Selfish Capitalism Doesn't Work

It's ridiculous, isn't it?wants money, possessions, fame, and physical
Selfish Capitalism doesn't work.attractiveness per se. What we really, really want
Surely we don't need any more evidence thatis the one thing that we believe those things - if
what Thatcher and Reagan started, hasn'twe had them - would give us: FEEL GOOD. All any
worked.one of us wants is to feel good. If you woke up
And if you want the actual hard evidence, thenevery morning feeling really good about life, about
the fact is that upward mobility is a myth, oh,your job, about your relationships, your family,
except that the very rich have got richer. Butthen your interest in (loadsa) money, per se,
then they would, wouldn't they, because they'rewould probably disappear. Yes, you'd still need to
the ones that designed the system in the firstput food on the table, but you would be
place.enlightened enough to know that it was your
What system is that? I hear you cry. Why, theemotional and physical health that mattered more
one that we're all now going to pay for -than anything else.
massively!We believe, erroneously that these material
Trouble is, the political hypnotists have been hardthings, and abstract things like fame or relative
at work and they've done a brilliant job. But then,good looks (fame is not real, not tangible, it's
it's relatively easy to stimulate greed! Especially ifmerely a perception that not everyone agrees on
you also control the media and ram this stuffanyway - how many times have you not
down our throats morning noon and night. I'm notrecognized the 'famous' Big Brother Celebrity?) will
having a go (yes I am), but it's human nature, isn'tbring us happiness when we get them. But that's
it, to be drawn to the promise of wealth.the other problem, isn't it. 'When' we get them, is
Well, we've had enough. AND, more to the point,always in the future, stealing from us the ability to
we've given more than enough: Longer hours atenjoy life in the 'now'. You know what we say,
work, many more workaholics, mental illness, and'when I qualify, when I get the new car, house,
in fact double the rates of depression, anxietyjob, etc. then things will be great.' And that's just
and chronic psychological problems compared withnot how it works!
the rest of Europe (the non English-speaking bit).I really want to show people how there is a
And if you try to tell me you never feel stressedbetter way. I've been very lucky in my life. Selfish
out ...Capitalist values were never thrust upon me,
And what for? The credit crunch. Brilliant! Amazing!either from my parents or from outside. I was
What amazing genius designed this one? But welucky in that I always knew from a very early
all bought into it.age what I wanted to do, had sufficient (not
So, what's the solution?great) skill to know that I could do it, and
We must change our values, otherwise there issufficient self-belief to know that it was down to
no escape.me and no one else. Then I simply 'did my own
Although, in one sense our values are not wrong,thing'.
they just have the wrong strategies attached.But anyone can do their own thing. It's never too
Especially that one that says, 'if I make lots oflate - truly. And, as long as your own thing is
money, then I'll be happy'.really what you want, what you're passionate
When we dig deep inside, and we are completelyabout, are prepared to work at - whilst at the
honest, of course we know that money can'tsame time not stressing yourself out about the
make anyone happy, but we still buy into theprogress you're not making, 'cos all things take
notion, because it's all around us; it looks attractivetime - then waking up every morning, feeling
(maybe not quite as much now, though). Thegood about yourself and about the world and the
media gives us images 24/7 of rich people beingpeople around you is a very real possibility.
attractive role models, whose lifestyles we thenMy life is devoted to showing people how to
aspire to.believe in themselves and to go for what they
The trouble is, no one is showing us clearly justwant. My conviction is that we can all do much
how the authentic alternative might work - andbetter, in terms of how we feel about ourselves.
achieve the things we really want: emotionalAnd every day I have made it my commitment
health and stability, financial stability (as opposedto continue learning about the best ways to do
to 'economic growth', the kind that's produced allthat. If you will allow me, I would be honoured to
of these problems), general well-being, and dare Ishare some of those insights with you.
say: happiness, fulfillment and a real sense ofThank you for reading this.
contribution in this world of ours.Q J
True happiness is a feeling of being at one with"Don't make your decisions with wisdom, make
ourselves and with the world. None of us reallythem with passion," Ave, Navajo Indian, 2006.