National and International Challenges

We are living in a world in turmoil, besieged by economic, social and political problems; and in our attempt to solve them, we are creating a bigger mess. We, human beings, are the most dysfunctional creatures that has ever walked the cosmos. We have been endowed with intelligence but we show such incompetence to use it for the benefit of our race. Could it be because of our selfishness and greed? Whether as individuals, social groups or nations we show a strong tendency towards selfishness and greed.

As individuals not only do we strive to protect our personal space and belongings, we crush anyone or anything around us to acquire more. What we can't acquire we destroy because we do not want the next person to have it. Some of us have heaps more than we need and in doing so we deprive others of their needs. Some of the richest people and nations have such excess that they will only be able to use a tiny fraction for themselves. With this excess, however, they could fulfil the needs of the rest of the worlds poor. We do the same as social groups and as nations. We live on a beautiful planet that has everything we need, but for reasons of selfishness and greed we are intent on destroying it and ourselves. What lunacy! What a race of selfish and greedy predators! We are no better than any other animal in this world despite our higher  intelligence.

In the UK, we are having the Leveson Inquiry looking into political malpractice fuelled by selfishness and greed from all sides.  It is about one media mogul and his political influence using any means to acquire more and more.  Politicians of all parties seems to be involved.  It is a public inquiry, publicly broadcast, so if you can get access to it, certainly have a look and be your own jury. Lord Judge Leveson will give his own verdict anyway, so you may wish to wait for that.

In Egypt, we have an unprecedented presidential election this weekend. Will the outcome make a big difference? Will the partisans supporting the different ideologies be able to put their differences aside and create together a happy and convivial Egypt?  We shall have to wait and see.

Greek elections are also due  today. Will the outcome produce a stable and prosperous Greece and a strong collective nations of Europeans under one currency living and sharing happily together?  I am sure we can all predict what is likely to happen, but again let us wait and see. Whether Greece leaves the Euro or stick with it, the Euro is in dire trouble.  The main reason is that although there is a European Union in name and a single currency, the is no monetary union as such.  There is still a predatory approach where countries like Germany and France are selfishly protecting their own economy, citizens and industry and creating dependence on the others. The UK is part of the EU but has kept its own currency. It, therefore, is not directly affected by the Euro and although selfishly protecting itself, is also feeling the European backlash.

Another policy issue that politicians can never get right is the issue of immigration.  They always end up creating an us and them scenario that leads to disharmony and animosity.  Mr Obama is trying to woo voters with his stance.

In the UK, Home Secretary May has come up with this ludicrous idea that immigrants can only bring their partners or families to the UK, if the earn above a certain limit. If these immigrants are legal should they not be on the same wage as the people of the UK.  And if UK citizens can support their families on such wages why can't the immigrants do so? Or is there a hidden pay policy between the UK government and Employers that is using low paid immigrant workers in an attempt to face the economic downturn and/or boost their profit margins? The government claims that this policy reduces immigrants dependence on the state.  If we allow immigrants, should we not not give work visas to those who are less likely to seek state benefits over and above that required by other workers.

Unfortunately, the immigration issue is more complex in the UK.  Residents from other EU countries can immigrate to the UK freely and they do not need visas, or means of support such as an adequately paid employment. These are the immigrants who are then dependent on the state for state benefits; and the UK government cannot do anything about it. They are not making this clear.  They are, therefore, creating hatred and animosity between UK population and non-European immigrants. Non-European immigrants are generally not the indolent people politicians of all parties paint them out to be. I wish they do not project their incompetence to these innocent and hard-working people.

Politicians never learn.  We go from one disaster to another.  History proves this time and time again.  We resort to wars; we find a pertinent cause that can bring people together and distract them form our man-made mess. Can we trust our politicians to get it right? After all, they are not on the breadline; they are all well-heeled and so are their friends; unlike most of the people they govern.

Oh What a Mess!!

Good Luck and Good Bye until the next time.

Knight Owl