Does Utopia Exist?

The topic of one of my college courses taken many years ago was “Utopia.”  The class came to believe after many readings and discussions that utopia, at best, is a short-lived phenomenon.  Jump forward 18 years, and I now beg to differ.  In this world of people wanting precise definitions and everyone being on board to having the same definition, I again accept being the odd (wo)man out. 

As most who know me know, I spend a portion of my year on the east coast and the remainder in WY in our permanent residence.  Due to a family marriage, my 4-month stint (stretched into five) was done earlier than usual this year, giving me the full summer indulgence of being bordered with the ocean on the east, bay on the west, and large pond on the north of me.  (That alone is utopia to the lady who opts to be a dolphin in her next life.)  

During this year’s stay, I had conversations and experiences with a few friends that caused me to look deeply at my life from several angles.  Older friends reminded me that life is short, and gets shorter every day, so enjoy what I can.  A couple other friends reminded me that there can be stagnation and unwanted compromise and submission as years roll by.

Having always felt blessed by people who have come into or even just crossed my path prompted me to bring to my husband my desire to spend more time in the east coast residence these next two years.  Luckily, he understands my love for this environment equals his love for the mountains and the western way of life and supports my desire as it will include back-home trips in-between the times he opts not to join me in the east.

A few people are fascinated by this.  But the bottom line resides in the fact that the more I am granted freedom by people who surround me, the more attached I remain to them.  That’s not to say I shun what I consider responsibilities any person in a relationship -- despite what kind of relationship that might be -- should uphold.  But it does mean cherishing the love that allows someone else to let me experience people, places and things that are important to my mind, body and soul.  Through love, I grant the same to others.

Utopia?  I’ve found it because, for me, it lies in the quality of circumstances and people that/who surround me.  Family members and friends guide me, my husband and people I care about give back to me the freedoms and respect I give them, and I remain involved with groups that throughout life help me make the changes in and about myself that need changing so I can better walk the walk I talk.  Being forever impressed by and with the universe and basically thankful has certainly brought Utopia into my life permanently.

Copyright © September 2015 by Maeke Ermarth

               Ocean City, Maryland

Targeting Young Black Men - A Parent's Conversation

This week on Facebook was a video posted of a mother talking to her son about police profiling young black men with a comment that no mother should have to have that conversation with her son.  True, because “wise” people will examine all angles.  1) Why are young black men primarily the ones confronted?  2) Exactly who are the police protecting?  3) In the wide-angle lens, who is asking for protection?  Don’t jump on a bandwagon based only on “surface” information or from initial emotional feelings.  Do a little digging before solidifying your own point of view.  1) Young black men commit the majority of the crimes, proportionately – statistically proven time and again.  2) The police protect the public – that includes people who work in places of business, live on any given street, and who are being preyed upon by criminals.  3) Most help is requested from people being harmed or threatened or who in some other way are in need of assistance.

For years we lived just outside of Washington, DC.  It is not uncommon for small businesses where people approaching the establishment can be readily seen for even the black owners or employees to engage their automatic locking systems when they see black teens and men entering their places if of a certain age, clothed or acting a certain way, etc.  Most crime committed against a black victim is done by other black people.  When people of one race are skeptical about others of their own race, it boils down to learning who is most likely a threat or who is likely to be harmless.   The kid in the video says he stays indoors a good part of the time.  But if he’s not running with a gang (which would offer protection – so the thinking goes), he’s acting the way many other people his in his environment act because they are more likely to be targets of the rougher youngsters on the block than they are targets for the police. 

Keep in mind that the police protect most law-abiding residents, and that includes black residents.  It might be surprising to find statistics of how many officers are injured or killed while defending one black person against another.  Oh yeah, those facts are overlooked, aren’t they?  Rarely does the news media show stories of blacks who are grateful for service they were given from the police, and yet you can find those people every … single … day.  Probably even every … single … minute somewhere in these United States.

There used to be more stories and documentaries on public TV where neighborhoods, realizing their police departments were short staffed, took it upon themselves to set a higher standard for how to live and speak in their communities.  Realistic, responsible adults took on leadership roles to “clean up the hood” and be role models.  They did not buy into the pity parties that led to a victim mentality.  No.  They saw things for what they were, pushed up their shirt sleeves, and took care of business.

