An Ethical Crisis of Confidence

27 07 2010

 

Almighty God, we confess that we are often swept up in the tide of our

generation. We have failed in our calling to be your holy people, a

people set apart for your divine purpose. We live more in apathy than

in passion born of hope. We are moved more by private ambition

than by social justice. We dream more of privilege and benefits than

service and sacrifice. Help us to make room in our hearts and lives for

you. Forgive us, revive us, and reshape us in your image. Amen 

Nouriel Roubini

  The other day I was watching my stock market guru Jim Cramer on CNBC.  It was a down day in the market and he was railing against the Bears for their pessimism on the stock market.  Currently the stock market is in a very narrow range and actually seems to be slowly drifting down in spite of increased earnings by corporate America.  He was lamenting the fact that the retail investor like me seemed to be leaving the market in droves or at least was not investing as they had done in the past.  He only alluded to the fact that there was a crisis of confidence in the government, international affairs, and lack of confidence in Wall Street itself.  On other programs that I’ve watched recently that talked about the new Fin Regs just passed, there was less than enthusiastic endorsement of the new regulations.  Most of this was aimed at the fact that there was little confidence that these new regulations would make any difference and in fact would give the money merchants new loop holes to exploit.  The growing sentiment among many investors is that the Foxes are in the hen house and are making the new regulations and that everything is about the same as before.  Many people on both the left and the right believe that this is just the first step in our economic troubles.  Nouriel Roubini, author of Crisis Economics and one of those who first predicted the effects of the housing bubble contends that the next world economic crisis will occur in the next two years.  He predicts that there will be a long, painful, protracted economic downturn, evidenced first by deflation and then by hyper inflation. 

 So, what happens to all of us that are poor or middle class that have been living on borrowed money.  Roubini suggests two scenarios.  The first is Keynesian theory and the other is from the Austrian economic school.  With Keynes, the solution to economic crisis is infusion of capital into the economy by government in the form of stimulus dollars and direct payments for unemployment etc.  With the Austrian school approach the answer is “creative destruction” which is allowing the economy to go through the painful destruction of corporations, persons, or institutions that are weak or that have over committed.  The theory is that even though painful, the purging of inefficient and corrupt entities will be shorter and make for a stronger successor.  Roubini uses the term “moral hazard” to explain the behavior of some companies and individuals that take undue risks knowing that someone will bail them out if they get into financial trouble.  He uses Citi Bank as an example of the result of “moral hazard” going back to the great depression when the government bailed them out.  Since then, Citi Bank has been bailed several times because of credit problems due to being leveraged too much.  And who has had to pay for this?  The American tax payer.  “Moral hazard” also comes home to roost with individuals.  Many Americans have leveraged themselves into bankruptcy because they either want it now and easy credit is at hand or we live in a state of perpetual entitlement where our priorities are fixated on the material rather than the spiritual.  And who will suffer the most?  The poor and the young.  Neither Keynes or the Austrians have the whole answer to our situation, but most of us know that change is necessary.  Individual responsibility and self reliance are important but being concerned and committed to the whole is also important. 

 I contend that a solution lies in three areas—the long process of unwinding our debt, the preservation of person’s dignity and worth, and turning to the One that truly gives us meaning.  And the longer we wait to make these painful decisions and changes the more painful it will be.  So where do we place our faith?  Jeremiah and other prophets believed that the answer to our predicament lay in our turning away from the lesser gods of our culture and placing our faith in the God of new life and creation. “Nearly 90 percent of Americans, according to the CIA World Factbook, identify themselves with a religion. But only 12 percent of American adults say faith is a top priority in their life, according to a new study released Monday by the Barna Group.”   It may be charged that suggesting that we turn towards God in these times (as well as in good times) is naïve and impractical.   We’re not ready to give up our little gods and until we do, we will suffer the pain of attachment. 

 “I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger to this place and let them live in safety.  They will be my people, and I will be their God.  I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them.  I will make an everlasting covenant with them; I will never stop doing good to them.”  Jeremiah 32: 37-39  

 Jeremiah states that God will gather all who have been banished and will be the God of all people.  I believe that even if there are those who do not accept the presence and influence of God, we are all still under God’s reign.  It is for those of us who believe in that reign to live into God’s purpose.  The outcome may not be what we want, but it will be God’s outcome.


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I Don’t Care Whether He’s a Christian; I Just Want a Good Dentist

6 07 2010

 Several years ago a good friend of ours moved to north Dallas.  She began to meet people in her community and as is the case in moving to a new place, she wanted referrals to service persons, such as doctors, dentist, plumbers, etc.  She was somewhat flabbergasted that when she would query her friends about such referrals and they would invariably answer, “Oh, Dr.  X is a Christian, you know.”  She said that it was not just one new friend that responded this way; it was almost all of them.  It was as if their primary criteria for selection were that the person was Christian.  Maybe I don’t run in the right circles to get this kind of response here in Houston or maybe Dallas is just that different.  But our friend’s response to us was, “I don’t care whether he’s a Christian or not, I just want a good dentist.” 

