The Sisters Wade :: Clever. Chic. Conservative.

Dumb and Dumber

2010-04-06T00:29:00.003-04:00

If you haven't seen these videos yet, get ready to enjoy a couple of the dumbest moments in recent political history... although its not that uncommon these days.

1. Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) and his take on the U.S. Constitution

2. Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA) and his fear of Guam "tipping over"

A Sad Day in American History

2010-03-21T23:31:00.003-04:00

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." -- Thomas Jefferson

I fear we have failed our founders and our freedom...

Stop Obamacare

2010-03-17T12:26:00.004-04:00

It's getting down to the nitty gritty on this health care vote. I cannot even begin to describe how against this thing I am. The more I hear about it, the more I hate it... seriously. I don't know if there's any turning back if this thing is passed. I see it only getting larger, more wasteful and more out of control. Has the government been able to manage or run anything well that's out of its God-given jurisdiction (i.e.: public school system, social security, medicare)? They always turn in corrupt, wasteful, under-performing performances. Why would we think that health care would be any different?

I don't have time to give a breakdown of all the reasons I'm against this bill. (You can read some of our earlier thoughts on the matter). But if you're with me in opposing this, now is the time to act. I don't know if it will do any good or if they're even listening, but call Congress and let your voice be heard.

Here is a link to a list of 30 swing congressmen and their phone numbers. The vote could be as early as Friday or Saturday. Call now! (If you have trouble viewing the link, go to www.dickmorris.com and find the list from there).

On Tebow and Tolerance

2010-01-27T15:22:00.003-05:00

Apparently it is now divisive to share your personal story. I love when the so-called "tolerant" left cannot tolerate another point of view. Here's a link to an article detailing a potential Super Bowl ad that has the left in a tizzy... it concerns Tim Tebow, his mom and their story.

By the way, GO COLTS!

WHY?

2009-11-12T10:30:00.003-05:00

Why did Barney Frank (D-Mass Congressman) tell police he would not recognize marijuana because he is “not a great outdoorsman” when his boyfriend was arrested for possession of said drug with Frank present? Why do the people of Massachusetts keep electing this guy? There are so many things wrong with this story.

Why are states that have the highest tax rates (like New York, New Jersey, California) also the closest to going bankrupt? Why are we as tax payers continually asked to pay more taxes when our government officials clearly can’t spend within a budget and are down right incompetent in handling our money? Why do some Americans have to pay upwards of 60-70% of their income in various state, local, and federal taxes? It’s just absurd people.

Why did former President Clinton refer to health care reform as a “big, complicated, organic thing” when urging Senators to move forward on it? I don’t want a “big, complicated, organic thing” in charge of my health care or that large a portion of the economy.

Why did Nancy Pelosi refer to the health care bill as a “Christmas gift” for all Americans? Um, hello, we’re paying for it… that in itself disqualifies it as a “gift”. Not to mention, that it's a $1 trillion present I’d like to “re-gift” to someone else.

And why am I, as a proponent of small government and a tea party protestor, referred to as an “extremist” while Nidal Malik Hasan is not?

Why, people, why?

From the Horse's Mouth

2009-10-18T22:46:00.002-04:00

Below is a video sent to me by a doctor friend of mine. It deals with some key questions in the health care debate... answers from physicians themselves. Enjoy and pass it along.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0H1Uk-5oOI

ACORN

2009-09-17T19:32:00.003-04:00

Have you been following the ACORN story?

Simply ridiculous. Tax payer money should not be going to this organization. If you haven't seen some of the undercover videos released recently, this following clip will give you a good summary. Not to toot Bill's horn two posts in a row, but his talking points memo on the ACORN scandal is spot on and a good overview of the entire story. So here ya go...

Obama-care: Straight Talk

2009-09-13T16:57:00.014-04:00

The healthcare debate rages on in our country, and it's hard to get your hands on any cold hard facts. Obama himself gave a speech September 9th to a joint session of Congress, and though I watched it in its entirety, I still came away with lots of questions and unanswered concerns. Obama made a lot of good promises, and aside from the fact that I disagree with him ideologically, common sense still caused me to question many of his claims. For instance, he maintained that most of this bill would be paid for by cutting waste and fraud from already established government programs.

Two questions: If such waste and fraud can be eliminated, why hasn't it already been done? And I'm sorry, but if government-run programs currently have lots of waste and fraud, how are we to believe that a new healthcare bureaucracy overseeing 1/6th of our economy would have any less waste or fraud? To me, such a bill just opens the door for more government negligence.

Below is a clip of Bill O'Reilly's talking points memo the night after Obama's speech. It's only a couple minutes long and a good look at some actual numbers involved in making Obama-care a reality... a few hard to find facts. What do you think? Can our country sustain such numbers? Is it even constitutional?

Bumper Sticker

2009-08-08T19:05:00.006-04:00

I saw a great bumper sticker today:

"Stay free. Govern yourself."

Well said.

It got me thinking about self-government and its relationship to external government. The amount of external government a people need is directly related to the amount of self-government that same people possess. And its a double-edge sword. The more external government imposed on a people, the less their need to govern themselves, and therefore a dependency is created by which more and more external control is needed. Freedom is awarded to and kept by those who have learned to govern themselves.

Think about it.

If we would govern our own finances, we wouldn't have need for government bailouts.
If we would govern our own bodies, we wouldn't have need for government welfare to support our illegitimate children.
If we took more responsibility for our own lives and futures, there'd be a lot fewer laws on the books.

Our country is headed in the wrong direction on this spectrum. So "stay free, govern yourself." And help others learn to do the same.

Obama-care, cont'd

2009-07-30T22:30:00.006-04:00

Yet another alarming fact about Obama's proposed health care plan...

Senior citizens would be required, every five years, to have an "end of life" consultation, at which time it will be determined if society is better served by not keeping said persons alive. Like we've pointed out before, government-funded health care is simply not financially viable. So you have to cut costs somewhere, right? If the cost of keeping someone alive is too high, then society would be better off without them. You. Have. Got. To. Be. Kidding. Me.

So, according to Obama, we don't really know when life begins, but now we're presuming to know when it should end. Or better yet, the government will decide for us when our life is no longer serving the greater good of society. They get to decide who does and does not get the medical care they need. You better hope you don't need a medical procedure--even one you'd be willing to pay for--that your government deems not necessary or cost-effective.

I don't think I need to draw all the conclusions of how scary this would be. In the words of Thomas Jefferson, "A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have."...including, apparently, your life.

This one's so shocking to me, I still have a hard time believing it's true. I mean, do we live in Nazi Germany or the Untied States of America???

Obama-care

2009-07-28T23:17:00.003-04:00

Here is the link to an informative article from CNNMoney about Obama's health care plan--"5 Freedoms You'd Lose in Health Care Reform." It does a good job summarizing a few of the ways this proposed legislation would look practically and what it would mean for the average American.

Just So You Know...

2009-07-21T14:46:00.004-04:00

Obama's new healthcare legislation currently includes mandatory coverage for abortions in both government and private insurance plans. The implications of such legislation are vast and alarming. For one, you would in essence be paying for abortions. For two, private insurance companies who choose not to make abortion a mandatory benefit would be discriminated against. If you don't want abortion to be a mandatory health benefit in our country, click here to sign your name to a petition created by the American Center for Law and Justice, asking congress to remove abortion services form mandatory insurance coverage in any legislation passed.

Michael

2009-07-07T21:03:00.014-04:00

Okay, though I risk cultural suicide, I must say that I DO NOT UNDERSTAND the Michael Jackson hysteria.

Disclaimer: I understand that he was extremely talented (fighting the urge to ask, "so what?"). I understand that he accomplished a lot in the arts and entertainment world. I understand that he bridged the gap in a racially divided industry. And heck, I'm a huge Motown fan... c'mon Jackson 5.

However, I do not understand the fawning over a dead MAN. That's it... he's just a man. And a very tormented, misguided man at that. I don't care how much you like or were influenced by his music... what did he really ever do for you? What was worth the pure idol worship going on today? (Especially from those, like myself, who would call themselves Christians.) Where was the eternal perspective in all of the hoopla? I think the lack thereof is what bothered me the most.

I checked my facebook twice today and was assaulted by MJ memorial play-by-play... seriously people?

I didn't catch much of the news coverage (honestly, I had no interest in watching it), but the couple parts I saw were just absurd. Brooke Shields saying she knew Michael was "perched somewhere in a crescent moon..."? Smokey Robinson saying that Jackson would "live on and on and on and on" and everyone cheering obsessively? From someone who believes in the eternal, I would say, yes, MJ is living on and on and on... possibly in eternal torment. What is worth cheering about that? Let's hope he met His Creator (the one who gave him all his talent) on this side of eternity.

In all the news coverage, one image kept coming to my mind: the statue Jackson had of himself on the cover of his "History" album. We really are not that immortal, are we? There is only one King and Michael is not him. All the fame and fortune and talent and fanfare got him where? Dead at 50 from a probable drug overdose? I am reminded of the Scripture that says, "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" (Mark 8:36)

And that really is a reminder to those of us still living (not a cut on Michael himself). We are the ones who elevate celebrities to god-like status. We are the ones who strive for god-like status ourselves. We want to turn the other way and pretend immorality is no big deal. We are the idol worshipers. At this point, God is the only person who knows the condition of Michael's eternal soul, but what does this say about the soul of America?

Ok, let's talk healthcare...

2009-07-01T15:37:00.005-04:00

I've been meaning to write a post pertaining to the issue of healthcare for a while, and due to some issues raised by my sister's last post, I decided to go on and do it. I by no means consider myself an expert in the field, so I'm mostly curious to hear your opinion in regard to healthcare--does our current system in America work, and if not, what can be done to fix it?

I personally think healthcare in America needs some major revamping. My husband is a small business owner, so we have to buy our own health insurance--I know firsthand that it is ridiculously unaffordable for the average American who doesn't have this benefit through their job.

In most business transactions, there are two parties involved--the party providing a product or service and the party consuming that product or service. Why in healthcare is there a third party--the insurance company--making a killing off my healthcare? Does this not drive costs way up? Because the insurance company foots the bill, doctors can pretty much charge whatever they want--it eliminates alot of the competition that makes other sectors of our economy work.

And does it not make the consumer much less conscientious in regards to their healthcare? If all I pay is a $20 co-pay when I go to the doctor, I don't really care how many unnecessary things they do--I'm not paying for it. When I recently had a baby, I didn't care how many doctors charged hundreds of dollars to stop by my room and basically do nothing more than tell me how cute my baby was. But because we recently switched our insurance to an HSA, you better believe I'm now an extremely conscientious shopper when it comes to medical care. I've started calling around to pediatricians to find out how much it will cost to bring my child in for a well baby checkup, and do you know what? They can't tell me! They have absolutely no accountability to the customer, because they just bill the insurance company. Now, before anyone does anything to a member of my family at the doctor, I want to know what they're doing, why they're doing it, and how much it will cost. They look at me like I'm crazy. This system is crazy!

