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One of my favorite writers of all time is C. S. Lewis, the creator of Narnia and any number of works of fiction and nonfiction. He was a Christian apologist without apology. And he could not be called a conservative.
For one, he was English, not American, so terms like liberal or conservative did not really apply. Instead, I would describe him as a Free Thinker. By that I mean Professor Lewis reached his opinion by careful study and thinking through the issue and came to rational, reasonable conclusions. He was not swayed by his emotions the way so many of us are. And in the process of his thinking, if he leaned in any direction, it was in the direction of freedom – freedom in Christ under God to be sure, but freedom.
For two, Lewis was a keen observer of the politics of his day. He understood Hitler and what the Nazis represented, but he did not dwell there. Instead, he applied his thoughts to people down through the ages and knew that the current events were only a symptom of a much larger disease.
For me, I see the history of humanity as a struggle between anarchy and tyranny. And we human beings for the most part find true anarchy so destructive and abhorrent, we willingly and have willingly given ourselves over and over to whatever tyrant promises safety, security and bread. This absolute, historical trend is continuing to this day.
In America, we have this tradition: “Give us your tired, your hungry, your poor huddled masses yearning to be free.” The founding fathers understood that this nation was an experiment, not drawn out of whole cloth as the Magna Charta, the English Parliament (in particular the House of Commons) and English common law will attest, but an experiment all the same. In America, we are trying to walk the tightrope and not fall to the left or right – neither into tyranny or anarchy. This had never successfully been done before in all of history.
Yet here we are, and presently there are those in power offering all sorts of wonderful sounding things with regard to safety, security and bread. And we are falling. Lewis well understood the danger. He said:
Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. C. S. Lewis
We are told that to stand in the way of change is to stand in the way of progress. Entitlements, we are told, are only meant to make life fair. Social Justice is the high ideal and individuals need to get in line. Morality is legislated and enforced by rules and regulations. And all of this is justified under the idea of making people equal, which in actual practice means making everyone the same. As far as that goes, I recommend another author, Madeleine L’engle and her book, Wrinkle in Time where you can see how this sort of thinking inevitably plays out.
Lewis also had a word for this kind of progress. In fact, I recommend it for everyone who calls themselves a “progressive” or who is tempted to jump on the progressive bandwagon:
We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive. C. S. Lewis
I believe this is the only understanding a Christian can have. Our faith is built on the idea that we are able by God’s grace to turn around and go the other way. And Jesus would have no problem applying this individual idea to a whole society – exactly as the proponents of so-called social justice make the application. Think about that one!
At the same time, I see where following the path we are currently on, the path so overwhelmingly supported in the media and our institutions of higher learning is currently shredding liberty in America. Freedoms are being lost. Someone is offering safety, security and bread, but before we swallow that bread, I believe we all better look carefully at where we are likely to end up. The current entitlement based, progressive bread may well be poisoned. Again, the warning:
Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. C. S. Lewis
I encourage everyone and certainly every Christian person who is willing to stand up for freedom and against tyranny. I would like to see my nation filled to overflowing with Free Thinkers. The alternative is to be a slave to one’s emotions. Consider: Hitler was not the first person to take advantage of a whole population that fell into that emotional, slavery trap, and he won’t be the last.
-Michael
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
The Secret of Prosperity
Unity + Liberty = Prosperity. That is the formula.
Unity does not mean uniformity or conformity, but a people who are willing (voluntarily) and able to unite around an ideal such as the American ideal in the last century. When these people share common (universal) values – stand on common ground – they are able to be self-policing and free. Liberty is the key that allows people to pursue their dreams without interference. From this environment of unity and liberty comes innovation, invention, inpiration and ultimately prosperity.
But what can kill prosperity?
Diversity. It may encourage us to respect one another, but it deletes the unity.
Relativity. When even universal values come into question, the common ground soon becomes quicksand.
Oppression: When the solution to quicksand is seen as government rules, regulation and laws, liberty dies the death of a thousand cuts.
Offense. When it appears that the wicked are not punished, either by legal or social sanctions for fear of offending someone, and
Greed. When the engines of society become the worst and lowest of motivations instead of the highest expectations – the ideal, then the good who strive to live up to the ideal cease to be rewarded. No society can long stand when the wicked go unpunished and the good go unrewarded. Ask Pavlov.
Entitlements: Work (contributing, doing your part) is a good thing which must be included in the unity (shared values). When contributing is replaced by greed, prosperity will die. And it does not matter if the greed is pursued by some corporate CEO or some third generation welfare mom who never worked and never plans to. It is greed all the same.
