Alexithymia Antithesis

Is socialism the Christian thing to do?

Right now, our leaders are looking to put together a bill that would create a universal health care system that would be run by the government so that everyone would have access to health care.  It seems this may be the first step towards a more socialistic approach.  As a result of the health care system taxes would be raised to help pay for this system.  I can see the benefits of this system for many people.  However, should we be for it?  Should Christians be for it?

God's call to his people has been to take care of the orphans, widows, the poor, the needy.  Isn't socialism a Christian call to take care of people?  Why shouldn't we pay more in taxes so that these people may be helped as God commanded?  In Acts 2, it talks of people worshipping and breaking bread together, meeting the needs of others by selling their possessions and goods, and having everything together.  Isn't this what socialism is?  Isn't this God's call?  Shouldn't we be supporting the government's move to take care of these people that God has called us to take care of?  In answering this question, I am going to give two reasons why government socialism isn't a Christian solution.

Earlier this week, I referenced an article talking about Denmark as the happiest nation and asked the question if this is what we should be seeking.  The Danes pay high taxes so everyone has health care and so that their drug problems can be dealt with.  High taxes instituted by the government are taken from their checks to support this system.  The Danes seem to agree with the taxes but they are used to having the money taken out of their checks.  Over time, they just learn how much they are going to receive each week and live their lives accordingly.  As for me, my taxes are not as high but I also choose to set aside money for retirement and for health benefits for my family.  While the latter are choices I make, I also have gotten used to my paycheck amount and I don't even think about the money to help my own family.  Because it is paid before the money hits my account, I pay more attention to the amount I received than I do the amount that was taken out. 

On the flip side, whatever money I choose to tithe or give to charities, missionaries, organizations, etc is what I gave AFTER I have received my check.  To give to these is a choice and a sacrifice.  I am choosing to give to others out of what I have left, not out of what has already been taken from me.  A vital part of God's calling to take care of others is that it is a choice and a sacrifice to do so.  For the Danes, it isn't a choice or a sacrifice.  It is something that is done and they never have to make a decision out of their own free will and hearts to help.  Charitable contributions in Denmark are very low.  They don't feel they have to because people are being taken care of and it is not a choice they often have to make to help people.  What is more sacrificial - to have something taken from you and given to others or to make a choice and a sacrifice to give what you have to help someone else?  Part of God's calling in taking care of others is for it to be a choice, to involve sacrifice, and to give of ourselves so that we might have the privilege as a body of reaching out to others.  Most Danes probably don't think twice about it and don't often choose to give out of choice.  As part of God's plan, helping others involves a choice and a sacrifice that we might impact as well as be impacted by our actions.

For many who believe in the socialist system, helping people meet their needs is the end in itself.  If meeting the physical or financial needs is all that we need to do, then we miss out on the other part of God's plan in giving to others.  When the Danes have their money taken from them in the form of taxes, a government program is set up to provide health care and programs to help people.  Their needs are met.  Take the example of someone who lost their job.  That person could go stand in line at unemployment, fill out some forms, and get some of the money they need.  On the other hand, that same person may have a financial need and have an anonymous donor place a check in their mailbox with a note saying "Felt like you needed this and I wanted to give" or have friends take up a collection that meets their need.  In these scenarios, which person has had the greater impact on their lives by their need being met - the government check or the friends meeting the need? 

And that's the other part of the equation - community.  God didn't ask us to take care of the poor and widows so that they have food, clothing, shelter (and health care), etc.  He did it so that there may be relationship in community, in love, as we reach out to one another.  A Dane may give of his taxes but may never meet a homeless person, serve a meal, come alongside, help out at a shelter, or reach out to someone struggling with drugs because all of that may have been done for him.  God's call to take care of others wasn't given to a politician, government, or political system.  It was given to his people.  Why?  Because it was going to take more than finances to meet the needs.  It was going to take love.  And that is something government can never give.  Meeting the needs of others involves more than just the money for the government to take care of people.  It involves choice, sacrifice, love, and community.  If we miss out on all that God is requiring of us, then socialism will be a second hand gospel in which we rely on someone else to do what he called us to do.

We are very individualistic here in America.  It's about me, my dream, my needs.  I am very guilty of this.  To be fair, Europe does community much better in their daily lives.  And despite our lack of socialist policies to help others, we may actually be more caring and giving than those in Denmark because we give out of choice, sacrifice, and compassion (is it really compassion if there is no sacrifice?).  However, we need to do a better job as Christians.  Where we have failed, government has stepped in and taken over.  As we move towards socialism in this country, may it stir us to be more of a community to those around us and reach out in love to meet others where they are.  I am very uncomfortable in doing this and admit this is a huge challenge to me.  But pass or fail, government meeting the needs of others will always be a failure if love, choice, sacrifice, and community are not part of it.

