Controlling Interest
Got this e-mail yesterday
About First Nations' B. C. way
Banks and interest was the theme,
How it is, and how it's been –“Whites put money in the bank
Loan with interest, not much thanks;
Us folks give (with social strings)
Resource help, which thank-you brings.”It's a culture (giver-based);
Social strings are interlaced;
They 're no better than the rest;
Break the rules – now there's the test –“Now you own me” is implied;
Like the “beef ring” – meat and hide
Split by settlers, kept meat fresh;
“Now it's my turn to share with rest”.Many favours worked this way,
Was no cash, so folks could pay;
Monasteries had such rules,
Those who think not – there's the fools.“Tit for tat”; “First me, then you”;
“Give and given”; “Social pool”;
“Owe you one”; “Free riders?” No!
“All chip in – as families go.”Both have those who like control;
Interest reigns – all people know
God provides resource for all,
How it's split – now that's our call.Thirty days no food, that's fine;
Ten for water is the line;
Minutes two for hope they say;
We're awash in goods these days.It's distorted (big our guns);
We've the goods (which is more fun);
Five percent (we're on the top)
Ninety-five have less than ought.Corporations are a pool –
Cash for shares – restrictive rules;
Lets us build our Wal-Mart stores –
Not subsistence anymore.Since the day when mom gave birth,
Twice the people live on Earth;
Many more the mouths to feed;
Problems complex answers need.Global village – great their needs;
Acres flooded – no one seeds;
If in days of Pioneer,
Massive local hardships here.Crop insurance is a pool,
Once again there's complex rules;
Seems the drive to get for free
Hovers there for you and me.Floods and blizzards, lots jump in –
Sandbags, pushing cars is seen;
Taxes cover social costs,
When that fails, all's still not lost.Razor wire around each home;
Bars keep out the crooks who roam;
Taxes low – no safety net –
Poor must eat – are desperate.When a kid, who locked their doors?
Soon it's razor wire and more;
Costa Rica’s there it seems –
Twenty years is all it's been.Life is complex, big or small;
Human sin confronts us all;
Call is always, “Rise above –
Social caring, private love.There's a place for local aid,
Helping out when life's waylaid;
All in all, life's not too bad,
Works quite well, though parts are sad.E-mail? That's romantic drool,
Preaches well – it's partly true;
Do your best to fix what's broke,
Interest's there now you've awoke.navigation