I’m just back from a trip to Washington, D.C. and it was an eye-opener. The main purpose of my visit was to accept the Wittenberg Award from the Luther Institute for service to the public and my church. It was a great honor, and the event gave me a chance to give my “Travel as a Political Act” talk to an audience in a city that lives and breathes politics.
Sitting in that packed church, a travel writer from Seattle, listening to music chosen and sung in my honor (Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Songs of Travel”) and listening to church and seminary leaders talk about my work was a little intimidating. But having the opportunity to give my talk to this crowd inspired me as much as anyone. The reception was a festival, and it turned out to be a great and energizing way to kick off an intense and very political couple of days.
While I was in D.C., I worked with the citizens’ action group Bread for the World to lobby members of Congress to follow through on America’s commitment to the Millennium Development Goals (to join other nations in giving one percent of their budgets to developmental aid), and to encourage our nation’s decision-makers to see that people need development aid beyond military aid.
In a week when Colombia was given $5 billion in military aid to fight its drug war (as one Congressman put it, “That sells American helicopters”), Bread for the World lobbyists and I were busy buttonholing congressional members and staffers to advocate for the needs of hungry people around the world and to ask for $5 billion in developmental aid.
The schedule was brutal, and in my pint-sized escort, Rachel, I met my match when it comes to walking fast down long, long corridors.
I was fortunate to have in-person visits with Senator Patty Murray (who has since voted in favor of the Biden-Luger Amendment to keep our developmental aid strong, for which all BFTW members and I are thankful), Congressman Norm Dicks, Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson, and the staffs of Mark Kirk, John Carter and Tom Latham.
BFTW knew who was Lutheran, who was a fan of my guidebooks, and who had been on recent trips and wanted to meet me. They were unabashed about using these excuses to get into those offices and sit down to lobby for the needs of the hungry and homeless.
My own congressional Representative, Jay Inslee, and Representative Rick Larsen of Washington’s 2nd district, sponsored an event in the Rayburn House Office Building attended by 60 church leaders, Congressional staffers and others. I spoke for half an hour, followed by a spirited question-and-answer period and messages from three members of Congress.
I was also invited to be the featured speaker at a German Marshall Fund luncheon, where 40 people with a passion is transatlantic cooperation gathered to hear my take on the value of the US overcoming its isolation and working more constructively with its international friends on poverty, peace and justice issues.
During my many conversations, I picked up on some interesting phrases that are trendy in D.C. these days:
“Soft Power” — The idea that the US can wield its influence and accomplish its goals more effectively by helping people with constructive developmental aid, rather than threatening with military force and rewarding with military aid.
“The Brand of America” — The notion that the goal of the US being liked and respected is that people worldwide will be inclined to buy our products…and the realization across the political spectrum that this “brand” has taken a pretty big beating in the past decade.
“Quietism” — The sense among progressive Christians who, while frustrated by our government’s priorities, feel (unlike some conservative Christians) that it’s inappropriate to incorporate their religious values in political discourse.
I returned home impressed with the constant grind of people advocating for their financial needs in the Capitol. The math is depressingly simple: Any interest (no matter how noble) that is not forcefully lobbied for will simply be pushed aside by others that are. If a Congressman gives money to Interest A at the expense of Interest B, it’s not because he doesn’t like B…it’s just that he gave in to A’s demands, and the money had to come from somewhere. That’s how good and caring members of Congress appropriate funds in ways that hurt hungry and desperate people.
I left Washington D.C. with a deeper appreciation than ever for the dogged work done by Bread for the World. And, frankly, exhausted after two days of playing hardball for soft power.
Rick……….Very informative posting…provides a window into how part of the political process works…..It’s good to know there are people trying to help those less fortunate…BFTW and others……and considering how grueling your film schedule for TV is in Europe you must have worked hard in your lobbying……In your “Making of….” program Simon calls you the Energizer Bunny” who never gets tired…..I always look forward to your BLOG entries and people’s responses……..Keep bloggin’
Outstanding thought provoking post and a hearty congratulations to you and thanks for the great work you are doing for the less fortunate through some positive political activism. You bring up two really interesting issues: the brand of America and quietism. Latest polls have it that there are more people not associated with any type of structured religion than ever before in history; and the brand of america made me have to search my mind if there is a brand of America. We outsource so much in the name of scales of economy that we have lost our edge of producing a good product and maybe we need to go back to the political view of realism and go into a protectivism mode. Thanks for shareing.
A bit off topic for a moment. Your new Burgandy show is incredible. The river boat scenes are by far the best I have seen on all of your shows. Just amazing. Now $5,000,000,000 for Columbia? Insanity. To sell helicopters? The drug war is lost what a waste of resources.
