Perspectives of a Wanderer

One thing I like to do is to reflect on the privious year and see how far (or not) I have progressed in my goals for the year.  This year, I have definitely not progressed nowhere near the point where I want to be.

Just like previous years, I have started out like gangbusters on my Prayer and Spiritual life and all of the sudden, I hit a brick wall (usually during the Lenten/Easter Season) and it takes me months to get back, if at all.  Maybe it was because I started out too fast and burned out.  I do not know.

Another thing was that I have not followed up on my goal of getting a Spiritual Director.  Yes, I talked to a priest, but it did not go beyond that point.

One thing I did do is starting to go more often to the Extraordinary Form of the Mass but, even then, it was not for the right reason.  I went because it was the most convenient time at my parish and because my Saturdays have been very busy and I could not take a couple of hours out to go to Mass.  Saying that, I am glad I have started to the EF Mass and have continued to do so even though my Saturdays have been less hectic.

Another item that I did accomplished was to become an Associate Member of the Confraternity of the Holy Guardian Angels and started on my way to become an Active Member.

Lastly. Although it was not part of my goals for the year, I did get invested in the Brown Scapular.

For this year, I have set the following:

• Increase and maintain my prayer life
• Get and regularly meet with a Spiritual Director
• Continue on the path to become an Active Member of the Confraternity of the Holy Guardian Angels.
• Start looking into getting an advanced degree in Theology/Philosophy

Yes, I know it weird question, but one that needs pondering.

Global Capitalism has shown its flaws and they have been amplified by the current economic downturn and financial crisis.   Both have shown that bigger is not always better when it come to the economy.  What has even made it worse is the Socialist “engineering” (more like meddling) forcing global financial institutions into making questionable, and possibly suicidal, lending practices.

Under a distributist economic system, much of the situation we are in now could have been localized, minimized, and maybe even prevented instead of causing global problems.

How can the distrubutists use this to their advantage?

First. Working locally to rebuild financial stability without relying of the global banking system.  Get banking back to the community level though community banks, savings and loans, and credit unions that are not tied to the big financial institutions.  This also means not selling loans to big commercial financial institutions.  If the loans are not sold, the local financial institutions will be more responsive to who they lend the money to.  And, in the case of S&L’s (I believe it is still so) and Credit Unions, the depositors are owners not customers.

In addition, there are calls to abolish the Federal Reserve, this should be seriously considered.  National policies do not translate to the local level. This is an area that I am not completely up on and do not know all the ramifications, so I will leave it at that.

Second.  Use the downturn the economy and the unjustified layoffs just to preserve their profits against the national/global corporations.  This would be done through both publicity and action to create and/or promote local competitors for the global industries.  It would first have to first start with industries that have easy access to local resources.  A good example would be food (both agricultural and livestock).  After the easily established industries are establish then we could.

Third.  Establish advocacy groups (i.e. PACS) to promote distributism friendly policies at the local, state, and federal level.  This may be the hardest to do since both capitalism and socialism seem to be the only two economic structures deemed to be valid.

Finally, use all of the above to establish a societal structure based not only on distributism but also on Catholic Moral and Social teaching, which is the ultimate goal.  Now I know many are not Catholic in today’s society however, with the way society is declining (I call it imploding), we need to establish an alternative societal structure to either save or reestablish society.

Is it?  In my opinion, yes in two ways.

The first is Capitalist Greed in terms of control and wealth.  Bigger is better.  By controlling a larger percentage of an industry or industries, the global capitalist controls a larger portion good and labor for that industry.  This means he has more control prices charged and labor costs.  Combined with economies of scale, this allows the bottom line (profit) to increase due to increased revenue and lower costs.

The second is Government Greed in the form of tax revenue.  In the United State, he corporate income tax is, for the most part, a progressive tax not on Revenue but on Net Earnings before Interest and Taxes (EBIT).  For them, one corporation having an EBIT of 50 million dollars will produce close to 500,000 dollars more tax revenue than 100 companies with a net income of 500,000 if everything is equal (i.e Revenue and costs).  In reality, there difference in Tax Revenue is probably much more due lower net income caused by price and labor pressures caused by competition.  This means it is in the government’s best interest to eliminate competition when it is possible.

