The "Over There" Syndrome

Markets are as thrilling as a Six Flags roller coaster these days. Our new “normal” as states swing between staying “open” vs “partial opening” or even back to “partial closing”. Basically, the only thing in charge of anything is that pesky bugger; Covid. It is a time when we are questioning the very foundations our society has been built on. Our values and beliefs are so tightly knotted with capitalism that pulling one thread threatens to unravels the entire tapestry.

Can we stop, for a moment, in the midst of madness and consider what it would really mean, to society as a whole, to have no police? Will crime vanish overnight? I don’t think so. Yes, our justice system is rigged and badly needs an update. Justice has been stumbling around blind for years. But. Some system is infinitely better than No system. Anarchy sounds great in philosophy class but the reality gets messy. Taking down our House of Cards leaves us with no cards left to play with. The “red” virus dots and economy crashes are all “over there”in Florida or New York or Arizona, until it’s here.

This is a big country. Space makes us feel isolated in our own bubbles. Safe. We can almost forget we are one country. Over there, is just a moment away from being here.

Mixed news, if you sifting for some, is the Federal government has finally acknowledged that practical “skills” might be a good thing to have. Even for them! A moment of levity. A pandemic laugh.

After a generation of “de-funding” technical colleges creating a crisis for the manufacturing sector (hence shipping jobs overseas) it’s kind of a “duh” moment. Of course, this begs the question, what happens next for those students burdened by debt? They face the broken promises of a degree and associated future jobs. Forget the “booga-looers” . In this case, it’s time for a “Jubilee” and economic re-set.

The Jubilee is not a new concept. Historically, some scriptures even indicate a Babylonion practice of every 50 years, blowing the rams horn to “proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants” (Leviticus 25:10). A practice of debt cancellation known as “andurarum” was issued, under law, by a newly crowned King. Now that made for some instant popularity and economic recovery. 

Liberty as a concept has not changed. It is still wrapped up with the economy and primarily the labor force. Think of the word “bondage” which comes from being “in bond” to work off your debt. Sound familiar? Now we just call it “9–5”. Forget the distraction of a possible-maybe second stimulus cheque. That one is aimed to play the elections game for votes. It will drag on until November with the carrots getting more rotten by the day.

If we want to protest, then let’s really be in it “together”. All together. Not Black vs White vs whoever. Protest for a Jubilee and economic re-set with a new foundation for stability. Take away the crushing debt of students and Average Americans who have been good citizens working hard all these years paying their tax and bills as best they can.

Come July, as back rents are due, un-employment runs out and jobs continue to vanish, people will start getting very scared. We don’t have time for Democrats and Republicans to keep fighting over our pennies. Without money and growing debt, not even Amazon and Netflix can halt the chaos. Those two are living on “borrowed” time even as credit card companies are cancelling their clients and dropping credit lines. They know it’s coming and are cutting their losses.

We can all agree, we are living in un-precedented times due to the global impact of the Covid virus. Back “in the day” people held on to the hope of immigration and an escape to a better life “over there”. This time, we are “in it together”, everywhere. And, if we are in it “together” we had better start acting like it- fast. This is Not the time to start a race war or start scapegoating. History does not need to be repeated yet again.

If history was God, by now “it/he/she/they” would be damned annoyed by our constant repetition. In 1347 the Black Death unleashed a fury of hatred against the Catalans and Jews. The second round blamed low level health workers. The Plague targeted gypsies and immigrant communities and the list continues on to; 2020 with the Chinese and Asian populations. Does it matter at this point where it all started? It is here now, not just “over there”.

Yes. History can be boring, especially when we don’t study it and learn from our mistakes. The Spanish flu was the latest example we should review and not repeat. Wear the mask, if not for yourself, then out of basic consideration for everyone else. Freedom is a privilege based on mutual respect of others in a society. You don’t have to agree with them, but you do have to consider them. Society vs anarchy. Take your pick.

As we question the continuing value of the US dollar in the global market, we need to consider the next wave of economic hits. It doesn’t matter who wins the elections in November. Thanks to Covid, the proverbial dominoes will continue to fall, even if we find a vaccine this year. (Don’t forget the Anti-Vaxxers). Recovery from this scale of economic fallout takes time. A lot of time. Next will be from Third World countries exporting their raw materials. Without tourism and collapsing prices, many governments owing their debts in dollars will be unable to pay. 

This is the back story to the real economic battle that is going on today behind closed doors. It’s not about “The People” . Who takes the hit and who gets to keep walking. In 2008, it was the People vs the Banks. In this round, Covid seems to be siding with The People. Keeping it simple, without workers or money, there is No economy. Without pay-checks or, unemployment payments there is no consumer spending and those bills start stacking up. As noted, credit card companies have already started panicked credit cuts. Reality, it’s here, not “over there”. 

This is not an “Us vs Them” situation, whoever “them” is this time. This is truly “all of us together” to survive. If you need to choose a color scheme, choose “red, white and blue”, not Blue vs Red. Black vs White. Tearing apart society solves nothing for, anyone. Destroying our cities is not producing jobs or equality. It’s simply, destruction. Destruction we can’t afford. This pandemic is Not Black or White, or Asian or, or or…It’s as blind as Justice. Get off the damn carousel of political hate and let’s all figure it out, together. Let’s Jubilee before it’s too late and It comes for all of us. Here.