One of our Food For Thought attendees said she had the same reaction when she went into a doctor’s office and there was a cross in a prominent place in the waiting room.  I’ve also talked to numerous people who are turned off by businesses that have the Christian fish logo on their business advertising.  I have often been told that these businesses are some of the worst offenders with poor ethical standards that they’ve confronted.  Which brings us to another question?  How would one respond if the professional or business advertised that they were a Jewish lawyer, a Hindu cardiologist, a Muslim accountant or a Buddhist psychotherapist?  When we make choices of businesses or professionals that we’re going to support based on religious preference, it probably doesn’t have a lot to do with competence.  It’s probably more about trusting.  If we are Christian and white, we may feel more trusting towards someone who looks like us and has a similar religious background.  And religious preference doesn’t have a lot to do with competence.

My oldest son has had cardiac issues from birth.  He has had two aortic valves replaced with the first operation almost being fatal.  The second time he was to have the valve replaced, something miraculous occurred.  His cardiologist, an Indian who Mark had seen for a number of years and who had a great relationship with was ready to assist in the valve replacement.  But the night before the operation he had a dream that made him decide to do one more test.  Not a very scientific approach, but one that was fortuitous.  He decided to run one more test and found that Mark had a huge tumor on his heart.  Mark was finally diagnosed with Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  Mark was then first treated for the lymphoma and then some months later had the valve replacement.  Both the doctor, a Hindu and Mark a Christian believed the dream was more than a dream. 

I’d rather have doctor or do business with someone that is not a moral cipher and only sees persons as objects to be cut on or used to enhance ones bottom line.  Even persons of faith can have a disconnect between what they profess in worship and their actions away from worship.  The ending scene in Godfather is a dramatic example of this disconnect where Michael Corlione is having his child Christened while at the same time he is having all of his enemies killed.  This is a theatrical extreme that for most of us is not that pronounced but the film makes the point that as humans we have the ability to blot out and rationalize what we’ve been taught as the difference in right and wrong and our selfish, bigoted and brutal self will.

My point is that faith makes a difference, both for the patient, client, or customer and the professional or business. Our faith should inform our ethics and actions and our understanding of our role in God’s universe.  We have to be aware of the result of our actions on what the East calls Karma.  But whether we advertise our faith, is another issue. 

One company that has had great success in advertising its faith is Christian Brothers Automotive, a franchise company servicing seven southern states with fifty four centers.  Founder Mark Carr started the business in 1982 with a vision that Christian values should inform the way he and his franchisees do business.  He limits selling franchises to born again Christians which in turn has the added benefit of developing trustworthy employees.  For me personally I’d like to think that the company or professional that I go to has a faith, even if not necessarily mine, and that sees me as a child of God and that I should be treated with respect and care. 

The current best example of a company that creates a covenant between operators and customer is Chik Fil A.  The company was begun in 1947 by Truett Cathy.  It now has 1430 stores and does over 2 billion a year in sales and is still a private company.  In order to receive a franchise a person only has to pay $5000. and be willing to work full time in the business.  The parent company participates 50-50 in the profits.  There are over 25,000 applications a year for about 100 stores.  The company is based on Christian principles of stewardship and is always closed on Sundays.   If you’ve ever been to a Chik Fil A before you know that there is different atmosphere about the place;  And the foods good too.

http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/3895162/chick-fil-as-philosophy-on-business?playlist_id=87185

And for me as the customer, I should also see those who serve me as being human with frailties and concerns that may be making them have a bad day.  And that if trust and covenant are broken that I deal with my anger and disappointment appropriately and try to rebuild the relationship, even though I may not use that company or person in the future.  I don’t know about you, but that’s really hard for me to do when I think someone has taken advantage of me.


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Gotcha

1 07 2010

 

Last week we had our Food  For Thought luncheon meeting on ethics at Christ Church Cathedral.  Treebeard’s food is great and even though we didn’t have a big crowd, we had some great conversation on covenant and business ethics. (by the way you’re invited)  Bob Thurmond the program director of the Cathedral Justice Project was talking about how American business seems to have evolved to companies trying to make contracts so onerous that the best description for them is “gotchas”.  I can personally attest to the complexity of real estate contracts that twenty or thirty years ago were much simpler than today.  In spite of that complexity as a nation we’ve experienced the biggest housing meltdown in U.S. history.  It raises the question of why should contracts so complex if they’re not worth the paper they’re written on.  In addition to the housing bubble numerous large commercial properties have been foreclosed on, some of them with billion dollar values.  I realize that we live in a much more complex world and that we all have to deal with more regulation, whether it’s environmental, financial regulation, safety, or a myriad of other regulations that make everyone want to CYA. 

 I’m not so naïve that I believe that we’re going to turn the ship around in a hurry, if ever.  But Bob began talking about the difference in American and Japanese business.  This really picked my interest in as much as I have been involved in the martial arts for fifty years and have come to appreciate much about the Japanese culture, while at the same time being mystified by it.  For Americans, including myself, the Japanese ethic is quite enigmatic.  On the one hand it is very focused on the group and the needs of the group.   On the other hand it is very hierarchical with deference made to those who are older or who have a higher rank in the social order.  I particularly like the “older” concept.  Dr. W. Edward Deming helped revolutionize Japanese manufacturing with what he called “quality circles” or Kaizen.  These are small groups in a manufacturing plant who meet formally and give suggestions on ways to improve production, safety and other issues to improve the company.  It’s purpose is to generate and implement employee ideas.  Now, here is the interesting part.  The employees don’t get bonuses for their suggestions.  The suggestions may result in changes in the plant itself that make employees work environment better but the primary focus in on the organization.  Deming’s ideas have been replicated in the U.S. but with a lesser degree of success since in Japan there was not the monetary incentive to improve. 