I mean, think about the implications in any other business transaction. Let's take grocery shopping for example. If I walked into the grocery store, paid a $20 co-pay, and was then able to get whatever I want with a third party footing the bill, I'd have a hay day! No more looking for good deals. No more comparing prices. No more off-brands for me! Heck, the store wouldn't even need to bother posting prices. Who cares? It seems ridiculous when you look at it in this light, so why do we take this system for granted when it comes to healthcare?

In my opinion, costs would go down if we gave individuals more responsibility for their own healthcare, and medical providers more responsibility for offering good services at competitive prices...not to mention eliminating third party profits.

So why not government funded, universal healthcare? In some ways, I wish I could make myself believe that it was a just and efficacious system. It certainly seems like it would make things easier on me personally to not have to pay for or worry about my own healthcare. But I just don't think it's right, and I just don't think it works.

When I think about someone else paying for my healthcare, I selfishly think it's a great idea. But when I watch my husband's company pay thousands of dollars in taxes to fund current medicare programs, I think "hey! that's the money I was gonna use to feed my kids with this month!" We have a hard enough time now running a business that provides us and others with a livelihood--I honestly don't know if we could do it if Obama increases our taxes as much as he would have to to fund his proposed healthcare plan. So in that sense, I would definitely rather pay for my own healthcare than watch the government tax my husband out of a job. We wouldn't be able to eat or have a roof over our heads, but hey, we'd have free healthcare!

And, as my sister pointed out in a recent comment, it's not right for those who live a healthy lifestyle (don't smoke or do drugs, don't drink excessively, don't have sex with multiple partners resulting in STD's, don't have abortions, eat healthy and exercise, etc.), to pay the medical costs of those who make different choices.

And I'm not even going to take time to touch on the fact that from everything I've read or studied, it is simply not sustainable long-term for the government to pay for universal healthcare, even if it were a good idea.

That being said, I know it's an extremely complex, not cut-and-dry issue. I know there are times when people need life-saving treatments and can't afford them. And I don't know what the solution is. What do you think?

One Question...

2009-06-30T14:41:00.005-04:00

With the onset and expansion of so many new government programs and spending (new cap and trade bill, universal healthcare, etc.), I find myself wanting to ask Obama one question. If I could be in a room with him face to face, here's what I'd want to know:

Are you stupid (completely ignorant of history and even present day examples of socialistic failure)? OR Do you genuinely believe that you can do it better than anyone who's preceded you, that these policies will work because you have a new and better way than the thousands who've tried for utopia before you? OR Are you simply power hungry and deliberately deceiving people so that you can make them dependent on you and enslaved forever?

It has to be one of those options, right? I know he's not stupid. So what do you think motivates Obama and other liberals?

For your viewing enjoyment!

2009-06-10T10:59:00.003-04:00

These are 2 conservative students from Dartmouth College.... delivering their message in a very entertaining way. I saw them on Fox News this morning. Enjoy!

Young Con Anthem

Obama's Supreme Court Nominee

2009-05-27T16:33:00.003-04:00

Yesterday President Obama nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor to replace Justice David Souter on the United States Supreme Court. I'm more than a little troubled by this nomination. We seem to have lost sight of the job description of the Supreme Court. The Court's job is not to legislate, or make law, but to apply the law in different situations. Judge Sotomayor, however, has a history of saying things such as, "...the court of appeals is where policy is made." W-w-what?? This is the complete antithesis of the role of judges and courts. Judges must strive to be completely impartial, laying aside all personal agendas, and simply interpret the laws that are already in existence. Now I realize our country has come a LONG way from this, but how have we come so far that our President would choose someone who has such a bold-faced misunderstanding of their job description? Would you hire someone to work for your company who was under the impression that their role in working for you was the opposite of what it actually was? I think not.

Obama's self-proclaimed goal in his nomination was to find a judge who had empathy. Excuse me? Empathy is a wonderful thing, but it has no place on the bench. As already stated, a judge is to be impartial, administering justice according to the law, not operating out of their feelings and personal sentiments. Obama thought Judge Sotomayor would be a perfect candidate for a Supreme Court Justice, because her background would cause her to be empathetic. Well then make her a social worker, don't put her on the Supreme Court.

We need judges who will uphold the Constitution and the rule of law. Let's hope the Senate will do their job in exploring this candidate's judicial philosophy during the confirmation hearings.

In other news, please excuse my long absence from the blogging world. I've been busy birthing my second baby and enjoying life as a wife and mother of two.

Jon & Kate

2009-05-26T17:08:00.004-04:00

"Jon & Kate, Plus 8" is a popular reality show on TLC that follows a couple who has both twins and sextuplets. There's been lots of recent chatter about their marriage and possible divorce. My friend Clayton has an excellent post on the matter and on relationships in general.

Read it here.

I was watching Sesame Street...

2009-05-14T09:15:00.003-04:00

with my 2 yr old this morning. Oscar and fellow grouches were running a news station when one of them proceeded to comment: "Maybe I'll start watching the Fox News Network. Now there's a TRASHY news program."

Unbelievable. It starts so young.

A Break from the Norm

2009-05-08T21:33:00.021-04:00

Game Time!

So this game has been making the rounds, and I thought I'd get in on the fun. It's in no way political, but perhaps it can pass under the scope of this blog in a pop culture sort of way. Here's how you play:

Step 1: Put music player on shuffle
Step 2: Post lyrics from the first 30 songs, no matter what they are
Step 3: Strike out the songs when someone guesses both artist and track correctly (I'm gonna have to change their color cause I can't figure out how to cross them off)

So your job is to guess the title and artist of each song from the list below. You can leave your guesses in the comment section. You don't have to know every one. Just guess on the lyrics that you recognize. Whoever gets the most correctly is the winner. Don’t use Google (or any other search engine, for that matter) – that’s cheating! Only guess if you know the answer off the top of your head. Happy guessing!

1. Why is that smile upon your face when it's such a rainy day? Why are you so happy? What do you know that I don't know? I wish I did but I ain't been told...

2. I guess it's cause and effect, your heart and mine. The way that we connect keeps blowing my mind.

3. Tell me I should not be feeling what I am today. Tell me to silence my heart. Tell me we've been here before and I will walk away from your love.

4. Hold me Light of the World. And love me, say you love me. And I will be free.

5. We stay above average stay killin' these tracks yo. I stay off in the country but stay city with that so. Stay keeping y'all guessin', stay in higher demand. Stay true to who I'm reppin' steady movin' ahead. (Grits, but still waiting on title.)

6. Way on down to southern Alabama with the guitars jammin', that's where we're headed. Me & My Gang - Rascal Flatts (Casey)

7. The wind is gone. Asleep at dawn. The embers burn on.

8. When we pray, we believe we receive what we ask in His Name. All things are possible. Prayers of the Righteous - Israel & New Breed (Katie)

9. Holy, holy are You Lord. The whole earth is filled with your glory. Let the nations rise to give honor and praise to Your Name.

10. Ain't it great not a moment too late. And I been waitin' for this all my life. Ain't it swell like a sweet southern belle. And I can finally see why I'm alive.

11. I confess my hope in the light of Your salvation. Where I lose myself, I will find You're all I need.

12. Everybody ain't trynna be tough and violent matter of fact I know some cats from the hood play the violin. Good in the Hood - Tye Tribbett (Katie)

13. You were my sun. You were my earth. You didn't know all the ways I loved you... no. Cry Me a River - Justin Timberlake (Casey)

14. I ain't got time to think about money or what it can buy. And I ain't got time to sit down and wonder what makes a birdie fly.

15. Is it fair to say I was lured away? By endless distractions and lovelier attractions then. Or fairer still my own free will is the better one to blame for this familiar mess I've made again. Mercies New - Nichole Nordeman (Jen)

16. I've heard it said that a man would climb a mountain just to be with the one he loves. How many times has he broken that promise? It has never been done. Love Song - Third Day (Nancy and Jen)

17. I hear a cry goin' out in the middle of the night. Under the scatter of the stars from a voice cracked with fright. And as the tears stripe cheeks from pain runnin' south. The taste of salt hits the corner of her mouth.

18. Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above. Praise the mount, I'm fixed upon it, Mount of Thy unchanging love. Come Thou Fount - Sufjan Stevens (Jen)

19. I didn't deserve Your grace. I didn't deserve Your mercy. But still You took my place because You loved me. I Live, I Breathe - Arize Live (Jen)

20. She's sun and rain. She's fire and ice. A little crazy but it's nice. And when she gets mad you best leave her alone... She's Every Woman - Garth Brooks (Casey)

21. For unto us, a Savior came. Amazing grace that takes the weight.

22. Now you say! Everytime you need some affection. The one you love goes in another direction. You just sit back in a daze reminiscing. Cause you know some other lips he's been kissing.

23. You remember me, before I learned to run. At the kissing tree, before I learned my guns. I am Still Running - Jon Foreman (Casey)

24. Girl, when we started, Baby, we were friends. But that's not how this fairy tale is gonna end. See I was thinkin then it clicked one day. That no one else has ever made me feel this way.

25. So you're gone, but I know you're not so far away. You're a call on the phone or a ride on a plane. But that just isn't the same.

26. Oh, my soul, sometimes we don't know what to do. We work so hard at being tough on our own. But now it's me and you.

27. I'm searching for the words to make you realize that I really, really want you to stay. Tears of frustration I hold inside, but if you walk away, you'll make this grown man cry.

28. You are more beautiful than anyone ever. Everyday, you're the same. You never change, no never. No One Like You - Barlow Girl (Jen)

29. From the moment that we met, my world was turned around, upside down. To some degree I still regret, my memory for keepin' you around.

30. When you see me workin' all night long, workin' till my stress is gone. It's for you, oh listen dear. I finally realize that it's all for you.

Well there you have it! Enjoy guessing. (And I did skip a couple songs that came up in the first 30... I do have a 2 year old and didn't think it'd be much of an exercise in mental prowess to guess "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands" and other such toddleress wonders.) :)

"Take that, Janeane!"

2009-04-27T15:48:00.004-04:00

"24" and Politics

2009-04-24T11:41:00.004-04:00

I am, for the most part, a fan of the show "24" (minus a few boo-boo seasons). But I have been watching and enjoying it this year... that is until recently.

(Disclaimer: a slight spoiler is ahead, so if you are behind in the show, proceed at your own discretion.)

