Showing posts with label Pope Francis on Inequality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pope Francis on Inequality. Show all posts

Friday, March 14, 2014

Pope Francis - First Year as Pontiff

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[caption id="attachment_2495" align="aligncenter" width="630"]Pope Francis Pope Francis[/caption]

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        Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. It is with a particular sense of happiness, and peace, that I commemorate Pope Francis’ first year as Pontiff of the Catholic Church. Yesterday was the actual anniversary of his inauguration of Pope Francis. Bestowed, upon inauguration, with the titles of; The Vicar of Christ, Bishop of Rome, Successor Of St. Peter, Prince Of The Apostles, Supreme Pontiff Of The Universal Church,  Patriarch Of The West,- Servant Of The Servants Of God, Primate Of Italy, Archbishop And Metropolitan Of The Roman Province, Sovereign Of Vatican City State, and the most often used and most common title His Holiness The Pope[1]. It would be quite difficult, or most men, to not be swept up in the pomp and circumstance of this office, not to mention the adoration by over one billion members[2] of the Catholic faith.

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However, setting him apart from many that proceeded him, and especially the last Pope before him. Pope Francis (the 266th Pope since the first Pope, Saint Peter) remains very much a man of the people. Unlike his immediate predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis does not surround himself with the eccentricities of office. Pope Benedict XVI, during his short papacy, spent Vatican money freely on a lavish lifestyle. His shoes were the subject of many articles and much gossip. They were handmade of the finest leather, tanned red to reflect his office, allegedly costing several thousand dollars… each! Just one more example of the opulent lifestyle and lavish spending; his crucifix was (also) handmade and encrusted with rubies.

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Conversely, Pope Francis wears off—the-shelf sandals, a hand-me-down crucifix, and does not indulge in any of the eccentricities of his predecessor or his lavish lifestyle.

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        “The first pope from Latin America, the first from the Jesuit religious order and the first to take the name of the most beloved saint of the poor,…”[3] 

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Pope Francis has made a name for himself, in just the first year of his Papacy, by; challenging wealth, pointing out America’s “feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures”[4], and making clear that putting a company’s “bottom line” ahead of “the needs of the least among us” should be completely unacceptable to all Christians. Pope Francis came on to the scene like gang busters, defending the poor, calling into question the motives of the wealthy, and reminding all humans that “greed is a sin”.

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Yesterday, on the event of the anniversary of his first year as the Vicar of Christ, Pope Francis tweeted “Please pray for me” to his millions of followers. I, personally, received his tweet… and immediately answered his request. My Dear Readers, for all of you that knew me; in Pearland, in college, as a young man, and even in Colorado Springs, you know that I am not a religious man. I have attended church, off and on, all my life. I have attended; Lutheran churches, Methodist churches, The Church of Christ, The Church of England, and even three different synagogues. However, there is something different about Pope Francis. Something that speaks to me on a very base level, he speaks to my soul.

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[caption id="attachment_2493" align="aligncenter" width="460"]Pope Francis Pope Francis[/caption]

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Yes, he and I do share beliefs about the overt greed… the avarice that has swept America. We share the idea that America’s greed is to blame for a great many of our ills, and the anemic state of our recovery. Pope Francis and I share the heartfelt belief that if you are capable of helping someone you know, and know they are going without food… that they struggle every day, yet you do nothing to help? That your inaction defines you and sets you on a path that is not one with God. That one cannot act, in the fashion described above, and still call yourself… Christian. That America’s have chosen a path of avarice. Instead of righting this moral wrong these Americans seek to (wrongfully) paint these fellow Americans in need as; lazy, slothful, worthless, dependent and even thieves. All in a vain effort to shut out what they know, in their hearts and souls, to be immoral greed and avarice instead blaming the poor.

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Pope Francis has made no qualms in writing and speaking about this terrible trend in our great nation. He has been made the victim of terrible insults and cruel characterizations by the talking heads of the far right. Instead of understanding his Christianity, these elements of the greedy media seek to wrongfully paint the Pope as a ‘Socialist” and worse. Doubling down on the rhetoric of avarice, they ignore the fact that greed is a sin! Further, that greed and avarice our one of the ‘Seven Deadly Sins” as outlined in Catholicism.

