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On the Benefit of the Doubt, for Countries and Catholics

For the past 50 years I have given a pass to average citizens when it comes to the actions of their governments.  I will continue to do so for the citizens who live under monarchies or dictatorships, because they have extremely little voice in public policy, and dissent can be very dangerous, if not fatal.  However, citizens of democracies I now hold more accountable.

The events of the past two years have caused me to change my thinking.  During that time when the actions of the Trump campaign and administration were abhorrent, I first blamed them.  Then, gradually I began to give a considerable share of the blame to Republicans in Congress, who have allowed it.

But listening to the comparisons to the Nixon administration gave me additional insight, things I didn't remember or was unaware of dispite living through the Watergate era.  Namely, Republicans then did not act until the polls showed that the disapproval of their constituents threatened their reelection.  That puts the ultimate responsibility on the average citizens.  It's a little cynical to think that politicians will frequently only do the right thing when threatened by removal from office, but, on the other hand, that's exactly what representative democracy is about.

So, we, the people, might consider complaining a bit less, and demonstrating and voting a bit more.

Similarly, I would not hold Catholics accountable for the actions of their priest, bishops, cardinals, and popes in the past, but now I do.  Even though a church is certainly not a democracy, members are not compelled to support any church philosophically or monetarily.  They can vote with their feet and their pocketbooks, but seldom do.  Incidentally, there was reporting in Mother Jones magazine, I believe, of similar sexual abuse and cover-up among the Jehovah's Witnesses, and, I have heard, many other religious groups. 

I appreciate that organizations like Catholic Charities do wonderful work.  But many, many groups do wonderful work in many areas, but do not use that to justify allowing and covering up abuse.

Ultimately, we average citizens are at least partially accountable for ignoring or rationalizing horrid behavior.

- PeteBarkett.blogspot.com
09/02/18

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