Re: It’s still true: think global, act local, Bruce A. Stewart, Red Deer Advocate, Aug. 1, 2012.
This is an article that begins to recognize the depth and seriousness of the crises of the capitalist system on a world scale.
It is a recognition that comes not from an economist, most of whom are unable to understand let alone offer any explanation of the world economic crises, but (to his credit) from a management consultant.
The idea that Canada manages its own affairs well while “the rest of the world makes a hash of theirs” is only relatively true; the fact that we are better off than most does not mean that our economy is not in crises.
The Harper government is presiding over serious and painful cuts in state spending; under the present economic system, there are no other options.
The correctly identified problem of the enormous amount of debt that has built up is a symptom of the wider crises of a system that has gone beyond its limits.
The lack of markets in which to sell commodities at a profit has meant resorting to a huge expansion of credit, after the financial crash of 2007-2008 this credit was transferred by the bank bailout from private company debt to state debt.
The system has overreached its limits like the cartoon figure running over a cliff and hovering in mid air but gravity will win. Debts have to be repaid and as correctly stated at huge rates of interest.
The Harper government’s economic action plan that has been operating for the past three years simply underlines the crises of the present system and has in no way alleviated it.
Is it possible, as suggested, that ordinary working people sitting around the barbecue can come up with ideas for politicians to repair the present system?
The involvement of ordinary working people in the running of society is in fact crucial but their collective voice can only be heard when they belong to and take part in the running of a political party.
The crisis of the present system is creating a division of our society into two camps, the rich and those with diminishing incomes and living standards.
Two political parties will become dominant in Alberta in the not too distant future and the rest will be squeezed out by the polarization of society; the two dominant parties will be the Wildrose Party and the NDP.
Those at the top need the Wildrose Party and they are continuing to provide it with the finances that are required for it to grow.
The majority of ordinary people need and will build a party that not only stands in their defence but also provides an alternative way of running society, the alternative of a democratic, socialist, planned economy that will provide plenty for all.
Keith Norman Wyatt
Innisfail NDP