Rising tides fail those with no boats

By The Rev. Peter Wells

Associate Conference Minister

"All too many of those who live in affluent America ignore those who exist in poor America. To ignore evil is to become an accomplice to it." Martin Luther king

I am sure you have heard that “a rising tide raises all boats.” And there is no doubt about it. It doesn’t matter if you are sitting in a 30’ house boat or a canoe – a power boat or catamaran - when the tide goes up, up you go. Works every time. In fact it works 2 times a day. I have heard a lot about boats rising with tides during discussions about the growing gap between the rich and poor. I find it is often used as a justification for financial policies which benefit the “haves.” The argument seems to be that our policies are good for the “have nots” because when the tide raises the yachts all the rest of the boats will also rise. That's how it works. A rising tide raises all boats. Simple as that.

I am not an economist. So please don’t call to point that reality out. Nor am I all that nautical. (If you want to take me out in your boat, please call.) But I will not let those realities stop me from offering an economic observation tied to this nautical aphorism. The reality is that the only boats that rise when the tide goes up are the ones that are sea worthy. Boats with holes in their hull lying at the bottom of the sea are going nowhere no matter where the tide is. So like all sayings there is a limit to the truth of tides and boats.

In fact, I would dare to say that the promise of salvation which will come because of someone else’s good fortune is empty for those living on boats at the bottom of the economic sea. A reality made even worse by the fact that many of God’s children don’t even have a boat. They are standing chest deep in rising waters without even a life saver to hang on to. I could state statistics like the fact that nearly 16.7 million children live in households that struggle to put food on the table. But I won’t give in to that temptation. I will simply say that to think that a rising tide of prosperity for a few will in the end help everyone is to offer false hope. And to simply wait for the tides to take care of the least of those in our midst is in essence to ignore them and to ignore them is to be complicit in the evil that is poverty.

There are politicians and others saying that I am inciting class warfare and/ or the politics of envy. Why is it that when one states the facts about the growing inequality of wealth one is accused of engaging in class warfare? Why is it when one questions an economic system which seems to work really well only for a few, one is accused of engaging in class warfare? Was Jesus engaging in class warfare when he uttered his concern about the challenge that the rich face to get into heaven? Is the gospel provoking class warfare in its fundamental message that God has a preferential option for the poor? I don’t think so. I think that facing the realities of a broken system and its most vulnerable victims can be the first step to becoming engaged in concrete solutions. To not do that is to walk by on the other side.

Am I encouraging envy when I talk about haves and have nots? Personally I really don’t think someone is being envious when they simply want some measure of comfort that the rich have in abundance. I really don’t think it is envy when someone demands educational opportunities for their child like the CEO can provide for hers. I really don’t think it is envy when a homeless person would like some kind of permanent shelter like I have. I really don’t think it is envy when someone facing a catastrophic illness wants some kind of medial insurance like that enjoyed by the US Congress. We are not talking about envy, we are talking about hope. Hope for a good life. Hope for a better future. Hope for a boat – even just a small boat with no hole in the hull so that all can rise and fall together.

By: Peter Wells On 1/19/2012

Topics: MACUCC Staff Blog, Mission & Justice Blog

Comments

1. Ann Hanson wrote on 1/20/2012 12:00:00 AM

Well written, Peter, and I know it comes from your heart!

2. Carrie Bail wrote on 1/20/2012 12:00:00 AM

Amen, Peter. It took a federal disaster for W'town to wash away the invisibility of housing inequity that already existed. So we are now repairing damage from years of neglect of affordable housing as well as damage from the hurricane.

3. Helene J. Powers wrote on 1/20/2012 12:00:00 AM

Thank you, Peter, for this thoughtful and clear piece. I have become active in the Occupy movement because I see it really connecting my Christian values to my role as a citizen, in a way that respects people of all faith beliefs, or none. So many people are suffering, including by the fear, hatred and divisive strategies so prevalent these days. Thank you for shining a light of love, compassion and justice on problems that have been decades in the making. My faith and work with others is giving me hope that together, we'll find the strength, courage and actions to create a better way.

4. John Madsen-Bibeau wrote on 1/20/2012 12:00:00 AM

Well done, Peter! It's getting worse for more people. I think that all the construction materials have built a really nice yacht for somebody.

5. Mark Seifried wrote on 1/20/2012 12:00:00 AM

Amen, and thank you for your witness, Peter!

6. Bert Marshall wrote on 1/20/2012 3:21:03 PM

Thanks Peter. The "rising tide" metaphor is tiresome and cynical. The real truth is that those whose boats are riding high don't want everyone else up there skimming along on the wave crests. In fact, their ability to own yachts depends on a certain large percentage of people not owning boats at all - as you've pointed out. Thanks for being a voice for justice!

7. Laurel Amabile wrote on 1/22/2012 6:35:25 PM

Thanks so much for bringing the principled and religious perspective to the harsh economic realities so many of our neighbors face each and every day.

8. Edie Rasell wrote on 1/23/2012 9:45:15 AM

Peter, thanks for your witness. An important mission of the Church is to be sure that God's resources, given to all, are shared by all.

9. D. K. Boisvert wrote on 1/29/2012 6:15:02 AM

Very well stated, Peter! I think the "haves" of this world are essentially blind to the "have nots". I also believe that they think by lending a helping hand to those less fortunate than themselves that they will somehow have to suffer some kind of loss. It's a shame some people, and some politicians, are so greedy and selfish. Thank you for pointing out the other side of the "rising tides" analogy. It is there for those who wish to see, and obviously, can easily be ignored by those who choose NOT to see it.

10. John Pearson wrote on 2/9/2012 12:00:00 AM

Amen Peter, Amen!

11. David Entin wrote on 2/16/2012 12:00:00 AM

Thanks, Peter, good analysis. Rising tide reminds me of "trickle down," another specious argument to justify continuing and growing inequality.

12. N. Ross wrote on 2/16/2012 12:00:00 AM

I do get very angry whenever I hear the "rising tide theory". Thank you for reminding us that we need to make sure everyone has some kind of boat!

13. Quentin Chin wrote on 2/16/2012 12:00:00 AM

Thank you for saying this and pointing out that for everyone to prosper when the tide is rising it means having a boat. I'm glad you addressed the charge of class warfare. When income disparity is as gross as it is now and people who seek to close that gap are accused of class warfare, isn't it class warfare to maintain the status quo?

14. Susan Cartmell wrote on 2/17/2012 12:00:00 AM

I appreciate your willlingness to speak your truth. when I read your blog so often I say out loud - "You go, Peter!"

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