Another Weekend Thought...

Again piggy-backing on the previous entry, here's another quick thought for the weekend.  Given the momentum of income inequality in our current system, how can we make the following statement/mantra true without constraining legislation?

"Together, everyone wins!"

Re-Capitalism is undertaking the task to make this a reality.

It's Even in the News...

To follow up on my previous post, this little gem was in the LA Times today...

Discovery, Chipotle, CVS top list of highest CEO-to-worker pay ratios

And not to demonize these companies, but it's a reality of today's corporate world.  And is this really the direction that we want to be headed as a society?  Again, not promoting legislative change, rather an examination of internal fortitude.

A Note on Income Inequality

I'd like to begin by stating that there is nothing wrong with obtaining wealth and being successful. Financial reward is part of the beauty of capitalism, and when innovative individuals and businesses create better and more efficient products, services, and processes, this should absolutely be rewarded.

As a civilized society with means in addition to moral and ethical values, we have collectively decided that there is a limit to how unsuccessful someone can be.  This is where the social safety net comes into play in many cases. Again, there is nothing wrong with helping one another to try to reach a minimum standard of living; in fact, it's quite a noble endeavor.  And we may not be able to reach everybody in striving for that minimum standard, as I am always acutely aware when I stroll through downtown Long Beach.

Yet, if that moral and ethical imperative didn't exist, capitalism, for better or worse, would take on a Darwinian effect of removing the most unsuccessful from society.  These people would not be able to afford or obtain such basic necessities as food or healthcare and be removed from society's equation.  Again, not that our current model perfectly avoids this fate in all instances, but we try through social programs, outreach services, and in our general internal moral imperative to help those in need.

That Darwinian effect would exact a devastating human toll, one that I think we can agree is unacceptable.  But hypothetically, if implemented, would lead to far less wealth inequality than currently exists.  Those with the means of production would be more reliant on their workforce to succeed and survive in this model, therefore reducing that infamous CEO-to-workforce pay ratio.  Herd mentality is strong, and in a world of survival of only the most fit, that segment would naturally band together in each area of the economy to increase odds of survival.

Out current model bounds the low end of subsistence, yet provides no reigns or incentive of human reinvestment on the upper end of success.  With consciences clean of metaphorically leaving anyone to fend against the wolves (or so we may convince ourselves), it's no wonder that income inequality is an issue that is only gaining momentum.

So how do we address and reverse this trend within the constraints of our current model, and not legislate the change, which would be politically unpalatable?  Stay tuned....

Today's Soul-less Corporate Environment

Not to (overly) condone the 3 martini lunch, but when did a more open working environment and corporate generosity just disappear? It was certainly before my time; I've known nothing but the callous and demanding corporate culture in which much of America currently works. In a world where C-level management is compensated at a higher ratio compared to the overall workforce than ever before, today's "front-line" employees are not only paid less, but are provided with a much less inviting environment with less leniency, fewer perks, and a much lower level of autonomy in completing their jobs.....and they're required to be ever-more efficient. This equation and the direction and momentum of it's change has never made sense to me. Yes, it is the way things work (currently), but this is not one of those things that needs to be axiomatically accepted. "God grant me the serenity," and this requires the wisdom to understand the difference; that a change is possible. Not with laws, but with the purchasing power of our own wallets. We can truly "be the change [we] wish to see in the world." More to come...

Weekend Thought...

As I share more about Re-Capitalism, I want to drive the conversation and evolution of the brand's movement with meaningful slogans and mantras.  I see so many inspirational quotes on social media these days, it only seems fitting that we create some of our own.  That said, this weekend's mantra...


"Re-Capitalism: Exclusively Inclusive."


Discuss.

Getting to the Point

In essence, Re-Capitalism is an inclusive and sustainable (think endowment) supply-side economic approach to the current dominant model of capitalism, and it is rooted in maintaining and enhancing society with special attention to those that have been economically and educationally neglected in the past. There is a "right" time for every idea to mature, and looking at today's digital social culture that desperately wants to be part of something bigger, something noble, and something that provides benefit for all, the time to Re-Capitalize has arrived.

Most importantly, Re-Capitalism is a brand. A brand based on the ideas above, which are centered in the idea of holistic capitalism. Exclusively inclusive, holistic capitalism seeks to provide benefit for all, end the zero sum gain playing field in the current model, and create a lasting opportunity for everyone in the system. Holistic capitalism is a disruptor to be sure, as it can be applied to nearly every industry that has created what most consumers view as the soulless corporate beast.

It's time to change the world. Let's win, people!