Indeed, entitlements of any kind are society and cultural killers. Why should one do anything at all when everything has been promised for nothing (for free)? Food, shelter, clothing, health, retirement, etc.
To succeed and prosper, aspiration must become perspiration.
Taxes: While neither directly unity nor liberty killers, taxes (with entitlements) are incentive killers. The more of a person’s hard earned money is eaten up by government and pension obligations (for some and not others), the less that person has for their family obligations, much less to pursue their dreams.
To prosper, people must be united and free to live a life worth living. The above is a short list, but certainly something to think about.
-Michael The Fiction Side:
The Storyteller http://mgkizzia.wordpress.com/
The Non-Fiction Side: Word & Spirit http://michaelkizzia.wordpress.com/
Unity does not mean uniformity or conformity, but a people who are willing (voluntarily) and able to unite around an ideal such as the American ideal in the last century. When these people share common (universal) values – stand on common ground – they are able to be self-policing and free. Liberty is the key that allows people to pursue their dreams without interference. From this environment of unity and liberty comes innovation, invention, inpiration and ultimately prosperity.
But what can kill prosperity?
Diversity. It may encourage us to respect one another, but it deletes the unity.
Relativity. When even universal values come into question, the common ground soon becomes quicksand.
Oppression: When the solution to quicksand is seen as government rules, regulation and laws, liberty dies the death of a thousand cuts.
Offense. When it appears that the wicked are not punished, either by legal or social sanctions for fear of offending someone, and
Greed. When the engines of society become the worst and lowest of motivations instead of the highest expectations – the ideal, then the good who strive to live up to the ideal cease to be rewarded. No society can long stand when the wicked go unpunished and the good go unrewarded. Ask Pavlov.
Entitlements: Work (contributing, doing your part) is a good thing which must be included in the unity (shared values). When contributing is replaced by greed, prosperity will die. And it does not matter if the greed is pursued by some corporate CEO or some third generation welfare mom who never worked and never plans to. It is greed all the same.
Indeed, entitlements of any kind are society and cultural killers. Why should one do anything at all when everything has been promised for nothing (for free)? Food, shelter, clothing, health, retirement, etc.
To succeed and prosper, aspiration must become perspiration.
Taxes: While neither directly unity nor liberty killers, taxes (with entitlements) are incentive killers. The more of a person’s hard earned money is eaten up by government and pension obligations (for some and not others), the less that person has for their family obligations, much less to pursue their dreams.
To prosper, people must be united and free to live a life worth living. The above is a short list, but certainly something to think about.
-Michael The Fiction Side:
The Storyteller http://mgkizzia.wordpress.com/
The Non-Fiction Side: Word & Spirit http://michaelkizzia.wordpress.com/
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Fair: The One word that defines our generation, culture and world
Fairness. It drives the world (all but Islam) in this age. It is the reason why American politics is so rancorous – why some accuse others of being mean, heartless, cruel, evil. What is fair? There are three views (four with Islam) and they are as follows.
One side cares. The concern is for the poor, hungry, homeless, and in every way what history is calling the disadvantaged. To be sure, fairness is most often spoken of in the negative: that to apply ordinary justice to such people would not be fair. The disadvantaged need extra help, special breaks, a hand up. They need compassion, not punishment. They need access to education and real opportunities which have otherwise been denied them.
When those who think this way look at those who appear advantaged (successful), they feel it is only right (justice) that the advantaged people share. Share, like we are taught when we are infants. These caring believers see the sin inherent in the human species, but only one side.
It is greed and selfishness that oppresses others. Therefore, it is the right of the collective (government) to force the advantaged to share – to give up their advantages in order to create a more level playing field – in order to make things “equal.” And the focus is certainly on the results.
The other side… cares. But the concern here is for the people who struggle to make a good life, who try, who fight the good fight and seek to do what is right for themselves, their families and their neighbors (if not their nation). These good people make the effort in life and it is only fair that they should be rewarded and be able to enjoy the fruits of their labor. In recent years, this view of fairness is also beginning to be expressed in the negative. For the collective (government) to take that fruit and give it to others through excessive taxes and punitive rules and regulations is not fair.
When those who think this way look at those who appear disadvantaged, they point to people in similar circumstances who have become successful, or they point at themselves and say no one helped me. I worked hard and made something of myself. These people invest their lives in a job or a business and believe it is totally fair that they receive a fair return on their investment and the government should not “steal” it. These caring believers also see the sin inherent in the human species, but only one side.
