The World Economic Forum (WEF) website has a post that proclaims: “We’re on the brink of a polycrisis.” “The cost-of-living crisis is the most immediate and severe global risk.” Agree or not, climate-risks are naturally on their list, but so are financial, social unrest, and armed conflicts – i.e.: wars. The WEF survey of “1,200 experts across the [World Economic] Forum’s diverse network” stated that “progressive tipping points and persistent crises would lead to catastrophic outcomes.” Our profession and industry are inexorably tied up and impacted by any number of these challenges, which means this is a timely topic to explore on this “Good Friday” (4.7.2023). Left-leaning Wikipedia says: “Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum. It is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday, and Black Friday.” When someone glances at the collage of just some headlines on Bing in the pre-dawn hours on this date, it is easy to see why the WEF can claim a polycrisis.
The left-leaning Financial Times said weeks before the WEF post cited above: “Welcome to the world of the polycrisis.”
“A global polycrisis occurs when crises in multiple global systems become causally entangled in ways that significantly degrade humanity’s prospects,” explained the Cascade Institute.
Detail mined MHProNews readers may recall the report that mentioned just weeks ago that BlackRock CEO Larry Fink was also talking up “the Polycrisis.”
Indeed, when someone reads the reports from the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR) about the various challenges facing manufactured housing, though they didn’t use the term “Polycrisis,” that is a fair description. Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) fans and foes alike may find it interesting to note that a search of their website on this date has no mention of the polycrisis.
Housing. Banking. Job market. Threat of international conflict. Oil. Inflation. Recession. Growing civil unrest in Europe and elsewhere. The erosion of the dollar as the world’s reserve currency as the Chinese yuan begins to increasingly challenge America’s decades-long grip on that prior economic advantage. For those who believe in climate change as a risk, recall that BlackRock’s Larry Fink said at Davos, during a WEF session, that there is a $50 trillion dollar price tag to the climate change agenda. The video below is a WEF branded production.
Fink framed that $50 trillion dollar costs in terms of opportunity; perhaps so for those who attend WEF or similar events by flying in their own private jets. But the risks and costs for many are not quite as rosy. Keep in mind that before losing power in the House in 2023, the Democrats enacted a boost to the size of the IRS staff of some 87,000 agents.
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Left leaning CNN tried to soften that by saying on 1.11.2023: “The 87,000 figure comes from a 2021 Treasury report that estimated the IRS could hire 86,852 full-time employees over the course of a decade with a nearly $80 billion investment – not solely enforcement agents. And all those new employees can’t be hired overnight.” But Reuters reported just hours ago that: The U.S. Internal Revenue Service plans to hire nearly 30,000 new employees and deploy new technology over the next two years as it ramps up an $80 billion investment plan to improve tax enforcement and customer service, it said on Thursday.” There are only 724 U.S. billionaires in 2023, per the World Population Review. Who do you think those new IRS agents will be auditing? With inflation roaring, the number of people who have a net worth of $1 million dollars may well be up. FinMasters said just weeks ago that: “21,951,000 people in the U.S. have a net worth of $1 million or more.” Despite Biden’s [empty] promise that only the wealthy earning more than $400,000 annually will get taxed more, it should be obvious that the man in the Oval Office says things on a routine basis that simply aren’t true. The left-leaning Center for American Progress, while defending Biden’s and the Democratic 2022 “Inflation Reduction Act” nevertheless said: “Low-income Americans face higher payroll tax rates than rich Americans.” What too many overlook is that corporations ultimately pass along all taxes to their customers. It is a cost of doing business, and the costs of goods and services are priced in a way to make sure consumers pay.
So, add to the polycrisis what few will mention – the lack of transparency and honesty from much of mainstream media. Most mainstream media is agenda-driven. There is enough accurate facts given to provide a veneer of ‘trustworthiness’ which thus allows the massive amounts of propaganda to go underappreciated. This is why MHProNews routinely mentions the technique of paltering, because it and other forms of spin and manipulation are part of how the powers that be keep untold thousands in the U.S. from erupting in violence that could rapidly spread.
