Distribution of Wealth is NOT a Catholic Teaching
Liberal activitism in the Church is often at odds with Catholic Social Teaching which is that one should not covet thy neighbors goods [and desire the state to redistribute thy neighbors goods by force or law.]
In a strong article by By Matthew Pelicano, “Distribution: Economics Built on Revelation”, the author talks about how distribution of wealth relates to capitalism and socialist.
Here is an exerpt:
Distributism is not re-distribution of wealth, a staple of socialism. Distributism gets its name from distributive justice. Therefore, what Distributists seek is equal protection under the law for all citizens regardless of class or any other qualifier. Distributists seek the widespread distribution of the ownership of the means of production to any who desire such freedom. The most efficient means of accomplishing this is by defending and protecting the right to private ownership. Clearly, defending and protecting the right of ownership is incompatible with the unjust redistribution of another man’s property.
Distributism is not a form of capitalism. Distributism is founded upon principles at odds with those upon which capitalism is founded. For example, capitalism relies heavily upon usury. Distributism is against the paying of interest on non-productive loans. Capitalism differs with Distributism, most fundamentally, in its concept of the purpose of economic activity itself. Capitalism seeks profit above all else, whereas Distributism seeks individual freedom in providing for man’s material needs.
Distributism is not socialism. Socialism sets itself apart from Distributism in its conception of the role of government; the nature, dignity and destiny of man; the right to private ownership and the status of economic freedom as a good in and of itself. Distributism does not support the unbridled competition of dog-eat-dog capitalism, nor does it support the managed economy of socialist systems. Distributism supports freedom, cooperation and subsidiarity.
Read the full well-written article at Catholic Online.
UPDATE: and from a comment – “…God has already established “distributive justice” by giving us the power to say ‘yes’ to helping our neighbor in giving of ourselves. And by helping our neighbor, I mean performing any type of productive work, whether the most mundane, or on the grandest scale. To say that capitalism ‘tends to center the means of production in the hands of a wealthy few’ is misleading and creates class envy. Plus, it focuses attention on temporal things like physical assets and caesar’s wealth. These things are not to be valued or striven for; and the gospel spells that out.”
Sign Petition to Stop Obamacare
Petition Drive Unveiled to Stop Obamacare: “One Million Speak in One Week” — it is a plan to gather 1 million signatures urging Republican leaders not to concede anything to Dear Leader during the upcoming summit on healthcare reform.
Steve Chapman at Reason.com on Obama’s slumping popularity.
Jeffrey H Anderson on Obama Takes Deficits to New Frontier.
In Europe: Socialist Germans Balk at ‘Spreading The Wealth‘ to Lazy Greeks
Oh, poop. Scientists now say we don’t really exist we just live in the big giant hologram.
Bill Maher is a mind-raped little snotball.
Churchill on Socialism
“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.” ~ Winston Churchill
