That's what I've received following my last post, and I was going to keep it in the semi-closed world of my comments, ah but what the flibbertigibbet?
First off, I'm not vengeful, yet. Vengeance is mine saith the Lord, and I'm only Jakartass, one of his mouthpieces. However, I do get to make recommendations, some of which come to pass. At such moments, like now, I tend to say "I told you so."
There are too many
True vengefulness would be the sequestration of their goods - stocks, shares, second (third and fourth) homes, fleets of vehicles and whatever else truly empowered regulators could seize. The funds raised would then be invested in government bonds which would be jointly owned by all those mortgagees who have been put at risk of losing their homes.
Such funds could also be used to subsidise unemployment benefits, because the banks' phantom lending has put many businesses at risk.
The sums payable should be equitable according to size and ages of the families entitled to a share. Why shouldn't a former CEO be asked to live on an average wage? That isn't vengeance or righteous retribution. That's (re)education.
My erstwhile protagonist, 'Mr. Jakartasshole' ~ and he's going to have to change his moniker, not that his voice is one of reasonableness like mine ~ states bluntly that "the current global situation is the fault of EVERYONE, because we are all consumers, and we are all greedy, and if you deny it, then you're not fooling anyone but yourself!"
Well, I'm no fool, not even to myself. Fools are generally in the eyes of beholders anyway. And greedy?
Ask any one of my friends and acquaintances ~ several of who comment here ~ whether I eat to live or eat to live. On very rare occasions, they've known me have a couple more Bintangs than I should, but is a social gathering and a chance for a bevy a matter of greed?
I would suggest that I'm quite a generous fellow, Mr.J. Hole, as I've given you space in my blog, freedom of speech and all that. I'm free with my ideas, advice and help and I've rarely worked in an organisation which was profit-centred.
I'd also suggest that I'm by no means unique. Some of us are lucky to earn a living and support our families through using our talents. One such is my co-author who is now better renowned as a graphic artist. He has designed several covers for the Economist magazine and although this isn't his usual style, I do wonder if he is benefitting from the financial meltdown.
Update
Derek has written thus:
Not mine!
Funny though, I reckon they should run with something like that.
This was the last one I did.
