Is It Wierd that This Bother’s Me?

September 11, 2008 By 5 Comments

I heard about this through a friend. I’m not sure why I care, but for some reason this just bothers me that nobody never asks these sort of questions of our elected officials and those who campaign for them whether they are family or not. If you want to read more about it the story is online at Vanity Fair. I guess I can understand wanting to look nice, even buying a whole outfit and having a pro make it look right and work together for you. But could we at least keep it less expensive than, oh, I don’t know…maybe…my whole fricking house?
Cindy McCain’s Outfit:
- Oscar de la Renta dress: $3,000
- Chanel J12 White Ceramic Watch: $4,500
- Three-carat diamond earrings: $280,000
- Four-strand pearl necklace: $11,000–$25,000
- Shoes, designer unknown: $600
- Total: Between $299,100 and $313,100

Filed Under: Uncategorized 5 Comments
About Tim Suttle

Tim Suttle is a pastor, writer, and musician. He is the author of two books: Public Jesus (The House Studio, 2012), and An Evangelical Social Gospel? (Cascade Books, 2011). Tim's work has been featured at The Huffington Post, The Washington Post, Sojourners, The Wall Street Journal, and other magazines and journals. Tim is also the founder and front-man of the popular Christian band Satellite Soul, with whom he toured for nearly a decade. He has planted three successful churches over the past 12 years and is the Senior Pastor of Redemption Church in Olathe, Kan. Tim's blog, Paperback Theology, is hosted at Patheos.

  • http://genesuttle.com Gene Suttle

    Yes, “cuzin” Tim it is weird. Unmentioned are all the folks in the food chain involved in producing and marketing Mrs. McCain’s outfit and accessories. Its not weird to her hairstylist, nor those from whom she purchased the rest of the get up. This is how they feed their families. Aside, from a standard government issued funeral suit, the most expensive garment in my wardrobe may not be greater than $20. While I may not make the Oscar de la Renta folks very happy, the t-shirt purveyors are. Me thinks its called a market economy.

    Look forward to comparing notes on the name/Suttle thing.

    Gene Suttle (Atlanta)
    genesuttle.com

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/10974397437648079481 Tim Suttle

    I disagree with you – so do more and more Christians every day. I’ll even play the free-market game with you. In a market economy, if you treat your employees poorly or make a bad product, the market punishes you. In politics it works the same way – not by way of a free market but through elections. If you are out of touch or embrace the wrong ideas, the voters will punish you. When you are that lost in your own affluence – callous to the point of being obtuse – I really think that should be a problem for people of faith. I think that should show up in the way we vote.

    That being said, I know that I approach this stuff as a Christian and a pastor much more than a typical conservative or liberal politico. I believe that the primary job of any government is to provide justice and mercy for all of their people. Once that is accomplished, then we can talk about economic prosperity. But, seeing to those who live in abject poverty must come before any conspicuous display of wealth. To wear an outfit that would easily buy 7 low-income homes for poor families in any inner city in America displays a seared conscience toward the poor. Admittedly this is not the same position that everyone has, especially those who do not subscribe to my faith or ethics. Still it remains my position.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/03390910934154428602 Thomas Bridges

    Way to call out the rich – though you are kinder than the prophet Amos was (“cows of Bashan?”)

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/03390910934154428602 Thomas Bridges

    Of course, I am rich, and am in the “called out” here…just saying…and I need to be called out another way -ek-klessia.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/10974397437648079481 Tim Suttle

    Yeah, I feel like a hypocrite anytime I talk about stuff like this. But I think we could waste our whole lives waiting for our actions to line up perfectly with our beliefs and never find our voice at all. Or we can just be vulnerable to the tension & take a chance by bringing it up. I'm choosing option number two.