Depravity by Betsy

We have heard (from others) that  common usage of the word depravity refers to morally corrupt behavior; even though it  be behavior  as viewed by some offended individuals who choose to judge. Do we queers have a monopoly on depravity?  I don’t think so.  If we are referring to morally corrupt behavior regardless of who is doing the judging, and if we take the concept a step further, I suggest that a state of collective depravity exists throughout the land.

Consider the lack of compassion present in our world today.   Take the US for example, which in recent memory actually was the wealthiest nation on earth.  There is enough wealth in this country to go around.  Yet, in this land of plenty today many people are suffering.  It is estimated that one out of 5 children lives in poverty and 1/2 million children are homeless. Today the bottom 50% of Americans control just 2.5% of the entire nation’s wealth. 

It seems that some--not all, but some--who have wealth feel compelled to promote a system of government whereby that wealth stays in the hands of the wealthy only.  What is that if not moral corruption, that is, depravity--call it group depravity.  Those who have not are on their own, must fend for themselves, and in the end must always be struggling and must stay in their current level of income or their current level of deprivation so that a few may have more than anyone ever needs, more than they even know they have.   There is a fear on the part of some that, if the government mandates that we take care of those in need, the wealth will become so diluted that NO ONE will be wealthy.   In my opinion those people have lost sight of the real meaning of the concept of wealth; namely life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and they have lost their compassion.  The result is rampant depravity.  That’s right!  Moral corruption is alive and well in the U.S. You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours is the order of the day for many--not all--of our law makers and other leaders. It is no secret that there often are millions even billions of dollars involved in those back scratching deals.  It seems that some of our leaders have lost sight of what’s good for the country; or, their vision has become skewed.

So let’s look at wealth as something other than millions or billions of dollars.  Life is full of riches.  Let me name just a few: loved ones, family, friends, a quiet walk in the woods, a brilliant, glorious sunset or sunrise, the mountains, a beautiful work of art, the list goes on and on endlessly.  One can enjoy all of these riches. EVERYONE can enjoy all or at least some of these riches IF, and only if, they know that their basic needs will be met--food on the table, a roof over their head, basic health care, education.  The resources exist for those needs to be met for everyone in this country.  But our societal depravity is a block against even considering reaching this Utopian concept.  Societally and governmentally our collective eyes are closed even to the concept.

What really is the fear when it comes to promoting a better distribution of wealth?   Loss of power over others?  Maybe.  One needs only to take a fleeting glance at history to discover that, the wealthy taking more and more power leads to revolution.  In the end the people have the power.  Power to the people. Isn’t that what our Democracy is supposed to be about? And I thought we gave up the notion of Social Darwinism --survival of the fittest--over a century ago.  Yet, in spite of all this, we seem to be going in the wrong direction. 

Those who have a fear of spreading the resources around so that everyone has his or her basic needs met--those who have that fear, in my opinion, are entirely focused on their fear.  The result is rampant greed.  Perhaps it’s time for all people to look into our individual and collective hearts and focus on what we see there, or figure out what is absent there.  It seems to me that compassion and a basic love and respect for humanity is missing in some individuals, but certainly in the collective psyche--I believe that these qualities, that is, compassion and love, exist in all human beings.  But so does depravity.

Can we not create a system to make it possible for all people to meet their basic needs on their own as most people want to do; and for those unable to do so share the resources so that they are cared for as well?   And yes, some who are fortunate, enterprising, smarter, harder working, or just plain lucky can have more than others and enjoy their wealth, but not to the point that those with less are wiped out?  I do believe that, globally, humankind can find a way to do this.  I certainly hope so.  Am I an optimist, or what?  Oh well, better an optimist than being totally lost to depravity.

© 5 December 2011 

About the Author 

Betsy has been active in the GLBT community including PFLAG, the Denver women’s chorus, OLOC (Old Lesbians Organizing for Change).  She has been retired from the Human Services field for about 15 years.  Since her retirement, her major activities include tennis, camping, traveling, teaching skiing as a volunteer instructor with National Sports Center for the Disabled, and learning.  Betsy came out as a lesbian after 25 years of marriage. She has a close relationship with her three children and enjoys spending time with her four grandchildren.  Betsy says her greatest and most meaningful enjoyment comes from sharing her life with her partner of 25 years, Gillian Edwards.