This guy is awesome!
http://www.renewamerica.us/analysis/hutchison/090226
Issues analysis
Christianity and conservatism: Christian doctrinal orthodoxy and conservative political philosophy
A brief history of conservatism: Part 16
February 26, 2009Fred Hutchison, RA analyst In the last essay in this series, part 15, we discovered in history a strong correlation between Christian spirituality and the vitality of Western culture. However, spirituality by itself is not enough. Issues of truth and doctrinal orthodoxy are equally important. A spiritually charged people who faithfully declare God's Truth can turn the tides of history. Therefore, let us now turn to questions of doctrine.In this essay, part 16, we shall explore some of the logical correlations between Christian doctrinal orthodoxy and conservative political philosophy. When I speak of orthodoxy, I mean the great truths of the historical creeds and the confessions of the church.In the first essay in this series, I proposed that the five streams of conservatism have always had a positive influence on Western culture. This is particularly true of Christian conservatism — when the doctrine is orthodox and the truths of the faith are propagated boldly and without compromise.Christian truth claims transform EuropeThe truth claims of Christianity preoccupied the scholars at the monasteries and universities of the 11th through the 13th century. They pursued the truth with extraordinary enthusiasm, zeal, and intellectual vigor. Watering down the truth to pander to the crowd — as is so often the practice today — would have been unthinkable to these zealots.Interestingly, some of the learned debates of scholars in the 12th century were attended by large crowds of ordinary people — who shared in the general zest for truth. Never has a common people been so enthusiastic about the battle for truth. Never have students burned with such intellectual excitement and displayed such an earnest striving after Truth — with the possible exception of the students who sat in the olive groves of Plato's Academy, or the students who walked in the gymnasium colonnade of Aristotle's Lyceum, and were called the "peripatetics," or the students who walked in Zeno the Stoic's colonnade which overlooked the Agora of Athens. However, the enthusiasm of the European "scholastics" was ultimately shared by perhaps a thousand-fold more students than ever sat in Plato's Academy olive groves, or strolled in Aristotle's colonnade. As marvelous as the teachings of the Greek philosophers were, it was a small-scale enterprise compared to the Medieval European universities, and ill timed in history for a maximum cultural effect. Plato, Aristotle, and Zeno appeared after the golden age of Athens was over — and the culture was set in its ways.In contrast, scholasticism appeared shortly after 1100 A.D., when European civilization was brand new. Therefore, scholasticism had a seminal influence in molding of the culture of Europe when it was impressionable and pliable. The twelfth century was particularly flexible and dynamic, and the developing culture was rapidly changing.The greatest of the "scholastics" was St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274). His works are still included in the Western literary canon. The "Thomists" — scholars who specialize in Aquinas — still appear on the scene when there is intellectual ferment among people who have a renewed interest in metaphysics.Scholasticism gives Europe the edge in rationalityFrom almost the beginning of the civilization of the High Middle Ages, Europe had a uniquely rational culture. Scholasticism was formally developed in the early decades of the 12th century. European culture was then in a very early stage of formation, because the civilization was born in the second half of the 11th century. Europe became the premier society of rationality and remained so until the early days of the 20th century. The historical advantages of Europe were mainly advantages of reason and the educated intellect.Other natural advantages of Europe like navigable rivers and natural harbors had to be aggressively exploited by intelligent men. The proliferation of wind mills, water mills, and machinery for cutting stones and hoisting stones betokens a society of restless minds seeking to solve practical problems. The slumbering minds of the Dark Ages had to be awakened to such tasks. Scholasticism and education in the Cathedral schools and monasteries were a key stimulus for that awakening of the mind.The scholasticism of the universities and monasteries was a truth-seeking venture sponsored by the church. Therefore, it was Christianity that gave Europe its edge over other civilizations in its rational powers. The triumph of scholasticism was a triumph of doctrinal orthodoxy. During the scholastic debates of the early 12th century, orthodox views soon triumphed over heterodox and heretical views.Thus, European culture was shaped and enlightened by the theology of doctrinal orthodoxy. Most of the remainder of this essay will be devoted to establishing the affinity of doctrinal orthodoxy and conservative political philosophy.Conservative vs. modernismJust as conservative theology (i.e., orthodox doctrine) is compatible with conservative political philosophy, liberal theology is compatible with political liberalism and progressivism — i.e., the politics of modernism.Liberal theology can be characterized as modernism wrapped in a Christian package. Modernism is the common enemy of conservative theology and conservative political philosophy. None of the links between Christianity and conservative political philosophy that we shall explore in this essay are applicable to the nominal Christianity of liberal theology. Conservative theology and conservative political philosophy are the friends of reason and civilization. As we shall see in the next essay, Modernism in the 20th century has fallen to a shocking state of intellectual and moral decadence and has become the enemy of reason and of civilization.A tight theology and a loose political philosophyThe fact that there are logical connections between conservative theology and conservative political philosophy does not imply a perfect fit. There are points of tension. Therefore, It is a loose fit, not a tight fit. A loose fit is good enough for a political philosophy, but only logical precision is acceptable for orthodox theology. Whereas the great creeds of the faith required an exacting precision of language and concepts, political philosophy needs only to provide a good general fit, like clothes purchased off the shelf that need not be custom tailored for a perfect fit.Beware of doctrines that are woven too loosely and political philosophies that are woven too tightly. Loose doctrines are an invitation to heretics. Tight political philosophies collapse into narrow ideologies, which are not amenable to debate. Such ideologies alienate natural allies and make political compromise impossible.Perfectionism and political disasterWe just came through a political campaign in which the search for the perfect conservative candidate led to the mutual assured destruction of all the conservative candidates. As the ground was littered with conservative bodies, John McCain, a moderate candidate whose chances had long been written off, stepped forward and claimed the Republican nomination. He was beaten by a vague and inexperienced liberal Democrat named Barack Obama.Perfectionism is suicidal in politics. I speak as one who was guilty of insisting upon the perfect conservative and fought against the imperfect conservative candidates who might have won.As a sadder and wiser man, my mission now is to unite the five historical streams of conservatism. That would be unfeasible if all five groups were perfectionists or defined their cluster of ideas as narrow ideologies. The five schools of conservatism can only work together if a loose fit is tolerated. A loose fit allows each of the five schools of conservatism to learn from each other. Each of the schools has its own special wisdom that is needed by the conservative movement as a whole.Now let us turn to the central theme of this essay. To wit: There are affinities and logical correlations between Christian doctrinal orthodoxy and conservative political philosophy. A theologian could write tomes on this subject, but we are limited by space and time to consider a small sampler of the affinities.Man has a nature"I believe in God the father almighty, creator of heaven and earth." This first line of the Apostle's Creed confesses that God is the creator. If God created man, he also designed man. If man has a design, he also has an innate nature. An integrated design is not subject to material change, but is fixed over time. Thus, human nature is fixed throughout the centuries and is universally shared by all mankind. Modernists almost universally deny that man has a universal nature — and insist that man is a construct of culture, environment, economics, and biology. In contrast, doctrinally orthodox Christians and political conservatives almost universally insist that man has an innate nature.Modernists believe that human nature is in flux and that men were essentially different in former centuries. Therefore, they are skeptical about the wisdom of the past. In contrast, theological conservatives and political conservatives insist that man has always been essentially the same. Therefore, they cherish the wisdom of the past.Here we get a look at the great gulf between modernism, on one side, and conservatism on the other. We also observe how theological conservatism lines up with political conservatism in opposition to modernism.Human nature and legislationIf