j.edgar & reflections on the wealth distribution in america

I am fresh out of the movie-room having been involved in viewing Leo Dicaprio depict J.Edgar Hoover in a biopic where Hoover is describing his perspective of history. Watching this film coincides with my recent recovery from fearing and mistrusting authority, government, police, helicopters, et cetera.

J.Edgar describes the threat that radical communists were posing and how the general public didn't believe it until 10 bombs went off around the country at the same time... When Palmer, Hoover's boss at the time, organized raids and deported a quarter of the arrested and domestic peace returned, the public forgot about the threat and palmer's team was dishonorably discharged (fired.)

Recently I have been appreciating how much we have. America is so wealthy and full of opportunity. I like capitalism. Some people lose out, can't make it work in this structure of society, and sleep on benches next to nice hotels. The game has been rigged so the smart folks and the hard-working folks can overcome bad luck. There are no marauders. The losers of the game can't resentfully take everything from those who have honestly worked intelligently, diligently, or persistently.

Now, there's definitely some room for improvement as to the SCALE of capitalism's wealth distribution. Huge mansions with multiple superfluous rooms don't seem entirely morally reasonable when people are in need of housing. American culture values charity and not-for-profit ventures, but perhaps the population is still stingy, still in fear of scarcity, still hoarding, not sharing.

I hear it at the playgroups all the time. "Share! Be nice!" But said in an authoritative way, while underneath the hood, the nanny/grandma/mother/manny/father/grandpa is mistrusting of innate human tendencies to empathize and share... Adults are chronically worried that their children "won't turn out well." or "moral" or will be "spoiled" or "a bully." Let me get back to history before this turns into a post that should be on my "laughing mother" blog ;)

I've been listening to the tone of people's voices, strangers voices, passerby's, and my students on the tennis court. I hear hurt, resentment, insecurity, anger, restlessness, and fear. Yes, its a human condition to contain all that negativity together with some positivity, but I do believe that the more positivity we create within ourselves, the less space we have for negative charges! Its quite a complex science, simple physics, simple chemistry :) --> :P

Tis true, though. The more honesty we can muster, to ourselves and others... The more we can laugh and forgive.... I'm not saying "fake it until you make it," because tears need to be shed if they're long overdue, and anger must be expressed if its been stifled at all...

Expanding and melting our hearts takes courage because its vulnerable.... scary. In the end, though, if every intelligent, capable person takes the leap every day to become more open, giving, honest, compassionate, ridding themselves of the skeletons, the baggage, and gunk in the closet.... Then the wealth disparity would close. We'd open our homes and mansions to people who need a place to stay, and we'd be happier because of it... less overweight, less sick, less miserable, more inspired, more creative, and more often in a space of Love!!!

Anyway~ this privileged hippie optimistic pacifist is finished with her once-in-a-blue-moon blog :)