What an Indictment!

There has been so much negative press regarding the Catholic Church that one is careful not to "pile it on"! However, Nicholas Kristof's column captures the poignancy of the Church's approach to clerical sex abuse and the excommunication of a sister who is a Vice-President of a hospital in Arizona who authorized an abortion to save the life of the mother. The bishop determined that he had no choice. When it came to priests' abusing victims, especially minors, bishops apparently were less clear about what was the appropriate action!!!

"End of Poverty?"

There is little doubt that my views of economics could be described as being more socialistic than capitalistic, i.e., I promote an economy that focuses on the well-being of all versus one that promotes the greed of some at the expense of most.

The documentary, "End of Poverty?" surely supports my views. I would encourage anyone interested in seeing the downside of capitalism that allowed the "north" to grow at the expense of the "south".

Essentially, my problems arise from the historical record that capitalism creates its wealth at the expense of the poor (nations and people). Colonialism clearly exploited national resources and people, leaving the host nations at a disadvantage. But, we continue to do the same thing now through the World Bank and IMF, as well as international treaties. In his book, Economic Hitman, John Perkins (who was an economic hitman) reported how nations create debt for poor nations that can never be paid off, e.g., selling them on the need for a dam costing millions that actually go the corporations of the lender, e.g., Halliburton, which uses its own people primarily to build the dam and, often, end up having the native people pay for it all without a means of generating payments for the debt. We should be helping the poor nations build their own infrastructure with their own people, generating their own money, etc. The conditions for accepting IMF funding are generally such that it is impossible to pay off the loan with causing a civil war, e.g., the only way Greece can off its new debt is my reducing costs, but reducing this amount of costs is counterproductive since it reducing the ability to generate profits.

The capitalist model that seeks to generate wealth for me without consideration of the other's needs is immoral and will ultimately prove to be counterproductive, i.e., it is only a matter of time before great international and civil conflicts will occur secondary to the anger generated by the injustices.

A synopsis of the film follows:

Global poverty did not just happen. It began with military conquest, slavery and colonization that resulted in the seizure of land, minerals and forced labor. Today, the problem persists because of unfair debt, trade and tax policies -- in other words, wealthy countries taking advantage of poor, developing countries.

Renowned actor and activist, Martin Sheen, narrates The End of Poverty?, a feature-length documentary directed by award-winning director, Philippe Diaz, which explains how today's financial crisis is a direct consequence of these unchallenged policies that have lasted centuries. Consider that 20% of the planet's population uses 80% of its resources and consumes 30% more than the planet can regenerate. At this rate, to maintain our lifestyle means more and more people will sink below the poverty line.

Filmed in the slums of Africa and the barrios of Latin America, The End of Poverty? features expert insights from: Nobel prize winners in Economics, Amartya Sen and Joseph Stiglitz; acclaimed authors Susan George, Eric Toussaint, John Perkins, Chalmers Johnson; university professors William Easterly and Michael Watts; government ministers such as Bolivia's Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera and the leaders of social movements in Brazil, Venezuela, Kenya and Tanzania . It is produced by Cinema Libre Studio in collaboration with the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation.

Can we really end poverty within our current economic system? Think again.

Intriguing Counter-Response to Concerns about US Deficit

There is so much coverage of our national (without including personal) debt that it is hard to do anything but nod in agreement. We have to reduce government costs and increase revenue through some form of increase taxation. It is hard to disagree with the end result except to argue over what to reduce and how much and what taxes to increase and how much.

James Gralbraith has written often about economic issues and in his recent interview, he reiterates that the US has no deficit "problem". Admittedly, I find each sentence understandable, but putting his thoughts together into a coherent whole is most difficult. Essentially, I understand that as debt rises, interest rates rise. As interest rates rise, inflation increases. As inflation increases, debt decreases.

He wants us to focus on increasing jobs that address our national needs, e.g., infrastructure and energy renewal.

Fantastic, if Scary,Insight~

I have been pessimistic about the national and international economies. My problem was an inability to figure out how more jobs could be created. In the past, I could see where recessions were followed by upsurges in employment because people needed to replenish their "stuff". However, now, I could not see that happening. We can operate cars longer because they are better and more costly, for sure. But, we can get along with what we have. Similar improvement in quality insures that our investment in televisions etc. will last longer. And I could not see another market coming on line that would take the place of the auto industry etc. I know that some see green technologies as the new savior to the needs for increased employment. However, I don't. There will be more jobs, but many of them will be at relatively low pay.

Whatever reasons for my pessimism have been shunted aside by an article that speaks to be essential problem of excess production without a commensurate market. In other words, the world produces more steel etc. than can be used profitably. If true, there is no end to this problem since the technologies will always be capable to increasing production quicker than demand. As the population increases, our problems will only get worse since there will be more people who are being marginalized. And with marginalization comes political instability.

Wow!

"True Wisdom comes at a Great Cost. Only Ignorance is Free"

In such a short time frame, I started a book with a wonderful Taoist Proverb, "True Wisdom comes at a Great Cost. Only Ignorance is Free". Based on my own journey, I am convinced that ignorance is relatively easy to come by. I am forever working to overcome lacunae of ignorance that only shows up when I find out how wrong I have been. Moreover, I am convinced that the worse outcomes of ignorance at the decisions that issue from the ignorance. What a horrible fate!

Life is short enough, even when lived a relatively long time. We cannot avoid relative ignorance in some areas of life, but we can work to insure that our decisions are based on accurate knowledge. What is "accurate knowledge" is the nub of the problem. We never have deep awareness of some of our ignorance either because we don't see the error (most people have a default position that their knowledge is accurate) or we are simply unaware of aspects of reality. We just don't know and yet, decisions can be made.

It takes work, steady, ongoing work, to develop wisdom. It is a goal that often eludes the best of us. We just keep trying. Never give up.

"How Wonderful it is ..."

I just started reading a novel and I always read the preface page with some words that range from the sentimental to the trite. However, I was really touched by the quote of Anne Frank, "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world".

My days of idealism have perished with time, but I do recall living with the idea that I could make a difference and, in fact, was essentially obliged to do so. I had great dreams that the world would be so much better if we could only harness the good will of so many great people. At this point in my life, I fully realize that I will die with the realization that my generation could well have made matters worse!

The Catholic Church Problem!

Since so much has been made of clergy sex abuse and its etiology, it is important to assign blame in some priority order. Such a problem is complex, but surely we can agree with the opinion of the National Catholic Reporter that the crux of the problem is the hierarchy (priests, bishops, pope). Some of them may have been involved directly in the problem, but the problem would never have been so extensive if those in positions of power exercised their responsibilities to prevent harm to victims. The hierarchy was invented to conform with the government of the Roman Empire and that structure has existed for too, too long. The sooner that it collapses, the sooner one can hope that the Catholic Church will function, as an institution, more in line with the teachings of Jesus.

A Positive View of the Catholic Church

Nicholas Kristof presents a needed reminder that the Catholic Church is not synonymous with the evident problems associated with clergy sex abuse. There are many, many valiant people (priests, religious women and laity) who do tremendous work for people in terrible circumstances. They do work that epitomizes the message presented by Jesus. It surely is important not to lose perspective when there is so much good being done.

However, at this point in my life, I am aware that there are tons of people doing comparable valiant work without being identified with a religion. Religion, including Christianity, has produced much good, but also much evil, not the least of which is hatred of those outside the religious body. It is hard to praise the good without sanctioning the evil. I do not think that the good balances the evil.

I am aware that religion is not going to die. So many need it and want it for so many reasons. At the same time, each person has to look at the scene from a personal perspective. At this point in my life, I see so much evil resulting from religion.