>Tom,
>
>>Jerry;
>>
>>Definitions used by "capitalists" today:
>>
>>Morality – first to market at any cost or method.
>>Ethics – increase “apparent or declared” profits at any cost or methodology.
>>
>>By the way capitalism is a religion. "Capitalists" worship money in any form at the expense of society, morality or ethics.
>
>I don't think you could be more correct! In so many cases I have seen over the years the parents both work so they can have the fancier car or house or ?? and in the process neglect their kids.
>
>What a travesty...
>
>Mammon is one of the Biblical names for the God of Materialism.
>
>
>>snip<

Doug;

There are three elements that guide a nation to one degree or another, politics, economics and religion. This has been true throughout recorded history. With recorded history comes the term “civilized”. Some civilizations are thought to be more “civilized” then others.

A friend of mine has a great short story about what “civilization” is.

First the missionaries appear to convert the heathens to Christianity. That having been accomplished the next step is to hand out credit cards. You are now members of “civilization”!

We grow up within our own societies with values systems that vary according to many reasons. In the case of our nation we see a number of traits:

1. The importance of the individual at the expense of the family.
2. Materialism.
3. No time for self. Just keep cranking till you drop or cannot function.
4. Placing job ahead of family.

There are always exceptions to everything so the above is an observation for the majority and not every single person.

Women in our society have a very difficult time especially those who have careers, are married and have children. It is worse for those women who are not married with children. A woman has to be torn in sixty different directions at the same time. I see a great deal of stress and frustration amongst women in our society.

When my wife and I were first married we had twelve couples who were our friends. Within less than 10 years 10 of these couples were divorced. Stress from the “demands of society” destroys relationships quickly. You have to have a strong value system to endure.

I see greed as a very large part of our society. Take housing for example – one of my “favorite topics” living in Silicon Valley. There was a time when housing was affordable. Expressed as a percentage of income a home cost about 20 to 25% of ones net income. This was for one parent working during the 1960’s. Today it takes both parents working and about 50% of your net income to pay for a house. Monthly payments of $3600 are normal for a 1200 square foot fixer upper in our area. That is after a down payment of $120,000.

Trying to survive in our society is no easy task. You may ask where are we headed and why? Sometimes I feel we are all just like Lemmings. Where is the cliff? We run for the cliff without knowledge we are doing so or what lies ahead. It is one day at a time and for what? The weekend and a case of beer? That turns on some guys I have met but I would like to think there is more to life then “suds” and a hangover!

Tom