We are hearing a lot of theories right now about what the government can do to avoid a recession in the United States. I also have a theory. If we grant the premise that government can fix the problem, then mustn’t we accept the conclusion that government was the problem in the first place? Any federal action which might alleviate the “crisis” now would seem to incriminate them for their failure to have taken it earlier.
One reply might be that things were too hard to predict previously. But, if so, what has suddenly made prediction so much easier? In short, it seems irrational to expect that the people who are responsible for the problem are capable of fixing it. But here’s another theory. Government can’t fix an economy because government’s only product is government.
If this is true, we would expect smart people like our country’s founders to have known so and to have deliberately not given government any economic responsibilities other than to prevent theft and coin money. After reading your copy of the Constitution, which theory do you think is correct?
TOD 01.22.08
As everyone knows by now, it’s Presidential election season, and so far it’s been absolute chaos. Rather than just two or three candidates, there are still as many as nine contenders. Each one touts his accomplishments and lays out his new proposals, but I have a simple question I’d like to see each one asked: “Can you please name me five things not specified in the Bill of Rights that you think government has no authority to do?”
I want this because, except for Ron Paul (whom I do not support), most all of the candidates believe that the federal government can do anything that people think is a good idea. In contrast, our Constitution actually says that the government can only do what it has strictly been given the power to do by enumeration. Everything else is off limits, such as health care, education, stem cell research, etc.
I say etc. because the whole point of the Constitution was that everything not specifically listed was an “off-limits etc.” And my real question is whether any of our viable potential Presidents still believe this.
I want this because, except for Ron Paul (whom I do not support), most all of the candidates believe that the federal government can do anything that people think is a good idea. In contrast, our Constitution actually says that the government can only do what it has strictly been given the power to do by enumeration. Everything else is off limits, such as health care, education, stem cell research, etc.
I say etc. because the whole point of the Constitution was that everything not specifically listed was an “off-limits etc.” And my real question is whether any of our viable potential Presidents still believe this.
TOD 01.21.08
Questions God probably will not ask us on Judgment Day:
~Did you keep your car clean enough?
~Did you point out enough people’s flaws to them?
~Did you wear the correct brand of clothing?
~Did you go out to eat at enough nice restaurants?
~Did you despise the appropriate people strongly enough?
~Were your vacations fully relaxing?
~Did you spend enough hours surfing the web?
~Did you read the newspaper every day?
~Were you adamant enough in your opinions?
~Did you know all the words to enough Top 40 songs?
~Did you watch enough television?
~Did you know enough about American celebrities?
Although none of these things are inherently wrong, the embarrassing truth for most of us is that we can answer yes to many or all of these questions. I just worry this will end up the same as being fully prepared to pass an English test, but discovering that we’re actually in Geometry class.
TOD 01.18.08
I find myself being affected by who I listen to on the radio. Now, obviously, the issues and ideas presented by the person directly impact my thinking, but that’s not what I’m talking about. I mean that the tone of the show also has an impact on my demeanor. If the host is gentle, I find myself being more calm. If the host is mocking, I find myself feeling sarcastic. And if the host is quarrelsome, I find myself being more agitated.
We’ve had an abundance of commentators lamenting the evils of sexuality in media, but precious few have observed that anger seems to be at least as common a sales pitch as lust. Just like with lust, the appeal of anger is powerful and contaminating. As Proverbs 22:24-25 says, “Do not associate with a man given to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man, lest you learn his ways, and find a snare for yourself.”
In other words, beware entertainers who sell anger. Their information may not be worth the cost.
We’ve had an abundance of commentators lamenting the evils of sexuality in media, but precious few have observed that anger seems to be at least as common a sales pitch as lust. Just like with lust, the appeal of anger is powerful and contaminating. As Proverbs 22:24-25 says, “Do not associate with a man given to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man, lest you learn his ways, and find a snare for yourself.”
In other words, beware entertainers who sell anger. Their information may not be worth the cost.
TOD 01.17.08
Although we hadn’t watched The Apprentice in a while, we’ve recently been intrigued again by the celebrity version. One of the expressions that gets used a lot on that show (and elsewhere) is, “It’s not personal. It’s just business.”
Of course, no one says this when he’s done something wonderful and loving for another person. It is said exclusively when people are mean or harsh with each other, as in, “You’re completely incompetent, and you made terrible decisions. It’s inconceivable that you actually earned an MBA. You’re fired. But don’t take it personally. It’s just business.” In other words, it’s okay to treat people badly so long as there is a profit to be had, since that’s the nature of business.
Jesus taught a very different notion. He said that we should use money to make friends (Luke 16:9). To Jesus, money is a tool for helping people and building relationships. To Donald Trump, people are a tool for making money. Since these would seem to be incompatible viewpoints, the important question is whether you’ll choose to be “the Donald’s” apprentice or the Lord’s.
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