Thoughts On Power

Power is not necessarily a bad thing that gives rise to motivations and selfish choices. Power exists in many forms, and needs to be understood in order to be effective in our lives, and leadership. We know that things like values and making choices give us internal power.  We all have a purpose, a degree of power, and deserve respect. 

Our first instinct is for survival, basic needs, then wants. Power may be a basic need for some, others may desire it, others don’t want to be bothered. I maintain there are intelligent people who care for others without the need for power. Power doesn’t make people happy or content, empowerment does.

Do people today feel empowered? The middle and lower class certainly do not. Unfortunately, society has not evolved as quickly as technology. In serfdom, slavery, and servitude there was the feeling of disempowerment, much as there is today for the working poor. A few who believe they are entitled to more than the rest probably goes back as far as the origin of our species.

Short-term thinking and the lack of integrity in business has created quick wealth and profits for the ones at the top. So, now that we know  the "trickle down theory" in social economics does not work, what are we going to do about it? Unfortunately, the aftermath of corruption does seem to trickle down. Who bears the burden when the walls come crashing down? There may be one or two wealthy people in prison, but as a whole, it is the poor and the middle class of all ages.

There is simply not enough work to go around.  For those who do have work, we have lost much of the pride and joy, working for efficiency instead of quality. Downsizing, multi-tasking, cubicles, long hours, lack of loyalty, and stress levels build as employees are expected to do more with less. But probably no group feels less empowered than our senior citizens. In the USA older persons are considered disposable - don’t resuscitate unless there is money in the bank. This may add tension because everyone is going to get old. Feeling disempowered also comes from the knowledge that the future is unknown and changes, usually not for the better, are constantly taking place. 

A culture's vitality depends on new ideas, it does not arise from the quest for  profit.

So why are we are giving away our ideas and other resources? Other countries take our ideas; make them more efficiently and cheaper, creating jobs and a healthy economy.
The power of ideas deserves more appreciation in America. When we release our rigid expectations we have more access to possibilities - imagination and intuition - the magic of ideas are free to emerge. Unfortunately, this can't happen when we need it most, from people who are stressed to the breaking point. 

Everyone knows that American needs to create jobs, and society needs an attitude adjustment, to hold all persons and their positions in higher regard. Pride in a job well done should not be an antiquated axiom. It should be a mantra for a new generation. How do we show respect for a person's work? Better pay and benefits to start. The working poor are a sad reality in our country.

Capitalism is not a sacred and holy system any more than socialism is a necessarily bad and degenerate system. Let's look around and see what is working in other countries, and not hold ourselves aloof. Those who hold the raw force of power, unbridled by principles and conscious caring, are without consideration of what is being done, to whom, what purpose is being served. Theirs are actions without conscience.