In this book, 23 Things They Don’t Tell You about Capitalism, the author goes into pretty good detail and some very good scenarios about how and why capitalism works (when it works), and how and why sometimes it doesn’t.
The author states that because we didn’t ask the “necessary questions” about capitalism, we got hit by the proverbial freight train during the first decade of the new millennium, which we never saw coming. We should’ve seen it coming, with the housing bubble about ready to burst, and Wall Street being irresponsible, but very few of us took the time to pay attention and asked the right questions.
Some very good points that he makes in the book, and part of the list of 23 are:
Thing 1: There is no such thing as the free market.
Thing 4: The washing machine has changed the world more than the Internet.
Thing 5: Assume the worst about people, and you get the worst.
Thing 13: Making rich people richer doesn’t make the rest of us richer.
Even though I am by no means an economist, or even barely interested in the subject, I’ve learned that I need to pay attention to our economic situation not only in our country, but globally. Also, it’s important to pay attention to the politics that go along with it.
In the last chapter of the book, the author offers some solutions to How to Rebuild the World? He offers solutions that would make capitalism be a lot more humane and help us all not to become slaves to the market.
Now that we’ve all learned a lesson from our “Near Great Depression” of the last decade, perhaps a few of us will be a little more motivated and enlightened. I learned a few things about how to see the telltale signs of economic trends, especially those that will have a great negative impact on us.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
