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Politics and Theology from Reuel K. Sample

Thanks – But No Thanks

According to FoxNews, Jeff Smith of Columbus, Mississippi has changed his party affiliation to Republican. (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/06/01/house-speaker-candidate-smith-switches-to-gop/)

Missed the news? Small wonder. Jeff Smith is a member of Mississippi’s STATE legislature. He switched parties in order to make a run for the House Speaker position after he was edged out of contention by a Democrat contender.

Mr. Smith has always been – according to the report – a conservative Democrat. He now calls himself a moderate Republican. In his words: “It’s not a big leap going from a super conservative Democrat to a Republican.”

Thanks – but please go away.

No matter how many superlatives that may be placed before “conservative”, when mixed with the word Democrat all bets are off. If Mr. Smith truly understood the historic roots of the GOP, he would understand that it truly is a “big leap” in switching parties.

Granted, state parties tend to be driven less by ideology and more by history and roots. As I wandered the state of Tennessee working for NFIB(http://nfib.com) – talking to small businesses – I usually found myself in rural counties and town that were predominately Democrat. A “Red State” on national politics, the places that I would visit – off the beaten path – were Democrat and proudly so. But, if you ask them the hot questions – higher taxes, government intervention, national security and immigration, homosexuals in the military – most if not all would come down on the right side of the aisle. These folks are Democrat because “my daddy was a Democrat, and my granddaddy was a Democrat.”

The folksiness of these parties starts breaking down, however, the farther we get from the local communities and governments. It is almost impossible to rectify the “leave me alone and let me create jobs and feed my family” attitude of small business owners who are also Democrat and the increasing government regulation, intervention, and taxation that is putting these folks out of business. The party of Obama is about increasing the role of government in our everyday lives and diminishing individual responsibility and freedom. The historic underpinnings of the GOP are exactly opposite – that government’s role should be minimal, and that individuals should be free to follow their dreams – and reap the benefits or lessons that come.

Which leads me back to Mr. Smith.

We do not need moderate Republicans. We certainly do not need people who switch parties for political gain and power instead of true ideological differences with their initial party. We need politicians who are working hard to put themselves out of business – and leave the rest of us alone. We need Republicans who understand that sticking to ideology is not a bad thing – if the ideology itself is soundly based.

It is obvious that Mr. Smith truly does not understand what being a Republican is about. Let us hope that the folks of Mississippi – or at least the members of the GOP who will cast their votes for the House Speaker – do.

 

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Accountability in Action

Panera Bread is a wonderful place to change scenery.  It gets me out of my home office, I can circulate with people, get good coffee, and some creative inspiration.  Who knew it would also provide and example of Christian fellowship, mentoring, and accountability in action?

I came across two folks in line – getting coffee and such – and joked with them about this and that.  They were two wonderful black women – who identified themselves as sisters.  We parted, but ended up sitting close to each other – me deep in trying to get a website up and going, and the two of them sitting and chatting.

I do not eavesdrop as a matter of practice.  But, I found myself drawn into their discussion.  Seems the younger of the two has a son who needs some growing up to do – and the woman is frustrated and hurt as only a caring mom can be of a young man who is in danger of throwing away his potential.

The older woman listened with compassion and concern, but it soon became quite clear that she had not invited her companion out just for a coffee and gripe session.  Firmly, but with loving concern, she steered the other woman into writing up a contract for her son that he needs to follow if he is to stay at her house, gave her encouragement and fortitude to help follow up on it, and generally held her hand to guide her through all the pitfalls.  Not once was the younger woman referred to a program, not once was she told to go through “8 steps to raising a Godly son” meeting every Monday night, nor was she ever told to get such and such’s book.  “We will work through this together” was the constant message.

I could not help but talk to them as I was leaving.  I confessed to my eavesdropping, but also told them how wonderful it was to hear their conversation.  It turns out that they are not sisters by blood, but indeed sisters in faith – struggling together to make sure this  young man grows properly.

“Bear one another’s burdens” is Christ’s message.  Sometimes we share by providing funds for disaster relief.  Sometimes we sit quietly in prayer.  And – sometimes – it is sitting in a coffee shop – listening – and engaging – a sister in her struggle with a son.

Theology none

Any Other Name

SquirrellThe story goes of a church that was infested with squirrels. They tried everything – sealing off the attic, cutting down the trees, trapping and setting them free miles away. Nothing worked. Finally the pastor came up with a brilliant scheme. In a solemn occasion he had the elders baptize the squirrels. Now they only show up on Christmas and Easter.

The city of Hazelton, PA must be thinking the same way. They have tried everything to control an illegal immigrant population that is crippling the town. Seeing the lack of action on the part of the federal government (or perhaps we should say a very ACTIVE lack of action) this town decided to take matters into their own hands. Within the city limits, they made it illegal to rent to immigrants who aren’t supposed to be in this country. They also made it a crime to hire said workers. In other words, they made it illegal to hire and rent to — illegals.

Perhaps they should have followed the church’s lead and made them C&E people – only having to deal with them twice a year.