A couple things are beginning to irk me:

The incessant "Go Green" commercials interspersed throughout the show, using the actors themselves to promote the supposed global warming theory. They really screwed up last week when the now evil Tony gave his "go green" spiel in the middle of his double crossing... big boo. That did nothing to help the "green" cause.

Check out this clip from "24's" new "Chloe", played by Janeane Garofalo. It's her obscene take on the Tea Parties (MSNBC allowing such comments is a whole other thing). You really only have to listen to the first 40secs to get the gist.

Actors should keep their mouths shut when it comes to politics. It would help their careers.

"Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue." Proverbs 17:28

Are You Going to the Tea Party?

2009-04-01T14:20:00.005-04:00

There is a grassroots conservative movement organizing "tax day tea parties" around the nation for this upcoming April 15th. If you are an advocate of the free-market system and want to protest the out of control government spending, then make sure you attend your local TEA PARTY. Click here to see the official Tax Day Tea Party website and find out what's happening in your town on April 15th.

Spread the word to friends and family and join thousands on April 15th to let your voice be heard!

(For those of you who slept through history class, the "tea party" reference alludes to the original Boston Tea Party of 1773, an historic event marking the road to the American Revolution in which Bostonian colonists dumped British tea into the Boston Harbor as a protest against unlawful taxation.)

Sneaky Despotism

2009-03-24T16:44:00.005-04:00

This is an excerpt from Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America... so telling and so timely. (Thanks to Hannah for the passage):

It seems that if despotism came to be established in the democratic nations of our day, it would have other characteristics: it would be more extensive and milder, and it would degrade men without tormenting them.

When I think of the small passions of men of our day, the softness of their mores, the extent of their enlightenment, the purity of their religion, the mildness of their morality, their laborious and steady habits, the restraint that almost all preserve in vice as in virtue, I do not fear that in their chiefs they will find tyrants, but rather schoolmasters.

I want to imagine with what new features despotism could be produced in the world: I see an innumerable crowd of like and equal men who revolve on themselves without repose, procuring the small and vulgar pleasures with which they fill their souls.

Above these an immense tutelary power is elevated, which alone takes charge of assuring their enjoyments and watching over their fate. It is absolute, detailed, regular, far-seeing, and mild. It would resemble paternal power if, like that, it had for its object to prepare men for manhood; but on the contrary, it seeks only to keep them fixed irrevocably in childhood; it likes citizens to enjoy themselves provided that they think only of enjoying themselves. It willingly works for their happiness; but it wants to be the unique agent and sole arbiter of that; it provides for their security, foresees and secures their needs, facilitates their pleasures, conducts their principal affairs, directs their industry, regulates their estates, divides their inheritances; can it not take away from them entirely the trouble of thinking and the pain of living?

So it is that every day it renders the employment of free will less useful and more rare; it confines the action of the will in a smaller space and little by little steals the very use of it from each citizen. .

Thus, after taking each individual by turns in its powerful hands and kneading him as it likes, the sovereign extends its arms over society as a whole; it covers its surface with a network of small, complicated, painstaking, uniform rules through which the most original minds and the most vigorous souls cannot clear a way to surpass the crowd; it does not break wills but it softens them, bends them, and directs them; it rarely forces one to act, but it constantly opposes itself to one's acting; it does not destroy, it prevents things from being born; it does not tyrannize, it hinders, compromises, enervates, extinguishes, dazes, and finally reduces each nation to being nothing more than a herd of timid and industrious animals of which government is the shepherd..

I have always believed that this sort of regulated, mild, and peaceful servitude, whose picture I have just painted, could be combined better than one imagines with some of the external forms of freedom, and that it would not be impossible for it to be established in the very shadow of the sovereignty of the people.

--Alexis de Tocqueville

From Democracy in America, volume two, part four, chapter six: "What Kind of Despotism Democratic Nations Have to Fear" (translated by Harvey C. Mansfield and Delba Winthrop)

Are we awake, America... Or are we "procuring the small and vulgar pleasures with which [we] fill [our] souls"?

Communism 101

2009-03-05T12:34:00.007-05:00

Every so often I take my son to "story time" at the library. It's for kids under 3... basically babies. Every week we sing "The More We Get Together":

The more we get together
together
together
The more we get together
the happier we'll be

For my books are your books
And your books are my books

The more we get together the happier we'll be

Now I'm all for sharing. But I'm also all for private property. Something about this song irks me. I call it Commie 101.

A Picture Worth 1000 Words

2009-03-01T21:52:00.007-05:00

The caption says: "The Mall after Obama's followers listened to him talk about the new era of personal responsibility."

(Thanks again Aunt Sandy!)

Tidbits...

2009-02-04T14:05:00.013-05:00

Congratulations to Michael Steele who recently won the race for the new RNC chairman. He's black. He's in charge of the Republican Party. (Is that some kind of oxymoron?) I like him. A step in the right direction?... I think so. What do you think?

I still can't get over Obama's Treasury Secretary pick, Timothy Geithner. Supposedly some type of financial genius who couldn't even figure out his own taxes on Turbo Tax... And now he's in charge of the IRS... and your tax dollars. Go figure!

Came across this article in the Lexington Herald-Leader (my hometown paper)... thanks to my Aunt Sandy. :) The journalist is making some benign points about education, but ends her piece with this statement: "Parents and teachers should hang Obama's words in the classrooms of every high school in the land. At-risk students should feel a sense of obligation to and a sense of belonging to something much bigger than the drama of being a teen-ager." Good. Let's take down the 10 Commandments. Let's remove prayer and any mention of God. And instead let's put up Obama's words. Let's all pay homage to him.

And last but not least, some pithy quotes sent in by my good friend Sarah Wheeler. Thanks Sarah!

"The government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no responsibility at the other." - Ronald Reagan
"The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery." - Winston Churchill
"No man's life, liberty or property is safe while the legislature is in session." - Mark Twain
"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
"Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But then I repeat myself." - Mark Twain
"A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul." - George Bernard Shaw
"A liberal is someone who feels a great debt to his fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money." - G. Gordon Liddy
"Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys." - P.J. O'Rourke, Civil Libertarian
"Government is the great fiction through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else." - Frederic Bastiat, French Economist (1801-1850)
"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." - Ronald Reagan (1986)
"I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts." - Will Rogers
"If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free!" - P.J. O'Rourke
"In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other." - Voltaire (1764)

The Superbowl Ad that Could've Been...

2009-02-01T17:48:00.004-05:00

CatholicVote.com had an amazing ad planned for the Superbowl, but NBC rejected it. Click here to see the ad and read more about it.... trust me, you'll want to see it.

America For Sale

2009-01-28T19:59:00.007-05:00

Soooooo... another $819 BILLION of YOUR money is on its way into the hands of some government official to be used for who knows what... (alledgedly $350,000,000 of it to go to STD prevention education and so on and so on). I fear we are moving so far from our roots as a nation that we might not get back. And it's not just the Democrats. Bush opened the door for such "stimulus" plans with his failed attempt just last year.

The new stimulus package passed in the House today by a vote of 244-188. It's now on its way to the Senate.

Sometimes I wonder if lawmakers are deaf or just blinded by their own agendas... Cause there ARE some good ideas out there. Ideas that would not be mere short-term fixes creating more long-term problems, not to mention more dependence on Uncle Sam.

Below is one (a stimulus idea, that is) I came across earlier this week. What do you think? What would your solution look like?

AMERICA FOR SALE

GNP = M x V (where M is Money Supply & V is velocity of money)

"In large part, the $1 trillion stimulus package in discussion in both houses of congress right now is focused on the government’s ability to spend money and spend it as quickly as possible. The majority of our legislators understand, albeit to some small degree, that money has to change hands quickly in order to spur our economy. This is true, but they are going about it all wrong. Bureaucracies are not the nimblest of creatures. Government works projects don’t get launched in the time frame necessary to have a slowing effect on this downward spiral. By the time they begin to have an impact, everyone is pinching dollars even more than before and the net effect is nil.

The only way to reverse this slide is to empower the people at the expense of government. If every other axiom proves false, this one still rings true – Americans can sniff out a bargain. It’s time to put our country up for sale. Everything needs to be incentivized right now. Give a 20% tax credit for new machinery purchases for small businesses – but give an expiration date for this offer. Dole out employment incentives that make it an attractive time for employers to snatch up some of those people standing in unemployment lines. Offer a 4% mortgage rate for owner occupied home purchases made within the next six months – I’d personally jump out and buy. Go a step further and offer a 4.25% rate for investment properties, and I will guarantee you that this will stem the tide of foreclosures and cause property values to begin moving in the positive direction. Instead of propping up the auto industry with $25 billion in aid, give the American consumers $1500 tax rebates when they purchase American automobiles. All of these things will cause growth without creating a long term reliance on government.

The focus should not be on the money supply but rather on the velocity of money. Money has to change hands in order for growth to occur. You can run the printing presses 24/7 and our economy won’t turn around because people and banks are scared and tight-fisted. That’s why it’s possible, and quite probable, that deflation will persist in America even when the printing presses are overheating. We’re in a liquidity trap, and it will stick around a long time if we’re unable to motivate the American public to open up their wallets and spend us out of this mess.

Long term, we’re staring down profound inflationary pressures, raging deficits and a weakening dollar. Let’s not compound those long term problems with fruitless short term programs. More dollars & more debt are necessary at this point in time, but foolish programs that won’t conquer our short term problems will only pump excess money into our economy and exacerbate our long term ones. Only a year ago, we did just that by passing out refund checks. Predictably though, only 1/3 of those checks actually got spent – that’s not much bang for your buck. That’s why incentives are more powerful and much more fruitful - You actually have to spend in order to get the benefit. Right now, we don’t need promises of long term tax breaks or more government jobs. We need to get the heart pumping again, and nothing revs up Americans like a sale!"

The First Week

2009-01-25T13:25:00.003-05:00

What do you think of our President's performance so far? Have you been tracking any of his actions in his first week in office? I know one thing I'm not happy about is the proposed stimulus plan (but more on that to come later this week).

In this post, I want to deal with a life or death issue.

On January 23rd, President Obama removed restrictions on U.S. funding for groups that provide abortion services abroad. Simply put, more of your tax money will now go to organizations that support and promote abortion.

Obama himself in a statement released on the topic, said these groups promote "safe and effective... family planning." AHHHHHH! Abortion as a safe and effective way to plan a family?

You can read more on the matter in this article.

January 22nd was the anniversary of Roe v. Wade which legalized abortion in this nation. Since then there has been a strong push to normalize a horrendous and murderous practice under the name of women's rights or privacy rights. My friend Clayton had a recent post detailing abortion statistics since 1973 when it was made legal in the U.S. Some of the most staggering numbers to me were the estimated 24 abortions a second while over 2,000,000 people wait to adopt babies (in the U.S. alone).

