After a 3-year hiatus from blogging, I am prompted to blog this New Year's Day message in response to what I believe to be cruel, unfeeling, mean-spirited attitudes toward those less fortunate as expressed in several letters recently published in the StarTribune editorial page.
It might be said that we live in confusing and sometimes frightening times--not only in the United States but throughout the world, as well. The angst reflected in this past year's election cycle clearly suggests that many in our country are unhappy with their lot in life and, perhaps, that others less fortunate are somehow responsible for this. I am saddened by those all-too-frequent and numerous expressions of vitriol in letters that chastise the poor and destitute for "abusing" privileges provided to them by our social welfare system. How unfortunate if this is all those critics saw. And, yet, I would guess that no one would want to trade places with those who face horrendous financial and social circumstances that force them to become reliant on public assistance.
I am reminded of those comments made to me when I went into teaching high school as my third career. There were those who believed that teaching was a slam-dunk profession where we only showed up for seven hours/day and got the summers off. This was all they saw. And, yet, when I suggested that if teaching was such a sweetheart deal why don't they do it...well...you can only imagine all the excuses I received about why that wouldn't be possible for them.
The same comparison might be made regarding criticism of those people receiving public assistance. I would guess that most people on welfare would prefer not to be. As a society we provide a safety net because we accept the reality that life is not equitable for everyone. We do what we can to somehow level the playing field. Criticism of others who may have "too many" children or who make unwise food purchases or who "can't afford" the daily costs associated with living a decent life--all because they are on public assistance--is, in my opinion, cruel, unfeeling, and mean-spirited.
I am hopeful that 2017 will allow us to leave the angst of 2016 behind, and re-inspire us to be a kinder, more compassionate people toward others less fortunate. I am hopeful that 2017 will rekindle in each of us the desire to reach out into our communities and be the gift to the world that God intends for us to be. Amen.
