Is politics still about people?

As politicians and the media argue about who should take part in a TV debate, I find myself wondering what matters I’d like to put across if any of them roll up at my front door looking for my vote… 

I want to vote for a politician that with tell the truth, be humble enough to admit mistakes and who loves people more than power.

I want to vote for a party and believes in a system that looks beyond four year terms and sees its responsibility extending to future generations.

I want to see the young, the old and the vulnerable given priority when it comes to a duty of care.

How can I trust in a government and a plethora of tax payer funded institutions, that have routinely been found to withhold and manipulate the truth, whilst turning a blind eye to outrageous behaviour that heaps coals on the fires of the suffering of vulnerable people.

I want to vote for a politician that holds to virtues of truth, of grace, of mercy, of justice, of integrity, of kindness, of self control, of self sacrifice and dare I say, of love.

Is it too much to ask? Are there any such people left with a hunger for what is right, rather than what they will get out of it?

I'm not interested in your empty promises, your policies that shift around like the sand on the shore. I'm not interested in your spin, your posturing, your temporary allegiances nor the cut of your suit or your persuasive  words on a TV debate. I want to know what I see of your soul when I look in your eyes, what motivates you to play with the freedoms of people, to make choices that can cause immense good or immense pain & loss.

When you ask me what I would like to see, let it begin with a sense of deep sorrow from the seat of power itself, for the selfishness, greed, selective blindness  and manipulation of the truth at the expense of those most vulnerable in our community. Then let it continue with a renewed commitment to do what is right and just, to love people more than the pursuit of wealth, to look to the needs of others, to govern from a heart of service not privilege and power.

Have you ever thought of leading by example? Just a thought, before you post your propaganda through my door.

News from the margins ...

Here's a couple of news items from this week - not necessarily connected, but they could quite easily be......

The first is at this link from the Swansea Evening Post website today - a feature on a legendary minister to the margins some years back Maverick Preacher Leon.

The second - a Sky News item with two guys commenting on the recent riots in London and beyond ....

Our Neighbourhood, Our Issues & Our Attitudes

Ours is a city, like many others, with many complex social issues. Issues of addiction, prostitution, binge drinking, street violence, dysfunctional abusive home environments, unemployment and homelessness are all evident without having to look very hard.

We can either choose to ignore the issues, eradicate the issues with draconian laws or vigilante behaviour; or work together taking responsibility not just to make things appear better, but also to make a meaningful difference.

These issues do not become problems over night, neither will they be solved overnight. Our city is served by several agencies supporting those with issues of addiction - all of which have very dedicated staff working flat out amid increasing demand. We also have the reality of a local social services system that has been on special measures in the recent past, where again dedicated social workers are pushed to the limits with high case loads. Cutbacks in policing are possible and the increase in the number of licenced premises, 24 hour availability of alcohol in supermarkets and corner shops do little to encourage constructive changes in the way people behave and how we challenge and change antisocial behaviour.

The heroin addict sticking a needle in his arm, on the pavement as kids walk past on their way to school in the morning, has a moral responsibility of choosing where he or she injects. But the responsibility is to be shared across the whole community. The same principle can apply to those who choose to issue licences for alcohol to be served 24 hours a day in a corner shop or to withdraw funds from essential services that are tackling very ugly issues.

The reality is we need to wake up and smell the coffee folks. There is only so long a self centred, money grabbing, ego tripping culture can survive before the wheels fall off. The ugly nature of many of our social problems are what happens when society loves things and uses people, rather than loves people and uses things.

Maybe writer G.K. Chesterton was right when he wrote in response to The Times’ invitation to write an essay on “What’s Wrong With The World?”. Dear Sirs, I am.

Tony Campolo Interview

Ok - He's an American and he's a preacher. But don't let that put you off. He's vastly different to most of them.
He's as passionate about advocating the rights of the poor and vulnerable as much as ever. Now in his 70's, here's a very recent radio interview link that he did last week with BBC Radio Wales. You'll need 20 mins or so, but it's well worth it.

Tony Campolo - BBC Radio Wales 14/6/09

The Gospel According To Nick Griffin . . .

Having seen the BNP's Nick Griffin being interviewed late last night on Sky news, as the European election results were being announced, I am a little confused. Mr Griffin stressed the importance of the UK being a Christian country and all residents should adopt Christian principals such as his own. I wonder which principals he means? Could it be the loving your neighbour or indeed your enemies ones? Or maybe it's the cross cultural connections that Jesus made cutting across all religious and racial divides when he spent time in the company of Samaritans amongst others? Absolutely bizarre. There We Are Then.