In both cases there is greed.

If anyone has been reading my blog from the beginning, you probably know my issues with the Extraordinary Form of the Mass is not with the Mass, but with the people associated with it.  If not, an example can be seen at What Makes the Extraordinary Form Mass Unpalatable to Me.

Due to being extra busy on Saturdays with more errands than normal, I have been attending my parish’s 9:30 AM Extraordinary Form Mass since it is the most convenient (and the ORC I usually go to Confession is there on Sundays).

At first it was hard to follow (especially the beginning since I did not know about the Asperges which is not in the Order of the Mass in the Missal I have).  However, I have gotten quite use to the Mass and see its appeal (although I wish my pastor would do a Low Mass every once and awhile on Sunday’s).

I keep in planning to go to the Extraordinary Form Mass on Sundays even after my Saturdays quiet down.  I like having not to have to take 4 hours out of my Saturday just to go to Mass (my parish is about a 45 minute drive from me).

I still do not like some who are “associated” with the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, but I am not going to let that stop me from going.

Consider the following two statements.

First, from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

2425 The Church has rejected the totalitarian and atheistic ideologies associated in modem times with “communism” or “socialism.” She has likewise refused to accept, in the practice of “capitalism,” individualism and the absolute primacy of the law of the marketplace over human labor. Regulating the economy solely by centralized planning perverts the basis of social bonds; regulating it solely by the law of the marketplace fails social justice, for “there are many human needs which cannot be satisfied by the market.” Reasonable regulation of the marketplace and economic initiatives, in keeping with a just hierarchy of values and a view to the common good, is to be commended.

And from Pope Benedict’s September 23, 2007 Angelus Message:

In his Encyclical Centesimus Annus, John Paul II wrote: “The modern business economy has positive aspects. Its basis is human freedom exercised in many other fields”. Yet, he adds that capitalism must not be considered as the only valid model of economic organization

Starvation and ecological emergencies stand to denounce, with increasing evidence, that the logic of profit, if it prevails, increases the disproportion between rich and poor and leads to a ruinous exploitation of the planet.

Both denote the drawback Capitalism (and socialism), but I would like to concentrate one particular type of Capitalism and that is Global Capitalism(i.e. Globalization).  Just like Marxism is the ultimate form of Socialism (i.e. Global Socialism), Globalization is the ultimate form of capitalism.  Just like Marxism/Socialism consolidates the resources and populace under the control of the state, this Globalization puts the power to control the majority of the resources in the hands of a limited number of powerful global corporations thus enslaving the populace for both its necessities and livelihood.

Yes, one can say there are still many small businesses, but even there, much of the goods and services supplied by them are obtained from these global corporations.

The effects of Globalization on society are immense.  Materialism alone which these corporations encourage just to drive their profits has drawn a vast percentage of the populace away from God and family.  The “next big thing” seems to be the most important thing in people’s lives.

Another effect is how a crisis in one part of the world sends shockwaves to every part of the world.  A good example of this is the current financial crisis.  It has caused economic uncertainty that is causing panic among many.  Before the Industrial Revolution, the effects were usually relegated to local or regional range.

Finally, there is the effect on impoverished areas of the world. Many have advocated that globalization would bring prosperity to these parts of the world.  This has not only been not the case, but has made things worse.  Yes, corporations drive for profit has brought jobs to these parts of the world, but has not improved conditions.  In fact, wages these parts of the world are kept artificially low so the “bottom line” can be maintained.  This is coupled by the fact that, since a large portion of the populate has been taken away from more traditional types of occupations like agriculture, factories taking up and polluting prime arable land, the are more dependent on other and starvation is more common.  In addition, many of the social ills (due to the effects of relativism and liberalism) affecting developed parts of the world are being imported to these areas.

One has to wonder how much longer this globalization can last before it spirals of control.  This is only one more pressure that is pushing civilization closer to implosion.  What can be done?  That is a question that has to be answered sooner than later.  Breaking the bonds of globalization will not be easy, but it must be done in many (not all) cases.  Only getting back to a local and family type economy/society one that is God centered can save civilization.