man has no nature, but is a construct of society, as liberals think, the legislator will tend to think that he can fashion a better man through social engineering programs. In contrast, if man has a nature based upon a design that is fixed and unchanging, as conservatives believe, social engineering programs designed to change human nature can only inflict injuries upon man or stifle his nature.Seventy years of social engineering by the Soviet Union failed to change human nature the slightest amount. The relentless attempt to change human nature turned the entire society into a wretched and joyless prison filled with dysfunctional people.In contrast to the soviet tyrants, the thoughtful conservative legislator will review proposed legislation to determine if it runs against the grain of human nature. He will examine a proposed new law in an attempt to ascertain whether it is oppressive to human nature or whether it will provide wholesome boundaries in which man can flourish.Political conservatives and theological conservatives will usually unite to oppose social engineering programs. Liberals and communists generally favor such programs. It is patently obvious why conservatives are invariably anticommunists and why historically, many liberals have had a secret sympathy for communism. This offers us a clue as to why poorly informed conservatives have long had difficulty in differentiating between liberalism and communism.Although Christian conservatives and political conservatives generally agree in their opposition to social engineering programs, Christian conservatives put the emphasis of the principle that only divine grace can change the human heart. Traditionalist conservatives emphasize that government social engineering projects rend the delicate social fabric. And Libertarians are primarily concerned with how government programs interfere with individual initiative.In Adam's fall we sinned allDoctrinal orthodoxy requires one to see that although man is harmoniously designed with an innate nature that was originally good, his nature has been fatally corrupted by original sin. I like to think of man as having a well-designed constitution that has been contaminated.Man is "totally depraved" in the sense that the contamination of wickedness has reached all his faculties and every part of his constitution. Man is not totally depraved in the sense of being absolutely evil, for that would be absurd.The most evil of men — like Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, and bin Laden — started with an innate propensity to sin, and willfully pursued evil thoughts and evil deeds through various stages of development. In the fullness of time, they brought forth a highly developed evil, if not an absolute evil. The human lifetime is too short and the developmental process is too slow to produce an absolute evil. In like manner, a saint is overtaken by death long before he can realize a perfection of holiness.This being understood, orthodox doctrine traditionally holds that there is no human faculty that has been left pure and uncontaminated by original sin.The evangelist Charles Finney is regarded by some doctrinally orthodox theologians as a "pelagian" heretic, because he limited the scope of original sin. He asserted that the mind and the will was not automatically contaminated with original sin — and that man is as sinful or as righteous as he chooses to be. Finney preached the gospel on the assumption that men can choose their way into faith.To the contrary, the doctrinally orthodox reformer Martin Luther taught us that 1) all of our faculties, including the mind and the will, are contaminated by original sin; 2) we are in bondage to sin until God sets us free through His grace; and 3) faith is a gift from God. Man was originally good but became bad through Adam's fall. The opening lines of the McGuffey Reader were: "In Adam's fall we sinned all.""Original sin" was inherited by all of Adam's progeny — meaning all mankind. The harmony of the original design was disrupted by the deep-seated wickedness of the human heart. It is not possible for us to return to Eden and regain the original harmony and goodness of God's design by relying on human strength and making human efforts. That is why we need a Savior.Man is a contradictionTraditionalist conservatives like to say that "man is a contradiction" and is capable of evil. This is a mild, common-sense view of the dark side of human nature. It is what the daily experiences of life and the lessons of history consistently teach us about man.There is a tension between this view and the orthodox Christian view, but when it comes to politics and legislation, most differences seem to fade away.Once again, we observe the loose fit of conservative theology and conservative politics. These two groups are easily united in political ventures against liberals who have convinced themselves, God knows how, that man is inherently good.The bewitching of the conservativesThe ascendancy of liberalism unites the conservatives to the extent that their eyes are open to perceive a common enemy. One of the reasons conservatives were not united in the last election cycle was that the eyes of many were blinded in such a way that they failed to perceive the rise of leviathan out of the pit — that is to say, the rise of the far left into power.Why were they blinded, deceived, and bewitched? One reason is that they slipped away from conservative principles. A Christian who forgets biblical truths can backslide and be deceived by the world and the devil. A political conservative who loses his grip on conservative principles can be deceived by the liberals or compromised by deals with moderates.Some conservatives tried to balance conservative principles with incompatible modernistic concepts. As we shall see in the next section, this practice debilitates the conservative and induces a slide down a slippery slope to the left.Wishful thinkingWhen liberals deny the palpable reality of the dark side of human nature, they reject all the lessons of life and experience. Such a denial suggests a powerful delusion or a childlike naivete.During my late teens, around the time I was thinking about becoming a conservative, I remember telling a liberal college instructor that his arguments were based on "wishful thinking." The stubborn notion that man is inherently good was behind much of his naivete. We live in a broken world, and it does no good to wish otherwise as a naive child might do.The willful denial by liberals of the evil that lurks in the human heart has, in some cases, an element of malice. Such a denial suggests a primal rebellion involving an indignant rejection of the harsh reality of the broken world in which they find themselves. "I refuse to believe that men are the rascals and knaves which they appear to be. Therefore, I insist that they are otherwise." The malice inherent in their rebellious denial is sometimes turned against conservatives who are pessimistic about human nature.Can fallen man become virtuous?Some theological conservatives believe that although man is depraved, he can cooperate with a development process leading towards virtue with the help of "common grace," an empowerment from God for the believer and the unbeliever alike. Through common grace, a "noble pagan" like Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius had reached some degree of light on truth questions. He knew the difference between good and evil, and between virtue and vice. By all accounts, he made significant headway in his quest for virtue and wisdom. However, common grace without the special grace that comes with conversion to Christ is not enough. For all his virtue and wisdom, Marcus Aurelius wasted the substance of Rome with futile, tactically foolish wars against the northern barbarians. He persecuted the Christians. He designated Commodus — his foolish, malicious, and delusional son — to be the heir to his throne. Socrates was wrong. The rule of philosopher kings is no panacea.Conservatism can be problematicThere is a problematic dichotomy with a creature who has a good design, but has become evil through rebelling against his Designer and resisting his design. According to Aristotle, virtue consists of thoughts and actions in agreement with the design of man. Vice consists of doing things that are "against nature" — that is to say, against the nature and design of man. This is not an intellectually easy nor intuitively obvious concept. A distinction must be made carefully made between a good design and a deep corruption.Due to the failure to make this distinction carefully, fault lines have formed among conservative theologians and conservative political philosophers. The fault line can form from two kinds of errors: 1) downplaying human depravity by overemphasizing the goodness of the design; and 2) downplaying the goodness and harmony of the design, due to a preoccupation with human depravity. The first error might lead one to trust in man too much and to slip towards the left, theologically and politically. The second error might lead one to reject Natural Law philosophy, which is indispensable to a coherent systematic theology and a rational conservative political philosophy.The difficulties do not end here. The conservative must carefully distinguish between the sinful nature and the habitual propensities that have developed from a long series of choices. A mistake here can lead to all kinds of sloppy thinking. Theologian John Gregory Mantle characterized this sloppy thinking by referring to self-righteous Christians as those who have built learned behavior upon a corrupt root.The opposite error is to downplay the wickedness of a sinner by making the excuse