Analysis, Week 5
The articles this week are meant to show that through various means, there are definite ways to alter the course of this world's systems. El Salvador is mentioned in three of my resources this week. It wasn't necessarily intentional when I started my research, except for the first resource, which documents how Francisco Flores, a native of El Salvador changed the governmental structure of El Salvador from inside the country. He believes that in order to change structurs such as this, that men and women from inside the country, must sacrifice great means in order to effect any change.
Flores believes that many countries, (not all) are poor because of policies from within those countries, and are not specifically caused from without, such as corporations in the U.S., using other countries and exploiting them to our own benefit. Although this does happen. The change came from within El Salvador, when Flores was elected president. South America has had sweeping changes in terms of electing leaders through a democratic system, who may enact change within those countries. The "peasant" classes in South America have continually not had a voice for years, but finally are wanting to end the inequality. Once the people of a nation have suffered enough, change will come. I believe that without sweeping changes in the structure of the government, it will repeat it's history. In the foundation of our country, those that structured the Consititution and the Bill of Rights, knew that they were making changes to separate from the structure of England. Although loosely based upon that system, our Constitution departed from many of their structures.
Our country has problems which effect the economy, which come from within. I added a resource to briefly look at the issue of gangs. Gangs contribute to a wide range of problems. Firstly, I mentioned the breakdown of the family structure, which gave rise to single parent households. It is difficult enough for a mother and father to raise a child, but becomes all the more difficult for those that do not have such a structure. In many young men and women, loss of this structure, gives rise to associating with a group of people, whom they identify with for "family structure". Many gang members will give their life for other gang members, as a parent would for their child.
The cost associated with gangs can not specifically be counted, due to abstract economic factors. Some of these may be, law enforcements (including overtime), state sponsored drug programs, survaillance at retail stores (security, camera's), auto theft (insurance rates). All these factors and more can be associated with gangs, which affect the overall cost of products, which we buy. Most crimes are associated with drugs, which are associated with gangs.
This is why I included some followers of Christ, who have not counted even theirs lives, in proclaiming the gospel. They probably had not thought that proclaiming the gospel to the poor can change the economics of a country. It can have a domino effect, in proclaiming the gospel to those who have "waged war," with the American way, it may bring social change.
When I say, the American Way, I am being facetious. Those that destroy the structure of the government, are decaying the country from within. Like Abraham Lincoln quoted years ago, "if this country is going to be defeated, it may come from within." I am not saying that inner decay of certain structures is not necessary to see that we are a flawed nation. Sometimes through these circumstances, serious change may happen. Nicky Cruz is effecting change by being the "mission church", to these El Salvadorian gang members. If we, including myself would not only think, but act, serious change would happen. The most important factor though is that not to destroy one group of people over another. What I mean for example, is opposing the war in Iraq, may be what one believes is the right thing to do. Is opposing the war though going to change the fact that young men and women are risking their lives for what they believe. Quesion is, is outwardly opposing the war, going to help those young men and women come to a closer knowledge of God? Thanks for the time.
Flores believes that many countries, (not all) are poor because of policies from within those countries, and are not specifically caused from without, such as corporations in the U.S., using other countries and exploiting them to our own benefit. Although this does happen. The change came from within El Salvador, when Flores was elected president. South America has had sweeping changes in terms of electing leaders through a democratic system, who may enact change within those countries. The "peasant" classes in South America have continually not had a voice for years, but finally are wanting to end the inequality. Once the people of a nation have suffered enough, change will come. I believe that without sweeping changes in the structure of the government, it will repeat it's history. In the foundation of our country, those that structured the Consititution and the Bill of Rights, knew that they were making changes to separate from the structure of England. Although loosely based upon that system, our Constitution departed from many of their structures.
Our country has problems which effect the economy, which come from within. I added a resource to briefly look at the issue of gangs. Gangs contribute to a wide range of problems. Firstly, I mentioned the breakdown of the family structure, which gave rise to single parent households. It is difficult enough for a mother and father to raise a child, but becomes all the more difficult for those that do not have such a structure. In many young men and women, loss of this structure, gives rise to associating with a group of people, whom they identify with for "family structure". Many gang members will give their life for other gang members, as a parent would for their child.
The cost associated with gangs can not specifically be counted, due to abstract economic factors. Some of these may be, law enforcements (including overtime), state sponsored drug programs, survaillance at retail stores (security, camera's), auto theft (insurance rates). All these factors and more can be associated with gangs, which affect the overall cost of products, which we buy. Most crimes are associated with drugs, which are associated with gangs.
This is why I included some followers of Christ, who have not counted even theirs lives, in proclaiming the gospel. They probably had not thought that proclaiming the gospel to the poor can change the economics of a country. It can have a domino effect, in proclaiming the gospel to those who have "waged war," with the American way, it may bring social change.
When I say, the American Way, I am being facetious. Those that destroy the structure of the government, are decaying the country from within. Like Abraham Lincoln quoted years ago, "if this country is going to be defeated, it may come from within." I am not saying that inner decay of certain structures is not necessary to see that we are a flawed nation. Sometimes through these circumstances, serious change may happen. Nicky Cruz is effecting change by being the "mission church", to these El Salvadorian gang members. If we, including myself would not only think, but act, serious change would happen. The most important factor though is that not to destroy one group of people over another. What I mean for example, is opposing the war in Iraq, may be what one believes is the right thing to do. Is opposing the war though going to change the fact that young men and women are risking their lives for what they believe. Quesion is, is outwardly opposing the war, going to help those young men and women come to a closer knowledge of God? Thanks for the time.
posted by Paul M. Pace | 3:57 PM
1 Comments:
that's silly
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