 This is just one difference in Japanese business and culture.  This does not mean that Japanese business and culture do not have flaws.  Over the years there have been numerous scandals in both government and business.  But often the outcome is much different than in the U.S.   Whereas in the U.S. the CEO who’s caught in a indiscretion may try to blame others or claim ignorance.  But in Japan, the hierarchy runs in both directions.  I may be low in the totem pole, but the Sensei (big guy) is responsible for all the people below him and the consequences that are created under his watch. He is the one that is expected to “fall on his sword” if things go wrong and in the old days that was literally what was expected of him. 

 Compare some of what CEO Akei Toyoda and others said in testimony before congress:

 ”Especially, I would like to extend my condolences to the members of the Saylor family, for the accident in San Diego,” said Toyoda in his testimony. “I would like to send my prayers again, and I will do everything in my power to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.

“Since last June, when I first took office, I have personally placed the highest priority on improving quality over quantity, and I have shared that direction with our stakeholders. As you well know, I am the grandson of the founder, and all the Toyota vehicles bear my name. For me, when the cars are damaged, it is as though I am as well.”

And here is a statement made by a key company executive James Press:

“Toyoda is dealing with two big problems. He only took control of the company last year. The vast majority of decisions that are connected with the recall were made by a previous regime. On Feb. 23, Automotive News published part of an e-mail from former Toyota Motor Sales President James Press, who also became the first American to serve on Toyota’s management board in Japan before he left in 2007.  Press called the management that preceded Toyoda “pirates.”

“The root cause of their problems is that the company was hijacked, some years ago, by anti-family, financially oriented pirates,” Press said, referring to the company’s move away from Toyoda family leadership over the past decade. “They didn’t have the character necessary to maintain a customer-first focus. Akio [Toyoda] does,” Press told Automotive News. Press left Toyota to be vice chairman of Chrysler, a post he left last November.”

Can you imagine an American or British CEO making statements such as this (will BP be the exception).

 Japanese business and culture are changing to conform to the ‘gotcha’ philosophy in individualism and lack of personal accountability. The Toyoda story is a case in point.  But maybe we can take some lessons from the Japanese.  Loyalty and honor are important to the working of a society.  In Japan the expectation is that every person will play their part in making things work.  And if you don’t play your role the whole system will fail.  It is not only a dishonor to you and your family but also to your ancestors who still have a place in your life and the life of the society. 

 The question that I grapple with is can we as Christians mediate those differences between the good things about our culture and the good things about the Japanese culture.  Being honorable and loyal to one another is important but if we fail, do we have to “fall on our sword”.  Or can we hold ourselves and others accountable and admit our shortcomings while at the same time practicing “grace”?  Can we acknowledge that the group is important but the individual still has a part in making the system work and allowing freedom to prevail?  What do you think?


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Relational Banking and Other Anachronisms

21 06 2010

 

 

Every year around Christmas we are privileged to see the holiday classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life” starring Jimmy Stewart.  It’s such a classic that for several days you can almost find it playing on some channel 24/7.  So, why has this film become an icon.  As movie reviewer James Berarninelli says, “It’s a Wonderful Life has earned its legion of followers because it effectively touches upon one basic truth of life that we all would like to believe — that each of us, no matter how apparently insignificant, has the power to make a difference, and that the measure of our humanity has nothing to do with fame or money, but with how we live our life on a day-to-day basis. It’s a Wonderful Life asks and answers a question that all of us think of at one time or another: “What would this world be like if I had never been born?”

 But others have said that it has to do with a simpler time and small town American values that we long for to return.  I can certainly relate to both of these ideas and would like to focus on the latter.  I remember as a young business person going to my neighborhood bank and saying hello to all the bank VP;s and the bank president.  The tellers had been there forever and knew me by name.  The bank was an institution that wasn’t just about making money.  It was a part of the community.  That bank no longer exists, having been bought out, merged and folded into a conglomerate bank.  Today, the idea of the neighborhood bank and the idea of “relational banking” is a thing of the past.  To even put money in the bank through the drive through window is an ordeal, sometimes requiring that I go into the main branch office to check to see if my signature matches the one on the signature card.  Even then the person I visit with doesn’t know me and I don’t really care about how their day is going since they probably won’t be there next time I’m in. 

 Banking is not the only type of business that has changed and become dehumanized.  Whether it’s my local pharmacy, the giant Wal-Mart or the grocery store or gasoline store, there’s not much in the way of “relation building”.  We have TV commercials that tout the personal service aspect of some businesses but the reality is that there is very little to substantiate those claims.

 This has a profound influence on our ethics and values.  In “It’s a Wonderful Life” people rallied around George Bailey and his family as George and his father before him had done.  There was a sense of community that existed that said that people’s lives are important to the community at large and that we are called into that community to be supportive and loving.  Today there is a distrust of the other and we are either afraid of our neighbor or we live in isolation from neighbor and see those we serve or are served by as objects rather than as loved children of God, worthy of our concern and affirmation.