that the person is merely following bad habits. This error leaves out a moral appraisal of the long series of wicked choices that were made to develop the bad habit. One can justly refer to someone as an "evil man" if he has spent a lifetime cultivating evil patterns of behavior. Certain criminal psychologists have determined that hardened criminals often start cultivating evil imaginations in childhood and perform many experiments in turning the thoughts into deeds. Through such experiments, they become proficient in increasing stages of evil. (See Inside the Criminal Mind by Dr. Stanton Samenow.)A tutelary paradoxI have always had a pessimistic view of human nature, and at the same time have always been optimistic that individuals can eventually fulfill the destiny inherent in their design — with the help of divine grace. However, the developmental process of maturing and getting ready for one's ultimate destiny can be very long and very difficult. Many stray from the straight path that leads to the fulfillment of their destiny.Some folks think that a potential destiny and manifest depravity are an impossible contradiction. I regard both dimensions of human nature as a tutelary paradox that can lead one slowly to wisdom and personal growth. The paradox is a motivator to seek help from God and to be delivered from the sins and vices that might bar one from fulfilling his destiny.The particular and the universalSome libertarian conservatives and some traditionalists emphasize the particular and unique qualities of individuals to such an extent that they doubt that man has a core nature with universal qualities. The denial of universal human nature of underlying the individual particulars is why some libertarians reject the idea of a universal moral law. The confusion of not seeing the forest of human nature for the trees of individual particulars can be cleared up by a refresher course in Aristotle or St. Thomas Aquinas. Both men taught us how to differentiate "essence" and "accidents." Aristotle's universals subsist as the "essence" of particular things. In other words, one's core human essence — that is to say, one's humanity — is universal. The "accidents" are those superficial, tangible details, particularities, and eccentricities that make a person a unique individual. Recognizing the unique personality but ignoring the underlying personhood is an error of logical distinctions; e.g., "He is a rascal and a clown; therefore he is not a human being." The error is insulting because it is reductionistic.Precisely because Aristotle's and Aquinas' thought was so deeply woven into Western culture, the West was long able to avoid extremes in collectivism and extremes in individualism. The West lost this facility in direct proportion to the decline of metaphysics after 1800 A.D. The political liberals of the present time swing wildly between collectivism and a lawless, atomistic individualism. It is no accident that metaphysics is anathema to them.The existential mistakeAnother Libertarian mistake is of the Existentialist type. It involves a failure to differentiate between essence and existence. Existentialists are obsessed with finding an "authentic" mode of existence. It is an extreme version of the American quest for a self-defining and trendy "life-style." Such preoccupation with modes of existence tends towards the neglect of "essence," the inner humanity that exists independently of one's modes of existing. Aristotle or Aquinas can clear up the problem by clarifying the difference between essence and existence.Why cannot man be content just to exist and not be so concerned about his personal modes of existence? Because man is a finite, contingent, insecure, proud being who must attach himself to the world by raising a banner that he exists. "Look at me. I am right here, right now, and am expressing myself in a unique manner. Therefore, I exist!" The man who is spiritually mature enough to completely dispense with "raising the flag" is very rare. However, an obsession with "raising the flag" of existential self-expression is a sign of abnormal insecurity and immaturity.Unlike man, God's essence is the same as his existence, because he is complete and self-contained in the perfection of his being. If he "raises the flag," it is purely an act of love and never an attempt to ground or vindicate his existence.Those who can't differentiate between essence and existence do not understand man. Those who think God has modes of existence does not understand God.The West used to have a good balance between individual creativity and archetypal forms in the arts and literature. Now, the existential quest for radical individuality of expression has thrown the arts and literature into chaos.A universal moral lawAll designs have rules of operation. When one buys a new kitchen appliance, there are always written directions about how to operate the appliance and what one should not do with the appliance, lest it malfunctions and becomes dangerous to the user.Since man is a designed being, there are rules and laws concerning what he may do that are salutary to his nature and what he may not do lest he destroy himself and his neighbor. These rules, laws, and precepts are the same for all people. Therefore, a universal moral law must exist. The moral law has been unchanging and universal ever since man has been on earth. Considering that man is a designed being, Is there an instruction booklet for man, provided by the designer? Yes. We call it the Bible. The one thing on which the Old Testament and New Testament are in perfect agreement is the core elements of the universal moral law that are summed up in the Ten Commandments. Old Testament ordinances that were specific to Israel and were not universal in applicability were abolished in the New Testament — but not the precepts of the Ten Commandments.Many modernists deny the existence of a universal moral law, and call such things the "value judgments" of individuals. They assume that because a modernist will often invent his own moral cosmos, the moral law of conservatives is the same kind of personal invention. They give this presumption away when they claim that the command against adultery is a personal value judgment. Not so. A universal moral law is the exact opposite of a made-up value that is unique to the individual.One's positions on innumerable political issues will hinge upon whether he thinks there is a universal moral law, or dismisses such laws as individual "value judgments." For example, consider an example of a free-floating value judgment: "The babe in the womb is part of my body. I can do anything I want with my body. Therefore, I have the right to kill the baby. My free choice to do so makes it right."The first sentence is contrary to scientific fact. The second sentence is contrary to natural law and biblical teaching. The third sentence is contrary to the universal moral law. The fourth statement comes from the funny farm of solipsism. This cluster of concepts ignores the spiritual reality that the babe in the womb is a person.The invention of tailor-made value stances of this kind pander to personal comfort and unrestrained lusts. They promise freedom from consequences and from personal responsibility. In contrast, authentic moral laws require self-denial, develop personal virtue, and promote the general good of the family, the neighborhood, and the community.The self-contradictory nature of modernismIn contrast to the fault-lines of conservatism, modernism has stark contradictions. As we have seen, the conservative fault lines can often be reconciled or reduced to a loose fit. However, it is dubious whether the contradictions of modernism can be reconciled or made to work together.Modernists say: 1) man does not have a nature; and 2) man is inherently good. These two propositions are contradictions. If man does not have a nature, he cannot be inherently good, or inherently bad, or inherently anything.Modernism posits an impossible contradiction and is therefore a false world view.Modernists have an absurd view of the world. It is no accident that Sartre came to believe that life is absurd.If men were angelsJames Madison, the principal author of the Constitution wrote, "If men were angels no government would be necessary." We would not need police or a justice system to punish evil doers. Liberals, who believe men are good unless they are mentally ill, or emotionally damaged, sometimes propose that we substitute therapy for criminal punishment. A liberal judge in my home town let a child molester off on probation in order that he could get "therapy." Was this morally deranged judge impeached? No, he was defended by the liberal press and was re-elected.Some liberals say, "Society is the cause of criminality. Therefore, let us fix the root causes in society, instead of punishing criminals."When there is a crime wave, conservatives talk of hiring more police and building more prisons, and liberals talk about therapy and social engineering projects. A Christian who believes in the fall of man must be skeptical that therapy can make an evil man good or that social programs can cure the real cause of crime that lies in the darkness of the human heart.In the novel The Lord of the Flies, English school boys were cast adrift on an island and quickly reverted to savagery. When a seaman came to rescue them, a boy named Ralph realized how far the boys had sunk into depravity. He wept for "the end of innocence and for the darkness of the human heart." The boys were delivered of the illusion that man is naturally good, and it hurt to give up this pleasant illusion.When I was on the college debate team, an argument was made that welfare programs