The book sends a clear message - that we (the US) make up a fraction of the worlds population, but use the majority of its resources. However, the US also has a very strong anti-socialistic tendency, making it doubtful that we will change to the extent of "sharing the wealth."
So, how can we reconcile these two mentalities on a national or personal (Ward) level? Can we?
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I'm not so sure we can reconcile this on a national level. Heck, until the 2nd coming, I'm not even sure we could see changes on a ward level (since we are giving the Gospel comparison). I for one am for a Socialist-Democracy. I'm all for a re-distrubution of wealth. But we're poor students, so it's easy for me to have that mentality. The bottom line is that America is based on a Capitalist society, which has it's benefits. But the down-side is that it promotes greed and selfishness. I think that to see any changes in this mentality, it would take a major paradigm shift that is just too great for Americans and Mormons alike (which I consider to be totally ironic since we claim to live a consecrated life).
So, this is my perspective in two sentences....and probably poorly put. I'm quite eager to hear all opinions on this issue. Don't worry, I won't be offended. :)
I think there is a redistribution of wealth happening, whether we want it too or not. On an international level (looking at countries as a whole), other countries are quickly gaining on the US. I feel like China is slowly doing to the US what we have been trying to do to other countries (putting us in debt and gaining control over us economically). (As a side note, I just heard that China is now the #1 emitter of greenhouse gases.)
Reconciling the gap between the haves and have-nots within a society would definitely take a huge change in perspective, as Marci points out. I think that Americans have a sense of "I earned it." without recognizing that they were born with so many more opportunities than even other people in their own country. I certainly haven't worked harder and am not any smarter than someone born into poverty, but somehow I have a job and a house, etc. that much of the world can only dream of. Until people accept the fact that they didn't "earn" the right to be in the elite by being born into that society, that they don't have any more claim on the earth's resources than someone else willing to work as hard as them, then we can't reconcile these two mentalities.
I totally agree with both Marci and Sam. It is obscene to think that 90% of Americans "earned" the socio-economic position that they hold. I am obviously where I am because I was given an excellent head-start in life. I am all about wealth-redistribution in a lot respects. I think it is our absolute duty as disciples of Christ to care for our brothers and sisters in this country and elsewhere.
My main worry is that Americans can't see far enough beyond themselves to realize that by helping other people, we are creating a more stable world for everyone. I think our capitalistic mindset and actions are going to bring us to our knees as a country and that is probably going to happen soon if we don't get a reality check about what we are doing to the world.
Here here, our self-centered nature is the death of millions of impoverished people. But I think this message is too difficult to just hear and then act on it, we need to see it and be forced to interact with it before we will change.
I also think that these words are easier said among fellow liberals/open minded friends. They are much more difficult when they are shared with right-winged family/ward members.
I am working little by little on my family, but only because I feel I can effectively communicate my point and that it will be relatively well received.
For the last little while the redistribution of wealth has served to make the rich richer and the poor poorer, in our own country and all over the world.
As far as reconciling this in our own country, I hope that we are beginning to take some steps, with, hopefully, some type of universal health care in the near future. As for a true redistribution of wealth, I don't know if I think that is possible in our current society. I'm all for progressive taxation, social services, universal health care, and education for all, but I think fiscal policy is where our country is truly divided.
Most Americans are capitalists at heart, myself included, and while I think it is our obligation to make sure we give everyone a leg up and level the playing field as much as possible, it is then up to the individual to do what they will and what they can with what they have. Obviously we have miles to go before we have truly leveled the playing field, but I hope this is where the policies I mentioned above, plus others, will begin to make a difference.
I am where I am because I have been privileged my entire life. I don't think that is fair and, like Sam, am confident that millions of other people could do as well or better than me if they had been given the same start. I am grateful for it though, and recognize the obligation that I think it places on all of us to give back in a meaningful way.
I feel like maybe none of my comments have made much sense or contributed much. Sorry.
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