When Did Altruism Trump Self-interest?

When did altruism trump Self-interest's?  "America first," is emblematic of Trump's "winning" message because it appeals to the "self" in all of us.  Many Americans are weary of always worrying about and feeling responsible for taking care of others with our tax dollars, entitlement programs, and the lives of our soldiers.

The larger the "safety net" the democrats create, the more people they bring under their umbrella for entitlements and goodies from Uncle Sam, the more votes they believe they gain.  But Democrats are having a big problem because the message of altruism is not winning them elections like it used to. Altruism, this notion that we support our government, so our government can help all the needy people, is wearing thin.  As our government debt explodes, people are smart enough today to know that it is near impossible for government to keep all the promises and obligations it has already!  So folks are thinking about making more money themselves and keeping more of it.  In fact, as the economy picks us, the Democrat's message of altruism becomes even less appealing.

Ironically, it is Trump's "winning" message and all the benefits that come from a faster pace of economic growth, more profits, and higher wages, that will ultimately produce the greatest results in terms of creating better paying jobs, tax revenue, and opportunities for the needy.

This is the beauty of Capitalism.  Rather than taking away from others in an effort to redistribute what people have, as a socialist system does, capitalism recognizes that an economy is not a zero sum game. And that it is better to expand wealth rather than focus on sharing it! That is why Capitalism is so successful and Socialism is a flawed and often failed economic system.  The vision of success over altruism is winning hearts, minds, and elections.

Capitalism is a blessing, not a curse.  Capitalism is what made America great.  That is one reason why Trump's campaign slogan "Make AMERICA Great" is so powerful.  His short punchy slogans tap into the very essence of the American spirit.  Which turns out to also be an America that is better for EVERYONE.

Another reason for why capitalism and America is so successful and powerful is that Americans are also very generous.  Philanthropy, the likes of which no other nation on the planet has ever witnessed is going to take place in the coming decades. As BILLIONAIRES like Gates, Buffet, Jobs, and Bezos and many others pass on their wealth to family, as well as causes, they will complete the circle that is inherent in the design of Capitalism.  Because ultimately, nobody can "take it with them."

The fundamental difference between capitalism and socialism is that people know better what to do with their money than the government does.  The government takes the $1 through taxes and fees, but then it spends $3, two of them wastefully with some lost to fraud and abuse.  An entreprenuer will save or borrow a dollar, and turn that into $3, and in the process they will help untold others through job creation, wages, investment, etc.  Plus, the business person will still manage to do so despite the fact that local, state and federal government will take more than half of it away.  In the end, no matter how many billions of dollars that business person amasses, ALL of it, 100%, is passed on to future generations!  Government, on the other hand, passes on DEBT -- and we don't even have good infrastructure to show for it!

In conclusion, to the question, "When Did Altruism Trump Self-interest?"  The answer is, IT DIDN'T!  Which is one of the many reasons that Capitalism is still the best economic model human beings have ever designed. And why the entrepreneurial spirit flourishes where Capitalism is most efficient and prevalent.

ADVICE FOR DEMOCRATS

The country is divided between sore losers and sore winners. Losers of a competition experience a wide array of emotions: distraught, depressed, angry, resentful, sad, anxious, like a failure, frustrated, inadequate, cheated, or sometimes, even satisfied and successful.  When the loss is to a "sore winner" some of the losers feelings are elevated.

There is too much at stake for our Nation, and even the world. We must find a way to reconcile our differences. But how?  Ultimately, there will be a rematch, but that is not a solution. It is simply a chance to even the score, and seek revenge.

I do not believe the answer is by present means the losers are using either.  The winner deserves respect for their accomplishment. The loser must find the character to acknowledge the Victor. Taunting and discrediting the Victor, especially a sore winner, only brings out the worst in everyone. That's where we are today with politics -- both parties are so out to win.

From the very start of the Republican's presidential campaign he hit the nail on the head with his three slogans: "Make America Great" and "America is going to start winning again," and "America First."  And ever since, the Democrats have been running against THAT MESSAGE!  Don't you see the problem?  (And they call him an stupid. Stupid like a FOX he is!)

While the Republicans are focused on "America Winning," on the road to future political victories, the Democrats want the Victor's policies to fail, to help justify their future victory.  Metaphorically speaking, the sore loser is smashing the game pieces. But those game pieces are things that are valuable to ALL Americans.  Do the math and you must be able to see how that works against the Democrats! It's the same equation that cost Democrats the Presidency.

It seems me that the answer is the losers need new coaching. They need new leadership. They need a new attitude.  If the Democrats want to win, they have to get in the game. And they have to realize that the competition is not the Republicans after all. The "enemy" is the problems we have in America.

The Republicans are winning everywhere you look because they are in the game. And they have identified the enemies to America's success, and whether you like their solutions or not, they are at least out to win for OUR country.  Until the Democrats recognize this, they will continue to be the losers. AS it stands today, many Democrats won't even acknowledge they have a President.  And so, Republicans will keep winning.

4th of July Thought ... The Pursuit of Justice

4th of July thought ...

What is a Nation?  Is it not a people's pursuit of justice?  Think about it.  Whether founded in search for a better life, or fought for through revolution, a country is born from the passionate pursuit of our inalienable rights. Rights that we are born with. Rights that in America are protected, not given, by our Founding Fathers.

In Deuteronomy 16:20 it says, "Justice, justice shall you pursue!"

According to one Midrash the Torah begins and ends with an act of loving kindness. According to another the whole Torah rests on justice; and with justice it will end: Not until just judgment has come, on the one hand, for the poor and the meek, and on the other, for the wicked, will it be possible for the wolf to dwell with the lamb. (Isa. 11:4-6)"

"All need love in justice since justice alone would destroy them."

The following verse, from the Rabbinical text Pirkei Avot, the Teachings of the Sages, encapsulates Judaism’s attitude toward pursuing social justice and change in our world.

Lo alecha hamlachah ligmor, v’lo ata ben chorin l’hibateil mimenah.
You are not obliged to finish the task, neither are you free to neglect it.

While we are not expected to single-handedly solve the problems of society, we are responsible for contributing in some way.  Our Torah, Talmud and other Jewish texts provide a litany of exact instructions relating to prayer, food preparation and other tasks that are core to the Jewish tradition. Yet we have very few directives on social justice, other than that we should pursue it. How, then, do we respond to our "task"?

The answer, in my opinion, is embodied in the text from Deuteronomy, that is the basis for this post -- by the never-ending pursuit of justice, with love.  But this begs the question, what is love?  Is a judge to love the defendant?  Is a victim to love their assailant?

YES, I say.  Love is the ability to empathize, to understand, to be compassionate.  I do not want to live in a world that decides on justice without love. When I think of America, I think of Nation with a giant loving heart BORN out of the passionate pursuit of Justice.  SO, happy birthday America ... and have a Happy 4th of July everyone!!