Catholic Community of Pleasanton

Social Justice Newsletter Dec. 26, 2013

     LETTER TO THE EDITOR from Michael Cross

 

I listened to the video by Lawrence Lessig. I also read the article titled "Coalition to Work to Change How Political Campaigns are Financed." The video and article are backed by "Move on.org" and The League of Women Voters. Both great sites to gather information but also with a very real liberal slant. Any type of debate on any political issue should have both sides. He speaks of corporations as being evil giving enormous amounts of money yet not mentioning the amount of money unions give to campaigns. Both corporations and unions are nothing more that groups of people.
 
I am confused at how little knowledge the public understands the importance of corporations and small business. Many times they are vilified by the press. They are the country's live blood as business grows so does American  worker's salaries and benefits. Not to mention the reduction in the unemployment rate. As salaries rise and the unemployment rate reduces the government receives more revenue. This in itself helps the poor. We keep hearing it is not fair that the rich keep getting richer. Show me any socialistic country that does not have an upper class to run and make decisions for the country they feel are in the best interest for the rest of the population. I am sure their home or apartment are the same as the average person......so much for equality. At least we have an opportunity to better ourselves.
 
I decided to change careers to help make a difference and became a Jr. High counselor. It is the best career choice I could have made and enjoy it every day. I see much abuse and feel bad for many students. Society and the government can help somewhat but the students with active parents in general will have the best chance to be successful. I wonder what would happen if during collections on Sunday everyone would be required to put all their money in the  donation basket, then add up the money, divide it by the number of people in church, and then each person is given an equal amount. Is that fair? No one should have more than anyone else. Right?
 
I was enrolled in an executive MBA program when I decided to teach and I don't begrudge anyone for making more money, living in a bigger house, or being able to afford more luxurious vacations than I do. My fear is we will no longer be able to make those choices for ourselves.
 
For over forty years the Democratic party  have been in power in the large urban areas of the U.S. yet the worst schools, poorest neighborhoods, and highest crime rates are in the urban areas. I assume that is why many of you, me included, have moved to the Pleasanton/Livermore area. I view the democratic party as being like someone who suffers from co-dependency. They feel sorry when someone is poor and the poor needs to have things given to them. They think....they don't know how to better themselves. They feel sorry for these people and as long as they don't live near them or associate with their families they are willing to help. There is a simple saying, "You can give a man a fish for a day but teach him to fish you feed him for a life time."  How much longer are we going to feed the poor rather than teach them how to be successful? Millions are wasted that could be used for food, clothing, drug rehab, mental illness, and education. I'm sure I left off several other needed supports. The easiest thing is to let the Government do it but experience shows they are unable to. Just look at the new healthcare law.