Theological Considerations

 

Egalitarianism in America          Gerry OShea

The dictionary defines egalitarianism as a philosophy affirming the equality of all people without regard to nationality or accumulated wealth. This belief based on shared humanity draws its meaning and gravity from 19^th century Enlightenment teaching now co-opted by every religion agreeing that there are no second-class citizens.

The American Constitution names equality before the law as a basic belief with no exceptions. In dealing with former President Trump, the Department of Justice and various State Attorneys General repeatedly highlight this principle while explaining that their legal decisions cannot be adjusted to give any extra value to the prominence of the person facing charges.

George Orwell had his gimlet eye on the repressive policies of the Soviet Union when in his allegorical novel “Animal Farm,” published in 1945, the pigs declare that “All animals are equal but some are more equal than others.” This famous Orwellian statement is a comment not only on the poisonous human rights record of Russian communism but also on the lack of equal treatment for the people by various Western governments.

Orwell was a committed socialist of the social democratic variety. He saw the hypocrisy of governments declaring the absolute equality of all their citizens while assigning power and privileges to a small elite who then find different ways and multiple rationalizations to copper fasten their special status. What we have we hold!

This coterie of moneyed people at the top predictably opposes all efforts to levy extra taxes to improve social programs designed to help the poor. In fact, they call for lower taxes which they assert would have positive trickle-down consequences for those at the bottom of the ladder – a high-sounding but nebulous claim one might read about in a dreamland tale.

They also predictably oppose any new government laws or regulations to protect the environment. Such proposals often militate against the overwhelming drive for higher and easier profits. Money trumps considerations about what serves the common good. Citizens are locked up for smoking pot while the people with resources and power get away with poisoning the air and water.

Reflecting on the Eisenhower years in the White House from 1952 to 1960 reveals a different culture and a fairer chance for all citizens.

Taxes were much higher than they are today but there was a strong communal sense that the common good of all the people had to feature in important political decisions. Eisenhower, a Republican, recognized the need for strong unions to enhance workers’ salaries and ensure they would benefit from a growing economy. Executives and business owners received good compensation but, unlike their compatriots today, they did not expect to be paid hundreds of times more than shop floor employees.

And, of course, he famously warned against the power of the military-industrial complex, which true to his prediction, seeks more and more money from the treasury every year on the phony pretext that the weapons industry needs enhanced billions to protect the country.

I don’t want to glorify the 1950’s lifestyle because there were many shortcomings then especially for the African American community. However, capitalism was working reasonably well with consequent annual improvements in profits for most enterprises and in the standard of living for most families.

 Reading about those times induces a sense of nostalgia because there was a definite feeling of people pulling together to take on the challenges of the post-war years. Today, we are dealing with an atomizing society where self-interest reigns supreme and where we marvel at the occasional millionaire who is interested in something more than proving his worth by amassing more millions.

The American Dream which presses the idea that people who work hard can make it big has turned out to be a cruel delusion for many. In 2012, 53% of Americans believed that a person’s bank account reflected his or her commitment to hard work. The most recent survey revealed a dramatic drop to 37% giving credence to this core American promise.

Income and wealth inequality is at its highest point since the Great Depression. One American child in five lives at or below the poverty line. 35% of the children of single mothers are doomed to living below the threshold of subsistence which the Federal Government pegs at $19,700 for a single mother with two children.

 Close to 90% of the wealth coming from productivity gains since 1980 has gone to the top 10% of the population. The leading 25 hedge-fund managers earn more than all the nation’s kindergarten teachers combined.

There is no sense of fairness in the distribution of goods and services in our national community. Our culture now accepts the millionaires’ agenda: astronomical corporate salaries with huge bonuses, a resistance to unions even after workers vote to organize, and virulent opposition to raising taxes on the wealthy.

 Those at the top deride the idea of systemic change in favor of ordinary workers and retirees – remember the minimum wage hasn’t moved from $7.25 an hour for years.

In a speech during his run for the Democratic nomination for President Senator Bernie Sanders pointed out that the average American worker is earning about $43 a week less today than she did fifty years ago.

The new Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, said that U.S. culture is “so dark and depraved that it almost seems irredeemable.” However, using what he calls a Christian prism for making that judgment, he omitted mentioning the growing inequality and poverty in the country focusing instead on what he sees as the devastating immorality caused by the demands of the L.G.B.T.Q. community.

Thinking about the seriousness of these matters, Johnson “choked up” as he prayed, “we repent for our sins individually and collectively.” He was not bemoaning the grievous mortal sin of millions of children going to school with empty or half-full bellies every day because of the repeated failure of lawmakers, especially Republicans, to pass a bill that would remediate that scandalous situation.

I suggest that the crisis in American democracy has its roots in inequality and its attendant discontents leading too many people to vent their anger and spray the blame at immigrants, various ethnic minorities, or the gay community.

Gerry OShea blogs at wemustbetalking.com