The Consumer's Empire

I met a gentleman this morning who shares a similar recent ancestry to me. His predecessors occupied high political offices in Cuba almost a century ago, about the time my predecessors were on the farm scratching out a living. We discussed Cuba, its politics, current affairs, perceptions and identities. In time he exclaims “who died and made him king?” referring to Fidel Castro. I didn't answer, but furthered an objective conversation.

Political discussions sadly fall into categories, making separating ideas from perceptions, rights from justified wrongs, difficult.

I asked if farmers with few possessions are unhappy, or if city dwellers with many possessions are happy. I referenced my maternal family saving for a Frigidaire (conflating brand with product, like Coke with soda). We laughed. That purchase inarguably improved their life; likely producing happiness, besides bringing a higher electric bill. At least perishables lasted longer.

The embargo intended to punish political rebellion. Castro realized Cuba wasn't Cuban owned and desired to change that. He broke the expected 'order' and many paid for it. But again, do products or access to products always bring happiness or produce satisfied people?

We see some products produce unhappy byproducts; non-biodegradable, pollution, and synthetic leaching into foods.

Trading and independent farmers may not need politics to continue their livelihood. City people do not produce food (food being an essential for life, unlike a Frigidaire). We see a clear incentive for politics in a segment of the population.

To answer this man's question regarding Castro; many people died. Whoever opposed Castro's idea of Cuba was systematically removed. This has always been the case throughout history. Some examples: Mongols, Greeks, Romans, Moors, English, French, Spanish and now Amerika.

History justifies murder to produce agreeable/disagreeable orders.

Our agreement is filtered through history's authors.

The Frigidaire is a placating by-product.

[Ecclesiastes 3: 9-22]