Going Home

The Big Three, responsible? That's laughable. Common sense? Equally laughable. Concerned about their employees, the communities where they manufacture, and overall economy? Yea right, look to Flint (among other cities) to measure their concern and dedication. Design and build efficient, non polluting vehicles? Only if they can charge a higher price than the expensive, gas guzzling, high polluting monster trucks and SUV's from which they made billions, and rip us off even more, only to squander the profits on yet more elaborate pay and benefit packages for top execs. Remember, GM (along with the oil companies) killed the electric car because it would have lasted longer, was non polluting, and therefore a profit killer--for both, themselves and oil companies.

They will get their money, no doubt, and laugh all the way back to Southeastern Michigan, in their private jets, popping champaign corks with their gourmet meal. Yes, indeed, is not Capitalism great? Long live Capitalism! Long live greed! Long live idiocy! Long live stupidity! Long live ruthlessness! Long live the Big Three! And most importantly, long live the fools who support them!

Greedy U.S. citizens are why we are in the state of mind we are in right now. Things are not as bad as people want you to believe. It seems to me that the modernization of society has created the problems we are enduring today.Every Family has to have at least one car, multiple computers in the home, a personal phone for every individual in the home, electronic toys abound, happy meals for the kids to help support and develop their insationable instant gratification need. Toys and goodies at Christmas, only a few isnt good enough, we have to bury those we Love in toys and stuff and they still dont get enough. Mass transportation what a joke! Save money and car pool? Ride a bike to work? Take a bus? Make a homemade card or gift? Seriously how many people that read this blog or paper for that matter do either one of these money saving techniques? Truely laughable! The average U.S. citizen just cant get enough to be happy, we have to keep up with the Jones or we are not true red blooded U.S. CITIZENS. We have the best fed homeless people in the world yet still we cant do enough for our citizens. I learned a lesson long ago, a blunt and sometimes painful lesson,life isnt always fair! Everyone cant possibly be treated the same. I!I! I made decisions in my life that put me where I am today,good bad and indifferent. I have learned to accept responsibility for the choices I made. What I do with what little money I have at times affects my family and myself.I had to suck it up and work for $3.15 an hr because I decided to quit school then I lived with two girls and became a live in baby sitter for the one because of choices I made. Then the realization came that I put myself there and only I could make the changes necessary if I wanted better for myself.Sure I got help along the way, but it was my choice to change,for years I worked two jobs just for extra money, Im a capitalist and that is what we do when we want to get ahead.

Michael,

"This is like being against the war but supporting the troops." All depends what is meant by "supporting" the troops. I stand with the victims. I support the troops by demanding that ALL U.S. troops--everywhere--be brought back to the U.S.--immediately, sent home to be with their families, and those wounded, both physically and/or mentally, be given proper treatment and just compensation! I do not support the violence, death, and destruction being committed by the troops, and the misery they spew in the lives of innocent victims, including themselves. I do not support the U.S. war machine, including the "military industrial complex," in its entirety, and believe it should be abolished that our energy, talent, and resources be spent for the betterment of life--all life, not for creation's destruction.

As for the Auto Industry, I do not support the corporate entity that has and continues to create, in various ways, countless victims--each and every person living on this earth, and the earth itself. However, I do support the victims. How do we deal with arrogant, unrepentant thieves and murderers? Is it sensible, indeed sane, to give these psychopathic, egotistical idiots more opportunities the cheat, steal and kill? When and how does accountability take place? Their arrogance and ruthlessness brought them (and us) to this point. Do we resist evil or do we collaborate with evil? Why put more resources into industry that has no conscience and wants to kill us? There is no easy solution to this catastrophic crisis--both economically and ecologically. Either way, there will be victims. Which brings us to ask, which way will cause the least amount?

Mr. Wisniewski,

From your various posts, it looks like you are eagerly awaiting an upcoming economic collapse with as much fervor as a white supremist or survivalist would await a coming race or class war from the same such conditions. If your expectations come to fruition, your Wobblie (IWW) leaning Catholic Worker's Organization may get to sing Gregorian, instead of field chants, as they enroll in President Elect Obama's promised revival of CCC camps to repair and replace America's crumbling inferstructure.

And like many religions, you can always promise "Pie in the Sky, When you die" or maybe update that old chestnut "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?"

