Bread and butter issue
The Political Pulpit
I have heard the pronouncement that citizens of the United States of America must begin
viewing themselves as citizens of the world and live responsibly within the inherent
worldview. This mantra is recited when we allegedly do not consult all or the "right"
international governments before taking a specific action or intrusion into the politics or
economics of another nation. One also hears this melodious mantra when our nation is
being blasted for using more of the world's resources than any other nation. Outsourcing
is another tune played by the wandering mantra minstrels. Our nation moans and groans
as businesses relocate in other countries or purchase product lines from various countries
throughout the world that ultimately force similar industries to close their doors in the
USA. Yet, we are part of a world economy! I thought hyper-cooperation with all nations,
especially nations inappropriately called Third World nations, was the objective. (We
hear grumbling about shopping at Wal-Mart, one of the largest sources for non-USA
retail goods, but their market stock remains very solid.) This is understood as sharing the
wealth. To make the mix even a little more interesting, what about a subtle recognition
that the economic currency today is not the gold standard, rather the oil standard is what
makes the world go round.
At times, I am convinced we need an internal enemy to blame for the rising cost of everything we purchase on a daily basis. The huge issue of primary interest in this mid- year election is the soaring gasoline prices. I suspect the gas crisis will overshadow the war in Iraq. The PR Newswire carried a national poll on issues for the 2006 elections conducted by the Sacred Heart University Polling Institute. Their finding is worth reviewing. "It is apparent that 'bread and butter' issues are now competing with fears of terrorism and the war in Iraq as we approach the 2006 congressional election. The polling results suggest, to a certain extent, a return to normalcy in congressional elections. The issues that directly impact the 'pocketbook' and a family's well-being are once again considered vitally important," said Dr. Gary Rose, chair and professor in the Department of Government and Politics at Sacred Heart University. It would seem the price per gallon is a little more important than the establishment of a new democracy in a nation located across the globe. So who do we blame for the alleged economic malaise our nation is experiencing? How does President Bush sound? He is a wonderful target, in fact an easy target for any and all who want to blame him for all economic ills. Before I trudge further on this topic, allow me to ask an additional question. "How much interventional power does the president truly have on current economics in our nation?"
President Bush is an interventionist, case in point -- the gasoline prices. The Washington Post (4/30/2006) reported President Bush is proactive by suspending oil shipments to the nation's "Strategic Petroleum Reserve," easing environmental regulations, and ordering three federal agencies to investigate oil companies. Five days prior to the Post article, the president delivered a speech addressing a series of important short- and long-range interventions regarding our dependency on foreign oil. President Bush emphasized, "Advanced Energy Initiative is focused on three promising ways to reduce gasoline consumption. One is increasing the use of ethanol. Another is important hybrid vehicles. And finally, one is developing hydrogen technology. All three go hand in hand." Our president is showing initiative and leadership on an issue that will reach far beyond his years in office.
There is a very important corollary issue to the current oil crisis. The perception is that the economy of the United States is in decline. The attitude of small business owners is at a record high according to Business Wire (3/1/2006). "More than four out of five small business owners -- 84 percent to be exact -- said they're happy running their own show in the 2006 Quickbooks' Small Business survey, up 12 percent from a year ago. In fact, 73 percent stated that they would start their business over again, if given the choice."
I want to share with you two quotes from the Sunday Business, a publication from the United Kingdom dated April 30, 2006. "Last Friday brought news that the US economy grew at its strongest rate in two-and-a half years during the first quarter of the year. Business investments and personal consumption spending were the principal drivers. US gross domestic product (GDP) registered positive performance, with annualized quarterly growth of 4.8 percent, or 1.2 percent quarter on quarter. This compares with 1.7 percent annualized quarterly growth (.4 percent quarter-on-quarter) in the previous three months. Markets had already been expecting a robust first-quarter expansion with a forecast of 4.5 percent growth."
"Businesses add to the robust GDP numbers with a big investment boost in the opening months of the year. Spending rose at an annualized rate of 14.3 percent. That was three times the 4.5 percent fourth-quarter increase and the largest in nearly six years, since a 14.8 percent climb in the second quarter of 2000. Spending on equipment and software alone increased at a 16.4 percent rate in the first quarter. This rate of spending implies that corporations remain optimistic about prospects and are willing to expand their businesses."
I maintain that although the gasoline prices are moving into the identical level of international price per gallon our economy is extremely strong and creative alternatives are being actively pursued by our president. Interestingly the Herald Review reported on April 19, 2006, that "Black-owned businesses are among the fastest growing segments of the American economy ... The number of black-owned businesses grew by 45 percent...." Our economy is strong and showing signs of significantly positive growth in the midst of the chaos of rising gasoline prices. President Bush is giving our nation superior leadership during a time of worldwide change.
