wake up

“Wake up, you idiots! Whatever made you think that money was so valuable?”

Kurt Vonnegut

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Of all the things in this world we can love

Why money?

Why

Why

Why

OK

I get money

Money is power

Money is comfort

Money is toys

Money is food, and housing and healthcare

But money is also war

And graft

And abuse

Money causes us to destroy the planet

And abandon people

And lie

Money drives us into dark places

And causes us to do ugly things

And when all is said and done

It cannot satisfy

Trump is wealthy (or says he is)

Does he look happy?

Act happy?

What about Epstein?

Who with all his millions needed to prey on young girls

Paul (or the author of Timothy) said the “love of money is the root of all evil”

Jesus said we would be better off if we gave it all away

It is not that money is bad

We need it

And it can be a power for good, if we let it

But still

We have to put money in its place

We have to know its limitations

And its dangers

And it can never ever, be something of supreme value

So many other things must come first

People, for example

Equity

Justice

The planet

Children

Love

We are so easily seduced

Politicians understand this

So do advertisers

So do those false prophets who equate faith with prosperity

All those who would control us and manipulate us

Know

The seductive power of money

But in the end

Only two things save

Love of the Sacred

And all things Sacred

And love of people

It is only when we are full to overflowing with the Sacred

It is only when our hearts are full of love

That we stand a chance

I suspect this sounds simplistic

It feels simplistic

But just try it

And you will know it is hard

And not for the faint of heart and soul

But just try it

And you might find

What you have been looking for.