Do What We’ve Always Done?

It may not come as a surprise to most readers of this blog that the presidential election did not go my way. And I’m not encouraged by the choices for government leadership made by the winner nor by the chances they’ll make America “great again” let alone better.

But first, a disclaimer. Despite the above paragraph, this blog is not about politics. It’s a look at the condition of the country and the world and how it affects the outlook and the work facing those of us seeking God. I’m concerned about following the gospel message. But in case you haven’t noticed, politics and ethical and moral issues often overlap.

People who share my views of the election results can’t stop asking themselves how it happened. Why did so many people, especially those who are at the bottom of the economic ladder, vote for what appears to be against their interests?   

A recent article in America magazine helps answer this question.

Increasingly Precarious

“American workers are in an increasingly precarious condition,” according to a review of the book, Tyranny, Inc. “Almost 80 percent of low-wage workers are offered no sick days by their employer. Over half of them have no retirement plan.

“Millions of employees cannot afford to save any money for retirement and will have to depend on a retirement income from Social Security, but it is virtually impossible to live on its meager benefits. Reports of an improving economy mean next to nothing to millions of workers and retirees.”

For those of us who live comfortably, these data may come as a surprise. We don’t have severe economic problems and see the people who do only when they wait our tables, replace our roofs, fix our streets and sidewalks, and haul away our garbage.

If government continues favoring the wealthy and corporations, which appears to be the case when both parties are in power, more and more people are going to be frustrated with our political system, and more are going to be looking for unwelcome solutions.

Explosive Situation?

A similar observation could be made about the international scene, where the have-nots are struggling to get into countries where the economic outlook may be better. In general, this translates into many people in the global south trying to enter the global north. It’s an explosive situation, in my view.

Americans and northern Europeans constantly complain about immigrants and about people who need public assistance. But the underlying problem is the severe inequality that doesn’t seem to bother us in the least.

So, what’s the solution? I’m not sure, but I am certain that the least favorable solution is to continue to do what we’re doing now, which is close to nothing. We ignore inequality and the suffering of millions. We go about our business without feeling responsibility. Indifference reigns.

One of the most popular suggestions is that private entities, such as church organizations and other national and international organizations, should provide help, and that government should have a minor, if any, role. But the problem is way too big for private solutions. A different mindset is needed, one that not only focuses on the economic and social problems, but on the moral and the ethical. How can we who are searching for God allow people on the edges of the economy to suffer?

No Matter the Party

People sincerely searching for God must vote for people who will tackle these problems, – principally inequality and lack of recognition of the dignity of all human beings – no matter the party. And we must identify and work toward social and economic justice.

I know, these look like pie-in-the-sky, Pollyanna ideas, but for those seeking God – at least in the Christian tradition – there’s no room for cynicism. Christianity is a religion whose founder and leader identified with the poor, saying that whatever we do for the least among us we do for him. He preached compassion and love and told stories that showed his preference for the poor. Can we who want to follow him do any less?

So, while we’re waiting for governments to act, we should do all we can to help change the culture and the reality. We can volunteer to help organizations that help the poor and marginalized and we can contribute to domestic and international organizations that provide aid.