I was very interested to read about the new Pope’s message on inequality. In part he wrote, To sustain a lifestyle which excludes others, or to sustain enthusiasm for that selfish ideal, a globalization of indifference has developed. Almost without being aware of it, we end up being incapable of feeling compassion at the outcry of the poor, weeping for other people’s pain, and feeling a need to help them, as though all this were someone else’s responsibility and not our own. The culture of prosperity deadens us; we are thrilled if the market offers us something new to purchase; and in the meantime all those lives stunted for lack of opportunity seem a mere spectacle; they fail to move us.” What an amazing thing to hear from someone in a position of power . No wonder Sarah Palin is unhappy.

His message came at the same time as these videos of Walmart on Black Friday. So sad to watch people obsessed and angry about getting cheap stuff. I believe that all the stuff we purchase and scatter around our homes is contributing deeply to the destruction of our planet as a good place for humans to live. I suspect that the Pope might agree with me, which means that I’m infallibly right.

Somehow this message and focus also connect to a song I wrote and recorded with my dearly loved but now departed rock band, Tongue ‘n’ Groove. Hard to believe the song is ten years old. Here’s a video of the song, and the lyrics below.

The Video

 

The Change You Want to See

I wasn’t born rich. I wasn’t born poor.

My folks left me knocking on opportunity’s door.

I crashed and burned. Was left for dead.

When my senses returned, a little bird said.

 

Don’t whine. Don’t wait.

Life isn’t served on a silver plate.

Gotta’ take, gotta’ make and you gotta’ be

The change you want to see.

 

The Washington boys play us for fools.

Pick our pockets and then change the rules.

I’m tired of their words. I’m tired of lies

I’m tired of the urge to catastrophize.

 

Don’t whine. Don’t wait.

Life isn’t served on a silver plate.

Gotta’ take, gotta’ make and you gotta’ be

The change you want to see.

                                                                

Nobody’s gonna’ wake you in the morning

 and say the world is yours.

Nobody’s gonna’ offer you a key to every door.

 

© Stuart Stotts 2003