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[caption id="attachment_2494" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Pope Francis Pope Francis[/caption]

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        “The seven deadly sins are pride, covetousness (also known as avarice or greed), lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth.” [5]

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That so much did God want mankind to never forget how horrible a sin the act of greed and avarice; he placed another reminder in the ‘Ten Commandments’[6]

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        “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”

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Reminding mankind to never put any thing between ourselves and our love of God. To make sure that we understood our relationship with God can be, will be, damaged by putting money (and/or the pursuit of money) between ourselves and our God is a sin.

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        “Thou shalt not steal.”

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Another reminder of the sin of overt greed and avarice, and that only God shall decide if our pursuit of wealth (in life) was theft of wealth or the opportunity of financial stability of a fellow man.

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        “Thou shalt not covet! thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

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Three times and in three different ways did God seek to make mankind aware of how serious he saw our potential love affair with money.

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Enough… In my articles:

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  • ·        Avarice in America : ““The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience.”[7]

  • ·        Pope Francis Strikes AGAIN : ““Some people continue to defend trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world,” Pope Francis November 24th, 2013[8] Here Pope Francis points directly at America. He points directly a one political party, in America. He singles out this ‘party of the wealthy’ as guilty of injustice and the falsehood that is “trickle-down” economics.

  • Unbridled Capitalism vs. Human Strife: ““A society that “does not pay a just wage”, that “does not give work” to people; a society that “that only looks to its balance books, that only seeks profit” is unjust and goes against God.” Pope Francis on Vatican Radio May 1st, 2013[9] RIGHT THERE! On Vatican Radio on May 1sy, 2013 ‘The Vicar of Christ’ Clearly states that anyone, any corporation, any company, and society, and political party that “seeks only profit” or that puts profit ahead of feeding the poor… housing the poor… caring for “The least among you.”? Well, Pope Francis puts it as succinctly and clearly as is humanly possible that these actions “goes against God.”


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In just one year Pope Francis has put mankind (and America) on notice. I have a great deal of admiration for Pope Francis. My Dear Readers, it is not coincidence that the College of Cardinals made this man Pope right now in history. They see, as do many millions of Americans, that avarice is a disease to the human condition. That right now, more than anytime in modern history, does America and mankind stand on the very precipice of falling away from our better nature. Aye, there’s the rub!

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[caption id="attachment_2496" align="aligncenter" width="618"]Pope Francis on Twitter Pope Francis on Twitter[/caption]

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You see, even if you do not believe in; God, Christ, Christianity, Religion, Organized Religion you can (if you so desire) see that mankind is on an unsustainable path. That we were warned via religion, the word of God, and Pope Francis of an eventuality that is upon us. The eventuality of a failure of our society, of our monetary system, of mankind out of the shortsighted and sick mindless pursuit of avarice.

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Finally, My Dear Readers, just this week Pope Francis has made history, again. Speaker Boehner and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi have invited Pope Francis to speak before a Joint Session of Congress! Never before, in the history of our great nation, has a Pope been invited to speak before a Joint Session of Congress. This is an unprecedented invitation, and if accepted, it will be an unprecedented event in our nation’s history. For me, further proof that Pope Francis is using the office as a bully pulpit for the voice of our humanity. I hope that he accepts. When/if Pope Francis accepts and speaks, I will bring you every word right here at The Other Shoe.

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As always I am deeply honored that you come here and read my work.

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Thank YOU!

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P.S. My Dear Readers, I regret that I am compelled to add this postscript. In October, of last year, several events (not the least of which was a man stealing $300 of money I raised to help me move) transpired to set me back, financially. Since that time I have worked, tirelessly, to regain my financial footing. Through help from Ian Cottier, and James Coate I have regained some of my footing. I am forever in their debt, and they know that they can call on me for anything. However, I am still carrying a ‘Payday Advance’ at my bank of hundreds of dollars… and I still eat… sometimes only once a day. Below you see a link to eBay to items I am trying to sell. I am unable to work, at a job. My condition prohibits me from most activities. Even this blog… I write sitting in bed, a hard neck brace in place and I can only work 15-20 minutes at a time.