See – the 3rd Circuit Court has struck down the town’s attempt to maintain law and order (remember – illegal means not lawful). (Fox News) The Court stated that the town was treading on the jurisdiction of the federal government, and thus had no right to put such a mandate in place. So – now the town has to provide for people who do not pay taxes (illegal – remember? No papers – no tax id – no taxes) . They have to provide hospital care. Businesses can hire these workers at a cheaper rate (remember – no employment tax, social security, etc). In other words, the city of Hazelton, PA has to deal with it.

We should not be surprised at this ruling. This country continues to go from its historic routes of government at the lowest level to empowerment of a national government. We used to understand that government for the people works best when the governed and those trusted with government live next door to each other, go to church with each other, and face the same situations together. Local laws were to hold the most power over citizens – followed by states – followed at a distant third by the federal government.

The opposite is becoming more and more true. Case in point – during the height of the oil spill in Louisiana, the governor had a plan to erect barrier sand islands to protect the coast. It was workable, it was in place – and he could not do it because of federal regulations. “Jindal is so desperate for the islands, he’s said he’ll build them even if it sends him to jail.” (ABC News) The people of Louisiana knew what to do, they had the plans to do it, they were the ones closest to the scene – but were stymied because of whacky federal guidelines.

Hazelton – not to mention the entire states of Arizona, Rhode Island, and Virginia – know and understand their illegal immigration problem. They know how to handle it, and have the resources in place. They know what laws will work, and how to target those laws to be effective. The federal government – in its incredible drive to be a part of everyone’s life in an ever increasing way – will have no part of it.

Maybe we should see what the squirrels think. They will be around on the 25th of December.

Political Thoughts , ,

States’ Rights on Trial

StatesAccording to a Fox News Report: “The Obama administration will try to persuade a federal judge Tuesday to throw out a lawsuit by 20 states that claim the president’s health care overhaul is unconstitutional.” (
20 States Prepare for Day in Court Against Health Care Law)

Good.  According to the same story, the administration has already lost a similar stunt in Virginia – claiming that the state has no legal standing.

The problem that the President and his folks face is that in order to constitutionally justify that the Federal Government has the right to impose health care, they have to reclassify the whole bill as a tax, not an individual mandate. (Obama Admin. Argues in Court That Individual Mandate Is a Tax – The American Spectator)  Yet, the Dems throughout the whole debate shouted loud and clear that this is not a new tax.

Which is it?

It is clear from the bill that there are many new tax increases to cover this monstrosity.   One example is the new requirement to file a 1099 for any purchase over $500.  (Side Effects: IRS and Businesses Unite Against Obamacare? – Hertage Foundation.)  Other silly – and expensive – taxes and mandates are to be found all over this bill.

But more than the taxes, the Health Care Reform Bill imposes – for the first time ever – a requirement that citizens of every state be required to have health care coverage.  That is where the states have their problem.

The founding fathers understood that every state is different – and thus should be forced into “sameness” only when absolutely necessary.  Thus – only the federal government can enter into treaties with foreign governments, there is no such thing as state currencies, and Washington is to provide oversight in terms of interstate commerce.  In all other areas, the states are sovereign.

What these states will argue is that according to the Constitution only a state can mandate whether or not its citizens are required to have insurance.  If a state does not require insurance – and its citizens are happy with that fact – then the Federal government has no say in the matter.  State citizens – on the other hand – are free to vote with their feet – staying in states that require health insurance – or fleeing those same states.

Which is why the Obama administration has to argue that this bill is indeed a tax – despite all that they promised.  Only by saying it is a tax – which under the Constitution is a right reserved to Congress – can they force states to comply.  Problem is, the Dems sold it as not being a tax  – a fact that the courts will not overlook.

Instead of all these court battles – let us elect folks who will repeal this bill.

Map: S Brumley

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Having Something To Say

Where Have I Been

Where Have I Been?

A very long-term and very dear friend messaged me a few days ago on Facebook, asking if I had anything to say myself – or am I just a trumpet for other people’s thoughts and ideas.   She said I had so much to say in high school (whatever THAT means) but seemingly nothing to say for myself now.  That hit me hard.

It is true, I have not written in quite a long time.  It seems that the only people who attend to my blog have been the Russians and Chinese – in other words spammers.

The reasons that I have not written:

  • I hate writing without facts.  It takes a great deal of time to research some of these articles – time which (I thought) would best be spent on developing my business, spending time with family, etc.  What I should have done is just manage my time better.
  • I was getting angry.  I love this country, have served in the military, and think we are the best nation on the planet.  I am amazed that I have not developed an ulcer from watching President Obama and his regime ruin the US, and am equally saddened by the blind and/or greedy masses of voters that seem ready to allow him to do just that.  So I stopped.  Upon reflection – that is exactly what those on the left want people like me to do.  However small and insignificant – any well thought discussions of the present power structure is good.
  • Frankly – I did not think I could contribute much.  I am surrounded by powerhouse thinkers such as T. M. Moore, Chuck Colson, Matt Guirno, Jimmy Davis and others.  What can I say that they cannot say better?  Well – recently I have been motivated to try.

So, I am back.  I have a lot of things going on – and a lot of challenges to face.  But, I am going to be faithful in maintaining this blog.  The Russians and the Chinese might be the only ones who read it – which might not be a bad thing.   But, I will be on here regularly.

And my old friend?  Well – who knew that dentists could be so smart!

Musings
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