I am NOT part of the "99%"

…or am I?

I recently read a blog post from an Occupy movement (Occupy Wall St, Occupy Boston, etc) sympathizer. The writer had take exception to a photo that was going around the internet that was posted in direct contrast to the claims of this movement. Although I do not agree with all of the conclusions of that writer, it was an interesting glimpse into the mindset of this segment of our society. More importantly it has driven me to deeper thought on the subject for the last few days. After all, that is the purpose of a protest, is it not? To bring attention to a social disparity, perceived or real, and cause others to think about it more deeply.

Every movement in history striving to bring about social change has begun with a small band of noisy protestors. The suffragette movement, the anti-slavery movement, the civil rights movement, the environmental movement, and on and on. What scares us about this type of thing is the perception of chaos and threat to our lives and livelihood. What is driving this movement is an underlying need to be heard by a small, but apparently significant segment of our society.

Good economic times cover many sins of society. Bad economic times can bring those sins to the surface, often in chaotic threatening ways. The members of this movement are berating corporate America for their callous disposal of so many lives in the form of layoffs and cutbacks. They see these actions as driven by “corporate greed”. The reality in many cases is that it is not corporate greed but corporate arrogance that has brought us to this point. And it is truly a corporate, with a little “c”, as in society. It is not the letting people go that is the root of this problem. That is merely the result of previous errors in judgment. It is the historical expansion that is beyond fiscal responsibility that is driving much of our current dilemma. Growth beyond our ability to sustain ourselves: individuals do it via bank loans and credit cards, government does it via debt sales and taxation, corporations do it via stock sales and cash flow management.

There is a very good reason that most of the parables of Jesus recorded in the Bible deal with the issue of money. It has been a problem ever since Adam brought home that new Ronco field plow and Eve just had to redecorate the kitchen because the neighbors had a new fire pit. (sorry about the stereotypes here, but you get the point) It is our nature to want more, to improve, to strive for something better. It is when we lose sight of what is “better “ that we get into trouble. Is “better” really just having more stuff? Absolutely not. “Better” is having family and friends whom you can help when they need it and who can help you when you are down. Sometimes “better” is being that boss, or corporate CEO that can provide opportunity to the work force through leadership that God has gifted them with. Sometimes "better" is being the best darn bolt inserter on the assembly line from 9-5 and going home on time to play catch with your kids. The common ground for everyone here can be found in the lessons of the Bible: live within your means, do all things for the good of others, and do not strive to reward yourself – your rewards will come in the form of blessings from others whom you have touched with your life.

So am I part of the “99%”? I’m still not sure. No, I’m not going to go downtown and camp in the park or anything. But I am going to take a look at my checkbook and see where my money is going. You should too. Maybe together we can make a little difference in at least one person’s life.

Visualize Whirled Peas

My daughter doesn’t like peas. Never has, probably never will. She gets that from her dad. Lima Beans or green beans no problem, but peas…? There’s a reason they call those straw things pea shooters (which are more accurate and less messy if the peas are still frozen, by the way). Yup, you got your whole condiment artillery here: Pea shooters for close range, olives make great sling shot ammo for the mid range engagement, and of course the potato gun for those long range targets. I have nothing against potatoes, but peas and olive have no other use in my life.

There are times in our lives that we are faced with things that we just don’t want to do. We stare ahead with disbelief at what is being required of us. How can we get out of this? How can we get around this? Or when all else fails, how can we swallow without having to taste it at all? What options do we have? We can try to leave the table when no one is looking. But then they just find out you are missing and come and find you. We could hide it and say we are done. But then they just find it later and, you guessed it, come and find you. We could hold our nose and choke it down. Make sure you make a lot of really dramatic sour faces when doing this. It gives you the personal illusion that you are causing guilt in the person that served you this meal.

My preferred method, however, when faced with these situations, is to make pea soup. For some reason, as much as I dislike peas, I really like pea soup. So next time life serves you up a great big helping of peas because “it’s good for you”, do something different! We don’t always have to take life the way it is handed to us. There are things we do just because they need to get done. That doesn’t mean we need to do them in an unpleasant way now does it?