We do not want any social workers alms, we want justice!
Dear fellow human beings,
A second letter to the world wants to follow the first, to spell out the concerns of the silent and suffering majority of the human community. The great thing about finding oneself in the position of the disadvantaged and powerless is that at least one does not have to hold back in making demands. Of course, while doing this it is already understood and accepted that most likely these will never be met.
The demands of the large NGO’s (non-governmental organisations) are not enough. Eg. Fighting for a tax on speculative investment capital (Attac), for the immediate and complete cancellation of debt for third world countries (Jubilé 2000); a reassessment of the “terms of trade” (Third World Network); against malnutrition and hunger (Action Contre la Faime (ACF)); against the exploitation of workers (Jobs with Justice); for the rights of those imprisoned (Amnesty International), for the rights of children or women or whatever. To us all, these causes appear absolutely necessary and honourable, but definitely too partial.
We want everything, completely. We want justice and equality for all. And we want it now.
To be specific, as a first measure to address a most pressing need, why should a global Foundation not be able to raise 80 billion dollars annually for the next ten years, which according to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP, 2004) is what is needed to ensure that every human being on earth has access to sufficient food, clean drinking water (including sanitary infrastructure), basic schooling, and healthcare (including gynaecological treatment for women)? If we recognise and respect the fact that we manage to raise 1000 billion dollars worldwide on an annual basis, for military expenses, most of which at the moment is spent on the world war against terror, which in fact is mainly a war against the poor and hungry, then it should be conceivable and possible for well-meaning forces on earth to be able to raise less than ten percent of that amount for a minimum in justice and care.
Specifically, a foundation, which acts, thinks, and has compassion on a global scale, should try to channel and combine all positive powers, all powers of opposition and resistance, the power of existing organisations and associations in the private and public sphere, in order to complete this minimum deed of solidarity.
In addition to this, and besides a total cancellation of debt of all human beings and countries, and not just in the third world - and besides all other previously mentioned adjustments - we demand first and with immediate effect a reform of land ownership (the land is public property, but is used under private law). We also demand above all a new monetary system (a unit - for example, a “Terra”, which has the same value everywhere, cannot be used speculatively, and does not pay any interest if it is hoarded). Should a Foundation, which is to be taken really seriously, which truly represents the interests of the whole human community, not include all these things in its activities?
If a state of total war and total chaos has now set in, we at least want to use this state of affairs which the resulting epochal changes demand, for a radical treatment and total renewal on behalf of the many victims,
We do not want alms, we want justice!
As the hunger does not arise only through problems connected with globalisation, but is born mainly out of the ongoing human disposition for war and violence, all these measures will probably not change too much in the end. Thus finally the individual can only choose to adopt the stance of the smiling sage towards all misery. The smiling sage recognises, that nothing is to be done; he accepts everything, just as it is, and recognises its congruence. Still, he does what he can do and does not ask why. This is why he can demand, without demanding, and see the misery without being unhappy.
A second letter to the world wants to follow the first, to spell out the concerns of the silent and suffering majority of the human community. The great thing about finding oneself in the position of the disadvantaged and powerless is that at least one does not have to hold back in making demands. Of course, while doing this it is already understood and accepted that most likely these will never be met.
The demands of the large NGO’s (non-governmental organisations) are not enough. Eg. Fighting for a tax on speculative investment capital (Attac), for the immediate and complete cancellation of debt for third world countries (Jubilé 2000); a reassessment of the “terms of trade” (Third World Network); against malnutrition and hunger (Action Contre la Faime (ACF)); against the exploitation of workers (Jobs with Justice); for the rights of those imprisoned (Amnesty International), for the rights of children or women or whatever. To us all, these causes appear absolutely necessary and honourable, but definitely too partial.
We want everything, completely. We want justice and equality for all. And we want it now.
To be specific, as a first measure to address a most pressing need, why should a global Foundation not be able to raise 80 billion dollars annually for the next ten years, which according to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP, 2004) is what is needed to ensure that every human being on earth has access to sufficient food, clean drinking water (including sanitary infrastructure), basic schooling, and healthcare (including gynaecological treatment for women)? If we recognise and respect the fact that we manage to raise 1000 billion dollars worldwide on an annual basis, for military expenses, most of which at the moment is spent on the world war against terror, which in fact is mainly a war against the poor and hungry, then it should be conceivable and possible for well-meaning forces on earth to be able to raise less than ten percent of that amount for a minimum in justice and care.
Specifically, a foundation, which acts, thinks, and has compassion on a global scale, should try to channel and combine all positive powers, all powers of opposition and resistance, the power of existing organisations and associations in the private and public sphere, in order to complete this minimum deed of solidarity.
In addition to this, and besides a total cancellation of debt of all human beings and countries, and not just in the third world - and besides all other previously mentioned adjustments - we demand first and with immediate effect a reform of land ownership (the land is public property, but is used under private law). We also demand above all a new monetary system (a unit - for example, a “Terra”, which has the same value everywhere, cannot be used speculatively, and does not pay any interest if it is hoarded). Should a Foundation, which is to be taken really seriously, which truly represents the interests of the whole human community, not include all these things in its activities?
If a state of total war and total chaos has now set in, we at least want to use this state of affairs which the resulting epochal changes demand, for a radical treatment and total renewal on behalf of the many victims,
We do not want alms, we want justice!
As the hunger does not arise only through problems connected with globalisation, but is born mainly out of the ongoing human disposition for war and violence, all these measures will probably not change too much in the end. Thus finally the individual can only choose to adopt the stance of the smiling sage towards all misery. The smiling sage recognises, that nothing is to be done; he accepts everything, just as it is, and recognises its congruence. Still, he does what he can do and does not ask why. This is why he can demand, without demanding, and see the misery without being unhappy.
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