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From the Other Side of the Edge….
Pope Paul VI,
…from the Grave, ...Comments on our Current, and Ugly, Social Condition
By Joe Facinoli
He died in 1978. Thirty seven years ago.
But he saw something back then, and before he passed on, Pope Paul VI
left specific instructions for all the world’s governments, regarding
how NOT to “quick fix” social inequalities, …as well as some very good
reasons why, this would be such a bad idea.
He told us, almost impatiently, even slightly scolding us (…if Popes
can even be, or do, either), in simple, easy to understand
language:
“All life demands struggle. Those who have everything
given to them, become lazy, selfish, and insensitive to the real values
of Life.”
Wow, …are we sure this man is not still alive
today?? Shows how little times have changed, in
the last four decades.
Is he still around, watching us with concern and disappointment, at how
we have “welfared” ourselves into a state of even more social inequity,
and injustice, than if we had never done a single thing for, …nor ever
given a dollar to, …anyone ??
He must be, …somewhere, …’cause he’s nailed it, and us,
perfectly.
But he was not finished, with his sage and prescient, crystal-clear and
self-evident advice, …on how and why NOT to mortgage the strength of
someone’s long-term future, with short-term economic windfall, …even if
dire circumstances demand it.
He instructed us further, …and sternly, …saying:
“The very striving, and hard work, that so many constantly try to
avoid, …are the major building blocks for what a person can
become.”
Imagine that.
Hard work leading to something good. And handouts and
cash payments, for doing nothing, leading to bad things, …not only for
individuals, but for communities, …and our society as a
whole.
Who knows, something crazy, like real values and morals, might even be
created by this “striving and hard work” of which the Holy Father
speaks, …from the beyond !
And the honest effort of dealing head-on with the experiences, …and
yes, …the problems and “struggles” in one’s life, while trying to
better it, and rise above those issues (…while most importantly, not
blaming others for them), might even bring solid, stabilizing economic
success. Could happen.
Perhaps (and this may be hard for the “Entitlement” folks to
comprehend), even MORE than (…Whoa, how could that be possible??) the
government’s monthly “assistance” checks, that their families have
grown so accustomed to being hand-delivered to their door (for
decades), …come Hell or high water, …for doing absolutely nothing.
The genius of Paul VI’s guidance, is in its simplicity, …as well as its
obvious nature.
It is common sense, …at the highest level.
Something not seen in the halls of our governments, …for nearly a
century.
But that is exactly what makes it so difficult for Liberals, Democrats,
and the “Entitlement” bunch to grasp.
How could hard work, and the promise of something better in the future,
be better than money in the hand, …right now ???
They have no clue.
And anyone who supports this legacy of insanity, or even allows it to
continue for one more minute, has no idea what it does to the economy
of the entire nation, in the not-so long run, …as well as to the social
and moral structure of all groups, races, and peoples of America.
Cut ‘em all off, …with 6 months’
notice. And then add them back, one
case at a time, …but only under the most drastic of
situations.
Any person who needs help getting by, or with paying legitimate monthly
expenses, can receive it. But only if they are working,
…somewhere.
If they can’t find a job, then they can work for the
government. Feds or states, cities or counties,
…doesn’t matter, …just be working.
Since we’re already giving them free money, and apparently it’s in the
budget, …then at least get something for it. And it
might just help out everyone else, if these jobs are set up to fill
holes in governmental services, or road crews, or wherever.
And as government jobs open up, through attrition, or with new
positions, then these former “welfare” people will fill
them.
Eventually, the government saves cash. LOTS of
it.
And a true value system, and a respect for effort/reward, starts to
take place.
Just get something for our money, …and no more free lunch, ….nor
anything free !!!
There may well be a lot of bad cops in this country.
Mean, bullying, maybe even racist cops. But they are
the exceptions, …not the rule by which almost all Police
live.
However, the free reign and valueless, no-respect for anything, welfare
and entitlement culture, drug and crime life styles of the
“walking-dead” inner city inhabitants everywhere, …trumps all Cop bad
behaviors.
It’s our fault for letting this happen, …and for permitting it to
continue.
But it’s the fault of the people in those God-forsaken neighborhoods
and areas, …for not having more pride in themselves, and for making
little or no effort to change their pitiful lives.
The phony and shameful Politicians who “represent” these areas, who
profess to care so much, and who spew so much outrage, when something
terrible happens there (which is nearly every day), …are more to blame
than anyone, for ducking the real issues, and forever voting to
continue this failed, “free-ride-for-nothing” policy.
Pope John Paul II, a successor to Paul VI, left us this thought:
“True Peace comes from Respect for Human Rights.”
Both sides, …all sides, …all of us, should try more of this “novel”
idea.
Playwright and Poet Oscar Wilde, …hardly a Pope, but a brilliant
observer of the human condition, …left behind his own theory, well over
One Hundred years ago:
“Circumstances, …should never alter Principles.”
Another “radical” opinion, …making good use of common
sense. We should all try that one out,
too.
And finally, another gifted man of fiction, …Oscar Hammerstein II,
tells us, through his “Sound of Music” lyrics, that:
“A Bell is not a Bell, …‘til you Ring it.”
In other words, we don’t know how things may work, …until we’ve tried
something, to make it work!
Doing the same stupid and unsuccessful things, for decades upon
decades, and then cursing others because your own wrongheaded inactions
haven’t worked for you, …is like blaming your knife and fork for giving
you food poisoning, after you eat a meal which you cooked
poorly.
Complete Nonsense, …as well as Albert Einstein’s definition for
Insanity.
Let’s listen to these learned men of accomplishment.
And try something else.
There are no social “victims” in Life, …no matter where you
are. There are only Survivors.
And if you are not trying, ….you will not survive.
Not for long.
The only thing “victims” become, …is Dead. Whether
that be above, or below the ground, …all the same, and doesn’t
matter.
Time for a change, …ya think? In fact,
…lots of them.
Joe Facinoli
--Joe can be reached at: joefacinoli@gmail.com
Intelligent Response Encouraged !!
© Copyright 2015, Joe Facinoli
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