It is well documented that these people are the first in line and give the most to those who are truly disabled, sick or in need; but when they look at the so-called disadvantaged, they also see the lazy people who have learned how to game the system and take advantage of the taxpayer. Helping an unwed mother is one thing, but by the third, fourth or fifth generation, it is no longer a mistake, it is a lifestyle with no end in sight.
For these hard working people, the government is not the answer, it is the problem – making a hard life all but impossible. In America (it is believed), regardless of race, creed, color, religion, gender, socio-economic level or any other qualifier, there is opportunity. One can still strive for the “American Dream.” The playing field here is essentially level at the start. It already is “equal,” but the focus here is on the starting gate, and what a person does with their life is left up to them.
On the third hand… I won’t comment significantly on Islam. That is a world unto itself. Let me just say it has historically been the case where a few clerics, scholars and strongmen (never strongwomen) have had the advantages of this world and most of the people have not. As such, caring or fairness has not much entered into the equation. It is “The Will of Allah,” and any social, political or economic discourse is subservient to the religion.
Finally, there is the older Judeo-Christian view of fairness, and while it will have to wait until the next post, let me just say it recognizes the sin inherent in the human species, both sides.
-Michael
The Fiction Side: The Storyteller http://mgkizzia.wordpress.com/
The Non-Fiction Side: Word & Spirit http://michaelkizzia.wordpress.com/
One side cares. The concern is for the poor, hungry, homeless, and in every way what history is calling the disadvantaged. To be sure, fairness is most often spoken of in the negative: that to apply ordinary justice to such people would not be fair. The disadvantaged need extra help, special breaks, a hand up. They need compassion, not punishment. They need access to education and real opportunities which have otherwise been denied them.
When those who think this way look at those who appear advantaged (successful), they feel it is only right (justice) that the advantaged people share. Share, like we are taught when we are infants. These caring believers see the sin inherent in the human species, but only one side.
It is greed and selfishness that oppresses others. Therefore, it is the right of the collective (government) to force the advantaged to share – to give up their advantages in order to create a more level playing field – in order to make things “equal.” And the focus is certainly on the results.
The other side… cares. But the concern here is for the people who struggle to make a good life, who try, who fight the good fight and seek to do what is right for themselves, their families and their neighbors (if not their nation). These good people make the effort in life and it is only fair that they should be rewarded and be able to enjoy the fruits of their labor. In recent years, this view of fairness is also beginning to be expressed in the negative. For the collective (government) to take that fruit and give it to others through excessive taxes and punitive rules and regulations is not fair.
When those who think this way look at those who appear disadvantaged, they point to people in similar circumstances who have become successful, or they point at themselves and say no one helped me. I worked hard and made something of myself. These people invest their lives in a job or a business and believe it is totally fair that they receive a fair return on their investment and the government should not “steal” it. These caring believers also see the sin inherent in the human species, but only one side.
It is well documented that these people are the first in line and give the most to those who are truly disabled, sick or in need; but when they look at the so-called disadvantaged, they also see the lazy people who have learned how to game the system and take advantage of the taxpayer. Helping an unwed mother is one thing, but by the third, fourth or fifth generation, it is no longer a mistake, it is a lifestyle with no end in sight.
For these hard working people, the government is not the answer, it is the problem – making a hard life all but impossible. In America (it is believed), regardless of race, creed, color, religion, gender, socio-economic level or any other qualifier, there is opportunity. One can still strive for the “American Dream.” The playing field here is essentially level at the start. It already is “equal,” but the focus here is on the starting gate, and what a person does with their life is left up to them.
On the third hand… I won’t comment significantly on Islam. That is a world unto itself. Let me just say it has historically been the case where a few clerics, scholars and strongmen (never strongwomen) have had the advantages of this world and most of the people have not. As such, caring or fairness has not much entered into the equation. It is “The Will of Allah,” and any social, political or economic discourse is subservient to the religion.
Finally, there is the older Judeo-Christian view of fairness, and while it will have to wait until the next post, let me just say it recognizes the sin inherent in the human species, both sides.
-Michael
The Fiction Side: The Storyteller http://mgkizzia.wordpress.com/
The Non-Fiction Side: Word & Spirit http://michaelkizzia.wordpress.com/
Thursday, November 4, 2010
The New Dark Ages: The Beggars; the Permanent Underclass
These days we consider ourselves more civilized than the middle ages.
