A few months ago,
David Barringer, longtime parishioner and bulletin-reader, wrote me to share
his experience of writing a newsletter column, sympathizing with me over the
challenges of finding and addressing topics regularly. I found this example of his writing for the
national Saint Vincent de Paul Society to be worth sharing, not least because
it gives me a week off. Enjoy!
Monsignor Smith
How many of us are
guilty by association?
One person’s “special
interest group” seeking attention from Congress is another person’s “my voice
in Washington.” Last week I attended the
American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) annual American Associations
Day on Capitol Hill. ASAE represents
more than 10,000 tax-exempt organizations representing individuals, business
and trade groups and even membership societies such as our Society. Associations are some of the leading
adult-education providers in the country.
They set standards for industry groups so that government doesn’t need
to step in. And they represent their members.
Or do they?
That’s the challenge
facing each of us. We may think we are simply saving a few bucks on insurance
when we join a group such as AARP, but does this mean we subscribe to the
“values” AARP then takes to the Hill? When we register for a National Rifle
Association course, buy a map from AAA, or even just join a neighborhood
homeowner association, how much of our beliefs and opinions get transferred
with the membership? Not to pick on the
groups above, because all associations do this to some level, but when they say
they represent us, do they really? Or
have we inadvertently sold our values in order to save a few dollars or to take
part in a desired activity?
In these days of
suspected Internet hacking, personal data insecurity and identity theft, isn’t
it ironic that we might just give this stuff away when we sign on a dotted
line? We scream when our name is on a
mailing list, but when we ordered that online purchase or applied for a new
driver license, you can be assured that our name and address ended up somewhere
else. Someone is counting you in their
numbers. And how do you think you got
called for jury duty?
As a member of the
Society of St. Vincent DePaul, I hope you know exactly what we stand for and
against. We have position papers that reflect the views of the Catholic Church
and the USCCB on matters of life, wages other sensitive topics. We are transparent, and consistent, in our
beliefs. Your Society membership not so much defines your beliefs as it
reinforces them for a faithful Catholic.
Would it shock you
that Progressive life insurance was created in part to help the owner fund very
progressive causes? Or that the national Girl Scouts organization supports
abortion choices? According to some
allegations on the Internet, your purchases of car insurance or Thin Mints may
help fund things in direct conflict with your values.
As Americans we have
a Constitutional right to assemble, meaning that we can join voluntary groups
to represent our views before Congress and local government. I fear though that out of convenience and
perhaps some laziness, we might at times allow groups to speak for us
inappropriately. Our voice counts, and
so do our dollars. Our choices, actively or passively, grant others license to speak
for us. This gives us even greater
buying power in a sense, but only if we are vigilant activists in our choices.
Take a few minutes to
check out your membership cards and receipts and find out who your memberships
and purchases say you really are. So,
what’s in your wallet? Or more so, who is in your wallet?
Yours in Christ, Dave Barringer