With the recent trends in certain countries (including the United States where I live), a question and comments have arisen many times on a certain Catholic Forums board whether one is Catholic  or a citizen on a particular country first.

The following passage may help on this:

Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how to entangle him in his talk. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Hero’di-ans, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God truthfully, and care for no man; for you do not regard the position of men.  Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”  But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the money for the tax.” And they brought him a coin.  And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”  They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Mt. 22: 15-21 RSV)

Yes, we are suppose to support legitimate governments, however, one must remember that God must come first.  Where there is a conflict, we must choose God and His Church over one’s country.  In fact, this goes much further.  In the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

1902 Authority does not derive its moral legitimacy from itself. It must not behave in a despotic manner, but must act for the common good as a “moral force based on freedom and a sense of responsibility”.[1]

A human law has the character of law to the extent that it accords with right reason, and thus derives from the eternal law. Insofar as it falls short of right reason it is said to be an unjust law, and thus has not so much the nature of law as of a kind of violence.[2]

1903 Authority is exercised legitimately only when it seeks the common good of the group concerned and if it employs morally licit means to attain it. If rulers were to enact unjust laws or take measures contrary to the moral order, such arrangements would not be binding in conscience. In such a case, “authority breaks down completely and results in shameful abuse.”[3]

1904 “It is preferable that each power be balanced by other powers and by other spheres of responsibility which keep it within proper bounds. This is the principle of the ‘rule of law,’ in which the law is sovereign and not the arbitrary will of men.”[4]
————————————————————–
[1] GS 74 # 2.
[2] St. Thomas Aquinas, STh I-II, 93, 3, ad 2
[3] John XXIII PT 51.
[4] CA 44.

When governents, or even particular man-made “positive laws”, are unjust and in conflict with God’d Natural Law, we are obligated to oppose such “positive laws” and governments.

That is  why I state that I am Catholic first and an American second.  If there is a conflict between the two, country will lose.

I know, I know.  It is a loaded question, but one that needs to be asked.With all the ills infecting society today, I am wondering if it is worth saving or even has the possibility of being saved.

As I have said before, I do believe that society is one the verge of implosion from the weight of Relativism, Materialism, and Liberalism, but I do see other factors also weighing on society that would probably not go away without a complete collapse.

One of the main factors is globalization.  This globalization can be divided into two areas: Capitalism and Governance.  Global Capitalism has all but destroyed self-sufficiency of the human race.  Almost everything is provided by the “Global Market” and most do not know how, and/or do not want to, fend for themselves.  They rather go to the store to buy what they need and work for big corporations to allow them the ability (i.e wages) to obtain what they need.   The second is Governance.  It is coming to the point where we are not allowed to have free-will to make our own decisions.  Much of that is being taken away by governments and increasingly by regional/continental (i.e. the EUC), and even world (i.e the UN) governmental bodies.

I do believe the effects of globalization, as I said before, magnifies problem by making local issues reverberate throughout the world (And, with the latest economic situation, this is becoming increasingly apparent) .  I also believe that, unlike Relativism and Materialism, that Globalization probably not be reversed without society/civilization collapsing thus breaking the bonds that allows globalization to exist. Note: I did not include Liberalism with Relativism and Materialism here due to the close relationship it has with Global Governance.

Liberalism also is a cause of a second factor which is also contributing to the implosion and that is the population decline that is being foisted on the world by “population control”.  In many places, the birth rate has fallen so far below the replacement point that whole populations are in danger of being damaged beyond repair.  The average age is rising to the point where it will become impossible to even recover from this decline.  One example is Russia.  There is some projections that they may lose as much as 1/3 of their current population by the year 2050.  In fact, I have read reports that the average age of females in Russia is in their 40’s.   If we cannot reverse “population control” whole populations (countries) may disappear from the face of the earth.

We need to be ready for anything and that means to rediscover self-reliance and more reliance at the local (community) level rather than the global level.  Even if society does not implode, breaking all bonds that are weighing down society will make us better in the long run.

