On the news today the State Government of Wisconsin announced it expects a billion dollar surplus in 2015. Even before the money arrives in Madison the Government is announcing plans to cut taxes for the rich and middle income persons. To get this surplus the State Government of Wisconsin seriously cut into aide for public schools and into medical assistance for the poor. Someone dared to suggest that the excess money, when it comes, be used to restore these cuts which hurt our educational system and the most vulnerable amidst us.

Tonight on NBC World News it was announced that the “World’s 85 richest have same wealth as 3.5 billion poorest”. The same report, taken from Oxfam, says “The wealth of the richest 1% in the world is now 65 times the total wealth of the bottom half of the world’s people.”
Does anyone see a problem with these two news reports? I am not seeking “equality” but “decency” in economic justice.

Everyone, especially politicians, are quick to praise Martin Luther King, on this his Federal holiday. If they really knew and understood Martin Luther King Jr., the principles and values he stood for and the use of nonviolent direct action he encouraged, they would not be so eager to praise him.
One of the biggest insurance companies in the USA and Milwaukee gave their employees the day off and encouraged them to do community service for a day. Similar scenes took place throughout the country. Tomorrow they can all get to their real business making the rich richer and the poor poorer maybe feeling a little better about it.

The hypocrisy of many Americans may only be exceeded by their greed.
My veteran friend came over today looking for a little work. He had the day off from his ‘training program’ at the Veteran’s administration where he works a forty hour week for $3.25 an hour. The VA justifies this low age since my friend has some mental health issues after his ten years in the military. I pay him $20 for two hours worth of work. He needs to work at the VA 6 ¼ hours to make $20.

A worst example of greed: a McDonald’s worker in Chicago making $8.25 an hour after two decades at this food chain. He would need to work 550 years to make the CEO of McDonald’s annual salary of $8.8 million.

These examples are not only indecent but are pornographic. When will this race for greed ever slow down and love of neighbor take over? Maybe we should use some of the nonviolent direct action of Gandhi and King rather than just talk about it. We need less talk and more action, less greed and more giving. Service is good. But as long as we do our ‘service’ and go right back to the economic system that takes from the poor to give to the rich all is lost.
We do not need equality but just decency.

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