Drug Dealers vs. Banks

I have odd thoughts when I think about where my money goes. I do not spend money on drugs...well, not illegal drugs. And yet, I still have no money. All that time saving and being (nearly) careful with my cash, I thought that I would be doing better than I am. So, why did this happen?Hmm...

I have thought long and hard about this and came up with a list of what I feel are the central contradictions in our society: how drug dealers are actually better for society than our banking system. I watched the scene below, and I will include the inspiration below for you to consider.

And yes, I will be completely fair...

• You don’t need to have a drug dealer in your life; try to have any sort of proper life in the West without a bank account.

• A drug dealer will give you a taste of their product and then let you decide if you are willing to destroy your life over an addiction; a bank will let you fall into your own pit of despair…and give you nothing.

• Illegal drugs, and some legal ones, are seen as dangerous and there is an attempt to regulate many of them; banks are seen as important and protected…and have their own rules.

• Drug dealers must provide a product that promises to do what it will do. If they do not provide such a product, there are real consequences, like injury or death; a bank will make a profit and give you a bill for hidden fees without informing you until you see that your saved income is now lower.

• Drug dealers are hated by good people; banks are respected by the ones who are often exploited by them.

• Drug dealers will often attempt to fit you into their schedule; a bank…?

• Drug dealers will accept anything valuable as payment in lieu of cash; try paying a bank bill with your flat-screen TV or smartphone.

• Drug dealers are concerned about who they have as clients (no undercover people are wanted); banks just want you to have money.

• People who want drugs actually look forward to seeing their drug dealer; have you ever wanted to see anyone who works in your local bank outside of that institution (there is a reason why they have ATMs)?

• No child wants to have a lot of drugs stuffed into their stocking or put under the Christmas tree; everyone wants money, and you better have a place to keep it that is not just a purse or wallet.

• Look at these expressions: JUST SAY NO! (a complete failure, but only used once in our culture); EAT THE RICH! OCCUPY WALL STREET! DIE YUPPIE SCUM! (etc., etc… There will be more of these for the big banks in the years to come). Not balanced, is it?

• Drugs are slowly becoming legalized, threatening the livelihood of the dealers and cartels that are making a great deal of money from their trade; does anyone see a time when we don’t have our banks?

• We celebrate when an El Chapo or a Pablo Escobar gets caught, killed, arrested, and put in jail; who was the last banker you knew of that went to jail or was even prosecuted (Bernie Madoff, Mark Fuld and Earl Jones do not count – financial traders are more deliberate pirates of the financial markets)?

• Drug dealers, of lower rank and responsibilities, usually get caught (they don’t really seem to have real retirement plans); bankers…?

• Drug dealers destroy entire communities; banks can bring down entire nations.

• You know that I could add more to this list, and that I probably don’t have the heart to continue (even if this is an attempt at satire).

• You know that there is a lot of truth here.

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Thank you for reading!

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You can find more poems, stories, and articles by Kendall Defoe on my Vocal profile. I complain, argue, provoke and create...just like everybody else.

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