The Cliff and The Least of These

I've been thinking about the fiscal cliff, especially as it might relate to my novel "The Least of These." I finished writing this book thirteen years ago. It was published in 2008. What I used as a main plot point, the economic collapse of the U.S., seemed unlikely at the time. But now I'm feeling like it's more than a little prophetic. The premise is this: at some point in the (not-too-distant) future as the federal government is facing bankruptcy, the "Public Assistance Reform Act" is enacted. Here's an excerpt from the book:

"There were, of course, a multitude of reasons for the crash of the economy...For too many years, as political partisanship ran rampart, there had been no long-term planning within the federal government. Sustained periods of economic growth seemed to foster a sense of invincibility and a mood of reckless optimism about the country's future. Slight downturns were never viewed as trends....but other factors were also at work.

"The protracted war on terror had dragged on for many years in an attempt to make the world a safer place, and it resulted in varying degrees of success. But whatever limited success achieved around the world came with an unimaginably enormous price tag--one that left the United States buried deep in devastating debt.

"An unprecedented number of deadly and phenomenally costly natural disasters, hurricanes, floods, drought, earthquakes, tornadoes, had pounded North America unmercilessly for several years in a row. County after county in state after state had been declared federal disaster areas, and emergency money from public funds had been poured into the affected areas.

"....Continuing high unemployment brought about by a sustained downturn in the economy not only contributed to the demise of Social Security, but had also overloaded an already faltering welfare system that had been on its way out for many years....

"Finally, the longstanding and ongoing habit of appropriating tens of billions of dollars for all kinds of programs and projects without ensuring there was a source for those funds had quite conclusively caught up with the federal government. A very simple yet significant principle emerged and soaked in; there was no more money to spend...."

This is an over-simplified commentary on what might cause financial disaster, but that's because government bankruptcy is not the main focus of the novel. The main focus is what happens next, and in my rather optimistic view (in the context of the book), the outcome is good. Churches, businesses, individuals work together to change society. The full meaning of the teachings of Jesus and his call to minister to "the least of these" is recognized and implemented.

I've never been particularly good at promoting this book, but now is the time for our country to hear a message like this, whether it's mine or someone else's. If you're looking for a Christmas gift for someone who is interested in current events, but would also like to read an optimistic story of faith and hope, I encourage you to buy "The Least of These." It's available all over the place online (amazon, etc.). It's discounted on Christianbook.com. 

What's waiting for us beyond the edge of the cliff? Maybe it's the best thing that could ever happen to society.