Pope Francis is an economic progressive that should be heeded
Pope Francis more so than any renown religious leader to date is walking in the steps of Jesus Christ.
According to the AP via the Huffington Post,
Pope Francis called Friday for governments to redistribute wealth to the poor in a new spirit of generosity to help curb the “economy of exclusion” that is taking hold today.
Francis made the appeal during a speech to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the heads of major U.N. agencies who are meeting in Rome this week.
Latin America’s first pope has frequently lashed out at the injustices of capitalism and the global economic system that excludes so much of humanity.
On Friday, Francis called for the United Nations to promote a “worldwide ethical mobilization” of solidarity with the poor in a new spirit of generosity.
He said a more equal form of economic progress can be had through “the legitimate redistribution of economic benefits by the state, as well as indispensable cooperation between the private sector and civil society.”
This should come as no surprise to anyone. Back in November of 2013 Pope Francis said the following
“As long as the problems of the poor are not radically resolved by rejecting the absolute autonomy of markets and financial speculation and by attacking the structural causes ofinequality, no solution will be found for the world’s problems or, for that matter, to any problems,” he wrote.
Denying this was simple populism, he called for action “beyond a simple welfare mentality” and added: “I beg the Lord to grant us more politicians who are genuinely disturbed by the state of society, the people, the lives of the poor.”
Pope Francis’ statement today calls for redistribution. This is a very bad word to many Americans and unfettered capitalists. Unfortunately even many evangelical leaders are anathema to redistribution. It is ironic since supposed believers must have read Matthew19:21 that say “Jesus answered, If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
There are many who believe that it is not the job of the state to be the arbiter of re-distribution. They believe it should be but of individual benevolence. That is a naïve outlook based on today’s realities. After-all the economy is state sanctioned and regulated. Mining & petroleum companies and ranchers reap hefty rewards from public lands yet baulk at giving back what belongs to us all.
Others multiply their wealth by using the technical flaws intrinsic to capitalism. These flaws allow many who provide no added value to products or services to profit mightily. The pope is absolutely right. The only cure to the flaws within capitalism that allow for the obscene inequities is some rational form of redistribution.
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