One of the best books I have ever read is called The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein. She attacks the economic theory that austerity is the way to prosperity for all. On the contrary, austerity, under the banner of supply side economics as proposed by economist Milton Friedman of the University of Chicago, creates inequality and hardship for most people, with more wealth going to the upper class corporate types and less for everyone else.
Naomi calls this economic strategy "disaster capitalism". The strategy is: 1) Wait for a major crisis; 2) Sell-off pieces of the state to private players (privatize as much as possible); 3) Make these reforms permanent. In short, create or seize upon economic chaos, create a "shock" to the system because "only a crisis produces real change".
What kind of changes evolve from this "shock doctrine"? Ease public education requirements to promote charter schools, schools for profit. Then: tax cuts, free trade, privatization, cuts to social spending, deregulation, vouchers, downsize government, flat tax, and more. Sound familiar? Austerity = inequality!
Klein documents this economic mess by citing what is happening in South Africa, Russia, Chile, Iraq, Asia, Argentina, and parts of Brazil. Then the United States. Sound familiar? Austerity = inequality!
The human cost of austerity is unfathomable, its scattered wreckage clear.
Fast forward to the Occupy Wall Street Movement. The OWSs are on to something. They are in agreement with Klein's thesis. Supply side economics is not the full answer to economic growth. There also needs to be a stronger dose of Keynesian economics, meaning the government needs to insure the equalization of wealth, human stewardship, equal justice, and equal opportunity. After all, the people are the government, or, the government is the people. Remember Lincoln's famous dictum: "...that government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from this earth." Hmm, was Lincoln on to something?
Corporations, banks, Wall Street, are sitting on between $1.4 and $3 trillion of cash. Meanwhile, to quote Robert Reich, "In the late 1970s, the richest 1% received 9% of total income and held 18% of the nation's wealth. By 2007, they had more than 23% of the total income and 35% of the nation's wealth. CEOs of the 1970s were paid 40 times the wage of the average worker. Now they are paid 300 times the typical workers' wage." Austerity = inequality!
This past Sunday, the Memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was dedicated. He spent his last days in Memphis supporting the efforts of the sanitation workers. President Obama is out on the stump promoting his Jobs Bill, or now pieces of it since the supply siders nixed it in the House and Senate.
Austerity, according to the supply siders is supposed to equal prosperity. Austerity, by some magic formula, is supposed to cause a trickle-down effect, creating wealth or at least a sustaining wage for everyone. On the contrary, austerity = inequality. Austerity creates a trickle-up effect! Austerity means prosperity for only the connected, the corporations, the Wall Street barons, the upper tiny minority. Austerity is economic slavery where the shrinking middle class and growing lower class become serfs of the landed class and the owners. The rest of us lose our schools, our teachers, our police, our fire fighters, our human services, our Social Security, our jobs, our....
We need an economics of love. The Gospel lesson for this Sunday is from Matthew 22:34-40 where Jesus talks about the new law, the Greatest Commandment: love of God and love of neighbor. We are created for each other, to make sure everyone has enough. This Jesus love is not about austerity, but generosity! Generosity = equality! Generosity = justice!
Peace!
Ron
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!
In a time when people are crying for jobs, the passing of Steve Jobs provides an occasion for seeing a way towards creating those jobs.
The place to begin is a portion of his Stanford University Commencement Address in 2005. Some have called this address the "Gettysburg Address" of all commencement addresses. The context is his diagnosis with terminal pancreatic cancer.
The place to begin is a portion of his Stanford University Commencement Address in 2005. Some have called this address the "Gettysburg Address" of all commencement addresses. The context is his diagnosis with terminal pancreatic cancer.
Remembering I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever
encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost
everything - all expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or
failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only
what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the
best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something
to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your
heart. Stay hungry. Stay foolish.
Knowledge of impending death means each moment is important. Don't waste time. Focus now. If you want to accomplish something, get on with it. Make your life count for something. Don't worry about all the consequences because you won't be around to take all the flak. Fear nothing! Create something helpful! Try it! Take risks!
It is significant that Jobs was a college drop-out who teamed up with a friend to start his computer journey in a garage. Jobs was also fired from Apple. He said it was the best thing that ever happened to him because it freed him to travel another direction which ended up being the most creative journey of his life.
Jobs also realized that what he was able to do, he could not have done alone. He said: "My business model is the Beatles.... they balanced each other and the total was greater than the sum of the parts.... great things in business are never done by one person, they are done by a team of people."
