Suc(k)cess

The biggest of human weakness is a craving for success. Genetically programmed to only yearn for such outcomes, exceptions are viewed with disdain. Even the few who risk to differ, are treated as outcasts and toe the conventional line soon enough.

To make it more simple, how many times have you felt emptiness when you completed a novel, that had an unconventional ending wherein the author left scope for your judgment or the protagonist died. Or for that matter, how many of us would have abused the director of a movie, when the movie had an unconventional ending. Actually it should have been, the more complex/different emotions the movie/novel draws, the better it is.

The whole point of bringing this up is to put in perspective, the global financial turmoil. All through my life, it has been drilled into me that, capitalism is better than all other forms of economy. And testimony was the success of US of A as a nation. Laissez Faire was touted to be panacea for global inequity.

But the rough ride now takes everything for a toss. And even my idealistic economy, is no longer market driven. It looks more socialistic than even yester years Russia. Sample this.

1. SEC banned shorting of financial stocks. When the companies were allowed the luxury of having all the bull runs they have had, why throw them a lifeline now. Why not allow the system to correct itself. If traders are shorting it, the companies had it coming for long. That is what free market means right? Allow Darwin to choose, who emerges from the rubble. Why intervene?

2. And the regulators do not want to cap the executive pay packages of these troubled companies because then they feel that these executives will not approve of the bail out plans and disagree to sell assets. Who are we kidding here?

Can the trouble be saved by these impartial measures? Only the pain stands to be delayed. This duality of US in acting capitalistic in good times and wielding the stick, as things turn awry is going to spell doom for its own future.

And I am sure our kids will grow up, being told that the Chinese form of economy is the best and all countries need to emulate them. The Americans need to blame themselves for squandering away their chance of being on top of the world. Along with the baby boomers, Uncle Sam is fast approaching senility.

P.S: It is around 2 AM. Thoughts are not so coherent. So pardon me