Originally Posted by
ApatheticNoMore
Ok haven't read Jensen but I doubt the argument is that the rich just *consume* so much ... I rather doubt they do. I think it is less about consumption and more about *power*. I think a better argument goes like this: the main beneficiaries of the economic system are the super rich and the whole economic system *doesn't seem to work* in terms of long term environmental survival. Clarification on main beneficiaries: the super rich hold VASTLY disproportionate wealth compared to everyone else. This includes ownership of stocks, including huge corporations, which are the very economic entities that make up our economic system and of course some of which are involved in destroying the planet. But this does not mean the rich are the only beneficiaries of the status quo. Anyway, we seem to be on a runaway train of environmental problems at the very least (this is inarguable), and if you take the extreme position environmental catatrophe, with no way to slow down. What blocks slowing down? Well the difficult nature of some of the problems doesn't help (some may have no solution) but .... we're at the point where we want to transport crude in pipelines over major aquifiers. This is just brain dead. And why, why must we do that? Because it is the cheapest path and well the major corporations sure like cheap? (and hey they own the politicians don't they?) Because people need jobs no matter how destructive those jobs are (it is not a job I would blame someone for taking, but risking the destruction of a major aquifier on which much FOOD depends for temporary jobs in your state - is just very destructive public policy!). Is there something wrong with an economic system that drives people to desperately take a job, any job, just to survive, no matter the long term consequences on their world?
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I couldn't believe anyone would even consider it for a moment. And from what i heard, it won't even really bring that many jobs. The point of a pipeline is that it doesn't need to be tended to that much, once it's built. But this is a perfect example of the inequality of power-by-money. I guarantee you the 99% who rely on that water the pipe would go over don't want it, but let's see who wins.
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