is causing some angst and soul searching.
and so it should
as the Labour party have gone is search of middle class votes, it has deserted or at least taken for granted its core voters: the poor, the voiceless, the people who don't reckon voting is worth a candle 'cos "them politicians" with their moats, second houses and expenses fiddling are only looking after themselves and their 'sort'. Who now is speaking for the 'back streets' and 'estates' of our country?
We have reaped and are reaping what we sowed with our consumer politics
the trouble is that when dealing with consumers you 'segment' the market, look for those who'll buy your product, who'll give you a return: the educated, the prosperous, the people with something to lose...
and then you peddle some solutions...economic 'magic snake oil'... that will make these prosperous people even better off
Isaiah (ch65) suggests that God's government agenda
- is not about economic growth but economic justice (People get rewards for their work, they don't work purely for the benefit of oppressive, powerful people).
- it's about looking after the weak, (in the passage the youngest and oldest of our community. It is not about looking after the rich (tax cuts) so that wealth trickles down...
- it is about creating a place where people are not condemned by their birth place to a particular form of life..
- but it is also a place of joy... a place of "bread and roses"
And that, I think, is why the BNP got votes... because the political party that should have cared, should have designed policies for the poor and voiceless, should have worked to persuade others of what is right, instead chased power giving votes and offered consumer 'products/policies'
Lord have mercy.
Have Labour ever really cared about the poor? Oh they calm too but their actions are always different. It is the same in America. We elect Obama for change and we get another George Bush. I suppose this speaks to the sinful nature of man. Try as we might we cannot do right.
Posted by: Mike | April 25, 2010 at 11:13 PM
Your perspectives are so awe-inspiring and strong that I need to rethink about something in my life.
Posted by: Cheap Oakley Sunglasses | June 21, 2011 at 01:38 AM
So, for me, I'm challenged by the high value that I put on success, doing my job well, being praised for doing a good job. It's all too important to me. Now, maybe I could think about giving up my present job and going for a less prestigious one? I think that the work I'm doing is what God has called me to do, but maybe I could do it in a different context (not a university). Now, I might be able to explore that idea further when I go on retreat next week, but I might also be able to experiment with some ideas. Just giving up my job would, I think, be too extreme, but what could I do that would try out a new way of valuing 'success'? Two options spring to mind. I've got to write a report on a project that I've been involved in. I don't think that I'm going to write a good report (too long to explain why) and I've been delaying, putting off the evil day when I'm criticised, and maybe found wanting by colleagues I value, maybe I won't be asked to do a project again? How will I handle that? Secondly, I'm going to try to organise some time over the winter to take my work up to a community house I know well. What will it be like to fit my academic research writing within the rhythms of a 'monastic' day?
So what explorations or experiments could you try to test out your emerging 'ideas'?
Posted by: Tory Burch Outlet | September 20, 2011 at 11:10 AM
'Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? But now be strong … Be strong, all you people of the land,' declares the LORD, 'and work. For I am with you,' declares the LORD Almighty… And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear…. and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty. … 'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the LORD Almighty.
Posted by: UGGs Outlet | October 11, 2011 at 09:57 AM
The second story happened to me. About 5 years ago, I went for a promotion at my previous university. I didn't get the job and the way that I didn't get the job was horrid (a message left for me on a mobile phone answering machine. To make things worse, the message was left on someone else's mobile phone not mine!) There followed a painful period where I had to come to terms with the fact that any chance of progression at that university was over for me and, given my age, I was probably going to struggle to get to another university and get promotion there. All sorts of 'demons' about my feelings of self worth ripped into me. I spent a miserable year 'plodding on'. Looking back now, I can have a more balanced reflection on the mistakes that I made and the insensitive f
Posted by: North Face Outlet | October 28, 2011 at 10:55 AM
The second story happened to me. About 5 years ago, I went for a promotion at my previous university.
Posted by: North Face Sale | November 22, 2011 at 02:37 AM
There followed a painful period where I had to come to terms with the fact that any chance of progression at that university was over for me and, given my age, I was probably going to struggle to get to another un iversity and get promotion there.
Posted by: Timberland Boots | December 20, 2011 at 03:25 AM
I was probably going to struggle to get to another un iversity and get promotion there.
Posted by: North Face Outlet | December 28, 2011 at 01:33 AM