Every thing we do in the US impacts us and the rest of the world. We are the largest economy, the largest global polluter, and highest standard of living. We were given a marvelous country, great Constitution, the majority of the people are good caring people, but we stopped thinking. As we are moving towards the crucial global struggle to solve our energy problems coupled with the increased severity of global warming we, Americans, need to rethink our approaches. For too long we ignored critical facts because we did not like them. Here are just a few points:

In the past we were a very rich country, no longer; with ten trillion in national debt, $800 billion in yearly balance of payment deficit, and trillions in personal debts, we could not continue on the same path .In the past we could have tolerated a lot of national mistakes caused by our selfish attitude coupled with irresponsible political actions. We tried the Great Society, we tried educational reforms, and we tried financial deregulations. We got more poverty, lower education, and the Savings and Loans collapse of the 90’. Also the Dot.Com and Enron collapse, the current subprime housing collapse- and the shakeout of the banking and financial institutions, which is ongoing right now, no clear end in sight. We just ignored potential impacts.

Any intelligent person could have foreseen the coming of these severe dislocations and the suffering they would bring to millions and the nation. It is a fact of nature: EXPONENTIAL GROWTH LEADS TO EXPLOSION. The public and its leaders wanted to forget reality and continue the “free” ride. I have discussed it with my sons and friends for twenty years. I believe that our culture became self indulgent and overtly money oriented in the last few decades, accelerating with president Reagan’s transfer of wealth to the top few percents. And surprise, surprise, the economy did not collapse- so we decided to continue to borrow from the future, Democrats and Republicans almost alike. Since too many in the upper echelon of business and politics lack morality and have extreme self interest, their egos take over and lead to lies and organized theft from the rest of society.
And most of us keep quiet. As Eli Wiesel said, neutrality aids the oppressors. By inaction we become supporters of these crimes. We often called it white lies. Every one does it, so be a realistic and go along…
I personally witnessed corruption in industry, government and even nonprofit do-good organizations. I did oppose what I could and at age 52 retired in disgust and worked to raise these issues.

We must change this; we need to stand up, with courage, for what is right, not for what is convenient, and encourage others to do the same. Most important - pressure our leaders for honesty and facts-based actions.
Matania

Some related quotations:
Enron: “There were countless individuals within Enron who could have quit their jobs and alerted regulators to what was going on.”
“Call me a pessimist, but my view is that human nature being what it is, we can expect more Enrons, and more prep walks.” Paul Barrett, Assistant managing editor at Business Week. Harvard Magazine, 9/08

Housing collapse: Fannie Mac and Freddie Mac, the two semi governmental mortgage giants who finance some 80% of the housing loans are now part of the problem. Their combined portfolios of mortgage–backed securities is $1.5 Trillion. (One and a half million-million dollars!). B.W. 7/08

“We now know that consumption was too high to be sustainable, that housing prices were too high, and so on.”
“The final area of enormous policy significance is energy and the related question of the environment. Here I think our political leadership has let us down.” Lawrence Summers, past president of Harvard and US Secretary of the Treasury, 1999-2001. Harvard Magazine 9/08.

“Without a basic understanding of what constitute good science, neither ordinary citizens nor the politicians who represent them can hope to make thoughtful judgment separating quacks, con men, and practitioners of bad science from thoughtful experts whose advice ought to be taken seriously.” The Age of American Unreason: Defining Dumbness Downward, Susan Jacoby.

“The Almighty says, “Belief isn’t enough. Get knowledge. Come investigate.” It’s a fundamental principle of Judaism.” ”Research! Study! Analyze! Be sincere. Make the effort. Be willing to do what it takes to find out.” Know what you know. Rabbi Noah Weinberg. 1998.
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