One of his favorite quotes was from Picasso: "Good artists copy. Great artists steal." Steve Jobs studied the works of others and was able to connect their genius with his genius. He said: "You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards." He had respect for others' insights.
I have learned in life that you can always do something. Even when there are times of scarce resources, you can always dream, always write a letter, always read a book, always meet with a friend, always bat around ideas, always make a phone call, always visit with a leader, always comfort a friend, always reconcile with an enemy, always lay plans for the future, always spend time Google-ing, always love your spouse and family, colleagues and the poor, always march and demonstrate for peace and justice, always join a committee to make life better for folks, always start a group, always scrounge for financial resources, always take time for the family and neighbors, always look for a way through, always seek employment, always support each other, always worship Jesus, ALWAYS.... There are always ALWAYS.
ALWAYS isn't easy. We need each other. This is one of the lessons of the "99%". The "99%" are those who are Occupying Wall Street, saying "We have had enough of your greed and selfishness. We demand fairness." In 1977, the top 1% of wage earners controlled just 9% of the nation's wealth. Today they control 24%. And the gap is widening. Yet, these 99%ers are dreaming, working together, innovating with passion, casting risk to the wind, cleansing their wills of fear, acting foolishly (according to some), embodying Bob Dylan's classic phrase: "When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose."
As I read scripture I am always struck by the Exodus deliverence story and Jesus' empathy with people's life situations. I am also struck by God's call to be faithful and Jesus' call to discipleship. The faithful are never left to wallow in hopelessness or powerlessness. There is acknowledgement of people's plights, support and comfort in the difficult times, as well as opening the door to the future with promises. Christ makes ALWAYS a reality.
Jobs? Christ is ALWAYS with us in our struggles; yet, also, Christ is ALWAYS calling us to act, to "stay hungry", and "stay foolish"!
In I Corinthians 15, Paul writes: "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? Death is swallowed up in victory!.... Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, ALWAYS excelling in the work of God, because you know that in Christ your labor is not in vain."
Press on!
Peace!
Ron
Friday, September 30, 2011
Music-In the Midst
Linda and I find ways to experience music at the places we visit.
On our recent European journey we attended an afternoon concert by "Elf" at St. Martin-in-the-Fields next to Trafalgar Square in London. We were experiencing jet lag and needed a place to sit, relax, and re-energize. Elf was the perfect energizer! Three men in their 50's, one on piano, one flutist, and one on the French horn. Their music is a combined blend of jazz, classical, and romantic styles. Though there were moments when we dozed off, their music was a wonderful stimulant! It revived us.
Evensongs at St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey provided quiet moments of prayer, heightened by pipe organ music and choirs of men, women, and children. Stillness in a churning world.
Sunday morning in Berlin drew us to the Berliner Dom, a huge Lutheran church on Museum Island. Its granite outside walls are still covered by "fire-black" from Allied bombing and WWII final days fighting between the Russians and Germans. The worship? Imagine a huge pipe organ pouring out some of the finest organ compositions, a chamber orchestra, a four-part choir, an opera quality soloist, and finally a nearly full sanctuary singing hymns! Christ is alive! This is most certainly true!
Upon arrival in Annecy, France, we strolled through the tree-filled city park, located on a lovely peninsula. Dance music pulled us towards an open air dance floor where couples twirled, and joy and love stirred by the rhythm and lyrics of the band. Magical!
A walk through the paseo of Albufeira, Portugal, where hundreds of street cafes and restaurants had a large screen television set to the latest soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona, brought us to a Roman Catholic Church, packed to the gills with standing room only, as they celebrated some Christian event. Candles everywhere! The music was provided by singers and a guitar choir. One of the songs had strains of "When the Saints Go Marching In"! Color! Spirit! Faith alive!
There wasn't much music in Tangier, Morrocco. What music there was consisted of single people blowing a flute-type instrument. No joy. Indeed, I barely remember any music. We spent most of our time walking the narrow, smelly streets of the "kasbah", or old Tangier. "Kasbah" means fortress, and it was a walled area enclosing small shops, much poverty, and many people seemingly living aimless lives.
An evening on the "Balcony of Europe" in Nerja, Spain, treated hundreds of folks to music from "Ikaiki Amayu", two musicians from the Andean mountains of South American, playing traditional pan flute instruments. The music was magnetic, drawing people like flies to light! Gentle, romantic, uniting, amidst a rising moon and pounding surf.