Welcome (and thanks!) to the world of American democracy. It is an inevitable truth that the good causes must rely on citizen volunteers like you while corporations can pay the K street crowd to lobby on a daily basis for their issues. Sometimes the two come together in common cause and that is a vision to see! An alternative for we citizen lobbyists is to meet with our representatives when they are in the home district. It can be just as impressive and effective when the representative faces 50 of their constituent voters! The Rayburn House Office Bldg events are always thrilling. Wish I’d been a fly on that wall to hear your presentation! I’m sure M.Luther is proud of you.
I was really touched that the church honored your travels. That must have been very special! It reminds me of something that happened in August 06 during our first ever trip to Europe. My husband and I were in Trafalgar Square having a picnic lunch. A lady came up and sat next to us and we enjoyed some conversation with her. She told us she went to John and Charles Wesley’s original church, and that we could visit if we liked. That’s what we did the next day! We made out way to the Islington area of London and we saw the Wesley museum, home and church. There were only two other people there and they brought us a full tea and everything! Afterwards we walked and walked through the financial district and suddenly we saw a sign in front of an office building that said here is the place where John and Charles Wesley were converted. What a rare treat. It was an off-the-beaten-track thing to do, but one of our best memories.
Rick I really admire how much you try to do so much good for our world! Just hope and pray that our representatives in the furture to come can turn this war based government around! Judy
Rick, Not trying for a gotcha moment but I am wondering. Did any of the “progessive” folks you met with/spoke to echo the sentiment of Bob Geldof and his recent article in Time magazine where he praised George Bush and his efforts in Africa and critized the media for their neglect in telling that part of the story from his adminstration. You can also Google Geldof’s article from the Times, (London I think) interesting read. I just think if they did echo some of that, then we have reason for hope, but if they didn’t well calling it progessive doesn’t make it progressive. Just more closed minded, win at all costs politics. The only thing both parties/all sides seem to agree on.
Rick, Bless your generous and caring heart! If all celebrities were like you, what a wonderful world this would be.
Another good post Rick – thanks. I cant tell you how completely disgusted and appalled I am at our gov’t’s lack of care for its own people while sending billions upon billions (no exaggeration here) of dollars to other countries and committing our soldiers to act and die in some other country for what seems to be apparently nothing more than economic and fuel-related purposes. I should mention here that I am a pretty conservative person by nature and have voted for Republican candidates for most of my adult life; and that I am not a part of any activist group or special interest political interest. Your travels give me insight and consequently hope in our future due to your information on the people around the world. I want to personally thank you for your work, postings, and insight. It is a great help to me to know that there is a dim chance of hope for us on the horizon.
I would argue that tax dollars should not be used for the BFTW or for military equipment in other countries. In my opinion, it would be more ethical to raise awareness for your cause and collect money through private donations and charity. The federal government has no business collecting taxes by gunpoint from working Americans to “give” to anyone or any cause, just or not, that is not self defense/roads/parks/minimal regulations. When individuals give privately they can choose the most deserving charity from many just casues. When politicans give $$ it is to advance some political cause or help our “brand”. It is unethical to steal private property to help our collective image. By the way, is using the word “progressive” the result of a marketing study which showed up as a better Brand than “liberal”. Just wondering. Taking $$ from others to give is not compassionate, it’s stealing. Giving individually is from the heart.
A long the line of food aid you might want to have people check out http://www.freerice.com. It tests your knowledge of words and for every correct answer they donate 20 grains of rice to the UN world food program. Its fun, free, does not require log in and helps people if only a little bit.
Quietism? I used to wonder how Christians rationalized voting for politicians who consistently vote against biblical values, now I know. It’s called Quietism. It’s interesting that no one suggests liberal university professors, ecoterrorists or homosexual activists should also practice quietism. Hmmm.
Rick, always interesting to read your columns. Aid is not an either or situation – we can afford both military and food assistance for others. You mentioned that miltary aid sells helicopters…and those are made by Americans, thus feeding families with high-paying, good benefit jobs. Likewise, food aid employs farmers, truckers, shippers, etc. Knowing that you are a Seattle guy, I am eagerly anticipating your column berating the government for buying air refueling tankers from EADS instead of your neighbor Boeing.
Glad you saw the action that happens in our nation’s capitol, but maybe your next visit can provide a bit more a balanaced approach. You are naive to think a “progressive” solution would really look that different than our current foreign aid policy, or that it would solve all the world problems. America is and will always continue to be one of the most benovalent nations in the history of the world. But our benovalnce will never totally end disease, hunger, or poverty. Billions are spent annually supporting global health, development, food aid, agricultural development, and education in devloping nations across the planet. But government alone can never be the solution to these problems. Organizations like the BFTW are great, worthy of support, and should work in partnership with the infrastructure and capacity that our investment is providing. I’m so tired of liberals acting as if the Iraq war means all other devlopment or foreign policy work has stopped. The fact is that this Administration has done more to support the most needy and developing nations than any other Administration in recent history. This is most especially true in Africa, where the U.S. provides as much as the rest of the world combined to fight HIV/AIDS. Big fan of your travel advice, Steve, but not your politics. Leave the partisanship out of your travel and us conservatives will keep buying your books.
