What's wrong with this picture?

Published: February 2009

Related Topics: General Theology, Social Justice

You may have missed it. In the event that you did, I share this news article from The Canadian Press. At 9:04 on January 2nd, 2009, the first working day of 2009, the top CEOs in Canada will have "pocketed an average of $40,237". These individuals will have earned the average amount that a Canadian worker earns on average in an entire year. In four minutes these million dollar executives could go to the local car dealership and buy with cash a 2009 Cadillac. And that's only after 4 minutes.

For the top 100 Canadian CEO's the average annual earnings are $10,408,054. The head of BlackBerry maker Research in Motion based in Waterloo, Ontario, pocketed more than $51,000,000. These statistics are drawn on 2007 data and future stats indicate the annual salaries are spiraling upwards. Even in the face of the financial challenges there seems not to be a decline in the numbers. How much is enough?

We live in a capitalistic and free enterprise system, a system that rewards entrepreneurial success. In other words if you have the gifts of leadership, or, are in the right place at the right time, you can write your own ticket. Now I know that the system is much more complex than that, but, I think it fair to say that if you are gifted in business you to can become a millionaire. In fact if you are a gifted athlete, singer, actor, writer, etc. you will be rewarded financially directly proportionally to your perceived gifts.

And now the other side of the coin—in those four minutes on January 2nd, more than 720,000 people in Canada faced another day of hunger. According to the Canadian Association of Food Banks 1 in 6 Canadian working families do not get paid enough to live and eat. Christmas always profiles the need. In the season of good will we become more attentive to the human needs that are often hidden from view. In light of present economic conditions the food banks are stretched to meet the ever increasing needs of those who could not comfortably buy a pound of hamburger in the four minutes of January 2nd.

Those who find themselves in dire economic straits often find themselves in this situation as a result of circumstances—circumstances that they often have no control over. Some, indeed, are gifted, but are not in the right place at the right time. Many face the challenge of elusive fulfillment. Whatever the reason there are a significant number of people who are counted among the working poor. 1.9 million Canadians live in those families. What's wrong with this picture?

The spread between the rich and the poor in this country is sinful. Now, I don't know how much the high priced executives contribute to the food banks. In fact their philanthropy might be exemplary. The root of the disparity is in my mind more systemic. As the rich get richer and the poor get poorer our system perpetuates a system of rewards that bears no relationship to the needs of humanity. It certainly doesn't give expression to the Gospel imperative. But as Jesus said, "For you always have the poor with you." I guess that makes it right.

What's wrong with this picture?

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