How is your president doing?

You can check out his other policy agendas in relation to family and civil rights on the official White House website: www.whitehouse.gov. Along with this increased funding for abortion, you'll find:
1.Obama's pledged support for the LGBT (lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender) community
2.His desire to expand the "hate crimes" bill to include gender identification (Could make it illegal for pastors to say homosexuality is wrong from the pulpit).
3. His support for overturning the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy in the military.
4. His expansion of human embryonic stem cell research
5. And his opposition to any constitutional overturn of Roe v. Wade

I wonder if people who voted for Obama considered the moral implications of such a decision.

"A Carefully Crafted Self-Contradiction"

2009-01-21T15:51:00.007-05:00

I know my sister already posted some inaugural thoughts, but I wanted to share some additional thoughts on Obama's speech from an article called "We the Government" by Terrence Jeffrey, of CNSNews.com.

Jeffrey points out that Obama's speech makes it clear that, although he talked about things such as hard work, risk taking and personal responsibility, he is attempting to completely change the heart of our nation from "we the people" to "we the government."

I'll quote a couple of the paragraphs I thought summed it up well, but you can read the rest of the article here if you're interested.

Jeffrey said:

"At the beginning of his speech, Obama said 'We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears and true to our founding documents.'

But even as his oath to 'preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States' faded into the winter air, he rejected any limit on government other than 'wether it works.'

If President Obama were to go back and read the founding document whose first three words are 'We the People,' he would discover that from beginning to end it limits the power of government."

Inaugural Thoughts

2009-01-20T15:03:00.024-05:00

Facts and Opinions on the 2009 Presidential Inauguration (I leave it to you to decide which is which):

It was a magnificent view down the Washington Mall... Nearly 2 million people in attendance.

It was cold. At noon in Washington D.C. it was about 28 degrees with a windchill even colder (about 17). I guess it's more important to have a designer coat at these things, as opposed to a suit or dress. The warmest January 20th Inauguration was for President Reagan in 1981... 55 degrees.

Best Dressed (at the Inauguration): Michelle Obama. And rightly so. It's kind of like not wanting to upstage the bride at her wedding. Although Aretha Franklin's hat may have come close. :) I was not, however, a fan of Mrs. Obama's ball gown.

As every journalist and commentator noted, and as I likewise agree, a peaceful transfer of power is an amazing thing.

Thought Rick Warren did a great job. Way to mention Jesus and remind all people and nations that they will be accountable to Him one day. Not sure why he received so much criticism for participating in the invocation. Are we not called to pray for our leaders no matter if we agree with them or not?

Obama voted against Justice Roberts' nomination to the Supreme Court... Said he "lacked empathy" (wow... I won't even go there now). Roberts was then the one to administer Obama's inauguration and oath of office.

The only time Obama's full name was used was during his oath of office: Barack Hussein Obama.

Obama was sworn in using the Lincoln Bible... yep, the same Bible Abraham Lincoln used in his inauguration in 1861... pretty cool.

President Obama delivered his speech well... No shocker there. His head speech writer is 27 yr. old Jon Favreau. How does one go about getting that job?

I liked his call to responsibility on the part of all Americans.

Wasn't too sure about lines like "remaining true to our founding documents". We're already so far gone and I highly doubt Obama would take us back. And "remaking America"? Not sure I'm gonna like his way of "remaking" it. It's quite evident that he has a different view of government than I do. I do congratulate him though on inspiring new energy and participation in the political system.

240,000 tickets were available for seating on the Capitol steps.
5,000 port-a-potties were available for public use.
$150 million (estimated) spent on Inaugural festivities... so much in fact that President Bush had to declare Washington D.C. in a state of emergency to get all the public funding needed.
10 Official inaugural balls.

The Military Ball was for me the most touching to see. The Youth Ball got on my nerves. It was like, if you're young and cool, then you must be an Obama supporter. Well, I'm young and cool, and I'm not. :)

Overall a very fascinating day. I know most people are hopeful in what Obama will do. I, personally, am a little scared.

I'll leave you with the words of Rev. Joseph Lowery, who gave the Inaugural benediction, and asked God to help us work for the day when:
Black man no longer told to get back man
Brown can stick around
Yellow will be mellow
Red Man can get ahead man
White will embrace what is right

Ha. Wow. Enough said.

My News Hiatus

2009-01-06T23:24:00.011-05:00

So we've been MIA lately...

I confess. I have taken a good LONG break over the holidays from most things politics. I got lost in a few fiction novels, hit the road for some good family visits, and wasted time on Facebook. :) I've really had no desire to turn on my nightly news shows or check the internet blogs and headlines. Instead of talk radio in the car, I've much preferred my one-and-a-half year old singing Christmas carols at the top of his lungs (doesn't quite get all the words but sure knows the melodies and rhythms).

On top of that, Wade sister #2 (Kacey) (#2 only due to birth order, Kace) is about to give birth to her second baby soon, so I've had to cut her a little slack in the blog world. Hopefully you'll give us one last Kacey commentary before the wee one comes...

So, is there anything huge I've missed? What stories have you been following recently?

I'm sure I'll be back in the swing of things in no time. It is a new year. Happy 2009 faithful blog readers! Until then I leave you with a few of my favorite pics from our holiday celebrations.

A Few Good Men...

2008-12-23T14:57:00.005-05:00

Where are all the good men (and women)?

Where are the statesmen like those who poured their lives out for this country? Where are the courageous and brilliant and MORAL leaders like those who crafted the most free and prosperous nation in the history of the world?

With the recent collapse of so many industries: housing, auto, insurance, and the ungodly greed and corruption that lay behind it... With the Blagojevich arrest and the light it shed on an often crooked political system... With sex scandal after sex scandal among our nation's elected officials...

It leaves me wondering...

Is there anyone out there who can withstand the pressures and temptations of leadership? Is there anyone who will govern or manage from a consistently ethical perspective? Have we completely lost our way as a nation? What we need are a few good men...

So if you know any on the local level, vote for them, or volunteer for their campaigns. Or perhaps you yourself could answer the call.

I will close, however, with one final thought in light of the Christmas holiday: In reality there is only ONE GOOD man. His name is Jesus. It is He who we celebrate this Christmas and always. His GOODNESS is our only hope for truth and life and liberty. Maybe all we need is ONE good man and just a few more people who will bow their knee to Him.

An Insightful Perspective

2008-11-15T16:12:00.001-05:00

An African American pastor's thoughts on Barack Obama:

http://stevemurrell.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/11/post-election-insights.html

Post-Election Thoughts

2008-11-05T20:53:00.009-05:00

If you've been reading this blog for any amount of time, you know we are disappointed in America's choice for president. However, life goes on. Here are some of our post-election thoughts (in true Glenn Beck fashion):

This is what we KNOW:

God raises up one man and sets down another. He is sovereign among the affairs of men and He is still King of kings and Lord of lords.
As Christians we are commanded to obey and pray for our leaders, to submit to their authority and to malign no man (though we will respectfully disagree with many).
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. The government is not the source of righteousness in a nation, the Church is. No matter who is in office, the Church has a responsibility to Righteousness.
Conservatism is not dead. Personally I think it was a lack of well-articulated conservatism that lost the election. Hopefully, there will be a resurgence and a ground-swell of conservative voices and a party organized around them.
There were some bright spots on election day: In California, Proposition 8 passed, defining marriage as one man and one woman and reversing the court decision that legalized gay marriage. Florida also adopted their own Amendment 2, defining marriage as one man and one woman.
Barack Obama is our nation's first black president... an amazing thing when only half a century ago blacks couldn't even drink from the same water fountain as whites.
Obama ran a brilliant campaign (with a little help from the media).
Some pretty amusing things were said last night on TV and in the blogosphere. Two of my favorites: Brit Hume of Fox News when commenting on Joe Biden said "He is loquacious, nay, even garrulous." A friend's facebook status: "I hope socialized medicine covers post-election depression syndrome."

This is what we DON'T KNOW:

How Obama will govern. Will he remain consistent with his far-left, liberal voting record and associations? Or will he do as he promised in his campaign and move toward the center in efforts to unite the country?
If the Republican party will return to its conservative roots or continue its shift to the left.
If our country has reached the point of no return in our slide toward Socialism.
If abortion rights will increase or all limits be removed.
If things like the Fairness Doctrine will be reinstituted (what is up with the liberal obsession with unjust "fairness"?).
If electing Obama as the first black president is worth the chains he may place on his own people (and more). I believe several of the policies he has presented will further enslave people to poverty, or at least to himself and a big-handed government.

So that's it from us. What are your post-election thoughts?

Final Warning

2008-10-27T10:28:00.004-04:00

Consider this your final warning America! :

Obama: Redistribution of Wealth in his own words

Another Way

2008-10-23T22:11:00.009-04:00

We here at The Sisters Wade have been pretty fed up with the lack of true conservatism among our politicians today. The Democratic party is WAY off... the Republican party is shifting farther and farther to the left. Socialism seems to be the buzz word these days, so let's shoot straight: Both parties are guilty of Socialism! Both keep implementing more central control. Both keep throwing federal money, bureaucracy and regulation at problems.

In this election cycle, I have heard more talk of choosing between the "lesser of two evils" than in times past. While liberals may have their long-awaited candidate of choice, I think it's clear to say that conservatives are anything but thrilled with theirs.

A two party system has been around in America pretty much from our inception (Federalists and Anti-federalists). Since the Civil War, the two parties in power today (Democrats and Republicans) have been the major political players. So what happens when we feel like we're losing our voice in the public arena?

Is there another way?

As conservatives, do we vote McCain in hopes of keeping Obama out of power and avoiding what could be extremely destructive social/economic policies, not to mention long-standing ramifications of liberal Supreme Court nominees? Do we stay home and hope our silence catches the ears of those who supposedly represent us in government; hope that the horrors of liberalism ignite a conservative revolution? Do we vote 3rd Party and perhaps stand beside a candidate who more closely espouses our worldview, regardless of his or her chance of winning?

These are questions we've been pondering. What do you think? We're interested in hearing how you've been wrestling through these things and reaching your decision in this very important election.

In case you're interested, here are two 3rd party candidates that we find appealing and noteworthy: Chuck Baldwin and Alan Keyes.

[By the way, I had a chance to hear Michelle Malkin speak tonight... Maybe she'll feature our blog on Hot Air someday. :)]

Food For Thought...

2008-10-12T14:03:00.007-04:00

Though seldom heard in the mainstream media, there are some excellent conservative writers/thinkers/personalities out there. Walter E. Williams and Larry Elder are among them. We don't hear enough from them, so I'm giving you a sneak peak into what they're saying... You'd be wise to listen up.

