Wrestling With Mutually Contradictory Influences
- Print print this page
- Discuss 35 comments, Blog about
Advertisement
National Public Radio’s Ari Shapiro recently reported on Paul Ryan’s swing through Pennsylvania on a day when the top of the Republican ticket was off raising funds.
In an effort to appeal to Pennsyl-vania’s large Catholic population at a rally outside Pittsburgh, Ryan brought up a remark Barack Obama made at a private fundraiser when he was running for president. Obama spoke of people who “cling to guns or religion,”
Ryan boasted, “Hey, I’m a Catholic deer hunter. I am happy to be clinging to my guns and my religion.” The hunter found his prey. An electrician who took time off from work to attend the rally gushed, “I like Ryan more than Romney. … I’m a Catholic. I’m more social conservative than I believe Romney is.”
Ryan considers himself a devout Catholic, and his social conservative credentials are impeccable. That social conservatism and his faith are antithetical to the teachings of Ayn Rand, whom Ryan credits with inspiring him to public service.
Ryan is an enigma in which the contradictory influences of Catholicism, which like all religions has the morality of altruism at its very core, mix with Rand, who proclaimed, “If any civilization is to survive, it is the morality of altruism that men have to reject.”
The uneven extent to which those influences manifest themselves in his work makes embracing Ryan problematic for people of faith.
According to the National Catholic Reporter, on April 17, letters from committee chairs at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to members of Congress were released. The letters were prompted by the congressman’s assertion that his budget proposals were “consistent with Catholic social teaching.”
The bishops took exception. They affirmed the three “moral criteria to guide these difficult budget decisions.” They are, “1. Every budget decision should be assessed by whether it protects or threatens human life and dignity. 2. A central moral measure of any budget proposal is how it affects “the least of these” (Matthew 25). The needs of those who are hungry and homeless, without work or in poverty, should come first. And 3. Government and other institutions have a shared responsibility to promote the common good of all, especially ordinary workers and families who struggle to live in dignity in difficult economic times.”
Another letter signed by 90 faculty members preceding his address at Georgetown University (a Catholic institution) also addressed the consistency of Ryan’s budget with Catholic social teaching.
After thanking him for agreeing to speak at the university, the letter continued, “However, we would be remiss in our duty to you and our students if we did not challenge your continuing misuse of Catholic teaching to defend a budget plan that decimates food programs for struggling families, radically weakens protections for the elderly and sick, and gives more tax breaks to the wealthiest few.”
In a column he submitted to Our Sunday Visitor in July 2011, Ryan asserted that “budgetary discipline is a moral imperative.” He quoted Pope Benedict XVI’s observation, “We are living at the expense of future generations. … We live on the basis of appearances, and the huge debts are meanwhile treated as something that we are simply entitled to.” Ryan added, “It is immoral for governments to make promises they cannot fulfill.”
That’s true. But if deficits are moral issues, so are the way we address them.
The reason Mitt Romney pays so little in taxes is that, as with billionaire investor Warren Buffett, his income is derived from capital gains, which are taxed at 15 percent. Buffett thinks that’s unconscionable.
Mitt Romney selected a running mate who would like to eliminate the capital gains tax altogether and pay for it with budgets that, in the view of 90 Georgetown faculty members, “reflect the values of your (Ryan’s) favorite philosopher, Ayn Rand, rather than the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
So what should we make of the contradictory influences wrestling for Ryan’s soul?
One of those influences dismissed contradictions. Rand said, “Whenever you think you are facing a contradiction, check your premises. You will find that one of them is wrong.”
The premise that Rand’s economic vision and the Gospels are not mutually exclusive is wrong.
I like comedian Stephen Colbert’s assessment. He said, “If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn’t help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we’ve got to acknowledge that he commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don’t want to do it.”
Kevin Smith lives in Aberdeen. Contact him at kevinasmith@gmx.com.
More like this story
Advertisement
Comments
Behan 8 months, 2 weeks ago
You do realize that Biden and Pelosi have tha gall to call themselves Catholic while (particluarly the latter) serving as staunch advocates for the continued slaughter of unborn children, do you not? That Paul Ryan's economic policies may be deemed insensitive by some in the Church is peanuts compared to being an active proponent of murdering the innocent. On the RC scale of disapproval, Ryan earns a finger-wag from the bishops; Pelosi earns an express ticket to the bowels of hell.
