Jesus - Joe the Plumber -Obama - and SocialismHow's that for a blog title? Over the past week I have heard at least half a dozen people say in one form or another that Barack Obama is a socialist. Of course when it has been said to me the word "socialist" is said with a lot of disdain. Here is a quote from one discussion I am a part of right now with someone that vehemently opposes Obama:
"He avoids talking about what he really believes in. What he wants is social change. That change will crush the economy. It will destroy jobs.It will get people laid off. And will make the number of poor go through the roof.And that is precisely what he wants to see happen - so the government he would then control, can gain more power. It's what socialists believe in.
Give me one reason to doubt that he is not a socialist - close to Marxist."
In the controversy over the now infamous "Joe the Plumber" Obama was quoted as saying, ""I think that, when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody." This quote (taken out of context by the way) sent conservative right wing commentators and pundits flying off the handle screaming "Obama's a socialist."
Let's stop for a minute and think about this. First of all, in theory I know what a socialist is. But for a better understanding I went to Wikipedia. Here is somewhat of an explanation:
Socialists mainly share the belief that
capitalism by nature concentrates power and wealth among a small segment of society that controls
capital, and creates an
unequal
society. All socialists advocate the creation of an egalitarian
society, in which wealth and power are distributed more evenly,
although there is considerable disagreement among socialists over how,
and to what extent this could be achieved.
Let me be clear, I know that socialism in its extreme form leads to communism and a governmental ruled society. We all know how that worked out for the Soviet Union, Cuba, and the like. Similarly, the basic tenets of Capitalism are also sound...when the wealthy are able to make money, it creates jobs and sustains a vibrant economy. However, I believe we are now reaping the results of the greed that takes hold under an unchecked, unregulated form of capitalism.
In regard to Socialism, I contend that the basis of socialist theory is actually very biblical.
Jesus' first sermon, is found in Luke 4 where He said,
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
In the original language Christ actually said to "proclaim the year of Jubilee!" The Jewish leaders in the synagogue that heard knew exactly what Christ was speaking of, it God's requirement of the nation of Israel that every 50 years all debts are cancelled and there was a distribution of the wealth to ensure that everyone had their fair share.
What I have heard Barack Obama regularly say is that there are going to be no easy fixes to the international, social, and economic problems facing our nation. He always adds that everyone is going to have to take a role in turning things around, and we are all going to have to pay our fair share. To me this does not sound like socialism, but like something Jesus would say.
Comments (2)
Preach it, Brother Dave! Thank you for your thoughts.
We are so quick to label people. Stereotyping is another word for it. Actually, that's the basis of prejudice and racism. We label so we can separate something out from the whole and understand it better; knowing what we are getting. It works great in a grocery store. We can see what it is we are buying and even find out all of the ingredients contained in it . . . by the label assigned to the product.
Well, it doesn't work that way with people. There are no labels that fit anyone and we can never break a person down to their basic ingredients and understand them thoroughly. We never fully know what we are getting.
In this blog and in previous blogs, you have illuminated labels like capitalist and socialist, liberal and conservative with a new light. In my last blog I quoted Jim Wallis as he shined a new light on the labels pro-life and pro-choice. We gotta learn to drop the labels if we are to learn from each other and understand each other AND if we are ever to accomplish any real change on real issues.
I'd be willing to venture a guess that labeling people furthers our ignorance of people and our ignorance as a people.
Charles Honey has a great editorial in this morning's paper titled, "I confess: I possess more than I need". A quote from his article:
"Yep, it's scary. Reality often is. But I remind myself my parents got through far worse with far less. And I remember the words of that annoying Jesus: 'A man's life does not consist of the abundance of his possessions'. We've had abundance aplenty in America. Most of us can do with a lot less and not end up in a soup line. Let's just hope we can face the new reality with more faith than fear."
I have heard Obama say on more than one occasion that in order to get this economy turned around, EVERY person is going to have to give a bit.
Yes, I work hard. Yes, I am thankful that I had the means to further my education. Thank you Lord, for all the ways you have blessed me, now let me bless others.