"Don't Fix the Blame, Fix the Problem!"                 (c) Copyright 1999; A G Kaiser  3/29/99                                    Will we ever learn that the only way to solve problems is to take on the responsibility for them?  That fixing the blame for humanity's problems on the leaders or inhabitants of another nation only leads to more difficult and dangerous situations?  That accepting responsibility by fighting with [sacrificing] a scapegoat does nothing to solve one's own problems?  That not owning them is the biggest part of the problem?  When each of us accepts responsibility for our own faults, through attempts to fix them, there may be some hope.  But why should we take on guilt when most of humanity is poised to pounce on just such an opportunity to use it to manipulate us for their own gain?  That fact may be verified by simply paying attention to the everyday interactions between employers and employees in America.  So let's consider matters closer to home before we consider solutions for the Mid East or anywhere else.   American corporate overseers, as most managers are wont to do, want the greatest value for the least expense.  If they can get full time production from a part time employee they are doing their job well.  In my case, I have done 10,000 dollars worth of research and writing (based on the salary of a typical engineer with my experience) for less than one hundred dollars per week in the first two months of this year.  That is less than ten cents on the dollar.  I feel raped!  The manager in question has been careful not to express the requirement to do this extra work but it is obvious, none the less, that future employment depends on it.  I could not competently perform the task that has been set for me unless I did it.  The economic situation of most Americans leaves them no choice but to accept raw deals like this.   Managers learn their practices by imitating other, successful,overseers; just as we all imitate those better off than ourselves in order to try to get ahead.  Taking advantage of a worker's economic plight is a common managerial tactic that enhances the lordling's marketability while helping to satisfy his or her personal desire for power, recognition, respect and approval.  (They are manipulated in turn by the exploitation of those desires and will, of course, pass it along to you.)  Meanwhile, we, the ultimate victims of all this "psychology", cannot be called slaves because we are not "forced" to cooperate with the masters.  If we refuse to take part in this travesty we are free to starve or suffer greatly, by ordinary standards, as a consequence to our assertion of freedom and independence.   At what point does the distinction between ordinary exploitation and the institution of slavery become academic?  Have we reached it when all employers use the same tactics and the only alternative to submission is starvation?  Is the passively applied violence of deprivation of the means and resources of survival less onerous to you than more direct coercion?  Because there is a choice of masters, or even some small probability of becoming one, are we any the less slaves?  Do we all need to be reduced to the lowest common denominator of morality because our political/economic leaders are thoroughly unscrupulous?  Do we show weakness by not becoming like them or by not resisting them and their poisonous prescription for our lives?     And what can we do about it?  We can accept the responsibility andgarner the strength to fix this problem ourselves.  The politicians may be of some use if enough of us make our feelings known to them.  If we pester them enough they will sit up and beg their corporate masters for some respite for (and from) us. There, at least, is one theoretically non-violent solution to our problem. But we must spread the word in order to have enough complaints reach the ears of the puppet leaders in a short enough time to make them fear for their next re-elections.  We must not fear to speak out: complain and spread the word to complain, at every opportunity, until we get satisfaction.   Where are we going from here if we don't somehow turn things around?   The following excerpt is part of a larger fragment of a writing project that may be seen at https://members.tripod.com/~agkaiser/.  Click on Victor in the index panel.  It is not to be taken as a prophecy or prediction of actual events to come.  It is merely an extropolation from today's corporate culture and is intended to illustrate the philosophical directions of the ruling elite. [The advertisement that follows is a work of fiction and any resemblance that the product which it describes has to the middle class is purely coincidental]     Victor is impressively imaginative.  On a warm mid-March afternoon, as he wandered through a mesquite grove near a wash by his Sonoran Desert retreat, he dreamed up a possible future advertisement for clones.     "Menial, semi-skilled and skilled clones available at 500-$900/month.(depends on skill level) Replace your workforce with 24 hour/day,maintenance free, rugged, durable, voiceless, ambitionless clones.   "The technology is here today!  We can supply you with preprogrammed,mouthless, stomachless clones for one half to one eighth of your currentlabor costs.  These amazing creatures are born fully mature and trainedto perform your task.  There is no costly new employee training.  They have enough knowledge and learning ability to do the job but not enough to exhibit antisocial tendencies such as demanding compensation; nor do they live long enough to learn them.  What an improvement over today's grasping workers!   "Our clones are created with enough body fat and stored water to last their entire one month lifespan.  Imagine the cost savings latent in this property.   "They are strong enough to work 24 hours per day seven days per week, take no breaks and never complain.  They are built without mouths.  They can replace four, forty hour plus workers at half the cost.  Pricing at half the cost of a single forty hour worker produces an eightfold cost reduction.   "They require only clothing suitable for the work environment (available at a modest charge) and that may be passed on to thier replacement next month.   "For as long as you keep your contractual agreement current we will keep your station manned.   [No substitutes will be supplied in cases of deliberate or negligent abuse or destruction of clones without an additional charge.  Proven costs due to premature shutdown or breakdown is covered under our warranty.]    "Imagine a world without excess population!  We must make only what we need.  There will be no need to export jobs, risking the inability to produce critical goods in times of trouble, in order to increase profits.  And we will have even more absolute control over our servants!   "Cheap, efficient, proprietary, semi-human servants to care for all your needs!   "[Offer not valid in states with anti-clone legislation in force.    Know your local code before importing clones.  This corporation    is not responsible for litigation costs associated with your    freedom of choice.  Get out and vote for legislators committed to    corporate freedom and initiatives supporting corporate cultured    clones.]"                                3/29/1999                                A G Kaiser                                 Tucson