The double bottom line
There is a new book out on Howard Dean, titled something to do with “the man who would be president.” I thought a paraphrase of that would make a good subtitle for this journal too- “the neurotic who would be therapist.”
I was reading the article on Dean in Time magazine. The article discusses the polls and Dean’s various traits and flaws and blunders. Then, on the very next page, there is a four page photo spread of Bush at his Texas ranch. The first photo depicts Bush heroically hoisting a chainsaw and the caption reads “Bush clears cedar underbrush to allow for the growth of hardwoods and plants.” Are you shitting me? I have never seen such cloying, transparent propaganda since Hitler had similar photos of himself, petting young deer and such.
On one hand, hailing from Vermont and all, I am proud of Dean and hope he wins this election. On the other hand, I’m sick to death of rich white men running this country.
On 60 minutes tonight there was a segment on Greystone Bakery. The Bakery, similar to Ben and Jerry’s, is a for profit business with a social cause. Greystone Bakery has done a tremendous amount of good hiring people considered “unemployable” and giving them a second chance at life. The Bakery has also created housing and daycare for their employees and the community. This business also inspires and motivates people. An architect, admiring their cause, is creating a new building, twice the size of the old one for the company. I’m really beginning to think this could be an answer- if all businesses had a “double bottom line”- money and social endeavour- America could be transformed. The biggest problem facing non-profit agencies, whose bottom line is social, is exactly that- no profits. They do not have enough money. The employees are overworked and underpaid and turn over is high, contributing to inadequate services. Often frustration, resentment and dissatisfaction builds on both ends- the employees who want to help and the people who need it. With money, and with genuine desire to contribute to society, everyone benefits.
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Jan 11th 2004Uncategorized