We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Sunday, May 1, 2022

A Final post and Announcement to my readers

Unfortunately, we live in a capitalist society which means that individual families are competing for influence and advantages of wealth. The capitalist ruling classes have attained so much power with their ownership of fabulous wealth that they think that they are invincible. They think they will use naive ordinary humans to fight to the death to protect their system from being overthrown as they are doing today in Ukraine. They are the masters of deception, and they have used their tools of deception to deceive most of us to go along with their agenda to acquire ever more dominance and control. The capitalists have destroyed society and the ecology of our mother Earth with their deceptions.

This was a fundamental insight that Margaret Thatcher, the fanatically useful tool of British capitalists, articulated with her dictum: "there is no such thing as society, there is only individuals and their families". I'm sure that she was well rewarded for her efforts. It is unfortunate that humans have not been able to grow out of their infantile belief in families and extended families before the climate crisis really sets in or wars will end in the disappearance of humans in a final nuclear war.

Also, the ruling capitalist classes of the dominant capitalist empire (the de-facto US/British/Zionist Empire) refuse to give up their top-dog status on our unique planet Earth which caused both crises--destruction of our planet's ecology and constant wars. This truth is obvious in the war in Ukraine where they are determined to use gullible ordinary humans to fight to the death for their powerful Empire that provides the capitalist classes with so much wealth and control over the rest of us.

After more than 12 years, this essay finally ends my work on the "Surviving Capitalism (Not)". In the future I will do my best to maintain updated recommended websites/weblogs to the right of my website.

5/19/2022 Update, (updated 5/20/2022): I've been cleaning up my website and particularly the "recommended websites/weblogs" that are most relevant to current issues. To do this I've have followed daily to all (approximately 50) websites/weblogs that I've always used to determine my daily posts that I've recommended daily since the last over 12 years, but I've changed from that to keep current "my recommended" website/weblogs. Not all of these websites/weblogs qualify for my recommended list because they, in reality, advocate the denial of the fundamental issues of our time: peace, climate destabilization (e.g. Global Research and The Exposé), and social/economic justice (e.g. Paul Craig Roberts). I have not discovered all credible sources because I've not discovered them in my daily posts, but the ones I've discovered and followed for an extended period are demonstrated credible journalists, genuine socialists, independent scientists and experts.  

They don't necessarily advocate real socialism (as I do), but their posts provide honest and insightful posts. The only possible exceptions to the latter statement are with Global Times (China) and Sputnik (Russia) which I include in order to understand our nations' opponents and their points of view. Otherwise, I follow policy analysts (who are available on US websites) who I believe offer (as best that they can) accurate news and insights on ruling class and government policies. I expect to make frequent changes to my recommended list of websites as long as I am able.

                                                                                    *****************************************
                                                                        
                                                                                                        An Appeal
                                    
I'm in the process of simplifying my life. At the age of 86, I don't need any confusion in handling my adult responsibilities, and must lean on someone for advice to make major decisions before some capitalist takes advantage of me in my advanced age. Finally, I need someone to take responsibility for my ultimate demise. I have no one such as an immediate family or relative to look after my needs and advantages that I've accrued throughout my long life. My adult life was filled with a desire and activities to rid our selves of capitalism to promote a real socialism, that is, to promote a classless society and to establish a society of humans who cared for one another. I have failed in this endeavor.

Finally, I'm wondering if there is someone out there who will take me into their household and protect me from all the ravages that a capitalist society can impose upon one until my natural demise. I can meet a monthly rent of a room and board. If there is, I would reward you with my accumulated modest wealth by substantially including you in my last will. If interested, you can contact me by email: rdh@sekur.com, a secure private email address, or a less secure one at ronh36@protonmail.com. The terms, conditions, and expectations are absolutely negotiable. This appeal is still valid if you see these two paragraphs.

May 11, 2022                                                                               An Appeal Update

So far, I am gratified to receive three inquiries for my appeal. One of the three has dropped out, and the 2nd one doesn't look promising. The final one looks good for now. I invite those who have space for me in their household to make inquiries. 

I am so far able to sustain independent living, but I need guidance for major and some minor decisions in my life. I dislike where I am currently living in a co-op in southern Minnesota among bible-oriented Lutherans.