And it was not just the older adults getting involved.  Remember that in the late 1970s the Guardian Angels group was formed.  They still exist today.  They were very successful in NYC, and they became recognized worldwide (and still are).  These were mostly young thugs -- or people who would’ve potentially been good thugs -- who were fed up with crime and also fed up with no one jumping in to help alleviate the problem versus sitting back and just bitching or even adding to it.  Inaction or complacency can sometimes be just as harmful as the crimes being committed.  Requests from all over came in for the Guardian Angels’ assistance, and groups of Angels were formed in numerous places.  “Google” up the Guardian Angels to read about their history and also see their current web site depicting how they are still active today.  They continue to go through three months of training and remain loyal to and respectful of rules and rituals.  It’s worth learning about them, or recalling them to memory for those of us who already know about them.

So, the conversation every mother should have with her teen – male or female – is how to be a responsible, productive person; and accept the fact that sometimes the way you are treated is not against you personally but is based on the perception other people your age and color have imprinted on the minds of others.  Instead of always expecting other people to understand you, start trying to understand them!  If the perception is wrong where it concerns you, then behave in a way that will show others that you are the exception.  Then go a little further and step up to be a role model instead of someone hiding behind doors, expecting someone else to take care of unpleasant realities.

Many police departments provide the “ride along” program where a citizen can ride along with an officer during part of a shift.  I highly suggest everyone do that at least once.  I’ve done it, and the view can look a lot different when you’re in the other seat. 

Bottom line for every individual:  Be respectful and trustworthy towards others, and pray others will be respectful and trustworthy, too.

Copyright © December 2014 by Maeke Ermarth

               Ocean City, Maryland

Economy and Values: Domino Effects

Put aside political, religious, and social preferences.  Put on a "common sense" hat, and look at some basics.  What happened during the industrial revolution in terms of jobs?  Well, a number of people lost them to machines that did not require salaries or benefits and eliminated increased pay for overtime, bonuses and pay raises!  What are some results of modern technology today? 

1)      Computers can crunch out research and reports previously done by the human factor at a much faster pace, thus eliminating the need for the amount of personnel previously required for projects.  Needing less people reduces the amount of space, furnishings and office supplies required to run an operation.  Reduction of employment means less income and commercial real estate tax collected; an increase of people who are unable to pay residential real estate taxes, mortgages, debt balances, and consumer goods and services; an increase in the need for social services; and a decrease in the amount of social services available.

2)      Consumers can now purchase many items and services via telephone and computer instead of shopping in person.  If fewer consumers are in stores, there is less need for cashiers and in-stock items.  Many stores now also have self check-out lanes, further reducing the need for personnel.  Making purchases via telephone or on-line often times eliminates a sales tax charge which results in less revenue for the State from which the product is sent.

3)      Thanks to Internet, much of what mankind used to obtain "on paper" can now be obtained using no paper.  What a time saver, not to mention how many trees are saved every year as the need for paper lessens.  Say "hello" to dwindling card shops, reduced amounts of newspaper and magazine printings, and a drastic drop in mailed items.  The need for shop employees drops as does the need for loggers and paper product processors, distributors, and retail stores.  The postal service loses a significant amount of income and has to adjust itself accordingly. 

In the social ethics arena, a deterioration of standards and morals has greatly impacted both our society and our economy.  It is easy to point a finger at the wealthy members of society (however that may be defined) and suggest or even demand they pay more taxes to help provide more benefits for everyone else -- even if some of those benefits are of poor quality or even useless.  Mankind has a seemingly infinite ability to find ways to expend as little energy as possible and to satisfy greed rather than taking the high road and doing what is ethically and morally right.  What are and what could be the end results? 

1)      I liken taking from the rich to soothe the woes of others to the welfare system we not too long ago revamped.  History shows time and again that when given a hand-out, people end up taking it for granted versus using it as a hand-up.  This breeds apathy, lowered self esteem, and increased use of self-medicating options which leads to a greater need for social services, increased crime, and diminished self-reliance. 

2)      Increased tapping into more affluent incomes reduces the voluntary desire to "give back" to society and encourages investments and production outside our borders.  Many organizations, projects, and qualities of life would suffer if affluent people/businesses stopped making the investments, contributions and donations they currently provide.  Many homeowners and small businesses have been assisted with loans from individuals/entities willing and able to take a risk in lending the needed funds.  Everywhere we look we see the results of something existing thanks to the generosity of those who are in a position to share their good fortunes -- parks, the "arts," school equipment, medical facilities and research programs, grants, scholarships, non-profit organizations, new businesses, and so much more.

