Posted by
peripheral on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 7:42:19 AM
From My Perspective - - -
The
times in which we live are serious and uncertain. A brief glimpse of
the current news is merely a microcosm of what is occurring throughout
our world. North Korea and Iran with their nuclear ambitions; Pirates
off the coast of Somalia and their ongoing seizure of unarmed merchant
vessels for financial gain; the declaration of Israel to Iran to Stop
Nuclear development or they will be stopped; Wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan (escalating into Pakistan); Growing Unemployment and Tax
Frustration in the United States (Tea Party Meetings Across the United
States set for April 15th) – these events don’t even begin to scratch
the surface of human needs and fears.
While we can take great
pride in the recent accomplishment of the US Navy Seals off the coast
of Somalia, it does serve to underscore some of what could be
accomplished if our military was permitted to do what it is trained and
capable of doing. A favorite video series is Horatio Hornblower, a
fictional British Naval Officer who was – undaunted by the challenges;
unstoppable by overwhelming odds; with flamboyant swagger and courage;
able to manage the unmanageable; a leader who was followed; etc. One
cannot help but reflect on what could be done with such a person in
reality today. Our Navy Seals exhibited that kind of ability and
determination. They will be unknown as they move on to their next task
and achievement.
Government usually does not have the training
or expertise in terms of military strategy and mission accomplishment.
Different pundits have shared some thoughts regarding government
over the years - -
- In
my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a
shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a Congress. -- John Adams
- If you don't read the newspaper, you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper, you are misinformed. – - Mark Twain
- I
contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like
a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.
-- Winston Churchill
While these comments are intended as “humor”, there is an element of pithiness and truth to some of what was spoken and written.
Consider
these things with me - - - Tomorrow taxes for 2008 are due and payable.
In lieu of the recent increased funding for Banks and Businesses by the
Federal Government, a form of Tax Revolt is occurring across our
nation. Tea Party events are scheduled. The frame of reference is the
historic Boston Tea Party. This was a direct action protest by
colonists in Boston, against the British government. On December 16,
1773, after officials in Boston refused to return three shiploads of
taxed tea to Britain, a group of colonists boarded the ships and
destroyed the tea by throwing it into Boston Harbor. Protest is legal
but we need to be reminded of our obligation to pay our taxes in a timely
manner.
When Jesus was asked about taxes “Tell us, then, what you
think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” Jesus replied
(Matthew 22:17-21), “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me
the coin for the tax. And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said
to them, Whose likeness and inscription is this? They said, Caesar's.
Then he said to them…render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and
to God the things that are God's.” When demand was made for Jesus to
pay the Temple Tax, we read in Matthew 17:24-27 how provision was made
to do so – “When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple
tax went up to Peter and said, Does your teacher not pay the tax? He
said, Yes. And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first,
saying, What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take
toll or tax? From their sons or from others? And when he said, From
others, Jesus said to him, Then the sons are free. However, not to give
offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish
that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a coin. Take
that and give it to them for me and for yourself.” Our duty is to do
and be honest in the sight of all. For 2009, establish a Personal
Budget that plans for Taxes, Tithing and Saving. It can and must be
done. A starting point is to Eliminate Credit Purchases and to be
frugal.