About Rod D. Martin
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Politics & Economics
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Faith & Cultureby Rod D. Martin
November 27, 2013
In yesterday’s Washington Post, Pope Francis denounces “trickle-down” economics. Which raises the question: does he personally know of anyone who’s ever been hired by someone poorer than themselves?
You can’t redistribute wealth that doesn’t exist. And wealth is created by producers, people who risk what they have to create more than there is. In doing so, they create jobs, because their vision is bigger than any one person can make real.
The Bible encourages this behavior in the Parables of the Talents and the Minas, and with ironclad laws such as “Thou Shalt Not Steal” and “Thou Shalt Not Covet” (a fancy way of saying “thou shalt not even think about stealing”). The Bible demands charity but never once suggests government redistribution. The one time an Israelite king — Ahab — nationalizes a private business — Naboth’s vineyard — he is judged for it. Harshly.
But the Pope need not read the Bible to understand what’s wrong with his critique: he need only look at this, an Economist cover story from earlier this year which not only trumpets the startling news that nearly 1 billion people have been lifted out of poverty in just the past 20 years, but that capitalism is the reason why.
By the way, none of those billion people were in Cuba, Venezuela or North Korea. Precious few of them were in semi-Marxist, semi-fascist Argentina, the Pope’s home country, where the people were richer than Americans in 1900 and fourth richest in the world per capita in 1929, only to be pushed into third world status by the economic policies espoused by Pope Francis. You’d think he’d learn, but then, you’d think Argentina would learn too.
I wrote about this the last time the Pope called for that form of “social justice” which requires all of us to be poor together. I hope you’ll re-read what I said. There is nothing Christian about sharing poverty. Christianity is about redeeming the whole world and everything in it. Poverty is a curse, productivity is both a command and a cure, and this Pope is not helping anyone.
Rod is one of our nation’s leading minds. He’s smart, original, and very committed—a combination that one rarely finds.
Rod Martin and [former Howard Dean campaign manager] Joe Trippi are America’s two foremost experts on online politics.
Rod Martin is a Reaganite-Thatcherite conservative…[and] a man who has spent much of his life ministering to and working for the benefit of others. I know Rod as an advocate for freedom, a leader who understands the real changes we need in Washington, and who has the drive and ability to make those changes happen.
Rod Martin is the kind of dynamic leader who has the knowledge, ability and experience to lead us successfully into the 21st Century. His vision for America is compelling.
Rod Martin literally wrote the book on excellence. Humble yet brilliant, a man of love and compassion, with penetrating clarity he illuminates the world around us, and we are both stirred and enlightened.
Rod Martin is a born leader and an outstanding political mind. Anyone who takes him on is going to have a serious fight on their hands.
Rod Martin is a man of uncommon vision and character. Ever since I first worked alongside Rod in the early days of PayPal, I’ve been struck by his powerful vision for the future. Rod understands the intersection of technology, politics and culture in a way that few others do.
Rod Martin wears with uncommon grace an uncanny ability to link his vigorous faith to the practical challenges of both the business world and the political arena. Yet the respect he shows for others carries a warmth and modesty that are both too rare among those who are strong advocates of feisty positions.
America badly needs more leaders who really get the future. We need more Rod Martins.
Rod Martin is a modern day philosopher-statesman. He is a capitalist intellectual, a conservative iconoclast, a gentle adversary and a kind prophet. He inspires us towards a fresh national vision built upon the original founding principles.
Rod Martin is not only effective and efficient, but he is also perceptive, wise and gracious. He gets things done. He is a great friend and a great ally.
Rod is one of the sharpest, most gracious men I know, and one of the most gifted political thinkers today. His ability to analyze issues and communicate thoughtful insights on them have earned him the respect of people across the political spectrum.
I am proud to have been Rod Martin’s friend for a quarter century, and I can tell you that he is one of the finest men and most outstanding leaders in our church and in our country today. He has a knack for turning everything he touches to success.
Rod Martin is a cornucopian entrepreneur and eutropic thinker whose influence radiates through an array of companies, institutions, movements and churches. A renaissance American, he is also a prolific friend of freedom and faith around the globe.
If Rod Martin represents the next generation of leaders, America has nothing to worry about.
A leader and a servant, in public life and in private, Rod Martin strides at the top of his profession, and has nowhere to go but up. He is in the truest sense of the word ‘outstanding’.
Rod Martin is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished thought leaders today. He is a wonderful mentor, a humble role model, and a deep inspiration for the next generation of scientific innovators and entrepreneurs.
Rod’s achievements pale beside his character and his brilliance. He sees what others can’t. He leads when others won’t.
Rod Martin is one of America’s finest young minds.
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