For those who believe that the adults have been in charge of Washington, D.C. since the heavily armed Biden ‘inaugural,’ just look at the headlines. There is simply no easy way that America can avoid the reality that things are worse now than they were before the declared COVID19 pandemic. Pardon that, of course, those who deny, downplay, or deflect blame for reality can do so anytime. Why not blame the deposed President Trump for it all? Add to the polycrisis the concerns that political opponents are being targeted for prosecution on flimsy evidence and reasoning. The largely pro-Biden, anti-Trump New York Times said recently: “The criminal investigation into the former president crashed amid a disagreement about the merits of bringing a case.” Said the NYTimes: “Donald J. Trump, who has weathered two impeachment trials, a special counsel inquiry and decades of investigations…” and “Mr. Trump is accused of disguising reimbursements to Michael Cohen as legal fees to hide a hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels.” This misdemeanor case has somehow been ‘elevated’ to a felony on a novel legal theory which would have little chance of success anyplace in the U.S. that isn’t already largely biased against 45. Fortunately for Democrats and Trump haters, New York City is such a place. But that’s just part of the milieu of the U.S. polycrisis.
It is in this broad context for our industry, nation, and the world that Good Friday 2023 is occurring.
Good Friday
Catholics and millions of other Christians that have a similar schedule of readings from the Bible on a given date have the following words in today’s Scriptural lessons. From Isaiah 52:13-53:12 are the following, each bullet is a quotation, but not necessarily in order or importance.
- All we like sheep have gone astray, everyone has turned aside into his own way: and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
- Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our sorrows: and we have thought him as it were a leper, and as one struck by God and afflicted.
- But he was wounded for our iniquities: he was bruised for our sins. The chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his bruises we are healed.
- He was offered because it was his own will, and he opened not his mouth. He shall be led as a sheep to the slaughter, and shall be dumb as a lamb before his shearer, and he shall not open his mouth.
- And he shall give the ungodly for his burial and the rich for his death: because he has done no iniquity, neither was there deceit in his mouth.
- And the Lord was pleased to bruise him in infirmity. If he shall lay down his life for sin, he shall see a long-lived seed: and the will of the Lord shall be prosperous in his hand.
Quora says that Isaiah “Chapters 40–55 were written during the Babylonian Exile in the sixth century” before Christ, or: “Between c. 740 BC and c. 700 BC.” (BC=before Christ).
While it is obvious that billions worldwide do not accept the notion that Jesus is “the Christ,” who Christian assert was foretold by the Israelite prophet Isaiah (Isaias) and other Hebrew (“Old Testament) Scriptures). FIRM (Fellowship of Israel Related Ministries) asserts that Jesus of Nazareth “fulfilled not just the 48 specifically Messianic prophecies” but also “In fact, He fulfilled more than 324 individual prophecies that related to the Messiah…” That source asserted that “Mathematician Peter Stoner counted the probability of one person fulfilling even a small number of them. And he concluded, the chance of a single man fulfilling “just” 48 of the prophecies found in the Tanakh (Old Testament) would be one in (10 followed by 157 zeros)!”
Another reading for Catholics and other Christians on this date is from Psalm 31, which includes verse 6:
- “Into your hands I commend my spirit”
The Psalms were likewise written centuries before Jesus’ birth. That verse (Ps 31:6) appears to be fulfilled in what the Gospel of Luke said (Luke 23:46). “Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed his last.”
Fear, Frustration, Folly, and…
When carefully examined, elements of the contemporary polycrisis are real enough, but some are arguably hyped or ‘fake.’ Nevertheless, the polycrisis is a tool to drive social change – as millions turn to ‘experts’ to ‘save’ humanity from challenges that may seem beyond the ability of everyday people to impact. To the extent that occurs, the polycrisis may become a time of revival. But to grasp that, some background is useful.