3)      Revenue is lost from adults who live together but opt not to be formally married in order to pay less in taxes.  People from every economic level have loop holes or mechanisms that allow fewer taxes to be paid.  The expression, "Where there's a will, there's a way," stands close to the notion that if there is a way, people will -- if it is financially beneficial!

4)       There are households with at least two employed persons making incomes high enough individually to cover expenses for the entire household.  In times of economic distress, unnecessarily keeping a job denies a household in dire need of income of employment opportunities.

5)      Thanks to easier living, we no longer have to engage physically to obtain what we desire.  I no longer have to go to an actual location other than my own home to purchase many of the products I have.  I no longer have to go to church to hear a sermon.  I no longer have to go visit my friends and give them gifts in person or send them letters and cards in the mail.  Etc., etc.  As mentioned before, with fewer bodies coming through stores' doors, less employees, space, and stock is needed.  By "churching" from home, churches will likely see a decrease in tithing, which is impact their ability to serve the needs of the community and beyond, meaning less for those who are already needy.  Businesses that used to be sustained by in-person friendships and relationships are now hampered by the lack of face-to-face interaction and the purchase of tangible items.

In summary:  Society is better off with the financially able having the freedom to place their resources into areas about which they are compassionate or taking risks to invest in opportunities for others.  Our nation's quality of life, as a whole, would be greatly impacted without the treasures we enjoy thanks to the donations and "gifts" of people who donate significant amounts of financing, land, and structures for these projects. 

Not only do the wealthier members of society have the highest tax rate and pay the majority (I believe it is still over 80%) of our country's and states' revenues, they contribute substantially as consumers of products and services, provide employment for their personal residences and activities, expend hours in volunteer and charitable services that would otherwise suffer greatly or even close -- again, endeavors that provide the general population with a better quality of life.  There is nothing in our Judeo-Christian background that chastises wealth; in fact, it is encouraged.  It does, however, encourage those blessed with abundance (in every sense of the word) to give back some in order to help others achieve more.  Chip away at their rewards, and soon they will not be able -- or willing -- to continue supporting some of the very things our society values and enjoys. 

I challenge adults shirking long-established values for the sake of, well, let's call it what it is -- greed -- to step back and look through the window.  What do you see?  Perhaps disrespect, selfishness, false superiority, and certainly no one setting a good example.  For those households earning two or more self-sufficient incomes, what might be seen through their windows?  Perhaps the same characteristics listed above.  Downstream, what are the messages we are sending the younger generations?  How the heck can we expect them to have a better future when we teach them how to shun what is needed and what is right?

We need to think smart, think objectively, and think outside the "tunnel."  The rich have not damned us.  Nor have the corporations.  We ourselves have.  We need to look at our own personal standards and behaviors.  We need to scrutinize our own priorities.  We do not need more stimulus packages -- they have already been a failure due to corruption and apathy.  We do not need Wall Street protests -- we need to utilize the powers we already have and stop re-electing highly-paid CEOs, company presidents, and destructive business practices through our annual stockholder opportunities and our power as consumers of products and services.  We need to look at our personal situations and see if we can make some sacrifices in order to give a hand-up to someone currently in a tight spot. 

Just as the domino effect can tumble downward, the domino effect can also climb upward.  We need to start doing what it takes individually and together as a whole to promote the latter.  We need to stop immature whining and address issues and situations wisely, maturely, and confidently.  Rarely is there only one culprit causing a situation.  Whole pictures need review.  At least a couple options need thorough scrutiny and consideration.  Legal and persistent remedies need to be enacted. 

You don't like "Wall Street?"  Fire the companies/organizations/people causing angst.  There is more than one company/organization/person.  Take your support, business, and loyalty elsewhere.  Nothing flourishes without support.  So instead of wasting time and energy complaining against people, places, and things already in place because of support somewhere along the line, put the time and energy into doing what is truly needed (which even in itself might create jobs and overall economic growth -- oh my, what a concept!).

It's never too late to take personal inventory and be better (oh -- how many times over the years have I done this, and still do.  It's a never-ending exercise, but it is so worth it).  Embrace what is morally and ethically beneficial, and let's stop embarrassing the younger folks but rather be worthy role models and mentors for them as they travel the long roads that lie ahead.  AND, let's maintain the same expectations of others as we do ourselves.  Personally, I'm disgusted at the garbage on our air waves, on our tv screens, at our sports arenas -- you name it, something vile is likely to be there somewhere (or close by).  If I can't turn it around, I can certainly turn it off, and maybe even shut it down!

Maeke Ermarth © October 9, 2011

Cheyenne, WY