  
opportunities.

I don't want you impoverished, because that threatens my wealth.

I don't want you sick, because that threatens my health.

I don't want you pushed to violence, because that threatens my safety.

I also know that you outnumber me.

To that end, may you all have a happy, healthy, and secure future,  
because that improves the possibility that I may have the same.  And  
"you" includes about 10 Billion people right now.

David
_______________________________________________
GroveNet mailing list
GroveNet at rdrop.com http://www.rdrop.com/mailman/listinfo/grovenet