Blog #17

CST Handout sections 5 and 6.

I think the very beginning paragraph in #5, Property Ownership had it right when it stated that “for the common good the material things necessary for a good life should be widely available for use by the whole human community but also testified to the benefits of individual ownership which not only encourages the most efficient and orderly of arrangements for material goods but also offers people an incentive to be productive and to care for the goods God has created.” That some people have more than others, does not mean that all people who have more, are uncaring about people who have less. There are plenty of people with a good deal of material goods who “spread the wealth” so to speak and give to charity, donate to causes and yes do so in large quantities. However from other matters mentioned in paragraph 5, yes, there are times when you see property sitting vacant, overgrown with weeds, not being utilized.  Or you come across a large piece of land, and someone decides they want to buy it and put a low-income housing project there. Wait and see what happens then.  The neighbors all fly into a rage that they do not want low income housing there. Well, which is it? You want to see the property gather garbage and debris like a mini dump or do some good with it and provide needed housing for the less fortunate?  Not everyone will ever be pleased with the outcome of every situation. I am hoping the Church just meant for there not to be waste when there are so many in need. Paragraph 6 deals with a totally different subject with regards to labor unions. I think that there has been a large decline in labor unions because a lot of companies take much better care of their employees than in the past. Labor unions may still be a good idea for some very large companies and corporations and/or certain professions. There are so many smaller companies and family businesses that really have no need for a labor union.  It is unfortunate that at one time, no matter how small a business was it seemed as though they had to belong to a labor union of one kind or another. Dues to pay, and more government rules to follow which did not really pertain to their business, just did not seem fair either, so that is one thing that lead to their decline. I do not think that is a bad thing, labor unions are good in some instances and not in others. I do not think that the Church should take such a stand when it comes to a lot of government issues.  Religion and politics do not always mix together very well.