[DEBATE] : Re: DEBATE Digest, Vol 222, Issue 17

[Mandi Smallhorne]

Oh well. Seems Russell Grinker thinks we have a choice in the matter.
Austerity will come, willy nilly. The question is whether we take charge and
make it happen in a way which is not too destructive, or do we just leave it
up to inevitable processes. What's happening to our planet is not
susceptible to your preferred political ideology (although political and
econoic ideology has a lot to do with how we got there). So you may mock my
'moralistic scorn'; when the fynbos virtually disappears along with the last
of our underground water, and the mielie fields dry up and blow away, I'll
have the last, sad little laugh.
M
----- Original Message -----
From: "Russell Grinker" <grinker at mweb.co.za>
To: "'debate: SA discussion list '" <debate at lists.kabissa.org>
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2007 11:20 AM
Subject: RE: Re: [DEBATE] : Re: DEBATE Digest, Vol 222, Issue 17


> While Peter Waterman was probably only indulging in some idle musing over
> the possible benefits of austerity, others seem only too eager to take his
> train of thought to a depressingly logical terminus. Thus, having
displayed
> a moralistic scorn for the "orgy of consumption" enjoyed by relatively
much
> better off post-war American and European working classes, Mandi writes:
> "Finally, we do *have* to find a way of returning to austerity - and may I
> point out that austerity does not necessarily mean doing without to the
> detriment of your health, but rather living a spare and essential life?"
>
> Even if it is true that austerity is good for us, makes us happier and is
> the only way to "Save the World" (and I don't believe any of these
things -
> the austerity-mongers on this list are viewing extremely nasty
> wartime/blockade conditions through very rose-tinted specs), I wonder how
> the masses are to be convinced of the need to conform. This kind of
thinking
> can ultimately only have extremely nasty anti-democratic consequences as
> working class living standards are driven down further in the name of
> reduced carbon emissions. The elites certainly won't feel the pain - they
> never do - but they'll as usual be happy for others to repent the
> aforementioned "orgy of consumption" on their behalf.
>
> In a state of panic over climate change, a crazy asceticism seems to have
> gripped some on the left. The gospel of salvation through state socialism
> has now been replaced by one of austerity and self-denial in the name of
> saving the World. No doubt we'll all be rewarded in some low-emission
> heaven.
>
> -Russell
>
> ***
>
> bounces at lists.kabissa.org] On Behalf Of Mandi Smallhorne
> The improvement of the health of the British people during the war has
been
> thoroughly researched, and good reasons have been adduced for this
> experience: rationed ingredients during the war included what are now
known
> baddies (when consumed to excess) such as fresh meat, cheese, sugar,
> margarine and butter and anything that included sugar, such as sweets and
> chocolate. Potato Pete and Dr Carrot, if I remember the names rightly,
> encouraged people to grow their own veggies in allotments or in their
> gardens; this also encouraged healthy exercise as did the supremity of the
> bicycle and shank's pony in a world of petrol rationing. <snip>
>
>
>
>