Opinion: On Capitalism

By Darrell Mitchell

Ever since, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has assumed office as a Democrat socialist, from the state of New York, she has been under attack by the capitalist in this country.

Martin Luther King Jr., two years before his death had this to say: "We are saying that something is wrong with capitalism...there must be a better distribution of wealth in this country for all of God's children and maybe America must move toward democratic socialism."

     The Bible and democratic socialism preach that governments should enact policies that address the needs of the poor, provide equal access to opportunity, and legislate policies that curb inequity. Both believe that any government that ignores the interests of the poor is an unjust government in need of correction. As King put it, "The curse of poverty has no justification in our age. It is socially as cruel and blind as the practice of cannabalism....."

     In Psalm 72:1-2-4 we read, "Give the king your justice, O God...May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice....May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor."

     Democratic socialism seeks to build a more humane society, not by force or compulsion, but by way of the age-old democratic practice of "one person, one vote." Democratic socialist policies can only move forward if the American people understand their value and vote for them.

     If Christians took the Bible seriously on this point, politicians like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez would not excite such vigorous opposition and America would not have to endure the disastrous consequences of Trump's presidency.

Darrell Mitchell of Marshalltown is a retired Methodist pastor, and former member of the IPN Joint Oversight Committee.