You have seen it before. If someone cannot get their way, they at least make sure someone else does not get theirs...
Well, on a grander scale, that is CLEARLY what is going on with this Republican-dominated Congress.
They have done EVERYTHING to slow or stop the recovery of our economy for ONE REASON - to make this President appear to fail.
They have done EVERYTHING they could to repeal the ACA, which promises to help millions of our citizens with much needed healthcare.
They have done EVERYTHING they could to keep people unemployed...
to take away unemployment benefits...
to take food out of children's mouths...
to keep nominees from being appointed...
to help the wealthy not have to pay taxes, while taking away from the poor and claiming to desire to balance the budget...
to strip away educational advances...
to eliminate, rather than create jobs here at home...
to strip away any workers' rights or power, giving business owners, exec's, managers free reign...
to obstruct any progress and de-construct any progress that HAS been made...
TO DISCREDIT THIS PRESIDENT (gee, still trying to figure out why they hate HIM so much)
TO KEEP THE MIDDLE CLASS POWERLESS
TO KEEP THE POOR DOWN
TO HURT BLACK AND BROWN SISTERS AND BROTHERS
TO KEEP ALL THE POWER AND WEALTH FOR THEMSELVES AND THOSE LIKE THEM...
and STILL people support them, some even while claiming to follow JESUS... really??????
If you have never voted in a mid-term election before...
REMEMBER 2010 and VOTE!!!!!!!
The lives of MANY and the SOUL OF AMERICA lie in the balance!
Pastor Jamie
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
Class Warfare
I am alternately amused and angered over claims that resistance to rampant greed constitute "class warfare" and accusations about some wanting to "redistribute the wealth".
I am amused, because until now, it has been, not a war, but a massacre. No one has fought back regarding the inequities of class in America.
I am angered, because so many people have been hurt for so long that it has become the "norm" in American economics, and it should not be the norm anywhere.
In 1981 (yes, Reagan), de-regulation by government, privatization of mental health, privatization of other institutions and industries became the way of making money for some on the backs of others. Hiring people only part-time to avoid paying benefits became popular. Laying people off so that there is more profit for stock-holders and owners, and bonuses for CEO's who did the lay-offs became the norm. Sending jobs overseas for cheap labor, cheap natural resources and unregulated pollution became the norm. Cutting quality benefits and then benefits at all became the norm. Attacks on organized labor that stood up to the greed of management and balanced the power for workers was the norm, even to the point of gutting the power of unions. The cry to cut programs that helped the unemployed and the poorest in our society became louder, claiming that it was to balance the budget, while lessening the taxes paid by the wealthiest Americans toward our budget and getting ourselves into military conflicts that cost trillions of dollars and thousands of lives, and which also produced more enemies around the globe. By these efforts, perfected in the Bush Administration(s), wealth was effectively re-distributed from the middle-class, now marginally poor class, to those already wealthy. It was class warfare on the poor and middle class, but because the progressives were silent, the church was silent and the population, focused on getting a little more for themselves and hoping someday to be in the 1% club, were silent, it was a massacre and not a war.
Now, when anyone talks about making opportunities for economic stability more possible for more of the population, those with the power and wealth cry, "Class Warfare" and that in some "socialistic" fashion, the evil capitalism haters want to "re-distribute the wealth", as if that is not exactly what they have been doing, at will with no resistance, for over 32 years.
Yes. It is time to make things more equitable in our country.
Yes. It is time for us to stop being massacred economically, racially and on other battle lines, and engage in CLASS WARFARE, fighting back with liberty and justice for ALL.
Yes. It is time that WE THE PEOPLE, re-distribute the POSSIBILITY OF WEALTH in this nation.
You see, laissez-faire capitalism is NOT Democracy. In fact, as more politicians are bought by those in power and wealth, and as the Supreme Court is appointed by those who favor wealth and power over others, and as the rules are stacked against the poor and middle class - made by the wealthy and powerful, and as those with power and wealth consistently, persistently and systematically take away the rights of those who are poor, mostly brown and black to vote, it is clear that laissez-faire capitalism is ANTI-DEMOCRACY... GREED is a horrible principle upon which a nation lives, LUST FOR POWER and WEALTH is a horrible guiding principle for a nation. It leads us to... well... the immoral and unethical state in which we now live.
RE-DISTRIBUTE the POSSIBILITY of economic stability in this nation.
Engage in assertive, non-violent CLASS WARFARE.
That is true, Democratic Patriotism.
Pastor Jamie
I am amused, because until now, it has been, not a war, but a massacre. No one has fought back regarding the inequities of class in America.
I am angered, because so many people have been hurt for so long that it has become the "norm" in American economics, and it should not be the norm anywhere.