We attended a Flamenco dance and music concert near the Mezquita in Cordoba, Spain. The space was small and intimate, packed with people, including about 50 high school age youth. Linda and I each sipped on a Sangria as we watched and listened to two talented guitarists, two robust vocalists, and a half dozen dancers who tapped and sweated their way through a most passionate program. We learned that Flamenco has Gypsy (Roma) and Moorish roots. Go prepared to marvel at the footwork, the color of the women's dresses, and the physicality of movement. Flamenco is not for the faint of heart!
Then there is Portugese "Fado". Fado was born out of despair, poverty, and struggle. It is mostly minor key music with a bluesy feel, and deep passion. The CD jacket explains Fado thusly: "What people is this who, in the middle of the 19th century, surrounded by hunger, disease, and illiteracy, created a song to nurture the soul, strengthen the heart, and keep thought alive?.... What song is this? It is called Fado and its birthplace is Portugal."
We were drawn in to the Cloisters Cathedral in Belem, Portugal to listen to a children's cello recital and concert. What a lovely mix of parents, relatives, performers, tourists, and strangers, all listening to dressed-up, spiffed-up youth, guided by their musical mentors, expressing their musical dexterity, with sound bouncing off the centuries old stone walls!
Throughout our journey, as we listened to music, we also watched and listened to televised reports of economic chaos in the United States, Europe, and the world, starvation in Africa, suicide bombings in the Middle East, political gridlock in the USA, endless war, fires in Texas, and you name it! And then there was soccer! Europeans are absolutely catatonic about a sport where goals are as frequent as days above freezing in a Minnesota January!
"In the midst" of the life realities, the music drew people TOGETHER from all over the world, locals and globals. During these times there was no fighting, no killing, no swearing, no arguing, no gamesmanship, no debating. There was a sweetness at each event. I am reminded of an old Coke commercial where people are lined up along a mountain ridge, each holding a can of Coke and singing, "I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony...." Music reflects society, but it also transforms society.
Is there a lesson for the world here?
Go to a concert! Better yet, get some people together and make music, even if you just "make a joyful noise" to God! Become ONE!
Peace!
Ron
On our recent European journey we attended an afternoon concert by "Elf" at St. Martin-in-the-Fields next to Trafalgar Square in London. We were experiencing jet lag and needed a place to sit, relax, and re-energize. Elf was the perfect energizer! Three men in their 50's, one on piano, one flutist, and one on the French horn. Their music is a combined blend of jazz, classical, and romantic styles. Though there were moments when we dozed off, their music was a wonderful stimulant! It revived us.
Evensongs at St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey provided quiet moments of prayer, heightened by pipe organ music and choirs of men, women, and children. Stillness in a churning world.
Sunday morning in Berlin drew us to the Berliner Dom, a huge Lutheran church on Museum Island. Its granite outside walls are still covered by "fire-black" from Allied bombing and WWII final days fighting between the Russians and Germans. The worship? Imagine a huge pipe organ pouring out some of the finest organ compositions, a chamber orchestra, a four-part choir, an opera quality soloist, and finally a nearly full sanctuary singing hymns! Christ is alive! This is most certainly true!
Upon arrival in Annecy, France, we strolled through the tree-filled city park, located on a lovely peninsula. Dance music pulled us towards an open air dance floor where couples twirled, and joy and love stirred by the rhythm and lyrics of the band. Magical!
A walk through the paseo of Albufeira, Portugal, where hundreds of street cafes and restaurants had a large screen television set to the latest soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona, brought us to a Roman Catholic Church, packed to the gills with standing room only, as they celebrated some Christian event. Candles everywhere! The music was provided by singers and a guitar choir. One of the songs had strains of "When the Saints Go Marching In"! Color! Spirit! Faith alive!
There wasn't much music in Tangier, Morrocco. What music there was consisted of single people blowing a flute-type instrument. No joy. Indeed, I barely remember any music. We spent most of our time walking the narrow, smelly streets of the "kasbah", or old Tangier. "Kasbah" means fortress, and it was a walled area enclosing small shops, much poverty, and many people seemingly living aimless lives.
An evening on the "Balcony of Europe" in Nerja, Spain, treated hundreds of folks to music from "Ikaiki Amayu", two musicians from the Andean mountains of South American, playing traditional pan flute instruments. The music was magnetic, drawing people like flies to light! Gentle, romantic, uniting, amidst a rising moon and pounding surf.