I regret my situation, yet I am not embarrassed as I have done everything I am able and I am not the first person to get ripped off on Craigslist trying to get a roommate… or other transaction. I apologize, in advance, yet ask for your support and even understanding. Any kind of support is appreciated. From sending me food, to buying items at my eBay store… to sending financial support via PayPal or the mail will be greatly appreciated. I am living a subsistent lifestyle. Within the next two months… my Payday advance will expire… leaving me… short on rent to the point I will be evicted. I pinch every penny. I eat as little as is possible. I do not purchase clothing, or luxury items (games, videos, music or the like). I have not gone to a movie at a theater in more than five years. The prescription eye glasses I wear are ten years old.

I apologize, but any an all help will be greatly appreciated. You can contact me, or use this email to send money via PayPal – Enzomatrix@earthlink.net

As well, if you would like to talk with me… send me suggestions… rekindle a friendship… or just constructive criticism about the blog, please feel free. In closing, I am working hard to make this kind of post script on articles a thing of the past! Help me, help myself. Thank you!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="234"]The Other Shoe eBay Store The Other Shoe eBay Store[/caption]

 www.ebay.com/usr/enzomatrixlt


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[caption id="attachment_2296" align="aligncenter" width="630"]The Other Shoe's Daniel Hanning The Other Shoe's Daniel Hanning[/caption]

 

 











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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Avarice in America

                      Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Today President Obama is to make a Presidential address about inequality in America. I heard about this from the Facebook feed to Professor Robert Reich (once Labor Secretary under President Clinton). In the statement the Professor says this:

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“Today the President will be giving a major address on inequality. He can be expected to say it’s the central domestic challenge of our time, that equal opportunity is the keystone of our social compact, that widening inequality threatens our economy and corrodes our democracy, and that he’ll be devoting the rest of his presidency to this fundamental challenge.”[1]

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Another voice, in a growing chorus, seeking to make everyone (yet, mostly Americans) of the severe damage an era of greed has wrought upon our great nation. If you are a frequent reader of this blog, then you will know that America’s Avarice is often a topic of my writing. I have, also, made everyone aware that our newest Pontiff, Pope Francis, has frequently made avarice and inequality topics of his dictums, speeches and press releases. Seriously, one would have to be burying their head in the sand most days, and deaf the rest, not to hear the growing cries against avarice and for equality.

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“The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience.”[2] (Also found here: ‘Pope Francis Strikes, Again’ http://theothershoe.blog.com/2013/11/pope-francis-strikes-again/)

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Fact of the matter is that for the handful of Americans get that did get reap the financial benefit of our recent economic upturn, life is quite good and I am sure this is the last thing in the world they want anyone talking about. However, for the rest of the 310 million Americans that saw no benefit, this is a topic that is not getting enough ink. My Dear Readers this is a topic there will always be space for here at The Other Shoe. I am not against my fellow man making a good living or, if they are fortunate enough, amassing a fortune.

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My problem lies with my fellow man’s avarice. Avarice. Now there is a very old word, a very old word indeed. King Midas had dreams of avarice. King Solomon is what most would see is the epitome of avarice. What follows is the dictionary definition of avarice;

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“extreme greed for wealth or material gain”

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“Extreme greed” is the textbook definition for avarice. Aye, there’s the rub! For it is in that one word… That one adjective that I see the frailty and disease of mankind. Extreme, as if there isn’t enough of that already today. Extreme poverty. Extreme religion. Extreme governance. You see it is in fact, where mankind so often falls, that goes before the fall. As a young boy my father, God rest his soul, warned me of extremism… Of steel and zealotry. You still me it was a good thing to be diligent, it was a good thing to persevere, and it was great to Excel . however, he warned that extremism field and zealotry always came before the fall . So I say to you today it is with America. So I say it is today with the extreme right wing of our Republican Party; the tea party. Today’s tea party is the group most responsible for the intransigence of the last two sessions of Congress. Most tea party members will freely admit that they are extreme and that they are selling. You see, that’s when they lost me. And, My Dear Readers, that is where they should have lost you, too. Extremism demands so much from its followers, takes from everyone else and leaves the world behind it in shambles. All too often, in this life, I and I know you to as well have seen the evidence. The zealotry and religion of the Spanish Inquisition that fell a tree of the third Reich needing to the second world war. In the extreme bigotry and racism of the Ku Klux Klan and the John Birch society’s.

