Cost is no mark of quality
Print Friendly Version| From Where I Stand by Joan Chittister, OSB | October 7, 2008 |
| Vol. 6, No. 9 |
This is, they tell us over and over again, "The most important presidential election in our lifetime." And they may well be right. After all, we are fighting two wars and facing the biggest economic meltdown since the Great Depression of 1929. If that weren't enough, we have major social issues -- health, education, job creation, energy -- to deal with on the side. Not to mention an obligation to be a good citizen of the planet, as well.
We might be tempted to think, in the light of such agendas, that we need to hear from as many voices on every major subject as we can before we choose to commit ourselves to any of them. The decisions we make now might well mark this country for decades to come. So, spending a little more time on them in the course of a national election might be a good idea. After all, we spend millions of dollars and months of time on the process. You'd think we'd want as broad a discussion as we could get.
There are, after all, a diversity of political opinions -- as diverse as the country itself.
According to one presidential candidate, for instance, "The trade between the United States and Cuba should be the same as it is between the United States and China."
According to another, the death penalty should be replaced with life imprisonment and the country should require DNA testing prior to any federal executions.
One of them completely rejects the very idea of a missile defense shield.
Two of them have no position at all on the outsourcing of U.S. jobs.
One says quite clearly: "I oppose any law requiring registration of, or restricting the ownership, manufacture, or transfer or sale of firearms or ammunition to law-abiding citizens."
Most of those ideas differ a bit from the standard stump speech of the major campaigns. In fact, they represent different political philosophies entirely.
The argument for raising the blockade against Cuba, for instance, comes from Ralph Nader, an Independent Party candidate. Independents argue that international division is a strategy used by Republicans to control of people and maintain political power. We never debate Cuba at all anymore, however. We simply maintain the embargo. But neutral people may want to hear a discussion of how we ourselves can continue to use Guantanamo to hold and torture people illegally and call the Cubans a threat?
The argument for eliminating the death penalty comes from Cynthia McKinney of the Green Party in an era when more death penalty convictions are doubtful than sure and DNA tests exist that could conceivably correct many of them. Nevertheless, only the United States and 19 other nations of the world -- among them Afghanistan, China, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia and Yemen -- continue to adhere to the practice of capital punishment while we watch the national crime rates rise despite it.
The argument against building a missile defense shield in former Soviet states comes from Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party. He says we have no clear data that proves such weapons are necessary to the defense of the country -- no small question in a time of economic chaos.
The complete rejection of gun control legislation -- a subject always present in a presidential election but seldom fully debated or polled or submitted to public referendum -- comes from Bob Barr of the Libertarian Party.
And Barack Obama of the Democratic Party is neither clearly pro or con on the issue of whether or not the outsourcing of jobs to other countries is good for the United States. John McCain, Republican, on the other hand, sees outsourcing of U.S. jobs as economically desirable. How these distinctly different positions will affect the U.S. economy at a time of great economic uncertainty is both unclear and unstated.
While all these issues and multiple others fester in the heart of the society, ( see 2008election.procon.org) few are raised to the level of public consciousness, let alone debate, because the third party candidates who espouse them seldom get the attention it takes to raise them. They get little or no newspaper coverage, almost no television interviews, limited public engagements -- even in the university system -- and pathetically little in the public funding it takes to mount billboards, buy posters, hire staff, open election campaign headquarters and purchase TV time. And they never get to participate in publicly funded debates.
There are Internet sites available, of course. That's where I found these materials, for instance. But starting to count from myself on, I couldn't help but wonder how many of those sites are being read every day while the TV attack ads of the big spenders play quietly in the background?
Tell me again: Anyone can be president in the United States of America? Really? Well, if this election is any indicator, the truth is "not unless s/he can raise at least $300 million." But if the presidency is up for the highest bidder, what kind of presidency or plutocracy will we have in years to come?
These other candidates fulfill all the requirements required of a presidential candidacy. They even get their names on the ballot but they get little or none of the public money it takes to bring other serious issues to serious attention. Then the very quality of the election process itself begins to erode.
From where I stand, it looks as if we miss a lot of ideas because people can't afford to raise them. But as more and more situations in this country -- war, crime, finances, international relations and social infrastructure -- change the character of this country, the question becomes less can they afford to raise them as it is can we afford to go on missing them?
| Archives | Signup for Weekly E-mail |
If I don’t know what I’m
If I don’t know what I’m talking about, Butterfly, I’m hardly the only one here who doesn’t.
I have to admit it’s a tough business challenging the progressive fundamentalism at this web address. Still, it’s worth the effort despite the insults.
