[Update: Read all the way to the end, then let me know if you disagree. I’m looking forward to learning from the discussion.]
So many in our communities – our country – have very little. They lack even the most basic necessities to function effectively in society. I’ve heard many opinions regarding how we can deal with this reality – but I’ve learned redistribution is the ONLY way to help them!
So here are 3 reasons I’m for redistribution – there are more, but you’ll get the idea.
Redistribution…
1. Supports families
More than 80% of the students who attend the university courses I teach come to college from broken homes. Families are hurting – deeply. Children need help. Parents need help. Redistribution gets families back on track.
2. Encourages long-term economic health and growth
The recovery of an ailing economy over the past few years has been painstakingly slow. And despite the recovery, significant questions remain – Will the construction and mortgage industries recover? Why do fuel prices remain so high? Has the recent, rapid growth in the stock market produced another unsustainable bubble?
Redistribution is the answer to each of these questions.
3. Strengthens relationships
The proliferation of technology and social media has contributed to degradation of human interaction – among new acquaintances, extended family members, lifelong best friends, even parents and children.
Communication today often amounts to little more than an occasional electronic fist bump. These shallow interactions are not representative of healthy relationships. People crave healthy social and emotional interaction, they just don’t know how anymore. Relationships are weak and endangered!
Redistribution gives friends, families, and employers the tools for developing strong, lasting relationships.
So why don’t we give redistribution a chance? Who says it can’t or won’t work?
Here are 3 things that we should begin to redistribute immediately to enable children, parents, friends, families, colleagues to get back to work on things that really matter.
1. Responsibility
You’ve seen it – I have too! And it’s becoming more and more prevalent – employees who point fingers, blaming others for their situation, problems, and feelings. Seriously, what ever happened to personal responsibility?
Our communities – and our country – desperately need responsible leaders who are passing on an energizing and enlivening sense of responsibility.
2. Accountability
Politically correct rhetoric has significantly diminished accountability – such that many do not understand what accountability is and why it’s necessary for personal and organizational growth.
Yesterday I overheard a conversation in which a young woman was chastising a leader for what she perceived was an “over-the-top” confrontation. She challenged the choice of words – which were strong.
He listened – then calmly explained accountability. There were a few tense moments – accountability is uncomfortable. Life is uncomfortable. Leading is awkward. But discomfort is no excuse for neglecting to redistribute accountability.
3. Morality
Every day you and I are bombarded with marketing, advertising, media, and messages that are strategically crafted to stretch moral boundaries. The incessant pull of a society in moral free-fall has degraded the core values of families, communities, organizations, even places of worship.
The only way back is for moms and dads, community servants, executives, and leaders to prioritize morality and pass it on.
Question: What do you think about redistribution? What would you add to the list? Add your ideas in the comments.
I wonder HOW exactly you mean redistribution should be done. When I was growing up in Hungary behind the Iron Curtain, we were taught that it was the great thing about communism. I hope what you mean is different.
This was a good, and unexpected read about redistribution. I came across it this morning when I saw it on Facebook (thank you, by the way). It peaked my interest, so I clicked on it. If the three things you mention above (Responsibility, Accountability, and Morality) are redistributed back to people, it would help the three reasons you list first in the post (supporting families, encourage long-term growth and health, and strengthen relationships). I like how Robert D even mentions allowing parents to be parents.
To Mr. OTeter’s point, the people receiving the redistribution have to be will to receive it. Unfortunately too many adults that have had tough times quit accepting responsibility and start a cycle of the blame game. Making them less likely to be changed by the efforts and empowerment of others.
I think that could be why so many nonprofit organizations try to focus on inner-city and high-risk youth. If the community’s children can be changed to accept the redistribution of things you mention above, then the future of communities, homes, school, etc., can be changed. Children’s are able to be influenced by people they see, admire, and that show love/care to them.
We all have a responsibility to help empower people by the redistribution. It certainly has me thinking about how I can do more for people in need. Thank you for the thought-provoking post.
Thanks Chris – my hope is that we all accept that responsibility. I appreciate your kind words.
I’m not sure people ever have been really good at emotional and social interaction, but today’s technology certainly gives us many more opportunities to ignore each other.
I think you’re right, Dave. Thanks for connecting here.
I believe in redistributing from the heart. It should a voluntary act to support our community. We have abdicated our roles as providers and givers to our own families and neighbors by allowing a faceless bureaucracy to forcibly redistribute our property in the most uncaring and irresponsible way.
I agree, Kevin. Good points!
Michael, I admire you for posting and sharing your values. I agree on all of the points you touch on this post. I don’t know about in other part of the world, but I feel we should be reaching out more when we can, not only with money, but also with our time, I know that is easy said than done. One of my biggest concerns in life has been the children, and Young adults, which is our future generation. Sometimes we are so quick in judging the parents for the failures of their youngsters without looking at the whole picture. Why we just don’t reach out with out the need of looking whose fault it is. Why don’t we reach out to build more workshops for our you g adults to learn a trade if they are drop out? And I’m not encouraging drops outs, on the contrary. Why don’t we reach out and fund programs to keep our children out from drugs and delinquency? Instead of building more jails and prison?. Why don’t we employ the poor people who lack experience, but will be loyal to your company, placing them at least on entry level until they gain the experience?. I can keep going on and on, but I think you get my point hopefully. We need to face the reality of the world we live in and if we really care try to make a difference within our own capabilities. it’s not a matter of rights, yes we all have rights but this is another topic, its a matter of conscience,and moral responsibilities. Anything I can personally do let me know
Great thoughts here Maria – thanks for sharing!
Redistribution is a frightening political concept today, so when I read the title, I wondered what the message would be. As Christians, I believe the greatest thing that we can redistribute is the overflow of Christ’s love from our hearts. It may come in the way of sharing the gospel, providing a meal, assisting the elderly, helping others who are struggling, and countless other ways.
The bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 that we should give from our heart and not under compulsion explaining that we will reap what we sow. Is this enough to take an individual out of their comfort zone to be used by God for His kingdom? Matthew 25:34-40 should stop anyone in their tracks who is a reluctant “giver.” What an honor to serve Jesus directly by doing for others!
I have had the privilege of ministering to children and teens that society labels as troubled, lost, a problem. Simply believing in one of these souls and loving them unconditionally and non-judgmentally, I have observed these children grow up to be fine young adults who once lost, now have goals; who were failing in school and are now entering college, who were in trouble with the law are now exemplary individuals.
The redistribution of simply loving the unloved has given back to me a full heart and great joy. Furthermore, each of these children, now young adults is redistributing from their full hearts far and wide in each of their circles.
Thanks Karen. I agree with you – we should creating a legacy of love in our
home, workplace, and community.
Redistribution is a natural function of a prosperous society… I prefer the term, “sharing”. The word “redistribution’ smacks of taking from one group to give to another based on the collector’s values and priorities. This is a role that government has taken on and with a degree of relish. I believe that we are philanthropic and we all have a desire to help those in need; I deny anyone to see a hungry child and not be moved to do something. What kills philanthropy is institutionalised collection and “redistribution” over which the contributor has little influence and no control. I will no longer make charitable cash contributions. In Australia 80 cents in every tax dollar I pay is spent on social welfare, of this 80 cents in the dollar around 60 cents is spent on adminstration and processing, yet we still have people going without food in this country. Probably because they only get 1/4 of what the original individual contributed. I choose now to share in kind as this gets the whole commodity to the point where it’s needed – full value for contribution. I suggest that we cut out the middleman provided by government bureaucracies as the value of the dollar we share is significantly diminished by this construct; those that need it just aren’t getting it. I’d prefer an empowerment model of sharing by choice rather than a control model (my perception of government managed redistribution). We should encourage each other to be philanthropic and share the extra we may have, it really feels good to do so – a heck of a lot more fulfilling than paying tax.
Thanks David. You make
some great points – and I think we agree about each of these areas. You
may not have had time to read the last portion of the article – if not,
take a look at it and let me know what you think. Enjoy your week!
Michael,
Yours is good, but we need to redistribute the ability of parents to actually be parents. To train up their children in the admonition of the Lord instead of the smart phone, and the video games and parents need to teach integrity. They need to quit worrying about their social position and play ball with their kids or go roller skating.
Children need guidance and correction, something I see lacking in the so-called modern parents of today, even those who claim to be Christian. Let’s redistribute the lost desire of people to be involved with the raising of their children instead of shoving it off on someone else or the church.
.
Good point, Robert. I agree with you.
Admittedly, I was put off by the title, thinking only of big government, etc. I am glad I read all of it. I couldn’t agree more. Thank you for the insight.
Thanks Michael – I appreciate your encouragement.
I am now following this to see how many comments (like Dianne below) will be posted with having only read the title, lol.
Yes – some have been interesting. 😉
Are you double speaking the term redistribution? I think so. I agree that information should be shared. That is why I support a free Internet.
I was impressed with your ideas and like to learn more from you. Prayers on you and God bless.
Thanks Eduardo. I appreciate your encouragement.
Nichols for President!
Nice. 😉
Yep. We need to redistribute some knowledge about how our country was founded and why. Then redistribute knowledge about God and what His word says. All of this redistribution of knowledge to an uninterested majority of our country who care a lot more about what their favorite movie star has to say and the star’s history.
Great start- thanks for posting!
Thanks for connecting!
great article…completely agree!
Thanks John.
We need to add servanthood to this list. Too many people have “get” down to a science (literally). We all need to learn that “giving” is the ultimate “get”.
We need to redistribute servanthood. Too have “get” down to a science. They (and I include me in this too) need to learn that “giving” is the ultimate “get”.
So true! Every person should consider this question every morning – Am I going to serve or be served today? The best leaders are servant leaders – willingly placing the needs of those they lead ahead of their own needs, desires, and ambition.
I’m all for redistribution of RAM. Responsibility, Accountability and Morality. Or should we call this re-programming. Because they are many who are not in favor of anything being redistributed other than money from governments pockets to theirs. If you can come up with an answer for that, I’ll manage you campaign in 2016.
Thanks Frank. Good question!
Michael,
You’ll definitely capture the attention of a lot of folks with your headline. Unfortunately, many won’t make it to the end of your post, which is a shame because you’re right on target!
Great to see a new post from you in my reader this morning. This one will definitely be “redistributed.”
Thanks Chad!
Michael, I would add “Commitment” to the latter half of the post. Being a twenty-something, myself, one of the struggles of my generation is the inability to commit: to values, beliefs, relationships, true communication, jobs, you name it. We are an eager generation (and a creative one) that struggles to make a choice, build roots, and work for longevity–and I believe it’s the result of always seeking the “next best thing”. What if the “best thing” is right now? What if we redistribute our sense of commitment so that others are led to commit, as well? Just a thought.
Great point Kristen – commitment should definitely be added to the list!
Michael: What you are proposing is Socialism. I am very generous with my money and support many charities in my area. I believe that helping families in need needs to be an individual choice and not one that is forced by the government. America is the land of the free and home of the brave and many of our sons, fathers, and grandfathers have fought and died to give us this right. I cannot support Obama’s plan for taking from those that are working and giving to those who do not. A government redistribution will only make many people more dependent on the government. I prefer having the choice to redistribute what I earn.
Wow… You obviously didn’t even read this. Haha.
Thank you Diane. I agree. It seems you may not have made it to the end of the post. 😉