Hark! Hark! The dogs do bark,
The beggars are coming to town.
Some in rags,
And some in tags,
And one in a velvet gown!
Then again there’s Monty Python
“How can you tell he’s the King?”
“He doesn’t have any shit on his shoes…”
###
Welcome to the New Dark Ages
And you thought homelessness was a recent phenomenon…
In the first dark ages there were refugees – whole migrations of refugees, and disabled from one war or another. There were criminals, and people thrown from their land because the church wanted it or some noble lord wanted a new hunting preserve. There were people in debt who could not pay who ended up in debtor’s prisons, as indentured servants (virtual slaves) or in the poor house. People were regularly reduced to begging as well as the normal lazy vagabonds who for whatever reason were content to beg for their bread and depend on the poor box in the local parish. What do you think made up Robin Hood’s band of merry men? It was not the rich and famous.
Today, we are a much more compassionate society, or so we think. We have public housing, welfare, food stamps. No one needs to beg, though some still do. And this is compassionate, but is it wise? You see, back then there was a real incentive (granted a negative incentive) to work hard, stay in good graces with the church and the lord of the manor, deal honestly (against criminality) with your neighbors, live frugally, save what you could against the rainy day, and be charitable with the understanding that you might end up there, but for the grace of God,
Today, the incentive is turning on its head. We are already seeing some results (and riots) in certain parts of the globe, like Europe where this “entitlement” thinking has taken a firm hold. Yes, I know it is very politically incorrect to think this through, but here is the truth of it: entitlement = government promises = taxpayer money = STEALING from your neighbor…
I am not saying we were better off in the first dark ages when people got thrown out into the street. I am saying we have to find a different way of being compassionate to the poor and needy because the way we are doing it is not working.
The bureaucratic class needs a permanent underclass to be their power base, but that class cannot be allowed to get too big. Someone has to pay for it and to be blunt, there just are not that many rich people.
Our current system kills the incentive to work hard. Young people are asking why they should work their butts off when they can do almost as well not working at all. It kills the incentive to stay in good graces with the owners and bureaucrats. Cheating on taxes, for example, is becoming a way of life to where you are considered a fool if you don’t cheat. And the same goes for neighbors. Thought for neighbors and charity in general are entirely out the window. Our current system of entitlement thinking inspires us to ask, “What’s in it for me?” There is no incentive at all to live frugally or save. Even massive debt is no sweat given the big bailouts we have all seen.
We have to find a better way, because otherwise that word “unsustainable” will rear its ugly head and then the bureaucratic class will have to impose a litmus test for “help.” When that happens, the millions who don’t pass that test better find work mighty quick. If they don’t, we will soon enough be right back in nursery rhyme land: Hark, hark! The dogs do bark. The beggars are coming to town…
-Michael The Fiction Side:
The Storyteller http://mgkizzia.wordpress.com/
The Non-Fiction Side: Word & Spirit http://michaelkizzia.wordpress.com/
Hark! Hark! The dogs do bark,
The beggars are coming to town.
Some in rags,
And some in tags,
And one in a velvet gown!
Then again there’s Monty Python
“How can you tell he’s the King?”
“He doesn’t have any shit on his shoes…”
###
Welcome to the New Dark Ages
And you thought homelessness was a recent phenomenon…
In the first dark ages there were refugees – whole migrations of refugees, and disabled from one war or another. There were criminals, and people thrown from their land because the church wanted it or some noble lord wanted a new hunting preserve. There were people in debt who could not pay who ended up in debtor’s prisons, as indentured servants (virtual slaves) or in the poor house. People were regularly reduced to begging as well as the normal lazy vagabonds who for whatever reason were content to beg for their bread and depend on the poor box in the local parish. What do you think made up Robin Hood’s band of merry men? It was not the rich and famous.
Today, we are a much more compassionate society, or so we think. We have public housing, welfare, food stamps. No one needs to beg, though some still do. And this is compassionate, but is it wise? You see, back then there was a real incentive (granted a negative incentive) to work hard, stay in good graces with the church and the lord of the manor, deal honestly (against criminality) with your neighbors, live frugally, save what you could against the rainy day, and be charitable with the understanding that you might end up there, but for the grace of God,
Today, the incentive is turning on its head. We are already seeing some results (and riots) in certain parts of the globe, like Europe where this “entitlement” thinking has taken a firm hold. Yes, I know it is very politically incorrect to think this through, but here is the truth of it: entitlement = government promises = taxpayer money = STEALING from your neighbor…
I am not saying we were better off in the first dark ages when people got thrown out into the street. I am saying we have to find a different way of being compassionate to the poor and needy because the way we are doing it is not working.