In other words, your column is meaningless garbage, but you probably knew that already.
oceangypsy 8 months, 2 weeks ago
"Rand said, 'Whenever you think you are facing a contradiction, check your premises. You will find that one of them is wrong.'”
Both premises are wrong in this case - Kevin thinks he can use a few sound bytes about an author and a VP candidate that most of his liberal friends have not studied up on, to character assassinate both.
geoffcutler 8 months, 2 weeks ago
I'm impressed you guys any idea what he's talking about. Cause I certainly don't. Not your best work there, Kev.
Behan 8 months, 2 weeks ago
I'm fluent in Moronese--amazing how much you pick up just by reading lefty talking points.
JimRussell44 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Based on your political leanings, I don't doubt you are fluent in "moronese", Behan.
Behan 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Really? The old "I know you are but what am I" tactic?
Well played, sir.
clarabelle 8 months, 2 weeks ago
" Behan - I'm fluent in Moronese"
Hey - I agree with you behan - your posts are certainly proof of your fluency in "moronese"
clarabelle 8 months, 2 weeks ago
" Behan - You do realize that Biden and Pelosi have tha gall to call themselves Catholic while (particluarly the latter) serving as staunch advocates for the continued slaughter of unborn children,"
here is a guy that wails all day about the manipulation of welfare mommas with hundreds of kids and yet he is opposed to any abortion. i wonder behan - how many homeless and abused kids have YOU adopted lately!
"moronese" indeed!
Behan 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Ah, so anyone I am unwilling or unable to adopt should be sentenced to death, eh? Here's a suggestion, why don't you try to dislodge your cranium from your fourth point of contact and think like a rational adult for once in your life. Just a thought.
clarabelle 8 months, 2 weeks ago
actually dimwit - you need to be realistic and ask yourself just what we do with all these babies born to women that don't want them.
i have never yet heard an answer from the looney right - you included!
and yes - i would rather see termination early than see kids abused and homeless.
Behan 8 months, 2 weeks ago
As a rational human, I'd pick abused or homeless over dead any day. But then again, I'm rational, and in this discussion, I'm flying solo in that regard.
clarabelle 8 months, 2 weeks ago
" But then again, I'm rational,"
strictly a matter of opinion.............
Behan 8 months, 2 weeks ago
It's like playing tackle football against a little kid. You're boring. I'm bored now.
geoffcutler 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Behan, this piece is so bad, incomprehensible, really, still haven't figured out what the hell ole Kev's talking about, impossible to have a discussion. Best leave this one die on the vine. Jim, your comment is out of character. Expect more.
Behan 8 months, 2 weeks ago
You're probably right--on to bigger and better things.
MikeNC 8 months, 2 weeks ago
geoffcutler 7 hours, 11 minutes ago ...Behan, this piece is so bad, incomprehensible, really, still haven't figured out what the hell ole Kev's talking about, impossible to have a discussion.
And you can always count on Kevin Smith to not comment, discuss or explain a thing. Why write the column in the first place...Mike
clarabelle 8 months, 2 weeks ago
" Behan - It's like playing tackle football against a little kid. You're boring. I'm bored now."
as usual .............. when "behind" has no answers he feigns boredom because of his self perceived superior intellect.
even his picture looks dumb!
Behan 8 months, 2 weeks ago
My photo looks dumb, eh?
Well, you have secured the victory with that brilliant assessment. I yield to your superior debating skills.
JimRussell44 8 months, 2 weeks ago
News Flash: "Right Wing Conservative Wingnuts Now Favor Abusing Homeless Children". Dateline, Southern Pines, NC: In a shocking revelation on a local newspaper website, a prominent right wing spokesperson issued the following statement in response to a discussion on abortion, which is opposed by the right wing conservatives: "I'd pick abused or homeless" when asked what might be the best solution for unwanted children. Fellow right wing conservatives on the website quickly urged the spokesperson to blend into the wall paper as quickly as possible. In a related item, the Republican National Committee issued a white paper on family values.
teufelhunden 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Most poor women can get Medicaid and doesn't Medicaid provide free birth control? Why don't they use it?
Thatcher 8 months, 2 weeks ago
clarabelle (1 day, 5 hours ago)-- "Even his (Behan's) picture looks dumb!" Uh...how to say this...? OK, how 'bout this: there was this guy, see, whose first name was Brendan, and whose last name was Be...Be...dang! I can never remember his last name, but if I recall correctly, it ended in "han." Don't hold me to that. He wrote sonnets...no wait! It was something else.... What was it he wrote? Anyway, it is entirely appropriate for Behan to post his own photo. This is still America!! Cheers!
