Ethics of a cash register

I was present at the Salvation Army premises in Bourke Street, Melbourne for a crowded meeting listening to a highly qualified panel discussing alcohol abuse. One speaker described the way in which weaknesses are exploited for financial gain by people with what he described as the 'ethics of a cash register'. The bible describes the love of money as the root of all evil and there is no doubt that for the sake of financial gain much evil is perpetuated. By the same token, rightly used money well used can achieve great good in the world. There is nothing wrong with money, just the way in which some people use it!

The eye of a storm

The effects of the world financial crisis are becoming increasingly apparent. They can be seen at the supermarket checkout where people are being obliged to cut their spending. They can be observed in the number of people obliged to turn to voluntary organizations for food parcels and other assistance. It is amazing that problems in the United States have had a 'knock-on' effect around the world. No nation lives to itself. For good or ill we are all bound together in the bundle of life on earth. What we do has a bearing on others and for nations and individuals that is part of the responsibility of being alive. The implications of that need to be worked out.

Grievances

It is said that instead of nursing grievances we should teach them to walk. There may be times when everybody is niggled by someone or something. Small concerns can fester and poison our whole system unless we overcome them with love.

Turning the clock back?

History buffs such as myself are sometimes accused of trying to turn the clock back. In fact, sometimes our desire is to wind it up. We may avoid the mistakes of the past if we look back and learn from history. The crass and crazy thing is that the follies of one generation are often repeated in the next.Howm dumb can we get>