On doing well, and doing good

two thoughts:

killing the golden goose 

One day, a fairy rewarded a woman for her hard wok.  The woman receives a goose.  Each day the goose would lay a golden egg.  The woman would sell the egg and buy the things she wanted.

But soon the woman got greedy and wanted all the treasure at once.  She cut the goose to get all the eggs only to find that there were none inside.

the golden rule

Christian:   (Luke 6:31)  "Do to others as you would have them do to you." 

Sermon on the Mount (St. Matthew 7:12): "So always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is the meaning of the Law and the Prophets." 

(John 13:34): "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another."

Epictetus: "What you would avoid suffering yourself, seek not to impose on others." (circa 100 CE)

Seneca: "Treat your inferiors as you would be treated by your superiors."  Epistle 47:11 (Rome; 1st century CE)

putting it together:  

The Wizer Block development reflects the Evergreen Group LLC owners and team.  How are each of them affected by the product they are trying to market?   Elaine Franklin, wife of Senator Bob Packwood, lives in Dunthorpe;  Patick Kessi and his family live in Scappoose;  Gene Wizer lives on Wall Street in Lake Oswego;  Christe White, a "top-flight dealmaker" attorney is from Laurelhurst;   Len Bergstein lives in Portland.  They aren't affected at all except for the money they will pocket.  The moral principals behind the golden rule will have been replaced by elitist self-interest.  This isn't their neighborhood, and except for one person, it isn't even their city.

Gene Wizer and his family helped build this town, and prospered.  The Wizers gave much to the community, and the fortune Mr. Wizer has today came from the community.  Only self interest is seen now as the community struggles with his plan that will affect the daily lives of a great many and alter the path of the city.  If the mega-apartment buildings get built, the goose that laid the golden egg will be killed : killed will be our city's small town character and the livability of downtown neighborhoods.

It's a feeling I can't shake - that something terribly wrong is happening here.  A different plan at a much smaller scale would be welcomed as a good neighbor, but this beast seems selfish, unfeeling, overwhelming and unwanted.  Morality, empathy and honesty are never out of place in business, and doing well should not be at the expense of doing good.

a golden opportunity
to do good.