As someone who believes in the "Free Market," and not player-hating, I had previously defended Walmart's right to make money through their competitive business practices.
After further information, I am very disillusioned with them.
Aside from their questionable labor practices, it is clear to me now that they do more harm to communities that than good. While Walmart offers consumers lower prices on their everyday products, they kill small business who are unable to compete.
The essence of Capitalism is that the "Free Market" will prevail in providing for consumers the best products and services at the best prices. But this is not the case with Walmart who has leveraged taxpayers dollars through community funding to give them an unfair advantage over smaller existing business. Civic leaders are enticed with the prospect of receiving business tax dollars from Walmart once it is up and running. In some cases, Walmart has relocated to another business district before they are required to pay their full Tax liability.
While, Walmart offers the most competitive prices, this will cease to be the case once they effectively destroy their competition. Once consumers have no one else to turn to for goods and services, Walmart will be able to charge whatever they see fit.
Regarding the issue of unfair labor practices, I had previously believed that every person has a choice in where they choose to work, but in this heavily depressed economy this is not the case. Walmart Superstores encompass every sort of product in the market, and they have begun expanding to include various services as well. While killing their competitors, they are also cutting off other potential employers. They make it impossible for Americans to try and start their own businesses.
After having spent time in many small towns, and even larger towns like San Francisco and New York City, I have come to realize that small business are essential for a community's pride and identity.
I am a firm believer in the profit motive, but I am a far greater believer in good business. Good business means everyone gains out of every transaction.
When any business places their own profit, without regard to the harm that it poses the very consumers it services, this is a bad business.
The Game is no fun at all if we are just playing with ourselves. It is not a real Game if we don't let other people get a chance to play. It is unsportsmanlike.
Also, it is a violation of the Game to take advantage of people who are taking care of you.
Walmart is King, and I am not against kings so longs as they good care of their subjects. America however is the land where the king died.
Amor y Paz,
Santos de Los Angeles
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Taxes are Un-American
This great country was founded by rebelling against Taxation.
The British Crown was taxing too much, and the colonies eventually had enough.
Years later, Americans suffer from Historical Amnesia as we allow ourselves to get taxed in every aspect of our life. State and Federal Taxes, sales taxes, car registration fees, parking tickets, etc.
There is nothing more frustrating for me to see than good people struggling to survive, hardworking families losing their homes, and still required to pay their share of taxes. Meanwhile shiesty characters go around spending public money like it's the thing to do.
I can understand taxation for certain public projects, such as roads and bridges, but to have taxes as a permanent way of life is immoral and un-American.
Power to the people,
Santos de Los Angeles
The British Crown was taxing too much, and the colonies eventually had enough.
Years later, Americans suffer from Historical Amnesia as we allow ourselves to get taxed in every aspect of our life. State and Federal Taxes, sales taxes, car registration fees, parking tickets, etc.
There is nothing more frustrating for me to see than good people struggling to survive, hardworking families losing their homes, and still required to pay their share of taxes. Meanwhile shiesty characters go around spending public money like it's the thing to do.
I can understand taxation for certain public projects, such as roads and bridges, but to have taxes as a permanent way of life is immoral and un-American.
Power to the people,
Santos de Los Angeles
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Trust God More Than The Bible
I trust God more than the Bible.
I was taught that "the Bible is the word of God," but after learning how many people have had their greasy palms on the Word over the course of thousands of years, I am left to conclude that I cannot fully trust what is written.
I observe that those who promote the idea of Biblical infallibility are mainly European colonizers and their colonized subjects. Men who have made it their life's work to murder and steal from non-European races have utilized the Bible as their greatest weapon.
The greatest lie they have sold their victims is that they are offering us God's word after they had just raped our women, killed our grandparents, and stolen our lands.
I believe that the Bible does contain the word of God, but we have to trudge through all the politics, and hidden agendas contained therein.
It is written in the last pages of the New Testament that whoever adds anything or takes away anything from the scripture are in for some trouble. I consider it blasphemy to claim God said things that he didn't...
