It is not my intention for this to become Yet Another Political Blog. If anything, I’m trying to use this space to get a grasp on how I feel about a number of issues. Politics is just one of these subjects. It is easy to claim membership to a particular party or adopt an entire ideology. It is much harder to form a consistent set of political beliefs on your own. I believe this search for consistency has caused my views to change over time and question how well my elected representatives actually represent me.

Of The People, For The People, By The People

The last line of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address has influenced my thinking about what good government should be. If our government is not of the people, but of a select, privileged few, how can those few hope to represent all of us? If government is not for the people, then who is it for? If government is not by the people, who will guide it’s hand?

Government As a Mirror

Our government should be a mirror that reflects the character of the governed. If we are charitable, merciful, and respectful, should we expect anything less from our government? If we as Christians are called to care for those around us, shouldn’t a government of, by, and for us do the same? Is it possible that we have allowed the spirit of independence that birthed our nation to poison us as a people?

More Questions Than Answers

I don’t know the answers to all of these questions. I can see the wisdom in keeping government as small as is necessary to perform it’s function. My doubts lie in what that function should be. If I truly want a government that reflects me, I may have to give ground on some of my politics and let morality and ethics be my guide. It is not simple, nor is it easy, but it is right. I don’t know where the line is between “socialism” and “doing what’s right for my neighbor”, but that is a bridge that I feel can be crossed when we all get there.

This post started out as I was struggling to put together my thoughts on the Occupy movement. I was struck by how quickly the same politicians who were so supportive of protest movements overseas would malign the same sort of movements directed at themselves. Instead of a real debate about why people here at home were so upset, we had an instant negative reaction. How dare these young people protest in our backyard. Don’t they have anything better to do?

At this point I started to dig deeper into what their complaints were. It turns out that they are quite a diverse group of people. Yes, some of the most vocal protestors are from the far left. However, when you look at the core of their message, I believe it’s something quite disturbing.

The graph that changed my mind

The data in this graph comes from the Beaureau of Labor Statistics. It plots productivity and wages for the last 20 years. The message from this graph is loud and clear. American workers are producing more goods and services than ever before and getting paid less for it.

Those who reap the benefits from these gains in productivity have, through deliberate action and conspicuous inaction, have created an environment in which the poor, working, and middle classes are being squeezed out of the economy. Corporate profits, as a percentage of GDP, are the highest they’ve been in the last 100 years. At the same time, wages are at their lowest. Something is rotten on Wall Street.

It’s a matter of ethics

As a Christian, my ethics have a great deal of influence on my political beliefs. I am pro-life. Not only do I believe that abortion is wrong, I have come to view the death penalty in the same way. Additionally, I believe that we should do what is necessary to help those women who choose life, especially if they’re unable to stand on their own.

In the same manner, the Bible teaches us to love our neighbors as ourselves. If we see someone being abused and do nothing ourselves to stop it, we may as well be the abusers ourselves.

Our neighbors are being taken advantage of. We ourselves are, too. It is impossible to look at the state of affairs in our country right now and not see that things have to change.

Full circle

It’s easy to have a conviction that lines up with a popular political position. However, it’s hard to hold a conviction that contradicts the positions of those around you. I identify as a conservative, but I feel that the conservative right has sold out their ethics for political gains on this issue. It is not ok for greed to be the basis for our economic system. It is not ok for government to turn a blind eye to the behavior of those in positions of influence. Sin is sin, whether it is the killing of unborn children or greed and corruption.

I don’t support all of their various demands. I don’t even necessarily support the methods by which they’re protesting. I do, however, understand their discontent. There is something wrong with the way things are going in America. There is too much money, greed, and corporate influence in our government. That is why I support the Occupy Wall Street movement. I am a member of the 99%.