 If the world of George Bailey ever existed we can’t go back there and we have to realize that, that time may have never existed.  We can hope that we can build that kind of community in the future where we live supporting one another and reconciling to one another.  These realities make it important to build relationships that affirm our neighbor, while at the same time taking responsibility for our thoughts and actions.  And most importantly, we can see the face of God looking at us as we encounter the other.


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How High’s the Water Mama

22 05 2010

Houston floods.   Duh!! 

When the Allen brothers started selling lots in Harrisburg (Houston) they didn’t tell anyone about the Mosquito’s and the flooding.  Land was plentiful and cheap.  As people began to inhabit Houston they realized drainage was important to crops and getting rid of Mosquitoes.  They were not aware of the impact of draining the land on downstream flooding, even though flooding had been a reality for eons.  As development progressed the more affluent whites bought the high ground while poor whites and blacks inhabited the low lands.  Houston bayous drop about one foot per mile with the land around it dropping more than that.  In the Heights around 10th Street the elevation is about 60’ whereas the elevation in the East End around Harrisburg is about 40’ with the bayou being about 25’.  This historical and systemic difference can’t be changed even though over the years there have been numerous attempts to fix Houston’s flooding problem.  According to the Harris County flood Control District there is an average of a major flood in Harris County every two years. 

 Another influence that has exacerbated the problem is that over the years developers have tended to develop close to the Bayous.  The reason for this is that areas closer to the bayous have more trees but the main reason seems to be that the drainage run to the bayous is cheaper because the bayou is closer.  Many of those subdivisions were built in the 100 year flood plains which until a few years ago were not well documented.  Also, because of the lack of technology, the impact of upstream drainage was not known.  Today there is a greater comprehensive knowledge of these interconnected influences.

 In recent weeks there has been a move by a group that is floating (no pun intended) a proposed drainage and street plan to be put on the ballot in November.  There is no doubt that Houston needs a comprehensive program for addressing our severely inadequate drainage and street repair needs.  There are a number of positive aspects to the plan but as is always the case, the devil is in the details. 

 Houston is currently going through a transition that many American cities are going through—the gentrification of inner city neighborhoods.  This results in the revitalization of those neighborhoods with a resulting increase in the tax base of those neighborhoods.  But the downside of this is that traditional neighborhoods that are often comprised on minority and older residents are displaced and pushed out into the suburbs where transportation costs and access to jobs is more problematic.  Even when affordable housing is made a part of the revitalization plan, this is only a short term fix in as much as those home owners will still be charged more for taxes and will eventually move out because of inflated prices.  The reason this issue is important in the discussion about flooding is that most of the new housing in these inner city communities of Houston will be higher density housing in the form of townhouses whereas in the original configuration of the neighborhood, the homes were single family dwellings with a footprint that would only take up about 20% of the lot area as opposed to about 90% with townhouse construction.  This shift in land use over time makes flooding even more threatening since rain water cannot be absorbed into the soil and must run off into the existing streets and drains.  The proposed program would help that problem but in a cynical way would result in increased gentrification resulting in the quicker demise of those traditional neighborhoods.  Many churches in the inner city are already commuter churches with members living out in the community and traveling in for Sunday services.  Many of these churches are small and in their inception were neighborhood churches.  Over time, will they lose viability and be closed?  Schools with long and cherished traditions are being closed because of population shifts and lower birth rates.  Even affluent River Oaks is going through change with many smaller homes (under 3000 sq, ft,) being bought, torn down and new 5-7000 sq. ft. homes built.  Old time residents lament this fact and even have been quoted as saying, “if this continues, we’ll look just like West University” another inner city area that has experienced a transition away from its former character.  Many cities around the world are proud of their old neighborhoods for their character, history and tourism.  When we Americans go abroad, one of the first questions we ask about a building or neighborhood is, “how old is it”.  Not with Houston.  In this mornings Chronicle there was an article about Frost Town, the first subdivision in Houston.  It no longer exists.  A marker is being placed today to commemorate its founding but other than the marker there is no other symbol of its existence.  Time and time again change for the sake of progress has taken away a part of our history and community. .  People in neighborhoods that flood and that have poor streets want change.  So, the ethical question is, do you try to maintain and preserve the character of the traditional community or do you encourage the rapid turnover to a gentrified community, thus displacing the current residents and small businesses due to increased taxes and fees that would make living in those communities prohibitive What is the price that we’re willing to pay for progress is a question that doesn’t just impact traditional neighborhoods in Houston, but also is a question we are addressing in a world where humanity continues to inhabit more and more of our planet. 

 


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Just Walk Away

13 05 2010

 

 

Houston has been fortunate in that it’s not had the same foreclosure problems that other parts of the country have had.  Last Sunday Sixty Minutes aired a segment about people in Phoenix, AZ whose homes had dropped more than fifty per cent in value and in some cases even if they could afford to pay the mortgage, they were letting the homes go into foreclosure.  Yes, there credit would be hurt for several years but they had gotten to the point where they believed that the best course for them, was to walk away.  Several of those interviewed said that they had gotten past the shame of foreclosure and dealt with the realization that their neighbors would be angry with them.  They none the less saw foreclosure as the best course of action in their self interest.  The program went even further to point out several very large commercial foreclosures around the country that went into the billions of dollars.  Several credit counselors interviewed, stated that many large companies did what was expedient in their self interest.  Not only did some companies let real estate go, but laid off large numbers of workers, and even took bankruptcy while at the same time giving executives large bonuses.  The message seemed to be, “if the big guys can do it, then why can’t I?” 