We attended a Flamenco dance and music concert near the Mezquita in Cordoba, Spain. The space was small and intimate, packed with people, including about 50 high school age youth. Linda and I each sipped on a Sangria as we watched and listened to two talented guitarists, two robust vocalists, and a half dozen dancers who tapped and sweated their way through a most passionate program. We learned that Flamenco has Gypsy (Roma) and Moorish roots. Go prepared to marvel at the footwork, the color of the women's dresses, and the physicality of movement. Flamenco is not for the faint of heart!
Then there is Portugese "Fado". Fado was born out of despair, poverty, and struggle. It is mostly minor key music with a bluesy feel, and deep passion. The CD jacket explains Fado thusly: "What people is this who, in the middle of the 19th century, surrounded by hunger, disease, and illiteracy, created a song to nurture the soul, strengthen the heart, and keep thought alive?.... What song is this? It is called Fado and its birthplace is Portugal."
We were drawn in to the Cloisters Cathedral in Belem, Portugal to listen to a children's cello recital and concert. What a lovely mix of parents, relatives, performers, tourists, and strangers, all listening to dressed-up, spiffed-up youth, guided by their musical mentors, expressing their musical dexterity, with sound bouncing off the centuries old stone walls!
Throughout our journey, as we listened to music, we also watched and listened to televised reports of economic chaos in the United States, Europe, and the world, starvation in Africa, suicide bombings in the Middle East, political gridlock in the USA, endless war, fires in Texas, and you name it! And then there was soccer! Europeans are absolutely catatonic about a sport where goals are as frequent as days above freezing in a Minnesota January!
"In the midst" of the life realities, the music drew people TOGETHER from all over the world, locals and globals. During these times there was no fighting, no killing, no swearing, no arguing, no gamesmanship, no debating. There was a sweetness at each event. I am reminded of an old Coke commercial where people are lined up along a mountain ridge, each holding a can of Coke and singing, "I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony...." Music reflects society, but it also transforms society.
Is there a lesson for the world here?
Go to a concert! Better yet, get some people together and make music, even if you just "make a joyful noise" to God! Become ONE!
Peace!
Ron
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Letter to President Obama
Yesterday, I wrote this letter to President Obama.
President Barack Obama
White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Obama,
The nation is at risk. We need an Economic Call to Arms. You have rightfully spoken eloquently about our need for renewal, about shared sacrifice. Now is the time for courageous action. The nation needs you to be an engaged president we voted for and not only a detached professor. You analyze well, now we need you to boldly lead.
In the spirit of Lincoln and FDR, we need you to call us to greatness. Now. I would suggest calling Congressional leadership back to Washington and propose the following: across the board action from corporations, banks, Wall Street, individuals, the Fed, and the government to create a People for a New America effort, focusing on jobs. The jobs would be for infrastructure, investment, and innovation.
Tell the people what you are doing. If Congress balks at this effort, go to the American people and make them pay a political price for saying "No". Fight for the proposal. Keep fighting. Go public day after day. Let the people know you are fighting for us.
The people need to see you as a fighter for us, not as a detached political philosopher. The nation is at risk, Mr. President. Your presidency is at risk. We need you to lead us. We need you to call us to economic arms. We will respond. We are Americans! Call us to greatness. GO BIG!
A Patriot,
Rev. Dr. Ron Letnes
President Barack Obama
White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Obama,
The nation is at risk. We need an Economic Call to Arms. You have rightfully spoken eloquently about our need for renewal, about shared sacrifice. Now is the time for courageous action. The nation needs you to be an engaged president we voted for and not only a detached professor. You analyze well, now we need you to boldly lead.
In the spirit of Lincoln and FDR, we need you to call us to greatness. Now. I would suggest calling Congressional leadership back to Washington and propose the following: across the board action from corporations, banks, Wall Street, individuals, the Fed, and the government to create a People for a New America effort, focusing on jobs. The jobs would be for infrastructure, investment, and innovation.
Tell the people what you are doing. If Congress balks at this effort, go to the American people and make them pay a political price for saying "No". Fight for the proposal. Keep fighting. Go public day after day. Let the people know you are fighting for us.
The people need to see you as a fighter for us, not as a detached political philosopher. The nation is at risk, Mr. President. Your presidency is at risk. We need you to lead us. We need you to call us to economic arms. We will respond. We are Americans! Call us to greatness. GO BIG!