A country without consequences - the decline of America

I have heard the argument both ways.  America is declining due to the rapidly decaying moral and family values that are going on in this country.  America is even better than we were due to advances in technology, longer life expectancies, great technology, more freedom, and an ever-growing economy.  Oops on that last part.  I think the opinion now is that the US has either led the worldwide global economic crisis or at least has been a major part of it.  So maybe things aren't as promising for this country as once thought. 

The federal government passes stimulus and bailout plans to rescue banks, the auto industry, homes, and various businesses and people through the use of borrowed money.  States are running out of cash and looking for more revenues by cutting spending, raising taxes, and borrowing money.  People are losing their jobs and homes and unemployment continues to increase as companies go out of business.  Many would look at our country and just believe that we have fallen on hard times and are in a downturn of an economic cycle.  Granted, these problems are so troubling in that we haven't seen struggles like this in decades.  So what is the reason?

Well if you ask political pundits, it is because the previous administration overspent or laxed the rules and regulations which allowed this to happen.  It was the cause of the administration before that for not learning from the mistakes and opening the door for this fall to happen.  Businesses blame the government for not helping them out enough or blaming the economy for their slide.  People blame the greed of the banks for taking advantage of them on their loans or not lending to them in a time when we need it.  Or maybe it is the economy that is causing their situation and they are just a victim of the times as well.

However, you can take a closer, deeper look at these things and find something more.  The government has been overspending and operating a deficit for years.  No amount of regulations on businesses can hold a government accountable for only spending what they actually have.  The same goes for the state as they overspent for years and now have to make up for their mistakes by cutting spending and taxing people to fix this.  Businesses spend millions to pay executives, go on retreats, upgrade offices, all while not making enough effort to run an efficient and effective business.  And people buy houses they can't afford because they can't manage their own money, run up credit card debt, and have spent decades living beyond their means.  In this day and age, it's all about blaming someone else for your problems.

This is not a problem that happened when the market, banks, auto industry, etc. collapsed.  This has been a disease that has been lying in wait for years.  And now it has taken its toll.  We are attempting to throw money at a problem by borrowing in order to find a quick fix for our struggles.  Isn't that our history over the last few decades?  Isn't that the American family's solution to their problems?  Where is the accountability and consequences for these decisions? 

And here is where we see the decline of America - a lack of consequences and accountability for decisions.  This isn't an economic problem we have.  It's a cultural one.  And now we may face a moral decline and economic crisis.  Ironically, the root of both of these problems is the same.  A drunk man stumbles into the path of an oncoming subway and gets hit.  The subway train driver is at fault and the drunk man is rewarded.  A man smokes for years, gets lung cancer and dies.  The family receives money in a lawsuit for this.  A woman spills hot coffee on her clothes while driving and sues because the coffee was too hot.  She wins.  Bailout plans, putting blame on others, and using up our credit to fix our problems now - all are a result of living a life without consequences or accountability.  It's the cancer in our culture that has led to our economic, and moral, decline.  It illustrates the ever growing theme in this country - irresponsibility and lack of accountability for one's own actions not only doesn't lead to consequences but is often rewarded. 

So we have seen the lack of consequences and accountability in the governments, culture, and the American families.  However, worst of all, this extends to many kids today.  We are often too worried about whether our kid is happy and how he feels than we are teaching him accountability and consequences for his actions.  Kids aren't using technology, they are raised by it.  And there is little parenting today.  Kids see the government, the culture around them, and their parents and learn to model that behavior.  They live life without consequences, thinking someone will eventually help them out, and they become lazy and catered to in this life.  They don't gain respect for authority, lash out at any attemps to make them obey, and lose out in learning from the pain of their mistakes.

This isn't just a moral or economis issue.  It's a cultural issue that has gone on for years.  We have become a country without consequences or accountability.  And unless something changes, this cancer will eat away at the moral and economic fabric in which this country was built on.

My economic stimulus plan

Much debate has centered around the economic stimulus plans.  There was a lot of criticism for Bush's plan and there seems to be a lot with Obama's as well.  So I thought I would try my hand at my own plan.  I have no desire to be President or part of Congress and don't pretend to be an economist but thought I would actually offer suggestions rather than criticisms.

MY ECONOMIC STIMULUS PLAN:

I have a 5 step solution to the car, housing, credit crisis, and economy struggles (vouchers, credit, loans to businesses, tax refunds) outlined below. 

1.  Vouchers are given to consumers by the govt for the purchase of a car from one of the big 3.

The money given to the American people would be based on a tiered income approach.  Those making 25k or less per family would receive $10k (or another higher amount TBD).  From there, as income went up, the amount of the voucher received would go down.  There is also a possibility that this could include much smaller vouchers for cars purchased not from the big 3. 