Simonn
I listened to the two main
I listened to the two main presidential candidates debate and was angered by McCain's comment to Joe the Plumber that Obama wants to take his (Joe's) money and spread the wealth around. While I realize that the capitalist works hard to make money, I disagree with the thought that the enterprising businesspeople get to keep all of that money. They should pay taxes to the same extent that the rest of us poor folks do. I make my point by Buffet's own research that he pays less in taxes than his own employees, while he makes many times more than any of them. Obama has said on many occasions that as a "wealthy" person he is willing to pay more/ his fair share. Why aren't others, I wonder?
It's not a religious but a moral belief that we take care of one another. Those that can do more, should do more, not less. I don't know what religious or political affiliation that makes me, but I know who I'm voting for.
Should we have an election
Should we have an election czar laying down the agenda of issues for discussion and then policing the candidates to make sure they stick to it? Just asking.
Joe536
Joe536, the people should be
Joe536, the people should be the "election czar". They should be making sure the voices of all are heard.
But in the stead of civil discourse, we have marketing schemes. Several years ago in my community I participated in a smoking ordinance (to eliminate smoking in restaurants). It was a telling experience. We were given speaking points and encouraged to stick to them because they had been vetted for language and perspective. They weren't bad talking points and I wasn't being asked to say things I implicitly disagreed with but they were designed to narrow the discussion, not expand it.
What you see is a marketing approach to every candidate and every race in America. And when you have two party candidates, who because they are purchased by the same big-business interests by the exorbitant cost of campaigns, agree to stick to a limited issues focus,a lot of voices go unheard.
Everyone here should go listen to Thursday's Democracy Now segment. http://www.democracynow.org/shows/2008/10/16
Host Amy Goodman echoes questions asked to Obama and McCain and puts them to Nader and McKinney. You may agree or disagree but they expose the implicit agreement of the two main parties to talk about a narrowly defined agenda. The best example of this came when they talked about the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. McCain pointed out he was for it. Obama said he was against it because labor leaders in Colombia are being murdered and there has been no effort to deal with that. Nader said we shouldn't be negotiating free trade agreements; we should be negotiating _fair trade_ agreements. He then talked about how workers in those countries are controlled to work for $.50/hr and that created goods that American producers could not compete with. Now that's a discussion worth having but it was not engendered or alluded to when the two major party candidates talked about international trade.
Now candidly, I will admit that I won't be changing my vote to Nader or McKinney. I'm not ruling it out for the future. But we the people need to demand divserse voices be heard and we need to quit being such complicit marketing strategy _marks_. Joe, we need to become the elections czars.
Dear Sr. Joan, Now more then
Dear Sr. Joan, Now more then ever this country is teetering on the brink of catastrophic peril and no one seems to be concerned to the point of saying "enough is enough". We go along our merry way thinking we are the United States of America and all will be well again. The Light is missing. How often do you hear a politician ask those whose vote they seek to pray for her/him? It does not happen. We have come to the point that PRIDE RULES ALL!! Almighty God can and will help if only we ask HIM! How about requesting the leadership in Washington to call for a National Week of Prayer and soon? Request the President organize Representatives from all religions to come together to ask for God's help. Use the same urgency as the recent bailout of Wall Street employed! It is not too late but soon it will be!!
Denouncing arrogant elitism
Denouncing arrogant elitism while blogging as "enlightenedcatholicism"?
You take the cake, Colkoch.
Simonn
Elections are about winning,
Elections are about winning, and this means a candidate has to define the issues that win for him (or her) and to try to get by without discussing them in any more detail than necessary. Better to say too little than too much, so as to give an opponent fewer openings to hit back.
If Obama can ride to victory on a mantra of hope and change, providing little or no content, more power to him. He’s a politician doing what politicians have always done and will always do.
MinnyW
The same can be said for
The same can be said for McCain riding the horse of hate and violence in an effort to win. A victory his own campaign staff has admitted he cannot win on his merits and his record. It is indeed a sad day for our country, and a sad day for our church. Sad that the Magisterial leadership is trying to force and intimidate the laity into voting a candidate into office whose platform is hate, violence and deceit. Do you suppose that is because McCain's platform is also the bishopric platform: hate, violence and deceit?
One has to wonder why the Magisterial is so frightened of Obama and the democratic party. Could it be that under the democratic leadership they are facing the prospect of having their actions revealed and the prospect of being held fully accountable for their actions?
When we review history, we see that under the clinton administration, the pedophile scandal which the bishopric successfully hid during republican administrations was finally brought out into the light for everyone to see. It was a sad day indeed when we learned what our leadership was really about.
What other scandals are poised to be revealed, scandals that the bishopric have orchestrated and now are doing their best to hide.
I believe that the hype about abortion is a smoke screen, nothing more. A desperate last ditch attempt to divert our attention and to cover up hideous behavior that will turn the stomachs of those who are truly faithful to Christ.
