Monday Meditation

what’s the point?

All the noise, all the planned chaos, all the bragging, all the threats, all the firings, destruction and deception: what’s the point? The only answer I’ve heard, other than retribution, is “our country will be richer than ever” and without all these federal workers, “our country will be more efficient.” So then the purpose of the cruelty, chaos, deception and dismantling is: wealth and efficiency? 

What about the families who are suffering from the pursuit of wealth and efficiency? What about the people who will die from the slashing of international and national aid? How about health care for the sick and the loss of those scientists doing critical research on health? Does support for veterans mean nothing compared to greater efficiency? What about our support for education? 

Greater efficiency to gain more riches. These are not the only goals worth pursuing, nor are they the most important. There are other pursuits whose endpoint is the strengthening of our common humanity. As Jesus once asked: “what will it profit a man who gains the whole world, and loses his soul?” Or as the Proverb reminds us: “The one who oppresses the poor insults his Maker, but the one who helps the needy honors God". 

I have questions: Are the people merely collateral damage, in the wake of wealth and efficiency? Is this the end point of all this destruction: destroying the nation in the pursuit of more wealth and efficiency, regardless of those who suffer the consequences of this pursuit? And, obviously, what about the generosity and compassion that once marked this nation?

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I will be away for the next two weeks. In the meantime, enjoy The American Bald Eagle.