Memoirs of a Geezer!
Reflections and Observations -- A Bright Passage from the Fantasies of Youth
to Illuminations of Advanced Maturity!
This Episode: ...With What We Are Endowed!...
"Don't Take the Word of a Geezer or Just Any Old, Odd Passer-By... It is Written!..." According to prominent economists in this country, One (1) Percent of the wealthiest Americans own and control approximately 40% of the nation's wealth. That's rather staggering information, unworthy of a democracy, and pretty damn sad, what?!
We -- the other 99% -- have often heard it said that anyone in this country can "pull her or himself up by her or his bootstraps and achieve enormous wealth and success." What a load of crap, and who the hell even has bootstraps these days??!! Imagine all of the factors that would have to coalesce to enable one to attain enormous wealth and financial success: Inner Fire or Will to do so, Opportunities, a Grubstake or a Purposeful Start from a Wealthy Parent or Relative, Race and Skin Color, Environmental Factors, Particularly Effective Mentors and Role Models, Educational Opportunities... This "bootstraps" thing -- meaning the silly notion that "anyone can attain big, giant piles of riches" -- is a thinly-disguised pretext for justifying the acquisition and maintenance of great wealth, power too, one can only surmise!
At the risk of being labeled a Geezer Socialist, I'm guessing most of us don't really strive to amass great riches; we don't want the strain of it, the loss of anonymity, the prospect of relatives and strangers banging on our doors asking for loans or enormous monetary gifts, not to mention the needs and wants of mendicants, both individual and organizational! Hell, I'm
not suggesting we don't all want financial security and reasonable comfort. Certainly we ALL do!! Many, probably most of us, would vote for mere economic comfort, vs. enormous great gobs of money glutting and bursting out of our mattresses, underground concrete shelter vaults, safety deposit boxes and offshore numbered bank accounts... Oh, and bulging wallets that make it uncomfortable to sit, giant, stuffed purses that can make us stoop-shouldered!
What I'm trying to convey is... A tribute to the ordinary citizen, an homage to those who plod along in life doing their utmost to keep life and limb together, to keep their families and those in their care fed, clothed and sheltered!! We, the "99" should all give enormous thanks to ordinary people who, happily, still control some 60%!! (Hope that figure grows rather than diminishes!!)
Apologies -- This is just an aside: We have to get big money the hell out of politics. All that money simply buys politicians, turns them into prostitutes (mostly of the male variety!) and breeds rampant mediocrity!! Imagine the talent that would emerge if candidates didn't have to be bought and paid for, but could actually devote real talent and desire to the task of serving the public (on that hard-to-imagine "even playing field"!!) That used to be the case... consider Harry Truman, for example! The list of the poorest includes U.S. Grant, Harrison, Garfield... even Tom Jefferson. Jefferson!... for pity sake!! He wasn't purchased by some rich Cocky brothers or greed-driven, power-nutzo corporate mogul dullards!
Back to the subject at hand (at least I think we're headed there)! As individuals, all of us should be judged based solely on that with which we are endowed! (For some reason I considered adding to the aforementioned "title line"... "may the lord make us truly thankful!"... borrowing either from a certain "Food Prayer" or the movie, Oliver!) And, of course, how we use our talents and acquired skills and opportunities -- however modest or great they may be -- to maximum advantage, in order to serve our families and communities to the best of our separate, personal and individual abilities! Put another way, most of us do what we can, do the best we can, with what we have!!!
I'm of the opinion that each of us becomes her or his "composite self" -- probably on average by age 30 or 40, some younger some older -- based on the many elements or ingredients that inform and instruct our lives: Parentage, Environment, Positive and Negative Role Models, Education, Educational and Economic Opportunities, Health, Travel, Experience -- both personal and work-related...
Experience, I think, is huge, an enormous factor in personal development. Example: I enlisted in a branch of the US Armed Services upon graduating from high school. It was one of the great learning experiences of my life. An OD Green-Clad "melting pot" into which all colors, races and religions were deposited chaotically. My various barracks mates, friends and fellow "GIs" throughout military service were Caucasians from every pocket of the country, African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, Latino
Americans... We co-existed; we got along, not always perfectly, but no one died violently in the process, and great, even lasting friendships were formed. (And we traveled! Travel is an extraordinary teacher, an incomparable learning experience! Repetitive, yes, but it bears repeating!... Turkey, Italy, Germany, Morocco, Texas even...)
