I don't know what would be better - being a pampered house cat or a much-adored, happy-go-lucky Golden Retriever. My grandmother once had a heart to heart with my Golden Retrievers and pointed out that they live a better life now than she did as a child.
I appreciate your reference to the Holodomor. Born in 1923, my grandmother lived in extreme poverty in a tiny Ukrainian village. Once the realities of the second world war reached her, you can see why she was more afraid of the Russians than the Germans. When German soldiers eventually came to round up young, able-bodied Ukrainians to work on German farms, she took it as a positive opportunity (where she could leave her village for good) thus changing the trajectory of her life. She worked very long hours on that farm but the owner was good to her. She was grateful to finally have access to regular meals and, in fact, was given a seat at the family's dinner table.
At the age of 102 (and still living alone in her own detached house) she is the strongest woman I know. She survived Stalin and Hitler. Time will tell which other oppressor(s) she will be proud to outlive.
The post war years saw the gradual corruption of capitalism with socialist ideas. The result has been a hybrid in which some of the main tenets of a market economy, such as creative destruction, have been set aside. Companies are propped up by ultra low interest rates, individuals are propped up by welfare, and the result is economic ruin.
Based on their experience, young people say "the system" is rigged against them. They're right, it is, but "the system" isn't capitalism. Perhaps they think things are so bad that anything different is worth a try. More fool them.
It is not only individuals that are propped up by welfare, for some companies are considered too big to fail, at least in the USA. And over here some small companies are also supported by welfare to protect them from state interference or the natural possibility of failure on their own.
I too am reading The Fourth Turning. A comprehensive telling all that is wrong in America. As frightening as the state of affairs are I must have some hope that we will survive this. As a vet and proud American around for many decades I find it unbelievable that this 20 percent is actually moving so many to hate our country and seek another alternative i.e Socialism. It has to be ignorance and stupidity following evil. Over a cliff. There are some signs that people and institutions are waking up. Unfortunately not the lazy, welfare loving fools that are clueless and see the government as a panacea for the current position of their lives . I will never forget Chavez promising everything free to the poor and it worked for a short time until the Money ran out. Great example in this post. It does not take brain science to understand what occurred and see that example of failed communism. Just maybe we will be a stronger and vocal majority that will override this nonsense. Becky, my older intelligent, successful children are somewhat accepting the idea of Socialism. Their problem- they are being convinced that we have the poor and down trodden because of our capitalistic system and failure of the Government to fix the problem. And because the Government cant address the poor, Socialism might be the answer- ignoring the consequences. As Francis points out, they thrive under the current system. ??????
It's probably on a slightly different note, but a lot of celebrities/ Hollywood type, especially younger ones, almost buy into the idea of socialism etc, it can often seem like the “im a good person” and to try justify their own maybe not so proportional wealth to me. Recently it's been along the lines of being a millionaire is fine, that's earned, but noone should be a Billionaire, that's unfashionable now for some reason.
The NHS is socialist, and look at the state of it, great idea, great at the start but the way it is now, I would say, was an entirely predictable trajectory 🤔
Because my Millennial, educated intelligent, successful, caring, philanthropic Children with Worldwide travel and experiences, I must comment about a few aspects of their particular leanings and why.
1. Many but not all of our young are truly sensitive to the poor and downtrodden. Not for ideological reasons, but they see the inequality all around them, including foreign countries they have lived in. They don't see a solution to the problem and the inability of the Government to solve the problem, they see Socialism as a possible solution. Even though the contrast between their lives and those of poor socialist countries is so striking. So I would say it is Warped Philanthropy, caused or developed by leftist progressive liberals.
2. They grew up with the Media as it has developed into a liars club with no compunction. I don't think most fact checked or researched much of what they hear or see. The whole nation fell victim to that during Covid and the George Floyd riots.
3.Our education system that is predominantly staffed by liberal professors who teach according to their political or ideology instead of normal, time tested, successful, productive curriculums.
4. They are confused by our weak, often indifferent leaders. They see the self serving, power, money driven, non-productive politicians and lose faith. Unfortunately, not in the representatives, but in our government,system instead.
5. Sadly, they hardly have a chance as the trend is going.
Excellent! At first, I thought this essay was insightful but poorly written, then I realized it was intended humor and could be read as an insightful and humorous oral essay.
Maybe I should become a Labrador🤔
Jokes aside, excellent piece my man, funny to boot, but brutally accurate for it, too.
I don't know what would be better - being a pampered house cat or a much-adored, happy-go-lucky Golden Retriever. My grandmother once had a heart to heart with my Golden Retrievers and pointed out that they live a better life now than she did as a child.
As Frank Zappa once said, “communism doesn’t work because people like to own stuff.”
Brilliant piece!
Yes! Excellent. Even a Dumb progressive liberal could understand it. But, they are so misinformed and following the socialists in spite of facts.
