The Disease of More

I don't recall where I heard the term 'the disease of more,' but it certainly seems an appropriate term for much of the contempoeary world.

Despite record profit by many corporations in the US throughout the pandemic, they keep raising prices. Then they blame the price increase  on a $.50 per hour wage increase for struggling, low income workers. And despite record wealth by billionaires in this country, they still want more. Amazon, for example, just announced an increase, or as they call it, an adjustment, in the price of Amazon prime. The increase is from $119 per year to $139 per year an increase of nearly 17%. So it definitely seems that the disease of more is afflicting the super wealthy in this country.

The Russian president also seems to have a bad case of the disease of more, as he directed his country to invade Ukraine, a peaceful, western leaning country. He wants more territory to add to his kingdom. And more people to dominate. And control of even more natural resources.

Misguided parents are demanding more control of what is taught in school, demanding that certain books and subject matter be banned. I thought we had advanced beyond the era of book banning and burning, something the Nazis did with great fervor before World World II. Some groups have gone so far as to demand the installation of video cameras in classroom so parents can watch livestreams of teachers at work, to make sure they don't stray from the party line.

Republican politicians in Texas and other states, fearful they can't win elections without disenfranchising certain voters, are closing polling places and putting ridiculous limitations and requirements on potential voters.

And let us not forget the same political party's demands for more control over women's reproductive rights. How dare a woman decide, along with her physician, if/when to have a child? The all-knowing Rethuglican party certainly knows best, of course.

I hope that a cure for the disease of more is found, and quickly. The world cannot endure too many more attacks by this disease.