Casting a vote on a home visit

My wife and I made three home visits for our St. Vincent De Paul conference today. In all three cases they were single mothers who were desperately poor, without some of the basics, like a refrigerator, stove and beds. Two had lost their jobs during these tough times and one had just moved into apartment with nothing in it, not even a chair to sit on. We did what little we could do for these families and they were very grateful. All three were church going woman who expressed faith that God would get them though these tough times.

I mentioned this because of the response I got to an email I wrote to friends about who would win the elections, the candidate with most political money, and how the vote for ‘change’ that I participated in two years ago did not mean much. There is now more poverty in Milwaukee, more war by USA in the world, less health care for families and more debt for us. I tried to say it does not matter if a Republican or Democrats win, the poor become poorer and the rich, who choose the candidates by their money, get richer. The only response I got was how important voting was and to give the present politicians more time.

Whenever I hear a Republican or Democrat say “I will cut your taxes” I hear “I will make life tougher for the poor.” Not that we need more government spending, but we do need more spending for the ‘common good’ rather than for war and making the rich richer.

The millions and millions going to election campaigns is enough to provide the basics of shelter, food and clothing to all Americans.

The older I get the more I come around the position of the Catholic Worker and Dorothy Day. Dorothy never voted but endorsed what has been called a “Christian Anarchism”. She said in a 1977 article: To us at the Catholic Worker, anarchism means ‘Love God, and do as you will.’ For such, there is no law. If anyone asks for your cloak, give him your coat too.” I understand this is a radical view that perhaps we cannot always live up to.

When we return to a government by the people and for the people that serves the ‘common good’ and not special interests I will probably vote in elections again. But until that time I will vote with my home visits to those in need. Who needs an election day when we can cast votes each day with our love for the family of God, especially those most in need.

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