Weekend Economists' Atonement: October 2-4, 2009 [View All]

[Demeter]

The autumnal equinox brings so many long-standing rituals: Harvest, of course; Diwali, the festival of Lights, for the Hindi; Hallowe'en for us superstitious, Druids or Pottermaniacs; and the High Holidays, New Year and Sukkot for the Jews.

If there is a theme to it all, it would be the ending of the bright, warm, lazy days of summer and preparations for a less than easy winter. Food must be stored to last, for the growing season is over, clothing must be prepared for inclement weather, houses made tight against storms. And the mind must be prepared for the hardships that follow Summertime, when the living was (relatively) easy. Living in close quarters for several months also means that squabbles must be settled, hurt feelings must be acknowledged, and injuries must be healed; otherwise, it's going to be a long and hairy winter.

This is the Winter of Our Discontent. The economy is in the toilet, and predatory Capitalism is about to pull the stopper. The government of the People, By the People, and for the People has never applied to so limited a number of People for maybe a century, and we may not know who those people are, but we are sure not to be among their number.

So, what to do? Seek knowledge and apply it, keep your home fires burning and your family safe, and cultivate useful and trusty friends. Survive, for there will be a Spring, and it's worth hanging around for. Until then, heed the ram's horn call:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uit9Z2-7mhg&feature=related

Welcome the New Year, and atone for any errors or injuries you inflicted on others during the past year!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shofar