1.Project ZED: Mission
A Bright Future
Heavenly Father, guide our thoughts and hearts as we seek wisdom and understanding in shaping a better world for all. In the name of your son Jesus.
Amen
The Debt Trap
How do we escape the mountain of debt burying so many of us? Why do I feel like I'm working for the “privilege” of borrowing more money, just to buy more “stuff”?
Don’t get me wrong, I do love work, adding value for others, and getting paid. If that makes me a capitalist, then I’m proud to be one. What I can’t stand though is parts of our system which cheat people out of their fair share, and prey on their hard work.
“Winning” seems to mean keeping up with endless bills, credit cards, mortgages, insurances, and taxes; Maintaining a credit score, repeating this cycle all our life to make sure we own the investment homes, and aren't the tenants renting them.
Most people seem to be working for the privilege of repaying debt, and so much of modern life apparently boils down to paying off interest. Have you ever stopped to ask yourself why interest even exists? - Dumb question right?
“Because without paying interest, nobody would loan you any money, stupid!” Yea duh, but did you know that "Usury" (the practice of charging interest) was once illegal?
The Asset Illusion
Our financial system has gotten great at making millionaires, but also raising house prices until it takes a lifetime to own one, and convincing everybody that the answer to solve money problems is to own more assets than liabilities.
But isn’t owning assets just code for “Make sure other people pay you, not the other way around?” As if the secret to wealth is “Keep climbing above everyone else, don’t let them climb above you!” I guess it's a dog eat dog world then.
The Great Divide
Are we not supposed to care that people can’t afford a decent place to live, many can’t afford healthcare, and most are uncertain how secure their retirement will be?
A Great System... For Who?
"Whoa! hold on there buddy, modern finance is one of the jewels of civilization…" they’ll say, "…yeah it's got issues but heck, this is still the best damn system in the history of the world!"
The Market Knows Best
"We’re all paid fairly for what we produce. The market sets the price, and it's a perfect judge of worth. So if you’re broke, maybe go read a few books and get some clues, then maybe you’ll understand how money works!”
“If you’re not feeding the market what it wants, then unfortunately you’ll just be worth... less." Damn, I guess there’s a lot of "worth-less" people on the planet huh?
The Lion’s Share
Why doesn’t the wealth created by Filipino workers - building ships which deliver global trade, growing food we rely on, and caring for our families in our homes - ever seem to flow back to them?
They pour their labor into the global economy, yet their work enriches our communities, leaving theirs with less.
If the market really rewards value, why does so little return to the hands that create it? Defenders of the system argue, “They didn’t take the risks and start the business,” or “They’re just laborers - anyone could do their jobs!”
But then why does a doctor in the Philippines earn seventy times less than the same grade doctor in the US? Are their people worth seventy times less? “It’s complicated - you have to factor in living costs, economic factors and market fairness,” they’ll say.
Justice or Just us?
But if fairness means some work forever to get by, while others profit massively from their labor, then what exactly is going on? Where is the fair reward for effort?
Every day the world looks more like The Hunger Games, controlled by a system designed to funnel wealth upward to Sector One: New York, London, and Tokyo - Where the rich get richer and the poor… Well, you get the picture.
The Cruel Cost of Opportunity
To me it is deeply unfair when parents are forced to leave their children (often for many years) to work abroad to pay for education and healthcare for their kids.
Its cruel and none of us should endure it, and yet we’ve grown desensitized to the harsh choices faced by many. As inequality grows, we’ve learned to cope by turning away.
First World Delusion
From the comfort of the First World, the planet can seem sparkling with opportunity - "The world is your oyster."
If you’re fortunate enough to live in one of the 13% of nations with “good” economies (Sector One types), and you play the game, can keep healthy, well then you might do ok for yourself.
Much of your adult life will be spent in a cycle of debt repayments. You’ll pay property taxes indefinitely, as will your children and grandchildren, but at least you might die in a home you own.
If this scenario is familiar, congratulations - you’re among the lucky few. But for most born after the year 2000, owning a home is an unattainable dream. Instead, they’ll likely be renting, but still paying the costs of tax regardless, rain or shine. To Find out how we’re switching the game up…
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