Reading Amos on My Way to Madison, Wisconsin

March 12, 2011
For the past two-plus weeks I have watched with disbelief the decline of the democratic process in my beloved home state of Wisconsin. Day after night after day, tens of thousands of people have been gathering, marching, chanting, preaching, and praying at the state capitol building. I’m going there myself, today.

Several of my colleagues have been there almost continuously, marching and speaking out as people of faith. I’ve been keeping close watch on events via mainstream and alternative media, and Facebook updates from colleagues and friends. I have been amazed, depressed, uplifted, moved to tears, and incredibly proud.

The words of the prophet Amos keep running through my mind. Amos, 8th Century BCE prophet, often thought to be a poor shepherd or goatherder, was more likely a fairly well-off citizen who owned livestock and employed shepherds or goatherders. Nonetheless, his familiarity with agriculture makes Amos a particularly appropriate prophet to turn to here, Wisconsin being the Dairy State and heavily agricultural. Amos was also an independent, not a member of the prophetic guild, not the son of a prophet, nor a priest. Again, appropriate for Wisconsin – a state which has always prided itself on its independent spirit and politics.

“Hear this, you that trample on the needy, and bring to ruin the poor of the land, saying, “When will the new moon be over so that we may sell grain; and the Sabbath, so that we may offer wheat for sale? We will make the ephah small and the shekel great, and practice deceit with false balances, buying the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, and selling the sweepings of the wheat.” The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob: Surely I will never forget any of their deeds. Shall not the land tremble on this account, and everyone mourn who lives in it, and all of it rise like the Nile, and be tossed about and sink again, like the Nile of Egypt?” Amos 8:4-8

If he were magically transported from 8th Century Israel to 21st Century Wisconsin, Amos would be with the protestors, crying “Shame, shame, shame” to the legislators and Gov. Walker. And his words here are apt, for what else has the governor and his cronies done but practiced ‘deceit with false balances?’ Let’s see, the governor took office with a budget surplus, but promptly converted that to a budget deficit by passing extra tax cuts for people who didn’t need them. Then he has the temerity to declare a budget crisis requiring immediate repair, saying our state is “broke.”

Deceit with false balances, definitely. Amos would call this governor out for that, and so do I.

Gov. Walker claims to be a Christian, yet insists on ignoring basic Christian values. Values like caring for the people – all the people. Instead of ensuring that the poorest of the poor have what they need, he is ‘selling the sweepings of wheat.’

For those of you who may not know, this refers to the ancient practice of leaving the fallen grain or fruit in the field after harvest, so the poor could glean what they could and hope to acquire enough food for sustenance. One proposal I’ve heard is to increase the co-pays for BadgerCare, the public assistance program providing health care for children. But, isn’t the point that this is health care for families who can’t pay? Selling sweepings of wheat, indeed.

“…for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing sick and in prison and you did not visit me. …just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” Matthew 25:42-45

Walker’s legislation hands sweeping powers over to the state health department to reduce or eliminate vital programs for the needy without following legislative processes or asking for public input. Programs the elderly, the disabled, the poor, and many, many children are dependent upon for health care. I’ve heard, though I’ve not seen it confirmed, that some nutrition programs may also be on the chopping block, again endangering those least able to advocate for themselves, the young and the poor. Instead of serving the people, the governor is planning on selling them out. I’m sure he expects to be well paid in return.

“Therefore because you trample on the poor and take from them levies of grain, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not live in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine.” Amos 5:11
(In other words: You’ve screwed the people out of what is rightfully theirs, you’ve made plans for a comfortable life with your ill-gotten gains, but you can kiss it good-bye.)

What is between Gov. Walker and his God, I can’t know. He certainly doesn’t seem to be reading the same Bible as me.

But this I know: the people of Wisconsin are well-educated (thank you, Wisconsin teachers!). We have a long memory and we are angry. This governor was elected by less than half the eligible voters, and many of us have already pledged to sign recall papers. We are patient, and we will be diligently working to recall him as soon as legally possible.

I pray the state can recover from this folly.

Sources:

Biblical quotes from The HarperCollins Study Bible, New Revised Standard Version.

Information on Amos from The Anchor Bible Dictionary.

Sources:

20 Lies and Counting told by Gov. Walker

Walker releases details of his budget repair bill

Budget bill foes say stealth vote broke open meetings law; challenges coming

Medicaid programs also a casualty of last night's surprise vote, angry advocates say

Disclosure: Yes, I support labor unions. It is because of collective bargaining that my family while I was growing up had health insurance, vacations, and a livable income. My late father was a proud UAW member, my brother is a Teamster, my daughter belongs to the Railway Workers' Union. The actions of this legislation go far beyond stripping public employees of their right to bargain collectively. God help us all.