Walter E. Williams is an Economics professor at George Mason University. Here are his thoughts on the "bailout": Lessons from the Bailout.

Larry Elder is a best-selling author and radio talk-show host. Here are his thoughts on "the rich" that everyone seems to be so angry with: In Defense of 'The Rich'.

(Thanks to Dad for the articles.)

The Folly of Fairness

2008-10-07T22:55:00.008-04:00

Obama used the word "fair" or "fairness" several times tonight... especially when referring to taxes and the economy: McCain's tax policy isn't "fair"; It's only "fair" for the rich to pay more; etc. News flash for you Obama: Life isn't fair and legislating fairness is actually a form of injustice.

(Side note: I thought the debate was horrible. Is anyone else really disappointed with our choices this year? Obama, because I disagree with just about everything he says and McCain because he does not articulate the conservative viewpoint at all... maybe because he's not one. Is there no politician who can explain a conservative worldview?)

Back to "fairness." I was reading a parenting book recently and came across an excellent section on the concept of fairness. I thought I'd leave an excerpt here because it's so appropriate in making my point and in addressing the state of our national psyche. Now, granted, the excerpt is dealing with children, but you have to admit that Obama sounds quite like a playground child when whining that "it's not fair":

"There is a universal tendency to try to make life fair. 'You had your turn, now it is mine.' 'You already have two balls and I have none, so you should be fair and share with me.' 'Daddy gave Johnny one, so Suzy should get one also.' We tend to think of legislated fairness as equality, when in fact it is inequality. This is so ingrained in us that we equate fairness with justice. The communist system is built on a principle of forced fairness. In contrast, the American system of government is based on individual rights.

"Pure fairness is as unlikely and as undesirable as making all mountains the same height. It is unnatural and can only be achieved through forced injustice. When it is a rule handed down by 'Big Brother' it will never be carried out with benevolence on the part of the one being stripped of his abundance, nor can it be received with thankfulness on the part of the one expecting legislated equality.

"This indulgent demand for fairness begins at the earliest age. You can know you have already cultivated self-centerdness in your children when Grandma must buy gifts of equal value for each grandchild in order to keep feelings from being hurt. Trying to keep equal accounts, whether in things, privileges, or discipline, is not wise. It trains children to believe they have the right to weigh and balance, to demand equal share, or to veto the good fortune of another. They are turning selfishness into a childhood occupation. Evil covetousness is being rewarded. Parents are missing one of the greatest opportunities to teach their children to rejoice in the good fortune of another.

"It should never be our intention to show favoritism, but circumstantial inequality is not only just but essential to the very foundations of individuality. Some are naturally tall, while others are short. Some are gifted in many areas, whereas others appear to be gifted in little. One farmer receives rain while another suffers drought. One is born into a family of opportunity while another is born into social bondage. One gets a promotion while another loses his job. Many run the race, but only one takes first place.

"When your child gets knocked down, don't reward his whining of unfairness. Teach him how to get up and walk away with dignity. If the other children run off and leave him, teach him how to organize play that will cause them to want to be a part of his activity. But never make your child the unwelcome tagalong of despising peers. When rain falls on his neighbors' crops but not his, teach him how to irrigate. When his wages are lower, teach him how to manage his finances. When someone else gets the job, teach him how to start a company that provides better services. If he has fewer gifts, teach him how to expect nothing and to make little into abundance. Rather than whine for equality, teach him how to give until others are blessed above himself."

How did we get to the point in America where we feel we are owed something by someone, usually the government? Why is fairness now espoused as a virtue? Why are our candidates afraid to tell people "NO" and willing to promise them everything they desire? Clearly our mommies and daddies did not tell us what we needed to hear, so I will: Quit whining and grow up. Life is not fair.

(All quotes taken from "No Greater Joy. Vol. 1" by Michael and Debi Pearl)

The Economy

2008-09-30T16:17:00.004-04:00

Check out this "common sense fix" for the economy, an alternative to the $700 billion bailout plan. What do you think?

Just wondering...

2008-09-25T07:41:00.010-04:00

Some random thoughts I've had as I follow the news this week:

How is it possible for a company to fail when the guy running it walks away with millions of dollars?
How is it right for taxpayers to cover bad decisions of politicians and executives?
Does anyone feel like the government operates like they can just pull money out of the sky (oh wait, they kind of can)? I don't know about you, but if I don't have money to buy milk at the end of the month, then my kid drinks water. If I can't buy gas, then I get a ride. Could someone in Washington please operate on a budget!?!?
How are bureaucrats gonna be effective at handling mortgages and insurance? I haven't seen them handle much well even in their current jurisdictions.
Why is president Bush a liberal when it comes to spending?
Does this change Obama's game plan? I highly doubt all those programs he's promised are possible now. Raising taxes would put the final death nail in the economic coffin. Plus, who wants the government running healthcare if they failed miserably with mortgages... FannieMae and FreddieMac?
Back in 2005, Alan Greenspan warned of the failing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. There was a bill proposed to reform the institutions. Republicans voted for it... Democrats blocked it.
McCain was one of the people calling for Fannie and Freddie reform in 2005/2006. Why is he not playing this up?
Is Joe Biden serious? This gaffe was pretty funny: "FDR president when the stock market crashed and addressed the nation on t.v." News flash: Herbert Hoover was president and people didn't have t.v.'s. I can only imagine the outcry if Palin had made the same mistake.

Patriotism???

2008-09-18T16:45:00.005-04:00

The Democratic Vice Presidential candidate, Joe Biden, said today that paying higher taxes would be patriotic for wealthier Americans. He also said, "We want to take money and put it back in the pocket of middle-class people."

Patriotism, according to Webster's dictionary, is "love of one's country; the passion which aims to serve one's country, either in defending it from invasion, or protecting its rights and maintaining its laws and institutions in vigor and purity." Last I checked, the basic rights of Americans include things such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. A foundational right of Americans is equality for every person before the law. How, then, can one justify taking from some that which is rightfully theirs? Where is the equality before the law in that? And now, men campaigning for the highest offices in our land are not only justifying it, but calling it patriotism.

This, my friends, is not patriotism; this is called socialism.

The dominant feature of capitalism is economic freedom. It allows people to voluntarily decide what they want to buy, how much of it, what quality, etc. It allows people to decide what they want to do with their own money. In sharp contrast, socialism wants to do away with this basic individual freedom and replace it with an elite group (the government), who will then exercise increasing control over the market, attempting to equalize it as much as possible.

Why, though, is this so bad? In short, because it doesn't work. You see, people are basically selfish. For many people, if they know they will end up with the same amount as their neighbor regardless of how hard they work, they simply will not work. They have no incentive.

Author Robert Scheaffer says, "no intellectually honest person today can deny that the history of socialism is a sorry tale of economic failure and crimes against humanity...Socialism is simply 'envy' writ large, and elevated to a moral ideal. It brands the most productive as criminals, and makes heroes of those who have difficulty achieving anything at all. The full potential of the human race can never be liberated under such a warped ideal."

What this does not mean is that we should ignore the poor and leave them to suffer. It just means that socialism is not the best way to help anyone. The goal should indeed be for everyone to prosper; the question is simply one of how best to achieve this.

In America we have adopted a welfare system, a method of redistribution of wealth, which is s tenet of socialism. On the surface it sounds good. Why would we oppose a system which helps those living in poverty? For one, it is unjust--it makes people unequal before the law, taking from some to give to others. But furthermore, it is a system that perpetuates poverty instead of remedying it.

We should indeed give generously to those in true need, those who are actually unable to work. (And by "we" I mean individuals, churches, private organizations, etc.). But it is in no way compassionate to remove all incentive for those who are capable of hard work. Hard work, not a handout, is a lifeline for those living in poverty; it's an escape route to prosperity.

Wealth is not inherently evil. Sometimes people become wealthy by oppression and exploitation, and that is evil. But many people become wealthy by hard work, sacrifice, risk-taking, genius. Most of the time, in this country, the wealthy inevitably prosper countless others by virtue of all the wealth they generate. They create jobs and opportunities that would not otherwise exist. They invest in other businesses, thereby generating even more wealth and economic growth. But the government in effect removes from them this potential if they take from them this prosperity. The government takes a few dollars and minimally provides for a family for a day, but if this money were left in the hands of those who were capable of creating it in the first place, it just may have created a job that would substantially provide for a family for a lifetime.

On the flip side, we can certainly not stand by and watch some prosper by corruption and exploitation. Our system of government can only work for a moral people. I recently heard a theologian say that capitalism is a stool with three necessary legs: political freedom, economic freedom and moral restraint. We are, to a large degree, losing the leg of moral restraint. Consumers have lost restraint in their spending, and some banks and other large companies have lost restraint in their willingness to take advantage of those who don't know any better. What do you think we can do about this? While we must be vigilant about not seeing our political and economic freedom eroded by an increasingly gigantic government, we must also be vigilant to stand against economic immorality.

Sarah Palin Speech

2008-09-04T10:57:00.002-04:00

Another historic event last night... Sarah Palin's speech at the RNC.

Like it?

Love it?

Hate it?

What'd you think?

As far as The Sisters Wade are concerned, we LOVED it!

Live To Impact: The Poor

2008-08-31T14:40:00.018-04:00

We're doing a series at my church called Live To Impact, challenging people to answer the question: "WHAT ARE YOU LIVING FOR?"

Today's focus was "living to impact the poor and underprivileged." How can we as Christians and a church make a difference in our community by taking care of the poor? And maybe even more foundational, WHY should we care for the poor?

Clayton Bell delivered a great message on the subject. You can listen to it in its entirety here, but I wanted to highlight a few points.

1. Who Is Responsible? Regardless of your political bent, if you think the government should be doing more or less in regard to poverty, the Bible makes it clear that God's people have a responsibility to care for the poor. That means it's MY responsibility. If you call yourself a follower of Christ, it's YOUR responsibility. You don't need to be voted into office. You don't need to be an occupational minister. Just do it.

2. Our Motivation. The Bible leaves no room for error: taking care of the poor, the orphan, the widow is paramount to God. This is often challenging to our human nature and preconceived mindsets. It's much more natural to give or care for those who can offer you something in return. Or perhaps you have (as I have) erred on the side of judgment toward those less fortunate in life. "They're lazy"... "they're irresponsible"... "if they'd just work harder and suck it up they'd could make something of themselves". Here's the deal: We must find our motivation for caring for the poor in who Jesus is and what He did for us. Spiritually speaking, I was homeless, I was lazy, I was poor, I was smelly, I had nothing and could do nothing for myself; but Jesus did for me what I couldn't earn and what I didn't deserve. He became poor that I might become rich. His mercy triumphed over judgment and it rescued me. What He's done for me in the spiritual, I am now called to replicate in the physical for the poor and underprivileged. As I clothe and feed and care for the least of these, I also have the privilege of sharing why I do such things and that reason is Jesus. What He's done for me He can also do for them.

