Money, Get Away Money, It's a Crime

 

 

Last week I turned 82, entertained and had a small gathering for acknowledgment. One couple talked about one of their married children. The children, in question, are both veterinarians trained at UC Davis. They are athletic, physically fit and their children are the same. They are evangelicals and their kids go to private school. The Dr. Husband runs a dairy business with about 5000 cows. These Republican doctors and their children have had Covid-19; and refused vaccinations and mask wearing. This disquisition pertains to this intelligent, book learned Republican veterinarian.

Some limited background information follows: 1. The dairy industry is regulated by the Department of Agriculture. When the veterinarian goes into the red at the end of the year, the government provides subsidies for reimbursement provided that he eliminates a certain number of cows. Just like farmers that get government handouts for not producing. Price controls go back to the policies of Richard Nixon. No wonder the farmers and dairies vote Republican. What kind of capitalism is this?  2. These dairy cows require heavy vaccination and antibiotic procedures as they stand, for hours, in their own urine and feces 3. These dairy cows require artificial insemination to keep them pregnant milk producing 4. These dairy cows are discarded when they can’t produce 5. The deplorable working conditions on the farm are manned 24-7 by the undocumented. Perhaps 30 are full-time employees. 6. This intelligent veterinarian would like to sell his unprofitable business but is unable.

A word about evangelicals. Remember, Jesus Christ’s first followers were the poor, the hungry, the oppressed, uneducated men and women. The wealthy, educated and powerful were excluded from reaching heaven. Throughout the centuries of paganism, religious wars etc., the dogma of Christianity changed. At first, Jesus was a human and then became the son of God. Later on, God descended from heaven and became a man. There was a mixture of duality to become a single source. With Constantinople, mother church, the Pope,  and the priests became supreme and more universal as the church welcomed all including the rich, educated, powerful and elite.

In the beginning the 10 Commandments pertained to morals, and ethical principles of man treating man, slaves and animals. Christianity was believed to be a universal religion predicated on the concept that we are all children of God. Obviously, things have changed. Lying, cheating, killing, stealing are part of the present religious culture. It’s okay to take away the right of a woman requiring an abortion and/or the ability to vote. It’s okay to oppress undocumented workers and keep them undocumented because of the profit motive along with their ability to vote. It’s okay to not get vaccinated or mask wearing because that’s not a relevant moral question anymore. God protects the righteous. If someone catches the virus and dies, that’s their fault as are probably heathens and nonbelievers. It’s okay to abuse cows for food production because of the profit motive. Again, economics “trump” over moral and ethical values.

From a psychological perspective, let’s turn to the development of an authoritarian conscience or superego. With an authoritarian conscience, exists the internalization of the power of the father, father figure and/ or the authority of a particular group within the society. The primary sins of the power structure of the Republican Party and the character of the followers include the following.

Authoritarianism is based on the character of men in power. They believe and act by virtue of their power, that they have the right to command, dictate, discriminate, oppress, dominate, dismiss and to restrict the freedom of anyone that doesn’t fit their concept of loyalty. To obey without doubt, to follow without hesitation, to believe without objective reasoning are the conditions. Be part of the consensus, be part of the sheep, and just follow and obey. To disobey is a sin and grounds for expulsion. A few illustrations of the leader and the weak: 1.The authority of the father over his children 2. The authority of men over women 3. The authority of bosses over workers 4.The authority of states versus the federal government 5. An authority based on skin color, religious beliefs, political beliefs etc.

Likewise it’s important to control and manipulate all aspects of the government, including criminal justice, military, police, news media, Congress, Senate and Supreme Court, and what’s taught in schools. Power, control and dictating over the rights of others are supreme under authoritarianism. Power of economics overthrows moral and ethical concerns. Further, Lying, cheating, falsifying the overturn of the election is justified. If you’re not loyal, then you are the enemy to hate, to destroy, to obliterate and even kill if you get in their way. Moral ethics and values do not enter the equation at all and can easily be rationalized away-“I’m doing this for you.”

Exploitation of others is another characterological aspect. Exploitation refers to the workers, the undocumented, the African-Americans and other minorities. Contrary, to the 10 Commandments, it’s permissible for one man to use another man for cheap slave labor or for profit in our capitalistic system. It is not only permissible, it’s regulated by the “free” market; politically and by the court system. We have established laws, precedents and remedies for white skinned people that are different than laws and remedies for others. We also have discriminated and exploited numerous employment and educational options. We are unable to entice white folks to become worker bees in the agricultural and food industry. But it’s okay and desirable to have dark skinned people becoming rednecks. The South was able to grow and develop based upon slave labor. It’s profitable and you don’t have to pay your employees. It’s profitable when you own your employees. It is profitable to have your employees say “yes sir, yes ma’am.” Movies like Gone with the Wind, The Little Foxes, To Kill a Mockingbird and many others depicted the master-servant relationship in our South.