 Having personally gone through bankruptcy in 1988, I know the shame and guilt associated with such a drastic measure.  I remember the words of my grandmother and father who both went through the depression and survived telling me how terrible it was to take bankruptcy and that it should be avoided at all costs.  Fortunately, we were able to pay our debts in full and survive for another day and the properties that had created the problems for us in the first place finally came into their own and now are solid investments. 

 Even though that experience was traumatic, we just didn’t walk away, even though we wanted to.  What we’re seeing today has affected the entire economy and could have far reaching and additional systemic risks for the future.  It’s not just the structural effects of foreclosures and bankruptcy that are at stake here.  It’s also the ethical issues involved and the far reaching implications of our actions.  When we enter into contracts, does it really matter whether we adhere to those contracts?  Does a promise to pay really mean anything?

 We are all part of a dramatically changing economic and social system that most often does not live up to the virtues and ethics of trust, honor and loyalty.  I contend that we’re all a part of that system and that we are complicit in its very nature.  In reading the Romans 3 passage, Paul points out that the mere fact that we are human makes us complicit in the events and the sinfulness of the world.  But Paul goes on the further state in Romans 3:23-ff, “God sacrificed Jesus on the altar of the world to clear that world of sin.  Having faith in him sets us clear.  God decided on this course of action in full view of the public—to set the world in the clear with himself through the sacrifice of Jesus, ….God sets things right.  He also makes it possible for us to live in the rightness.”   (Peterson)   Does our being spiritually set free also pertain to our debt and the other promises we make in life?  Is not fulfilling our covenants with one another, what Paul is talking about?  I don’t think so.  I think what he is saying is about our relationship with God, ourselves and others.  We don’t just exist in a vacuum.  In making commitments, we need to be aware of the consequences of our actions, while at the same time knowing that even in our failures, we are still loved unconditionally by God.   In the case of the economic meltdown, millions of people around the world are affected by our imprudent actions.  Someone in our life taught us about fulfilling our promises and to be sure we were making the right decision in the first place.  My grandmother who grew up dirt poor and went through the depression always told me to never go into debt.  My father on the other hand said, “if you’re going into debt borrow enough so if you get into trouble, the banker won’t want to foreclose on you.”  In a weird sort of way they were both right.  Not only do we need to be ethical and trustworthy in our dealings but we need   to teach our children about financial and relational responsibility—that it’s just not about “me”, and that we should put off our desire for instant gratification.  One of the most influential persons in the area of personal financial responsibility is Dave Ramsey and his Financial Peace University.  His message is simple—there’s no sin in not trying to keep up with the Jones.  Live within your means.  Thousands of people have successfully taken his course and are living lives that are more meaningful and fulfilling.  And where does he preach this message?  Many of these courses are taught in churches since what he talks about is financial responsibility but also addresses our basic values and the way we see ourselves. 

Getting our own financial and spiritual life in order is one way to begin changing the dominant culture of excess and instant gratification.  But it’s not popular in all circles.  Living within your means is almost unpatriotic.  Shortly after 9/11 President Bush told everyone to go out and buy something.  As if, that would fix things. “Consumerism infantilizes us, alienates us from one another, and makes us apathetic as citizens. What’s ironic is that even if you base human worth not on social responsibility but on individual happiness, consumerism still fails us. A consumer economy only works if consumption of goods provides only temporary pleasure. That is, if happiness is infinitely deferred, so that buyers continue to buy more and more goods and services. By definition, the consumer can never be satisfied, at rest or happy. Which means she will always feel lacking ”  (Philly online LLC, 2008)   A sense of economic salvation and coming to grips with the realization that our value is not tied up in what have or own,  eases our feelings of inadequacy brought on by being held hostage to the temporal, that does not free us but enslaves us.   Being dominated by this false culture of consumerism is a personal thing where we live in a bubble that supposedly protects us from the forces of evil and humanity.  But God continues to challenges us to live in openness and freedom to God’s loving grace.


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Whom Shall We Blame?

1 05 2010

 

 

Romans 3:  Peterson Version

“‘There’s nobody living right, not even one, nobody who knows the score, nobody alert for God.  They’ve all taken the wrong turn; they’ve all wandered down blind alleys.  No one’s living right; I can’t find a single one.  Their throats are gaping graves, their tongues slick as mud slides.  Every word they speak is tinged with poison.  They open their mouths and pollute the air.  They race for the honor of sinner of the year, litter the land with heartbreak and ruin, don’t know the first thing about living with others.  They never give God the time of day.’

This makes it clear, doesn’t it, that whatever is written in these Scriptures is not what God says about others but to us whom these Scriptures were addressed in the first place!  And it’s clear enough, isn’t it, that we’re sinners, every one of us, in the same sinking boat with everybody else?  Our involvement with God’s revelation doesn’t put us right with God.  What it does is force us to face our complicity in everyone else’s sin.”

