Robertson: Christians Should Oppose Occupy Wall Street — On The 700 Club today, Pat Robertson told a questioner that Christians should not be involved in the economic justice movement Occupy Wall Street. Robertson dubbed the protests “atavistic” and a “rebellion” with “no purpose” behind it. . . . . . . .
Look, Robertson really needs to retire. I am not a fan of the "economic justice movement" primarily because economic justice is not what the movement is all about. Rather, it is about power and the tearing down of this great country.
So, there you have it. Short and sweet and not a word about religion. Understand that when Robertson says what he says, he puts himself up as the arbitrator of what is right and wrong. I know lots of Christians who are into social and economic justice. They are not political wonks, however. And in that dialectic, there is the opportunity for a Christian to sincerely believe in much of the Leftist agenda, emphasis on "sincerely." I was a Democrat until after Carter. And the single thing I miss most about not being a Democrat is the feel good idealism that was at the center of that Party's political game. It is a good thing to want to help all who need help. It is a good thing to provide for those who have no clue how to move about as a member of the middle class.
Problem: there is not enough money in this world to be "fair" to all of the world's citizenry. Heck, there is not enough money to be fair to all the folks living in Compton. Economics must play a role. The goal of societal nirvana must be balanced over and against financial considerations and the creation of wealth.
It is my opinion that neither side has the answer. Perhaps it is found in the middle, somewhere. Or, is "the answer" found in the dynamics of the moment, a working answer today, not so much a year or a century form now? But my point is not to delve into the polemics of the debate, only to challenge the notion that the arena of ideas should be filled with folks from only one persuasions. The fact that Rev. Robertson adds a "divine" element is beside the point.
As alluded to in the above, the "solution" has, at least, two components to it. It is a shame that politics has to play a role but it does. Component number three !! ?? I think "yes."
Point of post: Robertson offers nothing that goes to a solution and, is therefore, irrelevant. In fact, he really does not understand the problems "economic justice" attempts to address. But, enough of Robertson's irrelevancy. On the other hand, we have those who believe that the historicity of this country is the problem. And the hungry remain without a meal and the idealist of the world, have no solutions. They are just hungry . . . . . . . . . . . . and sometimes cold or homeless, but, always, naive.
One thing for certain: we have Robertson and "they" have "Occupy."
As much as I hate Pat Robertson and everything that scumbag stands for I really liked this post of yours more than any other I have read. It may be the first time you made sense and didn't call people names. THE ANSWER is somewhere in the middle but the folks in Washington couldn't find a solution if it was written and presented to them in simple terms. They don't care. The people in Washington don't care about nor do they understand the people of this country.
ReplyDeleteI have three things for you to dismiss as leftist, marxists propaganda:
1. Warren Buffett, “I could end the deficit in 5 minutes,” he told CNBC. “You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election. The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971…before computers, e-mail, cell phones, etc. Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less to become the law of the land…all because of public pressure.
*Congressional Reform Act of 2011*
1. No Tenure / No Pension. A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.
2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.
3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.
4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.
7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term, then go home and back to work.
2. http://www.nationofchange.org/flat-tax-fraud-and-necessity-truly-progressive-tax-1319289260
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tnLz1oEOGI&feature=youtu.be
1. It is not name calling when it is true.
ReplyDelete2. I eased up on my rhetoric negatives a couple of weeks ago.
3. I have not checked out the links (#2 and #3.
4. The 7 points in your comments, are great. Most of this is wholly compatible with the TEA movement. In fact, I do not see anything they would disagree with. Great points, in my opinion.