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Knowing Mindy

To the Editor:

Thank you for having the insight to publish Amanda Bader’s “Mindy Lewis: Inside a Life Inside” (11/02). the way back to sound mental health from mental illness is a tough road matched only by the likes of a corn maze. I am proud to know Mindy Lewis.

Sincerely,

Myrna S. Hilton
West Shokan

Capitalism v. Democracy

To the Editor:

I write to you in response to a letter you printed on page six of the November Chronogram, entitled “Is Chronogram a Kid’s Mag?” The author of this letter, Mr. David Idema, attempts to refute arguments made by two of your staff writers, and more generally, to comment on the general level of intelligence among Chronogram staff.

In Mr. Idema’s critique of Todd Paul’s article “The Selling of the War on Iraq,” he attempts to refute Mr. Paul’s statement that “[C]apitalism, in its modern form, is essentially undemocratic.” Mr. Idema states that the American capitalist economy is “most robust, most productive” in the world, and the American political system is “the freest, most democratic” in the world and indeed in all of history. Mr. Idema fails to mention that the American political system is not actually a democracy, but a representative republic. This distinction is not merely semantic. If Mr. Idema seeks to use the United States system as the one true example of the harmony inherent in democracy and capitalism, he needs to properly define his terms.

Democracy is a system of political equality for all members of a society that are considered citizens of that society. This non-hierarchical structure is based on equality in the eyes of the law and protection of individual rights. Capitalism is an economic system based on the maximization of profit through any possible means. This often results in the stratification of individuals into various classes, generally based on skill levels, personal prestige, personal wealth, and other criteria. While capitalism does allow a certain level of mobility between classes, a great deal of one’s class situation is defined at birth through systems of inheritance.

Capitalism as an economic system requires such inequality for proper functioning. In order for employers to make a profit, they must be able to cut their costs; one way to do that is by paying their workers as little as possible. This is not to say that the employers are cruel individuals, simply that in order to remain competitive they must reinforce this structural inequality. Surely if we are to understand that democracy is a system based upon equality, and capitalism is a system based upon inequality, then we must come to the understanding that the two are in conflict with each other.

Which brings us back to Mr. Idema’s argument concerning the American political and economic systems. A representative republic is a system of hierarchy in which citizens elect representatives to act on their behalf, in contrast with a true democracy in which all citizens vote directly on issues. This representative system is concerned, as a democracy would be, with protection of individual rights and equality under the law, but due to the collectivization of citizens necessary for the election of these representatives, these protections must also extend to groups, such as states, corporations, and special interest groups. Capitalism is less conflicted with a political system designed to protect the rights of collectives than one simply concerned with individuals. Further, much of the inequality created by American capitalism has been shifted to other countries through a system of capital mobility. We as Americans rarely see the inequality our system creates, making it much easier for individuals such as Mr. Idema to ignore.

We are not, as the author of this letter would have you believe, the shining beacon of cooperation between capitalism and democracy. American businesses profit from sanctions and embargos against competitor nations. American citizens watch as their freedoms are taken from them by politicians who ignore public comment periods or reinterpret laws to suit the interests of powerful collectives. American capitalism and democracy are in conflict, and sadly, capitalism is winning.

Sincerely,

Jes Peters
Esopus

Promotion of Love

Dear Jason Stern,

Just a note to say Amen! Hiya! and Thank you! for your editorial in the November issue of Chronogram. I have always appreciated your persistent spiritual viewpoint, but this one really warmed my heart. You have stated the truths that we really need to be aware of and to hang on to, in theses days of misinformation, etc. that the media promote. Indeed, our ignorance is abysmal. I have become aware that my neighbors’ ignorance is the basis for their fear, hostility, and occasionally violent behavior.

I studied with Emmanuel and Pat Rodegast in the '90s, and Emmanuel’s most constant message was: “You are here to bring home love where love seems not to be.” Through love we can see more clearly, beyond our fear and ignorance.

I hope you will continue to promote these ideas and values, not only in your editorials but through articles that illustrate the power of love to change our lives and our worlds.

Blessings on you,

Winifred Osta
New Paltz