I’ve always believed that as our technology, our judo-Christian values and our knowledge advanced we would do things better, faster and more accurately and perhaps with more compassion. However, it seems the quest for the almighty dollar has won over all that.
- In the “old days” we would dial a number on our rotary phone and get a live person on the other end that would quickly and efficiently answer a simple question. Today we get a menu of options and struggle to find the right one that only leads us to another menu of options. Meanwhile we are comforted to learn that “our call is very important”, that they are “busy assisting other callers” and, by the way, “our menu has recently changed” so better wade though the whole thing. We often get a “virtual assistant” which usually advises us to go to their website for help. Meanwhile hold times stretch to tens of minutes and much more, while we are treated with someone else’s favorite music. If we wait long enough we may get a live person in India or Indonesia that I personally have difficulty understanding. All this seems to save the company a lot of money (which is the whole idea), making me feel like I am somehow working for the company, just not being paid.
- Technology has enabled massive, on-line mega stores, a death warrant for the old, warm and familiar mom and pop stores. These mega stores are a real convenience, but it is a rather sad development.
- The internet has enabled large infrastructure, like electric power grids, water systems, etc to interconnect seamlessly, but at what sacrifice to security? We are witnessing now the vulnerability discovered by hackers who can, and do now more frequently, hold hostage the enterprise and maybe worse.
- The enormous power we now possess in our smartphones is mind boggling, but it has decimated our math skills, our ability, or need, to reason. AI can now write for us superior papers and essays, savings us from having to engage in research and to think for ourselves.
- Interest rates are the purview of the individual states. While many attempts have been made to control the exorbitant rates being charged, especially on credit cards, which can exceed 25% p.a., there are no federal interest rate caps in force. Those unfortunates who cannot pay off their card balances dig deep holes for themselves, from which it is most difficult to emerge.
6. Federal Truth-in-Advertising laws, administered by the FTC, require all commercial claims to be truthful, non-deceptive, and backed by objective evidence before they are published. It’s not working. False or misleading claims abound on the internet, on TV and elsewhere.
7. In too many places, especially in Hotels and Airlines, taxes, fees, and other costs are not revealed until a commitment or reservation has bee made. Why can’t these all be lumped together so a person understands the full financial commitment before a decision is made? And, of course, now there are “other” costs that come to light. You discover there is often a hefty charge for an available seat you later select, Baggage fees, Change fees, internet fees, all of which which can become excessive. (you can pay as much as $50 per night for parking at some hotels.)
8. Our heath care costs are the highest in the world, but far from being best. Too many examples of abuse to enumerate here.
9. We are fighting a war in the Middle East. Gas prices have been soaring, but why? Are we not “energy independent”? So why do we base the cost of energy in the U.S. on an international market? Does this help replenish our depleting arsenal of weapons or lower our $10 trillion budget deficit? No. It just raises inflation and transfers monetary from the overburdened taxpayer to the already-flush petroleum companies. (Just check out their recent earnings report)
It’s all legal, so what’s the big deal? Legal does not always make right.
Corporate profits are at an all-time high, Service to the people is at an all-time low. Companies, by and large, are doing extremely well. A huge number of citizens are seriously struggling. One word explains it. GREED. Of course there are a lot of responsible companies and caring people, that put other people’s needs ahead of their own welfare. But way too few.
– – – – Just the view of a common man.
Views of a Common Man 