Dharma teaches us that human life is all about regulation.
Morality means regulation. Children and young people getting an education
requires regulation. Married life requires regulation. And driving safely on
the road requires regulation. Why shouldn’t this apply to businesses? After
all, as some proclaim, “businesses are people too.” So why do some politicians
insist that de-regulation, or absolutely no regulation, is the best thing for
business? Imagine the chaos if this
unregulated dynamic were allowed to be played out by drivers on the road. It would mean pandemonium, pileups,
meltdowns, and death.
But it’s become a cycle.
Wall Street & big business demand deregulation. When they get it, like little children, they run
recklessly after quick profits. Because
of their foolish behavior, the investors become fearful and the stock market
plunges. Regulation comes back and people feel secure again and stocks go up. After a short while, people forget, and the
cycle begins again.
To govern properly, and to live peacefully, requires education. People need to be educated so they can
understand and identify the qualities of good leadership. When uneducated
voters elect unqualified leaders, it becomes a case of the blind leading the
blind. The foundation of an honest government is an honest and informed
citizenry. The main focus then must be on
a higher and more profound level of education; an education that promotes
the principles of honesty, compassion and sacrifice. This, in part, is
the teaching of Dharma.
Most people have an intuitive sense of this. People make sacrifices to get an education,
to raise their children and to protect the country. Why shouldn’t big
businesses make sacrifices and practice self restraint to keep our economy
solvent. If Wall Street and big businesses are people, then some of them act
like bullies or spoiled brats who think they are entitled to special treatment.
My book, Mahabharata: The Eternal Quest, offers a contextual understanding of dharma
and identifies the qualities of true leadership. Unfortunately, all to
often our so-called political and business leaders find ways to exploit their
positions for their own personal gain. But leadership must assume the greatest
responsibility and make the greatest personal sacrifice in time of hardship. They
must also be considerate of the most
vulnerable citizens. The story speaks of a time when it would be a great
embarrassment if leadership were remiss in giving proper protection. If
citizens were robbed, it would be the responsibility of leadership to retrieve
the stolen goods. And if they were unsuccessful in doing that, then they would
have to replace the goods. When citizens are truly educated, they would demand
more from themselves and their leaders.
More about my book at www.Mahabharata-Project.com
Ask about the current sale at story108@juno.com
