Article

2014-05-09 Olde Tyme Religion

Pope demands 'legitimate redistribution' of wealth

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Posted by DarthVader 2014-05-09 11:26|| || Front Page|| [11129 views ] Top

#1 Um... no. And fuck you Father.

The poor don't get richer by shoving money at them. 60 years of a failed war on poverty should show you that. They get richer by learning new skills and bettering themselves while having an opportunity for upward mobility. A hand up, not a hand out. Otherwise they learn nothing about the value and discipline of saving and spending money. They blow it as fast as they get it otherwise and do not value it.

You want to help the poor? Get the crony capitalism and socialism holders out of power and true entrepreneurial minded people in there.

Posted by DarthVader 2014-05-09 11:31|| 2014-05-09 11:31|| Front Page Top

#2 Maybe you would be better to ask why the governments have so much money. Maybe revitalize the values of Christianity instead of asking the UN for help.

The UN. Anyone who relies upon the UN for help is in real trouble. And who is the UN to finger point on sex scandals anyways.

Posted by swksvolFF 2014-05-09 12:10|| 2014-05-09 12:10|| Front Page Top

#3 I see the Vatican bank accounts are still pretty healthy...let's start there

Posted by Warthog 2014-05-09 12:17|| 2014-05-09 12:17|| Front Page Top

#4 For wealth that is earned, it is a matter of personal morality to choose to redistribute it, not through coercive force. It is best to also remind the 'poor' that engaging in the seven deadly sins keeps one in the condition. Human free will has consequences. You do not punish or condemn others for the choices of those who choose badly.

Thou shall not covet
Thou shall not steal
Thou shall not bear false witness

Posted by P2kontheroad 2014-05-09 12:18|| 2014-05-09 12:18|| Front Page Top

#5 I called my catholic church today and cancelled my electronic redistribution weekly contributions. I guess I am back in the Hell queue.

Posted by Airandee 2014-05-09 13:13|| 2014-05-09 13:13|| Front Page Top

#6 Um... no. And fuck you Father.

Before commenting you should really read the source document. Do not count on the press to report in accurately. The LSM has its own agenda.

Pope Francis was invoking the example of Zacchaeus from the Gospel of St. Luke. Zacchaeus was a tax collector who overtaxed the community and kept the excess for himself. After speaking to Jesus, he was inspired to repent and return the money he had stolen.

Note that Zacchaeus worked for the government and was able to steal as a result of the coercive power of the legions. in this story, the government can steal and cheat, as can its employees.

Al

Posted by Frozen Al 2014-05-09 13:22|| 2014-05-09 13:22|| Front Page Top

#7 Why is wealth not equally distributed?

a) War/feudal lords grabbed all the land
b) Governments confiscated the means of production
c) Crooks stole it (see a & b above)
d) Hard working people accumulated capital while less hard working people didn't

Trying to "correct" d simply will not work.

Posted by Squinty 2014-05-09 15:07|| 2014-05-09 15:07|| Front Page Top

#8 There's a legitimate mechanism for the redistribution of wealth.
It's called Adam Smith Capitalism.

Posted by Bright Pebbles 2014-05-09 16:26|| 2014-05-09 16:26|| Front Page Top

#9 It might be instructive to remember that Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are also ordained holy men, of some order.

Posted by Besoeker 2014-05-09 16:28|| 2014-05-09 16:28|| Front Page Top

#10 "the legitimate redistribution of economic benefits by the state, as well as indispensable cooperation between the private sector and civil society."

Very general word usage. Can be interpreted many ways. True Christian faith emphasises church based work with the poor with successful private sector people working through the church. Much better accountability and has an immediate impact on the neighborhood of that church and private sector.

To try emphasize "economic benefits" go to a secular government is not efficient, at all.

Posted by Bubba Graiting8281 2014-05-09 17:04|| 2014-05-09 17:04|| Front Page Top

#11 Are you saying that media (in the form of AP) would *LIE* about the representative of an institution it intensely hates Frozen Al?

Say it ain't so!

Posted by CrazyFool 2014-05-09 17:09|| 2014-05-09 17:09|| Front Page Top

#12 The AP is distorting what the Pope says.

Posted by OldSpook 2014-05-09 17:48|| 2014-05-09 17:48|| Front Page Top

#13 The other issue is Pope Francis is not nearly as intelligent as his 2 predecessors, nor is he careful with his words, as his predecessors were. Pope Francis is a man of God, but somewhat of a rube.

Posted by OldSpook 2014-05-09 18:17|| 2014-05-09 18:17|| Front Page Top

#14

Note that Zacchaeus worked for the government and was able to steal as a result of the coercive power of the legions.

Most likely, Zacchaeus bought the office of tax collector, and the over-collection was the reason he did it.

Curiously, it was the last pagan emperor, Julian the Apostate, who did some tax reform by reigning in the tax farmers.

Pity about his little venture into Iraq...

Posted by Rob Crawford 2014-05-09 20:24|| 2014-05-09 20:24|| Front Page Top

#15 What Warthog said.

Posted by Barbara 2014-05-09 21:03|| 2014-05-09 21:03|| Front Page Top

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