There is some foul language in this so do not listen if this offends you. The thing about this guy is that it reminds me that not only we Catholics seek and cling to the Truth. That we have friends out there not of our Faith who see the evil things going on in the world.
Padraig, Aside from some vulgar language, this video is very good imho. I need to re-watch the beginning of it because there is a lot of information packed into it and I have been thinking about Capitalism vs. Socialism vs. Communism a lot lately. The last few minutes of the video reminds me of conversations that I had with my mother when I was a young adult. My mom is an Irish immigrant and she didn't state that the USA in general had a low moral fiber but she blamed Hollywood and those involved in that industry, enough said. It does appear that the Hollywood mentality that my mother warned me of has in fact spread to most of the Western culture which explains the opinions of these Asian's parents. So long as the West has been watching the stuff that Hollywood produces and has helped create the various Hollywood icons these Asian parents are correct that our whole Western culture can be accused. Thankfully, most of the public is still put off with some of the extreme Hollywood antics like that image of Miley Cyrus in the video. With all of the discussion about illegal immigration into the USA from it's Southern border, I have been thinking about the Americas and I am sure there are many reasons why the USA has been a more abundant nation than most others in all of the Americas; North, South and Central included. I mean all of the countries in the Americas were mainly populated with European immigrants at first, so why did the USA become one of the most powerful nations in the world and what might have prevented other nations in the Americas from becoming the same? This is a simplified answer but in two words "Our Constitution" and the fact that the USA is a capitalist nation as opposed to a socialist nation or communist nation. I posted the following video from Prager U. on the forum already but with the probable election this year of a very socialist congresswoman (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) this has been on my mind again, Edited to add: I just came across the following video about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and although I know nothing about the author of this video I think he offers a good overview of her platform and the obvious problems with it,
Something else and this is totally 100% off topic. As superior as the American system is to communism, there is a very anti-Monarchial vibe in every part of modern discourse. They feed it to us in movies. E.g. Star Wars. The Empire is Evil. The armed rebels are the good guys. Any strong show of power, e.g. Trump saying "forget you guys, I'm President!" is immediately loathed and targeted. Masculinity is rejected. Unless it's being taken up by a woman, in which case it's liberating.
Cardinal O'Fiach who was Primate of all Ireland commented before his death in Lourdes that Ireland was Catholic because she was poor and underdeveloped but that once she became rich and educated she would abandon the Faith. So it has proved to be. I would say for Nations as with people the best thing is not to be, 'Blessed', with riches but with a very simple humble life. This, if you think of it is when the USA , like Ireland spirituality flourished when it was humble and poor. I do not praise poverty, which is a curse, but I do praise simplicity. It truly is a Great Gift from God to have enough to do you but not a drop more. The Holy Family is a great example of this. Evangelical poverty is all about simplicity, rather than being broke. I came across the funniest clip on Hollywood a few days ago , the look on Mel Gibson face is a picture; I must see if I can find it. Yes; here it is !! Take a look at Mel Gibson's face and the face of others at his table. It's right at the start of the clip.What a hoot!
Yes the more they talk about, 'Freedom', the more sure you cna be they are really talking about removing it.
I think basically with the Spiritual Life the more you keep you life very simple and uncluttered with the less material goods and desires the better. Keep things very,very simple. I buy all my clothes and shoes and furniture second hand from charity shops, my car and caravan are second hand.. I try to give spare money to charity often. I find this a great source of Peace. Look at the Holy Family how they lived...keep it very, very simple and try as much as you can to avoid debt.
