Just an old old school hippie, who never jumped into the mirror.
I find myself in a strange though not isolated perceptual social reality. I am one of many living not by choice deep within First world capitalism. It is a reality where there is no equality between people. I talk of just the middle working class.
I see known people who are upon retirement age, split into two categories. There are those who retire with the ability to maintain their old financial reality and those who must learn to survive with barely just enough. What separates these two groups. Like me some are just unlucky, having lost a health lottery young. And my spouse who chose to share in my loss. She has been working since she was 17. She was building a pension. But that was frozen in place by efforts of two so called (By who!) USA Presidents. Regan and Bush. (Now melting under their gambler's Laws) And since then though she makes a very good salary, we are forced to pay 60% of that for Handicapped accessible Apartment. Never mind the ever rising cost of medical drugs. Not our fault so we're just a necessary loophole in my country's superior choice of capitalism. Or so those who's retirement worked choose to perceive.
And what of the multi millions who have worked hard all their lives just to find themselves is a worse financial reality then myself. Why? Often it's due to the thieving rich. Yes, those who own our country. We are a country of great laws and greater loopholes. Most find these loopholes acceptable as one day they might be lucky enough to use them. And I could list all the many other reasons why some became the have not's, but for this considered perception they don't really matter. Like myself reality often F**ks with people. And not with others.
I am forced to see people who are not overly more deserving traveling constantly to warm sand escapism. People who now have time to free themselves of our great capitalist's oppressions. Though people who hidden inside is the fear that they are but inches away from, the rest of us...
Now at the same time I see more then our privileged western world. A society that is devolving into a 2 class system. And the part of the middle class's fear of losing their share of what the rich allow them, simply allows this breakdown to continue. And do they care for what their grandchildren will inherit.
If only Marxism would have worked. Is this evolution back into pre-feudal reality too late to stop. A world in decline. I cry for tomorrow as even if I will soon be on the bottom rung of Capitalism, there are many already there. Such beautiful people displaced by religion and greed.. Ancient and cultured countries Shredded into confetti.
So back to my original thought. I have no envy. I am just as a empathic man saddened that people of whom I thought of as equals', are not. They now live with the haves at the bottom of our new civilization. Not economically but truly emphatically
Men and women who are eating their own tomorrow.
Yes, as a godless man I must not matter to most of you. And in the end we all must die. Most of you believe that another's words will save you from the actions of your fears. I smile through my Poet tears as I believe that if I can be saved, it will be by my own words. But death is not life. A life not afraid to share what I do not need (not want/real need) never oppressed me. Even though my strength is shattered, I have refused to break.
So, as you share openly, your good fortunes, realize there are many in the world who are ready to welcome you great grandchildren into the bottom half. And all your gold is just Ice Sculptures melting within a rich man's garden.
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