I am a sinner, a practicing Catholic (because I have not perfected it in any way, shape or form), and I think Rush Limbaugh is wrong about the Pope.

In fact, Rush Limbaugh is so wrong in relation to what he said about the Pope’s words, he should apologize.

Background

It is always dangerous to discuss politics, let alone religion in such classy company; however, when one combines the two, one can get in real trouble.

Before we start, here are my biases: I am a practicing Catholic – that is I’m trying. In no way do I hold myself out to be a perfect Catholic or Christian. I am a highly flawed individual that attempts to strengthen his relationship with God, Christ and his teachings, and at times fails miserably. Please, do not accept this blog post as preachy or holier than thou.

I simply like this Pope. I like his style, and I am not the first to mention it.

There have been several articles about what the GOP can learn from Pope Francis:

In case you don’t want to click, these many articles – all with similar titles – are making the basic same points:

Make the institution more approachable and welcoming

Be humble

You don’t have to change the fundamentals, but maybe what you focus on & spend time on

Be respectful – especially when addressing those who disagree with you

Focus on the things that unite us, not those that divide us, and

You don’t have to cow tow to the base

The Pope has the goal of building a church by appealing to people, the GOP should have the goal of building the party by doing the same.

However, last week in the midst of Black-Friday and the commerce surrounding it, the Pope released another document. This document is called the “Evangelii Gaudium” (The Joy of the Gospel), a 50,000-word statement that calls for church reform and addresses a myriad of issues. It is a remarkable document that ranges from money to the role of women in the Church, and yes, I am such a nerd that I read it.

Rush Limbaugh and the Pope

I have listened to Rush Limbaugh off and on since I was in college, and I fully realize he is in the rating business.

However, I think his reading of the document (if he read it at all) is wrong. He went so far as to put his comments online: here is a link to Rush’s rant about the Pope.

Here is an excerpt from his rant:

Now, if government wants to deregulate and get out of the way, then job creation will take place. What is capitalism? The value of anything is established in the private sector. That’s where the value of money is established. That’s where the value of work is established. The value of whatever it is you want to buy or trade, the private sector, capitalism, is where that value is established, not by government proclaiming it.

Here is the problem, Rush is flat wrong.

In my opinion, Rush never quotes from the document, but instead quotes from a press story about the document and then goes on to make a political statement.

In Rush’s own words, he states:

But the pope here has now gone beyond Catholicism here, and this is pure political. I want to share with you some of this stuff. “Pope Francis attacked unfettered capitalism as ‘a new tyranny'”

The problem with Rush is fact: If you read the document, you will see that the word “capitalism” is never mentioned in the entire 50,000 words. Not once. Do a search, and I will wait.

So, I ask you, “who is making the pure political statement?”

Pope Francis and Markets

What the Pope does speak of, in my humble opinion, is the need for a self check on the deification of markets and the idolatry of money.

He is speaking, not of capitalism, but of those of us who place consumption and markets above all else.

As you may recall, I have written a strong critique of Libertarianism and why it is wrong, and I think, in my humble opinion, the Pope is saying some of the same things in a more eloquent way.

Here is some of what the Pope actually wrote:

56. While the earnings of a minority are growing exponentially, so too is the gap separating the majority from the prosperity enjoyed by those happy few. This imbalance is the result of ideologies which defend the absolute autonomy of the marketplace and financial speculation. Consequently, they reject the right of states, charged with vigilance for the common good, to exercise any form of control. A new tyranny is thus born, invisible and often virtual, which unilaterally and relentlessly imposes its own laws and rules. Debt and the accumulation of interest also make it difficult for countries to realize the potential of their own economies and keep citizens from enjoying their real purchasing power. To all this we can add widespread corruption and self-serving tax evasion, which have taken on worldwide dimensions. The thirst for power and possessions knows no limits. In this system, which tends to devour everything which stands in the way of increased profits, whatever is fragile, like the environment, is defenseless before the interests of a deified market, which become the only rule. …

60. Today’s economic mechanisms promote inordinate consumption, yet it is evident that unbridled consumerism combined with inequality proves doubly damaging to the social fabric.

Markets are a relentlessly efficient way of allocating resources and maximizing profits. They are ruthless, merciless, and cold-hearted. There is no value judgements being made by markets, just allocation.

The Pope is NOT critiquing capitalism per se, but how human ideologies and human behavior react to markets. The Pope is warning those who place free-markets above everything else that it may be time for a tune up.

Before you start calling me a commie, I believe in free-er markets, just not absolute unfettered, unregulated markets. There is an important difference.

Conclusion

I think this Pope is offering a PhD level course on how to change a large institution steeped in tradition and values. As many have said, I think the GOP could learn a lot from this Pope – especially when it comes down to how to chose what to talk about and more importantly humility.

I would urge Mr. Limbaugh to actually read the document and not a press story about said document. Please don’t fall into the trap we accuse many liberals of falling into. Why trust a press article, when the source document is there for all to read?

Mr. Limbaugh you made a mistake, you should NOT twist or trust a press article to make a political point, and frankly I think you should apologize.

Happy Holidays to all. As you shop, keep in mind the Pope’s words regarding unbridled consumerism, you may just have a happier holiday!

PS. You should follow the Pope on Twitter! (I find it tremendously amusing that one can follow the Pope on Twitter!)