Posted by
peripheral on Monday, August 10, 2009 6:05:07 AM
From My Perspective - - -
The challenges, events, massive legislation, financial upheaval,
spending programs of Congress, frustration, inability to gain audience
or redress, ridicule and demeaning verbiage for those who protest, loss
of civility, a total lack of consideration for “We The People…”,
incredibly increasing national debt, international power ploys and
posturing, an “Enemy’s List” (those who make “fishy” statements about
the current administration, government, programs), a fabricated rush
to enact various Bills of Congress that very few have read or
understood, a growing polarization in the nation – the List could be
longer and more overwhelming – but all of this is being done “for the
American people”!
There were more deliberate and reasonable times in America. The year –
1963. The President – John F. Kennedy. The Minority Report for August
9, 2009 indicates some of the thinking of this charismatic leader who
raised the hopes of the citizenry by challenging them: “Ask not what
your country can do for you – Ask what you can do for your country.” In
an effort to adjust fiscal fairness and to stimulate the economy, John
F. Kennedy stated: "A tax cut means higher family income and higher
business profits and a balanced federal budget. Every taxpayer and his
family will have more money left over after taxes for a new car, a new
home, new conveniences, education and investment. Every businessman can
keep a higher percentage of his profits in his cash register or put it
to work expanding or improving his business, and as the national income
grows, the federal government will ultimately end up with more
revenues." In his tax message to Congress in 1963, Kennedy asked that
the top income tax rate be brought down from 91% to 65%. His goal was
to reduce all statutory income tax rates by about 30%, including a
reduction in the bottom tax rate from 20% to 14%. He allowed in January
1963: "Lower rates of taxation will stimulate economic activity and so
raise the levels of personal and corporate income as to yield within a
few years an increased – not a reduced – flow of revenues to the
federal government…: In September 1963, he addressed the nation and
said: “Our tax system still siphons out of the private economy too
large a share of personal and business purchasing power and reduces the
incentive for risk, investment and effort – thereby aborting our
recoveries and stifling our national growth rate…"
In I Kings 12:3-7, a change in government had occurred and a hopeful
moment presented itself: “Jeroboam…and the whole assembly of Israel
went to Rehoboam and said to him: Your father put a heavy yoke on us,
but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we
will serve you." Rehoboam answered, "Go away for three days and then
come back to me." Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had
served his father Solomon during his lifetime. "How would you advise me
to answer these people?" he asked. They replied, "If today you will be
a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable
answer, they will always be your servants." In other words, lighten
their load of forced labor and heavy taxation.
However, Verse 8 states: “Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave
him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were
serving him…” So the King chose to ignore the opportunity to bring
reasonable “change” or to grant “hope” for the oppressed and
disenfranchised. Instead, he followed the counsel of his generation
(the group with a Chicago-type political instinct and mentality, and
A.C.O.R.N. skill at organizing)…” In Verses 10-11: The young replied,
"Tell these people who have said to you, 'Your father put a heavy yoke
on us, but make our yoke lighter'--tell them, 'My little finger is
thicker than my father's waist. My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I
will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will
scourge you with scorpions.” The rest of the Chapter is a sad
commentary regarding what occurs when compassion and wisdom is
disregarded. Rehoboam chose to surround himself with his Czars and
minions who were adept at organizing Astroturf Rallies, but who had a
flagrant disregard for the citizenry. A day of true change and valid
hope will occur. Abraham Lincoln allowed in 1859: “Let us have Faith
that Right Makes Might!” He was right! Stay Hopeful! God Is Still Able!
Consider these things with me!