o Grow the pie, or re-slice it?

Clippings, Get on your feet, National politics, Poverty, , , , , , , ,

(Originally posted 09/30/13.)

Here comes the spoils society

Don’t let that odd title put you off. I think this op-ed by Robert J. Samuelson is pretty important.

The question is whether we direct the economy so as to increase wealth for everyone, or instead merely give poorer or richer people larger pieces of the “pie.”

In my conversations with other homeless folk and poor people generally, I hope to emphasize the desirability of creating wealth as opposed to merely taking it away from others.

On that point, I’m certainly prone to agree with Andy Kessler, though I have uneasiness as to whether or not he would support corresponding policies.

Other recent articles on similar questions:

An Obituary for the American Middle Class
Race, income, education increasingly polarize U.S. families since recession
Higher education’s biggest challenge is income inequality

As to Catharine Hill’s piece, I really have to question what “special services” rich families are “demanding” that are bidding up tuition costs.

* The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Bible, OUR BEST POSTS, Poverty, , , , , , , , , , ,

My response to Sunday’s sermon — and another event, after church — surprised me, and seemed to affirm that self-love is indeed the beginning of creation.

The sermon text was from Luke 18:

Continue reading * The Pharisee and the Tax Collector →

* Light Inside: A Hallowe’en Message

Bible, Get on your feet, OUR BEST POSTS, The Way of Peace, , , , , , , , , ,

(Below appears a tract I passed out with the Hallowe’en candy in 2007. “Chaos overwhelms the poor” describes that neighborhood.  Originally posted here 10/26/13. Reblogged 10/31/24.)

Light Inside

Hallowe’en is the night before a Christian holiday. The name of the holiday is “All Saints’ Day.” Years ago, they called it “All Hallows’ Day,” and the night before, “All Hallows’ Evening.”

Continue reading * Light Inside: A Hallowe’en Message →

* Job search diary 10/27/16

Homelessness, Job search/Job prospects

I continue to try to hook up with H____, the manager of the CVS – Penn North, by phone.  This one prospect has been the sole focus of my attention, heart and mind.  If there is no progress by Friday morning, I will resume exploring other options; foremost, the new Save-A-Lot soon to open just 100 yards from my church.

It’s time to review my situation and goals.

Continue reading * Job search diary 10/27/16 →

* Jacob’s ladder 04/05/14

Jacob's Ladder

(Originally posted 04/05/14.  Reblogged 06/07/18.)

Prayer for myself often takes the form of imagining myself climbing up a ladder out of a pit, the pit being my current circumstances of poverty and homelessness. Getting out at the top represents a return to the normal life of the American mainstream. I didn’t start with a ladder in there, but I decided to add one to symbolize the various structures and tools that others have made available to me — and eliminate the possibility of clawing at loose earth.

Here begins a list of “rungs” on the ladder that I’ve become aware I need to “overcome.” Each one takes effort, exertion, to get over. I will update this list from time to time as I learn of others.

1. Fear of the unknown. See From my diary: Learning to pray.
2. Jealousy of others who seem to be prospering more quickly than I am. Details here.
3. Times of despair. I guess, from time to time, they’ll happen. Details here.
4. Incidents of utter selfishness. Details here.
5. Moments of unusual hardship and sacrifice. Details here.
6. Cut loose the losers. Details here.
7. Smoking. See posts tagged “Smoking”.
8. Shame. See “(3) Baby steps.”
9. Attributions of arrogance, selfishness and greed. Details here.
10. Others’ well-intentioned but misguided prayers. Details here.