The growing social and political unrest of late, with due cause, can naturally bring one to ponder the contributing factors to a "good life": the quality of life, standard of living, health of self and one's environment, economic factors both personal and societal, education, leisure, and so on. One almost needs to tap into some degree of spirituality or science—or expansion of perspective—to make sense of it all or keep an even keel about things.
There are diverse and complex factors that contribute to the overall well-being of an individual, the family, community and society. These all add up to enhance the enjoyment and experiences one has during his or her daily life: the aesthetic of living.
Questions arise of late as to the varying levels of responsibility the government has; also to the degree of corporate involvement, or replacement of government services, and the influence people have over these major factors. Maybe the answers are yet to be found; maybe they just need to arise.
Another poignant graphic statement going around the 'net (also see last post)
People may justify war or the use of military and covert actions out of the pain and suffering caused by a declared enemy, but when is it enough? The costs truly are deeper than mere economics, but a real cost to our humanity and to all life.
There are diverse and complex factors that contribute to the overall well-being of an individual, the family, community and society. These all add up to enhance the enjoyment and experiences one has during his or her daily life: the aesthetic of living.
Questions arise of late as to the varying levels of responsibility the government has; also to the degree of corporate involvement, or replacement of government services, and the influence people have over these major factors. Maybe the answers are yet to be found; maybe they just need to arise.
Another poignant graphic statement going around the 'net (also see last post)
was connected by a wise tweeter to an article by author Robert Schlesinger entitled, "The Origins of That Eisenhower 'Every Gun That Is Made...' Quote". I recommend reading it for one perspective of the many going around, albeit an important one that encourages thought about what really does affect our daily lives and well being, beyond what we physically experience and interact with.
The article, as does the above graphic, quotes from a speech and conversation by Dwight D. Eisenhower—U.S. President from 1853-1961 and a five-star general in the US Army—upon the death of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin:
“Here is what I would like to say. The jet plane that roars over your head costs three quarter of a million dollars. That is more money than a man earning ten thousand dollars every year is going to make in his lifetime. What world can afford this sort of thing for long? We are in an armaments race. Where will it lead us? At worst to atomic warfare. At best, to robbing every people and nation on earth of the fruits of their own toil. Now, there could be another road before us...read more, as he actually does goes into financial details of the costs as they affect everyday lives. As you read it, remember that the figures quoted are from 1953—what are the costs today? What are we losing? What has been sacrificed from the quality of our lives?
People may justify war or the use of military and covert actions out of the pain and suffering caused by a declared enemy, but when is it enough? The costs truly are deeper than mere economics, but a real cost to our humanity and to all life.
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