4 PICKING UP THE PIECES
On this early April day, I am wondering and anticipating what comes next? The President will decide when it is time for Americans to go back to work under various new rules.
· Get tested for the Corona D19 virus
· Get certified that you have antibodies
· Wear masks when on public transportation and on crowded streets
· Keep your distance
· Wear protective gear
· Isolate when sick
Regulations for healthcare, school, and food service workers will be uniquely specific. Other occupations will have appropriately tailored rules. The calamity will affect how governments and corporations operate while navigating the viral hazard that will not likely disappear for two years at least.
When developing a To-Be model, three broad elements are considered:
· Processes
· Culture
· Capabilities
That is according to one definition. There are government and commercial processes, all of which are regulated by laws and constraints. The American culture is steeped in individualism that is embodied in the Bill of Rights and US Constitution. Being a republic with states autonomous rights, and with a federal government, we often experience conflicts and contradictions. Those conflicts cannot continue to languish without resolution. We are a nation that can be profiled by our demographics and our specific intellectual and skilled abilities. The nation has certain limited natural resources. I have advocated that having fewer people per an abundance of resources can result in a competitive advantage. However, that is realized only with proper policies.
Our As-Is culture is also steeped in capitalism. The profit-seeking motive dominates the rules where patriotism is overruled unless government imposes direction.
The American financial system and government budget and funding are stressed to the maximum. Recall that the nation was facing financial ruin at the end of 2008. Miraculous management by the Obama administration restored financial integrity. It took two full terms to regain momentum, however the debt and deficit burden remained.
The Trump administration invigorated corporations and wealthy persons. Wall Street performed well, while average and poor Americans saw little measureable improvement. Many had low-paying jobs and upward mobility remained stifled. Many citizens wondered, where is the benefit, the trickle down, that was promised. Where are the solutions to the high cost of health care? Those issues would likely have surfaced in the campaign had not the discussion been enveloped by the pandemic.
On the matter of President Trump’ impeachment by the US House of Representatives, Republicans declared victory, while more than half the nation want more investigations into Trump’s behavior and performance that seems to conflict with the rule of law.
The White House war on the media is suspiciously un-American.
I must be honest that my sharing these views is not without critique from my mentor, Dan Appleton, who is adamantly opposed to my liberalism. His bias is capitalism and Trumpism.[1] Mine is sustainable economics and democratic socialism. There will be debate about where the flag is planted though we might come to some agreement about the process?
“Of course Capitalists are biased! We are in the business (pun there) of making people happy -- satisfying demand. Happy people create wealth. Happy people make us happy. That's why liberals hate us. They are unhappy people. Unhappy that we are happy. That, in the liberal mind, makes us evil and stupid,” said he.
Appleton suggests that the Corona D29 virus that began in China makes global warming passe, as well as sustainment.
“Our attention is on being killed by the Chinese virus, not CO2. But, can you make the case that Sustainment is the key to recovering from global recession while simultaneously reengineering society to be more climate conscious,” he asked?
I don’t take the challenge lightly, and I will try to make my case. Next, Dan did what he does best with clever brilliance.
“Good start that nobody's flying or driving -- but that is your conundrum: world economies need movement. Economic Recovery will need lots and lots movement. It is the lack of movement that is hurting them. Can you show that your Sustainment economics will put a [renewable] jet assist on economic recovery, accelerating economic movement, and, as a lagniappe, saving the human race from itself?’
‘I am not trying to be cryptic or sarcastic, Jim. This is a tall order but, truth be told, America will recover and lead the global recovery and Sustainment must ride along or be run over. The best view is the view from in front. I am saying that in my personal opinion, if you want to make a contribution to the future of the world, your best shot is to marry Climate and Corona and show Sustainment as an antidote to the joint misery they bring -- an economic hydroxychloroquine.’
‘The key to this messaging will be putting China in its proper place in the world economy. Problem, of course, is that if you succeed, you will not make liberals happy. No biggie. That is a lost cause anyway. America is the villain,” he closed with those thoughts, challenges, and a twist of biting humor.
Appleton is a genius, and on that, I will troop on to lay the stones on the path to sustainable economies. You know what, the pandemic will probably trump the Trump? His economic gains are trashed and the hole he made is deeper. A sea change is coming and the tsunami will clear the political beach of many incumbents is my bet.
Rejoining the herd isn't such a bad idea.
Being too close when contaminated is terrible.
Joining hearts in compassion to work solutions
is a fabulous happening.
Social distancing is what the doctors ordered.
We move as a crowd on a small planet.
Confronted with a pandemic, the best minds
collaborate to defeat it.
Joy is in knowing that humanity will solve it,
and realizing the lesson that we are connected.
When good hearts emerge from this disaster,
hope it that another might be prevented.[2]
Being too close when contaminated is terrible.
Joining hearts in compassion to work solutions
is a fabulous happening.
Social distancing is what the doctors ordered.
We move as a crowd on a small planet.
Confronted with a pandemic, the best minds
collaborate to defeat it.
Joy is in knowing that humanity will solve it,
and realizing the lesson that we are connected.
When good hearts emerge from this disaster,
hope it that another might be prevented.[2]
[1] “Trumpism refers to the nontraditional political philosophy and approach espoused by US President Donald Trump and his supporters. The term Trumpism can also be used to directly refer to an outrageous or idiosyncratic statement made by Donald Trump.”
Slang Dictionary, https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/trumpism/
Slang Dictionary, https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/trumpism/
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