Trading out Politics and Economy

We stand here looking at our fire pit of beliefs. We really want to see our beliefs burn hot. We want to get this fire started. 

But instead of the properly prepared foundation, we still have a mess of things that includes things that are good, things that are too big for the fire to start with, and things that don’t burn at all. And then there are the things that are toxic if burned. 

We have spent a couple weeks now pulling cultural debris out of the pile. We have found some treasures. And we have found some garbage. 

Last week we discussed civil issues. This week, we remove the political ones. 

The big election is coming up in one week, so you may not think this the best time to be pulling this out of the pit, but trust me - it’s for the best. But the candidates - but our country - our nation’s soul - trust me, it is for the best. 

We have such strong political opinions based in culture. Every part of culture feeds our political opinions. In this pit, we find most of this cultural stuff tangled together. It needs to be separated, cleaned up, and then placed back in the pit at the right time, with purpose in mind. So, for now at least, it goes.

And with it, economics. 

“Money makes the world go round.” so the saying goes. But economics is about so much more than money. It is about how you interact and trade the resources at your disposal.

Land, food, clothing, transportation, labor, tools, parts, raw materials, ideas, drugs, sex, power, influence, control, time, and on the list goes. If someone has something and needs something else, and another person can fulfill their needs by meeting the other’s needs, then economy is born.

Money is a tool that summarizes the many resources, and makes trade easier. But economy is about so much more. 

So look at what you need. Look at what you give in exchange for those needs. That is your economy. And your entire economy needs to be pulled from the pit. 

Your economy extends from you and your family, friends, and employer on up to a global scale. Think amazon.com and wish.com and similar sites. Oh, and the local superstore. Take that and remove it as well. You need to examine and define your fit into the economy. So let’s remove that for now. 

That’s it for today. It was a lot, but it was good. Next week we will continue to clean out the pit so it will be ready to build a spectacular fire.