State Capitalism at it's best

«The richest 70 members of China’s legislature added more to their wealth last year than the combined net worth of all 535 members of the U.S. Congress, the president, his cabinet, and the entire Supreme Court.»

(by Michael Forsythe)

Source: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-03-01/the-chinese-communist-partys-capitalist-elite

And at the end

«A complete life may be one ending in so full identification with the non-self that there is no self to die».

Bernard Berenson

Disconnect between what we profess and what we do

«There seems to be a disconnect between our professed love of democracy and how we’re so willing to accept a dictatorship every day we show up for work»

(Michael Moore, Capitalism: A Love Story, 2009)

Fear of poverty

«The prevalent fear of poverty among the educated classes is the worst moral disease from which our civilization suffers.»

(William James)

A day

A day spent by the soul in lamenting the death of the rights of the poor man and in weeping for the loss of justice is nobler than the age lost by a man in enjoyment of his appetite.

Kahlil Gibran

What you can have for money

For money you can have everything it is said. - No that is not true. You can buy food, but not appetite; medicine, but not health; soft beds, but not sleep; knowledge but not intelligence; glitter, but not comfort; fun, but not pleasure; acquaintances, but not friendship; servants, but not faithfulness; grey hair, but not honour; quiet days, but not peace. The shell of all things you can get for money. But not the kernel. That cannot be had for money.

Arne Garborg

Reasons for sadness in the contemporary society

Have a look at the society we live in; see how mediocrity and stupidity are everywhere - if you don’t believe that, just turn on the TV and you will see idolized people that are only capable of screaming into a microphone and even someone who can cook becoming a “star”, but not someone that can really give something to this society, that would probably be too dangerous for those who are in control.
All they want is to let people swim in their little pond of objects and fake happiness. Very few dare to talk about ideas, real books, and real art. If it’s not commercial, this means if it’s not a product, its nothing! But a product is made to be consumed, while art and ideas are made for your soul. Even religion has become a product – if you don’t believe that, turn on your TV again.
Fact is that in this society of madness we tend to forget who we really are: Angels with one wing, souls that resonates to a higher music, beings whose destiny is bigger than their understanding. We desperately need a new humanism. Until we will not go back to our humanity, we will not discover our nobility and businessmen will believe that they are the ultimate kings of this world.

Sergio Caldarella