Inequality, another character component, is the belief that our country can live with material differences whether it be of education, pay, legal, health and especially race and immigrant status. We are supposed to be all children of God. Yet, color skin, political and religious beliefs tell a different story. Yes, there has been positive change on a variety of levels. In the 1950s, I attended an all-white high school and played football at a Jesuit University with other white skinned players. The TV and movies showed inequality between whites and the Indians and African-Americans. Today, Denby high school’s no longer all-white; the University of Detroit is integrated; TV, entertainment, sports and movies are well represented by African-Americans and other minorities.

 The current American pursuit and false religion relates to pursuing money and wealth. More is better. So what that CEO’s earn 300% more than his employees. So what if there’s hunger and poverty. So what if people are uninsured and have health issues. So what if there’s massive student college debt. Inequality has been present and found in our Constitution. An African-American, human property, equals 3/5 of the white man.

Our Constitution, our government, and capitalism is based on inequality. Competition necessary for economic growth is based on profit. Profit by definition suggests gain and inequality over another. The one with more education, more skills, or white skin is expected to have more. There’s nothing equal about competition and monetary profit. Acquire more, produce more, and make more etc. does not suggest equality. Siblings fight over who had a smaller piece of pie. Everyone wants more or they feel cheated.

Excessive consumption, another character characteristic, for consumption sake affects many of us, some more than others. As we are material consumers we receive and consume. We constantly consume everything in our presence. Just look at our oceans, our forests and other natural resources.

Advertising is sophisticated. We follow so many slogans like “the one with the most toys wins;” “purchasing the dream house;” “going from 0 to 60 in 1.9:” “keeping up with the Joneses” etc. Having a dead object is supposed to do what psychologically? Black Friday is a primary example that reinforces consumption. Buy now because it might be too late later on because of inflation, tie up at the ports, not enough workers to produce and transport etc. Yard sales, flea markets, estate sales, and even going to garages are some of the avenues for “used” or reframing with “ previously owned” are always available. Did I forget about purchasing on the Internet?

We have a parental philosophy that every child should be rewarded and receive what they want, when they want it. Spoiled children like adults should not be deprived and get what they want. There are plenty of credit card opportunities. Why should I concern myself about debt, the government doesn’t? Why should I delay gratification, I don’t deserve that at all.

Capitalism is dependent upon consumption. Therefore, one has to earn or borrow to acquire more and to consume more. The dollar is worshiped and valued. The dollar is supposed to bring happiness, prestige and power. The pursuit of the dollar becomes the coveted prize. Just think of all the things that money can buy- beautiful spouse; beautiful house; beautiful car etc. However, money doesn’t buy health or happiness. What happened to Steve Jobs? How happy is Jeff Bezos? How happy are Bill and Melinda? Donald, happy?

Malignant narcissism is a product of an authoritarian conscience. It’s about me. I’m first and the hell with everyone else. I am going to do what I want when I want too. It’s my right. I don’t have to wear a mask, I don’t have to vaccinate myself or my kids. If my leader wants me to change the state’s rules about elections, I will do it. If my leader wants me to storm the capitol, overthrow the election results, confront the capitol police, kill the enemies like Pense, Cheney, Kinzinger, Pelosi, Schumer, Schiff , deface the capitol, break the laws I will do it. However, I believe in “the right to life “slogan. Oh yaw, it depends ….?

In summary, although some information is based on parental reporting, the following seems apparent. Trump’s authoritarian character has been in full view over the last five years. His two impeachments, lying, cheating, and disregard for the rule of law are well documented. This veterinarian has not objected to these behaviors, policies and remains one of his followers and likely has similar character tendencies. As far as exploitation is concerned, this veterinarian significantly contributes to the problem with his agriculture business. The Republican slogan “moral majority” is hypocritical to say the least. There is nothing moral about exploitation and not in the majority. Inequality is noticeably apparent. The evangelical slogan “sanctity of life” is inconsistent and also nonsense. Abortion is not about saving life. How many Republicans are outraged over the recent school killing in Michigan? The parents of this kid are also guilty. Spreading Covid-19 and the many wars also demonstrates that lack of caring about the life of others. Obviously, abortion restrictions pertain to taking away rights of vulnerable and poor women. Malignant narcissism becomes apparent when economic interests demolish and supersede moral and ethical values. Me first and the hell with everyone else especially if they are not my kind. If I refuse to get vaccinated and get the virus, I am not protecting my family. These are “family values? “In fact, I’m doing the opposite. Further, I am harming, not loving nor supporting the best interests for my country. Oh yeah, one more point. This veterinarian, while at UC Davis, focused on the animal and food industry because that paid more than all the other areas. It’s about the money, and how is that turning out for him? Do not forget about the old teachings” the root of all evil is money.” Per Pink Floyd, Money, get away-you get a good job with more pay and you’re okay……… Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash……