| Friday, December 02, 2005 |
| Capitalism, the Hope of the Poor |
I usually abhor sequels but over the past few years the film industry has really done a much better job not pandering to the "encore effect" left by the first film. Today, I will attempt to do the same.
It would seem that more than a few individuals took exception to what I said last week (if you want to read some view the comments in "Invasion of the Mindsnatchers") and I would like to address my critics and my fans- maybe some of both will switch camps.
On more than a couple of occasions, in the short time-line of this blog, I have blasted the ideas underlying liberation theology. Continually I will get responses from those from this camp, the liberals, and some Democrats referencing Acts 2, Matt. 25, and other passages. They ask, "Devin, how can you be so judgmental, heartless, and uncaring?" I answer simply that I am not. I don't like to bring personal experience up in theology because I think that people are then simply looking for an emotional response to a head and spirit issue. However, I do community service, if I see someone begging I go and buy them dinner (really, ask my wife), I think soup kitchens, and faith-based aid are great things- BUT no economy will survive on socialist ideal.
The reason liberation theology will never work is that it basis itself on Marxism and is a dinosaur left over from the glory days of the USSR. The underlying thinking is that if we take from the rich and give to the poor then everyone will have the same amount. This is a false idea.
First, let us look at the U.S. economy. Despite certain political parties screaming that the end is near (referencing oil prices and the drop in the DOW), we are an economic upswing. Our average household income is higher, unemployment is the lowest (to my knowledge) of anywhere in the world (4%), and small businesses are doing great- due to new tax cuts not increased taxes.
Now, swivel your head to the right of the globe (Europe) and zoom in on Germany and France, the two countries who are the most anti-American in the UN and who are most often held up as an "example of progress" by the left. How is their unemployment, oh, between 30-40%? How is their "tolerance", oh, Muslims are rioting because they feel "oppressed"? How is their nation healthcare, oh, floundering? Gee, that whole socialism thing is failing AGAIN. Why is it that liberation theology (A.K.A. socialism, Marxism, communism) wants to bang its head against the same wall as Russian, France, Germany, Cuba, China, and Korea? They all failed. Oh, some of you don't believe it? Let's look at each one: Russia- no longer exists. France and Germany- I addressed that. Cuba- why do all their people risk life and limb to sail seventy miles on crappy boats to come to the U.S.? China- don't they oppress Christians, martyr, and maim them? Korea- same deal. Wow, you were right, socialism DOES work.
Now, why do I go to all this trouble of explaining the economics and anti-Christian stances behind all of these countries? Because I care for the poor in a better way than you (the left) do. When there are more jobs those who are poor can more easily find employment, there is more money then going into charity (when the economy is up people give more), there is also more money coming in from taxes (come on true leftists, you should LOVE that) which means more money to the welfare, Medicaid, Medicare, and food stamps systems, and more money in tithing so churches can send missionaries to all of these oppressed nations you claim you love so much.
Really, if you believe in liberation theology, you should seek to overthrow oppressive dictatorships in South America, the Phillippines, Korea, Vietnam, the Middle East, and Cuba so that their people can thrive by working and bringing money into their country.
Idealistically, you (the left) have a wonderful plan- really, I am not being sarcastic. However, in reality, my stance is more practical and therefore, better. Yes, everyone should be a Christian, sell all of their possessions and give to the poor- but they're not and never will be. I really want to help the poor and do as much as I can- now, think about, do you? |
posted by D.M. @ 7:16 AM  |
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| 6 Comments: |
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Devin,
I would invite you to check out by blog www.realmealministries.org
Several weeks back I blogged a lecture entitled "Holiness and the Mission of the People of God". It is not about liberation theology, but it was written in part to focus on the reality of salvation. The best critique of liberation theology is that it focuses on the need of liberation more than on the goal of liberation which is to embrace the mission of God by living in authentic community and reflecting God's character to the world. The message of the Bible is not merely about liberation from...it is about liberation for.
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I could contend that Pure Capitalism with no retraints, is just as much of a problem as liberation theology. Pure capitalism gives birth to abuse of child labor, subjugation of the poor and middle class, and excess greed (think industrial revolution era). I'm not so convinced capitalism is the answer because it relies so heavily upon greed. However, in lieu of the current conditions of other economic systems, I see no better choice. Which evil is the least evil?
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The Reasons why I disagree with Kevin (and the Truth Scout)
1) Pure Capitalism does NOT give birth to child labour, parents letting their kids go to work in the factory does. It was the free market that moved us from child labour to finely tuned machines to do a much better job.
2) Pure capitalism does NOT subjugate the poor. The free market gives opportunity to those that are willing to take risks and make the life that they want, rich and poor alike.
3) Kevin uses the term GREED to describe what should be called self interest. Greed is a term that carries with is so much baggage and is in a way a trump, b/c everyone agrees that to be greedy is bad. However we all do things that are in our own self interest. The reason that the free market works for everyone is that when someone makes a decision in self interest it’s someone else’s gain. E.G I want to sell fruit at the farmers market, I sell someone buys. I have a dollar and the buyer has some fruit. No force was used.
We both win.
So instead of resigning to capitalism, lets celebrate b/c all the other economic systems have shown us how that the more you get in the way mans attempts to make his own life better on his own the worse off things get.
As for the truth scout, Scout said“ I'm opposed to any use of force to impose one's mindset on another…” But in the same breath Scout says for “ I do believe in redistribution of prosperity’ So I have to ask how are you going to redistribute my prosperity if I don’t want to give it up? I believe that the choice between paying your taxes and going to jail is a use of force. Also there was the comment about "a fair days work should bring a fairs day wage” I hope that the truth scout can define what a FAIR wage is? I think that if someone is willing to exchange their time for an established amount of money then it must seem fair to them at that time or they would be doing something else.
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A couple thoughts:
1) The playing field is NOT level, even in today's "free" market. The property and capital that people currently own (or do not own) was not always justly acquired (ask Native "Americans"). "Ok, you have no land and no home, but it's the free market, you gotta make your way starting today." That's absurd. The Jubilee in the OT was designed to stop such disparities over a long-term based on lack of capital. Without money, it's hard to make money.
2) I've heard neo-classical economists babble on about a "fair" wage. "Well, a fair wage is subjective, so what's the point in trying to define it." Absurdity. If you make $1 day (even from a "willing" exchange of time / labor), you will probably go hungry. With government intervention (unenforced property rights, favoring certain businesses over others, stealing land from indiginous people), the option of a "willing" exchange is NOT the norm in the rest of the world. For many, it is the ONLY choice. "Well, if they don't like sweat shops, why don't they leave?" Lots of Americans do not understand a life without choices and options.
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Two responses to Adam:
1) If the playing field is not level (which I never said it was) it is has nothing to do with the market. The environment that people do business in is for various reason controlled by the government, therefore there are certain restrictions that are applied (taxes, tariffs, registrations, OSHA, EPA, access to private property "red tape") that makes the playing field tilt in favor of those business that can navigate the madness. Yeah it's true that it is hard to make money without capital but so what? Lots of things are hard and take lots of work. So how ever absurd you think it is it has worked all over the world.
There is no other system that allows people write their own future like the Free Market.
2) While you may call it "babble" you have yet to define what a "fair" wage is...
All the exchanges between employee/employer is willing unless it is forced (physically not circumstantially) no matter where in the world is it, or how bad the wages are. Also while there may be a lack of choices that has very little to do with the market. You have to ask why are there a lack of choices?
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Dwayne:"it has worked all over the world.
There is no other system that allows people write their own future like the Free Market."
Me: it has "worked?" How so? Are capitalist nations like the U.S. really better off today? And what Free Market? We aren't free, economically, socially, theologically...the US hasn't been a true free market for years. Yeah, we have a bit of economic prosperity. "Stuff" is abundant. But has it worked? To what end? What future are we wanting people to write? The American Dream... What dream? It's false advertising my friend. Wake up...look around. Listen to the broken masses.
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Name: D.M.
Home: Overland Park, Kansas, United States
About Me: I've lived at least 5 years in the last two but come out. After trials of fire and flame we are marching on and if we don't take the world we'll sure as heck die trying.
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Devin,
I would invite you to check out by blog www.realmealministries.org
Several weeks back I blogged a lecture entitled "Holiness and the Mission of the People of God". It is not about liberation theology, but it was written in part to focus on the reality of salvation. The best critique of liberation theology is that it focuses on the need of liberation more than on the goal of liberation which is to embrace the mission of God by living in authentic community and reflecting God's character to the world. The message of the Bible is not merely about liberation from...it is about liberation for.