Panic Greed.
Here we go again! President Noboa decided to take the Diesel subsidies away cold-turkey-style, after gasoline had already been adapted to the global market over a period of time. That was around 1,1 Billion, a little under 1% of the GDP. Now, there are many arguments for and against this, but one thing that is always instantly noticeable is:
Greed.
We’re three days into the cut, and vegetable prices have doubled. Sisa went to the market today to get extra vegetables as we’re facing another strike, but decided not to buy. The big bag of onions that was $2,50 before is suddenly $5,00. Potatoes jumped from $30 for 50kg to $38. And everyone and their grandma is saying: “Oh, it’s the Diesel. It’s Noboa’s fault.”
It’s not. It’s really just greed.
At least at this point. The diesel going up 90% does not justify the same happening to 5kg of onions or 50kg of potatoes. It doesn't translate 1:1. It will go up, yes, the economy will have to adjust, absolutely correct, but it tells a lot about our society that the merchants fill their pockets as first reaction. Not only here, pretty sure it’s like that everywhere in the world these days. And as always, it's not for the benefit of the farmers, but always the intermediaries. And yes, it's a panic reaction to the upcoming unrest, if UNOCARC and CONAIE and the others decide to go into nationwide strike (which usually is just the Sierra and some parts of the Amazon), but it still hurts to see people taking advantage of others for their own personal gains.
Egoism has taken over.
A facing strike could be a great opportunity to move together, organize, stabilize the community. But individualism has dug it’s roots so deeply into our society that everyone starts hoarding, jacking prices, skimming wherever they can, for themselves, and maybe their families. Where is the sense in having a nation without unity? How can a society sustain a nation if the society itself is so incredibly fragmented?
Go the other way.
That’s what we try to do @pandalacotacachi, sometimes more, sometimes less succesfull. We already got hit hard today, the local delivery companies cancelled all transport, which means $200 worth of bread will not be getting to the coast. That’s a lot of money here, so it is for our small-ish bakery. No worries, we don’t let it go to waste, never, we donate it to a local soup kitchen, some we can freeze as well, or just give it away otherwise. And most of the times, our community supports us with that, donating some money to at least pay ingredients and wages for that bread.
Building community.
We built our network through more than 10 years now. We’ve been through strikes, gas/water/electricity shortages, a pandemic, even an earthquake back when we started. Every time, we worked for our community, not against it. Things always blow over, sooner or later. Noboa likely did the cold turkey to provoke the outrage and then negotiate towards his real goal, Trump style. He’ll be the winner. Education has been stripped enough in the last 10 years for people not even understanding what’s going on, but following their emotional reaction to the latest 30-second-video message by whoever.
He is to blame.
Partially, absolutely. This measurement, even taking into account the benefits that he will supposedly give to the poorest, will hit the latter hard. For me, even paying 10% more due to Diesel going up is manageable. For them, it’s impossible. The economy is already quite beaten down, and a recovery isn’t in sight – at least we didn’t have electricity cuts this year, so far, knocking on wood.
No one will benefit.
Most of the savings will not flow back into society. It will line the pockets of high level politicians and contractors and all those who are powerful enough to live the omnipresent greed to its fullest. The only part that might benefit is nature, as people now might think twice before letting their engines run for 15min straight while going to the bank.
Apathy.
I got used to it. I don’t try to change it anymore. It's the price of living great live and running a business here. I focus on building my little community, step by step, project by project, and hope that it’ll be enough to sustain Lily and I during the times to come. I don’t see anything becoming better, neither on national nor on global scale. But here, within our province, there are some hopeful projects going on. Like Warmi Imbabura. Or Lily’s school. Or Place of Hope. Or Uno a Uno. Or Wichana Foundation.
Community is possible.
But only if we want it. If we're willing to give, and not only take. Willing to organize as a community, not drain the pool for our own personal benefit. To not jack up prices to take advantage of those who depend on us as merchants, just because we can.
I gotta split now, organize the distribution of an unanticipated amount of leftover bread. Many people will dine happy today, or get a surprisingly delicious breakfast tomorrow!
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In business, I’ve always found that the attitude of the workforce mirrors the behaviour of management. And government is no different. Corruption and greed at the top inevitably trickle down to the man on the street. Perhaps I'm naïve, but I believe if we were organised into small, high-trust communities, free from a central authority syphoning off the fruits of our labour to enrich their friends and punish their enemies, we could build something close to a utopia.
Sorry about your bread, but all credit to you that you took it on the chin.
I think we can build that even despite the central authority. The more we organize within our communities, the less we need the government. The indigenous communities here in Ecuador have a lot of independence from the government, even their own justice system which is accepted by the state. The concept of "community" here is very different, though, very focused on the "we" and with very little space for the "I". That's sometimes great, but sometimes a little scary, too.
You are assimilating so well. I have so much chilli on my plants (still!) and so much in the freezer (still) - if anyone in my local area had a hot sauce emergency, I would fix that problem very quickly. I just need tomatoes and vingegar, and maybe some plums :P
That is cheaper for everyone than "big sauce", and nothing goes to waste.
I often fantasy-think about barter and trade and everyone getting higher value, higher quality stuff from each other locally, but so many people are encumbered by large mortgages, buying things to impress others who don't care, and consumption.
So much needless consumption.
Don't get me started on needless consumption... I could send you the recipe and instructions to can the chilis, either in sauce or pickled. jars are easier to store and don't need precious solar energy that could used for mining Bitcoin 🤪
Nah, I make my sauce in the slow cooker. Uses fuck all power. :)
I was never patient enough for a slow cooker. I use pressure cookers. Getting it done way quicker.