Time To Reflect
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
President Coolidge once stated that "the business of America is business." His commerce secretary, Hebert Hoover stated, while being the Republican nominee in 1928, that, "We in America today are nearer to the final triumph over poverty than ever before in the history of any land." He was elected president and a few months later the stock market melted down and the Great Depression began.
In 2008, Congress passed the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). President Bush signed the bailout and showed America where our government stood. It stood with the banks. While millions of Americans suffered from a weak economy, billions were spent to prop up financial institutions that had engaged in risky behavior that jeopardized the world economy. It had become official. America is about profit.
A month ago we celebrated a holiday that gave us an opportunity to be thankful for what we have, to pray for those who are less fortunate, and to reflect on life in general. And it's the reflection part that I will focus on, because I feel it is time for us to reflect as a nation. In the history of any civilization there comes a time where the citizens must decide, who they will be as a people. I believe we, as Americans, have come to such a moment.
As the temperature continues to drop there are many who will not have enough money to heat their homes. Some will not have enough money to feed their families. And still others who will not have the money to take their loved ones to the doctor. Money has become the country's most valuable commodity. Obtaining it by whatever means necessary has become our most praise-worthy endeavor. Profit has become the overriding principle, rising above life, liberty, and democracy and our constitution replaced by a spreadsheet.
Our nation just celebrated the birth of Jesus who stated, "Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was sick and you visited me, Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'"
We as a people will be judged by how we treat the less fortunate among us. But be careful because today compassion is called socialism. And while wanting the sick to be treated is called communism, profit at any cost has become our only virtue.
Robert Betances
Warsaw, via e-mail[[In-content Ad]]
Latest News
E-Editions
President Coolidge once stated that "the business of America is business." His commerce secretary, Hebert Hoover stated, while being the Republican nominee in 1928, that, "We in America today are nearer to the final triumph over poverty than ever before in the history of any land." He was elected president and a few months later the stock market melted down and the Great Depression began.
In 2008, Congress passed the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). President Bush signed the bailout and showed America where our government stood. It stood with the banks. While millions of Americans suffered from a weak economy, billions were spent to prop up financial institutions that had engaged in risky behavior that jeopardized the world economy. It had become official. America is about profit.
A month ago we celebrated a holiday that gave us an opportunity to be thankful for what we have, to pray for those who are less fortunate, and to reflect on life in general. And it's the reflection part that I will focus on, because I feel it is time for us to reflect as a nation. In the history of any civilization there comes a time where the citizens must decide, who they will be as a people. I believe we, as Americans, have come to such a moment.
As the temperature continues to drop there are many who will not have enough money to heat their homes. Some will not have enough money to feed their families. And still others who will not have the money to take their loved ones to the doctor. Money has become the country's most valuable commodity. Obtaining it by whatever means necessary has become our most praise-worthy endeavor. Profit has become the overriding principle, rising above life, liberty, and democracy and our constitution replaced by a spreadsheet.
Our nation just celebrated the birth of Jesus who stated, "Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was sick and you visited me, Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'"
We as a people will be judged by how we treat the less fortunate among us. But be careful because today compassion is called socialism. And while wanting the sick to be treated is called communism, profit at any cost has become our only virtue.
Robert Betances
Warsaw, via e-mail[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092