 The current economic problems have resulted in both consternation and real economic hardships to most Americans.  As some of you might have done, I watched a good bit of the Senate hearings on the role that Goldman Sachs might have played in the debacle.  But after all the dust settled, it seemed to me that even though GS acted unethically, they were not guilty of anything criminal (at least for now).  GS was a major player in the financial world when the house of cards fell, but they were only one player in the tragic game that ensued.  The final judgment is not in, but my guess is that not much will come of those hearings other than to further cloudy the water and create more consternation among Americans.  I decided to try and give a time line and the factors leading up to the meltdown and in particular to the sub-prime issue.  The history of the evolution of this situation goes back to 1938 when   Fannie Mae and later when Freddie Mac the quasi governmental agencies that bought loans from approved mortgage sellers were created to help low and moderate income families purchase homes.  So, here goes:

In 1938, as a result of the depression, Congress passed a bill to help people achieve the American dream of home ownership using the pass through vehicle Fannie Mae.  Fannie Mae buys loans from approved mortgage sellers, for a fee, and that carries Fannie Mae’s guarantee of timely payment of interest and principal. Fannie Mae may also securitize mortgages from its own loan portfolio and sells the resultant mortgage-backed security to investors in the   secondary mortgage market with a guarantee that the stated principal and interest payments will be timely passed through to the investor. By purchasing the mortgages, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac provide banks and other financial institutions with fresh money to make new loans. This gives the United States housing and credit markets flexibility and liquidity.

  1. Starting in 1993 the Clinton administration pressured Fannie Mae to make more loans to minorities and neighborhoods that were underserved in the loan market due to banks engaging in what was termed “red lining”. 
  2. In 2002 Bush signed the Single Family Affordable Housing Tax Credit Act to further expand home ownership.  During this period credit requirements and eligibility requirements were relaxed resulting in lower standards in credit worthiness.
  3. As a result of periodic recessions and the perception that the economy could be helped most by expanding home ownership, housing began to dramatically expand resulting in overheating of the housing market.
  4. In 2003 Bush signed the American Dream Down Payment Act, further expanding available housing to low income and moderate income persons which continued the practice of stretching credit with short term financing, etc.
  5. In 2004 Bush and Congress at the behest of the SEC deregulated the sub prime mortgage business opening it up to other entities such as Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns whereby these companies as well as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac bundled high risk mortgages with supposedly low risk mortgages into packages, that were sold in the secondary market. Typically, the high risk loans were at either nothing down and interest only and substandard debt to income ratios.   These companies were able to convince the rating agencies of the overall security of the loan bundles resulting in them being given triple “A” ratings by rating agencies like Moody’s.  They were then sold to institutions and the public.  The deregulation resulted in banks and lending institutions being allowed to leverage up to 30 times their capital, making those companies even more vulnerable.
  6. In order to further insure that the loan packages, insurance was bought from companies like AIG to give investors more security even though unlike most insurance companies there were less funds to back up the packages.  But it can be argued that the AIG was relying on the rating agencies, who were relying on the information they were given by package brokers like Goldman Sacks, Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns, who were relying on the underwriting and implied guarantees of Fannie Mae and Freddie who were relying on those who originated the loans who were relying on valuations of the homes by appraisers and the market place for these homes.  And buyers were relying on loan brokers who told them that they qualified for the loans.
  7. In addition to the home loan market, equity loans were being made that were being made on homes with questionable value.  The premise was that the homes would continue to increase in value and as long as there were people to buy the loans, there was little risk on the part of the loan originators.
  8. As a result, home builders had little trouble borrowing money to build the homes since it seemed that there was a continuous stream of ready buyers, regardless of their credit worthiness. Overbuilding resulted in oversupply and prices began to fall.
  9. As a result of overbuilding and poor credit risks a crack in the financial dam resulted which grew to staggering proportions that eventually required the federal government to intervene.
  10. Before the dam could be saved companies like Bear Sterns, Wacovia Bank, and Lehman Brothers to name just three took bankruptcy.  AIG and a number of large banks deemed “too big to fail” were bailed out due to the fear that if they failed it would bring down the whole world banking industry.

 So, who do we blame?  As the noted scripture states, everyone is guilty.  Even those of us who weren’t directly involved but succumbed to the sirens song of easy credit and instant gratification have a part in what has happened.  When we don’t stay informed, or make rash judgments about the issues, or opt out because we don’t think we make a difference we are complicit.  But most of all, when we don’t trust God and God’s covenant and place other priorities above God, we are most complicit.  The outcome may not be what we want it to be, but God’s purpose will prevail and we are all a part of that purpose in the way we live and act towards God and to one another.


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Save the Male

15 04 2010

 

 George Bernard Shaw wrote, “This is the true joy of life:  the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clot of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.”  Warren;   The Purpose Driven Life

 For some time now many observers have said that the American male is in crisis.  Whether it’s the angry and depressed white man who feels that he has been displaced by women in the workforce or the angry and depressed young black who will either end up in prison or who has a poor education that relegates him to unemployment or underemployment, many American males find themselves living in a malaise of uncertainty and lack of direction.  Statistics can give us a glimpse at a situation that in many cases can help us understand the changing landscape facing men. 

