I dunno. I would think the ultimate, ideal political system would be "a way of living that included LOVE being the beginning and end of your motives." Maybe it isn't a possibility in this life, but it's something to strive for. I think that if Christ's teaching means anything, it has to apply to this life first - not so much to the next life. I think that in the next life, we'll be living out the consequences of what we've chosen to do in this life.

I think that a concern for the common good is essential in all society. We cannot live together in peace if we have no concern for each other. The word "charity" implies something optional, done voluntarily out of good will. I think we have an obligation to show concern for each other and for our community.

It's interesting to see how some people start to dance around when they get forced into talking about Christ's attitudes about power and wealth. Jesus didn't have much good to say about either - but people still try to prove that their wealth and power are their God-given rights...

-Joe-