Very early on in basic training, our chief sergeant / training instructor announced with absolute boldness and clarity, "There is no room for bigotry and racism in my squadron; I have zero tolerance for any behavior that isn't based in total equality..." Imagine that kind of statement, that kind of attitude in the 1960s?! Sgt. Swellman was a model of fairness. He regarded and largely treated his recruits on the basis of that with which each was endowed... (Well, maybe with a few exceptions, like Airman Apple whom he made a "Road Guard"!
No one could hear his lisping, high-pitched voice announcing onrushing vehicles! Gratefully no one perished or was seriously injured!). Astonishing! I'll never forget the sergeant's words, and how he quickly forged a collective attitude and a code of acceptable behavior among a gaggle of highly disparate lunatics! How long those attitudes lasted following basic training is anyone's guess, but they prevailed, for the most part, during that period of time, that crucible of "Basic"!
I'd guess there could maybe be two among that original band of service brothers who might today be counted in the 1-percent of wealthiest Americans. Maybe not, but they seemed to be headed in that direction. (One of them had oil riches in his family -- a highly significant boost!) I wonder if they've retained some sense of equilibrium, fairness, a belief in equality. Some of the truly wealthy people I've known became (or already were) largely self-absorbed, self-important (with little or no justification), eventually devolving into the unutterably tedious. Too often those who've acquired and maintained great wealth lose their humor, the ability to poke fun at themselves, the thrill and excitement of "the journey." Not always, but too often!
On the positive side of things, those of us who continue to be mired in the struggle, who have retained a sense of fair play, equality, of fun and funny, and can still laugh at ourselves, our follies and flaws, are truly the lucky ones. We keep the wheels moving forward. We rule the earth (though the few would argue that assertion!); we steer the damn ship! We are interested and interesting! We continue to learn, to search and to explore... And many of us actually read!
A Final Word: Speaking of and Recalling Those Wonderful Days in Military Service, a Typical Conversation between a Career Officer and a "Non-Lifer"... Mostly Accurate!
The Major: "Young airman, we think you could be officer material?!"
Recruit: "Must you call me 'airman,' sir? I feel as though I'm filled with helium."
The Major: "Don't be impertinent! We in the United States Air Force are always looking for exceptional young men for our officer corps!"
Recruit: "I'm not sure, sir, that I'm ready to make such a long-term commitment. Perhaps I should remain an enlisted grunt."
The Major: "Don't be an idiot, boy. Think of the benefits! The Officers' Club, better housing, enlisted tras... I mean, enlisted men to shine your boots, refresh your drinks, salute you constantly and call you, 'Sir,' not to mention better food in the chow hall."
Recruit: "And that's another thing, sir, 'chow hall'! Such an unpleasant term for the dining facility."
The Major: "Now see here!! I think you may be lacking in proper military bearing, young airman! By the by, what time is it?"
Recruit: "Um, I think it's about ten minutes past three in the afternoon, Sir."
The Major: "What!!?? Sergeant, put this man on report. He hasn't learned how to announce the time in proper military fashion... Silly, useless fellow... perhaps the stockade might be a better repository for this airhead, that is, airman!!..."
Recruit: "Thank you Major, sir. I've enjoyed our little chat."
The Major: "Harrumph... (sputter, snort...). Oh, and sergeant, this man is out of uniform! He's not wearing his bootstraps!!"
"Don't Take the Word of a Geezer or Just Any Old, Odd Passer-By... It is Written!..." According to prominent economists in this country, One (1) Percent of the wealthiest Americans own and control approximately 40% of the nation's wealth. That's rather staggering information, unworthy of a democracy, and pretty damn sad, what?!
At the risk of being labeled a Geezer Socialist, I'm guessing most of us don't really strive to amass great riches; we don't want the strain of it, the loss of anonymity, the prospect of relatives and strangers banging on our doors asking for loans or enormous monetary gifts, not to mention the needs and wants of mendicants, both individual and organizational! Hell, I'm
 |
| Not every obscenely rich individual had piles of money bags handed to him or her. Consider this guy, um... McCluck or something... He is or was self-made, I think. You'd have to Giggle his CV to be sure! |
What I'm trying to convey is... A tribute to the ordinary citizen, an homage to those who plod along in life doing their utmost to keep life and limb together, to keep their families and those in their care fed, clothed and sheltered!! We, the "99" should all give enormous thanks to ordinary people who, happily, still control some 60%!! (Hope that figure grows rather than diminishes!!)