There are certain economic factors that are totally out of the president's ability of controlling. First, the way a bank loans money to a person in the purchase of a house. Approval of excessively high amounts increases the likelihood of defaulting and going bankrupt or having the house repossessed. Check your newspapers for the record-high bankruptcy rate as well as houses being repossessed by the bank or loan agency. Secondly, the artificial lifestyle many people have assumed creates an eventual personal financial crash. Third, the reality that we live in a world economy is the single most influential fact to consider. Isolationism is not an option. We are currently placing pressure on Iran in regard to their nuclear research. They welcome dialogue without the mentioning of sanctions or they will play the oil card. Monday, June 5, 2006, Reuters reported, "U.S. stocks fell on Monday as threats by Iran to disrupt oil supplies sent crude prices higher, and the dollar hovered near a one-year low against the euro after recent data suggested a U.S. economic slowdown. Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, supreme leader of the world's fourth largest oil exporter, said on Sunday that oil flows from the Gulf could be disrupted if the United States made a 'wrong move' against Iran. His remarks sent oil prices above $73 a barrel, reviving worries that resurgent crude oil prices would hurt consumer spending, stall corporate profit growth and fan inflation."
We do not live in an economic vacuum! As I complete this month's most challenging assignment I realize how complex and convoluted the oil or gasoline crisis really is. We cannot blame a person or singular system. It is a reality of the age and one that demands the creative energy and synergy of our great nation's intellectual and creative potential to overcome the tyranny of a dependency on oil as well as to build a partnership of international trust and cooperation that tackles issues of mutual concern. Although we look to our nation and international leaders, as preachers of God's Word, we need to recall Psalm 125:2-3: "Don't put your life in the hands of experts, who know nothing of life, of salvation life. Mere humans don't have what it takes; when they die, their projects die with them" (Message). The obligation of being a creative interventionist belongs to all of us and the preacher is called on to trumpet positive involvement and not pointing our fingers at an expert or even the president as the definitive cause or cure for the issues of the day. Deuteronomy 2:9, "Only take heed, and guard your life diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen and lest they depart from your [mind and] heart all the days of your life. Teach them to your children and your children's children ..." reminds the disciples of their responsibility to approach issues that have the potential to derail or even crash a nation of the importance of keeping a historical perspective.
We have faced much larger issues than this economic blip on the radar screen of life. I am an avid advocate for social justice and this issue could easily become a banner cause for me to herald from the bully pulpit assailing the ostensibly poor national leadership of our president or I could use it as an opportunity to rally the troops toward a more balanced lifestyle based on sharing and supporting one another in new ways -- New Testament church ways. James 3:8-9 sternly admonishes us with the following words, "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?" This is a call to integrity of clarity with purpose that never lessens the created humanity. The issue my colleague and I have discussed is as all political issues very volatile. We, as believers, must wrestle with it, but never relent to easy answers of temporary value. I commend to all who preach the Word the courage to keep the faith and make the faith relevant in the midst of the issues of life.
Chester Harris is the senior pastor of Dueber United Methodist Church in Canton, Ohio. He holds a D.Min degree from Asbury Theological Seminary and an M.Div. degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Chester enjoys being a father and grandfather.
At times, I am convinced we need an internal enemy to blame for the rising cost of everything we purchase on a daily basis. The huge issue of primary interest in this mid- year election is the soaring gasoline prices. I suspect the gas crisis will overshadow the war in Iraq. The PR Newswire carried a national poll on issues for the 2006 elections conducted by the Sacred Heart University Polling Institute. Their finding is worth reviewing. "It is apparent that 'bread and butter' issues are now competing with fears of terrorism and the war in Iraq as we approach the 2006 congressional election. The polling results suggest, to a certain extent, a return to normalcy in congressional elections. The issues that directly impact the 'pocketbook' and a family's well-being are once again considered vitally important," said Dr. Gary Rose, chair and professor in the Department of Government and Politics at Sacred Heart University. It would seem the price per gallon is a little more important than the establishment of a new democracy in a nation located across the globe. So who do we blame for the alleged economic malaise our nation is experiencing? How does President Bush sound? He is a wonderful target, in fact an easy target for any and all who want to blame him for all economic ills. Before I trudge further on this topic, allow me to ask an additional question. "How much interventional power does the president truly have on current economics in our nation?"
President Bush is an interventionist, case in point -- the gasoline prices. The Washington Post (4/30/2006) reported President Bush is proactive by suspending oil shipments to the nation's "Strategic Petroleum Reserve," easing environmental regulations, and ordering three federal agencies to investigate oil companies. Five days prior to the Post article, the president delivered a speech addressing a series of important short- and long-range interventions regarding our dependency on foreign oil. President Bush emphasized, "Advanced Energy Initiative is focused on three promising ways to reduce gasoline consumption. One is increasing the use of ethanol. Another is important hybrid vehicles. And finally, one is developing hydrogen technology. All three go hand in hand." Our president is showing initiative and leadership on an issue that will reach far beyond his years in office.
