1. Prosperity is a relative term, "based on economic inequality?"= zero-sum game? Prosperity highlights the economic inequality that stems from real diversity and multiculturalism. By definition, Economic freedom allows a wider spectrum of results. no? (still, justice must be strived for, not necessarily eradication of economic inequality.)

2. thanks for introducing W. Coffin to me! One of my favorites, W. Buckley shared a taste of his friendship with Coffin in an article "Coffin's passion topped Idealogy" for the Yale Daily News April 14, 2006. The "peace-making" friendly regard is an ideal even while we both strive to make this world more "just" from different perches.

"The friendship was publicly confirmed by Coffin with an extraordinary gesture. Garry Trudeau '70 ART '73 was lining up speakers for an event celebrating the reunion of his class. His reunion coincided with a reunion of my own class, and he came to me and asked if I would consent to debate with Bill Coffin as I had done for Trudeau's class in freshman year.

Well, I said, okay, though I knew that Charles Seymour's estimate of successful speakers would certainly prevail yet again. But there was a remarkable feature of that afternoon. I climbed the steps at the Yale Law School Auditorium to extend a hand to Bill Coffin -- who brushed it aside and embraced me with both arms. This was a dramatic act. It was testimony not only to Coffin's wide Christian gateway to the unfaithful, but also to his extraordinary histrionic skills. I'd have lost the argument anyway. I have defended my political faith as often as Coffin did his own, but you cannot, in the end, win an argument against someone who is offering free health care and an end to nuclear bombs. But there was never any hope for survival after his public embrace.

We were always, however lightly, in touch. "Sweet William," he addressed me in June 2003, enclosing a copy of a speech he had delivered at Yale the week before. "The enclosed speech to the Class of '68, you will be sorry to hear, was received with tumultuous applause. Don't worry, however, you, alas, represent the ruling view. I hope you feel with Saint Paul, 'Though our outer nature is wasted away our inner nature is being renewed each day.' Affectionately as always, Bill."

I replied "Wm, I am not surprised your speech was greeted by tumultuous applause. That is what demagogy is designed to do, dear William." He replied some months later, enclosing a copy of a page from the Boston Globe in which both of us were quoted. "Dear Wm, Could it be that in this time and our old age that we might be on the same page? Do let me know, affectionately, Bill."

For some time I have held the following opinion. That is, God’s theocracy “offered” the most sustainable liberty and justice of any system that the earth has ever seen. The problem, “Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me, and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!” Deut.5:29.

Israel was to be a “light” to the nations , “So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ 7 “For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the LORD our God whenever we call on Him? 8 “Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today? Deut.4:6-8.

So where is the system better than God’s and where do injustices originate? Absolute libertarianism leads to anarchy and totalitarian systems leads to loss of individual liberty.

I suggest that the loss of the private land based system and the 7 year and 50 year release is the obvious long term defect in our modern “free capitalistic enterprise” system in America. Some suggest “Sabbath Jubilee” ideas but modern ideas are based on redistributing created wealth rather than the means of production…the land. God’s system was a holistic socio, political, economic religious system. It can not be “piecemealed” with hopes of creating sustainable liberty, justice and peace.

I believe the American system has offered the most people the various freedoms (economic, social, religious, political) than any contemporary system in a widely pluralistic society. However, all systems deteriorate due to sin…thus the rise and fall of nations.

Perhaps the best we can hope for in the present age is “relative” economic, social, religious, political peace for a “season.”

Is God showing "each new system" that we ultimately need a King?…and,His name is Jesus.

pt

Pat,
that the Sabbath and Jubilee ideas were about re-equipping the people with a means of production- is probably the first NEW idea I have heard on the Jubilee.

Like you, I find the "redistribution of wealth" mantra to be very short-sighted, and I have a hard time dissociating the push to "eradicate economic inequality" from a watered-down version of communism. And periodic debt cancellation is a bandaid for stupid lenders and stupid lendees, as well as an incentive to not take future risks- which would strangle the economy in the long run.

But production empowerment for all on a periodic basis...hmmm. In today's economy it seems skills education and technological incorporation are tools that support financial success and can be taught objectively. (intelligence, emotional stability, physical stamina,though necessary for good jobs, are less transferable)

What do you think about a periodic grant by the people (thru government)for our existing educational institutions to offer such classes and options with one month of paid leave by employers (who get tax breaks for doing so)during every 7th year? Or something along those lines?

It would swell school campuses periodically and encourage familiarity with continuing educational opportunities, it would benefit businesses that can offer those classes, it would return workers to their jobs smarter and with better morale for investing in their future (they may choose to leave for another too), as long as the businesses get a correlating tax break-for letting that employee learn away from the site, business and the national economy in general should not see a huge dip in production for that year- because temp workers(1.5 salary) can be hired from the tax savings to fill the gap.

Just dreaming of practical embodiments of Jubilee...

I'm assuming the learning will be done on staggered months by different employees. And open to the general unemployed public too.