The heavy tax that the government of President Sánchez de Lozada was trying to impose on the so limited income of Bolivian people has proven to be a big mistake. The price goes way up in only two days: Destruction of property, an economy paralyzed for several days, the life of 27 Bolivians and the opposition to call for the President to resign. These events have proven and reminded President Sanchez de Lozada that democracy is built in dialog and that, there cannot be dialog unless the parties stand on equal ground.
Up until two days ago the Bolivian public was not well informed about the Tax bill in process to be approved. We asked some of our Quechua friends from Seminary and some of the university students who attend our discipleship and leadership group, if they knew why this tax was needed. The answer from all of them was "I don't not know."They did not know, nor were they consulted about this tax that government was forced to impose on Bolivian people, because it is a requirement to get international financial aid.Sanchez de Lozada had to be forced by the angry opposition to drop the tax and called to democratic dialog to discuss the best criteria for it.
At this point, you may be thinking, I am glad this is not happening in our midst but you will be surprised. Because not only these events remind us of the USA historical phrase "No taxation without representation," it also reminds us Christians to reflect on the way we do our mission both here and there where you have been appointed to share or teach Christ to other fellow human beings.It is funny, how we tend to think that we have the right to see unchurched people as lower than us by quickly calling them "sinners" or when we "teach"to assume the position that we know it all and they are ignorant.It is so easy to adopt positions that attempt to destroy the fragile equilibrium in which evangelism and education or discipleship takes place. We must keep in mind that change is an inspiration and not an imposition, not matter how pressured we may be to show and count numbers. We also, as Sanchez de Lozada, take the risk to destroy the equilibrium.
Jesus showed us with his ministry how important it is to see others as equals and stand on the same ground with them before we ask for change or take a step of faith. He did it with the Samaritan woman, the filthy lepers, the unclean sinners, the prostitute and many others. He dignified them by standing on the same ground and opening the dialog that inspires them to change. He, being God, -Philippians 2- took our human condition, died for us and only then He invited us to change and resurrect with him into a new humanity that moves by hope.
It is in this hope that we ask you to pray for those who are in power both in the government and the opposition, to come together to dialog on the same ground in the next following days for the sake of the Bolivian people. Pray that the equilibrium could be maintained and hope can be planted in the life of more than 8 million Bolivians and us who are with them watching so much pain.
Mario and Iris Morales,
Cochabamba, February 14, 2003