Stickybuffalo.com

ENVY

Let me start things off by taking my own whack at the now well-thrashed piñata of Mitt Romney’s latest pronouncement, that complaints of widening inequality are simply “envy.” I think that to some extent, in the current political climate, this attempt by Romney to claim the crown for “most out-of-touch presidential candidate since George Bush, Sr.” needs no real rebuttal; by all means let him self-destruct. Those taking the occasion to make or repeat useful points about inequality, meanwhile, have already done a fine job.

But I thought of one more point, yesterday, which I think is interesting enough to record here; I think this might be a good response if one were in a debate with Romney (and actually wished to contest his dismissal of inequality). A bit long for a genuinely good sound-bite, probably, but oh well. Here goes:

Think about it this way, Mitt. Imagine you have a friend who plans to start a company. He’s going to need a lot of start-up capital for this enterprise, say $200 million. So you and, say, 98 other friends all go in as investors; not necessarily in equal shares but all 100 people have contributed something to this project. The $200M total is reached, the company is launched, and huzzah! your investments produce a success. Or, that is, they produce growth, but not for 99% of those who made that growth possible, you included. Certainly, the amount of initial contributions varied so one would likewise expect investors’ shares of the growth to vary, but everyone should receive something. Except that 99% are receiving absolutely nothing, with all of the growth going to the enrichment of just 1 in 100, the CEO having through some chicanery or other arranged to keep all the company’s growth to himself. This is entirely contrary to how things were supposed to work, themes of “a rising tide lifts all boats” and “everyone in this together” having been constantly repeated when money was being collected. And so, naturally, you and the rest of the 99% intend to protest this outcome, vocally and aggressively. Asked to respond to your charges, the CEO shrugs disdainfully, waves his hand and pronounces them “just envy.”

And undoubtedly, Romney’s warped corporations-are-people perspective would find various reasons why this is an invalid parallel. He still insists that Romneycare and Obamacare are completely different, after all. But I’m not sure he convinces anyone else. (more…)

I’m thankful for the things I have. Enough money to live comfortably, for now. A good city in which to live. One surviving parent in good health, plus a step-parent still on his legs. A brother who should be out of jail in just a few weeks.

I’m thankful for the astonishing revival in Cyclone football fortunes which has made football season fun.

I’m thankful for everyone who worked to defeat Issue 2 and check reactionary ambitions in Ohio, up to a point, for now. I’m thankful for the protesters who have braved cold, rain, pepper spray, etc., to nudge the issue of widening inequality closer to mainstream notice.

I’m thankful for the entertaining shows posted online for free by History and others, so I can unwind with some decent TV now and then without being a cable subscriber.

I’m thankful for the people who make and maintain WordPress and other great free software which makes my life better.

I’m thankful for the perfect weather and, generally, overall perfect post-arrival experience during my visit to France in April.

I’m thankful for the small number of things which have continued to just work, for going on twenty years in some cases; thank you, good old alarm clock, CD player, 8-bit NES, et al.

I’m thankful for what some of us call the F-All F U Contractor Attitude (FAFUCA). Which allows one to (just) keep a measure of perspective and sanity, even when working in the middle of the marketing/ecommerce blitz of a major retailer in the month of November.

I’m thankful (especially when the above is not quite enough) for the wondrous selection of fine fermented and distilled beverages available even in ordinary working-class communities in middle America, in the 21st century.

And finally, not to be too cloying, but I’m thankful for the few people who occasionally read some of this drivel and make it seem so much more worthwhile as a result.

Would you like some more of my writing?

While acknowledging my own colossal vanity, this still seems like a reasonable question; stop me when I go astray, here. If you’re reading this, after all, then presumably you’re visiting (or perchance subscribed to) stickybuffalo. Which, unless you’re all masochists, presumably indicates that you enjoy visiting stickybuffalo. Which, given that there hasn’t been much here other than my writing for like a year now, presumably means you enjoy my writing.

So here’s an offer. I’ve spent the past months working on a printed booklet project, which will feature my writing, as well as the poetry of a talented collaborator and one-time fellow honors student, plus a bit of photography from both of us. (Hers is really spectacular, believe me.) Almost none of this content, at any rate my share of it, has been or will be published at SB or anywhere else on teh intarweb.

But I will send you a copy, free, if you are interested. Just let me know your address. (I assume that anyone reading this is either a site member, and/or knows how to contact me by other means).

Thanks.