The bureaucratic class needs a permanent underclass to be their power base, but that class cannot be allowed to get too big. Someone has to pay for it and to be blunt, there just are not that many rich people.
Our current system kills the incentive to work hard. Young people are asking why they should work their butts off when they can do almost as well not working at all. It kills the incentive to stay in good graces with the owners and bureaucrats. Cheating on taxes, for example, is becoming a way of life to where you are considered a fool if you don’t cheat. And the same goes for neighbors. Thought for neighbors and charity in general are entirely out the window. Our current system of entitlement thinking inspires us to ask, “What’s in it for me?” There is no incentive at all to live frugally or save. Even massive debt is no sweat given the big bailouts we have all seen.
We have to find a better way, because otherwise that word “unsustainable” will rear its ugly head and then the bureaucratic class will have to impose a litmus test for “help.” When that happens, the millions who don’t pass that test better find work mighty quick. If they don’t, we will soon enough be right back in nursery rhyme land: Hark, hark! The dogs do bark. The beggars are coming to town…
-Michael The Fiction Side:
The Storyteller http://mgkizzia.wordpress.com/
The Non-Fiction Side: Word & Spirit http://michaelkizzia.wordpress.com/
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
The New Dark Ages: The Employment (Peasant) Class
Sir Brian, a small land owner stepped out of his house to check on the work. “Giles,” he shouted. “Get that wagon packed. Success in the market depends on timely arrival.” Giles nodded.
He stepped over to Mary’s table where she was looking over the crop situation. She had to figure out what went to various overlords in taxes and tithe, what went to the owner, what got divided between the workers and what, if any, might be left over to save for the proverbial rainy day.
“It is barely enough to make ends meet,’ she said. Sir Brian smiled to encourage her. He knew it was barely enough.
He stepped to the field where the workers, tools in hand were hard at it. They looked up at him when he spoke. “Do a good job, people. We will need the winter harvest to make it to the other side of spring.
###
Brian, a small business owner stepped out of his office to check on the work. “Giles,” he shouted. “Get that box packed. Success in the market depends on timely arrival.” Giles nodded.
He stepped over to Mary’s desk where she was looking over the financial situation. She had to figure out what went to various governments in taxes and regulatory fees, what went to the owner, what got divided between the workers, and what, if any, might be left over to save for the proverbial rainy day.
“It is barely enough to make ends meet,” she said. Brian smiled to encourage her. He knew it was barely enough.
He stepped to the room where the workers, tools in hand were hard at it. They looked up at him when he spoke. “Do a good job, people. We will need the Christmas sales to make it to the other side of spring.
###
Welcome to the New Dark Ages.
The employee (peasant) class comes in many forms: middle and lower management, small business owners, merchants, accountants and bookkeepers and workers (not far from serfs). People need to work, and to be sure, some do well enough and perhaps very well. Most, though, just make a living, and many of them only if both spouses are working. Children are more on their own these days than ever – apart from the middle ages.
Some workers have to belong to unions – not unlike the guilds in the first dark ages. If you were not a member of the local but did that work, your property would be vandalized and threats would be made against your person and maybe even your family back then, too.
True, there is theoretically more movement these days. People are not tied to their companies the way they were tied to the land, but the truth is many feel they are tied, especially in poor economic times when they feel lucky to have a job. For those who do make a move, it is generally lateral movement and only some rare upward mobility. Auto mechanics, burger flipping, used car selling, assembly line work are all valid skills, but where can you really go with them?
These days, the better paying jobs require education, certification, even licensing that puts them out of reach of most people. While licenses and certifications might help protect the public from average cranks, it makes it hard to become a doctor, lawyer, teacher, or any profession. The cost of the education alone is prohibitive for most, so the numbers have not increased significantly for the population and it will not be long before certain professions will be lean or wanting in a variety of times and places, just like the first time the dark ages came around.
Yes, promotions still happen up to a point, but even in the first dark ages if a serf showed the right skills and some leadership qualities, they could get promoted out of the fields as well.
For our Dark Ages there are two things to consider which in some ways will make our Dark Ages worse that the first time around. They will have to wait until the next post, however, when we talk about the Beggars: the Permanent Underclass.
