Category Archives: Politics

Health insurance

18 Tuesday Jul 2017

Posted by in Health, Humanity, Politics, Society

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There’s a big debate going on in the seat of government about health insurance – or “health care” as it is always called.  However, the two are very different.  Health care is what doctors and nurses and pharmicists and other medical professionals do.  Health insurance is how we pay for it.  But health insurance reform doesn’t sound quite the same as health care reform does it?

Is the Senate bill a good replacement for what our current system?  Is it worse?  Depends on who you talk with.

It leaves me with a few observations though.  These are things that I think we haven’t answered as a nation.  And because we haven’t answered them, any change we make to health insurance is not going to go over very well – no matter how it’s sold to us.  But keeping what we have currently isn’t a good option either, long term.  But we have to start somewhere right?

At any rate, here’s a few thoughts.

What is the role of government in our nation?  This has been an ongoing debate since the beginning – one that we haven’t answer yet.  You’d think we’d have an answer after 240 years right?

What is our vision for the nation?  Where do we want our nation to go as we move forward in history?

What is the relationship between the government and the people?  If government is the one responsible for providing health insurance, does it bother anyone else that we have distrusting relationship between people and government?

Why in the world is health insurance still attached to employment?  How does this even makes sense anymore?

I wonder what a reformed health insurance would look like if the extreme ends of the political spectrum were left out of the discussion and the folks in the middle made changes.  Would it be better?

How much do we really spend on paying for health care?  Is there a better way to do it?

Why do we in the US focus all of our attention on sick care as opposed to more focus on prevention?  Prevention ends up costing a whole lot less, and it means that people are healthier.

What does our American culture and mindset force us into concerning health care and health insurance?  In other words, what are the things that are unnamed and hidden from view that drive the direction of health policy – good and bad?  Are these things that can be changed?  Or are we stuck?

How we invest our time

07 Friday Jul 2017

Posted by in Politics

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How we invest our time matters.  It tells people what we actually claim is important.  There’s a difference between what we say is important and what we actually do.  What we do telegraphs to everyone what is actually important to us.

When you spend time with your significant other and constantly look at your phone, you are telegraphing to that person that the phone is more important than the person you are with – or rather that potentially someone else more interesting is more important than the person you supposedly care very deeply about.  Where we spend our attention is like purchasing importance.

This goes beyond individual relationships.  Imagine if we took the time we spend on politics and devoted it to something else?  Maybe service of our neighbors, or someone in need around us.  Or what if we spent that time with our families?  Or maybe our church or place of worship?  Or personal growth, or working, or exercising, or cooking really good food, or walking your dog, or just going for a walk, or running, or reading, or sleeping?

All of those are much better uses of time than the ridiculous volume of time, emotion, and attention that we invest ourselves in politics. I’m not arguing that politics is worthless and should be ignored.  But seriously, with our 24-hour news cycle, there really isn’t all that much actual news – most of it is fabricated fighting over things that don’t matter.

Here’s what politics ultimately is – a fight over who has power.  A fight over who is right.  A fight over who gets to determine what rules are made.  A fight over who the bad guys are.  A fight over who gets to spend other people’s money.  A fight over things you always thought there was common agreement for but now we aren’t so sure about that common agreement anymore.

Or do we invest as much time in politics because we are bored or afraid – bored with our lives or afraid to examine our lives?  Maybe.  Maybe our politics has become more entertainment than serious policy moves.  Regardless, most of the time we can skip most of the “news.”  It really isn’t news at all.  It’s anxiety development.

Freedom

04 Tuesday Jul 2017

Posted by in Politics, Theology

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Today is July 4th.  Here in the US we celebrate our Independence Day.  A day devoted to the idea of freedom.

But there seems to be a problem.

We, in the US are having a problem with a common understanding of what freedom is.  How do we define it, as a nation?  Depending on who you talk with, you’ll get a different definition.  Without a common understanding of some fundamental things that our country was founded on, we shouldn’t be surprised that we have some troubles in our nation.

It is disconcerting that there are different understandings of the idea of freedom.  Does this bother anyone else?  How is a nation supposed move forward and function properly and serve its people when we have two major political parties, and groups within those parties, who all have different understandings of what freedom means.  And that’s not counting those unaffiliated with either political party who see the parties as an obstruction to freedom with their very existence and who they promote for leadership.

So what is freedom?  On July 4th we think about political freedom.  But there are other freedoms – freedoms that have nothing to do with politics.  That’s because politics isn’t the end-all, be-all of life.

