The Bishop of Sheffield has spoken out against an economic system “shaped by the ethics of greed and everyone for themselves”.
As the ”˜Occupy Sheffield’ protest continued on the forecourt of the Cathedral, the Rt Rev Dr Steven Croft said: “We may want to agree with the questions which are being raised whilst disagreeing with the methods of the protesters in raising them.”
Addressing the Sheffield Anglican Synod last Saturday, the Bishop said the Church’s voice needed to be heard as the economic crisis continues and deepens.
Everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon all of a sudden.
Well there are differnt sorts of greed.
There is the greed of amoral/unprincipled businessmen and there is the greed of those ‘have nots’ who covet the property of of the ‘haves.’
However, the greddy ‘have nots’ do not have the ‘real stuff’ necessary for them to generate wealth on their own.
So, it seems to me that the greedy ‘have nots’ for the most part are as amoral and unprincipled as the aforementioned aberrant businessmen.
#2, Many of these ‘aberrant businessmen’ to whom you give a pass will admit that companies direct their money-making efforts at the poor who have little choice but to utilize their services. Stores, reputable financial institutions, and other sources of basic goods and services won’t open in poor areas. Convenience stores which charge outrageous prices for necessities, check-cashing joints that collect a percentage of the paychecks or government checks, pawn shops, furniture rent-to-own places, etc. will serve the poor but at a premium. It puts the struggling at a disadvantage but ensures a market for those businesses.
Are the poor all blameless? Of course not. But to assume that a great portion of the “have-nots” are greedily coveting wealth and goods is ridiculous. Anyone who has spent any time among the poor know that their hopes and dreams are modest. Not long ago, I sold the bedroom set from my guest room to a woman whose soldier son was coming home from Afghanistan and needed a bed. She was being gouged by a rent-to-own place because she couldn’t afford to pay for the furniture upfront and she was trying to get a room ready for him. She saw my ad and the family came immediately for it. I wish I could have afforded to simply give it to them but I couldn’t because of my own situation.
It should disturb people that our troops are returning to unemployment, poverty, and homelessness. This young man was lucky that he had family to take him in but they were still worried about his ability to find a decent job. Moreover, if you’re anywhere near a plasma center at any given time and you have a military installation nearby, you’ll see a steady stream of our enlisted people donating plasma to make ends meet. Um, isn’t it enough that our country is getting their sweat and blood already?
These are the people you’re disparaging. Yes, I know many Americans like to dismiss poverty and the poor but that’s getting more difficult to do because the ranks are growing. And, no, most people don’t have their noses pressed up against the windows of the rich establishments, coveting. All folks want is fairness. Taking advantage of the poor and permitting policies that target and gouge them is not based on fairness and should not be given a pass. Reform is desperately needed.
Reply to #2.
Teatime2,
When I referenced the “greedy ‘have nots’ ” I was not talking about the genuinely poor or those persons temporarily on hard times due to the current recession.
I was referencing those in the “Occupy” movement who claim to lump thermselves in a melange that they call the “99%” and those who actually make our economy work in a pseudo “1%.”
The whole intent of this Occupy sloganeering is to create a or increase feelings of class division based upon one’s person income and possessions.
When you look at the participants in the Occupy demonstrations, most of them have the physical appearance of well fed, spoiled college students, union activists (read organizers), etc.
These are not poor people who have to rent their furniture.
[blockquote] When you look at the participants in the Occupy demonstrations, most of them have the physical appearance of well fed, spoiled college students, union activists (read organizers), etc
These are not poor people who have to rent their furniture.[/blockquote]
It amazes me you have been able to see most of the people in the occupy movement. That must have been quite an adventure. How many protests did you have to attended to accomplish your goal?
I was going to try to get a look at most of the Tea Party people, but it just seemed too complicated to get out to all those rallies, so I just concluded most were red necks and racists based on press reports, without any empirical evidence. It’s easier that way and you don’t have to worry about reaching the wrong conclusion.
Reply to #5.
Mitchell,
There is something new out there.
Its called the elctronic news media. Replete with video images.