Greed out of Control

An older note in this blog (here) described how greed is at the root of much evil in the world. Perhaps it has always been so since the beginning of human civilization but its extent has varied with time and place.

I am now well past sixty. During my lifetime I have witnessed greed grow exponentially in the countries that I have lived and worked in, especially over the last two decades. This greed is spread across the spectrum of society from corporations, crime networks and even governments. Everywhere the story may be summarized in this somewhat silly ditty,

Gimme, gimme, more, more
gimme from shore to shore
In the gutter there is more
like a pig, my hunger grows

Many a corporation will use tricks and lies to trap customers into goods and services that they do not need. It is an unethical practice and customers must shun such corporations with all the contempt they deserve for when greed is unchecked it grows. As regards governments, citizens of democratic countries must be cautious to choose politicians that are more interested in public good rather than their personal wealth. The two goals are often incompatible. A check of the personal wealth of a politician and how it has grown over the past is a good indicator of that.

Most humans will change only when their greed leads them to disaster. The ones that survive shall than return to what leads to peace and happiness – love, truth, simplicity and gratitude for what the Universe provides with honest and reasonable effort, for greed uncontrolled and unchecked shall just lead to more stress and misery, whether a country be rich or whether it be poor. The wise shall shun greed even before a disaster occurs and navigate in peace through the changes with the grace of the Lord, for He protects all who seek His shelter.

The world has enough for the needs of all but it does not have enough for even one gone sick with greed who forgot that humans die.