Eradication of Poverty? …. SIMPLE!

November 27, 2020

               … remove MONEY (in letter & spirit) as the operating policy of life as we know it!

(Photo credit- https://images.app.goo.gl/FsakSmJTzKLm3AZw9)

From the beginning of time, when barter used to be the means of exchange, humankind understood the a physical item or service had a certain value attached to it.  Barter exchange evolved into money exchange and the importance of commerce and economy developed.

However, what if money is not the defining aspect of life?  Why can’t ALL goods & services be available freely to anyone?  The value of special interest groups, big business, wars for “oil”, smuggling & exploitation, etc will become inconsequential & redundant!  The concept of exploitation of the world’s natural resources would be over.  Beggary would stop.  There would be no such thing as Poverty – because every ‘social class’ will have access to the same services & facilities as everyone else.

(photo credit- https://images.app.goo.gl/6RvBqpCHpaM6NmcU9)

The idea of a community, in my book, should not be defined by what economic or monetary benefit each can give the other.  No siree bob!  Under this [fairy tale’d] ‘poverty-free society’ concept, a community would provide each other goods & services with no monetary benefit because each and every one benefits from the exchange.  There would be a 1 to 1 exchange – there would be no value attached to an item or service anymore. 

The person providing a good or service is doing so for the community at large; she would be using her trade & knowledge to provide for her own family and others; and in turn would receive goods & services required by her family completely gratis.  If I become sick, I go to the hospital and get the same medical care, treatment and medication our prime ministers & presidents would get with no concept of compensation.

If money is not needed to survive, there is no “poor” person or “rich” person.  The thirst for life should move from monetary gain to a knowledge-based motive (https://dinshawavari.com/2019/06/14/what-does-a-government-do-for-us-%f0%9f%a4%94/), a quest for adventure & intellect and a thirst to live life in the true sense of LIVING & enjoying what God has given us, and to us.

Too idealistic … a pipe dream, you say? 

Yes, here & now, in our lifetime …

but hopefully not for future generations.

WISHFUL THINKING !

August 25, 2020

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More than ever, (https://dinshawavari.com/2019/06/14/what-does-a-government-do-for-us-%f0%9f%a4%94/ & https://dinshawavari.com/2020/03/26/where-are-we-heading/), I despair as to where the world is heading …

… Self destruction – whether economic, nuclear, physical !

… Conflict & strife being at one of the highest points that I can remember in my conscious life.

It basically comes down to “governments” and national policies-

Why are nations encouraging conflict with other nations?

               Shouldn’t they be looking at the welfare of their own citizens FIRST!?

Why are nations increasing arms spend?

               Shouldn’t they be spending on education & health of their own citizens instead?

What is a “government’s” purpose to come to power?

               Is it not to enhance the poor and downtrodden out of poverty instead?

How does a country’s attempt for currency & world domination/hegemony help the citizens of that nation?

               Doesn’t it instead dilute the energies & efficiencies of the government from internal enhancement?

In today’s era, how does land acquisition through war & conquest help a nation prosper?

               Doesn’t it instead divert resources from otherwise more critical LIFE purposes?

(Image credit- https://images.app.goo.gl/6RvBqpCHpaM6NmcU9)

The words in the United Nations’ charter is the ONLY KPI on which governments should be judged & held responsible for by its citizens –

“…committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights”

– and not on how strong a country’s currency is or how many wars it is fighting or how influential it is in world affairs. 

Let’s end this diatribe with a quote from Ronald Reagan’s Acceptance Speech at the Republican National Convention on July 17, 1980 [please replace “Americans” with “citizens”] …

“…millions of [Americans] find themselves out of work. Millions more have never even had a fair chance to learn new skills, hold a decent job, or secure for themselves and their families a share in the prosperity of this nation.  It is time to put [Americans] back to work, to make our cities and towns resound with the confident voices of men and women of all races, nationalities and faiths bringing home to their families a decent paycheck they can cash for honest money. For those without skills, we’ll find a way to help them get skills. For those without job opportunities, we’ll stimulate new opportunities, particularly in the inner cities where they live…”

               …This is what worlds’ governments should SOLELY strive towards…FULL STOP!

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“Reason should frame a good politician’s goal to persuade”

July 9, 2020

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On a recent online course, I was made to read one of the most POWERFUL essays (by Amy Gutmann) “The Lure & Dangers of Extremist Rhetoric”, a topic so so prevalent worldwide.

The speech is so profound that it actually made me sit up and take notice of my very own actions and reactions in arguments; and while these principals apply in politics, they are prevalent in family, work and society in general!

Excerpts-

“Going as far back as Aristotle, he maintained that –

The proper task of rhetoric is to drive home the logic, the truth and the evidence of an argument.

Reason should frame a good politician’s goal to persuade.

The opposite of a sound democratic argument is demagogy: manipulation and deception in order to divide, demean, deceive and conquer [citizens].

Extremist rhetoric blatantly disregards and devalues truth-seeking understandings upon which citizens […] may make informed judgments.