A Patriot,
Rev. Dr. Ron Letnes
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Tragedy of the Extreme Right
Violence is the code of the Extreme Right. No compromise, take no prisoners, my way or the highway, God is my co-pilot, vitriolic righteousness, guns-guts-God are mantras of this dictatorial mass. Democracy is dismissed, people are harmed, the world is at risk.
This Extreme Right despotism is international. Anders Breivik, self-styled Norwegian patriot, proclaimed his righteousness by murdering men and women, boys and girls. Why? Islam must be driven out of Norway, immigration must be stopped, and multi-culturalism is a mistake. "Actions were atrocious but necessary.... Before we can start our crusade, we must do our duty by decimating cultural Marxism.... Once you decide to strike, it is better to kill too many than not enough, or you risk reducing the desired ideological impact of the strike." Calling for a Christian civil war to defend Europe against the threat of Muslim domination, Breivik writes, "Seize political and military control of Western European countries and implement a cultural conservative political agenda." Now, think Al Qaeda, Hamas, Zionism.
In the United States, the Southern Poverty Law Center is the watchdog of the dramatic rise of the Extreme Right Wing militia and hate groups. In their recent Intelligence Reports, they cite some quotes: "They are animals, yes, but a lower form than a dog....", writes columnist Debbie Schlussel, characterizing Muslims. "A sexual degenerate, an American-hating communist....", says Brett Reese, a member of the Greeley-Evans Colorado Board of Education referring to MLK, Jr. "Use live amunition.", proclaims Jeff Cox, Indiana Deputy Attorney General. "If shooting these immigrating feral hogs works, maybe we have found a [solution] to our illegal immigration problem.", trumpets Virgil Peck, Kansas State Representative. Hate has gone mainstream.
The Tea Party embraces violence. The vitriol of anti-immigration, anti-abortion, anti-gay, anti-tax, anti-investment, anti-Obama, anti-compromise, anti-Muslim rhetoric is poisoning political civility and paralyzing the legislative progress. They are like adolescent "Lord of the Flies". And too often it is in the name of Jesus, lifting the Cross of Christ as their clarion banner that they proclaim their mastery. They are the ultimate embodiment of Grover Norquist's "starve the beast" mantra, bringing the nation to the edge of economic collapse, whistling as the nation hurdles toward the cliff of default, and creating even more unemployment. The nation is held hostage by this economic violence.
What can we do? I would suggest we try living out the gift that all people are created in the Image of God as described in Psalm 146:
This Extreme Right despotism is international. Anders Breivik, self-styled Norwegian patriot, proclaimed his righteousness by murdering men and women, boys and girls. Why? Islam must be driven out of Norway, immigration must be stopped, and multi-culturalism is a mistake. "Actions were atrocious but necessary.... Before we can start our crusade, we must do our duty by decimating cultural Marxism.... Once you decide to strike, it is better to kill too many than not enough, or you risk reducing the desired ideological impact of the strike." Calling for a Christian civil war to defend Europe against the threat of Muslim domination, Breivik writes, "Seize political and military control of Western European countries and implement a cultural conservative political agenda." Now, think Al Qaeda, Hamas, Zionism.
In the United States, the Southern Poverty Law Center is the watchdog of the dramatic rise of the Extreme Right Wing militia and hate groups. In their recent Intelligence Reports, they cite some quotes: "They are animals, yes, but a lower form than a dog....", writes columnist Debbie Schlussel, characterizing Muslims. "A sexual degenerate, an American-hating communist....", says Brett Reese, a member of the Greeley-Evans Colorado Board of Education referring to MLK, Jr. "Use live amunition.", proclaims Jeff Cox, Indiana Deputy Attorney General. "If shooting these immigrating feral hogs works, maybe we have found a [solution] to our illegal immigration problem.", trumpets Virgil Peck, Kansas State Representative. Hate has gone mainstream.
The Tea Party embraces violence. The vitriol of anti-immigration, anti-abortion, anti-gay, anti-tax, anti-investment, anti-Obama, anti-compromise, anti-Muslim rhetoric is poisoning political civility and paralyzing the legislative progress. They are like adolescent "Lord of the Flies". And too often it is in the name of Jesus, lifting the Cross of Christ as their clarion banner that they proclaim their mastery. They are the ultimate embodiment of Grover Norquist's "starve the beast" mantra, bringing the nation to the edge of economic collapse, whistling as the nation hurdles toward the cliff of default, and creating even more unemployment. The nation is held hostage by this economic violence.
