Consequences

As soon as we are old enough, we are taught to discern the difference between “right” and “wrong”. Since humans are in reality only sophisticated mammals, it is necessary to establish boundaries of decent behavior in order for society to function smoothly. Otherwise we might revert to our basest animal instincts, and then all hell would break loose.

There are various methods used to establish what behaviors are acceptable in our culture, and what is taboo. As small children, it was once enough for us to know that bad behavior would be promptly punished, usually with a quick whack, so our primary point of reference was whatever our parents or other adult authority figures told us constituted good or bad. The primary lesson was that doing something that was unacceptable resulted in swift and sure punishment. As our society has become more enlightened (although many might argue that it does not really represent progress), this has changed to the concept of rewarding good behavior, and discouraging bad behavior. We have been introduced to the concept that our actions have consequences, and should behave accordingly.

We also painfully learn that not all consequences in our young lives are enforced through adult authority. Jumping off of the garage roof can swiftly and painfully lead to a broken arm or leg. Riding a bicycle too fast down a steep hill can result in scrapes, bruises, a destroyed bicycle, or worse. Thus we learn that we must pay careful attention to the physical laws of nature as well as the metaphysical laws imposed by our parents. An additional layer is imposed in the metaphysical realm as well. Philosophy, generally in the form of religion, is usually added to the mix.

Right and wrong, and the consequences of improper behavior, attain a whole new level of punishment under the laws imposed by religion. A bad Christian will suffer the damnation of hell’s fire. A bad Buddhist could be reincarnated as a bug. Morality is imposed in the most theoretical of universes, but apparently is not enough. At the same time that we are taught the moral aspects of society, we are made aware of legal limits to our actions: the laws imposed by the state. Punishment for violation of the laws of man range from monetary fines, through involuntary incarceration, to the ultimate forfeiture, loss of life.

At some point in our maturation process, many of us open our eyes to see the world as it really exists. It is not a pretty picture for the most part. Some of us choose to remain ethical human beings, content to do what is right and behave with civility toward our fellow beings. Some perceive, perhaps correctly, that society actually rewards those who do injury to others.

When we think of Eli Whitney, the inventor of the cotton gin, we think of a man whose advancement of technology freed people from a difficult and time-consuming task. The actual result of this laborsaving device was to make upland short cotton into a profitable
crop, which strengthened the economic foundation of slavery in the United States. The mass production of the automobile put many wagon manufacturers out of business, however, many companies simply joined the transformation to the new technology and displaced workers found ready employment in the new industries. The innovators were rewarded and society overlooked the short-term consequences for the greater good. In this case, the rewards for innovation were justified. Modern innovators have also been rewarded by society. The advances in computer technology have increased productivity in the business world and the innovators have been correctly rewarded despite a dislocation of some workers. Progress appears to be the most important god in our culture.

Recent history has provided new examples of behaviors that are rewarded despite adverse economic consequences. The masters of the leveraged buyout gain great personal financial rewards while leaving economic misery in their wake in the form of displaced workers and ruined companies. I’m not talking about corset makers or buggy whip manufacturers, but viable firms whose only problem was being at the right place at the wrong time. The wizards of Wall Street finagle laws and capital markets, skirting regulation or having it eliminated entirely through political lobbying (what used to be referred to simply as bribery). In the process they may reduce the value of the life savings entrusted to them by gullible investors, but their own rewards are enormous.

Thus it is that we learn the morality of the rich. Anything that increases their personal wealth is good. Too bad if others get hurt in the process. I may not be considered a good Christian or an ethical Buddhist by my society, but I try to remain a morally civilized human being, and such behavior by the rich bothers me greatly. I have been personally wronged by a wealthy individual who has suffered no adverse financial setbacks while I have suffered greatly. There may be other, less tangible consequences to his behavior but superficial observation of his current status reveals that he has been richly rewarded for taking advantage of others and myself.

Obviously, morality and religion have failed to protect us from the all-powerful human desire for more. The laws that we have implemented to protect our personal interests are no longer effective or enforceable. The wealthy scream that if we would only unshackle them from ruinous regulations they would be able to grow our economy more efficiently, providing new employment opportunities for the little guy, the working poor and our rapidly vanishing middle class. I think their position is utter nonsense and ask if you, kind reader, believe that they really have the best interests of their country, or humankind as a whole, in mind when they make these statements?

While we may not need more regulations, we certainly do not need less. We need to adjust the consequences of violation so that they are no longer taken lightly. Corporations are known to regularly violate environmental and financial regulations. If they are caught, they typically face a fine. Such fines, sometimes representing only a minor fraction of their net income, are regarded simply as a cost of doing business. Just as the legal prohibition against suicide rarely has any meaningful consequence to the successful violator, monetary fines levied against the corporation have no impact on those who decided to violate regulations. Like the child of old that faced a whipping if caught stealing, we need to put some teeth into the consequences of violating economic regulations. Fines should have a significant impact on the personal fortunes of the decision-makers. Tear aside the veil of protection offered by the corporation and punish the individuals responsible. Let us devise new laws that prevent the looting of companies for personal gain, eliminating the adverse consequences of the leveraged buyout.

All great societies in history have reached a zenith and then declined. If that is your vision for the future of our country then elect to office those who would maintain the status quo and increase the advantages that the immoral usurpers currently enjoy. Personally, I have a grander vision of the type of country we should have. We need to tell our elected officials what is expected of them when we vote them into office, and what the consequences will be if they fail. Remember that failure on their part may only cost them an elected position, but the cost to our nation will be too terrible to contemplate.

“It has always seemed strange to me... the things we admire in men, kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling, are the concomitants of failure in our system. And those traits we detest, sharpness, greed, acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism and self-interest, are the traits of success. And while men admire the quality of the first they love the produce of the second.”

 -John Steinbeck

“Anyway, no drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power.” 

 -P.J. O’Rourke