o0o 2:39pm Monday May 18, 1998 o0o

I heard a very interesting phrase today: "An American child." An American child is one that is the product of a capitalist, individualist society and is characterised by an amount of greed for material items that few children in other countries can afford, not one Barbie or even two, but all the new Barbies or all the Lego sets for a certain theme. this phrase, "an American child," seems to bring many of our faults as a society in to the fore front; our overwhelming need to place our wants as an individual in front of the needs of the society. its even shown in the form of our economy; capitalism.

I have never approved of capitalism as I see it because it's main goal is increasing the amount of money the corporation has, feeding it's greed, and while I will not argue the benefits of capitalism over that of communism because while greed may not be morally right it is the driving reason humanity has achived as much as it has. Greed starts wars, wars bring a need for new technology that will not be denied, and that new technology can, in peace time, be exploited to greatly improve the lives of the citizens. the demands of the consumer will drive the industry to new levels also due to free enterprise.

The question, "is our overwhelming need to place our wants as an individual in front of the needs of the society really a bad thing?" needs to be asked.

In a story I read today called the rocking-horse winner the mother aquaited the ability to get money with luck, but for her there was never enough money. and while a British story in origin it seemed to have a very American theme, in fact a very human theme as is it not human nature to want more? whether it be more money, a nicer car, higher education, better technology, or a closer connection to god humans seem to be naturally greedy. (all things in moderation)

so perhaps while the thought of indulging greed seems to be a moral atrocity maybe greed is good like the character Gordan Gecko said in the movie wall street: "Greed is good, greed is right, greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts threw and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed in all it’s forms: greed for life, money, love, knowledge has marked the upward surge of man kind "

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