Have You Been Bought?

Many politicians believe your vote and your beliefs are for sale. They outbid each other, promising more federal monies, programs, bail outs, and giveaways—adding to the size of government, our crushing federal debt, and further depreciating the dollar.

"The state has learned from the merchants and industrialists how to exploit credit; it defies the nation ever to let it go into bankruptcy. Alongside all swindlers the state now stands there
as swindler-in-chief." _____ Jakob Burkhardt

Office seekers promise to gratify present desires at the future expense of someone else. There is no someone else. The distance between government revenues and expenditures is exploding and must be addressed. Neither Democrat nor Republican Presidential candidate seems willing to discuss the sacrificial steps we all must take. Why? It will mean self-denial and it may take decades. A message candidates believe will not buy your vote.

They do advocate improving fiscal accountability and eliminating government waste. That is admirable and painless—and more talk. But, it will not end nor stop the ever widening gap between revenues and expenditures. There are no painless solutions. It will take hurtful cuts in present federal programs and in the unrestrained cost of future entitlement programs. So far, they seem unwilling to give particular solutions.

Instead, we are promised hundreds of billions more in spending and/or tax cuts—at the future expense of someone else.

The Republican Presidential candidate promised a balanced budget by 2013. Yet gave no solid ideas for doing so, no painful cuts in present programs and future entitlement programs, nor did the Democrat candidate.

To solve all our social and economic problems, Democrat Presidential and vice-presidential candidates publically advocated taking from the so-called haves and giving it to the have nots. Their financial policy, "From each according to his ability to each according to his need." A basic Marxist axiom advocating a divide-the-wealth socialist government based on envy.

True prosperity for all cannot be built on the Marxist idea of dividing the wealth—using government force to take money from one citizen to economically benefit another. Nor can true prosperity for all be built on reward without risk. True prosperity for all comes from hope, ideas, hard work, fiscal responsibility, and the freedom to succeed—not from envy, political promises, inflated dollars, government bailouts, bigger government, and more debt.

Government is meant to serve the people. Not, the people are to serve government. All too often government is the problem, not the answer. But what can you and I do?

When it comes to our Nation’s political and moral situation, it is not enough to just hold strong Biblical beliefs. If we wish to have our beliefs acted on, we need to express our concerns to the decision makers. When you and I act alone our message only has the strength of one. The greater the number of people giving a message, or appear to be giving it, the mightier the message.

The group who produces the most votes—or appears too—has the biggest voice. Political candidates, once elected, concentrate on getting reelected. Usually by fulfilling promises to groups who appear to get them elected or self interest groups with the shrillest voice.

To gain a bigger voice and multiply our effectiveness, we must form, join, and support groups with similar Judeo-Christian values and goals. When it comes to our public and private institutions, we need to become informed and involved. The enemies of Judeo-Christian values, those who accept anything and condemn nothing, are very active.

Voting is part of being a U.S. citizen. But it is going to take more than voting and political action. What is it going to take? Regardless of election outcome, it is going to take prayer. Those of us who want God’s best for our Nation, for our family, friends, and children’s children, realize there are perilous problems. Still, America remains the land of opportunity. But for how long? It is up to us to preserve that opportunity. Our vote counts. Our voice counts. It is not too late.

Be Informed Be Involved _________ Michael E. Odell

If your beliefs and vote are not for sale and you wish to help initiate right change in both our public and private institutions, go to Blog Archive May 11, 2008 "But What Can I Do?"