In 1981 (yes, Reagan), de-regulation by government, privatization of mental health, privatization of other institutions and industries became the way of making money for some on the backs of others. Hiring people only part-time to avoid paying benefits became popular. Laying people off so that there is more profit for stock-holders and owners, and bonuses for CEO's who did the lay-offs became the norm. Sending jobs overseas for cheap labor, cheap natural resources and unregulated pollution became the norm. Cutting quality benefits and then benefits at all became the norm. Attacks on organized labor that stood up to the greed of management and balanced the power for workers was the norm, even to the point of gutting the power of unions. The cry to cut programs that helped the unemployed and the poorest in our society became louder, claiming that it was to balance the budget, while lessening the taxes paid by the wealthiest Americans toward our budget and getting ourselves into military conflicts that cost trillions of dollars and thousands of lives, and which also produced more enemies around the globe. By these efforts, perfected in the Bush Administration(s), wealth was effectively re-distributed from the middle-class, now marginally poor class, to those already wealthy. It was class warfare on the poor and middle class, but because the progressives were silent, the church was silent and the population, focused on getting a little more for themselves and hoping someday to be in the 1% club, were silent, it was a massacre and not a war.
Now, when anyone talks about making opportunities for economic stability more possible for more of the population, those with the power and wealth cry, "Class Warfare" and that in some "socialistic" fashion, the evil capitalism haters want to "re-distribute the wealth", as if that is not exactly what they have been doing, at will with no resistance, for over 32 years.
Yes. It is time to make things more equitable in our country.
Yes. It is time for us to stop being massacred economically, racially and on other battle lines, and engage in CLASS WARFARE, fighting back with liberty and justice for ALL.
Yes. It is time that WE THE PEOPLE, re-distribute the POSSIBILITY OF WEALTH in this nation.
You see, laissez-faire capitalism is NOT Democracy. In fact, as more politicians are bought by those in power and wealth, and as the Supreme Court is appointed by those who favor wealth and power over others, and as the rules are stacked against the poor and middle class - made by the wealthy and powerful, and as those with power and wealth consistently, persistently and systematically take away the rights of those who are poor, mostly brown and black to vote, it is clear that laissez-faire capitalism is ANTI-DEMOCRACY... GREED is a horrible principle upon which a nation lives, LUST FOR POWER and WEALTH is a horrible guiding principle for a nation. It leads us to... well... the immoral and unethical state in which we now live.
RE-DISTRIBUTE the POSSIBILITY of economic stability in this nation.
Engage in assertive, non-violent CLASS WARFARE.
That is true, Democratic Patriotism.
Pastor Jamie
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
inequity
In 1988, the top 1% of population economically,
took/received 12% of the nation's income
and controlled 33% of the nation's wealth
Today, the top 1% of the population economically,
take/receive nearly 25% of the nation's income
and control 40% of the nation's wealth.
It is heading in the wrong direction for a democracy
of the PEOPLE, by the PEOPLE, for the PEOPLE-
ALL of us... don't you think?
Our nation's population is 317,267,000 today.
3,172,670 people receive all that wealth and control all
that wealth,
YET, rather than tax them what is fair for them to pay,
we are cutting Unemployment and Unemployment
Insurance for 1,000,000 people who are struggling...
at the insistence of Republicans in Congress
we are cutting food stamps to 48,000,000 people in the
amount of $76.4 billion,
at the insistence of Republicans in Congress.
What's wrong with this picture?
Of WHAT people, by WHAT people, for WHAT people?
It is time for peaceful, insistent revolution.
It is time that ALL the people be represented and thrive.
It is time for us to demand that and vote for it.
Pastor Jamie
took/received 12% of the nation's income
and controlled 33% of the nation's wealth
Today, the top 1% of the population economically,
take/receive nearly 25% of the nation's income
and control 40% of the nation's wealth.
It is heading in the wrong direction for a democracy
of the PEOPLE, by the PEOPLE, for the PEOPLE-
ALL of us... don't you think?
Our nation's population is 317,267,000 today.
3,172,670 people receive all that wealth and control all
that wealth,
YET, rather than tax them what is fair for them to pay,
we are cutting Unemployment and Unemployment
Insurance for 1,000,000 people who are struggling...
at the insistence of Republicans in Congress
we are cutting food stamps to 48,000,000 people in the
amount of $76.4 billion,
at the insistence of Republicans in Congress.
What's wrong with this picture?
Of WHAT people, by WHAT people, for WHAT people?
It is time for peaceful, insistent revolution.
It is time that ALL the people be represented and thrive.
It is time for us to demand that and vote for it.
Pastor Jamie
Saturday, December 14, 2013
For the record
Read the Gospels. It will take you maybe four evenings. Concentrate on what Jesus is witnessed as SAYING and DOING, what Jesus commanded (Imperative mood statements), taught and exemplified. What you will find...
Jesus said NOTHING about homosexuality.
Jesus said A LOT about...