The modern world obviously followed the ancient and medieval centuries. Flashing back in time, much of Europe was in relative unity before the breakup of Christianity over the so-called ‘reformation.’ That pre-reformation unity wasn’t a political whole. There were kings, dukes, barons, princes and various types of ‘nobility’ or ‘royalty.’ But when the Roman Empire fell, that post-Roman era was well before the rise of Mohamed and his beliefs (circa 629 A.D.) and the European continent was largely a mix of ‘heathens’ and nominal Catholics rulers. Of course, Jewish believers have historically existed during that time, dating back thousands of years before the coming of Jesus. And it is from the Jewish (a.k.a. Hebrew, Old Testament) Scriptures that the prophecies of a Messiah, a Savior arose.
Historically, humans often wax and wane (increase and decrease) in faith depending on circumstances. When things seem more fearful or concerning, the practice of faith often increases.
Good Friday is a reminder for believers that the debt or ‘price’ for all the sins of humanity were taken up by one person, Jesus.
Another Biblical reading for today is from the New Testament book: Philippians 2:8-9
8 He [Jesus] humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross.
9 For which cause God [the Father] also has exalted him, and has given him a name which is above all names.
It is interesting to note that while Jews and Christian differ on the notion of a Trinitarian God, one of the ancient names for God is El Elohim. As the Christianity site explains: “Elohim is the Hebrew word for God that appears in the very first sentence of the Bible.” Wikipedia says “Elohim (“God,” a plural noun).”
With that in mind, Genesis describes an incident when the three strangers came to visit Abram, who later was named Abraham, that earthly father of the Jewish faith. In Genesis 18 (NIV), one can read the following.
Genesis 18 The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.
3 He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. 4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.”
“Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”
From the beliefs of Islam is an interesting part of the Qur’an, Surah 19:29–34, when the baby Jesus is speaking in the cradle. Wikipedia frames the extra-biblical account to the Gospels and states that as follows.
One parallel story between an Infancy Gospel and the Quran is found in the Arabic Gospel of The Infancy of the Savior and Surah 19:29–34, where the story of Jesus speaking as a baby in the cradle is narrated.
The Arabic Gospel of the Infancy of the Savior:
v2 “He has said that Jesus spoke, and, indeed, when He was lying in His cradle said to Mary His mother: I am Jesus, the Son of God, the Logos, whom thou hast brought forth, as the Angel Gabriel announced to thee; and my Father has sent me for the salvation of the world.”[18]
Abdullah Yusuf Ali The Quran
Surah 19:29–34
“But she pointed to the babe. They said: “How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?” He said: “I am indeed a servant of Allah: He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet; And He hath made me blessed wheresoever I be, and hath enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live; (He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable; So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)”! Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute.[19] ”##
The point of those various thoughts from the sacred writings of the three Abrahamic faiths?
While it may never happen in our lifetimes, nevertheless, there are elements from Jewish and Muslim beliefs that find a measure of fulfillment in ancient Christian beliefs. Certainly, members of those other faiths routinely reject that notion. But every year some from those other faith communities come to accept belief in Jesus as savior or “Messiah” themselves. At a minimum, those from Jewish, Muslim or Christian beliefs should recognize that there are indeed several common points, despite the apparent differences.
The Modern Babel and the Polycrisis
Genesis 11:4 (NIV) said of those who planned to build the tower of Babel: “Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” That tower was purportedly both physical but also metaphorical. Those co-conspirators who built the tower wanted to ‘reach to the heavens’ – an implied challenge to God. Genesis 11:7-8 states: “Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” 8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city.” This God-in-the-plural intervened in human affairs.
The Bible describes incidents where God acts in conjunction with human (Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, etc.) activity and other times when God acted entirely apart from human activity, as in at Babel.
