People I Pity

Watching the news the other day, it occurred to me that the world is filled with a lot of posers and pretenders. By that I mean people who, because of their own egos and insecurities – not to mention their misplaced priorities – are constantly trying to outdo each other in today’s dog-eat-dog world. Of course, in order to pull off such a monumental feat/hoax/charade, they must present a false façade for public consumption lest everyone see their shortcomings.

At the top of said list are politicians and entertainers. They both spend untold millions on agents and press secretaries to spin the news to their liking and portray themselves in the best possible light. Many of them also have a six-figure budget (or more) for such life essentials as makeup, wardrobe, and age-defying creams, lotions, and pills. Of course, when all else fails, there is always the friendly neighborhood plastic surgeon whose number is kept on speed dial.

Don’t believe me? Well, where do you think Joe Biden and Chuck Schumer got their hair plugs or Nancy Pelosi her face lifts? It’s all smoke and mirrors, folks… meant to deceive the masses into thinking that the Washington and Hollywood elite are better than the rest of us.

Guess what? They’re not. In far too many cases, they are simply lost, lonely, and insecure people whose self-esteem depends on position, power, and public perception. No, thank you.

I prefer to be transparent, realizing that I am a deeply flawed sinner saved by God’s amazing grace. No more and no less. Once you admit that you aren’t the second coming of (fill in the blank with your favorite statesman or celebrity), the pressure is off.

And so, without further ado, here is a shortlist of people whom I pity because, just like the emperor who was sold some invisible clothes at an exorbitant price, they are supremely self-deceived.

1. President Joe Biden. Over the course of his five-decade political career, Joe Biden has told more lies and fabricated more stories than – as my dad used to say – Carter’s has little liver pills. I am not a professional psychiatrist nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but I think it’s safe to say that Geritol Joe has deep-seated insecurities which cause him to constantly inflate his resume. To me, it’s incredibly sad to see someone reach the age of 81 who lacks any real core values other than his own political ambitions… and is so displeased with himself that he has to concoct nonsensical fables. Sleepy Joe has also turned his back on Catholic teachings regarding abortion and same-sex marriage in order to placate Progressive voters, making him a man deserving of our pity (and his shame).

2. Sen. Chuck Schumer. Along the same lines as Joe Biden, a supposedly practicing Catholic who consistently violates church doctrine, Chuck Schumer claims to be a devout Jew except when it isn’t politically expedient. That is why he was so quick to condemn Israel for declaring all-out war on Hamas once the Progressive wing of his party objected and the pro-Palestinian protests started.

3. Representatives Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), Hal Rogers (R-KY), Maxine Waters (D-CA), and Steny Hoyer (D-MD). All five of these members of the 118th Congress are 84 years old or more and have served in the House for at least 24 years (or 43 years in the case of Hoyer and Rogers). I don’t know about you, but when I reach that age, I want to spend my time ministering to others, playing some golf, and bouncing my great-grandchildren on my knee. One thing I can guarantee you is that I wouldn’t be so pompous, prideful, and power-hungry to think that I was the only person who could adequately serve my constituents… or not to realize that I had lost a step or two both physically and mentally. Pass the baton for crying out loud!

4. Aging (and fading) movie stars and rock singers. The ability to age gracefully is becoming a lost art in Hollywood. Instead of taking on more mature roles, some former starlets try to turn back the clock with face lifts, tummy tucks, and other artificial means... refusing to admit or acknowledge that Father Time remains undefeated. Better to age like Cary Grant and Sean Connery once did – or like George Clooney, Judi Dench, and Helen Mirren are doing today – than to try to convince the audience that you are still a spring chicken despite your gray feathers. The same goes for rock stars. A 65-year-old Madonna in a corset and stilettos and an 80-year-old Mick Jagger in tight leather pants are sights I’d rather not see.

5. People who accumulate wealth for the sake of accumulating wealth. Contrary to what the bumper stickers say, the person who dies with the most toys doesn’t win. They simply leave their toys to others to sell, break, or discard. At age 64, I have watched far too many people spend half their lives accumulating “things” and the other half of their lives maintaining the things they accumulated. What’s the purpose? Life is about knowing and serving God and knowing and serving people… and I truly pity people who can’t stop to smell the roses or plant a few themselves for others to enjoy.

6. Fence-straddlers. As Jesus told the Laodicean church in Revelation 3, it is better to be hot or cold than lukewarm. And yet, many Christians try to keep one foot in the world and one foot in God’s Kingdom. All that does is make Jesus nauseous (see verse 16). The same goes for political conservatives who vacillate on issues like abortion because of ever-changing poll numbers. As a fellow pastor once said, “Do the right thing for the right reason… and leave the consequences to God.”

7. People who waste their retirement. OK, I realize that I am in danger of stepping on some toes here, but your “Golden Years” shouldn’t be spent exclusively on self-indulgence. Yes, it is important to slow down and yes, you deserve some personal perks after 30, 40, or 50 years in the workforce. But if all you do is travel, play golf, and enjoy fine dining, you’re missing out on the best part of retirement which is having free time to serve others. Seniors are survivors and have accumulated a wealth of knowledge, so how about sharing some of that experience and expertise with the next generation or the one after that? Whether it’s volunteering at the local food bank or teaching Sunday School at your church, do something – anything – that isn’t self-centered.

Maybe I’ll add a few more items to my list tomorrow… and maybe I won’t.