Life’s Lessons Learned

                                                Life’s Lessons Learned

When I was (I guess) between six and twelve I had this strange concept that people would automatically look out for each other, in most every situation.  If I were walking down the street and was hungry, someone would feed me.  If one were sick the doctor would be there, if necessary.  If a widow and her children were evicted from their home to the streets, people would be there for them.  

I actually had to learn otherwise.  I never considered that such mercies needed to be purchased on an individual basis.  Money, money, money, makes the world go ‘round. I still find it amazing that in this country we do not properly take care of those who can no longer (or never could) care for themselves.  

I have my treasure, I earned it, it is mine and nobody else’s.  I can do with it what I want.  I have no civic responsibility and what’s more, the government should not tax me.  Every bridge should be a toll bridge, and if inadequate tolls are collected it should be allowed to fall down.  What if a person comes down with a costly illness and has insufficient funds or insurance, what then?  Like the bridges, just allow him or her to cave in and go away.   

It can be argued that the “Ayn Rand” approach to civic responsibility is what makes society thrive in a “survival of the fittest” sort of way.  On the contrary, this approach leads to malfunction and disorder and inevitably chaos.  I would argue that a system that holds off the second law of thermodynamics is a stronger system and ultimately provides a passage to a better system.
 David Evans

The following are two works of art that exemplify the above ideas:

No man is an island entire of itself; every man
is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;
if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe
is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as
well as any manner of thy friends or of thine
own were; any man's death diminishes me,
because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom
the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

John Donne

And;

Money makes the world go around
...the world go around
...the world go around.
Money makes the world go aroung
Of that we both are sure...
*rasberry sound* on being poor!

Money money money money
Money money money money
Money money money...

When you haven't any coal in the stove
And you freeze in the winter
And you curse to the wind at your fate.
When you haven't any shoes on your feet,
Your coat's thin as paper,
And you look 30 pounds underweight
When you go to get a word of advice
From the fat little pastor,
He will tell you to love evermore.
But when hunger comes to rap,
rat-a-tat rat-a-tat at the window
*knock knock* (at the window)
Who's there? (hunger) oh, hunger!!
See how love flies out the door...

For, money makes the world go around
...the world go around
...the world go around.
Money makes the world go 'round
The clinking, clanking sound of...
Money money money money
Money money money money...
Get a little, get a little
Money money money money...
Mark, a yen, a buck or a pound,
That clinking, clanking, clunking sound,
Is all that makes the world go 'round,
It makes the world go 'round!

Money Song Lyrics Sung by Liza Minnelli