Seriously, what’s with the cold war angst? It’s like we have to add “socialist” to our diminishing list of cuss words in American English: “Socialist you!” “Eat my Marx!” “You’re a Swede!” “Your mom got to go to college free!”
In the last few weeks of the 2008 election, McCain has had this (desperation) rhetoric, something to the effect of “Obama wants to spread your wealth around, I want you to keep your wealth!” This statement infuriates me; it beckons all of the righteous Holy Spirit level anger inside of me (I’m serious). Why is it that Christians, siding with the Republican Party are such strong advocates of keeping wealth for ourselves, isn’t that absolutely contrary to everything that’s in, uh, the bible?
1. Did you know that at the feasts in Jerusalem, people would bring their tithes of grain and livestock to be enjoyed together with all people, no matter how much they brought? 2. Did you know that Jesus called the rich young ruler to liquidate all assets and follow Him? 3. Did you know that in the early church people liquidated their real estate so that they could let the disciples redistribute it to widows and orphans? The cornerstone of the Republican Party has been lower taxes, guns, my rights, my rights, my rights. In MY faith, I have NO rights; my priority is helping others PERIOD.
I should interject and thank David for his comment re: giving to government vs. charity, which is a completely valid statement. I do realize that the giving in each of the three bible verses above are in the context of spiritual communities, and not the government (save, perhaps, the first one). So it begs the question, and I think there’s some wiggle room here, how applicable are these passages in scripture?
Well, Bruce’s comment (thank you Bruce) answers it pretty well, we’re not talking about charity, we’re talking about need. I am a small-business owner so I pay taxes through the nose, but I can’t (effing) get any (effing) healthcare because of an (effing) pre-existing condition that I was (effing) born with!! (Pardon my French). The issue of healthcare is not charity, it’s a need indeed baby! And I, as a socialist, would be happy to pay more taxes and be able to get healthcare as an (effing) healthy-non-smoking-non-drinking-non-meat-eating-29-year-old for less than $430 a month!!!! (Whew). And while I’m at it, I’d like my kids to be able to go to any college that want, for free.
What if the government, (Under president Gore) said 8 years ago: “That sub prime lending you’re doing sounds fishy, and boy it’s very, very profitable. I’m not going to disallow it, but I’m going to put a 50% tax on it use that money to, hmm, feed hungry kids.”
What if the president said “Hmm, Exxon, record profits because gas prices are going up but your expenses are not, I’m going to put a 50% tax on your oil revenue and I’m going to spend it on, hmmm, cheap, affordable solar power so everyone can heat their water with a roof-mounted solar heating unit (China’s got ‘em).”
To me, there are only two reasons Christians/Republicans are so vehemently opposed to Socialism. #1) Gorbachev has secretly rebuilt a Kalashnikov armed Soviet Army that will invade us as they spread Nuclear death among the Capitalist infidels, or #2) the reality that people are greedy and just don’t want to let go of their money. I guess #3 could be that Capitalism is superior (?) but look at how greed has corrupted the homeowners, bankers, brokers, regulators, and politicians… uh, look at your 401K!!
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Tim 6:10
"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Luke 16:13
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Matt 19:24
Friends, conservative and liberal, Christians and secular, I behoove you to defend (or deny) capitalism and attack (or exonerate) a progression toward a more Socialist state. I want to know, I’m curious, what’s with the cold war angst!?