What can we do? I would suggest we try living out the gift that all people are created in the Image of God as described in Psalm 146:
Praise the Lord!
Happy are those whose hope is in the Lord their God....
Who executes justice for the oppressed;
who gives food to the hungry....
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the strangers;
the Lord upholds the orphan and the widow,
but the way of the wicked [God] brings to ruin.
As God and Jesus are, so are we called to reflect. Now is not the time for personal hatred. Now is the time to be the hearts and hands of Jesus: to sit at the table and break bread together, to have conversation, to pray for and together, to develop friendship, to learn from each other, to educate, to speak the truth in love, to be honest, to do Bible study together, to worship together, to be open, to draw each other closer. Now is the time to confront the Extreme Right with the Spirit of Christ.
Near the end of the Civil War, Secretary of War William Stanton told Lincoln to punish and destroy the Southern enemies who started the war. Lincoln's response reflected the Spirit of Christ: "Do we not destroy our enemies when we make them our friends?"
Near the end of the Civil War, Secretary of War William Stanton told Lincoln to punish and destroy the Southern enemies who started the war. Lincoln's response reflected the Spirit of Christ: "Do we not destroy our enemies when we make them our friends?"
Peace!
Ron
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Tea Party: False Prophets
I must admit to a degree of admiration for the Tea Party folks. They passionately love America, they speak up, they bring a moral fervor to the national scene, they spout a Jesus line, and they demand action on our rising debt challenge. This is democracy in action. This is also prophetic action. It appears the Tea Party passes the test.
The prophet speaks with moral passion. The prophet looks at society and addresses the wrongs. The prophet calls out those who would do harm. The prophet speaks truth. The prophet purports to speak for God. It would seem the Tea Party passes the test.
But there are serious disconnects.
The standard for prophetic legitimacy is the Biblical prophets. When comparing the Tea Party prophets with the Biblical prophets we notice glaring short-comings.
GOD/JESUS VS. AYN RAND: The Biblical prophets listened to the Spirit of God, sought the will of God. The Spirit of God spoke of justice, of mercy, of love for the other and creation. In contrast, the god of the Tea Party is unabashed Ayn Rand, unfettered capitalism. Trust the corporations! Trust the free markets! Trust the bankers! Profit is god! The market will take care of us! Taxes are anti-god!
THE COMMON GOOD VS. EVERYONE FOR THEMSELVES: The Biblical prophets speak of the common good. Work for all, food for all, opportunity for all, dignity for all, health for all, safety for all, equality for all. In other words, ALL FOR ALL. The Tea Party mantra is get what YOU can. Not one for all and all for one, but one for one. Cut taxes and let me have what is mine. Leave me alone to fend for myself and all will be well. Give me the freedom to be ME! The Tea Party is "meism run crazy!"
PERSONAL VS. IDEOLOGICAL: The Biblical prophets were dedicated to compassion and justice for the person. The Tea Party is committed to ideological purity at the expense of the person. The TP may speak of "personal freedom", but the personal is exclusionary. ON BALANCE, the TP is anti-immigrant, anti-abortion, anti-gay, anti-share the wealth, and anti-African-American.
KNOWLEDGE VS. IGNORANCE: The Biblical prophets knew the reality of society. The BP understood the sources of injustice. The BP refused to allow their voices to be bought off and silenced by the wealthy powerful. The BP refused to protect those who sucked the life out of society. Conversely, the Tea Party's critique is silenced by the facade of political "minders" bought off by greedy Wall Street and corporate barons. The political and business leadership the Tea Party trusts are wolves in sheep's clothing. The Tea Party are lemmings heading for the cliff of moral and economic oblivion. And they don't even know it.
The powerful are playing the Tea Party for fools. The Tea Party is a "puppet theatre" of manipulated actors who falsely believe they are the main show when in reality they are only pawns of the powerful. They believe they are prophetic, but they are only puffing prophetic puppets of greed. And they don't even know it. False prophets all.
Peace!
Ron
The prophet speaks with moral passion. The prophet looks at society and addresses the wrongs. The prophet calls out those who would do harm. The prophet speaks truth. The prophet purports to speak for God. It would seem the Tea Party passes the test.
But there are serious disconnects.
The standard for prophetic legitimacy is the Biblical prophets. When comparing the Tea Party prophets with the Biblical prophets we notice glaring short-comings.
