Though a non-Catholic, I have to take my hat off to this guy. He's actuall y daring to advocate for Jesus is alleged to have preached -- though we hav e little direct evidence aside from the 4 Gospels. They were written at di fferent times, long after the demise of their subject, and differ interesti ngly in text and spirit. (I do a LOT of research into comparative religion ).
Libertarians are advised not to visit this Web site; it might be hazardous to your hard-core convictions.
How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses two points? This is a case of exclusion. Can we continue to stand by when food is thrown away while people are starving?
SM: The media is mostly liberal. Why is the liberal media doing that?
This is a case of inequality. Today everything comes under the laws of competition and the survival of the fittest, where the powerful feed upon the powerless.
SM: You should visit the USA, then. Here, the top earners pay amazing taxes, and the government gives amazing ammounts of tax payer dollars to those who don't work.
As a consequence, masses of people find themselves excluded and marginalized: without work, without possibilities, without any means of escape.
SM: And, that, after five years of Obama. Don't you think we've suffered enough?
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But importantly, he follows up with a specific invocation of the need for state action rather than simple trust in the beneficence of the powerful:
In this context, some people continue to defend trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world. This opinion, which has never been confirmed by the facts, expresses a crude and naïve trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power and in the sacralized workings of the prevailing economic system.
SM: And, after five years of Obama dictates and executive orders, is it worse or better? I'd have to guess that if you and I researched it, we'd find more poor class prosperity under Reagan, than under Obama.
And, again, not a call for charity or goodwill toward the poor but specifically for economic regulation and democratic supervision of the capitalist system:
SM: Democratic supervision? Isn't that an oxymoron?
While the earnings of a minority are growing exponentially, so too is the gap separating the majority from the prosperity enjoyed by those happy few. This imbalance is the result of ideologies which defend the absolute autonomy of the marketplace and financial speculation.
SM: I guess you should visit the US. We've got over regulation on top of over regulation. And that's the Obama way. The upper class gets more wealthy, as the poor class looks for another part time job.
Consequently, they reject the right of states, charged with vigilance for the common good, to exercise any form of control. A new tyranny is thus born, invisible and often virtual, which unilaterally and relentlessly imposes its own laws and rules.
And on externalities:
In this system, which tends to devour everything which stands in the way of increased profits, whatever is fragile, like the environment, is defenseless before the interests of a deified market, which become the only rule.
Again, a call for political change:
A financial reform open to such ethical considerations would require a vigorous change of approach on the part of political leaders. I urge them to face this challenge with determination and an eye to the future, while not ignoring, of course, the specifics of each case. Money must serve, not rule! The Pope loves everyone, rich and poor alike, but he is obliged in the name of Christ to remind all that the rich must help, respect and promote the poor.
SM: And the best way to help the poor is with a hand up, not a hand out. Teach a man to fish. Reduce taxes and regulation, and give tax breaks and deductions to those who teach job skills to the poor.
I've heard a number of conservative Catholic commentators remark numerous times that it's silly for left-wing people to be highlighting Pope Francis' thoughts on economic policy because all this stuff has been Catholic doctrine for a long time. I think this misses the point. Obviously a new pope isn't going to make up a new religious doctrine from scratch. But when you have a corpus of thinking and tradition that spans centuries, it makes a great deal of difference what you emphasize.
lly daring to advocate for Jesus is alleged to have preached -- though we h ave little direct evidence aside from the 4 Gospels. They were written at different times, long after the demise of their subject, and differ interes tingly in text and spirit. (I do a LOT of research into comparative religi on).
s to your hard-core convictions.
Afterthought: A sage said this thousands of years ago.
"Do not unto others that which is hateful to you."
He past me in Rio de Janeiro, with very little protection, other than the crowds. Not like the other popes, who went around with bodyguards every meter or so of the way. I'm also not a catholic, but he made some good speeches. His praise of Lula and Dilma was censored by the local media, who are only catholic when that means pro-torture. He was a pleasant surprise. PS Did you fix the toilet ? ;)
ally daring to advocate for Jesus is alleged to have preached -- though we have little direct evidence aside from the 4 Gospels. They were written at different times, long after the demise of their subject, and differ intere stingly in text and spirit. (I do a LOT of research into comparative relig ion).
us to your hard-core convictions.
And you remember why, Shadow. The last Pope who tried to reform that nest of vipers called the Vatican was the sainted John Paul I. He was murdered after 34 days in office by the Establishment, which saw their perks threate ned by the promise of reform.
I wonder if things have changed that much -- that Francis is safe exposing himself that way.
That's awful! I read enough Portuguese to understand, so could you post a link?
When I read some of his speeches I figured that the guy is headed for Sudden Pope Death Syndrome. I just can't understand how, after packing the Cardinals with conservatives for decades, they voted this guy in. He is refreshing though and I seriously wonder how long he'll survive.
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