Good Intentions

 We took advantage of our own opportunities, to be sure. We’ve always understood the avenues to success and the wealth-creating power of open, competitive markets; and we’ve advocated with conviction the importance to all of economic growth. We know quite well how amazingly it all has worked, producing the wealthiest of upper classes, the broadest, most financially secure middle class. But when and how did we develop a blind eye to how poorly competitive market dynamics provide for the poor, the undereducated, the ill and unable? Is it just too inconvenient? Or does it make too complex these issues for which we prefer simpler, unaccountable laissez-faire answers?

What happened to our genuine intention to advocate and work for needed assistance to those struggling day to day, often failing? We even had a nascent concern—however passive or naïve—for the earth and air and water that contains us, nurtures and sustains us. And if, as we have said, the answers are all about private interests, private philanthropy or church missions, show me how that alone has solved these problems—or even come close. And let’s consider our contribution, our part played.

Have we lost our way somewhere on our quest for the greater good, on that path paved with good intentions? Have we somewhere lost our footing, our vision and mission. We have our success and worldly goods, yes, but has that fulfilled our potential, our promise? And if that is what we have gained in that world we’ve so easily slipped into, what have we lost?