do not corrupt the beneficiaries because "people have an innate desire to work." This point was baldly asserted on the grounds that man is naturally good and therefore tends to prefer virtue to vice.That kind of thinking prevailed when the New Deal and Great Society programs were designed. The result was a great mass of welfare families who remained on the government dole for generations. Their idleness multiplied their vices and shattered their families. They did not sit at home studying the Aristotelian virtues.Rights and dutiesIn our political culture today, those who shout the loudest about rights are the most likely to deny duties. This is the behavior of the dead beat, the moocher, and the con man. While I expect such moral decadence from liberals, I am embarrassed to confess that some libertarian conservatives carry atomist individualism to extremes and demand rights while denying duties.If man has a nature, he must have both rights and duties connected with that nature. Governments that respect human nature are obliged to protect the innate rights of an individual against the infringements of other men. Since human nature is constant, these protections should be enduring principles of law. At the same time, no one should be offended when the legitimate duties of citizenship are called for.If man has rights, he must also have duties. It is inconceivable that the creator would design man to soak up rights and deny duties. The man who demands every benefit but shuns every duty is despicable. He is a parasitic narcissist. It is unthinkable that man was designed to be this way.To suppose that man is here solely to serve only his private ends calls into question the idea that man really has the innate dignity that warrants special rights and privileges. We can't have it both ways. Either man has both rights and duties, or he has neither.Self-governmentIf man has both rights and duties, the full flourishing of his nature would require that he exercise himself in meeting those duties. If man is capable of arousing himself from self-seeking activities to carry out his duties, the unavoidable implication is that man is capable of governing himself — or, to some degree, moral and self-disciplined men who are thoroughly socialized as responsible members of the family and the community are capable of governing themselves.The capacity of men to govern themselves makes it possible to have a Republic of free men and a limited role for government. The greater part of the government will be self-government. The lesser part will be civil government. It is no accident that at a time when individual self-control is in decline, an increasing number of citizens are calling for an increased scope of government programs and government regulation.The restoration of self-government It is not enough for conservatives to fight against the expansion of government. They must show the way — through example and teaching — to the restoration of self-control by individuals.It is not enough to be virtuous and to teach the classical virtues to the populace. The preaching of righteousness, holiness, personal responsibility, and self denial, long absent from America's pulpits, must be restored. Perhaps an entire generation of pandering seeker-sensitive ministries must pass from the scene, so that a new wave of godly men, with their hearts on fire for truth and zeal for righteousness and holiness, might rise up from the grassroots of America. The sharp edges of doctrinal orthodoxy, which have been blunted and rounded off in the fear that someone will be offended, must once again be a razor-sharp two-edged sword.This has happened several times before in American history. That is why we have had such a long run of self-government and personal freedom.Freedom within boundariesAll designs are integrated with boundaries and limits. This truth is known to every engineer and architect. If man is a designed being, all of life must be conducted within limits. Virtually all doctrinal and theological conservatives understand this.However, liberals and modernists frequently talk about the absence of limits on the possibilities of an individual. This popular idea passes for wisdom and enlightenment, but it is a notion so filled with fantasy and folly that even a child should know better.All ideas about a life without limits are destructive to man. Many Americans are lured to their doom by the pied piper of "no limits." They boldly throw off boundaries, thinking it will set them free and they can then do the impossible.This is madness, of course. Man is a created being and therefore is finite and is obliged to live within boundaries, like them or not. Get used to it.God has placed each of us on earth according to "appointed times," and has established the "boundaries of our habitation" (Acts 17: 26). He has put us in a particular place at a particular time to do business for Him in a particular station in life. Our lives have starting and ending times, and the community, province, or nation in which we live has boundaries. Every kind of work we might do is hedged about with duties and boundaries. God himself has established these "boundaries of our habitation." We flourish and find our freedom within these boundaries. Everyone who knows they are not God but are mere created men should understand this in the marrow of his bones. Unfortunately, 20th century modernism promotes a powerful delusion that we are gods, and not men, and therefore have no limits. As we shall see, in the next section, it was Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) who opened this pandora's box to poison the souls of 20th century men.ConclusionChristian doctrinal conservatism, allied with conservative political philosophy, is a good antidote to Nietzsche's nihilistic modernism. Christian conservatism is uniquely potent in fighting modernism.Therefore, Christian conservatism is indispensable as one of the five branches of conservatism. Without it, the other branches will be in constant danger of being seduced by modernism and drifting to the left.© Fred Hutchison
RenewAmerica analyst Fred Hutchison also writes a column for RenewAmerica.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
BBQ Staples
With 80 consecutive days off this summer, like every summer, the ritual known as backyard grilling takes its proper place as the second most popular summer activity. Golf, of course, is number one but it makes for a strong 1-2 punch! So last night sitting around the aroma of Kingsford and steaks, the discussion about what are the top 3 bbq must. The ones that are chisled in stone. "Ice cold Keystone and George Jones on the stereo" I stated. Since I was in my backyard running the show this night, the Master of the Grill. One buddy said "lawn furniture that is comfy and a fly swatter." Excellent choices too. Other top choices from the backyard grill cabinet were, horseshoes, dartboard, lawn dart(very high risk since I still have the metal tipped ones!).
So all this discussion about the three things that are a must has lead to a blog entry. So here are mine;
1- No brainer....Ice cold beer
2- Stereo with plenty of Jones, Haggard, Lefty, and Waylon
3- Any type of grilling meat from National Market
and a honary mention would be a can of OFF. I think that should have been my number one from the way I am scratching today!
So all this discussion about the three things that are a must has lead to a blog entry. So here are mine;
1- No brainer....Ice cold beer
2- Stereo with plenty of Jones, Haggard, Lefty, and Waylon
3- Any type of grilling meat from National Market
and a honary mention would be a can of OFF. I think that should have been my number one from the way I am scratching today!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Attacks Supporter Of His Rival
Robert Stanford who has a clear agenda to get elected to a council seat in Modesto, has used people of color, and whites too, guess he is an equal opportunist, has been attacking Stanislaus county sheriff Adam Christianson. And now we know why: He supports Stanny's opponent. Here is a link to the site. How many people and groups is Stanford willing to use to get elected? The hit list grows daily. You can also view his abuse here http://thehive.modbee.com/tracker
http://www.joemuratore.com/
http://www.joemuratore.com/
RePost Of A Local Wannabe
This guy is still using people and groups for his personal gain.
http://unclesamsboot.blogspot.com/2008/08/wanna-be-politicofor-sure-panderer.html
http://unclesamsboot.blogspot.com/2008/07/he-wants-to-be-modesto-city-councilman_20.html
http://unclesamsboot.blogspot.com/2008/07/he-wants-to-be-modesto-city-councilman.html
http://unclesamsboot.blogspot.com/2008/07/racist-in-modesto.html
http://unclesamsboot.blogspot.com/2008/08/wanna-be-politicofor-sure-panderer.html
http://unclesamsboot.blogspot.com/2008/07/he-wants-to-be-modesto-city-councilman_20.html
http://unclesamsboot.blogspot.com/2008/07/he-wants-to-be-modesto-city-councilman.html
http://unclesamsboot.blogspot.com/2008/07/racist-in-modesto.html
Monday, May 25, 2009
The Culture Of Death Has A President
Miss Coulter is always honest and to the point. She maybe held responsible for massive heart attacks to many an angry and deceitful progressive/libturd! What is truly scary are the people who have children and grandchildren of their own and still support infanticide. I read their infected thoughts and words daily on differing blogs. They usually also do not believe in moral absolutes. Often having issues with the rule of law and law enforcement officers. They often do not reveal anything about their identities because they are afraid of "attacks." What they truly are afraid of is the evil the lives inside them.
