Greed and the new poor

Welcome to the new world. Suddenly everything we thought we knew about how
the world of work has changed and all our monetary machinations have gone up in
smoke. Prudent investments and careful trading appear to have gone the way
of the dinosaurs. So far I have not read of any stockbrokers hurling
themselves off skyscrapers, which is at least progress. It is after all only
money.

In reality this financial crisis has nothing to do with prudent investing
and everything to do with greed. So you can't afford a new car or house or
clothes? Well we can do you a favour and make all these necessities ever so
affordable, so you can live while you spend. So what if you are in debt for
life. What had you planned to do with your money anyway?

How did it start? Was it the 1980's creed of “greed is good” that got us on
the slippery slope to global meltdown? Was it the death of Communism that
allowed the scales to shift so far in favour of an unrestrained worship of a
paper god and the freedom it buys us? Money is a tool and like all crafts,
some are masters and some will never even understand the basic rules.
Unfortunately we seem to have got it wrong on a global scale and even world
leaders are sweating blood over the crisis. While watching George Bush go a
“ whiter shade of pale” is gratifying, it’s is also terrifying how the
world’s most powerful country ain’t so rich after all. Is it that leaders
care so deeply about the fate of their people or could it be that that
elections are coming up and most of them are going to be out of jobs next
time round? What do unemployed prime ministers or presidents do with their
time? Broker peace deals in the world’s hell holes I suppose. And what do
they live on ? Pension packages that would make a millionaire smile, because
they have to be able to maintain the lifestyle that allows them to live in
the style to which we could all become e accustomed to if only. And what
about Jane and Jabu average who can barely afford to make car payments and
is being urged to plant veggies to sustain life?

Post war generations were so used to deprivation, food rationing and motor
vehicles being a luxury that one rich person on the street had. Perhaps we
are going back to the bicycle route which looks oh so glamorous in movies
but is hell on the legs. At least the red lipstick, stockings with seams and
high heels are cool, but so much better when you are in an air conditioned
car and not on foot.