BFTW: While the end is noble, the means are not. Moral actions can only be done voluntarily, never coercively. It’s a good thing to feed the hungry, but it loses something when done by government which first takes from others – by force. Lobbying to get our favorite project funded only validates a fundamentally immoral act. I’d rather just pay for it myself.
when Colombia was given $5 billion in military aid >> That’s money well spent! Colombia is our best friend in all of Latin America. They may be the biggest block to the latest Castrohitler, Hugo Chavez, gaining more power in the region. Also, Colombia under President Uribe, is doing a great job of eradicating drugs — cutting the supply to America’s streets! I say do MORE to support Colombia!!
When I saw you speak in Sacramento 5 years ago, I pointed out to you, after your talk, that the US spend 10?s of billions of dollars stationing over 100,000 US troops in Europe, a continent among the most wealthy on earth, while billions on this earth are living in abject poverty. Before I could finish making my point, you said emphatically that we should ?Get out!? (a direct quote) of Europe, meaning that we should pull all of our troops out. I wanted to question you further on this, but your handlers/assistants were practically pushing you out the door so that you could get to your next event. I would like to believe your ?Get out!? statement as I consider you to be sincere. However, I have listened to approximately 30 of your shows over the Internet and I have heard you mention exactly once, (on Minnesota Public Radio) for about 5 seconds, the fact that the US takes care of European security needs. Furthermore, Joseph Nye, the author of ?Soft Power? and the German Marshall Fund (an entity established and paid for by the German government) are both deeply committed to permanent (or whatever euphemism they would like to use) American military bases on European soil. So I have a lot of difficulty understanding how the German Marshall Fund could have such a friendly meeting with you when you are apparently such a strong opponent of American bases in Europe ? a position diametrically opposed to their core beliefs. Do you still believe that we should take some of the money we are spending to defend Europe and instead use it to aid abject poor around the world? Or have you changed your mind over the last 5 years? It seems to me that if you felt as strongly as intimated with your ?Get out!? comment, you would be mentioning the issue of America squandering its money on bases in Europe a lot more. Geoff Harris Sacramento
Love to read your stories about Europe and have taken alot of your advice as my husband and I have travel numerous times to Europe. Just a thought….since the dollar is horrible, have you given any thought to promoting travel in the US. You mentioned Washington DC./Virginia. I have been there twice within three months. One for business one for pleasure. I think our Nations capital has alot of wonderful history that we all might have forgotten. As of course our whole 50 states have things to offer. Just a thought… you may want to explore for your expanding business. Thanks for listening….
My daughter and I have used your guidebooks for travel on three trips to England, France and Italy. We appreciate your philosophy of travel and the excellent detailed information you provide. What a joy to find that you support Bread for the World and the Millenium Development Goals. Congratulations on receiving the Wittenberg Award.
There go those “conservative Christians” again, wanting their opinion in politics. Seems funny how they’re the ones who are denigrated by Rick for wanting to express their opinion … in a piece where he is expressing his. I guess it’s just one of those things that make you go hmmmmm….
As I read both the blog and the comments, I see what makes this country such as great nation. Only a truly free nation can have such diverse “truths”. As I agree wholeheartedly with assisting the less fortunate, I can also see the need for being in the “real” world of politics. The only thought I wish more people would understand is what Rick has promoted for years; We are one of the largest nations here on earth, but that doesn’t always make us the only one. There are many ways to do something right and be productive, some Americans forget that. And as a comment to “Quietism”, perhaps we need to remind we are all human, regardless of the labels.
It’s reasonable to give Columbia money to fight a drug war. They’re dealing with terrorists as well as their thugish neighbor Hugo Chavez. Helping Columbians defend their democracy is a worthy endeavor. If Rick Steves is worried about Columbia’s prosperity he should talk to the Congressmen he mentioned about the Columbian Free Trade agreement. More trade will contribute to American and Columbian prosperity. In recent years Europe and America have enacted regulations and subsidies to promote biofuels in order to fight global warming. As a result, agricultural products are being diverted to making fuel rather than food. In the U.S. 28 percent of wheat is used to make fuel. This greatly increases food prices. What does Bread for the World think of this.
Congratulations, Rick, for receiving the Wittenberg Award. Your commitment to making the world a smaller, friendlier, and ultimately safer place, has been recognized. Although your readers may not always agree on which exact political methods to use to achieve social justice in this world, I think even the most critical has to respect the dedication and compassion you have shown in your efforts to help the poor of the world have enough to eat. I also struggle with the issue of separation of church and state. While I would never want church activities to be funded by the state, I think it is imperative for citizens (believers and non-believers) to advocate for the government’s intervention in issues of social justice. If our government doesn’t embrace its role as world leader, its citizens must speak up. Thank you for modeling that active citizenship for us.