Toxicity of Greed
A toxin is any substance that causes harm to our bodies. Our world is full of them. We typically think of toxins as chemicals such as pesticides or heavy metals such as lead. But there are actually many other types of toxins; for example, biological toxins such as mold, physical toxins such as radiation, metabolic toxins such as sugar and then there are psychological toxins such as chronic stress.
If you have ever had anxiety issues you know “toxic thoughts” is often the culprit. These thoughts can be as problematic as any chemical. In fact we know that our body produces stress hormones in response to these thoughts.
But toxic thoughts can also be silent in our body. I often tease my ten year old son and call him the “I want boy”, because he often comes to me and tells me what new toy or game he wants. He doesn’t even realize how often he is thinking of his next acquisition.
There are plenty of adults who are also afflicted with this “condition”. They are not satisfied with what they have and are continually looking for more and more wealth. I am not referring to the average low to middle income person trying to grow their retirement investments or those of us trying to earn a more comfortable living or even splurge on a whim. I am talking about those that are willing to step on others in order to live lavishly. Those who are consumed by wealth and power.
There are numerous references to greed in the bible. “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions”. (Luke 12:15) Greed and desire are traps that bring ruin and destruction. “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil”, and “Do not put your trust in wealth” (Timothy 6:9–10, 17–18).
The Osage Indians were terrorized by numerous murders in the early 1900’s over their oil riches. In recent times we can find numerous examples of greed.
But corporate greed is rampant:
Boeing, in its race against Europe’s Air Bus corporation, foisted on the flying public the 737 Max 8, a flying disaster. The FAA remains mum.
The Navient corporation — debt collector of student loans. Three suits are pending against it for deceptive tactics. In one example, a debt went from $41,000 to $127,000.
Turing Pharmaceuticals increased the price of their drug, Daraprim, from $13.50 to $750 a tablet upon acquiring the rights to the drug. The drug is used for treating life-threatening parasitic infections and has been available since 1953.
Future blogs will feature similar egregious cases of corporate greed and deception, particularly as it relates to climate change and environmental issues. Stay tuned.
