Let Them Eat Cake! (by Andy McGee)
By Corey Thompson, filed in Andy McGee, Guest Features on Mar.04, 2009
***Editor’s Note: Andy McGee is a Liberal Columnist for “The Thirsty Quill.” While Mr. McGee often writes for ‘The Quill,’ it is important for readers to note that his opinions and views are strictly his own, and rarely reflect the opinions and views of the pro-Conservative ideals of this site. As always, “The Thirsty Quill” greatly appreciates Andy’s participation and contributions.***
“Let Them Eat Cake!”
By: Andy McGee, Columnist
Reaching your 85th birthday is a great achievement for anyone. Reaching your 85th birthday as one of the most powerful leaders in Africa, while living in one of the most volatile regions in the world, is all the more reason to celebrate. At least, that seems to be the consensus with Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and his cabinet members. This past weekend, these officials (who have pledged to combat one of the worst health outbreaks in recent history) hosted a lavish celebration in honor of Mr. Mugabe’s birthday.
“I think it is going to be a great day for the legend and icon whose birthday we are celebrating today,” said Mugabe’s nephew Patrick Zhuwawo, one of the organizers for the celebration. “The country might be having problems, but we need to have a day to honor the sacrifices the President has made for this country.” (CNN/WORLD)
Just last week, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai visited a hospital’s closed Intensive Care Unit that he said needed $30,000 to resume normal operations. This comes amid a massive cholera outbreak, widespread food shortages, and rampant inflation that would have led to a revolution here in the “developed” world.
So what is the lesson here? Obviously President Mugabe and his administration are not at risk of learning anything from their own arrogance. I think what the rest of us can extract from this obvious misuse of funds is this: while there will always be suffering, while there will always be hunger, while there will always be sickness, it is wrong for a public official to dine in the most elegant settings while the people he/she represent die in the streets from hunger and disease.
$250,000 was the estimated price tag for the party. Mugabe and his cronies had no legal obligation to use a dime of it to assist with the lamentations that their people are suffering. But doesn’t he have a moral obligation to use those funds to combat these issues in a more resourceful manner?
This story makes me feel all the more grateful to live in a country where policy is still (though we often question) directed by principle. We still live in a time where good people can make a difference, not just by the challenges they accept, but also the rewards that they choose not to accept.
***Editor’s Note: Andy McGee is a Liberal Columnist for “The Thirsty Quill.” While Mr. McGee often writes for ‘The Quill,’ it is important for readers to note that his opinions and views are strictly his own, and rarely reflect the opinions and views of the pro-Conservative ideals of this site. As always, “The Thirsty Quill” greatly appreciates Andy’s participation and contributions.***
March 4th, 2009 on 3:21 pm
“You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me” John 12:8
I argued this verse with my father a few months ago. Jesus makes this statement after Mary anoints his head and feet with oil. Judas responds “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” John 12:5.
You are correct we all have a moral obligation to help the sick and poor among us. But it its our moral obligation NOT to take from someone with more and give to the least of us. Even Jesus wouldn’t do that.
So when policies dictate how many rewards I except; that in my opinion is immoral.
March 5th, 2009 on 12:01 pm
Rodney, I am sorry, but I think you are misinterpreting that chapter. John 12:6 said this concerning Judas’s question: “6He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.”
Judas wasn’t actually concerned with the poor, he was asking the question for his own personal gain. To use Jesus’ reply to Judas there as blanket statement concerning treatment of the poor is very dangerous.
If anything, Jesus can be seen all throughout his ministry working with the poor and hungry, giving them food, healing and prayer. If you notice, Jesus spent very little time with the wealthy, rather, he spent his time with the poor, sick, decrepit, and abandoned.
“But it its our moral obligation NOT to take from someone with more and give to the least of us. Even Jesus wouldn’t do that.”
Jesus’ teachings said in a chapter (Matthew 19) when approached by a rich man trying to become a disciple that the man needed to “sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Then he said “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
It seems to me that Jesus is encouraging the abandonment of wealth for pursuit of his teachings. The abandoned wealth should be given to the poor, just like Jesus said.
March 6th, 2009 on 11:47 am
Well someone has to make money for the world to continue to spin Sforbis. But it should be our moral obligation to give to the poor because our hearts are burdened by their suffering. NOT mandated by the government in the form of taxes. Maybe there is so much resentment for the poor in this country because of the fact that people don’t give willingly to them from their hearts. Maybe if the people recieving the money knew that the money was given willingly by the people of America for them, then they might appreciate the money more instead of having more babies to get even more money from us.
I also find the comments from our liberal-minded friends here funny considering the Obama admin. is either doing or is about to do away with tax breaks for those who give to charity. Let them eat cake, they won’t be doing much eating at all if the wealthy can’t get tax breaks for donating to charity.
Also, this party sounds to me alot like the Obamas hosting almost weekly Wednesday night parties at the White house entertaining guests and bands, while Americans are suffering outside those pretty gates. You say it’s wrong for Mugabe to do it, but your fearless hope bringing leader does it on almost a weekly basis.
March 6th, 2009 on 7:12 pm
Sadly, we live in a country that can spend a billion dollars quicker than most countries spend a hundred. Our new President hosting a few ceremonies, considering the historical context of his election victory, is a tad bit different than a man whose country is literally dying from a widespread chemical outbreak spending much needed funds on a lavish birthday party. $250,000 was raised for the party that could have literally saved thousands of lives. It is a stretch but to a certain extent I agree with you. If the people whom you are asigned to protect are suffering, and you have the ability to help with your influence then you should. Even if it means sacrificing some luxuries so that your people can receive life prolonging treatment. That is my point at its most basic level.