The polls are showing an interesting event. There are almost as many "non-practicing" catholics in this country as there are "practicing" catholics. It is also showing a growing number of catholics in both camps that believe those in leadership have been lying to us. It is a sad day indeed.
I don't blog as
I don't blog as enlightedcatholicism. That's the name of the blog, that's not my name. Besides, I also mentioned malleable people who allow self styled philosopher/kings to snow them. Well, I more or less said that.
Now that I think about it, I might own up to a little arrogance, but never elitism. I like hockey, not yachting.
http://enlightenedcatholicism-colkoch.blogspot.com
Simonn, your comment clearly
Simonn, your comment clearly indicates you don't know what you are talking about. As such, your comment is nothing but the icing of arrogant elitism atop your cake of ignorance.
The media didn't give much
The media didn't give much air time to the fact that millions of Americans were calling and emailing their Congress people telling them NOT TO PASS THE 800 billion dollar give a way to the rich.
And when it failed to pass the first time and since it's proposal why didn't the Democrats present their own Plan of REAL ECONOMIC STIMULATION by presenting a proposal to give the giveaway to the people on the bottom of the economic scale instead of the TOP? Why buy worthless Paper and let the Corporations get away with stealing money from the American people by bankrupting our economy to line their billionaire pockets.
They said the bailout was equivalent to $4,000 dollars for every American in the country. Since ALL these Americans are paying the Tab, why not do a blanket distribution of Treasury department checks through the IRS to every man woman and child in the country?
THAT WOULD REVERSE THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL. Instead of trickle down economics we could try some trickle up economics. Let the greedy Corporations Crash and Burn. The remainder who used sound practices could take advantages of the jump started economy.
Instead of Retailers looking at a dismal Christmas season, they would be looking at record sales. The confidence in the economy would REALLY be boosted. It's big economic systems failed, smaller entrepreneurs could rise to the demand. The Consumer spending by such a stimulus package would increase jobs in manufacturing. A New Housing market would be established on a new base. County coffers would pickup on more business taxes from increased Sales Tax Revenue. The new jobs would input more money into the revived economy. And it would turn around. LET the Big Greedy Banker Boys bite the dust and with the 800 billion distribution to the bottom of the economy the banks that retain their customers trust will grow in assets and the credit that runs the economy can come from them as they grow with the New Economic Growth.
It's not brain surgery. Why can The People see the answer that the Politicians turn a blind eye too? The TOP scares them and then screws them. See what happen the day after we gave them almost 900 billions dollars. The market went down almost seven hundred points. The Rich did their Money Grab anyway. Even though we gave them what they wanted. They got their Cake and Ate it too. When will we see there IS NO END TO THIER GREED?
We should put a Stop Payment on that Blank Check for worthless Paper and turn around and inject the same money into the bottom of the economy if we REALLY WANT TO TURN THIS ECONOMY AROUND!
The more we discover how much we are Loved by God, the more we want to do God's Will
agree entirely with Joer.
agree entirely with Joer. The 900 billion should go to the victim not the perpetrator, at least that's my reading of the scriptures and Christian Social Teaching.
Anyhow, where has the money gone that has been withdrawn from Wall St. and the banks? If the fat cats have not burnt it, it is still around somewhere. Under their beds?
Johnotomo
You're Right Johnotomo. You
You're Right Johnotomo.
You wrote:
"agree entirely with Joer. The 900 billion should go to the victim not the perpetrator, at least that's my reading of the scriptures and Christian Social Teaching.
Anyhow, where has the money gone that has been withdrawn from Wall St. and the banks? If the fat cats have not burnt it, it is still around somewhere. Under their beds?
Johnotomo"
Ever wonder why the sale of Luxury items goes UP when the economy goes down? When the economy goes bad the fat cats make more. Who ever shorted the market made a bundled. The thing you say about the victim makes sense. But Greed isn't based on the moral good. It's just about making money unfortunately. What adds insult to injury is the 900 billion is going to be paid for by the very victims the fat cats robbed! Through more taxes over time. It's just out and out robbery. And those who perpetrated the theft should be treated as thieves. IMHO.
God Bless and guide us all and let justice take it's course.
At some point in time this country has to value the moral good more than how much someone can take advantage of another!
The more we discover how much we are Loved by God, the more we want to do God's Will
"Was Plato right about the
"Was Plato right about the best government being one governed by Philosopher-Kings?"
I suspect this would be true if one was arrogant enough to think they belonged in that class, or malleable enough to be convinced by someone who was sure they were in that class.
http://enlightenedcatholicism-colkoch.blogspot.com
Very interesting article,
Very interesting article, however, Cynthia Mckinney is GREEN Party, not Constitution.
