Every expert in journalism and politics has jumped into the arena of thought with a multitude of books on their opinions The Book `FOCUS' is a look at Arrogance and Greed as an American cancer, it applies analytical engineering skills to humanities problems in today's world from an engineer's stand point, that of an everyday citizen; a `Joe plumber', whose had all we can take of being told we are un-American by our politicians, it intends to speak out on behalf of the everyday citizen who may have serious doubts as to what is what. It offers solutions which seem to be logical and somewhat easy to see. Though easy to see they require a major rethinking of the constitution to fit the modern society's situation. Simply tired of talk show host and media moguls pointing out the problems but shy of offering difficult solutions for which they could be held accountable. Engineers or Plumbers just aren't satisfied with finding a cause of the problem, but are about fixing it. That sometimes requires redesign or fix, correcting design errors. But we do eventually FIX IT. The Lawyer wants arbitration until either a compromise or settlement occurs. Media Moguls want to have an endless supply of Sensational Stories. Politics may be how it sounds, Poly (many) + Ticks (blood suckers). Political (this or that occupation) well, draw your conclusion.

FOCUS

Arrogance and Greed, America's CancerBy Jim Gray

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2012 Jim Gray
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4685-3693-5

Contents

Chapter One The objective.................................................................1Chapter Two The "Basics" of Morality......................................................11Chapter Three Political Philosophies......................................................19Chapter Four The Impact of Economics......................................................44Chapter Five Morals—Politics—Economy, What about Science?.....................57Chapter Six Or The Matter Of Religion.....................................................82Chapter Seven Our Focus Keeping The Main Thing The Main Thing.............................123Chapter Eight Face Reality Looking In The Mirrow..........................................143Chapter Nine Focus On An Artistic Philosophy?.............................................165Chapter Ten Others Speak Up...............................................................177Chapter Eleven Keeping The Main Thing, The Main Thing Part 2..............................187Chapter Twelve Beginning the Simple Solutions.............................................215Chapter Thirteen The Solution in simple summary (with Step 8).............................276

Chapter One

The objective

What is the objective thing in our lives? What are we trying to achieve in our lives? That state of being we continually grasp at. Even a simple word such as "IS" has implications and meanings to be determined.

The meaning or definition of the word "IS" a verb (that can be used without objective) indicating a state of existence, being in the third person present of "to be". The definition of "is" even became the defense that Bill Clinton used to excuse his affair with Monica Lowenski, or at lest, his lying about that affair to his wife, to his closest friends, to Congress, to the Courts, and to the American public. The lies would have continued to this day except for the fact that a concerned public investigation, worried about his ethics and clear evidence proved his involvement was more than casual or platonic.

I used to think how dumb can a lawyer be; to use the definition of "IS" as an explanation for anything, but in retrospect it appears to be a touch of genius worthy of his Oxford education. To other people, Lawyers seems to be masters in doublespeak, legalese, generalities, or the art of being 'not too specific' in what they write or say and in court room litigation. If they can, they may successfully try to divert the attention of the listener, jury, or reader from reality with massive irrelevance and/or skillful choice of words; then to all appearances, win or lose, some doubt (reasonable or not) is cast on the issues and they have won the argument.

Perhaps Bill's religious background might have been the inspiration for his targeting use of the word 'IS', Imagine, if Moses approached the burning bush and when talking with God about his name was told "I is who I is" or "I be who I be" or even "I are who I are" English teachers everywhere would cringe and surely the Pharaoh would have let the Hebrew people go at the first request and theologians everywhere would be confused. Bill however chose the objective form of the verb 'to be' since it elevated his stature to that of an individual who is not responsible instead of one who personally takes responsibility. (I am—you are—he, she, or it 'is'—we are—they are etc.) "IS" always directs the attention to others and not to one's self.

As a plain or ordinary person that, for over 46 years, has worked as a mechanical engineer or engineering manager, my training included technical writing and being specific please therefore, allow me some tolerances in what follows. It is an attempt to focus on history in defining the responsibility for where we are, how did we get here, and where are we going. It is not a novel, hopefully it is just an easy read which, mixed with some historical data and I hope a reasonably logical opinion.

Enough of the 'tongue in cheek' comments concerning our objectives, let us get back to who we are what is the intended definition, statement, or question that must follow view points.

If we strip all the 'fluff' in life aside and get back to basics, humanity has been totally occupied with survival. This extremely bold statement is contrary to what some leading psychiatrists would say and then point to the acts of a suicide bomber or the hero who gives up his life as an unselfish act of salvation for another, or as in the case of Freud or Masters and Johnson who say the sexual drive or dysfunction of sexual drives is the preoccupation, or perhaps some childhood trauma. They focus on a tree not the forest but the simple truth is probably best illustrated in the reaction of dogs or other animals.

As an example;

My family once had a female dog we kept in a fenced backyard for the most part, during the time she was in "heat"; all of the neighbor dogs were attracted to our backyard and on one occasion one of the dogs managed to jump over the lowest part of our fence. By chance, I stepped out into the yard as he was beginning to do what was natural. After several attempts to intervene without getting bit, I picked up a small chain and begin to rattle it. WOW what a big change in the male dog's attitude, apparently it triggered an unpleasant memory, sensing danger he quit what he was doing, forgot how he entered the yard, and ran in circles of fear until he finally found a way out.

On the other hand consider that the suicide bomber and the hero have this in common; both overcome that fear with a commitment to that which they believe noble and in the spirit of what the creator would believe worthy of his creation. Both are committed to principles and ideas beyond themselves. They have replaced that need to survive with love of their ideals and others such as themselves.

The bomber and the hero, however, are also significantly different in that:

The bomber is not only fully committed to ideals but is thoroughly "afraid" of those who have differing ideals even when those other ideals allow the bombers to believe what they want to believe and to be who they are. The bomber will not accept (or may be afraid) that they may be wrong or that they erred in their beliefs or decisions and many times feeling hopelessness in mutual understanding. Their love is inwardly directed to an ideal and toward destroying those who have ideals or beliefs that are different or they simply may have lost their love of life and are seeking glory and ultimate reward instead of survival.

The hero is not only fully committed to ideals but is thoroughly accepting of those with differing ideals, often acting without knowing what the other person's beliefs or ideals are. Their intent is to preserve life, not to destroy. Their love is directed outwardly based on ideals. It is not that they have NO FEAR of survival. They simply do not let fear be the motivational issues in life.

With survival being the motivational issue then what are the other issues in our lives we focus on?

Are our lives focused on a moral philosophy? Are our lives focused on a political philosophy? Are our lives focused on an economic philosophy? Are our lives focused on a scientific philosophy? Are our lives focused on a religious philosophy?...