GOD/JESUS VS. AYN RAND: The Biblical prophets listened to the Spirit of God, sought the will of God. The Spirit of God spoke of justice, of mercy, of love for the other and creation. In contrast, the god of the Tea Party is unabashed Ayn Rand, unfettered capitalism. Trust the corporations! Trust the free markets! Trust the bankers! Profit is god! The market will take care of us! Taxes are anti-god!
THE COMMON GOOD VS. EVERYONE FOR THEMSELVES: The Biblical prophets speak of the common good. Work for all, food for all, opportunity for all, dignity for all, health for all, safety for all, equality for all. In other words, ALL FOR ALL. The Tea Party mantra is get what YOU can. Not one for all and all for one, but one for one. Cut taxes and let me have what is mine. Leave me alone to fend for myself and all will be well. Give me the freedom to be ME! The Tea Party is "meism run crazy!"
PERSONAL VS. IDEOLOGICAL: The Biblical prophets were dedicated to compassion and justice for the person. The Tea Party is committed to ideological purity at the expense of the person. The TP may speak of "personal freedom", but the personal is exclusionary. ON BALANCE, the TP is anti-immigrant, anti-abortion, anti-gay, anti-share the wealth, and anti-African-American.
KNOWLEDGE VS. IGNORANCE: The Biblical prophets knew the reality of society. The BP understood the sources of injustice. The BP refused to allow their voices to be bought off and silenced by the wealthy powerful. The BP refused to protect those who sucked the life out of society. Conversely, the Tea Party's critique is silenced by the facade of political "minders" bought off by greedy Wall Street and corporate barons. The political and business leadership the Tea Party trusts are wolves in sheep's clothing. The Tea Party are lemmings heading for the cliff of moral and economic oblivion. And they don't even know it.
The powerful are playing the Tea Party for fools. The Tea Party is a "puppet theatre" of manipulated actors who falsely believe they are the main show when in reality they are only pawns of the powerful. They believe they are prophetic, but they are only puffing prophetic puppets of greed. And they don't even know it. False prophets all.
Peace!
Ron
Sunday, July 3, 2011
What Child Am I?
John Denver wrote a song featuring children as the inspiration for new life. Some say it is his finest composition. It is called "Rhymes and Reasons". The refrain of the song is:
So the children and the flowers are my sisters and my brothers.
Their laughter and their lovliness will clear a cloudy day.
Like the music of the mountains and the colors of the rainbow.
Come and stand beside us, we can find a better way.
Carrying the children motif further, the Gospel of Matthew narrates:
[Jesus says], But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children
sitting in the marketplace, and calling to one another,
'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we wailed, and you did not mourn."
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say,
"He has a demon." The Son of Man came neither eating nor drinking,
and they say, "Look, a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners!"
Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.
Matthew 11:16-19
At that time Jesus said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of
heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things
from the wise and the intelligent, and have
revealed them to the infants...."
Matthew 11:25
Let the children come to me, and forbid them not,
for of such is the Kingdom [Reign] of God.
Matthew 19:14
The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.
Isaiah 11:6
And from the prophet Isaiah:
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.
Isaiah 11:6
What we see are different portraits of children. Some are responsible, perceptive, and obedient to the common good, and some are immature, ignorant, and dedicated to satisfying their own pleasures.
What makes the difference? The immature and ignorant children only want others to dance to their tune, to respond only to their demands. They want others to feel only what they feel, to cry only over their misfortunes. They see only their truth. They name call. They deceive. They lie. They judge who is in and who is out on the basis of social propriety, of who caters to the wealthy and powerful. They revel in themselves. They glory in their positions of privilege among the powerful. They revel in their pleasure. Their world is about them and being secure in their specialness of superiority. They have found themselves and celebrate the discovery.
On the otherhand, the responsible and wise children take comfort in Jesus. They look outside themselves and embrace the character of the Christ. There is realization that life is outside themselves. They surrender to the unity of love. They trust because they know they are loved. They love by openning themselves to receiving Christ's love. They lose themselves in Christ, in connection with others. They live in trust of the promise of Christ. They gather to listen. They are receptive. They consider the other. They are attracted to the magnetism of love. They bring diverse people together and create community. They honor differences. Life is about relationship and making sure all have enough.