It also undermines a basic value of representative politics- When politicians use extreme rhetoric to mobilize their base […] they strip the moderate middle of a voice in governance (excludes all those who might join a more moderate […] political coalition)

(photo credit- magoosh.com)

By its very nature, extremist rhetoric excludes from consideration important public values-

• Liberty
• Consideration of equally competing values
• Constructive conversations that improve decision making
• Denigrates & degrades those who differ
• Blocks constructive examination of rhetor’s own values and beliefs

When we argue about controversial issues, we should defend our views vigorously while expressing mutual respect for our adversaries […] and competing viewpoints.

We can do this by not preemptively rejecting everything for which our political adversaries stand.

It makes room for moral compromise over reasonable differences.”

So, what’s the SOLUTION…               EDUCATION!

(Which reminds me back of an earlier opinion “https://dinshawavari.com/2019/03/15/common-sense-has-left-the-building/”)

Schools, colleges and universities are the natural ARMIES at the forefront to teach our citizens the art of rhetoric, in the words of Amy Guttman –

“In searching for antidotes to extremism, there is therefore no substitute for a better democratic education in robust, reasoned, and respectful political controversy and debate. We need to teach students how to engage with one another over controversial issues. Students must first learn how to recognize demagogic rhetoric and then how to counter it, both individually and institutionally.

Well-designed democratic institutions can dramatically reduce the toxic effects of extremist rhetoric. We need to support institutional structures whose incentives encourage respectful controversy. Well-structured debates and factcheck blogs can expose extremist and extreme rhetoric that is deceptive and subversive of the democratic pursuit of the public interest.“

This is the start of ‘War Against Extremist Rhetoric’!

What does a government do for us? 🤔

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June 14, 2019

According to “https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-government-definition-role-functions.html#transcriptHeader”, “Government, …, is the authority that sets rules for a society, helps its members relate to one another and to others, and keeps it running smoothly, securely, and peacefully”.

I, alongwith 6 billion others, will have 6 billion & 1 reasons on what a government’s role is in society.

… But, why do we exist?  Why are we living?  Why did “societies” and “cultures” crop up?

It is for the promotion of general welfare of those societies & cultures.  That’s what should be the purpose of any government and NOT a 20, 30, 40-page manifesto of the “ideal” society!!!  How much of these manifestos actually materialize in your country?

There is NO perfect society or government by a long shot.  However, I feel the county which comes closest to this 1-point “ideal” is Singapore!  The country has remained neutral; it looks after it’s citizens and residents; and their education & health policies are almost second to none!

If all governments, including here in Pakistan, were to use this one-point agenda (general welfare of its citizens) as it’s rallying call, I think all policies – domestic or international – would correctly flow from this.

Like Star Trek, eventually, the quest for the human race should be furthering “knowledge” and what humanity can eventually develop into!

 

“The School of Hard Knocks”!

May 14, 2019

The attached Quote by the late President of USA aptly describes the resolve & determination my grandfather & family have shown over the last seven decades.

Over these decades, we have faced – and continue to do so – political problems, pressures & interferences; hotel politics; community politics; family crisis; business pressures; sports politics; monetary problems.  Is it because we are minorities?

My late grandfather, Dinshaw B Avari, was an orphan in Mumbai.  Himself learning under a lantern, my grandfather gave tuitions to pay his way through college, obtaining a B.Com from Bombay University.  He started his career in the Sun Life Assurance Co of Canada and in 1929 was sent to Karachi to open the Company’s office.  From this eventually led to the purchase of the Bristol Hotel in Karachi and the start of our family’s hospitality career.  When Beach Luxury Hotel opened in 1948, the property was requisitioned.  In Lahore in the 1950/60s, a new “scheme” by the Governor then, requisitioned our property for so-called public use.  Our Avari Towers Hotel in Karachi, absolutely ready for operations, remained closed for two years due to “competitor” politics…I can go on and on.

However, Calvin Coolidge’s Quote stands tall on our Office wall, as we have weathered the tides & onslaught against us…and survived…and grown … due to the persistence of my grandfather & father!

In the face of these challenges my grandfather used to quote “More things are wrought by prayers, than by man alone”.  There is no substitute for persistence and hard work … and Prayers and faith in God help you overcome such challenges and tribulations.

… and no school can ever teach you this!

WHO wants to be a … POLITICIAN !?

February 8, 2019

I think you, not only, need to have some “balls” (pardon my French please!) but you can’t get emotional.

Let’s see-

Definitely, you should be able to take & accept criticism.  You would need to accept changes to your “grandiose” ideas and possibly “idealistic” thinking, which may have brought you into this field in the first place.

You need to have a Rhino’s “hide”!  We mortals can’t be public representatives.

Your family life is absolutely exposed!  Your every action, words (and thoughts!) are at the mercy of the public – you can’t hide behind “having a private life”!  Oh no, sireee bob!

You should be able to manage people & meetings (boy, will you have plenty of those!) and be willing to accept conflicting viewpoints & opinions (naturally, the buck stops with you so you have to make the final call).

You will be in 24/7 crisis mode !

You should be able to hold your own in the face of the media, the public, your own colleagues – let alone the opposition.

What other qualities does one need to be a public representative?

I could never be a politician or a public representative… I’m too emotional.  Could you???