Why is it that this maxim apparently doesn't also apply to economic theory, poverty, inequality, etc? Why the constant haranguing about "injustice against the poor", the suffering of the unemployed etc? Why the deluge of homilies and essays which hammer the economic priorities of developed nations? Yes, I know they're awry and I know that the poor are suffering and often exploited.
I'm simply puzzled at the apparently different approach to that recommended for the "culture wars" involving life issues, sexuality and traditional morality. Pope Francis raises the cause of the poor on an almost daily basis. It's an issue on which he constantly preaches and he apparently has no fear that we'll get fed up of listening to him and tune him out as he claims the world has done over the abortion issue, for instance.
If I'm paying attention correctly, we're supposed to ease up on the "culture wars" but put the pedal to the metal on the "poverty wars", instead.
What am I missing?
Americans, however, think they're the target of anything the Pope has to say about economics because the US media knows exactly how to trigger anti-Catholic sentiment in this country. Anti-Catholic sentiment that was revived by generations of liberals misrepresenting and fighting against Catholic teaching while pretending to be "good Catholics" themselves.
The really sad part is how many people who should know better swallow the media agenda as soon as it's wrapped up in some anti-Catholic red meat. Unless the Pope is changing longstanding Church teaching with regard to Socialism I take what he has to say with regard to the poor with a grain of salt because this country already has in place safeguards against the sort of Victorian England Capitalism and mining town dictators "excessive Capitalism" describes.
I have relatives who worked the mines in W VA and Kentucky, I know what "good Christians" who control companies will do to their fellow man when there are no restraints on Capitalism as well as I know that organized labor more often than not dissolves into extortion when "good Christian" workers decide the free market they love doesn't apply to their contract and their job.
IMHO, you can't believe in Christ and back off of telling it like it is about, "the evils of abortion, sexual perversion, promiscuity etc.,", but people sure as Hell could back off of the "it's all about me" game every time any Bishop or Pope uses the word "poverty" or "Capitalism".
That the much vaunted free market system has been blatently manipulated to efficiently ship millions of jobs out of this country and still a great many people refuse to admit there's any such thing as "extreme Capitalism" when a Bishop, Cardinal, or Pope uses the term makes me think we need a more CLEAR statements on where and how Catholic teaching on anti-Socialism, subsidiarity, Capitalism, and limits on the State, should fit together instead of fewer random feel good statements on economics.
JMHO