-Michael The Fiction Side:
The Storyteller http://mgkizzia.wordpress.com/
The Non-Fiction Side: Word & Spirit http://michaelkizzia.wordpress.com/
He stepped over to Mary’s table where she was looking over the crop situation. She had to figure out what went to various overlords in taxes and tithe, what went to the owner, what got divided between the workers and what, if any, might be left over to save for the proverbial rainy day.
“It is barely enough to make ends meet,’ she said. Sir Brian smiled to encourage her. He knew it was barely enough.
He stepped to the field where the workers, tools in hand were hard at it. They looked up at him when he spoke. “Do a good job, people. We will need the winter harvest to make it to the other side of spring.
###
Brian, a small business owner stepped out of his office to check on the work. “Giles,” he shouted. “Get that box packed. Success in the market depends on timely arrival.” Giles nodded.
He stepped over to Mary’s desk where she was looking over the financial situation. She had to figure out what went to various governments in taxes and regulatory fees, what went to the owner, what got divided between the workers, and what, if any, might be left over to save for the proverbial rainy day.
“It is barely enough to make ends meet,” she said. Brian smiled to encourage her. He knew it was barely enough.
He stepped to the room where the workers, tools in hand were hard at it. They looked up at him when he spoke. “Do a good job, people. We will need the Christmas sales to make it to the other side of spring.
###
Welcome to the New Dark Ages.
The employee (peasant) class comes in many forms: middle and lower management, small business owners, merchants, accountants and bookkeepers and workers (not far from serfs). People need to work, and to be sure, some do well enough and perhaps very well. Most, though, just make a living, and many of them only if both spouses are working. Children are more on their own these days than ever – apart from the middle ages.
Some workers have to belong to unions – not unlike the guilds in the first dark ages. If you were not a member of the local but did that work, your property would be vandalized and threats would be made against your person and maybe even your family back then, too.
True, there is theoretically more movement these days. People are not tied to their companies the way they were tied to the land, but the truth is many feel they are tied, especially in poor economic times when they feel lucky to have a job. For those who do make a move, it is generally lateral movement and only some rare upward mobility. Auto mechanics, burger flipping, used car selling, assembly line work are all valid skills, but where can you really go with them?
These days, the better paying jobs require education, certification, even licensing that puts them out of reach of most people. While licenses and certifications might help protect the public from average cranks, it makes it hard to become a doctor, lawyer, teacher, or any profession. The cost of the education alone is prohibitive for most, so the numbers have not increased significantly for the population and it will not be long before certain professions will be lean or wanting in a variety of times and places, just like the first time the dark ages came around.
Yes, promotions still happen up to a point, but even in the first dark ages if a serf showed the right skills and some leadership qualities, they could get promoted out of the fields as well.
For our Dark Ages there are two things to consider which in some ways will make our Dark Ages worse that the first time around. They will have to wait until the next post, however, when we talk about the Beggars: the Permanent Underclass.
-Michael The Fiction Side:
The Storyteller http://mgkizzia.wordpress.com/
The Non-Fiction Side: Word & Spirit http://michaelkizzia.wordpress.com/
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The New Dark Ages: The Bureaucratic (Church) Class
The Baron sat on his throne and spoke openly to the Archbishop. “We are agreed, then. We recommend Charles to the King for appointment to the Bishopric.”
“Charles will do well.” The Archbishop nodded. “The Bishopric really controls nothing but a few insignificant parishes and a monastery. He won’t be able to screw anything up.”
“Of course, Rome will have to approve.”
“But that is a given. Rome never seriously objects on these lesser positions.”
###
The CEO sat behind his desk and spoke openly to the Cabinet Assistant Secretary. “We are agreed, then. We recommend Charles to the President for appointment to the department.”
“Charles will do well.” The Assistant Secretary nodded. “The department controls nothing but a few insignificant offices and a technology center. He won’t be able to screw anything up.”
“Of course the Senate will have to approve.”
“But that is a given. The Senate never seriously objects on these lesser positions.”
###
Welcome to the New Dark Ages
The Owner class – those elected to power – will appoint ministers, cabinet secretaries and heads of departments out of their own ranks like the Nobility of old appointed Bishops, Archbishops and the like. Sadly, like their Medieval counterparts, these appointments are and will be more concerned with enriching themselves than they will with seeing to the system. The reasons will be the same as before.
