Some thoughts on… The Kindness of Strangers
The pundits are predicting a prolonged effect on the economy of the mortgage crisis that first devolved into a monetary crunch and may now become a consumer credit fiasco. The swift systemic shutdown is reaching into every corner of the economy and the solutions of the current administration range from ineffectual to marginal. The non-existent leadership of W is more pronounced as his lame-duck nomenclature defines his final months as President – a broken wing and crestfallen face proceeding into oblivion.
Obama and the Democratic Congress are demonstrating a willingness to place a steady hand on the rudder. The US automobile industry is being asked to demonstrate how government funding would alter and improve their management practices. Government reassurances of a backing on funds, is preventing a run on Citibank despite the crashing stock.
A multitude of ideas are being offered – Refinance home mortgages, Buy back toxic mortgage-backed assets, Create a public works program rivaling the Great Depression. But can the US government really solve this problem by itself?
For the past half-century, the US has been at the top of its game – the largest economy, highest worker productivity, superior graduate education. Generations of immigrants found their way to a country that promised hard work and entrepreneurship would lead to a better life. Perhaps not permanently, but now that position is compromised.
China this week offered assistance to the US to aid in the crisis. China?!? The totalitarian, communist country which only three decades ago could barely feed its billion plus population? The country of melamine in milk, toxins in toothpaste, bird flu and lead paint on children’s toys? The country with the world’s highest savings rate, double-digit growth, the most successful Olympics? Whether you’re a Sinophile or Sinophobe the facts are undeniable – China with its large savings is in a better position than we are now.
The US could swallow its pride and accept the offers – which may also come from other corners of the world like Abu Dhabi or Russia. But do we really have to? These countries have historically not been our friends.
Pal Joey, a revival of the Rodgers-Hart musical based off the John O’Hara book is now playing at Studio 54. A studied example of late-Depression Chicago, Joey Evans is a second-rate stage performer and an unattractive character. He employs charm and cunning to use people for his own goals. Impregnating a chorus girl and then leaving her alone for the abortion; courting a new-comer from Minnesota only to swap her for a high-society woman of leisure; extracting funds from his sugar-mama to start-up his own nightclub, Joey pursues convenient choices at the expense of morality on his climb to stardom and riches.
Joey is not hesitant to use his acquaintances for his own good. And somehow folks fall under his spell and are willing to oblige, because he helps them as well. The show itself still in previews has not yet sparked. The characters provide strong performances – Stockard Channing wows as elder woman bewildered and bothered by the relationship; Christian Hoff from Jersey Boys is magnetic as the rakish title character. Yet the show moves like a variety show rather than a cohesive whole. This may change as it reaches opening night in December. Regardless, Joey remains the affable cad with whom people initially engage with a wary eye and yet inevitably become pals.
There are similar parallels in our lives. For Thanksgiving, we are going to see Klaus’ dad (Niels) and having turkey dinner with his friend, Joan and her family. Joan has been a great comfort for Niels since Klaus’ mom passed away. Her husband passed away five years ago, and the two have known each other for over thirty years. It’s difficult to imagine Niels with anyone except Klaus’ mom, but neither Klaus nor his sister live close enough to California to be with him on a daily basis. Joan provides companionship, empathy and intellectual challenge. She is not a replacement for Klaus’ mom and is a constant reminder that in times of need, solace can come from surprising corners.
It doesn’t make us a lesser person or a lesser country to receive assistance from others especially when we can’t accomplish something ourselves. Regardless of how much we like the person or how others will judge the situation, the support may prevent an even worse fate – bankruptcy, isolation, depression.
As a country, we should be cautious in any transaction and ensure that there is actual benefit down the line. But despite their shortcoming, can we really refuse their kindness? Beggars can’t be choosers.
Obama and the Democratic Congress are demonstrating a willingness to place a steady hand on the rudder. The US automobile industry is being asked to demonstrate how government funding would alter and improve their management practices. Government reassurances of a backing on funds, is preventing a run on Citibank despite the crashing stock.
A multitude of ideas are being offered – Refinance home mortgages, Buy back toxic mortgage-backed assets, Create a public works program rivaling the Great Depression. But can the US government really solve this problem by itself?
For the past half-century, the US has been at the top of its game – the largest economy, highest worker productivity, superior graduate education. Generations of immigrants found their way to a country that promised hard work and entrepreneurship would lead to a better life. Perhaps not permanently, but now that position is compromised.
China this week offered assistance to the US to aid in the crisis. China?!? The totalitarian, communist country which only three decades ago could barely feed its billion plus population? The country of melamine in milk, toxins in toothpaste, bird flu and lead paint on children’s toys? The country with the world’s highest savings rate, double-digit growth, the most successful Olympics? Whether you’re a Sinophile or Sinophobe the facts are undeniable – China with its large savings is in a better position than we are now.
The US could swallow its pride and accept the offers – which may also come from other corners of the world like Abu Dhabi or Russia. But do we really have to? These countries have historically not been our friends.
Pal Joey, a revival of the Rodgers-Hart musical based off the John O’Hara book is now playing at Studio 54. A studied example of late-Depression Chicago, Joey Evans is a second-rate stage performer and an unattractive character. He employs charm and cunning to use people for his own goals. Impregnating a chorus girl and then leaving her alone for the abortion; courting a new-comer from Minnesota only to swap her for a high-society woman of leisure; extracting funds from his sugar-mama to start-up his own nightclub, Joey pursues convenient choices at the expense of morality on his climb to stardom and riches.
Joey is not hesitant to use his acquaintances for his own good. And somehow folks fall under his spell and are willing to oblige, because he helps them as well. The show itself still in previews has not yet sparked. The characters provide strong performances – Stockard Channing wows as elder woman bewildered and bothered by the relationship; Christian Hoff from Jersey Boys is magnetic as the rakish title character. Yet the show moves like a variety show rather than a cohesive whole. This may change as it reaches opening night in December. Regardless, Joey remains the affable cad with whom people initially engage with a wary eye and yet inevitably become pals.
There are similar parallels in our lives. For Thanksgiving, we are going to see Klaus’ dad (Niels) and having turkey dinner with his friend, Joan and her family. Joan has been a great comfort for Niels since Klaus’ mom passed away. Her husband passed away five years ago, and the two have known each other for over thirty years. It’s difficult to imagine Niels with anyone except Klaus’ mom, but neither Klaus nor his sister live close enough to California to be with him on a daily basis. Joan provides companionship, empathy and intellectual challenge. She is not a replacement for Klaus’ mom and is a constant reminder that in times of need, solace can come from surprising corners.
It doesn’t make us a lesser person or a lesser country to receive assistance from others especially when we can’t accomplish something ourselves. Regardless of how much we like the person or how others will judge the situation, the support may prevent an even worse fate – bankruptcy, isolation, depression.
As a country, we should be cautious in any transaction and ensure that there is actual benefit down the line. But despite their shortcoming, can we really refuse their kindness? Beggars can’t be choosers.