An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

We have met the enemy...

I debated the title. The candidates were the one above,

“Locking the barn door after the horse is gone,” and “A card laid is a card played.” 

The application of these candidates concern what the whole world seems to be struggling to understand: why so many from prosperous Western nations are joining ISIS? The pundits have many theories but the one that makes most sense is the combination of disillusionment, disenfranchisement and injustice, in a socio-economic system that is growing increasingly fragmented and unfair.

MT, as many know, was not a fan of organized religion but he more than likely would side with Pope Francis who offered his own perspective: “Today in many places we hear a call for greater security. But until exclusion and inequality in society and between peoples are reversed, it will be impossible to eliminate violence. The poor and the poorer peoples are accused of violence, yet without equal opportunities the different forms of aggression and conflict will find a fertile terrain for growth and eventually explode. When a society—whether local, national or global—is willing to leave a part of itself on the fringes, no political programs or resources spent on law enforcement or surveillance systems can indefinitely guarantee tranquility.”

For sure there are many interlocking pieces that contribute to the fog but when the fog clears the answer boils down to what we don’t want to admit. In a previous post (Misery is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.) I suggested, “Not only do the fortunate have an obligation to share the fruits of labor, there is a necessity to do so, and the proof is bursting in evidence throughout the world.” MT echoed this with his own clarity of vision: “The silent colossal National Lie that is the support and confederate of all the tyrannies and shams and inequalities and unfairnesses that afflict the peoples—that is the one to throw bricks and sermons at.”

To quote Pogo: “We have met the enemy and he is us,” which perfectly sums up the foibles of mankind and the nature of the human condition. If we were more attentive to insuring civil equality than insuring inequality we might find a much more compassionate and efficient way of conducting our affairs. “Economic inequality is not simply unfair—it has dire consequences for virtually every major problem facing our society.”