Courseaire 8 months, 2 weeks ago
I personally think Behan's picture is quite smart looking and handsome, while Clarabelle's picture is drab & shared by a lot of people.
Thatcher 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Courseaire-- Agreed. Cheers!
Yukonjohn 8 months, 2 weeks ago
I would hope that there would never be another abortion. That said, I do not need some right wing, or left wing nut job telling my wife what to do with her body!! Again, all I can think of is the Repubs telling us how they want smaller govt., a govt out of our life and house, yet, they want to tell us who we can be in love with or what to do with our own bodies!! Not who l want in Washington.
I have watched the whole Rep. convention, now watching the start of the Dem convention. Mitt Romney is soooo beat!! I encourage everyone to get out to vote in 63 days, and even consider voting for President Obama. It might hasten our demise so we can get started rebuilding....rebuilding a national govt that was Constitutional and one that respects our freedoms!!
MikeNC 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Yukon... The convention last night was all about being negative on Romney and no substance or talk on Obama's performance record as there is none. The Democrats set their platform on abortion and contraceptives as if that's the extent of what American women want / need these days. Those will still be there regardless of who's elected. Last night's foolishness will undoubtedly continue throughout the convention and the remainder of his campaign. Such lack of substance will be the Democrats demise in November. I was embarrassed for them last night. They made a spectacle of themselves.
I see where the Democrats have dropped God from their 'Platform'...who would have ever imagined that...Mike ..... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/04/democratic-platform-god_n_1856218.html?1346807788&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl5%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D201071
geoffcutler 8 months, 2 weeks ago
An early morning political email today reports the murmurings of a third party run (email says he's left the Republican Party) for the White House by...you guessed it...Ron Paul. This would give Obama the electoral college numbers he needs to win since Paul, who can't win, would effectively siphon off the votes needed by Romney. Yukon gets his wish and Obama destroys America. Why would anyone encourage us to vote for our demise?
What's happened to you, Yukon? At least have the intellectual honesty to refer to Ron Paul by name.
LSM 8 months, 2 weeks ago
"It might hasten our demise so we can get started rebuilding....rebuilding a national govt that was Constitutional and one that respects our freedoms!!"
Does one honestly think the rest of the World will sit around while the United States rebuilds? Yep, like a bunch of turkey buzzards around a road-kill deer.
By the way, why does Valerie Jarrett have Secret Service Protection?
http://freebeacon.com/driving-ms-jarrett/
fugitiveguy 8 months, 2 weeks ago
I've thought Ron Paul was a nut for a long time. If he runs as an independent there will be no denying it. It shouldn't be legal to fail to get the nomination in one party and then switch to another party in the same election when everyone knows he has zero chance of winning.
JimRussell44 8 months, 2 weeks ago
fugitiveguy, there is still time for you guys to change the rules and outlaw third party candidates. Maybe you could fold it into a bill that includes eliminating early voting, absentee voting and requiring photo ID to vote. Better yet, why not just propose a bill that says that only Romney/Ryan supporters can vote.
JimRussell44 8 months, 2 weeks ago
geoffcutler, perhaps you care to join me in my quest to do away with the antiquated "electoral college" system and elect presidents based on who gets the most votes. Unless of course, you think Romney couldn't win using that system either.
fugitiveguy 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Jim, why do we have primaries?
fugitiveguy 8 months, 2 weeks ago
"perhaps you care to join me in my quest to do away with the antiquated "electoral college" system and elect presidents based on who gets the most votes."
that would give the Democrats an overwhelming advantage as the idiots outnumber people of average and higher intelligence with an ever widening gap (of course you know that)
JimRussell44 8 months, 2 weeks ago
fugitiveguy, that is a good question. Let's eliminate them and have everyone who wants to run for an office all on the final ballot. Whoever gets the most votes wins.
JimRussell44 8 months, 2 weeks ago
fugitiveguy, your latest comment just let the cat out of the bag. The right actually believes they are the superior life form. Thank you. We can use that information to energize the "Idiots Revolt".
JimRussell44 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Oh, fugitiveguy, I should also point out that your "idiots" comment also means that Romney SHOULD NOT be elected president. We are supposed to elect officials who represent us. If most people in this country are, as you say, idiots, then Romney would not be the logical representative would he? We can't be having a superior intellect representing a vast land of dummies now, can we.