All is not lost though; ask God for forgiveness and step forward and admit that killing innocent life that resides inside of a woman for 9 months is a living person sent to Earth from God in Heaven.
http://www.anncoulter.com/
How about for next year's graduation ceremony Notre Dame have an abortionist perform an abortion live on stage? They could have a partial-birth abortion for the advanced degrees.
According to liberals, the right to kill babies was enshrined by the Founding Fathers in our Constitution -- and other constitutional rights are celebrated in public.
The right to bear arms is honored in 21-gun salutes, turkey shoots, Civil War re-enactments, firearms demonstrations and, occasionally, at Phil Spector's house.
The right to petition the government for redress of grievances is celebrated at political rallies, tea parties, marches, protests and whenever Keith Olbermann has a fight with his cat.
The free exercise clause is observed in church services, missionary work, peyote-smoking Indian rituals, and for a few days after every time Bill Clinton gets caught having an extramarital affair.
So instead of inviting a constitutional lawyer to yammer on about this purported constitutional right, why not show it being practiced?
How about a 21-vacuum hose (D&C) salute? Maybe have the Notre Dame marching band form a giant skull-piercing fork? How about having the president throw out the ceremonial first fetus, like on opening day in baseball? I'm just brainstorming here, folks -- none of this is written in stone.
Being such a prestigious institution, Notre Dame could probably get famed partial-birth abortion practitioner George Tiller to do the demonstration at next year's graduation. Obama could help -- inasmuch as Tiller the abortionist is a close friend of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
This is a "constitutional right" like no other.
Even its supporters are embarrassed by the exercise of this right. They won't practice the right in public -- they won't even call abortion by its name, preferring to use a string of constantly changing euphemisms, such as "reproductive health" and "choice."
It would be as if gun owners refused to use the word "gun" and the NRA's motto were, "Let's all work together to keep hunting safe, legal and rare."
Liberals were awestruck by Obama's statesmanlike speech at Notre Dame, but whatever he says about abortion is frothy nonsense because we're not allowed to vote on abortion policy in America. If it's a "constitutional right," we can no more vote on abortion than we could vote on free speech.
With Roe v. Wade, abortion supporters ripped the issue out of the democratic process -- limb from limb, you might say -- and declared their desired outcome a "constitutional right." They have hysterically defended that lawless decision for the last quarter-century.
All of Obama's soothing words about joining hands and not demonizing one another are just blather as long as that legal monstrosity remains the law of the land.
Showing his open-mindedness, Obama asked, "How does each of us remain firm in our principles ... without demonizing those with just as strongly held convictions on the other side?" (What do I have to do to get you murderers and you non-murderers to shake hands and be friends?)
A good start would be letting us vote.
Liberals can be all sweet reason as long as their preference for abortion on demand is lyingly called a "constitutional right," immutable to the tiniest alteration by the voters.
In the minuscule areas where abortion policy can be affected, Obama has shown his passion for compromise by always taking the most extreme pro-abortion position.
On his third day in office, Obama overturned the "Mexico City Policy," which prohibited U.S. taxpayer money from being spent on overseas organizations that perform or actively promote abortion as a method of family planning.
Obama has filled his administration with Planned Parenthood veterans and friends of partial-birth abortionists.
As an Illinois state senator in 2002-2003, Obama repeatedly blocked and voted against the "Born Alive Act," which would have allowed doctors to give medical care to babies who somehow survived abortions and remained alive, wholly apart from their mothers.
Even the extremist National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League declined to take a position on the bill. The same bill in the U.S. Senate passed unanimously -- and that means that abortion-happy nutcake Barbara Boxer voted for it.
But Obama apparently thought it was important to affirm a woman's critical right to fourth-trimester abortions.
Here's my idea for how we can "live together as one human family," as Obama proposed at Notre Dame: Go ahead, demonize pro-lifers, Obama -- call us "right-wing ideologues." But just once, support one little policy that will save a single unborn child.
COPYRIGHT 2009 ANN COULTER DISTRIBUTED BY UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE
All is not lost though; ask God for forgiveness and step forward and admit that killing innocent life that resides inside of a woman for 9 months is a living person sent to Earth from God in Heaven.
http://www.anncoulter.com/
How about for next year's graduation ceremony Notre Dame have an abortionist perform an abortion live on stage? They could have a partial-birth abortion for the advanced degrees.
According to liberals, the right to kill babies was enshrined by the Founding Fathers in our Constitution -- and other constitutional rights are celebrated in public.
The right to bear arms is honored in 21-gun salutes, turkey shoots, Civil War re-enactments, firearms demonstrations and, occasionally, at Phil Spector's house.
The right to petition the government for redress of grievances is celebrated at political rallies, tea parties, marches, protests and whenever Keith Olbermann has a fight with his cat.
The free exercise clause is observed in church services, missionary work, peyote-smoking Indian rituals, and for a few days after every time Bill Clinton gets caught having an extramarital affair.
So instead of inviting a constitutional lawyer to yammer on about this purported constitutional right, why not show it being practiced?
How about a 21-vacuum hose (D&C) salute? Maybe have the Notre Dame marching band form a giant skull-piercing fork? How about having the president throw out the ceremonial first fetus, like on opening day in baseball? I'm just brainstorming here, folks -- none of this is written in stone.
Being such a prestigious institution, Notre Dame could probably get famed partial-birth abortion practitioner George Tiller to do the demonstration at next year's graduation. Obama could help -- inasmuch as Tiller the abortionist is a close friend of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
This is a "constitutional right" like no other.
Even its supporters are embarrassed by the exercise of this right. They won't practice the right in public -- they won't even call abortion by its name, preferring to use a string of constantly changing euphemisms, such as "reproductive health" and "choice."
It would be as if gun owners refused to use the word "gun" and the NRA's motto were, "Let's all work together to keep hunting safe, legal and rare."
Liberals were awestruck by Obama's statesmanlike speech at Notre Dame, but whatever he says about abortion is frothy nonsense because we're not allowed to vote on abortion policy in America. If it's a "constitutional right," we can no more vote on abortion than we could vote on free speech.
With Roe v. Wade, abortion supporters ripped the issue out of the democratic process -- limb from limb, you might say -- and declared their desired outcome a "constitutional right." They have hysterically defended that lawless decision for the last quarter-century.
All of Obama's soothing words about joining hands and not demonizing one another are just blather as long as that legal monstrosity remains the law of the land.
Showing his open-mindedness, Obama asked, "How does each of us remain firm in our principles ... without demonizing those with just as strongly held convictions on the other side?" (What do I have to do to get you murderers and you non-murderers to shake hands and be friends?)
A good start would be letting us vote.
Liberals can be all sweet reason as long as their preference for abortion on demand is lyingly called a "constitutional right," immutable to the tiniest alteration by the voters.
In the minuscule areas where abortion policy can be affected, Obama has shown his passion for compromise by always taking the most extreme pro-abortion position.
