So here are some thoughts on a new gestalt, a re-shuffling
and re-arrangement of the relationships within and between our so-called ‘systems’
of politics, society and economics that are more consistent with the best
ideals of humanity.
First, let’s look at the ‘hidden’ back end costs of how
we’re doing things now. For example, the costs of air pollution in asthma,
medical care, illness, stress, days lost from school and work, inability to
learn and earn, crime, violence, abuse because children and adults couldn’t
learn and earn, etc. Let’s factor these costs into our energy policy. With
these costs factored in, what’s the real cost of burning polluting fuels? Such
‘hidden’ costs, costs that somehow must be paid either in higher prices, fees,
insurance bills or taxes, abound in all our so-called ‘systems.’
Take universal health care. There’s an upfront cost
associated with that, but one of the hidden costs of doing things as we are is
that businesses—large and small, must pay for it and that makes our business
less competitive with the businesses in countries that have universal health
care. So looking at the ‘hidden’ back end costs and factoring them into our
planning and budgeting will make a huge contribution to a sustainable world
that works compassionately to bring out the full potential and best for
everyone and everything in it. This will be difficult to do, but not beyond the
range of our super computers.
Next, as mentioned earlier, consider the interrelationship,
interdependence and interconnections within and between our so-called ‘systems’
primarily the political, social and economic. Stop viewing these in isolation each
with its own set of rules, principles and outcomes, but as a whole, valuing
them only if they contribute to a sustainable world that works compassionately
to bring out the full potential and best for everyone and everything in it and
tweaking and changing them if they don’t.
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