As a Player Saint I believe that God is truth. Whatever cannot stand the test of truth does not come from God.
As a Player Saint, I believe that God is love. Whatever sounds like hate, and results in pain does not come from God.
With these two parameters, Truth & Love, I proceed to read any words written by man and then do I determine if this is the word of God.
Amor y Paz,
Santos de Los Angeles
I was taught that "the Bible is the word of God," but after learning how many people have had their greasy palms on the Word over the course of thousands of years, I am left to conclude that I cannot fully trust what is written.
I observe that those who promote the idea of Biblical infallibility are mainly European colonizers and their colonized subjects. Men who have made it their life's work to murder and steal from non-European races have utilized the Bible as their greatest weapon.
The greatest lie they have sold their victims is that they are offering us God's word after they had just raped our women, killed our grandparents, and stolen our lands.
I believe that the Bible does contain the word of God, but we have to trudge through all the politics, and hidden agendas contained therein.
It is written in the last pages of the New Testament that whoever adds anything or takes away anything from the scripture are in for some trouble. I consider it blasphemy to claim God said things that he didn't...
As a Player Saint I believe that God is truth. Whatever cannot stand the test of truth does not come from God.
As a Player Saint, I believe that God is love. Whatever sounds like hate, and results in pain does not come from God.
With these two parameters, Truth & Love, I proceed to read any words written by man and then do I determine if this is the word of God.
Amor y Paz,
Santos de Los Angeles
On Idol-Worshipping
It is said in the "Old Testament" that idol worshiping is a sin. And I have a dear friend of mine who is concerned about my soul because he believes I may be in violation of this particular sin.
I do not agree that I am an idol worshiper, but then again I do not agree that "Idol Worshiping" is a sin...
My take on the whole idol-worshiping issue is that this was made a sin by ancient Player Haters. The object of hating in this case is the artistic accomplishments of other cultures.
As I mentioned to my friend, I cannot condone nor attribute to my G-d any moral code that results in bad fruit. For me a moral code is true if it results in love. If it the code leads to pain, destruction or hate in any form I believe it is a power scheme.
The wars against so-called idol-worshipers have resulted in countless senseless deaths and the loss of some of the worlds most priceless works of art all over the world from India, Ancient Greece and Rome, All over the Americas, and many other corners of the Earth.
My indigenous ancestors were massacred in the name of this "commandment." Our history irreparably eradicated. I would dishonor my ancestors if I were to promote this way of thinking, and I would violate the Game as a player if I were to hate on the way that other cultures want to demonstrate their praises of the divine.
It is written by the Hebrews that G-d does not like any images created in his name. And yet they were allowed to sculpt the Arc of the Covenant and the Holy of Hollies to represent God's presence on earth.
I believe there is no greater praise that an artist can do than to dedicate her/his creative expression to the Most High.
Amor y Paz,
Santos de Los Angeles
I do not agree that I am an idol worshiper, but then again I do not agree that "Idol Worshiping" is a sin...
My take on the whole idol-worshiping issue is that this was made a sin by ancient Player Haters. The object of hating in this case is the artistic accomplishments of other cultures.
As I mentioned to my friend, I cannot condone nor attribute to my G-d any moral code that results in bad fruit. For me a moral code is true if it results in love. If it the code leads to pain, destruction or hate in any form I believe it is a power scheme.
The wars against so-called idol-worshipers have resulted in countless senseless deaths and the loss of some of the worlds most priceless works of art all over the world from India, Ancient Greece and Rome, All over the Americas, and many other corners of the Earth.
My indigenous ancestors were massacred in the name of this "commandment." Our history irreparably eradicated. I would dishonor my ancestors if I were to promote this way of thinking, and I would violate the Game as a player if I were to hate on the way that other cultures want to demonstrate their praises of the divine.
It is written by the Hebrews that G-d does not like any images created in his name. And yet they were allowed to sculpt the Arc of the Covenant and the Holy of Hollies to represent God's presence on earth.
I believe there is no greater praise that an artist can do than to dedicate her/his creative expression to the Most High.
Amor y Paz,
Santos de Los Angeles
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