I’d rather be the Pope. I’m with you Prince. The Pope has influence. The right Pope changes hearts and minds. I just read the National Geographic article on the Pope. Go see it here. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2015/08/vatican/draper-text Worth a read, even if you are not Catholic. This got me thinking about America and our seemingly increasing number of poor people. I want the Pope to put on a disguise and come here and visit our inner cities, skid row, and rural areas. He is the kind of guy who does this thing…read the article. There is something magical about this, the prince who comes down to the market to be with the people.
I’d like the Pope to come see American poor. It’s real and it’s not people lying about on the street, though we have that too. Check this out http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/17/us-usa-economy-poverty-idUSBRE98G0PN20130917
I’d like the Pope to see how Americans treat our poor with utter disgust. “Oh I’m sorry you can’t think clearly because you are bi-polar, but hey that’s not my problem, I’m taking my kids out on the boat today.” “Work harder, work smarter, it’s your fault you are poor. You are a stupid, lazy, fucker.” Okay, maybe I got carried away, but trust me, there are Americans who think this way.
Let’s not discount those that take advantage of the system. They exist for sure. But most people are not poor by choice and most of them are working full time! And those that have never tasted poverty have no idea. No damn idea how terrifying it can be, the other people that are poor are not your friends, the poor don’t band together and help each other out. They suffer quietly in fear or they battle each other for what they think is the little bit of territory or money or whatever is available to them. Often, poor people are angry, and it just comes out in all their interactions with everyone. Often they are not sane. And so much of that anger, self-hatred and mental issues, come from the wealthy people and middle class people and the ultra-competitive corporate structure we live under in America, and how those people caught up in these things treat the poor. That is, like shit.
As a lapsed Catholic I recall the stories of Jesus from my Catholic grade school were never of him hanging out in a palace or by the pool (bath, whatever,) but he was with the poor. He was in the street with the people. I guess I’m just touched by this Pope. I hope he does bring change.
Catholics used to be the underdog in America, they were the newcomers and the working people fighting the existing rich for a chance at success. Well they got it, now Catholics are like the rest of America, striving, competitive, shitting on those below them. What would Francis think of you Mr. Business manager? What Would the Pope think of you when you do that fake check for change on the street and keep walking? What would Jesus do?
That is all for the religious stuff from me. It’s something I like to think about, but it may be too much for many of you so that is it. Thanks for taking a minute to tune in, go to google and type in your city name and “food donation.”