In religion we talk about freedom too.  It’s freedom from sin and death.  Martin Luther wrote about the freedom of a Christian – free to serve our neighbors.

Today we celebrate freedom, but what kind of freedom are we celebrating?

Tell it like it is

03 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by in Humanity, Politics, Society, Theology

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Why do many people like someone who “tells it like it is?”

…and what does that really mean anyway?

Is telling it like it is about truth when it comes down to it?  Or is about being really pissed off and expressing anger vocally?

Are those that are interested in someone who “tells it like it is” really just interested in someone who sounds pissed off because that’s what they are?

Does “telling it like it is” give that person a license to be a jerk?  What if someone else calls that person a jerk because they are “telling it like it is” about that person?

Is there a way to tell it like it is in a different way than being rude and obnoxious?

Is there a metric or something to measure against what the “it” is – you know something that fact checks the “it” in “telling it like it is?”

Or is that just not important because the person who is “telling it like it is” is saying whatever they are saying with passion and lots of emotion for others to get wrapped up in.

Do we really believe that there really are politicians who tell it like it is out of the goodness of their hearts?  Politicians, whether long-term politicians or new comers, couldn’t possibly “tell it like it is” in order to build up their own power could they?  In order to manipulate and get more support for a political message, maybe?

What if asking all of these questions is a way of telling it like it is?  What if you don’t like it?  Does that matter since I’m telling it like it is?  Or am I not doing that because I’m not insulting you, the reader, in the way I tell it like it is?

Someone else told it like it is – long ago.  But did it in a far different manner.  He pointed out the flaws of society and culture and offered an alternative.  It was very upsetting, but not because he insulted people or was rude.  It was upsetting because he told the truth about the world – a truth that the world didn’t want to admit.  It was so upsetting that he was killed by those who didn’t want to acknowledge the truth that he talked about.  That person was Jesus.  Jesus told it like it is.  Yet somehow, so many don’t want to listen to what Jesus had to say and continues to say today about the world, society, and culture.  Jesus’ telling it like it is doesn’t fit into our anger – we want someone to pay damn it!  Jesus’ telling it like it is doesn’t fit with our desire to exclude and separate.

Maybe telling it like it really is not something we really want to hear – especially when it is focused on us and our lives and our culture.  Maybe we’d rather just be angry and throw a tantrum and be a victim instead.  It’s much easier.  It’s not pleasant to be told what it is, regardless of what “it” is.

But that’s what Jesus does.

 

Power, Authority, and Relationships

30 Friday Jun 2017

Posted by in Humanity, Organizational theory, Politics, Society

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What is the basis, the core foundation, of a relationship?  It can be a number of things.  Part of this depends on who is involved in the relationship. It could be between individuals, or groups, or institutions, etc.

Power is one basis of a relationship.  When power is the basis of a relationship, then it will probably end in war or a power struggle of some kind.  That’s because most people who base relationships on power believe that power is a limited resource that only a few can possess – and guess who should possess it?  That’s a false understanding about power though.  It’s a better understanding of authority though.  Power and authority are two very different things.  Not everyone can have or be in a position of authority.  But you can be in a position of authority and have no power.  You can also be in a position of absolutely no authority, but have a significant amount of power.  Authority is a title that is given.  Power is based on the relationship between people.

Politics is ultimately about power – who’s got it and what are they doing with it.  But it’s combined with authority – or rather tainted by authority so that often the two are seen as intermixed and interrelated to the point that there is a belief that there is no difference between the two.

So we end up with a few people with authority fighting and clawing at each other to gain and horde as much power as possible because they confuse power with authority.  Just look at Washington, DC for some examples.  It really doesn’t matter which party you look at – it’s been this way for quite some time now – well before any of us were born.

Those that have authority, but lack self-confidence and self-awareness, will try to make up their lack of self-confidence and self-awareness with a pursuit of power.  They think if they have power, it will fill in any weakness or gaps in themselves.

They see power as something like a spot light – it will shine on them – and they will use up all of the light that is shining on them.  Instead, what power does for these folks is show the weakness of character for all to see.

Light isn’t designed to be horded – but to be spread.  The same is true for power.  It is best used when it is spread out and touches as many people as possible – when many are empowered to make decisions about their own lives and used for the betterment of the many.

It is abused when it is used for the betterment of the few or the one at the expense of the many.  Then it is just tyranny.  And it is why those who horde power end up losing it or having it taken away.

There are other options though.  We can base our relationships on love, respect, trust, etc.  These are much healthier.  And they have a different focus – outward, towards the other.  These things are focused on empowering others, seeing what is best for all involved.  They are risky though.  They take time and they leave us vulnerable.  You have to have confidence, or maybe a better word is faith.  Faith that the other person is seeking the same thing that you are – a thriving life.