  • In the latest economic downturn men are suffering more job loss than women.  The rate of white male unemployment is over 11% while the rate for white females is about 8%.  Men are also remaining unemployed longer.
  • Males make up about 80% of incarcerated prison inmates.
  • One in three black boys born in 2001 will spend time in prison
  • 60% of school drop outs are male.
  • Even though there is still a wage disparity in many companies between men and women, in the current recession as companies re-organize, management positions are more and more being offered to women.
  • Currently in college freshmen classes nearly 60% of entering freshmen are women.
  • Men are four times as likely to commit suicide and six times as likely to commit homicide as women.
  • Older white men commit suicide more often than any other demographic group.

 It’s impossible to generalize about all men or even men from different ethnic, social and economic groups.  And over time men can change.  But in order to reflect on the plight of the endangered male we have to make some assumptions about men in general and men in varying demographic groups to see if these men have things in common regardless of differences.  These sited statistics can possibly give us a glimpse of what is going on in men’s world.  .

 The simple answer is that many men have difficulty dealing with change.  In my work with couples as a marriage counselor several traits became clear about a majority of men. 

  1. Men had difficulty dealing with feelings unless it was anger which often turned into depression.
  2. Men tended to be more rule bound.  Not that they always followed the rules  but when engaged in counseling they tended to want a laundry list  of things to do and then they would try and do them. 
  3. The old joke about a mans wife asking him what he was thinking and him responding by saying, “nothing” is often the case. 
  4. Men lead very compartmentalized lives.  Family, friends, work, and pleasure tend to be separated and only shared with the appropriate groups and then the subject tends to be superficial. 

5.  Men tend to want to go it alone, rather than asking for help.

So what can we infer about men from these statistics and traits of men and the current situation of the endangered male.  Because many men feel left behind and impotent to being the man that they think they should be or that the world has dealt them a raw deal or that the system is against them, their responses are predictable.  Even though they might profess a philosophy of self reliance and autonomy they respond with rage and depression, often without seeing a way out.  Whether the rage is against government, big business, women, or the “man” their rage is focused on others rather than finding ways to help themselves.    

 And society doesn’t give them much encouragement.  Wives and family members may have their own financial expectations of the man, that if not fulfilled  to those expectations results in them becoming angry and rageful.  Men can’t just decide to stay home and play golf twice a week.  He’s expected to work and bring home the bacon.  Otherwise, he’s considered a drone.   But what of the drones in our society—men who father children out of wedlock and never participate in the rearing of those children. 

 In a recent visit to his prison inmate skills class, a friend of mine who was the facilitator asked his group how many of them had a relationship with their father’s.  Only two out of 10 had any kind contact with their father.  He then asked how many children had they fathered out of wedlock.  Of the nine men, there were eighteen children fathered out of wedlock.

 So, what is the answer?  One answer is for men to get their spiritual lives in order.  Since it seems that men respond best to direct imperatives here are some things to do.

  • God doesn’t care whether you’re rich, famous or good looking; only that you’re in relationship and covenant with Him.  We often listen too much to what the world holds out as success.  
  • God calls us to be in covenant with one another; with family, friends and co-workers.  Pray and study about what that means for your life.
  • God has given us all gifts but sometimes we don’t see them or we undervalue them.  This may mean that we have to retool for the future rather than being stuck in the past.  The Bible calls us to be faithful and responsible.  Society’s criterion for success often contradicts what Jesus calls us to be and do. 
  • Deal with your anger and your addictions.  They only cloud the mind to keep us from seeing God.  Join a twelve step program and stick with it.  Fake it until you make it.
  • God is always there, waiting for us and to give us his loving acceptance.  Stop thinking that you have to go it alone. 
  • Every man regardless of age should mentor a boy or another man.  Our wives, mothers or another woman can’t save us.  With God’s help and other men we can make our spiritual journey together.  That’s something that most all of us can do and if we will it will change our world. 

 We are living in an ever changing world.  Whether male or female, we’re in this together.  We can deal with change with anger or rage which only results in more anger and rage.  We can displace that anger on others or we can see ourselves as all being lovable in the eyes of God and the world may not be as we want it to be, but we can embrace the challenges of life, knowing that God is with us and suffers when we suffer and is joyful when we are joyful.


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Statement of Business Values

15 04 2010

1. We honor and uphold the authority of our leaders.

2. We focus on our mission, vision, and core values.

3. We speak positively and encourage others.

4. We devote time to recreation and reflection.

5. We revere those with wisdom.

6. We dignify the gift of life.

7. We support family values.

8. We utilize only what is rightfully ours.

9. We value honesty and tell the truth.

10. We respect the property and rights of others.

by, Rev. Jim Jackson


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Ethics and Accountability

11 04 2010

 

Romans 3:9-20

“So where does that put us?  Do we Jews get a better break than the others?  Not really.  Basically, all of us, whether insiders or outsiders, start out in identical conditions, which is to say that we all start out as sinners.  Scripture leaves no doubt about it:

‘There’s nobody living right, not even one, nobody who knows the score, nobody alert for God.They’ve all taken the wrong turn; they’ve all wandered down blind alleys. No one’s living right; I can’t find a single one……Every word they speak is tinged with poison.  They open their mouths and pollute the air.  They race for the honor of sinner-of-the year, litter the land with heartbreak and ruin, don’t know the first thing about living with others.  They never give God the time of day.’