Should We Even Attempt to Save Society? Maybe, but I am going to leave that question unanswered.  Right now, I do not really know.

Over the past couple of months, I have been exploring various ideas related to society.  I have come to the conclusion that the prevailing ideologies (which includes Relativism, Materialism, and Liberalism) are not working and are actually harming society to the point where implosion is likely.

Therefore, I think it is time a new framework for society be developed.  One that is based on Catholic Moral and Social teachings.  I do say new, but that could be a misnomer since all the ideas for the framework will come from already expressed ideas.   This framework will need to include every societal facet from A to Z.  In addition, this framework will not be confined to America since the societal ills are not only limited to here.

Yes it is a daunting task, but it has to be done.  Society is swimming is a morass of perversion.  This has to be stopped. Societal norms must be set back (or revived if society does implode) to where they once were.

I will be working on my ideas over the next couple of months (this cannot be rushed due to its importance) and will be collaborating with others as the opportunities arise.  Hopefully the can be completed and implemented before it is too late.

After tonight, I am more convinced that society is moving closer to implosion.

No, I am not talking about the presidential election.  What I am talking about he various ballot issues that I am tracking.

For example, here in Michigan, the “medical marijuana” and the “embryonic stem cell” ballots looks like they have passed and in California, the “gay marriage” ban is in trouble (Update, it looks like it barely passed).

These are perfect examples of why society is in trouble and we, who follows God’s Natural Law, must prepare to the likely collapse of society.

This is a tangent on Saying Goodbye to Materialism and Is it Time to Start Thinking about Setting up a Separate Society?

Society has been caught up in the trappings of Materialism, Relativism, and Liberalism for too long and is paying for it now. In the past 150 years or so (over 200 if you include the “first” Industrial Revolution), society has been transformed (more like perverted) from a simpler time to a point where it is going too fast and is heading for a wreck.

Before this “revolution”, most people either worked for themselves or for “small business” to learn a trade. Commerce was more on the local level except for certain rare commodity that could only be found in certain parts of the word. Today, multi-national corporation has made so that nothing has to be local anymore and controls a large percentage not only commodities, but also people

Are we better off? I say no. We are now slaves (I include myself in this) to these corporations for not only our livelihood, but for most of he necessities needed for survival. We can no longer fend for ourselves and that makes us vulnerable. You can see this in the “panic” to the recent “crises”. People get worked up over the least little thing that could threaten their comfort.

Economic cycles (both up and down) are exaggerated due to the web of globalization that send shock waves through its threads to every place on the planet. This was not always the case. Yes, there were cycles, but they were more regional in nature and not as wild in either direction. Capitalism has wound the economy and society so tight that is could easily collapse.

What are the alternatives?

Socialism? Hardly. With socialism, you are just replacing the “corporation” with the “state” and, in the extreme case of Marxist Socialism, you make people property of the state. We have seen the ravages of Socialism with the collapse of the old Soviet Block and are seeing it in Cuba, North Korea, and the beginnings in Venezuela. No, central state control of Socialism is even worse that the oligarical control of the Corporate Capitalism.

What then? The answer may lie in what is called Distributism. Disributism is the ownership of the means of production should be spread as widely as possible among the general populace, rather than being centralized under the control of the state (socialism) or wealthy private individuals (capitalism). I have only begun to look into Distributism but, from what I have read so far, it was more like the economies before the “industrial revolution”

Now, you may be wondering how this translate into a “simpler life”. By going from a global scale back to a more local type of society, you are reducing complexities inherent in the “global society”. You are also enabling people to rely more on themselves and local businesses for necessities rather than someone half way around the globe. In addition, you are increasing, even on the local level, the sources for goods and services.

Yes, the drawback is that it would be harder to get rich and certain goods would not be obtainable. However, those are the trappings attributed to Materialism. In addition, local economies would be less affected by events in other parts of the world.

Will Capitalism and Globalism go away? Unless there is a complete collapse of society, which may happen, I would say no. However, we would be more prepared if it does happen since Globalization would be less of an influence.