What are your relationships with others and with institutions based on?

While I was away…

26 Monday Jun 2017

Posted by in Humanity, Politics, Theology

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We took a two-week vacation for the first time and returned back the middle of last week.  It was wonderful to get away.  It was a little disconcerting to come back though.  While away I only went through some social media notifications, but mostly just so I wouldn’t have a 1000 when I came back.  I didn’t read anything political or partisan – I didn’t want to.  I was on vacation.  I didn’t touch e-mail, even though I knew I would have a ton to go through.  I didn’t care though, I was on vacation.

Then we came back.   Going through e-mail I discovered that there was lots of chaos in the world.  Most of which I didn’t know about and didn’t want to know about.  Most of it was more than I cared to know about.

There also seemed to be a good deal of enraged people too.  Enraged over various things.  But I just couldn’t get enraged.

One thing I learned from this vacation is that when we start from a position of rage and anger, it is us that get burned…and tired…and exhausted…and irrational…and more.

Being enraged and angry all the time doesn’t help.  It doesn’t change anything.  Actually, it usually makes things worse.  That’s not to say we should just throw our hands up and surrender when we see or experience injustice.  Far from it.  From my experience an enraged response will get a reaction.  But it probably won’t be the one you want.  Unless you like anger and being enraged.

What I learned from vacation is that I need more silence and contemplation, not more news and data.  What will more news and data actually accomplish in my life?  Maybe more emotional responses.  It certainly won’t stop the chaos.  It only contributes to it.

I think that we don’t need more social media in the world.  Instead, how about more social contact – real contact – in person.  Or better yet – better social media and better social contact.

We need to start acting like what we want the world to be like, not just say “I’ll pray for you.”  Or wait for someone else to start.

If we are Christians we are each called to follow Jesus into this world and start living in a Christ-like manner.  We can start right now.  But only if we so choose.  Only if we decide to put the anger and rage aside.

Need a reminder of what this might look like – maybe start with the Beatitudes or the Sermon on the Mount.  Or Jesus’ admonition to visit the visit the sick and imprisoned, to feed the hungry, etc.  No where in the bible does it say to wait for someone else to do it, or for government to do it, or work to get certain politicians elected so they can do it, or call some non-profit so they can do it (all the while we complain at non-profit employees get paid because 100% of the donation isn’t going to “the cause.”  Never mind that without these dedicated people there would be no cause – they are doing the work of the cause, so stop complaining.  They don’t make enough.)

You want society to change, start living differently and actually impacting lives.  And take some time for silence.  We need silence in our lives.

Special Request

06 Tuesday Jun 2017

Posted by in Politics

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I have a short, simple special request.  No more celebrity politicians – of any type.  In either party or any party.

I heard that Kayne West was thinking about running for President.  In the last couple of weeks I’ve also heard the following names seriously considering running – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Kevin Hart, Katy Perry, Chris Rock, and a host of others.

I don’t care what ticket they are on, they have no business running for president.  Being president isn’t a character slot to be filled.  There’s no best actor award for president.  There are people’s lives to consider.  As much fun as it might be (or not) to watch some celebrity in a debate on any host of issues, it might be helpful if a type of warning label came on before the debates.  Maybe something like “Warning: electing a celebrity can be harmful to everyone’s health.”

Please America, just don’t.  Please Democrats and Republicans, don’t do it.  I know it’s tempting and it’s all the rage right now.  But for the sake of the children don’t do it.  For the sake of my dog, don’t do it.  For the sake of not sending me to the psyche ward, don’t do it.

Thanks.

Searching for Messiah

05 Monday Jun 2017

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I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to make the statement that it appears that our society is in search of a messiah figure.  Too often that ends up being a search in the political realm of life – a search for a political and/or partisan messiah who will save the nation/party/etc.

I also don’t think that this is anything new.  We’ve actually been doing this for some time.  I remember when Obama got elected and all the adulation for him, with some going so far as to call him a messiah.

But this isn’t even an American sin.  Go back through history, the search for messiah and the foisting it on a human is ancient.  Emperors of old were considered gods sent to save their people.  But only their people. Everyone else is an outsider and doesn’t deserve saving supposedly.  And of course, that person died and then the search for a new messiah began.  It’s the story of human history.  And yet we think this time it will be different.

Maybe part of the reason we do this is because we don’t want to recognize that the Messiah looks far different from what we want.

