Coffee & Writing

I’m not an expert about politics, but here is what I know. We have a whole bunch of political parties and George Washington said something wise and prophetic about political parties.

However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.

George Washington, September 17, 1796, Farewell Address

It sounds like President Washington had a Magic 8 Ball, perhaps this one…

Available on Amazon for $15.95, 36% off, what a steal!

I also know that we have a Senate and a Congress, but all are called Congressmen, even the women probably. Politicians always seem to talk about reaching across the aisle to talk to one another, but somehow the vote usually goes straight down party lines. I guess no one checked their email, voice mail, or maybe they missed those little candy hearts with the cutsie messages on them. Who knows?

I do know that for some reason when politicians get on the trail to be reelected, they suddenly become almost Bible thumpers and talk about how religious they are, but their politics rarely lean that way.

I am Catholic, so that’s all I have to go by. Well, that, a little bit of common sense, my own personal beliefs, and my conscience. However, the Catholic Church has seven social moral teachings:

Dignity: We believe every human person is made in the image and likeness of God. This is a gift that we all share as fellow human beings; we are all infinitely loved by our Creator.

Solidarity: Solidarity arises when we remember that we belong to each other.

The common good: The common good means that the fruits of the earth belong to everyone. No one should be excluded from the gifts of creation.

The option for the poor: The option for the poor reminds us of God’s preferential love for the poorest and most vulnerable people. God’s love is universal; he does not side with oppressors, but loves the humble.

Peace: “Peace… is an order that is founded in truth, nurtured and animated by charity, and brought into effect under the auspices of freedom.” -Pacem in Terris, 1963, #167

Creation and Environment: Pope Francis invites everyone on the planet to consider how our actions are affecting the earth and the poorest people. Everything is interconnected, and all of creation praises God. It is our Christian vocation to care for creation. 

The dignity of work and participation: The human person should always come before the pursuit of profit. Workers have the right to join trade unions, to a just wage, to spend time with their families and to rest. Work is an essential part of our human dignity and everyone has the right to participate.

Source: Catholic Agency for Overseas Development

These seem like good things to go by when you’re voting. I mean if you wear a pin that says WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) or you are a Christian since we are are Christian nation (*rolls eyes*) you may want to consider these teachings since they seem along the lines of what the Beatitudes say.

(3) “Blessed are the poor in spirit,^*

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

(4) Blessed are they who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

(5) Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the land.

(6) Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness

for they will be satisfied.

(7) Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

(8) Blessed are the clean of heart,

for they will see God.

(9) Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

(10) Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5: 3-10

However, the best people to usually sum things like this up are comedians…