This Dove-Tails nicely
This Dove-Tails nicely with my criticism of the Conservative posture that we endure. I like to call them the Divine Right ! This Right of Kings from not so distant European history is directly responsible for the American Declaration of Independence and the French Revolution resulting in the emergence of the Enlightenment. Royalist mentalities didn't take long to rear their heads again and are stubbornly present in their demands upon us. Your observation about this bizarre Arrogation of influence and Power is spot on. Who in God's name do they think they are ? There is scant desire for conversation, and the inevitability of the permanent war mentality precludes a necessity for such as a trivial priority, how convenient. This is reminiscent of standard Corporate policy, the bottom line rules , evrything else is a distraction from the profit objective. Best of all , none of the officers can be held accountable, Hallelujah !
I visit your Blog regularly and enjoy the offerings and your dedication alot. I am currently in the process of upgrading my connectivity appliances, since my Pre-Cambrian resources have finally been nursed to their limits and are preparing to surrender to the forces of entropy. The near future should see universal access restored and a fresh encounter with Ecumenism embarked upon.
Sainthood for John the XXIII !!!
Katsommers: Thanks for
Katsommers: Thanks for pointing out the mistake. It was the editor's mistake, not the author.
The funny thing is that we just ran an interview with McKinney in the paper: Meet the Candidate: Cynthia McKinney
Dennis Coday, NCR cafe management
Once there was a Blog and
Once there was a Blog and nobody was there. Then there was a post and the Blog began anew.
Sister Joan, Your stories always strike a cord among the believers of Christ. And the faithful constituents of the Roman Catholic Church
God Bless you and your work Sister Joan.
The more we discover how much we are Loved by God, the more we want to do God's Will
Thank You sister. You speak
Thank You sister. You speak the truth again.
The media didn't give much air time to the fact that millions of Americans were calling and emailing their Congress people telling them NOT TO PASS THE 800 billion dollar give a way to the rich.
And when it failed to pass the first time and since it's proposal why didn't the Democrats present their own Plan of REAL ECONOMIC STIMULATION by presenting a proposal to give the giveaway to the people of he bottom of the economic scale instead of the TOP. Why buy worthless Paper and let the Corporations get away with stealing money from the American people by bankrupting our economy to line their billionaire pockets.
The said the bailout was equivalent to $4,000 dollars for every American in the country. Since ALL these American are paying the Tab why not do a blanket distribution of Treasury department checks through the IRS to every man woman and child in the country.
THAT WOULD REVERSE THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL. Instead of trickle down economics we could try some trickle up economics. Let the greedy Corporations Crash and Burn. The remainder who used sound practices could take advantages of the jump started economy.
Instead Retailers looking at a dismal Christmas season, they would be looking at record sales. The confidence in the economy would REALLY be boosted. It big economic systems failed smaller entrepreneurs could raise to the demand. The Consumer spending by such a stimulus package would increase jobs in manufacturing. A New Housing market would be established on a new base. County coffers would pickup on more taxes from increased Sales. The new jobs would input more money into the revived economy. And it would turn around. LET the Big Greedy Banker Boys bite the dust and with the 800 billion distribution to the bottom of the economy the banks that retain their customers trust will grow in assets and the credit that runs the economy can come from them as they grow with the New Economic Growth.
It's not brain surgery. Why can The People see the answer that the Politians turn a blind eye too? The TOP scares them and then screws them. See what happen the day after we gave them almost 900 billions dollars. The market went down almost seven hundred dollars. The Rich did their Money Grab anyway. Even though we gave them what they wanted. They got their Cake and Ate it too. When will we see there IS NO END TO THIER GREED?
We should put a Stop Payment on that Blank Check for worthless Paper and turn around and inject the same money into the bottom of the economy if we REALLY WANT TO TURN THIS ECONOMY AROUND.
The more we discover how much we are Loved by God, the more we want to do God's Will
Voters are creatures of the
Voters are creatures of the moment attracted to issues of the moment, unable, at any one moment, to know what advances their own ultimate good. And politicians are creatures of voters, led wherever voters lead them.
Was Plato right about the best government being one governed by Philosopher-Kings?
Simonn
I would say that Obama
I would say that Obama started from nothing and is only in the running now because he has convinced so many people to contribute to his campaign with their little bits of money. He got where he is because of his message of hope and change. His campaign continues to move only because the millions of people who want him contribute their hard-earned money to it. He is there because there are enough of us who want him there. The third party candidates could do the same but there messages usually do not resonate with the majority of the people. One good idea from one candidate is not enough if their other ideas are considered far fetched. Obama's message resonates extremely well and that is why he is where he is today.
The bishops will survive
The bishops will survive your anger, COL55, but will you?
I hope and pray you can come to terms with whatever is eating at you. It must be something pretty bad.
May you somehow, sometime, somewhere find peace of mind!
MinnyW