Hallejulah, I'm a Bum.
RTZ

Greetings, Mr. Zona de surf,

Actually, I do hope Capitalism as we have known it collapses. It has wrought more devastation, calamity, and misery in the lives of people and creation than any other economic system in human history. It not only is unjust and unfair, but untenable and unsustainable. Greed is its foundation, and greed is an evil that cannot, and should not, be tolerated. The common good must become our priority. It is NOT in the common good to have several multi-billionaires who arrogantly control the majority of wealth and resources on one end while millions suffer in poverty, homelessness, and hunger on the other. It is long overdue to devise an economic system where all share in wealth and resources as needed to live a dignified life. It appears by your rapacious comment that you find it acceptable (perhaps preferable) that homelessness, poverty, and hunger run rampant, whereas I find these realities an abomination and a scourge on humanity, ecology, and universe. If you have issues with someone who stands for what is just and right, for all, then you need to re-educate yourself. You obviously have been brainwashed by this corrupt, filthy rotten--to the core--system.

Also, I am appalled by and utterly resent being compared to white supremist and survivalist. Absolutely no comparison between us. They are filled with and act out of hatred, fear, and self interest, while I live by the law of love, acceptance, and healing. You, my friend, owe me a public apology.

Peace, Mike W.

Michael Wisniewski: I do not believe that Robert T. Zona (de surf) had any intention of insulting you by comparing you to survivalists nor to white supremists. What I hear RTZ saying is that, while your point of view is opposite the points of view that may be typical of white supremists and survivalists, both points of view (yours and theirs) share a common, hard-driven 'fervor' (as he calls it). He is also saying that if capitalism collapses (as you hope that it does), the Catholic Worker movement can sing Gregorian Chant because all will be right with the world and there will be no need for 'field songs' nor to fight for anything. RTZ is trying to make light of your intense fervor and he is not insulting you at all; rather, you might be taking him and your cause(s) too seriously. Yes, I can certainly agree with you that capitalism leaves much to be desired; but, so does socialism, communism and other forms of governments and economies. No matter where one works or chooses to live be it in this country or in other countries, there will always be challenges - no place is ever perfect except in God's Kingdom. Jesus said that heaven and earth will pass away but that His Words and His Kingdom will not pass away.

I would suggest that you relax a little bit more, try to not be so angry and enjoy the life that God has given you by doing what you can to make the world a better place (like Michael Happy has done with Fletcher Field and the Holy Name/Sheild of Faith environs) and 'canning' the rest (that which you can't do nor control) by leaving it to God. There is no doubt that you are truly well-read, well-meaning and very much aware of what is going on in our country and the corrupt side of our economic system. Try not let these issues eat you up because, in spite of all the problems, the injustices, corruption and the lack of peace that we have in America, our country is a wonderful country and we all truly have much to be thankful for to be here compared to other places around the world.

As for RTZ and; although I have never met him (nor you, for that matter) personally, he seems to be extremely intelligent and expresses himself very eloquantly by virtue of his posts on the Going Home blog. I, for one, am quite amused by how he expresses his points of view by using humor even if it is at his expense. In the scheme of things, human life is short and finite and, as God calls to make this world a better place with what He has given to us, improvements will always come easier if we do it with a joyful heart and allow God take care of what we cannot take care of - Good luck and God Bless! Sincerely, David Michael Klemmer, Jr., Grand Rapids, MI

Greetings, Dave,

Thank you for a better clarification of RTZ's post. I am appreciative. Also, I certainly agree with your contention about Socialism and Communism's failure. All three economic/social structures have failed, and failed miserably! And, yes, only God's Kin-dom has absolute perfection. However, should we not realize that God's kin-dom is present among us now? Is this not what Jesus declared? The ways for a just society were mandated by God during the Exodus (see Ex. 16:16-36) with the story of Manna, and in Leviticus 25 and Deuteronomy 15. These are the guidelines by which Jesus judged the structures of His time, and for which I advocate. As described in these texts, is not God instituting and promoting a form of Socialism? Yes, but unlike the failed forms of modern Socialism, God's form of Socialism is founded on love. This was the heart of Jesus' message: love, sharing (that ALL had their fill, with leftovers), healing, and nonviolence.

