HYPOCRISY

Do as I say, not as I do. A simple example of hypocrisy. Formally defined, a hypocrite is one who expresses zeal for those virtues which he neglects to practice.

 

My Church is guilty of hypocrisy. The Catholic Church. Specifically with regard to its positions on birth control and abortion.

 

The Catholic Church rejects contraception under any circumstances. Most recently with regard to Obamacare. The Church was opposed to Obamacare's provisions which would provide contraception coverage. Directly or indirectly. Even where Obama acceded to the Church's initial protestations and said that birth control would be paid for by the insurance company. In effect, the insurance company would provide the coverage free.

 

The Catholic Church rejected the President's solution. Instead the Church has gone to court claiming that any provision regarding contraception violated the Church's beliefs. Its religious beliefs. The court matter is in its early stages.

 

The Catholic Church uses as a primary spokesperson the United States Council of Catholic Bishops. The Council's present chairperson is Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the New York Archdiocese. The Cardinal recently was on the short list for election as Pope.

 

The Obamacare fight thus far has been limited to contraception. Abortion not an issue. It goes without saying that the Church abhors abortion.

 

A recent article by Sharon Otterman in the New York Times uncovered the factual basis warranting the hypocrisy charge. The article brought forth that the Archdiocese of New York for twelve or more years had been providing coverage to certain union medical employees for contraception. Also for voluntary pregnancy termination. A delicate way of referring to abortion.

 

Shocking! The same Archdiocese now headed by Cardinal Dolan. Who is also chairperson of the United States Council of Catholic Bishops. The organization in the forefront of the Obamacare contraception battle.

 

A Church spokesman suggested that the Archdiocese succumbed and accepted a union contract containing the contraception and abortion coverages under protest.The issue at the time was providing health care or violating the Church's religious beliefs. It was thought better to provide the coverages. It was said by the Church spokesperson that the issues of contraception and abortion would be left to the conscience of individual employees.

 

More than ten years later, the Church's position has become that the Obamacare provisions are unprecedented, intolerable, and a government intrusion on religious liberty. Where were these arguments back when the union contract was on the table? How can what passed muster years ago now become a horrible imposition on Catholicism?

 

The Archdiocese is not the only institution that has permitted contraception coverage. Fordham University is a Catholic institution. It provides contraception coverage not only for it employees, but also its students. Since 2002, New York State mandates agencies with standard commercial insurance to provide coverage for contraception services. Many Catholic agencies fall under the mandate.

 

Where was the Catholic Church when Fordham University did what they did? Where was the Catholic Church when New York State issued its mandate?

 

I have my own thoughts.

 

I believe the Catholic Church has become politically active to an extent never before experienced. The United States Council of Catholic Bishops has a budget of $26.6 million. Such a sum would better be spent feeding and sheltering the poor and homeless.

 

I suspect also that the Catholic Church has been goaded into and has become an ally of the Republican religious right. It has been reported that the Bishops became involved in the Obamacare fight only after consultation with the group.

 

I cannot get out of my head that Catholic Church hierarchy now seek the spotlight of the public pulpit. Enjoyably so from where I sit.

 

Something else sticks in my craw. What happened to free conscience? My Catholic upbringing taught me man has free conscience. God sets the rules. Man has the ability to follow the rules or not. In the exercise of free conscience.

 

Interestingly, free conscience was one of the reasons/excuses claimed for not vehemently protesting the contraception and abortion coverages to certain union employees many years ago. Provisions that remain intact to this day.

 

I still subscribe to the Church setting the rules. Then it is up to the laity to decide what rules they wish to follow. It is not the Church's role to go public as it has. Religion and government must remain separate. Salem witch hunts are a thing of the past.

 

I say to the Catholic Church.....Take care of my soul, not my laws. Leave it to me to judge issues and make judgments in the exercise of free conscience. The free conscience given to me by God.

THREE DISGRACES

Our government is dysfunctional. Especially Congress. I tell you nothing new. We are all aware.

 

From the multitudinous wrongdoings, I have selected three stories. Each is an example of the government's erroneous ways.

 

The first involves Major Nidal Hasan. The U.S. Army officer and psychiatrist who went berserk at Fort Hood in 2009. The Major was a Muslim.