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One simply cannot trust seal… Extremism… Zealotry… Or fanaticism. For when you give up all that is you to become your believe? One news is one’s self. Today America is gripped in the throes of extreme capitalism. We hear the cries of the devout

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“too much regulation will strangle growth…”

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Yet, when asked to provide proof that what they’re saying is true? None is forthcoming. As a matter of fact time magazine, just last year, ran a very short article about the regulatory practices of all the industrialized nations in the world. I found it most enlightening to see that the greatest growth in commerce was in India, at the time of this article. However, most ironic India was also the nation with the largest growth and regulations. Looking back just on the history of our nation. One can quite easily see a very recent parallel. The 60s saw this single largest expansion of the middle class, and our national economy, and the history of our nation. Not surprisingly, the 60s were also the time of the greatest growth of regulations and regulatory agencies in the history of our nation. It was the 60s when”tree huggers”started their campaign to save our national ecology. It was the beginning of the environmental protection agency. I apologize that I don’t have the time nor in my of the strength to fully document the expansion of regulation we saw in the 60s and the 70s in America. I know that most of you, My Dear Readers know that what I say is true and I ask for your understanding. So I see it is no coincidence that one time magazine, and 2013, looks to find the single largest growing economy on the face of the earth they find it that very nation is also the single largest growth and regulations. I dare any of you to go and find me proof that the opposite is true.

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I have not written in the past three days. Not only is my body wracked with an unusual level of pain I just keep getting these fevers. Thankfully Allen is working nearly every day. When his paychecks catch up with the hours might actually be able to eat better, again. However, I am afraid that I have to bring this article to a premature close. I am getting quite dizzy and have a growing extreme headache. I apologize I was just beginning to gain some wind in my argument. You all know this won’t be the last time I come here to speak to you of the disease like state of avarice in our nation. I use the word disease most accurately. For avarice has infected our nation. Greed has infected the minds the hearts and souls of too many good people that I knew and grew up with I pray every night for the strength and the lack of pain so that I might complete my novel. One day soon regardless of my condition I will finish this novel. And it is my prayers that my novel is quite popular. And that that popularity I through the the strength of my will and the sharpness of my wit translate into a good deal of wealth of my own. And then I can stop talking about avarice and I can show you… I can show you all what should the done with any wealth. More children go to bed every day right now today in America than any time in our nation’s history. Children, not adults… Not crack whores are welfare moms but children! What ever did children do to deserve to live in poverty and sleep in the hunger?

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Avarice

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As always I am very flattered that you come here and read my work. I hope and pray that in the coming days I will feel better so you get back to writing on more daily basis. I apologize for my absence and I just hope and pray that I feel better soon because I have so very much to say to you all.

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Thank you!

P.S. Please excuse any typos or errors. In my current... condition... I apologize, I jst didn't have the strenthto prof prior to publication. I will check, tomorrow... when I feel 'better'... o less, depending on the malidy.
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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Pope Francis Strikes Again!

Pope Francis Strikes AGAIN!

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Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Today (November 26th, 2013) Pope Francis, again, went out of his way to denounce and decry an “idolatry of money” that will result in “a new tyranny.”[1] Now, I have known from the earliest days of his Papacy, that this Pope would likely change the Catholic Church. I understood the choice of a Pope hailing from a less developed country on the South American continent would shift the focus of the Vatican back to the “needs of the many”. However, I am happy to provide proof of my statement. Here is Pope Francis, in his own words:

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“The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience.”[2] Quoted from Evangelii-Gaudium Pope Francis 11/24/13

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Long before this man became Pope, but within the life of this blog, I wrote;

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“I believe that President Reagan sold the soul of our great nation by saying these words… Greed is good”

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See, as a boy of Southern Baptist upbringing I was taught that greed is a sin. I was taught that it was sinful (and socially aberrant) for one to discuss (in public) “how much you make” or “how much I paid in taxes”. One just did not do these things in polite company. One would certainly not discuss their wealth in mixed company nor would they divide friends or congregation by wealth. Truly, I was raised with the deeply held belief that “one is judged by his actions, not his bank account”.