On his third day in office, Obama overturned the "Mexico City Policy," which prohibited U.S. taxpayer money from being spent on overseas organizations that perform or actively promote abortion as a method of family planning.
Obama has filled his administration with Planned Parenthood veterans and friends of partial-birth abortionists.
As an Illinois state senator in 2002-2003, Obama repeatedly blocked and voted against the "Born Alive Act," which would have allowed doctors to give medical care to babies who somehow survived abortions and remained alive, wholly apart from their mothers.
Even the extremist National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League declined to take a position on the bill. The same bill in the U.S. Senate passed unanimously -- and that means that abortion-happy nutcake Barbara Boxer voted for it.
But Obama apparently thought it was important to affirm a woman's critical right to fourth-trimester abortions.
Here's my idea for how we can "live together as one human family," as Obama proposed at Notre Dame: Go ahead, demonize pro-lifers, Obama -- call us "right-wing ideologues." But just once, support one little policy that will save a single unborn child.
COPYRIGHT 2009 ANN COULTER DISTRIBUTED BY UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Michael Savage - NY Terror Plot, Closing Gitmo, Conspiracies, and Satanic Progressives
Talks about the insane lefty progressives. Very spot on.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
A Sign From Above!
It looks like good is winning over evil again. I have a feeling that the number of people who support life are larger than this poll shows. All things are possible when God is involved!
http://www.gallup.com/poll/118399/More-Americans-Pro-Life-Than-Pro-Choice-First-Time.aspx
PRINCETON, NJ -- A new Gallup Poll, conducted May 7-10, finds 51% of Americans calling themselves "pro-life" on the issue of abortion and 42% "pro-choice." This is the first time a majority of U.S. adults have identified themselves as pro-life since Gallup began asking this question in 1995.
The new results, obtained from Gallup's annual Values and Beliefs survey, represent a significant shift from a year ago, when 50% were pro-choice and 44% pro-life. Prior to now, the highest percentage identifying as pro-life was 46%, in both August 2001 and May 2002.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/118399/More-Americans-Pro-Life-Than-Pro-Choice-First-Time.aspx
PRINCETON, NJ -- A new Gallup Poll, conducted May 7-10, finds 51% of Americans calling themselves "pro-life" on the issue of abortion and 42% "pro-choice." This is the first time a majority of U.S. adults have identified themselves as pro-life since Gallup began asking this question in 1995.
The new results, obtained from Gallup's annual Values and Beliefs survey, represent a significant shift from a year ago, when 50% were pro-choice and 44% pro-life. Prior to now, the highest percentage identifying as pro-life was 46%, in both August 2001 and May 2002.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Don't Want This To Disappear
Homelessness is not a choice at all.
Submitted by gmaudlin on Sun, 2008-01-06 02:16.
Drug Laws/Reform
Family/Parenting
Health and Science
Politics/Social Action
Religion/Spirituality
The United States government is interested in the homeless problem. As a part of research into this subject, many children were interviewed. When ask the question "what do you want to be when you grow up", many answered with statements like, a doctor, a lawyer, a football player, a fireman, etc., etc. Not one single child wanted to be and set out and studied to be homeless. Wow, what a surprise that might be when people say, "that was their choice."
Homelessness is a core problem in America. "What can I do to help the homeless?" It is estimated that nearly 3.5 million people are homeless in the United States. 1.35 million of these are children (National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, 2004). Contrary to popular belief, many of these people do not choose to be homeless.
Why are people homeless? Everyone is faced with a crisis at some point in their lives. For some, maybe a spouse suffers from mental illness, or has developed an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Others experience job loss, domestic violence, divorce, injury or illness. Many families are fortunate to have the financial resources to deal with these problems. For those that don't, they soon find themselves out of money and homeless. Lack of financial resources is the primary reason people are homeless. For those who lack education, job or social skills, it is extremely hard to extract oneself from the cycle of homelessness.
How can I make a difference? Visiting shelters and volunteering at soup kitchens are one way in which a person can make a difference. Donate food for the homeless to a local food pantry. By C. Jeanne Heida, published Jul 27, 2007
Give clothing to the shelters. Give cash to the shelters. Adopt a homeless family and share your experience strength and hope. Volunteer your time to help the homeless. Take a homeless person fishing, golfing, or just to a movie..........or just down to buy some clothes at the local thrift shop. Or bring a homeless home to shower and feed. Don't say it can't be done. I have done all of that and it not only worked out perfectly, the effort was greatly appreciated.
And most of all pray for those that dislike the homeless. Pray for the egotistical, unhumbled, ignorant people that show no compassion or respect for our veterans, mentally ill, addicted, unfortunate, jobless, homeless. Especially pray for the children of the homeless. Homelessness is a revolving cycle for families. And I will do my part also. And I will remain a friend and advocate to the homeless and work in the solution with each one I can. Pray for the city and county officials to continue providing for the common welfare of all people.
We get a lot of religious viewpoint on the Hive, and that is very good. Pro-actively speaking, what do the religions desire to do about the homeless problem?
"I'm the master of low expectations".
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BS
Submitted by jheaton on Sun, 2008-01-06 02:54.
For some, being homeless is a life style choice. Years ago they were called hobos. Today, they are called "homeless" by some and bums by others. People who choose to live the bum life don't ask for help. Good for them. But for the "bums" who steal and do illegal drugs... don't do it in my neighborhood because you will loose this fight.
If a person is down and out they need to seek out a church or the Salvation Army. There are also social services and if one is a vet, go to the VA.
It is time for some people in this country to toughen up, quit crying and take care of yourself. If that means getting down on your kness and asking for help from the Lord, then good. If it means robbing innocent people, looking for a free lunch and begging.... then screw you!
May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't.- General George Patton Jr
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What Can I Say?
Submitted by Bnic on Sun, 2008-01-06 03:43.
Please "forgive them, for they know not what they say."
Years ago I had frequent encounters with a schizophrenic man, in his early thirties. Some days he would tell me he hadn't eaten in a day or two. Often I would give him something to eat and sit with him. He would tell me of his problems. Frequently he showed evidence of a severe beating and extreme exposure to the elements.
Then he was gone! I never saw him again!
He was gentle, kind, frail and didn't want to live a life on the streets. He didn't use substances or commit crimes. He was mentally ill and didn't receive the attention or help he deserved as a human being, an American woefully in need of help.
Bnic
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Ya, I hear you. What can I say?
Submitted by gmaudlin on Sun, 2008-01-06 13:09.
Churches don't house the homeless. The Salvation Army is filled up and one can't get in. Social Services don't house the homeless. As for the Veterans:
Article Finds Veteran's Housing Programs to be Inadequate. Posted: 12/11/2007
First published in the Indiana Law Review in 2005 this article examines the nature and extent of housing assistance provided by the United States government to veterans of its military service. It finds that assistance remarkably limited and inconsistent with our nation's history and rhetoric, providing a sobering corrective for those who wish to believe that public policy in the United States progressively becomes more humane or that national declarations are matched by national performance. The article also considers the reasons and potential cures for these inadequacies and inconsistencies.
Send Us Your Successful Ideas
If you have successfully created a program to provide continual support to homeless veteran service providers in your area, NCHV would appreciate hearing about it. If it is a program that can be replicated, your idea could contribute greatly to the success of other programs that provide hope and restore the dignity of homeless veterans nationwide. Send information about your program to the Communications Director at nchv4@nchv.org, or by mail to NCHV, 333 ½ Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Washington, D.C. 20003-1148.