 

Major Hasan for no reason and without provocation began shooting up the base. He killed 13 and wounded 30. Most U.S. Army soldiers.

 

As he was shooting, Major Hasan was shouting in Muslim, God is Great.

 

It is now 2013, four years later. Major Hasan is well and alive. He sits in jail awaiting a trial.

 

The disgrace.....Major Hasan is receiving full pay while he waits trial. $70,000 a year. So far, $278,000.

 

Two reasons are involved.

 

First, Major Hasan, who is also an American citizen, is innocent till proven guilty. Second, someone in government, whether Washington or the Army itself, has labeled the shooting workplace violence. Both situations legally mandate that Major Hasan continue to be paid.

 

There are three classifications involved when our soldiers are killed or wounded.  One is workplace violence. The other two require the incident be as a result of terrorism or combat. Whoever did the classification, decided to call it workplace violence.

 

Workplace violence carries negative affects beyond Major Hasan being paid while awaiting trial. The thirty wounded are not entitled to disability awards if their wounds warrant such. Nor are they entitled to Purple Hearts.

 

So Major Hasan sits in a cell doing nothing and gets paid $70,000 a year. Whereas, the injured are not entitled to disability benefits nor a Purple Heart.

 

All because someone high up classified the shooting as working place violence rather than one of the two other classifications.

 

Why? I am not sure the classification was an accident. It would be interesting to know who decided to go with the classification which assisted Major Hasan rather than one that would have helped those wounded. What behind the scene forces were at work?

 

The second situation involves Congress and the Affordable Care Act. The Act is popularly known as Obamacare. It has been law for approximately three years.

 

Republicans now control the House of Representatives. They keep trying to repeal Obamacare. They bring up the repeal vote with full knowledge that it will never see the light of day in the Democratic controlled Senate. And , if it did and was favorably passed, the President would never sign it into law.

 

Congress recently voted on repeal. Again. For the 37th time in three years. The same bill. With full knowledge it is going nowhere.

 

Perhaps a publicity stunt. Maybe to appease the far right. Could  be an attempt to convince the American people that they are protecting their interests by constantly beating a dead horse.

 

The scenario is outrageous for a number of reasons.

 

First, it is a waste of time and money. Once was enough. That is all it takes. There is a cost involved. Thus far, Congress has spent $1.5 million in conducting 37 votes. At a time when the United States is in desperate economic straits. The Republicans are the ones who shout cut, cut,cut, eliminate wasteful spending. They fail to do that which they preach.

 

I have an additional concern.

 

Thirty seven votes on the same thing where one would have sufficed.There are important social issues facing the United States. Like gun control, immigration, and tax reform. These issues are never brought to the floor for a vote.

 

Crazy.

 

The third disgrace involves the great American corporation Apple and its avoidance of $102 billion dollars in taxes. All perfectly proper. All legal. Off shore accounts were used.

 

Ireland is a glaring example. Apple has neither buildings nor employees in Ireland. It merely has a mailing address. Apple saves $12 billion using this gimmick.

 

All perfectly proper. All legal.

 

Apple's CEO recently appeared before a Congressional committee on the issue of tax avoidance. He was open and above board in his responses. His position a simple one. The law permits everything they do. Everything is within the law. They pay only taxes they are legally required to pay.

 

Apple's CEO is correct. Apple is without sin.

 

Who is the culprit? Simple. The Congress of the United States. Laws have been passed over the years granting big tax breaks to major corporations. Congress did the dirty deed and now is searching for a scapegoat.

 

There is none, except for themselves.

 

There are two ways we can get out of this tax avoidance situation. First, cut out all tax loopholes permitting this type activity. Second, pass a law lowering the corporate tax rate. We will lose no money. Probably take in more revenue. Without loopholes, corporate America will be paying taxes on ALL income earned. Such a scenario should provide more tax income than is being received now. It is a win win situation for corporate America and the United States.

 

I have pointed the finger at Congress and government in general. Deservedly so. Our elected representatives have become beholden to corporate America. They expect and rely on substantial contributions to their political war chests. They enjoy a trip here and there to some exotic place at corporate America's expense. Expensive dinners. And whatever else.

 

We should expect more from our elected representatives. We deserve more. Congress must dig in and do the right thing. Unfortunately, they have neither the courage nor desire to do so.