Pass this one…and many many more will follow.
Hell, even the stuff already enacted by fiat guarantees that failure is emboldened.
And soon, every single industry will come crying with their hand out. Even the hint of passing this one–and the beginnings of it have had the auto industry lining up to start sucking at the teet (or if you believe as I believe, plunging their fangs into the neck) of our worker. Fear will be the ultimate arbiter. We have–perhaps too briefly–stood up to the extortion of the unknown for a day or two. But more folks will come at us with ‘for our own good’ legislation in many forms.
They’ll claim calamity, and they’ll siphon more and more of our power. The problem that we have is that we’re getting smarter|faster|better & more productive. We’re creating more to steal, and we still are mollified by an increasing standard of living. We’re currently creating wealth, knowledge and joy faster than the thieves can steal from us. And I am glad for it, but I wonder how much we’d accomplish if the stealing wasn’t happening. What progress has been stolen because of the siphoning off of half or more of our growth, passion, power and love?
It’s not a time where we can blame the seekers of social justice on the left side of the aisle. The Republicans still rhetorically endorse some ideas of liberty, but in practice, they have been devouring us faster than the liberals. Government grows and it becomes corrupt when it gains in power. And seriously, how much cancer is too much? Even a little must be shocked and starved.
Those in our industry–and I’m talking to anyone lining up at the trough for bailout money–that purport tht they are better equipped to dispense with the fruits of my labor than me…how dare you. You financiers that tried to maximize risk, knowing full well that the Government would bail you out…you have colluded to weaken the freest society in history. Mankind has lived thousands of years in bondage and serfdom, and you’ve put us on that path.
Trust and credibility civiity and citizenship are destroyed when the work that we do is subject to the caprices of partisan politics.
But–work I will anyway. And work we all will because part of the reason we work is the sheer joy of seeing something accomplished. And when we keep in mind that every time we achieve something we wound leviathan, and every time we feel joy, we become free…it’s enough to motivate me. The 2.0 world has changed me from a mercenary looking to gain mere money…into someone that overjoyed to see stuff created for the sheer audacity of the creative act.
My guess is that we can create faster than they consume, and that when we do this we can win the war. Because even though the Taliban could crash some planes into some buildings…they would never be able to make the planes. Creation for the sake of creation is the best weapon against the consumer, and it’s time we wield it.
Go make something cool and crush the looters.
Michael Cook says:
Looting is an interesting way of putting it. The question I have is who is innocent in this situation. Borrowers, who gained from low interest rates, easy credit, who now own their home and pay on time, have only been able to do so because of the current situation. Additionally, before this crash shareholders were reaping huge gains in the stock market from the bad behavior of their company leaders.
I agree that there are some really bad apples out there, but didnt we all eat the fruit? During those banner years from 2000-2007, real estate agents were becoming richer than ever. Oddly, there were not a lot of calls to “stop the madness.” Heck, the ranks of agents swelled to record numbers.
I see your point on bailouts, but I do think that when we point fingers from our home purchased between 2000-2007 with a 5.0% fixed mortgage or after having made (lots of) money off the situation before it turned south, its sort of like throwing stones from a glass house.
October 1, 2008 — 7:11 am
Chris Johnson says:
No, it’s radically different. I’m saying: no bailout. The bailout is theft that benefits our industry by putting a yolk on everyone else. That’s making people live for us, and it’s theft.
October 1, 2008 — 8:32 am
Mark Madsen says:
“The 2.0 world has changed me from a mercenary looking to gain mere money…into someone that overjoyed to see stuff created for the sheer audacity of the creative act.”
Excellent point about the creative act. I know your article is about the bailout, but that particular statement came at a perfect time this morning.
The “Where is the money for me” attitude that I see people approach Web2.0 with is getting old. That is the same type of greed and selfishness that contributed to this bailout mess.
I’m happy to hear people talk about the other benefits of web 2.0 vs. always focusing on financial gain.
October 1, 2008 — 8:41 am
Chris Johnson says:
MM-
the article was about a philosophical point of view. My assumptions are that things are going to get tougher & less free. So what? I can create faster than i can be consumed.
The creative act makes things better for everyone.
Thanks for reading!
October 1, 2008 — 9:01 am
Mark Madsen says:
Chris, I read it a couple of times. Still waiting for the coffee to kick in, so I didn’t want to try and respond on the same philosophical level and run the risk of sounding like an idiot. Maybe too late for that. Either way, it was a great blog, I appreciate your posts on BHB.
mm
October 1, 2008 — 9:08 am
Teri Lussier says:
Wow. Chris. Possibly your best post yet.
>But–work I will anyway. And work we all will because part of the reason we work is the sheer joy of seeing something accomplished. And when we keep in mind that every time we achieve something we wound leviathan, and every time we feel joy, we become free…it’s enough to motivate me.
Simply beautiful.
October 1, 2008 — 9:48 am
keif says:
The more I dig up on the “bailout” the less I like it. We’re giving a “get out of jail free” card to people who willingly took a risk – and now because they risk not making millions quickly, the government needs to buy up these loans (which aren’t all bad, just maybe won’t see a return in a lengthy amount of time).
So if I start a business and it’s not doing as great as I hoped, can I ask the government to by it from me because Google isn’t interested? My student loans – they’re too much hassle to pay off. Let’s pass it to the tax payers. Oh – never mind I get a massive severance package wen my company tanks – the point is I get what I deserve. Everyone knows I was a bad, bad CEO that can’t run a company, so I’ll have to take my money and go wherever I want (because I can afford to now).
Oi. Screw the bailout. Screw the hand out.
October 1, 2008 — 9:34 pm
Keahi Pelayo says:
Amen!
October 2, 2008 — 2:45 pm
Dena Davis says:
You are right on this point. They want capitalized profits and socialized loses.
This bailout is the biggest fraud on the US taxpayer since the buildup on the Iraq war.
This is crazy. The credit rating of the US will go down. The currency will decline ( further). And we could have 1970 style inflation.
Yes we all made money during the “deregulation era”. Our regulators ( ie– congress) allowed the artificial inflation of real estate prices by allowing speculative lending practices. Let the Markets Rule the day!! I just hope we learn a lesson here.
October 2, 2008 — 9:28 pm