It’s Your Time.
An economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market; this is the definition of Capitalism (merriam-webster.com).
It’s this system that gave birth to (along with the men and women in uniform we honor this Memorial Day) the freest, most prosperous land in the world. As we’ve helplessly watched an unthinkably endless flow of oil 5,000 feet underwater spread and cover the beautiful waters of the Gulf, prevent free birds from spreading their wings and halt the busiest season for the sea food industry, we are once again reminded of what can happen when the privileges of Capitalism are abused.
This is one moment in history in which some will choose to sail towards freedom, while others continue to feel stuck at bay, held hostage by fear. Without a doubt, the significance of understanding how to make Capitalism work for us instead of against us has never been more important and it begins with the power of confidence through education.
The late Pulitzer Prize winning author (and former New York City high school teacher of 30 years), Frank McCourt explained the ultimate purpose of education as he saw it. In his final book, “Teacher Man” McCourt shared a simple equation to answer the common question asked often by teachers and students, “what am I doing in the classroom?”; McCourt’s equation: “On the left side of the black board I print a capital F, on the right side another capital F. I draw an arrow from left to right, from FEAR to FREEDOM.”
McCourt’s principle is so simple that it’s always applicable: at the end of the day, have we taken a step towards freedom or inched closer to fear? Just as the bravest sons, daughters, mothers and fathers of America decide to sign up for a duty certain to put he or she in harm’s way, the reward to do something most people won’t do outweighs the risks of doing nothing: to defend a precious freedom and provide a more secure future for the generations yet to come.
As we continue to learn with amazement, some of the richest, smartest, most highly educated scientists and businesspeople in the world are having an extraordinary level of difficulty finding a way to make up for an oil company’s lack of a game plan. It’s a pattern we’ve seen lately; from profit clouded decisions on Wall Street to the corporate oil leak fumble in the Gulf. Time and time again big businesses and corporations have proven it’s common practice to put profits over the interests of clients, customers and consumers.
With more and more signs pointing in the direction of personal accountability as the only true solution, we’ve reached a tipping point which requires us to be brave with trust. That man or woman you see in the mirror is undoubtedly capable of making well informed decisions for today on the path to a promising tomorrow.
Choose to take the trip away from the limits of Fear into the unlimited possibilities of Freedom.
DW