These vouchers do not have to be used but for those choosing to use them, they would create demand and jobs for the big 3 automakers as well as some impact for other automakers.  This is a stimulus plan that is earmarked specifically to help the auto industry and various other industries that are impacted.  If people choose not to use them, then the govt saves money and therefore only pays for the money that is actually spent.  For any vouchers used, the amount of that voucher goes directly to the big 3 and other automakers who receive them.  However, there would be a slightly higher tax in one of 2 ways -1) a higher tax on corporate profits based on the percentage of vouchers received/cars purchased from this package or 2) a direct tax on these vehicles that is slightly higher than the normal taxation on vehicles.  This then helps the federal govt to offset the cost of this stimulus package.  This isn’t a free ride for anyone.  There is another benefit of this voucher program which is outlined below in #4.

2.  Vouchers for those consumers struggling in the housing crisis. 

Specific guidelines would be outlined for this but it would be similar to the car voucher.  For those meeting certain criteria, vouchers would be given to help those in foreclosure or behind in their payments.  This would also be a tiered approach based on income.  This plan is meant to rescue people from foreclosure, help banks collect on their debts owed to them to provide some relief.  Even if it only makes a dent, any payments received for these homes would help ease the money lost by banks as a result of these homes.  As a voucher, this money can only be used for this purpose.  Once families are no longer in foreclosure or are current in their payments, a re-financing option or home sale could be worked out at the lower interest rates to help save and stimulate the housing market.  Additional help for banks can be found if #3 if certain criteria are met.

3.  Credit relief for business. 

A much smaller bailout plan would be earmarked for 3 categories: banks, the big 3, and other businesses.  This would be nowhere near the billions offered now but a TOTAL of 1/3 of that for ALL THREE categories.  HOWEVER, each of these would have to meet certain criteria to qualify.  The funds given to those who qualify MUST use this money to pay creditors and pay down their debts.  This money is not used for bonuses or to use as discretionary money as they see fit.  Therefore, a business must be struggling, must need this money to stay in business, and must use it to pay creditors/debt.  As a result of this payment, any business who receives money and turns a business profit over the next so many years or quarters will incur a stimulus tax to help pay back money that they received.

4.  Responsible credit opportunities for consumers (cont).

The vouchers for cars and houses would create a cash down/larger quity in cars and homes.  For those struggling with credit, this will help them with responsible credit amounts that many may be able to afford. 

For a smaller income family, 10k towards a used car may result in needing a loan of $2000.  The same with the middle income family needing $10k (rather than 20 or 30k).  This allows banks to secure loans for people and allow for responsible credit with lower payments that people can afford.  The same is true of houses as vouchers will allow people to have larger equity in their homes, save their credit, and free up their current income to refinance or pursue more affordable options.  Giving consumers vouchers means cash down resulting in smaller loans but easing up a little on the credit crunch to allow smaller, responsible loans to be issued again.  The voucher system comes with a built in benefit of helping people secure responsible loans for affordable amounts.

5.  Stimulus checks for Americans.

This would be similar to what we have now.  However, the amount would be smaller ($400 per person) and would also come in the form of a voucher/payment.  However, this voucher could be spent on any good or service items.  Paying off debt, putting into savings, buying CDs, etc would be allowed.  However, any voucher not spent on a good or service item would be considered taxable income for the current year.  The voucher/stimulus payment is meant to encourage spending in the economy.  And while investing or paying off debt is completely permissible, this would be considered taxable income for tax purposes.  Otherwise, it’s free money.  Again, this is a built in way for the govt to recover some of the money in this plan.

So there’s my plan.  Vouchers would be used to directly help businesses, help consumers with housing and cars, and create jobs and demand in these two industries.  And because the money would be specific towards these, it cut some of the wasteful spending of other stimulus plans.  Money given to banks, auto makers, and other businesses would eliminate bonus checks and blank checks written to struggling industries.  This money would be to specifically help those struggling stay afloat and would only be paid back in smaller amounts in the form of taxes for those businesses who turn things around.  No other protection will be offered and it allows many businesses to free up some of their cash from all the debt they owe.  And finally, this encourages smaller loans and would help stimulate a responsible credit market.  Stimulus checks would put money in the hands of the people and be tax free if used to spend in the economy.

Billions of dollars are saved (from current plans) for a plan costing at least half of what is proposed now, money is poured directly into the economy, regulations and controls are in place to account for the dollars given out, responsible spending is encouraged and rewarded, and the govt has set up a plan to recoup some of the money given out to ease the borrowing for this plan.