This makes it clear doesn’t it, that whatever is written in these Scriptures is not what God says about others but to us to whom these Scriptures were addressed in the first place?  Our involvement with God’s revelation doesn’t put us right with God.  What it does is force us to face our complicity in everyone else’s sin.”  Petersen’s, The Message.

 We humans have a blind spot.  Some would call it the unconscious, others would call it the Shadow and some would just call it denial and the Bible calls it sin.  Whatever you call it, it’s something that affects our moral and ethical behavior.  From the view of Christianity it’s why we have confession as a part of our worship or faith journey.  It’s how the person in a twelve step program can look deep inside to make a moral inventory as a part of recovery.  And it can be intensely painful to take that hard look at oneself. Even when we want to be aware of our shortcomings, prejudices and ethical lapses, we have difficulty seeing it or admitting it.  But within most of us, there is the capacity to see that part of self that is less than beautiful.  

John Wesley

 John Wesley used bands, classes and societies to create “a community of brotherhood of discipline, edification, correction and mutual aid, in conscious separation from the world, as the primary visible expression of the church.”  He did not just focus on “correction” but considered the whole person.  Most would say that implementing such a methodology would be impractical if not impossible in today’s complex, fragmented and secular society.   Being “corrected” by others smacks of guilt tripping and religion has too long had guilt as a way of keeping people subservient to the Church.

 Even today though, there are some Christians who are attempting to implement accountability among themselves.  To what degree they are successful is not known but most people would not see themselves in such a relationship.  I have heard stories of some men’s accountability groups that will meet at an IHOP once and week and go through a confessional procedure of accountability.  But one of the problems with this, particularly with men, is that we tend to be so competitive that we engage in one up-manship.  If a man states that he’s been struggling with lust, another one states that he’s actually carried out his lustful thoughts, while another might say that he’s carried out his lustful thoughts with three women. But who am I to judge.  If it works for them, it should tickle the hell out of me. 

 So, is there any answer to these challenges that more of us would embrace and be useful in holding ourselves and others accountable?   There may be some clues to help.  One of the greatest difficulties with self analysis is that we tend to be myopic.  We only see what we want to see and the more we surround ourselves with those who are either like we are or that will not address our shortcomings, the more difficult it is to change and be accountable.  I recently watched a TV program about Enron and was astonished at how pervasive the Skilling attitude of survival of the fittest and the religion of profits permeated the entire company.  It was as if no one believed that there was anything that they couldn’t get away with.  Trying to figure out ways to beat the system was the order of the day and anyone that denied that philosophy or questioned it did not last very long in the company. 

 Here are four possible ways to deal with this myopia.

             1.  Don’t just surround yourself with people who think or act like you, but with people who will give you honest feedback.  This should be a person with integrity as opposed to someone who will give into your weaknesses.  But they should not just be willing to give feedback but also to look at themselves with at least the same degree of objectivity that they give to you. Inbreeding within institutions becomes an anathema if allowed to go untested.  In those situations no one is willing to say “the emperor has no clothes.”  

             2.  Recognize that “we are complicit in everyone else’s sin.”   It’s not enough to just throw stones.  As an example, we may feel that our country is on the road to financial ruin. But if we give in to the religion of consumerism, easy credit and meism, we must recognize that in order to change the system we not only have to speak up but we have to make some fundamental changes in ourselves and our personal expectations. 

             3.  Look at our own prejudices and blindness.  Part of prejudice is taught from early childhood but part of it I believe is hard wired.  It’s hard to split out the influence of prejudice in our thinking, but if we’re honest with ourselves we have to admit its presence.  No one is free of prejudice.  What’s yours?

            4. Look beyond the obvious and see how interconnected sinfulness can be.  As we have shown in other articles, there is a cumulative effect to poor ethics.  One error in ethical behavior can permeate an entire system.  We tend to create a disconnect between our faith commitment and our actions.  I use the simple example of leaving the parking lot at church on Sunday morning.  We’ve just come from a sermon on compassion, brotherly love and kindness, only to charge out of the parking lot and not allow others to get out ahead of us.  (yes, I’m guilty). 

5. Know what the scripture says and put it into its proper context.  Jesus was always showing those in power that they were missing the intent of the law when they tried to impose the letter of the law.  A good example of this is the story of the woman caught in adultery.  The men gathered around the woman wanted to stone her as the law required but Jesus pointedly showed them that they were sinners too and that if any of them was without sin that they should be the first to stone her. 

 6. What about calling out elected officials on ethical issues?  Many persons may not agree with their faith community’s position on certain issues.  But do we point out this disconnect between their actions and their denominations position.  We currently see this on such issues as abortion, comprehensive immigration reform and fair distribution of wealth.  Or is that too legalistic and intrusive into the personal?  Does personal belief, despite denominational stance trump institutional positions?

It’s been said that in genteel company it is not proper to talk about religion or politics.  Maybe that’s the place that it should be discussed, but in a civil and respectful way.  What do you think?


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