With the fall of communism

Those who are motivated by self-interest

Won the day and raised their flag

Now the fortunate need no apology

To dominate the unfortunate

So we live under the tyranny of consumers

Of rational misers and social climbers

Anybody can be a millionaire

And everybody wants to be one

Everybody wants a big house

And everybody is willing to break a few eggs

To make an omelet

But a society structured on greed and envy

Unleashes the wickedness of men

So now watch the financial system unravel

And follow the trail of greed

But don’t blame cheap loans and the greedy banks

Don’t blame the overpaid C.E.O.s

Don’t blame predatory lending practices

Don’t blame making money out of money

Don’t blame irresponsible risk-taking and speculation

(Even though they are all culpable)

But blame the get-rich-quick Jackpot mentality

Blame the failure to find other ways of living one’s life

Other ways of valuing and finding happiness and meaning

The wild horse running with no reins, is us

-Rotterdam, Netherlands