A former president had this to say about negotiating with
parts of the American political family:
“We cannot negotiate with people
who say what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is negotiable.” ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Does that sound familiar to you? Did we not have our parents
say the same thing when we argued with our siblings? Haven’t we used the exact
same language as parents ourselves directed at our own kids?
The answer is yes, of course, unless you were an only child
or are not now or ever have been a parent.
If so, you may have missed some essential building blocks towards normal
human relationship building!
But I digress. The point of JFK’s quote is pretty simple:
when we are not focused on the issues that we can agree on, we cannot very well
agree on other matters.
What is mine is not yours. A basic kid-worthy statement. A
American-worthy statement as well when you think back on entrepreneurial
values, risk taking, capitalism, and the whole nine yards of related issues.
But then what do they values mean when confronted by religious beliefs and
doctrine? Who’s right then? Does
everyone have the freedom to see the world their own way? To think in their own
way exclusive of the beliefs of others? In spite of what we are taught and
coached to believe and act upon our entire lives?
Monsignor John A. Ryan gave us this crystal clear quote to
ponder:
“Private charity is not enough.
Today’s world is complex, and the gospel rightly understood involves using the
power of government when local communities and free markets fail to adequately
provide for the needs of the poor and vulnerable.”
Indeed, even World History and Economics 101 and 102 taught
us this. Free markets do not address all human needs. That’s when government,
charity and churches step in. To help.
To soften the harsh edges of capitalism. To demonstrate to all that even the
least among us are still loved and cared for.
The question is: Are They? Really? In the America of 2013 and beyond – will America step up
to the plate and truly address human needs at home and abroad?
Or will America
abandon human principle based on selfish wants of the greedy. What’s theirs is
theirs and don’t step one foot closer!
The America
I know is generous and loving and caring. It helps people up from the scrap
heap so they can do for themselves. So they become helpers of others and not a
continuing need on the conscience of the society at large. Even then there will
be those who will always be in need. The halt, lame and terminally ill. They
will always be with us. I believe the Bible has much to say on this subject.
And the Koran. And lest we forget, the Torah.
I've spent most of my life working for non-profits. These
organizations did much to serve the under-served. They still do in spite of many
challenges thrown in their way. One of those non-profits was a great
university. It’s job was to help students find their personal pathway to the
future, to fulfillment of their dreams and potential. Oh, and by the by, Aristotle
had this to say on education:
“Educating
the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”
Fits nicely here, doesn't it? Are we educating ourselves and
our future generations to be selfish in the name of capitalism and
entrepreneurialism? Is that what we are doing? Is that what America stands
for?
I think not. And I believe the government shut down by the
nut wing of the Republican party has shown us the horrors of our mirrored
image. Like it or not, folks, theirs is the face of America unless we do something
about it.
What to do? Unseat them all. Implement Obamacare. Make it
work well for the public like Medicare and Social Security has worked for the
public. Re-open the government so it can serve all of its people. With justice and
liberty for all.
Amen!
October 10, 2013
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