Plague Journal, Pottersville?
I watched the Frank Capra directed film, “It’s A Wonderful Life.” My wife and I viewed it together. It is one of her favorite films. With each viewing of this 1946 film, a Christmas fantasy tale from our parents generation, I understand better why the story has become one of her favorites.
The philosophical point of the story can be stated forthrightly: Everybody matters, and every life lived matters. There are no exceptions. George Bailey who agrees to continue his father’s legacy functioning as the president of the Building and Loan in Bedford Falls, sacrificing his ambitions; as well as the business practices of “old man” Potter, the nemesis of the Bailey Brothers Building and Loan — all have a material, substantive effect on the quality of life of every resident living in the small town. As a consequence of the carelessness of his Uncle Billy, George faces the dissolution of the Building and Loan, and disgrace before the community. The denouement of the story comes when George, on the verge of suicide is shown by Clarence, an angel, the difference which he has made in Bedford Falls. Had George Bailey not lived, the small town would have become Pottersville, a glitzy community rife with misery.
I drew two conclusions, three from my viewing of Capra’s film. 1. In this time of cynicism, of feeling/believing that nothing really matters (alternative-facts, the virus is unreal, etc.) the argument that every action of every person is meaningful, actions form a future — could not be more timely. 2. Furthermore, with eyes wide open where are we living? Is this Bedford Falls, or Pottersville? 3. Finally I think that we have decided that the rule by which we play the “game” of capitalism, generally speaking make it a zero-sum game. There are winners and losers and “don’t get caught on the wrong side of that line.” We must change the rule. The rule was not given by god on tablets of stone. The rule is human in it’s origin.
Our relationships, especially inclusive of our economic transactions, must have a quality of justice, of equity, of shared benefit.
