Category: Worldviews
In a New York Times article today, the topic was the anti-Wal-mart stance of several of our national politicians. Some of the quotes of the congressmen were,
"My problem with Wal-Mart is that I don’t see any indication that they care about the fate of middle-class people...They talk about paying them $10 an hour. That’s true. How can you live a middle-class life on that?”
And,
“Wal-Mart as an example of the problems that exist in America today is a powerful political issue...I think our party pretty much across the board agrees that people who work hard should be able to support their families. When a company like Wal-Mart fails to meet its corporate responsibility, it make it impossible for that to occur.”
According to these national lawmakers, Wal-mart has failed to "meet its corporate responsibility," because it doesn't pay its employees a high enough wage, nor does it provide adequate health care.
Here are my questions for you astute Christian thinkers. According to God, what is the role of the Government? Are the statements in this article the words of diligence and responsibility or politicians crossing into areas in which they lack biblical jurisdiction? In terms of wages, what obligation(s) does an employer have? Does the Bible support the concept of a mandatory minimum wage? Health care? Do Wal-mart employees have a Scriptural right to higher pay and benefits? Does the government have the right to enforce them?
This is an example of where the worldview rubber meets the road. How we interpret life will supply our answers to these questions.
Please share your views on this issue. I want to know what you are thinking.