AS for jobs, of course there are jobs funded by government that are needed. Police, firemen, teachers, soldiers, and others. But they dont not produce wealth. They do not take a raw material add value to it. The USA would be much better if the portion of GDP supplied by total government spending was around 18% instead of the 37% as of last year.And what do government,church and and all those jobs and pay checks have to do? How is yours any better than that of somebody who sweeps the floor of the church? Or should that one be volunteer and yours paid for? I do not get what you are trying to say.
Well things have changed over time – some improvements (civil rights improvements and women’s right to vote) and some negative, like corporations gaining more influence and power (beyond what ordinary people have), but the original Constitution was set up for the rich, by the rich, and from what I’ve heard certain parties didn’t even want to include a Bill of Rights.Does the constitution really mean anything? Isn’t the law of the land really anything 5 out of 9 judges say it is despite the constitution?
See what I mean, I don’t consider Thomas White a leftist at all, more a centrist, actually more a Catholic.The myth that leftist, including you, propagate is that free markets have no regulations. …
Which country do you live in?See what I mean, I don’t consider Thomas White a leftist at all, more a centrist, actually more a Catholic.
It’s just that there has been an extreme shift to the right, so that nearly everything and everyone looks like at leftist, except the extreme extremists on the far-out right.
I apologize. I didn’t read your last paragraph.I honestly don’t understand what it is you are trying to say. How could my saying that supposed free markets are “indeed regulated” be understood as my propagating the myth that free markets have no regulations?
No…Are you trying to say we need to do away with many of the jobs that provide “wants”?
It’s okay. In truth, I don’t much care about politics and haven’t for a very long time. So, if in one’s view I’m a leftist, then so be it. I did my duty nearly half a century ago, know it well, so it matters not to me.I apologize. I didn’t read your last paragraph.
I was responding to this:
“Pope Francis opposes laissez-faire capitalism and unregulated markets, those markets that are in reality controlled by wealth and power”
I see what you mean now.AS for jobs, of course there are jobs funded by government that are needed. Police, firemen, teachers, soldiers, and others. But they dont not produce wealth. They do not take a raw material add value to it. The USA would be much better if the portion of GDP supplied by total government spending was around 18% instead of the 37% as of last year.
I am glad you and your wife have a job.The Pope is clearly anti-capitalistic. He have seldom ever spoken of the middle class. He comes from a country where the government is extremely corrupt. You can not have corporations unless there are people that work for them. I for one am very very very very glad there are corporations. I dont see them as a bad thing.
That’s fine, but you shouldn’t be attacking the jobs of others.No…
Nobody is talking about doing away with jobs. We need to work to provide for our families.
But when possible I tried to focus on problems and needs persons really had instead of creating the " need" so as to sell something,for instance.I ve always felt it as a waste ,but this is personal really. I would not like to be producing what I believe is pointless and leads us away from the important ,when I can be doing sth that is more useful for others.
So I ve always told my children that it is important to listen to their hearts when choosing their careers,university studies,but also to the needs of the people of their time,cause ultimately we are called to contribute for the good of all.And it is not a theory .they have a responsibility together with the possibility to study and work.
Does it help?
I believe that Pope Francis is a leftist. I know that he wants to serve Jesus and is doing what he thinks is right, but his world view has been formed in a leftist bubble.It’s okay. In truth, I don’t much care about politics and haven’t for a very long time. So, if in one’s view I’m a leftist, then so be it. I did my duty nearly half a century ago, know it well, so it matters not to me.
However…
“Pope Francis opposes laissez-faire capitalism and unregulated markets, those markets that are in reality controlled by wealth and power.”
I did write that quote. But perhaps before one terms a person a leftist for saying it, one ought to realize to whom it refers. Note the first two words of the quote.
He keeps striking me as perhaps being a Distributist in inclination, certainly not a socialist.This is patently false. The language is in no way socialist and it is certainly no different than the language that Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict used. I think that the one thing we learn is how wonderful the Holy Spirit is in giving us such wonderful popes.
Well, taking a look at your screen name, might I suggest that his economic views are pretty close to Chesterton’s. Chesterton was one of the founders of Distributism, and was accused of being a leftist in his day.I believe that Pope Francis is a leftist. I know that he wants to serve Jesus and is doing what he thinks is right, but his world view has been formed in a leftist bubble.
Pointing out environmental peril is fine. Embracing the left wing propaganda regarding AGW is not fine, it is dangerous and will hurt the poor.Well, taking a look at your screen name, might I suggest that his economic views are pretty close to Chesterton’s. Chesterton was one of the founders of Distributism, and was accused of being a leftist in his day.
Pointing out environmental peril shouldn’t be a left or right thing. Nowadays,somehow, it seems to be, as if an economic theory and environmental concerns necessarily are part and parcel of each other. They should not be.
And there are more than two economic theories around, socialism and capitalism. Our capitalism is corporate capitalism, and at one time Catholic thinkers weren’t so keen on it.
The Pope, as you note, wasn’t raised in a country that is as center right/right as ours, although it does have some very right wing politicians. I can’t see any Pope in the near future, however, that isn’t from a similar political background. We can certainly be surprised, however. Our own Bishops, however, are certainly not as “right” wing on many issues as might be supposed.
In matters of faith and morals, not in matters of science and economics.Is it possible, maybe, just maybe, the pope is also guided by the Holy Spirit? Imagine that…
The pope could be wrong on matters of economics, that does not mean that he is wrong. People sometimes act as if economics is settled science when the reality is that most issues are far from settled. The good thing about this pope is that he brings diversity to the table in terms of economic views.In matters of faith and morals, not in matters of science and economics.
I don’t see anything in his language that suggests he is not cognizant of the good things capitalism has done. Capitalism has resulting in good things and bad thing. There is nothing wrong with pointing out some of the problems associated with capitalism.He uses the language of the left. He doesn’t appreciate the reality that capitalism has lifted billions of people out of poverty because it is the most efficient economic system.
What diversity?The pope could be wrong on matters of economics, that does not mean that he is wrong. People sometimes act as if economics is settled science when the reality is that most issues are far from settled. The good thing about this pope is that he brings diversity to the table in terms of economic views.