You have the makings of another book here.
I appreciate your reference to the Holodomor. Born in 1923, my grandmother lived in extreme poverty in a tiny Ukrainian village. Once the realities of the second world war reached her, you can see why she was more afraid of the Russians than the Germans. When German soldiers eventually came to round up young, able-bodied Ukrainians to work on German farms, she took it as a positive opportunity (where she could leave her village for good) thus changing the trajectory of her life. She worked very long hours on that farm but the owner was good to her. She was grateful to finally have access to regular meals and, in fact, was given a seat at the family's dinner table.
At the age of 102 (and still living alone in her own detached house) she is the strongest woman I know. She survived Stalin and Hitler. Time will tell which other oppressor(s) she will be proud to outlive.
The post war years saw the gradual corruption of capitalism with socialist ideas. The result has been a hybrid in which some of the main tenets of a market economy, such as creative destruction, have been set aside. Companies are propped up by ultra low interest rates, individuals are propped up by welfare, and the result is economic ruin.
Based on their experience, young people say "the system" is rigged against them. They're right, it is, but "the system" isn't capitalism. Perhaps they think things are so bad that anything different is worth a try. More fool them.
It is not only individuals that are propped up by welfare, for some companies are considered too big to fail, at least in the USA. And over here some small companies are also supported by welfare to protect them from state interference or the natural possibility of failure on their own.
An excellent piece...thank you.
Really good piece, if this is anyway hopefully, my 9yo asked her teacher if she thought communism was bad and teacher replied yes, it's really bad.
Another of my unfinished audio books is the fourth turning, I just wonder where all this stuff fits in with that 🤔
I too am reading The Fourth Turning. A comprehensive telling all that is wrong in America. As frightening as the state of affairs are I must have some hope that we will survive this. As a vet and proud American around for many decades I find it unbelievable that this 20 percent is actually moving so many to hate our country and seek another alternative i.e Socialism. It has to be ignorance and stupidity following evil. Over a cliff. There are some signs that people and institutions are waking up. Unfortunately not the lazy, welfare loving fools that are clueless and see the government as a panacea for the current position of their lives . I will never forget Chavez promising everything free to the poor and it worked for a short time until the Money ran out. Great example in this post. It does not take brain science to understand what occurred and see that example of failed communism. Just maybe we will be a stronger and vocal majority that will override this nonsense. Becky, my older intelligent, successful children are somewhat accepting the idea of Socialism. Their problem- they are being convinced that we have the poor and down trodden because of our capitalistic system and failure of the Government to fix the problem. And because the Government cant address the poor, Socialism might be the answer- ignoring the consequences. As Francis points out, they thrive under the current system. ??????
It's probably on a slightly different note, but a lot of celebrities/ Hollywood type, especially younger ones, almost buy into the idea of socialism etc, it can often seem like the “im a good person” and to try justify their own maybe not so proportional wealth to me. Recently it's been along the lines of being a millionaire is fine, that's earned, but noone should be a Billionaire, that's unfashionable now for some reason.
The NHS is socialist, and look at the state of it, great idea, great at the start but the way it is now, I would say, was an entirely predictable trajectory 🤔
Because my Millennial, educated intelligent, successful, caring, philanthropic Children with Worldwide travel and experiences, I must comment about a few aspects of their particular leanings and why.
1. Many but not all of our young are truly sensitive to the poor and downtrodden. Not for ideological reasons, but they see the inequality all around them, including foreign countries they have lived in. They don't see a solution to the problem and the inability of the Government to solve the problem, they see Socialism as a possible solution. Even though the contrast between their lives and those of poor socialist countries is so striking. So I would say it is Warped Philanthropy, caused or developed by leftist progressive liberals.
2. They grew up with the Media as it has developed into a liars club with no compunction. I don't think most fact checked or researched much of what they hear or see. The whole nation fell victim to that during Covid and the George Floyd riots.
3.Our education system that is predominantly staffed by liberal professors who teach according to their political or ideology instead of normal, time tested, successful, productive curriculums.
4. They are confused by our weak, often indifferent leaders. They see the self serving, power, money driven, non-productive politicians and lose faith. Unfortunately, not in the representatives, but in our government,system instead.
5. Sadly, they hardly have a chance as the trend is going.
Excellent job of truth telling. You brought the receipts.
My 19 year old daughter has told me for years that proper communism has never been tried 🙄
Excellent! At first, I thought this essay was insightful but poorly written, then I realized it was intended humor and could be read as an insightful and humorous oral essay.
Fantastic piece, Francis. This has made me become a paid sub. Now I will officially be financially supporting every aspect of Triggernometry!
Although, I don't understand the wording of the last sentence:
'...go nose-to-nose with the people in people, and say “No.”'
Beautifully written 👌
For those like me, who do not know "Waterstones", it is a book seller based in the UK. Here's its URL: https://www.waterstones.com/