The first chapter is about capitalism. Ooh, boy. I know. He's starting off with a bang. Okay, so there's a few random quotes throughout the chapter, and you're supposed to guess who the crazy person is that said it. So here's the first gem:
"It's impossible that capitalism can regulate the monster that is the world financial system, it's impossible. Capitalism needs to go down. It has to end."
Um...so my first thoughts: Holy crap. And guess what wonderful world leader said that? Hugo Chavez. Yep, that's right. Mr. Term-Limits-Don't-Matter-So-Let's-Get-Rid-Of-Them Chavez. Who wants to place a bet on how long that man will be in there? We've got a Stalin on our hands, people. And if that's not radical enough for you, here's another one. You might want to sit down.
"We are interested in a new financial system based on justice. A real economic system."
Hmmm...Chavez again? NOPE. My second favorite scary man, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. (P.S. It's not Akmadinejad, people. It's AHHHH-madinejad.) Anyhooo....so this financial system that both of these men, among many other world leaders, are looking for, involves government intervention. Do we want these quacks--and trust me there are quacks even wackier in the good old US of A too--running an economy? Normal, educated men can't even be trusted (see Ben Bernanke, Hank Paulson, Alan Greenspan, etc.) So now they're saying we want something to regulate the "world financial system"? Pardon me, but does that not scare anyone else? Is it just me and Glenn Beck? So think about it people...let's try to do something about this. The first step is realizing that these ideas are present not only in Venezuela and Iran, but here too. In the supposed haven for free markets. Don't want to be Molly Raincloud here, but it's serious. Let's VOTE!
Last political issue. The Second Amendment. A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. The most important part of that sentence, from our Constitution, is now being used to negate our personal rights. That lovely phrase, a well regulated Militia. Collectivists are now saying the right only applies to militias, not individuals. This is ludicrous, but if people insist on this argument, there are plentiful quotes by the founders asserting the individual rights. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." Thomas Jefferson. "Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property." Thomas Paine. Ok, so our founders believe without a doubt that this right applies to individuals, but they decided not to add it in the Constitution? Uh-huh. Sure. I guess we can all keep believing that the men who created the best system of government that led to the most powerful country in the world are so dumb and/or confused that they can't seem to make up their minds. Yep, that's it.
So the other book I bought is Chef Rocco DiSpirito's cookbook Flavor. Trust me, this will have a point. The first part of the book talks about creating your own "personal cuisine." He brings up a great point about how cooking has evolved--it previously to focus on the French classics, the standards. But now, and partly because of America's "melting pot" atmosphere, there is so much more freedom and creativity allowed in the art of cooking. My favorite paragraph: "Do you cook from your gut? Let your nose and taste buds lead the way. Let your instincts and passion take care of the rest." This is important not only in food, but in life.
How am I going to connect these books? Well here it is. There are so many options in this world, so many opinions, and that's what makes our world great. And we may recognize or believe others' opinions, politics, or "personal cuisine" to be STUPID. For instance, Keith Olbermann. Or Ina Garten. I know people who think my ideas are stupid. And that's their right. If we want to be respected, we need to give respect to others. However, at some point, we are going to need to get over the silliness of our numerous attempts at political correctness, and focus on the truth. As Glenn Beck said today on his TV show, opinions must END where facts BEGIN. And if we expect to live life to the fullest, to create the best world we can for today and to preserve it for our children, we need to step up. We need to create our own "personal cuisine". We need to use the right ingredients and the right equipment, and change the world. Let's work harder to change it, rather than simply acknowledging it needs to be changed. We can all recognize the aspects of life that need to be changed, but it's more important that we recognize what we can do.
So here's to standing up for our beliefs. To changing the world.
There are no such things as limits to growth, because there are no limits to the human capacity for intelligence, imagination and wonder. Ronald Reagan
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