So just looking at the homeless veterans as a separate group, aren't we really demonstrating thru our lack of effort that we are all prideful for the vet. to fight our war, but once the vet. is beat up, take a hike. It's a me world the past two decades and homeless vet's. have nothing more I can use them for, so just get the hell away. You dirty bum.
Rationalize all you want but, it is totally inexcusable to have homeless in this country today. And especially homeless veterans.
source: http://www.nchv.org/howtohelp.cfm
"I'm the master of low expectations."
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Flip-flop
Submitted by Activist1 on Sun, 2008-01-06 13:22.
Again.
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The Church Teaches
Submitted by LSK49rs on Sun, 2008-01-06 19:20.
and I believe:
2447 The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God:
He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none and he who has food must do likewise. But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, everything is clean for you. If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit?
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That is what I call a spiritual principal. That is what I have
Submitted by gmaudlin on Sun, 2008-01-06 19:43.
been getting at all this time. It's the way people should live out their life. With that type of attitude. And this is just one area of life's challenges and choices.
Thank you LSK. I was beginning to wonder about the Catholic religion. Thanks for taking a stand for humanity or whatever one wants to call it.
I feel if one is going to have a religion, apply the religion to real life and preach from the heart, so all can relate and understand the message. You have done just that.
"I'm the master of low expectations."
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Many people do not know
Submitted by LSK49rs on Sun, 2008-01-06 20:22.
that the Catholic Church and the other various Christian denominations are often the dam holding back the flood waters of social ills. For instance, the food for the Gospel Mission is prepared by parishoners at St. Joseph's where I attend. The only people who were present in Dafur and are in the Congo for many MANY years were the Churches. We, the membes, are far from perfect, but we do our best to live out the teachings, one day at a time.
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Every last Saturday of the month, I donate my time to a church
Submitted by gmaudlin on Sun, 2008-01-06 21:13.
here in town, that does amazing things for all the people in need. This is not the church I attend, but it is a Christian church also and they need my help. It is one of my favorite ways to give. The church has several trucks and the trucks go out to the people. There are no requirements to receive, although there is a limit on clothing and food. All the donations are gathered by the church workers such as myself, taken out to the community and given freely to the people. It is a huge operation and I can tell you the recipients are very grateful. Many will wait in line an hour or two for us to get there. At each stop point (6 or so are going on at the same time), the gospel is preached a little and people young and old alike are asked to join God's family. One of the things I have noticed about the whole operation is that people really do see others care. And I know for sure, some join the helping team and wind up giving away what has been freely given to them. It's something else to see. All set up as a totally not for profit deal. It's a perfect demonstration of God's love working thru his people.
"I'm the master of low expectations."
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On the flip side...
Submitted by AbstrACT on Mon, 2008-01-07 02:15.
We are an individualistic society- as a whole many have abandonded the idea of taking care of our family members in need, and instead take care of ourselves- I think it perpetuates our homeless problem. Most are mentally ill and/or drug addicts. There are some that are incapable of taking care of themselves due to mental illness and of course they need charity and mercy.
It is surprising to find out that many of them WANT to live on the streets. There are so many social programs- anyone who is homeless with a mental illness or drug problem CAN get help, especially if there are children involved. For the most part, the only people who do not choose to be homeless are children.
As someone who lives in the Bay Area (with a large homeless population) and worked Mental Health Crisis for 4 years, I think it has gotten to a point where people expect to be taken care of. On a primitive level, the harsh truth is that it is "survival of the fittest"... that the strong will survive and by comparrison, what we consider "poverty" in this country is not that bad.
What religious institutions and organizations do in charity is amazing, and that's how it should be. I think it is extremely important to have humanitartian involvement in our communities- but it needs to be done in a way that not only encourages, but demands self-reliance and a sense of reciprocity. Because I believe most of the people taking advantage of these charitable and governmental programs are working the system.
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You raise a very interesting point
Submitted by LSK49rs on Mon, 2008-01-07 02:34.
especially in regards to the way our society treats the mentally ill. I remember (because I am old enough!) when there were more pro-active ways in which society could make sure those who were incapable of making productive, safe decisions as to how they would live had a roof over their heads. Unfortunately, some real abuses existed but it seems to me that we went overboard in trying to correct those abuses. Now, because of laws in place, people who really are too sick to be able to live outside of an institution are given the 'right' to refuse treatment. They are so often the victims of crime and drug abuse that it breaks my heart. Yet I sat with many an elderly parent outside a court room who were prevented from 'forcing' adult, mentally ill children off the mean streets of this rather cold, cruel world.
I also agree with you that the children are the horrible victims of this problem. They truly TRULY do not choose their way of life.
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LSKnew
Submitted by jheaton on Fri, 2009-05-15 14:32.
I used your quote;"that the Catholic Church and the other various Christian denominations are often the dam holding back the flood waters of social ills" while discussing this topic with a friend. I just wanted to give credit where it was due!
unclesamsboot.blogspot.com
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Submitted by gmaudlin on Sun, 2008-01-06 02:16.
Drug Laws/Reform
Family/Parenting
Health and Science
Politics/Social Action
Religion/Spirituality
The United States government is interested in the homeless problem. As a part of research into this subject, many children were interviewed. When ask the question "what do you want to be when you grow up", many answered with statements like, a doctor, a lawyer, a football player, a fireman, etc., etc. Not one single child wanted to be and set out and studied to be homeless. Wow, what a surprise that might be when people say, "that was their choice."
Homelessness is a core problem in America. "What can I do to help the homeless?" It is estimated that nearly 3.5 million people are homeless in the United States. 1.35 million of these are children (National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, 2004). Contrary to popular belief, many of these people do not choose to be homeless.
Why are people homeless? Everyone is faced with a crisis at some point in their lives. For some, maybe a spouse suffers from mental illness, or has developed an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Others experience job loss, domestic violence, divorce, injury or illness. Many families are fortunate to have the financial resources to deal with these problems. For those that don't, they soon find themselves out of money and homeless. Lack of financial resources is the primary reason people are homeless. For those who lack education, job or social skills, it is extremely hard to extract oneself from the cycle of homelessness.
How can I make a difference? Visiting shelters and volunteering at soup kitchens are one way in which a person can make a difference. Donate food for the homeless to a local food pantry. By C. Jeanne Heida, published Jul 27, 2007
Give clothing to the shelters. Give cash to the shelters. Adopt a homeless family and share your experience strength and hope. Volunteer your time to help the homeless. Take a homeless person fishing, golfing, or just to a movie..........or just down to buy some clothes at the local thrift shop. Or bring a homeless home to shower and feed. Don't say it can't be done. I have done all of that and it not only worked out perfectly, the effort was greatly appreciated.
And most of all pray for those that dislike the homeless. Pray for the egotistical, unhumbled, ignorant people that show no compassion or respect for our veterans, mentally ill, addicted, unfortunate, jobless, homeless. Especially pray for the children of the homeless. Homelessness is a revolving cycle for families. And I will do my part also. And I will remain a friend and advocate to the homeless and work in the solution with each one I can. Pray for the city and county officials to continue providing for the common welfare of all people.