The Messiah who saves us isn’t interested in nationalism or America first.  Just like the Messiah wasn’t interested in Israel first or any other nation first.  The Messiah didn’t come to save just a select few people – the Messiah came to save all of creation.

The Messiah who saves isn’t interested in advancing a political party in the 21st century.  At some point, all of these political parties and entities will die off and be replaced with some other sin-filled party or entity.  The Messiah isn’t interested in seizing and holding onto power, something that political parties and politicians live for.

Instead, Messiah has a different agenda.  It’s an agenda that calls us into a new relationship – a changed relationship.  A new relationship with one another, with God, with creation, with ourselves.

So often we want change, but we want those “other” people to change to be just like us. We love hearing the Gospel, but we think that a call for repentance is a call for other people to radically reorient, not us.  However, Messiah invites us to change as well.  How can anything else change is it doesn’t start by changing us, changing our hearts and minds, and then changing what we do and how we do it.

We don’t start this change, God does.  We do however have the ability to respond.  We have been given that by the Spirit who guides us to a new life and new relationships.  How will we respond – with fear? by setting aside God in favor of a god we choose who will be more concerned with power and separation?  Will we hear God’s call and follow, or will we decide that we think we know a better way – a failed way, a way that has been tried through most of human history?

I pray that this generation responds differently.  I pray that I have the courage to respond when God calls me to ways that the world thinks are insane – to respond with love, mercy, forgiveness, and peace.  That is the way of Messiah.

 

What’s the point of war?

04 Thursday May 2017

Posted by in Politics, Society, Theology

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What is the point of war?  To win?  To show that “our” side is right?  To show that the other side is wrong or evil?  To defend our way of life?

To make peace?  How does that even work?  How does killing and causing destruction – things that are in complete opposition to peace – bring about peace?  Is peace just the absence of war?  Or is it a different way of living?

What is the point of war?  To make a profit? To reduce a population? To conquer? To destroy?  To show how masculine a country can be?  To show how much a leader is in charge?

What’s the point of war? To eradicate an enemy?  But why? What will have been accomplished?  Do we really think that nothing will take its place?  Do we really think that life will be better when the other side is eradicated?

What’s the point of war? To rally around the flag? To rally around the leader? To defend a set of values?

When is war necessary? When attacked? Prevention?

When do we know that it is time to end the war? And what happens to our relationship with those who were our enemies while we were at war?

What about nations that have gone out of existence?  What was the point of them going to war? To preserve their nation? But they are gone.  Was it worth it? What did it accomplish?

Rome, and many other empires built their very existance on war and crushing their enemies. It is how they brought peace to their rhelm.  Yet, they are all gone to the ashes of history. What was the point of it all?

Maybe, just maybe, there’s another way.  With a different set of answers and questions.  One that doesn’t rely on power struggles for things that will eventually fade away.

Why are we looking to fight North Korea?

01 Monday May 2017

Posted by in Politics, Theology

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This is a serious question that I don’t have an answer for.  Are we looking to puff our chest to show just how serious we are?  Are we the world’s police force?  Are we being provoked?  Are we trying to put Kim Jong Un in his place?  What place is that?

What do we gain from this little adventure?  Is the point to raise the polls at home?  A war usually has a good effect for that – time to rally round the flag and president.  Will that work if we end up in war this time?  Who knows?

Lots of questions.  I just don’t get it.  But then again, I’m not into seeking power.  I’m not into telling people what they “have to” do or “must do.”

Of course, I’m finishing up seminary and hope to be a pastor soon, but really, being a pastor isn’t about going around and telling people what they “have to” do.  I don’t/won’t have that kind of authority – ever.  Plus as a Lutheran, our focus is on what God is doing anyway.  We can’t do anything to bring about our own salvation.  We can’t even go and decide to accept Jesus.  We can respond to what God is doing in our lives, but we can’t initiate the relationship.

So what about international relations.  What would be Lutheran way of looking at these things?  I’m not sure actually.  Maybe it would be a different approach.  It probably wouldn’t sit well with people who think “America first!” Maybe it would involve grace and mercy.  Maybe it would involve wiping the dust off our shoes in relation to them.  Maybe it would be confrontational.

I don’t know.  I do know that our actions are raising a level of anxiety around the world when it comes to North Korea.  What they do seems to be predictable.  Tyrants have a way of being predictable – they do what keeps them in power.

Raising anxiety is not a good solution to the challenge.  Raising anxiety probably means we are trying too hard, that we are looking to save something.  Are we looking to be the savior of the planet?  Sorry, the job has already been taken.