Greed
Abuses of Power
Inequities of Power
Kingdom of God Values
Generosity
Judging others
Forgiveness
Compassion
Loving neighbor
Loving enemy
Helping those in need
Actively lifting others up
Being Gracious and Merciful
Being Hospitable
Giving based on others' need and not their merit
Denying self
Following what HE taught, commanded, exemplified
Jesus was NOT a Capitalist, a political or social conservative, American or Caucasian
Re-read what the one you call "Savior", who is LORD, the fulfiller of Law and Prophets,
taught and exemplified in the Gospels...
Then, follow what Jesus taught in how you live in the world...
It is pretty simple, really, just HARD TO LIVE...
this world NEEDS people who will live what Jesus taught and exemplified...
Pastor Jamie
Jesus said NOTHING about homosexuality.
Jesus said A LOT about...
Greed
Abuses of Power
Inequities of Power
Kingdom of God Values
Generosity
Judging others
Forgiveness
Compassion
Loving neighbor
Loving enemy
Helping those in need
Actively lifting others up
Being Gracious and Merciful
Being Hospitable
Giving based on others' need and not their merit
Denying self
Following what HE taught, commanded, exemplified
Jesus was NOT a Capitalist, a political or social conservative, American or Caucasian
Re-read what the one you call "Savior", who is LORD, the fulfiller of Law and Prophets,
taught and exemplified in the Gospels...
Then, follow what Jesus taught in how you live in the world...
It is pretty simple, really, just HARD TO LIVE...
this world NEEDS people who will live what Jesus taught and exemplified...
Pastor Jamie
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Profit Principle
When profit is your only principle,
when more for self is what primarily drives you,
then what you put out in the world around you will be
exploitative, predatory and anti-Christ.
When your only concern or chief concern is more for self and those just like you,
then you are unable to see the negative effects of your practices in the world around you,
or being able to see, you will be unable to care.
When the driving force in your life is obtaining more, always more,
then what you will have less of is compassion, empathy or love for others.
Greed, lust for power and desire for prestige and position
are very self-oriented, and exclusionary by nature... it is always "more than",
because there are limited resources... it is always power over others... always
more prestige than or position over someone else... that which puts one "over"
others flies in the face of the teachings and examples of Jesus.
It is impossible to both, give our devotion to these idols (self), and live
the Agape Love (active commitment on behalf of the other) that Jesus
commanded. It is therefore impossible to claim the name of Jesus in any
genuine way, and live out of the principle of "more for self" above all else...
There are MANY, therefore, who believe they are sheep of the Shepherd,
who will find out they are goats, I am afraid, because their idolatry of self
has prevented them from feeding the hungry, drink to the thirsty, welcome to
resident strangers in the land, clothing the naked, care for the sick and visiting
those in prison (Matthew 25:31-46)... they do not "Go, and do likewise" as
Jesus commanded that we do for those who are beaten down and need us to
go the extra mile and pay the price for their recovery (Luke 10:25-37)...
We are lesser humans when our development of compassion and empathy is
arrested. We are NOT Christians if we do not follow the teachings and
commandments of The Christ. And what we give, is what we will get, as
individuals, political parties, church congregations and bodies and as a
nation.
When our guiding principle is profit over people... more for self and those
like us... we are much to be pitied. We just don't realize it... YET.
Pastor Jamie
when more for self is what primarily drives you,
then what you put out in the world around you will be
exploitative, predatory and anti-Christ.
When your only concern or chief concern is more for self and those just like you,
then you are unable to see the negative effects of your practices in the world around you,
or being able to see, you will be unable to care.
When the driving force in your life is obtaining more, always more,
then what you will have less of is compassion, empathy or love for others.
Greed, lust for power and desire for prestige and position
are very self-oriented, and exclusionary by nature... it is always "more than",
because there are limited resources... it is always power over others... always
more prestige than or position over someone else... that which puts one "over"
others flies in the face of the teachings and examples of Jesus.
It is impossible to both, give our devotion to these idols (self), and live
the Agape Love (active commitment on behalf of the other) that Jesus
commanded. It is therefore impossible to claim the name of Jesus in any
genuine way, and live out of the principle of "more for self" above all else...
There are MANY, therefore, who believe they are sheep of the Shepherd,
who will find out they are goats, I am afraid, because their idolatry of self
has prevented them from feeding the hungry, drink to the thirsty, welcome to
resident strangers in the land, clothing the naked, care for the sick and visiting
those in prison (Matthew 25:31-46)... they do not "Go, and do likewise" as
Jesus commanded that we do for those who are beaten down and need us to
go the extra mile and pay the price for their recovery (Luke 10:25-37)...
We are lesser humans when our development of compassion and empathy is
arrested. We are NOT Christians if we do not follow the teachings and
commandments of The Christ. And what we give, is what we will get, as
individuals, political parties, church congregations and bodies and as a
nation.
When our guiding principle is profit over people... more for self and those
like us... we are much to be pitied. We just don't realize it... YET.
Pastor Jamie
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