The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. ...We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of. This is a logical result of the way in which our democratic society is organized. Vast numbers of human beings must cooperate in this manner if they are to live together as a smoothly functioning society. ...In almost every act of our daily lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons...who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind.
― Edward Bernays, Propaganda
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Let's Make Speculation the Norm Again
Those that know me well, know I like to speculate. I don't have a problem questioning the status quo, especially these days. I am one of those folks that wants to look not only at the bigger picture but to also dig down in the mire to see if there really are solutions that can improve the situation without more laws and regulations doled out on high.
The Great Depression
What do we know of the Great Depression? Without consulting any references, I think it started because of the big stock market crash of 1929. From what I have learned over the decades, the stock market doesn't need to crash but when it does those that have the real money never seem to lose. Somehow the Rockefellers of the world seem to come out unscathed while the plebeians suffer greatly. Seems like it is all by design....but that is speculation.
My great grandfather, who I would call "Pops", was a dairy farmer in eastern Nebraska. He traveled abroad from Denmark when many saw the United States as a new land. A fresh start. I am speculating that the bankers thought that they had many more to exploit (as they do today with every new scheme they conjure up).
What did happen to Pops was that he borrowed money to start a dairy farm and when the Great Depression hit, he lost the farm. The bankers didn't have to take his land and source of income and home but they did. That is what they do. They make deals and call them in when it suits them. Thus is the way of the big banking institutions.
Many lost their businesses, homes, and any sense of normalcy they thought they had prior to the stock market crash.
Hindsight is 20/20
Sometimes you don't understand the past until it has a little time to settle in your mind. I love to look at patterns....the bigger picture.
I do read and listen to a lot of alternative medias. I have seen the patterns and pay attention to the "regular" media, but it is a bunch of fear porn without any concrete solutions. We go from one tragedy to the next without much true analysis or even a follow-up to whatever event they want us to concentrate on for that day.
What I have been hearing for at least 6 months, if not more, is that we are going to have another big dump in the stock market. The analysts call this a "correction." Now, I am no expert in the market but I do find it interesting how it has fluctuated greatly these days. 500 points here. 400 points there. Most of the numbers we see at the end of the day are in the negative.
For those that don't really pay attention to the market, they just see that gas prices are low and that their dollar really doesn't buy them much these days. Some may feel that something is going to happen but they aren't quite sure what.
As my maternal grandfather used to say, "Always have a back-up plan."
Are We Too Distracted to See the Bigger Picture?
I have lived out in the country for over 8 years. People out here garden a little more. Hunt. Fish. Some still have some skills that were passed down over the generations. Some even have lived in this area for generations. Most everyone has a smart phone and are very distracted by their devices. There is a stronger sense of community here because we all need to take care of each other. Neighbors really do take care of neighbors here.
For me, I think the bigger picture is not relying on a government hand-out. Why should we? I truly think that we can take care of each other. If we spent less time distracted with so much nonsense on the television (or other screens) and started a garden, we could ride out any storm that we are presented with more and more these days.
Fluctuations happen. Tragedy happens. Life happens. While we are told about this tragedy or that disaster, why not prepare? Where's your local shelter? Who runs it? What is the plan if a storm hits? Do you know who might need some extra assistance during an emergency? Should someone check on the elderly or sick?
39.6 Million are on Food Stamps
That's almost 40 million people that are vulnerable and beholden to the government. link to statistics To me, that is a sad reality. Something is broken with the current system. And with the medias telling us that the robots are going to take our jobs, those numbers will only increase in the future. link
What are we to do? What's our back up plan?
We need leaders. Community leaders that understand the unique needs of their people. We need people to realize that the monetary system is rigged for the rich to win which means someone has to lose. My great grandfather lost his dairy farm during the Great Depression. People from that time period lost a lot and for a few generations, never borrowed from the banks and bankers again. Everything was paid for up front and in cash.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think that cash is the answer. If the Federal Reserve link is printing money like there is no tomorrow, the dollar will tank even if we don't receive a Great Depression crash in the next couple of years.
No Need to Panic, Just Prepare
I think the biggest take-away from this essay is to just have many ways to take care of family, friends, and the general community. Plan for the future. Grow a garden. Share with others. What are the immediate and future needs of your community? What would you like to see that would enrich your neighborhood? What can we do to make this world a better place?
Now is the time to dream while making new and lasting friendships along the way. We humans are diverse and beautiful beings. The corporate own-medias always show us our worst. Turn off that talking box and let us, together, show our best.
And, of course, always have a back-up plan.