One of my friends from High school, I recently found out builds houses for refugees. I am truly humbled by that fact - (more than the high school friend who is published and works for Google). It is truly a noble calling and one that puts in stark contrast the acts of terror caused by humans, corporations and world leaders that brought the situation into existence. Bless him and those like him that work in the darkest places to heal the deepest wounds. These works, although very necessary, feel like a band-aid, to the current situation of corporate, greed and malfeasance.
If we were keeping score it might seem like the forces of good are the underdog here.
And while we need the band-aid to stop the bleeding (perhaps a tourniquet) it wouldn't hurt to lay off the 2-pack a day smoking and twinky habit (does anyone actually still eat twinkies?)
We need a new model of corporation - and I am not the first to bring this up (). Still many people I talk to still seem to think in black and white - Are you trying to be good? start a non profit - if you are trying to invest, start a business, and just try to maximize your profit. The grey zone is challenging for people to wrap their heads around. And therein lies the challenge.
Inertia.
I am firmly in the camp of those that do not like the existence of some thing /institution/ idea, just because it has been around a long time. I don't type on a 'qwerty' keyboard, for example, and I ride a recumbent bike, I probably don't need to tell you what operating system I (am)/(am not) typing this essay on. So you may be getting a picture of a rebel, someone ready to always upset the status quo. In fact I don't have a problem with things that have been around for a long time, and are still very cool like trains and tacos.
And I am trying not to judge those that believe they have a right to cause horrors to US communities in the name of profit (how am I doing on the non-judge thing?).
And in any case, they probably wouldn't care if I judged them anyway. They have made their choices, and to be fair many of them gained their wealth because they did exactly what I am proposing that more of us do - think outside the basket.
And so evil (if we will call it that) will do as evil shall - the saints will build refugee homes for the victims of the brutality - but what do the rest of us do? Binge watch "Breaking Bad"?
I admit to not being special enough to really make a big difference in the world, and admit to sometimes being cynical about whether anything done would make a difference, still, I don't like to support the trend. And just because Man City one the Premier league again - doesn't mean I am going to purchase one of their jersies.
So I think most of us that do not have the calling, tend to look away - probably we are not going to give up our worldly possessions and maybe not even our netflix subscription. So do we resign ourselves to denying that we are part of the problem? Yes, some non profit donations here and there, good. But if we were to follow the money, follow where our investments go - maybe you have some so called "green" / "socially responsible" funds in your portfolio- yes it helps - not complaining... But if you look into it [] you will find it is actually very difficult.
And I think we've convinced ourselves that we are ok with it.
And clearly those with the $$ know how to make it grow - so if the bottom line in your portfolio is your primary objective - then that is your choice (you baby whale killer)
But I think it is time to find some other possible investment possibilities - investments in companies that are invested in the communities that they are in and especially communities that are stressed.
Suppose people started companies like that - and maybe they could be profitable - maybe not as profitable as BlackRock investments could be for an investor. But maybe they could supply a fixed return, something reasonable, with a few fringe benefits?
We would never drive the for profits or the non profits out of business, I don't believe we will ever run out of homeless refugees, so don't stop sending your checks. But maybe we (those of us that already have a solid economic footing) can do something to give back a bit instead of giving up.