A case can be made that the polycrisis is no more accidental than was the Babel project. While the details are lacking, one might presume that those tower-builders at Babel were not the poor or marginalized. Rather, they were likely the equivalent of the modern robber barons who have prominent positions in business, finance, government, education, media, and entertainment. Or as Danny Glover put it: “It’s not only a monopoly on wealth, it’s a monopoly on information as well.”
The Economic Observer is one of dozens of publications and platforms that cited MHProNews in quoting that pithy observation by actor Glover. Glover had a front row seat from which to grasp that insight, because he has served as a board member for one of Warren Buffett’s nonprofits and had years in the entertainment business. We don’t automatically brush off thoughts from secular or spiritual sources, regardless of the politics or other hot-button issues. When the evidence is often hiding in plain sight, why should people be afraid to explore reality in search of solutions? The ancient wisdom of separating the wheat from the chaff is an essential skill when navigating contemporary society that has been colorfully described as a “tapestry of lies” that weaves deception, misdirection, paltering, and other forms of spin and propaganda in a seemingly plausible narrative.
Various aspects of the polycrisis can routinely be traced back to members of the self-described elite class that attempts to rule America and other nations around the world. The elites gather at Davos as Muslims might gather at Mecca, Jews may be drawn to Jerusalem, or Catholics might feel the tug of travel to Vatican City in Rome. To fail to recognize that the adherents of the WEF and Davos are spinning their own secular belief system is to miss the obvious. The climate and other agendas are ‘based on science’ that is often funded by the very people who want others to accept their ‘faith.’ Vaguely similar to how Catholics long had an office for the ‘propagation of the faith,’ adherents of the WEF-Davos crowd faiths propagandize through their array of information sources to build their modern Babel.
As MHProNews has previously noted, what brought about some of the epic changes in American society where people of faith. The abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage, the civil rights movements all demonstrably had people of faith in key leadership roles. Note too that it was people of faith who were moved by their beliefs that ultimately brought about a change in media, entertainment, education, and politics that resulted in positive social changes.
Good Friday appeared to those who opposed Jesus as a defeat. It is only through the lens of history viewed through the eyes of faith that it becomes clear that ‘defeat’ in the spiritual realm can be followed by a resurrection in the spiritual, social, cultural, business, and other realms. Let’s note that at one point, even the prior followers of Jesus turned on him. Those who attempt to manipulate the story into an anti-Semitic screed are thus rebuked by pesky facts. Jesus himself said “salvation is from the Jews.” (John 4.22). For those who have missed the obvious, Jesus – “the son of David” – is Jewish.
Hatred is not the tool that believers use to win over or defeat manipulators and the robber barons. Believers may have to take firm action, just as Jesus boldly overturned the tables of the money changers, who were basically short-changing (cheating) faithful people. Note that is one of those lessons from Jesus overturning the table of the moneychangers (the cleansing of the Temple) made the pages of all four Gospels: Matthew 21:12-17, Mark 11:15-19, Luke 19:45-48, and John 2:13. Jesus “Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple…” As Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 said – there is a time for peace and a time for war.
Do not make the mistake of thinking that the lessons and power of faith are over. There is much that is still ahead. People of faith, and converts to faith, can find understanding and inspiration from days like Good Friday, so long as the time is invested in understanding. It would not be a surprise if the polycrisis – and the challenges for the manufactured home industry – are each resolved by souls who are deeply moved by their faith to do what is right in the face of great wrongs. ###
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By L.A. “Tony” Kovach – for MHProNews.com.
Tony earned a journalism scholarship and earned numerous awards in history and in manufactured housing.
For example, he earned the prestigious Lottinville Award in history from the University of Oklahoma, where he studied history and business management. He’s a managing member and co-founder of LifeStyle Factory Homes, LLC, the parent company to MHProNews, and MHLivingNews.com.
This article reflects the LLC’s and/or the writer’s position, and may or may not reflect the views of sponsors or supporters.
Connect on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/latonykovach
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