Apologies -- This is just an aside: We have to get big money the hell out of politics. All that money simply buys politicians, turns them into prostitutes (mostly of the male variety!) and breeds rampant mediocrity!! Imagine the talent that would emerge if candidates didn't have to be bought and paid for, but could actually devote real talent and desire to the task of serving the public (on that hard-to-imagine "even playing field"!!) That used to be the case... consider Harry Truman, for example! The list of the poorest includes U.S. Grant, Harrison, Garfield... even Tom Jefferson. Jefferson!... for pity sake!! He wasn't purchased by some rich Cocky brothers or greed-driven, power-nutzo corporate mogul dullards! 
Back to the subject at hand (at least I think we're headed there)! As individuals, all of us should be judged based solely on that with which we are endowed! (For some reason I considered adding to the aforementioned "title line"... "may the lord make us truly thankful!"... borrowing either from a certain "Food Prayer" or the movie, Oliver!) And, of course, how we use our talents and acquired skills and opportunities -- however modest or great they may be -- to maximum advantage, in order to serve our families and communities to the best of our separate, personal and individual abilities! Put another way, most of us do what we can, do the best we can, with what we have!!!
 |
| And look here... When you enlist in the US Military, they give you such beautifully tailored clothing! |
Experience, I think, is huge, an enormous factor in personal development. Example: I enlisted in a branch of the US Armed Services upon graduating from high school. It was one of the great learning experiences of my life. An OD Green-Clad "melting pot" into which all colors, races and religions were deposited chaotically. My various barracks mates, friends and fellow "GIs" throughout military service were Caucasians from every pocket of the country, African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, Latino
Americans... We co-existed; we got along, not always perfectly, but no one died violently in the process, and great, even lasting friendships were formed. (And we traveled! Travel is an extraordinary teacher, an incomparable learning experience! Repetitive, yes, but it bears repeating!... Turkey, Italy, Germany, Morocco, Texas even...)
Very early on in basic training, our chief sergeant / training instructor announced with absolute boldness and clarity, "There is no room for bigotry and racism in my squadron; I have zero tolerance for any behavior that isn't based in total equality..." Imagine that kind of statement, that kind of attitude in the 1960s?! Sgt. Swellman was a model of fairness. He regarded and largely treated his recruits on the basis of that with which each was endowed... (Well, maybe with a few exceptions, like Airman Apple whom he made a "Road Guard"!
I'd guess there could maybe be two among that original band of service brothers who might today be counted in the 1-percent of wealthiest Americans. Maybe not, but they seemed to be headed in that direction. (One of them had oil riches in his family -- a highly significant boost!) I wonder if they've retained some sense of equilibrium, fairness, a belief in equality. Some of the truly wealthy people I've known became (or already were) largely self-absorbed, self-important (with little or no justification), eventually devolving into the unutterably tedious. Too often those who've acquired and maintained great wealth lose their humor, the ability to poke fun at themselves, the thrill and excitement of "the journey." Not always, but too often!
On the positive side of things, those of us who continue to be mired in the struggle, who have retained a sense of fair play, equality, of fun and funny, and can still laugh at ourselves, our follies and flaws, are truly the lucky ones. We keep the wheels moving forward. We rule the earth (though the few would argue that assertion!); we steer the damn ship! We are interested and interesting! We continue to learn, to search and to explore... And many of us actually read!
A Final Word: Speaking of and Recalling Those Wonderful Days in Military Service, a Typical Conversation between a Career Officer and a "Non-Lifer"... Mostly Accurate!
Recruit: "Must you call me 'airman,' sir? I feel as though I'm filled with helium."
The Major: "Don't be impertinent! We in the United States Air Force are always looking for exceptional young men for our officer corps!"
The Major: "Don't be an idiot, boy. Think of the benefits! The Officers' Club, better housing, enlisted tras... I mean, enlisted men to shine your boots, refresh your drinks, salute you constantly and call you, 'Sir,' not to mention better food in the chow hall."Recruit: "And that's another thing, sir, 'chow hall'! Such an unpleasant term for the dining facility."
The Major: "Now see here!! I think you may be lacking in proper military bearing, young airman! By the by, what time is it?"
Recruit: "Um, I think it's about ten minutes past three in the afternoon, Sir."
The Major: "What!!?? Sergeant, put this man on report. He hasn't learned how to announce the time in proper military fashion... Silly, useless fellow... perhaps the stockade might be a better repository for this airhead, that is, airman!!..."
Recruit: "Thank you Major, sir. I've enjoyed our little chat."
The Major: "Harrumph... (sputter, snort...). Oh, and sergeant, this man is out of uniform! He's not wearing his bootstraps!!"
Humbly submitted, 02-14-18 -- Joel K.
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