Economic Freedom is Real Freedom

My use of the word ‘freedom’ here is in the context of 'releasing yourself from the enslaved mental state that has been cultivated in most of us by the elite class' : The illusive concept of ‘freedom and liberty’, rationed and selective justice, the unavoidable fiscal constraints, vulnerable religious fanaticism, restriction of movement, unsolicited media propaganda, phony ‘democracy’ , lax morals, and instilled allegiance ‘to fight for country in order to deserve honour’, even if it means fighting for their petrol deals; so that they can feed their stingy ambitions to continuously keep that economic edge over the rest of all.

During the so-called ‘Age of Enlightenment’ - the 17th century, prominent English philosopher Francis Bacon(1561 – 1626) wrote: "Above all things good policy is to be used so that the treasures and monies in a state be not gathered into a few hands... Money is like fertilizer, not good except it be spread." At that time, the rule of the game was basically, ‘the winner takes it all’. Empires fought each other in order to seize ‘treasures and monies’.

Monarchs, Popes and the upper class lived opulent lifestyles financed by the booty of their war ventures, taxes and the forced labour from slavery and serfdom. If by some magic, Francis Bacon was to reincarnate and live again in this century ( the 21st century) – a different futuristic era from his- in ‘a more civilized world', with ‘active democracies’, ‘dormant monarchs’, ‘restricted papal influence’, ‘scientific breakthroughs and innovations’, better health, ‘less slavery and serfdom’,’ less warring empires’; he (Bacon) is supposed to nod his head in wonderment of how far the world has evolved, except he is briefed on the economics of today’s world. Bacon will be shocked to know that in a world of 7 billion people, 2 percent of them own the combined wealth of the remaining 98 percent - worse than his era!

How can this be possible? What is the reason for this gross inequality in wealth and income distribution in the world today? Are the wealthiest people the most 'hardworking' people on Earth? Are they just manipulative or greedy? The answers to the above questions are as diversed as cultures of this world.

Therefore, whinning about the exploits of the 2% richest people in the world takes us nowhere if we are not ready to catch their tails. Their financial power, (the 2%) has given them leverage to control the dirty politics of the world to the detriment of the oppressed. They own all the big corporations in the world: the biggest media outlets, the technological giants, the pharmaceutical companies, the petroleum companies and many other multinationals, and are using them to influence policies that are perpetually aimed at squeezing the 'little dough' the majority has; making the biblical quote:'For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away', not a joke!

Whatever your answers to the global inequality of wealth in our world today are, the fact is, more millionaires are being made as I write this article, than would have been the case 20 years ago. Thanks to the internet! Today our exposure to knowledge has challenged our stereotypes on wealth accumulation and management.

At virtually no cost, we can read about the paths wealthy people have taken to accumulate wealth, and retrace them while making adjustments depending on our context. We can now understand that they are not necessarily more 'hardworking' than us, or don't necessarily live the '5 to 9' routine.

Wherever you are in this globe called Earth, as long as you have the possibility, you have a choice to pull the abundance of the universe in your direction. If you really don't need money or wealth ( as some will claim), there is nothing wrong doing it for your children, your family, your friends,your community, or a cause dear to your heart. No one can claim to be really free without being economically free.