I was listening to Americast, the BBC podcast which tries to explore what may be happening in America. They were saying that the increase in tariffs will, as has been stated on numerous occasions, increase the price of goods purchased, and that Americans will be paying higher prices, thus fuelling inflation. However, this interest in tariffs may have been a direct result from the decades of free trade, championed in the Clinton era. The concept was that free trade would rise the tide, and all boats would float higher. This would wholly depend upon those that got richer would also support those who were poorer – and yes, you’ve guessed it – it didn’t work. In those days, people were told that to get the best jobs you may have to move.
“Who we are with, may be more important than what we have in our bank account. “
My work in the military, and in the church, was based upon movement. You were posted, or moved, in the military to get a wider experience in the various roles, so at when at a higher rank, you could put that gained wisdom into effect. I doubt Wesley saw the idea of ‘direct stationing’, or posting people into places across Great Britain, known as itinerancy, as a means of gaining prosperity, but he might have seen it as a way of equalising the wealth, in some form. May be it was to prevent some people becoming accustomed to their current role, or developing a power base in that particular area.
One thing, we might not find in that equalisation, is that wealth is not everything. Free trade or tariff – Donald Trump’s current favourite word, “better than love” – may mean increased prices; but also moving to new places of work, which may permit access to higher wages. What may not be so obvious is that we are destroying cultivated neighbourhoods and communities. New towns spring up, engineered solely upon work, routes which access industry, or out-of-town malls/shopping centres. Old towns and villages die, left for someone to create holiday accommodation, or for that community to perish.
“It’s part of life” may be the resounding response. We all change. Yes, but we change for a reason, and chasing wealth may not be the best solution. Possibly, as I recognise this my retirement phase, I am starting to see life in a different shade.
Who we are with, may be more important than what we have in our bank account.
I thought regardless of bank balance, if you are with people that you can depend on, who do not have terms and conditions, you are fortunate.