"I would suggest that you relax a little bit more, try to not be so angry..." Dave, if we are not angry at the way things are, we are not paying close attention, and should therefore be ashamed and seek forgiveness. I work on the front lines feeding and caring for the thousands, literally thousands, of homeless on L.A.'s Skid Row (So. Cal. has the largest homeless population in the nation with approx. 80,000 sisters and brothers on the streets). I daily witness the injustice of the system and how it decimates God's poor. I daily witness the misery and suffering of these sisters and brothers trampled upon by the system--and society. I witness the immense disparity that exits in eight short miles from Beverly Hills to Skid Row. I witness the excess and contempt in the six short blocks from the financial district in the heart of downtown to Skid Row. Do not suggest that I not be angry. People in the burbs, small cities and towns are clueless! It is easy to sit far from the madness, pain and suffering, and say, I, and others like me, are overreacting and suggest we chill out. This demonstrates naiveté, if not arrogance. When one lives one's life on the premise that ALL human beings are made in God's image and likeness, all are God's children, hence all are sisters and brothers, one had better possess righteous anger at watching family being ground up and spit out onto the sidewalk to be trampled upon. Sorry Dave, I will not shed my anger, otherwise I might become complacent, like most of society. Indeed, I once was there and NEVER will return! However, know that I channel my anger into action, not just with words and criticism, but by willingly placing my body on the line by speaking truth to power to effectuate change--this has taken many forms of action.

"...and 'canning' the rest (that which you can't do nor control) by leaving it to God." Huh? What? Excuse you! How does God work in this world if not through people who open themselves to do God's will--God's work? Each of us, as believers, are the hands, arms, legs, feet, and voice of God in the world. If we, inspired by the Spirit, do not act, how do you suppose change will occur? Who will speak and act for and with victims? Who becomes the voice for the voiceless--as was Jesus? No, Dave, God leaves it up to us. God works through us. The Body of Christ (church) is mandated to not only be the prophetic voice in the world, but the example as well--as was Jesus. Did not Jesus demonstrate anger and frustration with the ruling elite and their unjust structures? Did he not criticize and indeed overturn the tables of injustice (in the Temple) with his anger? And you suggest we should not do the same? Somehow, magically, all will work out? Unless it affects you personally, why worry? Know that "an injustice to one is an injustice to all."

"...in spite of all the problems, the injustices, corruption and the lack of peace that we have in America, our country is a wonderful country..." I beg to differ--in a big way! How "wonderful" are we when collectively we have agreed that it is ACCEPTABLE to incinerate God's "GOOD" creation within minutes of pressing the nuclear button? We have between 8,000 and 12,000 nukes ready to launch. Our nation began this nuclear madness. Our nation is the only nation to employ these diabolical weapons, not once, not twice, but five times (depleted uranium munitions also must be considered nuclear). This is something of which to be proud? This glorifies God? This demonstrates love, for God, one another, and creation? Does this not violate the first commandment that we have and worship no other gods? Dave, wake up. This nation is addicted to and worships violence and the weapons of death and destruction that we have set up as the gods in whom we trust. This is NOT "wonderful", Dave. This is idolatry and blasphemy, the gravest of sins. Indeed, this nation is borderline guilty of the unforgivable sin of calling the Spirit a liar. We do not have much time to realize this, repent and change before it is too late. Our demise, and possibly the world as well, is near, if we do not act--NOW! Oh, and the world's destruction is NOT God's will, as many believe and proclaim. Rather, it is Satan's will. God does not will that one person, let alone all creation that God called "good", be lost or destroyed--as demonstrated by Jesus. To believe such diabolical insanity is not only foolishness, but blasphemy.

How "wonderful" are we when we accept and allow over two million homeless sisters and brothers, and over 100 million (and growing) to live in abject poverty, in this the richest nation in world history? How "wonderful" are we when we accept and allow over two million sisters and brothers be incarcerated, more than most countries combined? How "wonderful" are we when we accept the death penalty to exist here while other western nation's found reasons to outlaw this heinous crime decades ago? How "wonderful" are we when we are guilty of upholding some of the world's worst dictators? How "wonderful" are we for massacring millions upon millions of people made in God's image and likeness--to protect "our way of life" founded on greed? How "wonderful" are we when we accept and allow torture (which has many forms, including homelessness)? And the list is long, very, very, long. Yes, good does exist. But the evil far outweighs the good. We are a nation, and church, in denial! Is it not time to end our delusion and face reality? If Christians do lead in this struggle, then who will? If not now, when?

Please know that though my words may seem harsh, I am not being harsh, arrogant or judgmental (better than thou). I merely experience the pain that many victims suffer, and strive not only to stem the suffering, as much as possible, but work to cease the root causes of this suffering--which, in the last analysis, comes down to this nation's rejection and hatred of God (as explained above). There is not time to sit and ponder when so much needs to be done, and countless victims that need comforting and healing. To quote Dorothy Day, co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement, "Love in action is a harsh and dreadful thing compared with love in dreams."

Peace, Mike W.