Conversation about children seems appropriate because of the political gridlock in Washington and in my own state of Minnesota. Our state government has shut down over the governor's demand that the upper .03% of wage earners pay an increased tax so that education and health programs can be funded, and the Republican's demand that there be no more taxes, only cuts in programs. Furthermore, August 2 looms as a dark cloud for our nation as political gridlock and ideological regidity have paralyzed our leadership, driving our nation to the precipice of default, another recession, more damage to already damaged pensions and 401(k)s, more unemployment and hardship, as well as great damage to the rest of the world. If we think tiny Greece could cause international chaos, just imagine what our default would cause!
I would suggest that what we have are adults acting like children. Yet, as we can see, there are children and there are children. What is the way through this morass?
I propose the following. First, ask what child am I? Let's be honest. In reality, we are all doses of both, in varying degrees depending on what is at stake at the moment. Confession is in order. Second, show courage and humility to adopt the character of the wise and responsible child. Third, listen not only to your base, but to those outside the beltway, to the whole of the country, to the needs of the common good, to the struggling, to the middle class, the unemployed and under-employed, the vulnerable. Fourth, ask critical questions of the responsibility of the wealthy, the banking industry, and Wall Street for the benefit of all of society. One's place in society needs to be not only about satisfying your stockholders, but also caring for the stakeholders (all of us). Fifth, each side needs to realize that their side represents only one half of the country. Sixth, let your actions involve a balanced cutting of waste and MORE investment in job creating projects. People create wealth by what they do through their work. The way to the future is to have everyone work their way out of the hole we are in. People want to work! Worthwhile work gives hope and optimism! Provide the projects and opportunities. Seventh, realize that wealth does not trickle down, but spreads out through the labor of the people. The Huffington Post reports that corporations have reaped 88% of all financial growth since the start of the recession. Therefore, figure out how to spread the wealth around. In other words, INVEST. Eighth, accept that ALL PEOPLE are created to live together in peace, justice, and harmony. Accept that the lion will remain a lion and the lamb will remain a lamb. Accept that adjustments need to be made for each unique life. Accept that each life has unique needs for their existence. Accept that life is not about dominance, but community, caring for each other, seeing that all are protected and free. Accept the words of the late Paul Wellstone, "We all do better when we all do better."
What child am I? Come and stand beside us, we can find a better way.
Peace!
Ron
Conversation about children seems appropriate because of the political gridlock in Washington and in my own state of Minnesota. Our state government has shut down over the governor's demand that the upper .03% of wage earners pay an increased tax so that education and health programs can be funded, and the Republican's demand that there be no more taxes, only cuts in programs. Furthermore, August 2 looms as a dark cloud for our nation as political gridlock and ideological regidity have paralyzed our leadership, driving our nation to the precipice of default, another recession, more damage to already damaged pensions and 401(k)s, more unemployment and hardship, as well as great damage to the rest of the world. If we think tiny Greece could cause international chaos, just imagine what our default would cause!
I would suggest that what we have are adults acting like children. Yet, as we can see, there are children and there are children. What is the way through this morass?
I propose the following. First, ask what child am I? Let's be honest. In reality, we are all doses of both, in varying degrees depending on what is at stake at the moment. Confession is in order. Second, show courage and humility to adopt the character of the wise and responsible child. Third, listen not only to your base, but to those outside the beltway, to the whole of the country, to the needs of the common good, to the struggling, to the middle class, the unemployed and under-employed, the vulnerable. Fourth, ask critical questions of the responsibility of the wealthy, the banking industry, and Wall Street for the benefit of all of society. One's place in society needs to be not only about satisfying your stockholders, but also caring for the stakeholders (all of us). Fifth, each side needs to realize that their side represents only one half of the country. Sixth, let your actions involve a balanced cutting of waste and MORE investment in job creating projects. People create wealth by what they do through their work. The way to the future is to have everyone work their way out of the hole we are in. People want to work! Worthwhile work gives hope and optimism! Provide the projects and opportunities. Seventh, realize that wealth does not trickle down, but spreads out through the labor of the people. The Huffington Post reports that corporations have reaped 88% of all financial growth since the start of the recession. Therefore, figure out how to spread the wealth around. In other words, INVEST. Eighth, accept that ALL PEOPLE are created to live together in peace, justice, and harmony. Accept that the lion will remain a lion and the lamb will remain a lamb. Accept that adjustments need to be made for each unique life. Accept that each life has unique needs for their existence. Accept that life is not about dominance, but community, caring for each other, seeing that all are protected and free. Accept the words of the late Paul Wellstone, "We all do better when we all do better."
What child am I? Come and stand beside us, we can find a better way.
Peace!
Ron
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