There is a very important corollary issue to the current oil crisis. The perception is that the economy of the United States is in decline. The attitude of small business owners is at a record high according to Business Wire (3/1/2006). "More than four out of five small business owners -- 84 percent to be exact -- said they're happy running their own show in the 2006 Quickbooks' Small Business survey, up 12 percent from a year ago. In fact, 73 percent stated that they would start their business over again, if given the choice."
I want to share with you two quotes from the Sunday Business, a publication from the United Kingdom dated April 30, 2006. "Last Friday brought news that the US economy grew at its strongest rate in two-and-a half years during the first quarter of the year. Business investments and personal consumption spending were the principal drivers. US gross domestic product (GDP) registered positive performance, with annualized quarterly growth of 4.8 percent, or 1.2 percent quarter on quarter. This compares with 1.7 percent annualized quarterly growth (.4 percent quarter-on-quarter) in the previous three months. Markets had already been expecting a robust first-quarter expansion with a forecast of 4.5 percent growth."
"Businesses add to the robust GDP numbers with a big investment boost in the opening months of the year. Spending rose at an annualized rate of 14.3 percent. That was three times the 4.5 percent fourth-quarter increase and the largest in nearly six years, since a 14.8 percent climb in the second quarter of 2000. Spending on equipment and software alone increased at a 16.4 percent rate in the first quarter. This rate of spending implies that corporations remain optimistic about prospects and are willing to expand their businesses."
I maintain that although the gasoline prices are moving into the identical level of international price per gallon our economy is extremely strong and creative alternatives are being actively pursued by our president. Interestingly the Herald Review reported on April 19, 2006, that "Black-owned businesses are among the fastest growing segments of the American economy ... The number of black-owned businesses grew by 45 percent...." Our economy is strong and showing signs of significantly positive growth in the midst of the chaos of rising gasoline prices. President Bush is giving our nation superior leadership during a time of worldwide change.
There are certain economic factors that are totally out of the president's ability of controlling. First, the way a bank loans money to a person in the purchase of a house. Approval of excessively high amounts increases the likelihood of defaulting and going bankrupt or having the house repossessed. Check your newspapers for the record-high bankruptcy rate as well as houses being repossessed by the bank or loan agency. Secondly, the artificial lifestyle many people have assumed creates an eventual personal financial crash. Third, the reality that we live in a world economy is the single most influential fact to consider. Isolationism is not an option. We are currently placing pressure on Iran in regard to their nuclear research. They welcome dialogue without the mentioning of sanctions or they will play the oil card. Monday, June 5, 2006, Reuters reported, "U.S. stocks fell on Monday as threats by Iran to disrupt oil supplies sent crude prices higher, and the dollar hovered near a one-year low against the euro after recent data suggested a U.S. economic slowdown. Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, supreme leader of the world's fourth largest oil exporter, said on Sunday that oil flows from the Gulf could be disrupted if the United States made a 'wrong move' against Iran. His remarks sent oil prices above $73 a barrel, reviving worries that resurgent crude oil prices would hurt consumer spending, stall corporate profit growth and fan inflation."
We do not live in an economic vacuum! As I complete this month's most challenging assignment I realize how complex and convoluted the oil or gasoline crisis really is. We cannot blame a person or singular system. It is a reality of the age and one that demands the creative energy and synergy of our great nation's intellectual and creative potential to overcome the tyranny of a dependency on oil as well as to build a partnership of international trust and cooperation that tackles issues of mutual concern. Although we look to our nation and international leaders, as preachers of God's Word, we need to recall Psalm 125:2-3: "Don't put your life in the hands of experts, who know nothing of life, of salvation life. Mere humans don't have what it takes; when they die, their projects die with them" (Message). The obligation of being a creative interventionist belongs to all of us and the preacher is called on to trumpet positive involvement and not pointing our fingers at an expert or even the president as the definitive cause or cure for the issues of the day. Deuteronomy 2:9, "Only take heed, and guard your life diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen and lest they depart from your [mind and] heart all the days of your life. Teach them to your children and your children's children ..." reminds the disciples of their responsibility to approach issues that have the potential to derail or even crash a nation of the importance of keeping a historical perspective.
We have faced much larger issues than this economic blip on the radar screen of life. I am an avid advocate for social justice and this issue could easily become a banner cause for me to herald from the bully pulpit assailing the ostensibly poor national leadership of our president or I could use it as an opportunity to rally the troops toward a more balanced lifestyle based on sharing and supporting one another in new ways -- New Testament church ways. James 3:8-9 sternly admonishes us with the following words, "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?" This is a call to integrity of clarity with purpose that never lessens the created humanity. The issue my colleague and I have discussed is as all political issues very volatile. We, as believers, must wrestle with it, but never relent to easy answers of temporary value. I commend to all who preach the Word the courage to keep the faith and make the faith relevant in the midst of the issues of life.
Chester Harris is the senior pastor of Dueber United Methodist Church in Canton, Ohio. He holds a D.Min degree from Asbury Theological Seminary and an M.Div. degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Chester enjoys being a father and grandfather.
