In March of 1968, Robert Kennedy challenged the dearly held concept that pure economic activity (usually measured by the GNP) is an honest way to measure the impact of corporations on the human community. In 1968, he said:

“Our gross national product is now over 800 billion dollars. But that GNP, if we judge the country by that, counts air pollution, cigarette advertising, and ambulances to clear our highways of carnage. It counts special locks for our doors and the jails for the people who break them. It counts the destruction of the redwoods and the loss of our natural wonders. It counts napalm, nuclear weapons, and armored cars for police to fight riots in cities. It counts rifles and knives and television programs which glorify violence in order to sell toys to children.”

“Yet, the GNP does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It does not count the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages, the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials. It measures neither wit nor courage, neither wisdom or learning, neither compassion or devotion to country. It measures everything except that which makes life worthwhile.”

Forty years later and we can STILL say the same thing. Ain't that sad?

Hang on tight - looks like the ride is going to get a lot worse from here on out... :(