Posted by
peripheral on Friday, December 12, 2008 7:09:26 AM
From My Perspective - - -
Many years ago, Will Rogers wryly stated: “This Congress is the best money can buy!” Another thought was: “Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for.” Little could he have known that less than a century later, an appointment for the US Senate could be purchased for $1 million dollars. The Governor of Illinois
has raised this potential to a new high. Today’s News reports: “The
criminal complaint against Blagojevich indicates the governor and his
brother discussed picking (Jesse) Jackson, Jr. over other candidates
for the post because a Jackson
"emissary" promised at least $1 million in campaign contributions in
exchange…” In all of this, those who are innocent of any participation
in this scheme will be maligned via "the guilt by association”
conclusions.
In the US
Senate yesterday, Irresponsibility rose to another level of
Incomprehensibility. When the Auto-Makers Bailout request was losing
the vote, the Late News Report was: “It’s over with,” the Senate
Majority Leader, Harry Reid of Nevada,
said on the Senate floor, after it was clear that a deal could not be
reached. “I dread looking at Wall Street tomorrow. It’s not going to be
a pleasant sight.” Mr. Reid added: “This is going to be a very, very
bad Christmas for a lot of people as a result of what takes place here
tonight.” Another news report references another Senator: “In an interview following a December 10th press conference
where he and four other senators aired their opposition to the proposed
bailout deal struck by congressional leaders and the White House (and
approved by the U.S. House of Representatives 237-170
that evening), Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., warned that the perception that
some industries are being bailed out and some aren’t could lead to
violence. We’re
going to have riots. There are already people rioting because they’re
losing their jobs when everybody else is being bailed out. The fairness
of it becomes more and more evident as we go along. The auto companies
may be hurting,” he said, but “there are very few companies that aren’t
hurting and they’re going to hurt. We don’t have enough money to bail
everyone out.”
These two comments by U.S.
Senators: (1) The Stock Market will plummet tomorrow and “It’s not
going to be a pleasant sight"; and (2) Violence and Rioting will result
if “the perception that some industries are being bailed out and some
aren’t…” It would be well if these men would concentrate on governing
and stay away from the Crystal Ball and exercising with a Prophetic
License that is faulty at best. So many political people are deeply
indebted to Supporters and Influential Constituents and/or Lobbyists,
that the Government of the people, for the people, and by the people is
becoming a Historical Footnote rather than the actual practice. The
overwhelming numbers of Taxpayers are against all of these Bailouts –
but – the Congress ignores them while they claim to be doing “The
People’s Business”! It’s difficult to Pray For this political bunch who
are Preying Upon the electorate who entrusted them with honest and
frugal governing. They have become Irresponsibly Yours!
Consider
these things with me - - - Christian Stewardship requires Financial
Responsibility. In Matthew 22:21, Jesus stated: "Give to Caesar what is
Caesar's, and to God what is God's." In like manner, the Jesus also
taught in Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on
earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and
steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven...For where your
treasure is, there your heart will be also.” In Philippians 4:6, we are
instructed – “Be anxious for
nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God…” In I Timothy 6:6-8 we learn, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For
we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that…” Even
though we live in uncertain times and the economy concerns many, God is
Always Faithful to His own. Perhaps we have been trying to go it alone
for so long that God is giving us a wake-up call – a new opportunity
and/or beginning – to walk by faith and not by sight! To Trust Him
alone and always! Don’t lean upon the temporary or look to it for
relief – Lean on the Everlasting Arms and find refuge, comfort and
provision from the God Who loves and cares.