RBS's Stephen Hester - The Politics of Envy
I was a little saddened, for him, by Stephen Hester's decision to turn down his RBS bonus, for it is another example of (by others) lack of discernment, rigidity of thought, and envy, traits which threaten freedom of choice and the right to individuality everywhere.
The furore over bankers' bonuses is about power and control also, and I am reminded of the unsavoury aspects of the French Revolution in the way the media, many politicians and the public, each for different reasons, is seeking to punish those people whom they judge to be rewarded excessively and unfairly. The hounding of Stephen Hester was unkind and distasteful and it forced him to retreat - but what a brave soul he is to volunteer to learn about abuse and public humiliation as forcefully as he has in this lifetime.The big test for men and women who are experiencing or witnessing financial hardship is to avoid the politics of envy and to recognise that every person's path, and situation in life, is different from theirs: denying other people the right to fair reward for their achievement if they cannot have it too is another aspect of materialism and self-centredness and a far cry from the precepts of tolerance: where does it stop? Complete equality has never been achieved since the days of Lemuria, particularly when all recent political systems are based on money and power, even communism.
It is such a pity that it is so little understood that poverty, wealth, lifestyle and social background are all part of the preparations for a new life and soul experience, carefully chosen to enable as much learning as possible - and all present their own challenges.
I expect that Stephen Hester and others like him do not need a bonus for their survival, but if according to his contract and performance he has earned one - and one that is in delayed shares which will not hurt others - then I am a lone voice in believing he should be thanked in this way for his efforts to rescue largely state-owned bank, not vilified. He has behaved with dignity, but the majority of Britons have not.
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Victoria Prekate
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... I do not know anything about this particular story, so I will talk more generally. The fact that equality has not existed since Lemuria, does not mean that we should not strive for it… There may never be perfect equality, but there can be justice, there can be a willingness to share and there can be common sense. Again, I do not agree in judging those who receive huge bonuses, but I don’t think the judgment is actually against any particular individual, nor is it necessarily due to envy. I disagree with a system which allows extreme inequalities, but this does not mean I am jealous of the super-rich (wouldn’t it be a little judgmental to automatically assume that I am?) The disagreement is about a system, which allows some to receive huge amounts (which, as you say, they do not need), while others suffer in lack, sometimes unjustly so. I know that we each attract according to our own conscience, soul path etc., but a collective effort to allocate a budget fairly (not as ‘philanthropic mercy’, but as an empowerment of those in need, through education and counseling perhaps), this would be a nice teaching example for all. |
Claire
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... Thank you! I agree with much that you say - and indeed the Lemurian example of equality and values based on kindness is one I believe we will see on earth again - and one to aspire to now. |
Victoria Prekate
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... Dear Claire, Thank you for the space.Again, my comment is a general one, not intended about this particular situation with RBS, of which I don't know the details... |
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