3. The Cold Hard Facts. Did you know that in America in the late 1800's more than 90% of all welfare was done by the Church and "volunteer socieites?" The government had a small, if any, hand in such matters. As we've written previously, giving Christians could well eliminate the U.N.'s estimated $70 billion world-wide poverty problem with money to spare. Take for instance my city of Tallahassee, FL. There are, on average, about 900 homeless people at any given time. There are about 350 churches here. If each church provided for 2 or 3 of these people, the homeless problem would evaporate. (I know that poverty issues can be more complicated and you can't always make someone stay out of such circumstances, but this is just to illustrate how well-suited the Church is to answering the ills of society).

So, what are YOU living for? Let's ask hard questions and challenge ourselves to this standard of giving and loving as Christ did. Before you ask your government to do something, ask yourself if you're doing anything. Be open to opportunities to serve the underprivileged in your community. If you live in Tallahassee, come join us as we serve the residents of the Hope Community.

Obama Speech... Palin Pick...

2008-08-29T15:55:00.007-04:00

The first black man to win a party nomination... The first woman on a Republican presidential ticket... it's a media feast on all accounts.

Here's my two cents:

It was quite moving to see a black man's presidential nomination acceptance speech on the 45th anniversary of MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech. I'm sure I can't fully grasp the significance of such a moment for an African American, but still it was quite a scene to behold. Though I disagree with Obama's politics, I esteem and applaud what he has achieved.

Two glaring inconsistencies/contradictions stood out to me as I listened to Obama. First and foremost, he kept referencing his "new" and "fresh ideas"... "new times"... and "new politics." However, all I find new about him is his face. The outline of his programs (and all I've seen of his voting record) was a generic democratic platform. Those ideas have been around long before he was born.

Secondly, he had a small sidebar about how the government can't solve all problems and how we need to take personal responsibility. He even challenged fathers to be home and involved with their children. I agree with these sentiments and was glad to hear them. However, most of the domestic programs he's proposing and every increased reach of the government's arm that he stands behind, takes the "personal" right out of responsibility and undercuts the natural duty in each American home. What father, that already tends toward neglect and abdication, would find any more incentive to provide and care for his children if these children can get free healthcare and a "worldclass education" right from the hands of Daddy Obama?

Moving on. So McCain selects Sarah Palin as his running mate. Definitely a surprise! I honestly don't know whether this choice will hurt him or help him, but on a personal level I liked what I saw of her today. She had an attractive personality and story. I don't have much to say about her, just wanted to hear your opinions...

So what did you think about Obama's speech?

And

What do you think about Sarah Palin?

The DNC--Michelle Obama

2008-08-26T17:01:00.003-04:00

What did you think of Michelle Obama's speech last night at the DNC? I believe her main goal was to soften her image, humanize the Obama family, and make herself as likable as possible. She worked hard to convey herself as a daughter, sister, wife and mother. I thought she did a good job. The speech appealed to me mainly on a human interest level...I enjoyed hearing more about the Obama family and Michelle's background.

I, however, am not at all considering voting for Barack Obama, which means that I was not necessarily the target audience. I'm curious what the speech did for those who are undecided voters, still weighing Obama as an option for President. If I were looking at it from that perspective, I don't really think the speech would have accomplished much for me. From what I understand, Obama's main problem is not one of being unlikable--people love him. The people I know who are considering voting for him have more of an issue with things such as the substance of his platform and his qualifications/experience. And this speech didn't do much to remedy that situation. But it was just the first night of the convention, and considering Michelle's objectives, I did think she did well. I'm interested to hear what happens the next few nights.

One other thing I found interesting about Michelle Obama's speech and life story is the theme of how hard she and her family worked to achieve their goals and dreams. She was raised in a poor community on the south side of Chicago. Her father had MS, yet worked hard to provide for his family at a blue collar job. He was willing to work extra and live on less so that his wife could stay home to raise their two children. Her parents taught her the value of hard work, education and a strong family unit. They instilled in Michelle and her brother the belief that if they were willing to work hard, they could accomplish great things. Both her and her brother were able to overcome the odds of being born into this poor community, go to ivy league schools and become very successful.

This, to me, is an amazing story--it's the American dream, and it's possible for most anyone who lives in this country. Yet Obama's platform seems to be more about giving handouts to those less fortunate rather than trying to teach them the same values that made both he and Michelle a success. It wasn't a handout that helped Michelle Obama. It was a strong family, a present and involved father, a good work ethic, etc. I think we should take a page out of the book of what actually worked in Michelle Obama's life. Let's focus on encouraging families to stay together, encouraging parents to make sacrifices to prioritize their children. Let's teach people the value of honest hard work. I think this will go alot farther than propagating a sense of entitlement, which instills in people the belief that government owes them something and that they have a right to what others have worked hard to earn.

Saddleback Follow Up

2008-08-23T17:52:00.004-04:00

Most agree that the Saddleback Forum last weekend was well-conducted by lead pastor Rick Warren. He had a chance to ask both candidates some straight-forward honest questions (whether they answered honestly remains to be seen). And he did an excellent job. But what does he himself think about politics? Where does he fall on the issues? He has not been as politically outspoken as say a Dr. James Dobson or the late Rev. Jerry Falwell, and that has caused some to criticize him, some to mischaracterize him and some to appreciate him. Warren's lack of candidate endorsement and political rhetoric in no way means he's soft on the issues or trying to appease all sides. I have heard him speak on government/politics a couple of times and he is well-versed in the arena. He is a man of strong conviction and in my opinion has a pretty good grasp of the biblical worldview.

You can read some of his thoughts here in a rare interview with the Wall Street Journal. The article is worth the read but here's a brief summary of Warren's main points:

He's pro-life and believes abortion is the most significant issue affecting the evangelical vote in the fall.
He rejects the idea of tolerance as far as it has come to mean that all ideas are equally valid. He is no relativist.
He views McCain as a limited government guy and Obama as a big government guy.
He wants a non-government solution to things like poverty and disease, believing that churches should lead the way in this fight.
Though he's one of the most generous men in the world (giving away 90% of his income), he believes "the answer to poverty is business development, not charity." He believes free market, enterprise and creativity are vital to a society.
He knows that true answers to societies ills can only come from Jesus and His Church. The government cannot be a savior.
He wants to return civility to the public square, wishing that people could "disagree about the issues without demonizing each other." And Saturday night was one of his efforts in doing so.

All I have to say is "Amen!" (And read the article...)

Saddleback Forum

2008-08-20T16:28:00.004-04:00

I’m curious what other people thought about the Rick Warren forum last week. I haven’t been too excited about John McCain, but his answers to these questions were really encouraging. Although I don't agree with all of his positions, he knows where he stands. He answered the questions directly and conclusively.

Obama, on the other hand, seemed to me to waffle throughout, trying to answer in such a way as to include the greatest number of people possible. How can you answer moral questions when for you there are no moral absolutes? All of his answers were “relative”; in fact, he even used that word himself. How can we be confident in a president who has no absolute moral basis for any of the decisions he makes?

Take, for example, the question of abortion. Warren asked both candidates at what point a baby should be given the protection of human rights. McCain’s answer was simple: “At conception.” Obama, however, actually said that question was above his pay grade. Then why on earth is he running for President? What more fundamental question could there be? And if you’re really not sure when life or human rights begin, why err on the side of death? He said a lot about wanting to work with as many people as possible, and about how women don’t come to these decisions lightly. By that logic, if I don’t lightly come to the decision to murder someone, because I believe it’s in my best interest, does that make it okay?

Or what about when Warren asked the candidates to define “rich”. I thought this was a great question. Obama has talked so much about “taxing the rich”, it leaves one to ask who, exactly, is rich. Obama did put a number to it, those making above $250,000, but then admitted that it’s completely relative, dependent on factors such as what region of the country you live in. The problem is, the tax code won’t be relative. It won’t look at what region of the country you live in, for example. It just doesn’t seem fair to tax the rich, when it’s virtually impossible to define “rich”. To most people, rich probably means anyone making one dollar more than they themselves make. Where do you draw the line?

I wasn’t able to see the whole broadcast, so I’d be curious to hear people’s reactions to some of the other questions. And I’m also curious about something else—for those of you who hold to a worldview of moral relativism and have nothing absolute on which to base your decisions and values, how do you go about deciding what you believe about any given issue? Do you use your own reason? Do you try to do what’s best for the greatest number? (And if so, how do you decide which greatest number to be in favor of when it comes to issues like abortion—is it the women or the unborn children?) Anyways, what did you think about the forum and where the candidates stand on these issues?

What would you say to Obama?

2008-08-12T20:07:00.004-04:00

What would you say to Obama if given the chance?

Ed Stetzer, Christian researcher and author, almost had that chance... Click here to read his thoughts.

The Obamessiah

2008-07-28T21:55:00.004-04:00

Satire at its finest...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0drwfnGlF_E

The Bottom Line

2008-07-23T15:12:00.004-04:00

The bottom line on my conservatism is this...

I don't necessarily disagree with the end goals of my liberal friends, just the means by which we get there. Peace, more affordable health care, a reduction in poverty and crime, a cleaner environment, better schools... Conservatives and Liberals alike desire these things.

So here's the rub: Who's job is it? As a conservative, I would like to see individuals, businesses, CHURCHES, the private sector provide answers for most of societies ills. They are better equipped, more nimble and more creative in handling such things. I believe the government's main job is protecting law-abiding citizens and punishing law-breakers. (i.e. police force, criminal justice system, military). Government is designed for this purpose. The more it gets its hands in matters not rightly under its jurisdiction, the messier things get.

Now I realize this is oversimplified, but can't we take steps toward it instead of farther away?

Taken By Force

2008-07-09T16:26:00.006-04:00

We're back... Sorry, it's been awhile...

In light of the 4th of July (one of my all-time favorite holidays), I thought I would highlight an organization doing amazing work among our military. Force Ministries exists to minister to and support our nation's military and military families. Their mission is Christ-centered duty. Their purpose is to impart faith in Christ, instill patterns and principles for victorious Christian duty and ignite individual calling and destiny among our service men and women.

This is often an overlooked demographic in our nation, but these men and women deserve our utmost respect and honor, our support and care. Regardless of one's belief about the current war or war in general, these military families pay the highest price for the freedoms we enjoy in America. We can't even begin to understand their sacrifice. Thank goodness for organizations like Force who are meeting a need among these very deserving families.

I had the privilege of hearing the President and Co-founder of Force Ministries, Greg Wark, speak this week and he told amazing stories of the heroism and heartache that goes along with serving our country militarily. I was so impressed with his work and that of Force Ministries and just wanted to give our faithful readers (if we still have any) a chance to see what Force is all about. So check out their site. You can even donate to their efforts online.