For one, the government departments, like the Bishoprics will be too large and unwieldy to get everywhere and examine everything. The idea of visiting every office (parish) will be too time consuming to be worthwhile. The “head” will not even know all of the work for which his people are responsible until some other department (bishopric) tries to take it away . Then there will be a fight for territory.
For two, the bureaucrats, like parish priests will be lifetime positions (especially as the unions exert more and more hold on the work). Even if a “head” becomes aware of utter incompetence in some office, it will be impossible to get rid of the person or persons. They may be shifted around, but that will just spread the incompetence elsewhere.
To be fair, many bureaucrats, like many a priest of old, will do their best to do a credible job in the position. But their hands will be tied by the very rules and regulations they are to uphold and enforce. They will not be able to do anything about something that even they see as an injustice without being branded a rebel (heretic) – and then they can be gotten rid of…
One of the chief occupations of the bureaucratic (church) class, of course, will be to keep the coffers full. There was always a poor box, and the peasants (employment class) were and will be told over and over to consider the poor and destitute. Some of it will go up the ladder and enrich the upper bureaucrats and department heads, but some of it will be used to actually help the poor: by which I mean the needy, yes, but also thieves, beggars, prostitutes, and the terminally lazy even as it does now. Still, the bureaucratic class will harp on the poor and destitute because they understand that much of their power, not to mention many of their jobs, will be directly tied to this permanent, non-productive underclass. The peasants (the employed) will be squeezed for their money. Oh wait, we already are.
###
-Michael The Fiction Side:
The Storyteller http://mgkizzia.wordpress.com/
The Non-Fiction Side: Word & Spirit http://michaelkizzia.wordpress.com/
“Charles will do well.” The Archbishop nodded. “The Bishopric really controls nothing but a few insignificant parishes and a monastery. He won’t be able to screw anything up.”
“Of course, Rome will have to approve.”
“But that is a given. Rome never seriously objects on these lesser positions.”
###
The CEO sat behind his desk and spoke openly to the Cabinet Assistant Secretary. “We are agreed, then. We recommend Charles to the President for appointment to the department.”
“Charles will do well.” The Assistant Secretary nodded. “The department controls nothing but a few insignificant offices and a technology center. He won’t be able to screw anything up.”
“Of course the Senate will have to approve.”
“But that is a given. The Senate never seriously objects on these lesser positions.”
###
Welcome to the New Dark Ages
The Owner class – those elected to power – will appoint ministers, cabinet secretaries and heads of departments out of their own ranks like the Nobility of old appointed Bishops, Archbishops and the like. Sadly, like their Medieval counterparts, these appointments are and will be more concerned with enriching themselves than they will with seeing to the system. The reasons will be the same as before.
For one, the government departments, like the Bishoprics will be too large and unwieldy to get everywhere and examine everything. The idea of visiting every office (parish) will be too time consuming to be worthwhile. The “head” will not even know all of the work for which his people are responsible until some other department (bishopric) tries to take it away . Then there will be a fight for territory.
For two, the bureaucrats, like parish priests will be lifetime positions (especially as the unions exert more and more hold on the work). Even if a “head” becomes aware of utter incompetence in some office, it will be impossible to get rid of the person or persons. They may be shifted around, but that will just spread the incompetence elsewhere.
To be fair, many bureaucrats, like many a priest of old, will do their best to do a credible job in the position. But their hands will be tied by the very rules and regulations they are to uphold and enforce. They will not be able to do anything about something that even they see as an injustice without being branded a rebel (heretic) – and then they can be gotten rid of…
One of the chief occupations of the bureaucratic (church) class, of course, will be to keep the coffers full. There was always a poor box, and the peasants (employment class) were and will be told over and over to consider the poor and destitute. Some of it will go up the ladder and enrich the upper bureaucrats and department heads, but some of it will be used to actually help the poor: by which I mean the needy, yes, but also thieves, beggars, prostitutes, and the terminally lazy even as it does now. Still, the bureaucratic class will harp on the poor and destitute because they understand that much of their power, not to mention many of their jobs, will be directly tied to this permanent, non-productive underclass. The peasants (the employed) will be squeezed for their money. Oh wait, we already are.
###
-Michael The Fiction Side:
The Storyteller http://mgkizzia.wordpress.com/
The Non-Fiction Side: Word & Spirit http://michaelkizzia.wordpress.com/
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
The New Dark Ages: Servants of the Nobility (Owner Class).
