Table of Contents | I "ended" the lengthy story of my personal journey with the promise "to keep pointing to what I see as long as I live." All along the way I described my own venture as a "perpetual journey to an unreachable destination." I asserted that my jourrney had ended but added "for now." I am now returning to my musings as I continue my trek. Any time you wish to challenge or refute or enlarge or commend what I write then you can reach me at BobSueSand@aol.com and I promise to respond in some fashion. The prologue set down the stipulation that your response can be in una voce viva. However, what you write must be characterized by "commitment with civility" and "conviction with openness." An argument with passion is acceptable as long as it is respectful. If, however, it is presented in una voce forte then it will be ignored. Screeching is acceptable for owls but not for conversations! And, since this is my web site then the judgment of which is the case will be made by me! The political dimensions of my personal trek are commanding attention. I am alarmed at the election and find that a future shaped by George W. Bush and his neo-conservative administration troubles and frightens me. My civility as part of "the loyal opposition" is going to be severely challenged in the years ahead if George W. Bush proceeds with his promise. According to a New York Times report Bush told a private Republican fund-raising meeting that "I'm going to come out strong after my swearing-in with fundamental tax reform, tort reform and privatizing Social Security." (1) An attempt to fulfill that promise will only exacerbate the divisions among us. Such an agenda clearly caters to the segment of our society that needs help the least. Bush's tax reform of 2001 feathered the nests of the wealthy. 29% of the cuts benefited the top 1% while less than 2% went to the bottom 40% of earners. His tax reform should reverse that trend! But, who knows.... Tort reform is an issue for very few. Maybe for physicians. Since Social Security is an arrangement that provides for the nurture and care of all people then it must not be abandoned to permit economic investments to trump this commitment. If that promise becomes a major part of President Bush's domestic program then I am prepared to use any legitimate means at my disposal to oppose it. Social Security is, in a genuine sense, an embodiment of the gospel's insistence that authentic religion has "...loving our neighbor..." at its core. (2) That commitment should not be subject to the political debate over shrinking the deficit, underwriting an ill-advised war or balancing the national budget. Paying off one's debt to campaign supporters should find an avenue other than encouraging "baby boomers" to trust their retirement benefits to Wall Street. Brokers' fees will erode benefits. Economics just may co-opt the conscience that "compassionate conservatism" keeps in mothballs. I hope that the "religious right" who put Bush back in office will see preserving Social Security is a "moral concern" and a "family value." Other social issues not withstanding. This isn't a "liberal" or "conservative" issue. It's a social contract issue that embraces all citizens. Don't let George undo it! ----- (1) See The Washington Spectator (November 1, 2004). Bush's "victory" speech on the afternoon of November 3, 2004, and his press conference the following day confirmed this intent. (2) An article in the Christian Century (September 23-30, 1998, pp. 860-863) entitled "Against Privatization: The Genius of Social Security" is a spirited defense of "the original intent" of the Social Security Act. |