I encourage you all to take every opportunity to bless and thank our military men and women. Buy them a slice of pizza in the airport or something (yes, I have been known to do that). Most of all, pray for them and their families and ministries like Force who are taking the Gospel message to an often unreached group of people.

P.S. (Can you have a p.s. to a blog?) Check out the book "Lone Survivor" by Marcus Luttrell. Marcus was part of an elite SEAL operation in Afghanistan and was the only surviving member of his mission... I've never read the book but I've heard Marcus interviewed and it is an amazing story. Force Ministries works closely with him and Greg Wark highly recommended the read.

Well Said

2008-06-05T15:53:00.005-04:00

"If you're waiting on Washington to secure your prosperity, you're a socialist." -Dave Ramsey

www.daveramsey.com

Memorial Day

2008-05-27T23:33:00.005-04:00

I'm a day late, but I would be remiss if I fail to pay tribute to those whom this holiday commemorates. So, to our troops and to our veterans, to those who have given their lives throughout our nation's history and to those who are risking their lives even as I type these words--THANK YOU!! There are no words that can convey to you the extent of our gratitude. You are our heroes.

I am humbled and awed at the sacrifices that have been made to build what I consider the greatest nation on earth. I am so thankful for the freedom I inherited because others paid the ultimate price. I am truly proud to be an American.

And now, to those of us who have been privileged to receive this gift, the cost of which we can't begin to comprehend, I charge you to guard it with utmost solemnity and vigilance. May we not be guilty of ignorantly squandering that which was not easily obtained. It's hard to understand the value of something you've never been without. But that is what we must do or we will surely find ourselves without it. As Wallace Bruce once said, "Who kept the faith and fought the fight; The glory theirs, the duty ours."

A Generous Hypocrisy II

2008-05-19T21:08:00.006-04:00

In her previous post, my sister points out that a generous government policy of giving can be quite hypocritical, not to mention, ineffective at times. But none can argue that there are genuine and great needs in our world, and conversation on the best way to meet them is at least honorable.

So I thought I would follow up Kacey's post with what we consider one of the best ways to meet those needs... TITHING.

This post is specifically for all my Christian brothers and sisters. But if God is not really your thing, you might still be interested in hearing of His financial plan for the earth.

Let's define tithing:

The tithe literally means "a tenth." In the Christian faith, a tithe is a tenth of one's increase given to the house of God, the church. I believe the tithe is a biblical mandate, ordained by God from the beginning (it first appears in the Bible in Genesis 14). Tithing is not just Old Testament law. It is precedent before the law was given, and Jesus himself speaks of it in the New Testament (Matthew 23, Luke 11).

The tithe belongs to the Lord. In a biblical worldview, all things belong to God and originate in Him, but the tithe is specifically referred to as belonging to God. It's His off the top. It's His before the bills. It's His before our needs. It's His before our Starbucks. When you tithe, you are not being generous, you are simply being obedient.

It is also important to note that the tithe is not based on one's perceived ability to afford it. It is an act of faith, honor and worship to God no matter your level of income. I was fortunate to have a family who believed in and practiced tithing, and it has, therefore, become a way of life for me. I have tithed in times of great blessing and tithed in times of great need. Learning to live on 90% of your income is possible (and not an option for believers.)

The Bible actually refers to withholding the tithe as robbing God. Malachi 3:8-12 says, "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.

So back to meeting needs.

Statistics show that less than 2% of Americans tithe today. The Barna Group found "that tithing among all born again adults has stayed within a range of 6% to 14% throughout the past decade." C'mon people!

John and Sylvia Ronsvalle, a husband and wife team of researchers have consistently tracked American expenditures as well as global need for many years. They have estimated that $70-$80 billion a year could meet the most essential human needs around the world, including "projects for clean water and sanitation, prenatal and infant/maternal care, basic education, immunizations, and long-term development efforts." The Ronsvalles go on to write, "Consider this: If church members in the United States would increase their giving to 10 percent of their income, there could be an additional $86 billion (over and above their estimated $70-$80 billion) available for overseas missions." Tithing Christians Would Meet Global Need.

So before we call for the government to do more, let us examine our own hearts. Let us not be participants in this generous hypocrisy. Let us not be the ones calling for increased civil spending if we ourselves are not fulfilling our Christian duty. Caesar will for sure get what is Caesar's. Will God get what is His? (Matthew 22:21).

A Generous Hyprocrisy

2008-05-09T00:07:00.004-04:00

I was thinking today about some of the issues which, on the surface, I seem to have in common with Democrats. I care deeply about the poor, the hungry, the oppressed, the underprivileged. I want desperately to help these people, to see their lives transformed. And these are issues that are similarly close to the hearts of many Democrats.

Take Barack Obama, for example. He’s proposed giving billions of dollars in aid money to nations in poverty around the world. Wow, what a guy! What extreme generosity, you might think.

Think again. I have no problem with wanting to help those in need around the world. In fact, it’s one of the main things I want to do with my life. But where I differ with Obama is our respective methods for so doing. You see, I want to give my money to those in need. I don’t need the government to force me to do it. I don’t want my money to be taken in the form of higher taxes, put through the bureaucracy of the government and given to causes I may or may not believe in, by means that may or may not be effective. Let me keep my money to be used at my discretion! I’m the one who worked to earn it. Why should the government dictate how I spend it? I’ve spent too much time overseas watching our aid money line the pockets of corrupt leaders in the nations we’re trying to help, thereby increasing their oppressive rule in these countries. But I’ve seen lives changed forever by individuals and private organizations using resources freely given to truly help people in need.

It sounds so noble of Obama to propose such generous foreign aid, until one looks at his personal giving record, that is. The national average for charitable giving is approximately 2.2 percent of household income. I was shocked by how low this number is. And yet Obama’s tax returns show that he was well below that mark in years prior to 2005. Now I’m not condemning the Obamas for their giving record. I believe it’s a personal choice to give or not to give. What I have a problem with is the fact that while Obama clearly doesn’t care enough about the needy to help them himself, he wants to take my money to do it.

I am all for extreme generosity. But I don’t think this falls within the government’s scope of responsibility. I believe this is a responsibility given by God to the church and the individual. Apparently, Mr. Obama and I differ dramatically on this point.

Nous Namlok Ein Problema.

2008-04-06T20:24:00.011-04:00

Earlier this week I saw a news story that baffled me. In a nutshell, an Iranian couple filed a formal complaint against the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. They wanted to take their driver's license exams in Farsi, their native tongue, and the state refused their request. The couple does not understand English well enough to pass the normal exam. The complaint accused the state department of "unlawful discrimination based on national origin."

Um, excuse me, but last time I checked, all of our street signs are in English. I'd hope someone could understand enough English before being issued a driver's license. (Just so happens the couple went across state lines to Kansas where they were allowed to take the test based on symbols and not language. They then crossed back into Oklahoma and exchanged their Kansas licenses for Oklahoma ones.)

I heard the young man who filed the complaint on the couple's behalf in an interview a few days ago. It was his belief that every state should provide driver's tests in any language requested. Can you imagine the administrative and financial burden this would place on the government (and in turn, your tax dollars)?

Now, I have no problem with legal immigration. It's how this nation started and one of the many reasons for its greatness. We've been able to draw from the strength and creativity of so many different cultures, and that is beautiful. But it is my belief that in order to maintain the unity and functionality of a nation, you need at least two things: BORDERS and COMMON LANGUAGE. We need to make English the official language of the United States, and people should be expected to learn it if they choose to make their home here.

What do you think? Should English be made the official language of our nation?

The Buck Stops...Where?

2008-04-01T18:01:00.003-04:00

As I listen to the promises being made by the Democratic Presidential candidates, I can’t help but wonder at the worldview inherent within their ideas. They seem to be doing everything possible to eradicate the idea of personal responsibility and replace it with a government of god-like proportions.

Take, for example, their proposed response to the so-called housing crisis. In different ways and to varying degrees, they would, in essence, have the government bail out those facing potential foreclosure. This may sound good and compassionate, until one looks at the implications of such a notion.

Say, for example, you too are a homeowner. You may have done everything right: bought a house you could afford even if its not exactly what you want, made the sacrifices necessary to live on the required budget, maybe even worked two jobs when things got tight. Meanwhile, down the road lives someone in a mansion far beyond their means. They may be completely irresponsible with their money. And who’s to say if they really are working as hard as they could to make the payments? Would it really be right for the government to use your hard-earned money to bail out this neighbor? And what about people who have chosen to forestall buying a house until they know they can afford it? Is it right to use their money to help those living an unearned life of luxury?

Many people these days have a strange sense of entitlement. They think they have a right to a certain lifestyle, even if they must use credit cards to finance it. And if all else fails, well there’s always the government, their virtual savior. But tell me, what would be the harm in people actually facing the consequences for the actions? Isn’t that how we learn and grow?

Now I’m not saying there aren’t people in legitimate need, people who made good decisions and just had some tough breaks. But my husband sees far too much of the other in his line of work as a carpenter. Just the other day, he was working in the home of a young couple in a multi-million dollar house. Their TV’s alone are worth thousands of dollars, and yet, although they’ve already lived in the house for a year, they still owe the builder a sizable chunk of money they claim they can’t afford. Who knows what they owe the bank.

Are you okay with your tax dollars footing the bill for them and others like them? You decide.

But Mercy

2008-03-24T22:36:00.006-04:00

In honor of Easter weekend, this is a meditation on the MERCY of God that made the Easter story possible. My husband and I wrote this song for our Easter service this Sunday.

BUT MERCY

Verse 1:
Clothed in flesh the Father's hand
Reached down from heaven's throne
To take upon the guilt of man
A weight that was my own

Chorus:
But Mercy saved my soul
The sweetest sound I know
All saints rejoice
By heaven's choice
We have been made whole
Forever Christ will reign
And this my soul proclaim
Sin held me
But Mercy

Verse 2:
Humbly at the cross I bow
My Savior suffered there
A bloody crown upon His brow
Those thorns were mine to bear

(Chorus)

Hallelujah (x4)

Verse 3:
Come behold the Risen Lamb
The grave could hold him not
And in my place His Mercy stands
For death was all my lot

(Chorus)

Stronger Woman

2008-03-12T17:07:00.004-04:00

The other day while driving I was scanning through radio stations when a line from a song I'd never heard before caught my attention. (Those of you who know me know it's the lyrics that make or break it for me). The song said, "From now on I'm gonna be the kind of woman I want my daughter to be."