“I know.” The Baron had a thought and grinned because of it. “I’ll take the King’s representative out on a hunt in the game preserve. I’ll get him riding all day, and then have a banquet in his honor with plenty of wine. Make sure there is plenty of wine. When he is in the right frame of mind, we can feed him the information we want him to take back to the King. Do you think?”
###
“I know.” The CEO had a thought and grinned because of it. “I’ll take the assistant treasury secretary out on the golf course. I’ll get him walking all day, and then take him to the club house for dinner with plenty of wine. Call the club and make sure they have plenty of the kind he likes. When he is in the right frame of mind, we can feed him the information we want him to take back to Washington. Do you think?”
###
Welcome to the New Dark Ages.
So, the Barron had his jester, treasurer, court magician and astrologer, physician and chamberlain. So also the owner class has its entertainers, accountants, lawyers (to cast spells or spins to keep off the dreaded bureaucrats and the tax man), the best medical care money can buy, and a personal secretary to keep track of it all.
As the government or bureaucratic (church) class strives to take over more and more of the private sector, the owner class will strive to resist. There will be and already are massive compliance departments in the corporations, not to be sure the company is in compliance with all the oppressive rules and regulations of the bureaucratic class, but to find ways to get around those rules and regulations. Compliance lawyers, accountants and public relations (spin) people will command premium prices in the New Dark Ages to defend and build up the company the way engineers, architects and military experts in the Middle Ages commanded premium prices to defend and build up cities.
What is important for the owner class to understand is when their people of a liberal or socialist perspective are elected, like the days of a weak monarchy and weak nobility, the bureaucratic class (church) will grow in power, thus further eroding the owner class’s ability to resist. Conversely, when owner class people of a more moderate or conservative perspective are elected, like the days of a strong monarchy and strong nobility, the power of the bureaucrats (church) will be limited and the power of the owner class will be strengthened.
NOTE: No matter which end of the political spectrum is elected, the employment (peasant) class will not be helped. Wait, that is already true.
Ultimately, the owner class’s ability to appoint ministers, cabinet secretaries and department heads, like the monarchy and nobility of old appointing Bishops and Archbishops, and sometimes even Cardinals and Popes will have little effect on the daily grind of the Bureaucratic class. Next time…..
###
-Michael The Fiction Side:
The Storyteller http://mgkizzia.wordpress.com/
The Non-Fiction Side: Word & Spirit http://michaelkizzia.wordpress.com/
###
“I know.” The CEO had a thought and grinned because of it. “I’ll take the assistant treasury secretary out on the golf course. I’ll get him walking all day, and then take him to the club house for dinner with plenty of wine. Call the club and make sure they have plenty of the kind he likes. When he is in the right frame of mind, we can feed him the information we want him to take back to Washington. Do you think?”
###
Welcome to the New Dark Ages.
So, the Barron had his jester, treasurer, court magician and astrologer, physician and chamberlain. So also the owner class has its entertainers, accountants, lawyers (to cast spells or spins to keep off the dreaded bureaucrats and the tax man), the best medical care money can buy, and a personal secretary to keep track of it all.
As the government or bureaucratic (church) class strives to take over more and more of the private sector, the owner class will strive to resist. There will be and already are massive compliance departments in the corporations, not to be sure the company is in compliance with all the oppressive rules and regulations of the bureaucratic class, but to find ways to get around those rules and regulations. Compliance lawyers, accountants and public relations (spin) people will command premium prices in the New Dark Ages to defend and build up the company the way engineers, architects and military experts in the Middle Ages commanded premium prices to defend and build up cities.
What is important for the owner class to understand is when their people of a liberal or socialist perspective are elected, like the days of a weak monarchy and weak nobility, the bureaucratic class (church) will grow in power, thus further eroding the owner class’s ability to resist. Conversely, when owner class people of a more moderate or conservative perspective are elected, like the days of a strong monarchy and strong nobility, the power of the bureaucrats (church) will be limited and the power of the owner class will be strengthened.
NOTE: No matter which end of the political spectrum is elected, the employment (peasant) class will not be helped. Wait, that is already true.
Ultimately, the owner class’s ability to appoint ministers, cabinet secretaries and department heads, like the monarchy and nobility of old appointing Bishops and Archbishops, and sometimes even Cardinals and Popes will have little effect on the daily grind of the Bureaucratic class. Next time…..
###
-Michael The Fiction Side:
The Storyteller http://mgkizzia.wordpress.com/
The Non-Fiction Side: Word & Spirit http://michaelkizzia.wordpress.com/
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