The United States of Nottingham
While I am sure that most Americans are thrilled that the Bush-era tax cuts were extended by President Obama, much to the chagrin of his fellow Dems, there is a segment of the population that may not be so excited.
Last night I was watching an interview with an unemployed citizen and, while I feel for his situation, I cannot totally agree with his reasoning.
His perspective on the current unemployment level, which is closing in on 10 percent, stemmed from an apparent chip on his shoulder against big business. He argued that these tax cuts were made to give big business a free pass and they were passed by a government that is there for the sole purpose of legislating on the behalf of those companies and their highfalutin CEOs.
He argued that the extremely rich aren't paying their way or pulling their weight in this battle against a poor economy, that the amount of taxes they pay should be excessively higher. He also argued that these companies got rich on the backs of the poor, common working man, like they have taken advantage of everyone under their employ.
That's where he lost me.
That's easy to say for a man without a job. And before anyone misreads that, this is not about the unemployed, it's about perspective.
These times have hit families hard, and unemployment is a vile by-product of a great mix of causes, many of which do come at fault of big business and government decision-making. But we can't place blame on the so-called "fat-cats" alone.
Business, both big and small, is the base of what drives our economy, and it's the system that provides many jobs for people, just like this unemployed man. If the government starts playing Robin Hood, and starts gouging the companies to steal from the rich to give to the poor, all that will do is make the businesses pull back, reign in spending and cost more jobs. It's interesting though, that this unemployed man surely never gave that a second thought.
It just reminds me of how skewed our perspectives are - not just him, all of us.
Those who have, don't want to lose it, especially if it was earned by someone who worked hard to build something from nothing. Those who don't have want those who do (or the government) to give them a slice of that pie, and like this man, they are under the belief that they deserve it.
This constant struggle of perspective is also very evident in the religious realm. Using Holmes, Wayne and Tuscarawas counties as an example, we have a strong Christian base of people living in the area, and while it probably leans a bit to the right, there is a pretty good cross-section of Democrats and Republicans.
It amazes me on the different views you will get on social programs and how much of a role the government should play in fulfilling the position of caretaker for those in need. I do not intend to wade into that today, but I do want to address it generally.
My argument is that God has equipped some with material blessing, and some with a compassionate heart to help. My hope is that both would do His will when it comes to aiding those in need.
If you read James 5 it speaks to a warning against rich oppressors. There are many corporate oppressors today where we see CEOs abusing their positions and taking advantage of the little guy. But that's usually not the case of most regular medium-to-large businesses.
Just because someone has much, doesn't mean they are oppressors. Many people have built companies from nothing and beyond the fact that they provide countless jobs, they are some of the most generous and giving people I know. God has blessed them because He knew they would bless others with what He has provided, and that's the model we are to follow.
It all comes down to our own current state of what we have and where we're at. Some have been blessed with material wealth, and they are called to share willingly, not as a governmental edict. There are also those on whose heart God has placed a deep desire to come to the aid of the hurting with their actions, to be His hands and feet. Just like those who are materially blessed, these people should use these gifts willingly to make a difference.
So, whether you are gifted with wealth, or a wealth of compassion, whatever gifts or skills we possess we need to begin looking beyond ourselves. We need to stop blaming each other and bless others in the way that we have been blessed.
And the sooner we do that as a people, the less we will need to be concerned about the Sheriff of Nottingham knocking at our door.