Politicizing Faith: Why I am an Ordoliberal

 

In 2016, at the Democratic National Convention, presidential candidate Bernie Sanders conceded and gave his support to Hillary Clinton after the states he had won turned on him and gave their nomination to her. I don't know if he would have carried the day, but I found it sad that despite the Democrats in so many states having voted for Bernie, the convention delegates nonetheless motioned for his competitor. Clinton represented the party-line and was a woman, which tantalized many and spoke toward complacency. It may be that some assumed she was the most winnable candidate, so Bernie got screwed, and frankly so did the people of the states that chose him. Politics is dark.

From the time I became a Christian and until even now, evangelicalism has been linked to conservatism and the Republicans. This is largely because of abortion, but it is no secret, evangelicals and Republicans often get conflated. Democrats are often decried by the Right as pro-murder, sin, communism, and so forth. Christians who are Dems are often seen as social gospel proponents. And both party connections have some truth behind them.

Frankly, I am sick of my faith being politicized or taking a backseat to party loyalty. 

I have heard both political aisles claim Jesus as theirs and that if Jesus was physically walking among us now, he'd be a Republican or a Dem. I call BS. He'd be King. Yet, American Christians have a hard time sifting their faith from the sands of politics. So, how should a Christian politic?   

First, Christ's Kingship must dominate. We cannot couch our political positions in Christian garb if Christ does not come first. For example, instead of asking if something is expedient or economically ideal for the country, we ought to ask if it is moral and consistent with what Christ would do. We need to divorce the marriage of faith to party or positional loyalty. Loyalty belongs to God. 

Because of the current political milieu, I often find that my positions are at odds with my party's, or that the other party runs closer to my views. In light of my faith, save the matter of abortion mostly, I tend to side more often anymore with the Dems and socialists. I think the ideological aims of these groups often come closer to the mind of God; however, I lean with the Right in structure because the compulsion that comes with social or progressive politics is often rebuffed by individualistic Conservatives, who seek to uphold a certain moral libertarianism. I just don't see the Dems as tempered enough to consider reserved views. I suppose this makes me a pragmatic conservative. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, but if it is, have compassion and do something. 

My view is that we ought to be socially aware and concerned, but in understanding human nature, compulsory polity creates far too much friction for many Americans and we stall the political machine. This is especially true concerning economics, property rights, and taxes. No one seems to want to give a chunk of their wages to aid those perceived of as feeding off the breast of government. Yet, the Left sees correctly that the most aggressive against giving are often those whose economic positions, when juxtaposed to their employees or clientele, showcases huge dichotomies. These dichotomies set up an unfair playing field, nearly squelching the attainment of the American Dream.

This is why I am an ordoliberal. On one hand, I believe in the efficacy of free trade and entrepreneurship. Yet, on the other hand, I see that greed has created an imbalance that keeps some people classed and marginalized. Things like anti-trust legislation, labor laws, and other checks are needed to help level the playing field. It is possible to be a capitalist with compassion or even a conservative with social responsibility. In the end, I weigh things not by which political camp pays me tribute, but by which candidate or positions forward the mind of Christ in a fair way. 

Blessings.    

Ordoliberalism Defined: Ordoliberalism is the German variant of economic liberalism that emphasizes the need for the state to ensure that the free market produces results close to its theoretical potential.