The government rebate check we are receiving has stimulated some thoughts about justice. We are receiving money to buy material things in order to stimulate our economy. Maybe the fear is that the richest country in the world could be at risk with being a poor country without these stimulus checks. Meanwhile two countries are suffering with major disasters; people in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to suffer from the consequences of war; the ongoing struggle in Darfur continues where people are starving every day; and the list goes on. Yet, we will receive our rebate checks to stimulate the economy with the purchase of material goods. What would Jesus think and do?
What do you think about this?
Ok so on the ride home I mentioned this to Zach and he thought this was a very naive comment to make because...let see if I can word this right...
ReplyDeleteWhen (we) meaning Americans, as a whole feel like we are economically sound then we are more generous with our money. For example with we think the economy is going south then we hang onto our money and don't share for fear that there might not be any left. He said that with the tsunami happened back when the economy was doing really well the relief organizations couldn't collect the money fast enough were as with the current disasters going on today people are not being as generous because the economy is not so hot! Not sure if that makes since but I could see where he was going with it so thought I would be the first to post! I know when I have EXTRA money I tend to be a lot more generous with the leftovers.
Yes, that is true as well.
ReplyDeleteAdam Smith's theory might be seen in Christian terms, he presupposes sin. He uses the term greed but it is the same thing. I can't say I agree with the stimulus checks, but there is at least a sound theoretical basis. An individual can use the money more efficiently than a government organization and can do so in a manner consistent with the principal of liberty. As to the impoverished, a sagging economy hits them the hardest. Thus, you can spend the poor out of poverty. You can see this in the developed and developing world. In the US, our poverty line is at the level of the average Japanese income. In China, the standard of living is also rising and thus redefining poverty. It is those countries that have governments that are so pathetic as to prohibit development that are truly impoverished. I think concern would be better directed to the environment and the impact that consumption has on our resources. Poverty can be eliminated through consumption (consumption creates jobs etc.). This is observable in China for example. However, there is no cure for abuse of resources to fuel that consumption.
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