Pope Francis is a wonderful man in many ways, but he is misguided when it comes to the effects of competitive free enterprise. Competitive Capitalism has done more for the sustainable betterment of mankind that any other economic force.
Unfortunately, the Holy Father’s economic perspective seems seriously flawed. He has apparently been adversely affected by his Socialistic, home-nation-upbringing in Argentina – hardly a model for the world.
Pope Francis and the Roman Curia would benefit greatly by reading The Poverty of Nations – A Sustainable Solution by Christian Drs. Wayne Grudem and Barry Asmus. They have traveled the world studying poverty and in pursuit of national prosperity. They have identified seventy-eight, biblically- supported, national and cultural characteristics that enhance the prosperity potential of nations.
Frankly, the Church’s antiquated economic and Socialistic perspective is embarrassing and even discredits its credibility as a teacher of faith and morals. In this day of lightning-fast digital communications, the church should be the most enlightened organization – not the fringe-champion of long discredited theories, e.g., de facto Marxism/Communism/Fabian-Socialism/Authoritarianism/Globalism/
Progressivism, etc.
Let us hope and pray that the Holy Father and his advisers will open their economic eyes to the best Christian thinking about sustainable solutions to the crisis of poverty in the contemporary world. A better way has been documented in The Poverty of Nations – A Sustainable Solution.
*The American-Way ― *The American Prosperity Machine.:
Traditional Judeo/Christian principles and values . . . the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness . . . freedom of speech, action, religion and family governance . . . an educated and informed society . . . freedom from gender and racial discrimination . . . affordable healthcare . . . the rule of Constitutional Law . . . the peaceful settlement of disputes . . . honest elections and presidential leadership . . . patriotic, truthful, checked-&-balanced, limited government . . . a strong military . . . cost-effective national defense . . . secure borders . . . the right of citizens to own and bear arms . . . free, competitive markets and institutions . . . properly-regulated, free-enterprise . . . balanced trade . . . private property rights . . . low cost, domestically supplied energy and natural resources . . . controlled immigration . . . individual responsibility and ingenuity . . . entrepreneurialism . . . businesses and enterprises that exist to meet the needs, wants and expectations of customers . . . a strong work ethic . . . full employment . . . fair pay . . . appropriate safety nets . . . low taxes . . . a strong, reliable currency . . . financial availability, mobility, and responsibility (balanced budget, minimal debt) . . . Competitive, Free-Market, Free-Enterprise, Constitutionally Limited Government . . . and American Exceptionalism.
In God we must trust . . . but we must always do our part – to secure and promote the truth and a better way – to protect our freedom and interests – and to defend the Judeo-Christian American-Way.
photo credit: Catholic Church (England and Wales) Cardinal leads delegation of Muslim leaders to Rome to meet Pope Francis and dialogue with the Holy See. via photopin (license)
