Here’s a good quote from Roman Catholic Cardinal Jean Lustiger, who was considered by many to be pope material (except by Cardinal Ratzinger, who held all the cards). There are a lot of things that Cardinal Lustiger believes in that I find quite regressive (e.g., his insistence on the Church’s continuing rejection of any ministerial role for women). But this particular thought of his, regarding politics and the state of the world, seems to be right on target. Cardinal Lustiger says that “the failed experiment of Marxism has been replaced by the rise of powerful wealthy elites that control an increasingly unequal and unreflective society; this will be the weakness of democracy. Democracy needs citizens, not consumers. When people are merely consumers of politics, they are more easily manipulated. And thus, conformism becomes stronger than ever before.”

Good one, Cardinal. Nice to see that someone else “gets it”. I hope the rest of the world also sees it before it’s too late. But talking about democracy, perhaps what’s good for the goose is good also for the gander. Perhaps the Roman Catholic Church could also use a dose of democratic citizenship, and go a little bit easier on the “manipulated conformism” of “powerful elites”. Oh well, maybe the next Conclave . . . . maybe the windows will open again some day.