Thoughts On Ending Poverty

For years now people have discussed ways to end poverty. Quite often these folks are rich, part of the group who control the wealth on this planet or at least have a big and thus unequal share of it. It's often seemed hypocritical to me to see celebrities such as Oprah and Bono talk about ending poverty when the very lifestyle they lead is one the planet could in no way sustain if everyone were to live such a lifestyle, not to mention they drive away in their limos, fly away in their private jets, and return to one of their many gargantuan homes. I laugh when their supporters say "but they give away 10% of their income". I laugh because it is so very easy to give away 10% of your income when you're a millionaire or a billionaire. I'm not denying the work they do. I'm just saying it isn't enough.

Education, these wealthier folks proclaim. People need to become better educated to end poverty. Some folks like to proclaim that people simply need to take advantages of opportunities in order to put an end to poverty. Both of these opinions are naive and short-sighted. In the U.S. alone, more persons go to college than in past generations, and yet poverty continues to increase. As far as opportunities, I would ask "and where are they?" Millions of jobs have disappeared from our economy and have yet to be replaced by jobs of equal pay and benefits. Many of us have jobs we don't enjoy or at the very least, tolerate. We have talents we would much prefer sharing for an income, only to do such would mean we would sink into poverty (or sink further into poverty) or become homeless because the competition is so tough or because there simply isn't enough value placed upon or need for such talents. You can do it, anyone can do it, these folks proclaim, those who have quit the rat race and found a successful, financially abundant lifestyle doing what they love. Not as simple as they think. The current system in place makes it extremely difficult for these eccentric types to find a place. I should know. I've been struggling for years to find my own spot and have unfortunately had to continue working at jobs I tolerate and keep only because I need an income to help pay the bills. Sound familiar? Good. Please keep reading.

The way to end poverty as I see it? Here are some ideas. One is to redistribute the wealth. I know that's a sensitive topic. People don't like to share their money, even though we cram this philosophy into our children's heads from the time they enter kindergarten. It's often felt a bit strange to me to train our children to share only to send them off into a world that, overall, does anything but except for in times of crisis. Redistribute the wealth. Kind of takes the air out of the balloon of rugged individualism. Do it on your own. You're worth this and I'm worth that. Obviously what needs to accompany the action of wealth redistribution is a change of consciousness where we truly live all of the religious and God talk we so love to spout about love and kindness and compassion and fairness. (2,000 years after this visitation from the man Jesus and we still haven't fully understood his message.) We truly put the value where it belongs and that is on people, on you and me. We redefine worth as well and in doing so, realize each of us plays an equally valuable role out in the world, whatever it is we are doing. We discover what it is we love to do and we have a system in place that pays us, at the very least, a livable wage according to what the cost of living is in the particular area. A livable wage means an end to the minimum wage rubbish. It also does away with the class system. That's right. No more classifications of wealth. The well being and happiness of people becomes the new profit (or perhaps prophet).

I believe the people could become open to these ideas. The government and corporations and lobbyists that created the current system to begin with would likely have a problem with them, though. These types love power, typically love money instead of people, love to control. However, as cold and uncaring as they can appear to be, I still believe in the goodness that is within them. I still believe in the power of the spirit, the human heart, the power of evolution of the mind and spirit. When one can break free from the rigid rules and judgments we are trained to blindly obey, this opens the heart and mind to the wisdom that is within (although be prepared to deal with the intense anger and pain you are likely to feel). Something powerful happens in this natural state of being. You look into the eyes of those around you and you see yourself. You see the connection. And you know we are all truly equal. All truly worthy. There is nothing to prove. Nothing to fight for. It is in this state of being in which we need to be striving for. For when we do, there will be no need for domination and control. No need for poverty or a class system. No need for a power base and no need for separation. It will be one heck of a mountain to climb and it will be chaotic at times, but it is doable.