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My how America and Americans have strayed in just one generation. How we have not only left behind the belief systems that made our parents great. Not only have we discarded the accurate measure of a man’s worth. We have not just turned our backs, to these ideals; we have literally embraced that which we were warned against. If you do not believe me? Read how Pope Francis communicates this same ideal.

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“Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades.”[3]

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I cannot count the time, in just the past three years and 300+ articles, I have sought to express these same ideals. Where I have failed, this Pope succeeds. My Dear Readers, if you have been with me for awhile. If you have read many of my articles, then you will truly know that I have genuinely sought to bring these ideals to you My Dear Readers.

It is my firm and solid belief, that when President Reagan spoke these words “Greed is good!” he set our nation on the wrong path. I believe that he knew not what he did. How could he? He did not understand that his words would be turned into a type of religion. That wealthy families would use his words to shield themselves from the duty of charity. He could not have foreseen that the old John Birch Society would take up with the multigenerational millionaires and billionaires and divide our great nation along financial lines. Finally, that his words would lead to the greatest financial inequality since Marie Antoinette (allegedly) said

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“"Qu'ils mangent de la brioche" “Let them eat cake.”[4]

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Yes, in America today our financial inequality is greater than anytime in the past 150 years. In fact, financial inequality in America is the worst ever with the bottom 20% of our population controlling about 0.3% (three tenths of one percent) of our nation’s wealth. That means that sixty-two million Americans have the use of less than 0.3% of our nation’s economic power.[5] That is the lowest… the least amount of financial control any demographic has ever had in our nation’s history… outside of slavery. Right now, today, tens of millions of working Aemericans live with less than any “free men” have in our nation’s entire history.

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“"Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

The words of Jesus Christ - Matthew 19:24

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Our nation is in a period of economic recovery. That is only true for some Americans. Unfortunately, the vast majority of Americans were left out of our recent economic recovery.

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“This month, Berkeley economics professor Emmanuel Saez put out an update to his estimates of income inequality, and the headline figure has everybody outraged: 95% of income gains since 2009 have accrued to the top 1%.”[6] .

On the other hand, that means that 99% shared only 5% of the gains from our economic recovery since 2009. This is exactly what Pope Francis is speaking against. This is exactly what I have been working to write and warn you My Dear Readers. This is the horrific financial inequality that is the newest Black Plague of the modern American society. It is my responsibility to share this stark and disturbing truth.

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It would appear that Pope Francis and I bear the same cross. Here is, yet another, excerpt from the Pope’s most recent writings about financial inequality:

“Some people continue to defend trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world,” [7] Pope Francis November 24th, 2013

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Now, it is time for everyone to see this situation for what it is. Now, it is time for all Americans to stand up for financial equality. Realize, that if there is sweeping change in America? It will not be the ‘redistribution of wealth’ from the Middle Class to the poor. It will, quite likely, be… manifest itself as a redistribution of wealth from the Uber-Wealthy to the poor.

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Hang on, I just realized that I spoke the three words that scares the crap out of most Republicans. Redistribution of Wealth. I am not talking about taking money from someone that inherited their father’s business and has spent their adult life keeping said company afloat. I am not talking about the struggling business owner, that takes out loans to pay his payroll. I am not talking about anyone that is reading this blog. (I sincerely doubt that any millionaires or billionaires read my blog. However, if you are and you do? “THANK YOU!”)

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For the entirety of my adult life, I have never held with the idea of the redistribution of wealth. Not until recently. Not until the financial inequality in our nation has grown into the realm of fiction. Not until it has become factually evident that 85% of America’s wealth is controlled by less than 20% of the population.[8] Only when it became clearly evident that those who control America’s wealth will spend anything to keep the status quo.

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The ‘American Dream’ that we were all raised with, is dead. It is time we all dealt with its passing, and took action to protect ‘the least among us’.

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As always I am deeply honored that you come here and read my work.

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Thank you!












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