Ooh, I thought, this oughta be a good one. So I stopped scanning, turned it up and prepared to be inspired. As a new mother, things like this really grab hold of me. So, you might ask, what kind of woman did the singer, who turned out to be Jewel, want her daughter to be? The chorus provided a resounding answer to that question:

I'm gonna love myself

More than anyone else
Believe in me
Even if someone can't see
The stronger woman in me

I'm gonna be my own best friend
Stick with me till the end
Won't lose myself again
never, no
Cause theres a stronger woman
a stronger woman in me

Wow. I was so shocked and appalled I nearly threw up. And I was angry. Angry at the lie being fed to women in my generation. Angry for the little girls who grow up with this model of strength. What a recipe for a miserable life.

To love your self more than anyone else? I'm not sure I've met many people who have to try very hard to do that. To be your own best friend? Comes pretty natural to most of us. To never lose yourself? So many are on a quest to "find themselves." The worst thing that could happen would be for them to succeed.

You see, I've found that what many call strength is in reality nothing more than masked weakness. It's human nature, and therefore easy, to love ourselves above all, to seek our own good at any cost. But what's hard, what requires real strength, is to sacrifice yourself for someone else, to lose your life in order to live for something greater than you.

I, too, desire to be the kind of woman I want my daughter to be, but I've chosen not to fall for the counterfeit strength my culture would offer me. I've found a truer strength, and it comes in giving everything I am in serving my God, my husband and my daughter. Instead of striving to "never lose myself", I've chosen to believe that "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 10:39). This is real strength. This is real life.

Freshman of the Week

2008-03-04T20:45:00.004-05:00

We digress from our regularly scheduled program to highlight the 3rd member of our sibling triune... our baby bro Chris. Way to go Creeber!

University of Kentucky
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK

Chris Wade

6-0 * R-Fr. * SS * Lexington, Ky.

Week Stats: .417 (10-for-24), 9 R, 5 2B, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 2 BB, 0 SO

Notes: Freshman making starts in each of his first nine games at shortstop tallied a .417 (10-for-24) average, scoring nine runs, ripping five doubles, one homer, drawing two walks with no strikeouts, and driving in nine RBI … For the year, Wade has posted a .353 average (12-for-34), with an SEC-leading seven doubles, a homer and 14 RBI … Despite making his first collegiate plate appearances, Wade has yet to strikeout … Had a streak during the week with doubles in five-consecutive games … Currently riding a seven-game hit streak … In Tuesday’s win over Oakland, batted 2-for-4 with two runs, two RBI, a double, and his first-career homer … On Thursday, batted 1-for-3 with two runs, two RBI, a double and a walk … Friday, batted 2-for-4 with two runs, two RBI and a double … In Saturday’s game one, Wade batted 3-for-5 with two RBI and a double … In game two, Wade continued his streak of doubles, with a two-bagger in a 1-for-4 game, with two runs and a walk … In the w eeks finale, Wade batted 1-for-4 with a RBI, while making several stellar defensive plays deep in the six-hole behind the ground-ball forcing starter Greg Dombrowski.

Is Hope always Hopeful?

2008-02-27T00:09:00.013-05:00

Hope has become the buzz word of at least one campaign this election cycle. Barack Obama has taken the nation by storm, hypnotizing millions in an almost religious-like fervor. He is intriguing, novel, charismatic and contagious. (Let's face it, the man can definitely deliver a speech).

And he claims to bring HOPE.

But what kind of hope is he offering?

Is it hopeful to propose a universal healthcare system, a system that has done nothing but create long lines, low quality and bankruptcy for future generations in those nations who've gone before us?

Is it hopeful to raise taxes on such things as dividends and capital gains from the current 15% to Obama's proposed 39.6%, a tax that penalizes investors, entrepreneurs and risk takers, the very people who create jobs and wealth for lower and middle class America?

Is it hopeful to promise $4000 dollars to every college student, a fair standard of living to everyone who works (What is "fair"? What about those who don't handle their "fair share" wisely and end up "poor" again?), and a regular hike in minimum wage (which does nothing but discourage employers from hiring in the first place and increases the final cost to the consumer)?

Obama's brand of hope might sound good, but is it? Is it sustainable for future generations? We've already seen that government programs like social security are not. Would he add to this mess for our children?

And these are just a few policies I've actually heard him talk about. Let alone the fact that we don't really know much about him. He doesn't have much of a record, and what he does have is known to be one of the most left-wing, liberal voting records in the senate.

But still, mantras like HOPE, CHANGE and BELIEF have blinded the minds of so many. For instance, I was talking to a college student the other day who is supporting Obama. She was quick to let me know that she doesn't like universal healthcare but was willing to overlook it. We also discussed the issue of abortion and she is pro-life... Obama is pro-choice. "So, what policies DO you like?" I asked. "Oh I don't really know where he stands on a lot of things yet... I'm still looking into it, but when he speaks I just believe him." Enough said.

Hey, hope sells. And why not? People are hungry for hope. We all need something to hope in. We all need something to believe in. But there is only one thing in life in which our hope is guaranteed, and that is God. With all of this political talk of hope and with Obama portrayed as a Messianic figure, it leaves me with this question... Has government become our God? And if so, is that really hopeful?

I'm a bit confused

2008-02-14T18:42:00.002-05:00

I am increasingly disturbed by the gross inconsistencies I see evidenced in much of the western world. I can at least respect a worldview that is consistent, but a belief system that contradicts itself at every turn is hard for me to stomach.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the principal leader of the Church of England, recently made some unsettling comments. In the name of tolerance and diversity, he actually believes that sharia, or Islamic law, should become part of what he calls “plural jurisdiction” in Britain. This, he says, would help “maintain social cohesion”.

But what, I might ask, is “social cohesion”? Is punishing a woman because she was raped social cohesion? What about allowing a man to beat his wife? Or maybe forcing a 9-year-old girl to marry a 60-year-old man brings about social cohesion. And since when is sentencing a homosexual to death considered tolerant? All of this and more would be ushered in under sharia law.

This is why it’s confusing to me when I hear liberal feminists calling for tolerance and supporting the idea of Muslims instituting sharia law in the West. Do they not know what life is like for women under this system of warped justice?

It’s why I was a bit perplexed when a pastor in Sweden was recently thrown in jail for calling homosexuality a sin. The leader of the Church of England calls for sharia law (under which homosexuals would be killed), while another church leader is imprisoned for merely calling homosexuality a sin.

You can’t have it both ways people.

And therein lies the problem with trying to serve the god of tolerance—tolerance of one person is often a direct violation of the rights of another.

Or maybe its just Christians for whom modern pluralism has no tolerance.

But even so, can someone please enlighten me as to how it’s possible to create a society that’s simultaneously safe for the homosexual and tolerant of the Islamic extremist who wants to kill him? Or how it’s logical to tolerate Islam’s belief that the homosexual should be killed, while ranting and raving because a Christian said that the practice of homosexuality is wrong?

But then again, maybe the Archbishop is onto something with his concept of multiple legal standards. I mean, I myself might develop a proclivity for driving drunk on the wrong side of the highway at 100 mph. Why should I be restrained due to the bigotry and intolerance of the rest of society?

Extreme Makeover

2008-02-10T21:59:00.003-05:00

Tonight while watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (and fighting back tears), I thought what an excellent example of American genius.

The episode was about a decorated marine who lost his leg in Iraq. The crew designed and built him and his 4 children an amazing new home, paid off his mortgage, and bought him a new car. Now I'm not a regular viewer of the program, but without fail, every time I see it, it brings tears to my eyes. The show is a perfect example of freedom, capitalism, sacrifice, etc. (as I said, the American genius) at work. Every week, this show changes lives in a way the government never could. With a combined effort from companies and volunteers, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, it gives needy and deserving families a new start in life.

Everyone involved from Ford to Sears to ABC to local contractors and builders gets to do good for someone else and promote their products at the same time. Shows like this are popping up everywhere. Oprah is premiering one in March.

Americans are extremely creative... finding ways to serve one another while generating new jobs, opportunities, and capital all the while. Just a thought: Could we not meet some of our nation's greatest needs in this fashion? Healthcare? Feeding the poor? Education? Caring for veterans? Why are we so quick to turn to the government for answers? We the people through hard work and creativity can "extremely makeover" our world.

(For more on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition's volunteer programs go to http://abc.go.com/abettercommunity/index?pn=index).

Suffrage

2008-02-09T11:46:00.001-05:00

For me, a political science major and aspiring future player in politics, voting in this primary was a very interesting experience. Shockingly, as I drove to my district's polling locale, I was anything but excited about casting my vote due to the fact that I was anything but excited about any of the candidates. For the first time in my relatively short voting career, I was actually still unsure to whom I was going to give my much coveted vote as I pulled up to the building. I am a person of passionately strong convictions, and it is unnerving, to say the least, not to have a candidate to whom I can unreservedly give my full support.

Despite all of this, something else overcame me as I stepped behind that obtrusively cumbersome voting machine (is that still the best mechanism they have?). I think I experienced something akin to what the average male undergoes as they slip behind the wheel of whatever they consider the most exciting car to drive (sorry, I'm so automobile illiterate I can't even come up with a specific kind of car to insert to make my point). But this was exhilarating. I felt empowered. I, little ol' me, completely unknown by anyone who's anyone, was about to directly affect the future of one of the most influential nations on earth. Wow, what an amazing privilege! What a weighty responsibility. So many things flashed through my mind's eye in that instant...the people throughout our nation's history who gave their lives to give us this freedom; the people of Afghanistan, whom I had the privilege of knowing as they literally risked their lives to cast a vote in their very first election. They certainly know what I'm talking about.

I made one other observation on my way out, as my fellow poll-goers pinched our cheeks (and yes, I mean mine as well as my baby's)--I was literally the only person in the entire place under 65. Now I wonder, is that simply due to the time of day I voted, or does it say something else about my generation? Hmmm...

Why Blog?

2008-02-07T21:49:00.001-05:00

Well, this is something I never thought I'd do... blog, that is. I'm not really technologically inclined, I think I've left a mere one comment on a blog in my lifetime, and I sometimes have trouble even checking my email. However, even I have been bitten by the blogging bug. And I have drug my sister into the thick of it with me.

In this, my initial blog, I leave you with the many reasons I had not to blog and in the end, the reason I decided to begin:

1. I don't know much about the Internet or the blogoshpere.
2. I feared it would become an obsession.
3. There are lots of other blogs out there that probably already say the same things and say them a lot better.
4. Because I have a bent toward perfectionism and felt I would get overwhelmed trying to do this exactly right. (Get over yourself, right?)

I could go on, but they all pretty much amount to FEAR, so I turned, looked my fear in the face and started this blog. A wise man once said: "A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little courage. Every day sends to their graves obscure men whose timidity prevented them from making a first effort." Here's to first efforts...