We get a lot of religious viewpoint on the Hive, and that is very good. Pro-actively speaking, what do the religions desire to do about the homeless problem?
"I'm the master of low expectations".
»
gmaudlin's blog
Flag as offensive
BS
Submitted by jheaton on Sun, 2008-01-06 02:54.
For some, being homeless is a life style choice. Years ago they were called hobos. Today, they are called "homeless" by some and bums by others. People who choose to live the bum life don't ask for help. Good for them. But for the "bums" who steal and do illegal drugs... don't do it in my neighborhood because you will loose this fight.
If a person is down and out they need to seek out a church or the Salvation Army. There are also social services and if one is a vet, go to the VA.
It is time for some people in this country to toughen up, quit crying and take care of yourself. If that means getting down on your kness and asking for help from the Lord, then good. If it means robbing innocent people, looking for a free lunch and begging.... then screw you!
May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't.- General George Patton Jr
»
edit
reply
What Can I Say?
Submitted by Bnic on Sun, 2008-01-06 03:43.
Please "forgive them, for they know not what they say."
Years ago I had frequent encounters with a schizophrenic man, in his early thirties. Some days he would tell me he hadn't eaten in a day or two. Often I would give him something to eat and sit with him. He would tell me of his problems. Frequently he showed evidence of a severe beating and extreme exposure to the elements.
Then he was gone! I never saw him again!
He was gentle, kind, frail and didn't want to live a life on the streets. He didn't use substances or commit crimes. He was mentally ill and didn't receive the attention or help he deserved as a human being, an American woefully in need of help.
Bnic
»
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Ya, I hear you. What can I say?
Submitted by gmaudlin on Sun, 2008-01-06 13:09.
Churches don't house the homeless. The Salvation Army is filled up and one can't get in. Social Services don't house the homeless. As for the Veterans:
Article Finds Veteran's Housing Programs to be Inadequate. Posted: 12/11/2007
First published in the Indiana Law Review in 2005 this article examines the nature and extent of housing assistance provided by the United States government to veterans of its military service. It finds that assistance remarkably limited and inconsistent with our nation's history and rhetoric, providing a sobering corrective for those who wish to believe that public policy in the United States progressively becomes more humane or that national declarations are matched by national performance. The article also considers the reasons and potential cures for these inadequacies and inconsistencies.
Send Us Your Successful Ideas
If you have successfully created a program to provide continual support to homeless veteran service providers in your area, NCHV would appreciate hearing about it. If it is a program that can be replicated, your idea could contribute greatly to the success of other programs that provide hope and restore the dignity of homeless veterans nationwide. Send information about your program to the Communications Director at nchv4@nchv.org, or by mail to NCHV, 333 ½ Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Washington, D.C. 20003-1148.
So just looking at the homeless veterans as a separate group, aren't we really demonstrating thru our lack of effort that we are all prideful for the vet. to fight our war, but once the vet. is beat up, take a hike. It's a me world the past two decades and homeless vet's. have nothing more I can use them for, so just get the hell away. You dirty bum.
Rationalize all you want but, it is totally inexcusable to have homeless in this country today. And especially homeless veterans.
source: http://www.nchv.org/howtohelp.cfm
"I'm the master of low expectations."
»
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Flip-flop
Submitted by Activist1 on Sun, 2008-01-06 13:22.
Again.
»
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The Church Teaches
Submitted by LSK49rs on Sun, 2008-01-06 19:20.
and I believe:
2447 The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God:
He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none and he who has food must do likewise. But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, everything is clean for you. If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit?
»
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Flag as offensive
That is what I call a spiritual principal. That is what I have
Submitted by gmaudlin on Sun, 2008-01-06 19:43.
been getting at all this time. It's the way people should live out their life. With that type of attitude. And this is just one area of life's challenges and choices.
Thank you LSK. I was beginning to wonder about the Catholic religion. Thanks for taking a stand for humanity or whatever one wants to call it.
I feel if one is going to have a religion, apply the religion to real life and preach from the heart, so all can relate and understand the message. You have done just that.
"I'm the master of low expectations."
»
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Flag as offensive
Many people do not know
Submitted by LSK49rs on Sun, 2008-01-06 20:22.
that the Catholic Church and the other various Christian denominations are often the dam holding back the flood waters of social ills. For instance, the food for the Gospel Mission is prepared by parishoners at St. Joseph's where I attend. The only people who were present in Dafur and are in the Congo for many MANY years were the Churches. We, the membes, are far from perfect, but we do our best to live out the teachings, one day at a time.
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Every last Saturday of the month, I donate my time to a church
Submitted by gmaudlin on Sun, 2008-01-06 21:13.
here in town, that does amazing things for all the people in need. This is not the church I attend, but it is a Christian church also and they need my help. It is one of my favorite ways to give. The church has several trucks and the trucks go out to the people. There are no requirements to receive, although there is a limit on clothing and food. All the donations are gathered by the church workers such as myself, taken out to the community and given freely to the people. It is a huge operation and I can tell you the recipients are very grateful. Many will wait in line an hour or two for us to get there. At each stop point (6 or so are going on at the same time), the gospel is preached a little and people young and old alike are asked to join God's family. One of the things I have noticed about the whole operation is that people really do see others care. And I know for sure, some join the helping team and wind up giving away what has been freely given to them. It's something else to see. All set up as a totally not for profit deal. It's a perfect demonstration of God's love working thru his people.
"I'm the master of low expectations."
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On the flip side...
Submitted by AbstrACT on Mon, 2008-01-07 02:15.
We are an individualistic society- as a whole many have abandonded the idea of taking care of our family members in need, and instead take care of ourselves- I think it perpetuates our homeless problem. Most are mentally ill and/or drug addicts. There are some that are incapable of taking care of themselves due to mental illness and of course they need charity and mercy.
It is surprising to find out that many of them WANT to live on the streets. There are so many social programs- anyone who is homeless with a mental illness or drug problem CAN get help, especially if there are children involved. For the most part, the only people who do not choose to be homeless are children.
As someone who lives in the Bay Area (with a large homeless population) and worked Mental Health Crisis for 4 years, I think it has gotten to a point where people expect to be taken care of. On a primitive level, the harsh truth is that it is "survival of the fittest"... that the strong will survive and by comparrison, what we consider "poverty" in this country is not that bad.
What religious institutions and organizations do in charity is amazing, and that's how it should be. I think it is extremely important to have humanitartian involvement in our communities- but it needs to be done in a way that not only encourages, but demands self-reliance and a sense of reciprocity. Because I believe most of the people taking advantage of these charitable and governmental programs are working the system.
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You raise a very interesting point
Submitted by LSK49rs on Mon, 2008-01-07 02:34.
especially in regards to the way our society treats the mentally ill. I remember (because I am old enough!) when there were more pro-active ways in which society could make sure those who were incapable of making productive, safe decisions as to how they would live had a roof over their heads. Unfortunately, some real abuses existed but it seems to me that we went overboard in trying to correct those abuses. Now, because of laws in place, people who really are too sick to be able to live outside of an institution are given the 'right' to refuse treatment. They are so often the victims of crime and drug abuse that it breaks my heart. Yet I sat with many an elderly parent outside a court room who were prevented from 'forcing' adult, mentally ill children off the mean streets of this rather cold, cruel world.
I also agree with you that the children are the horrible victims of this problem. They truly TRULY do not choose their way of life.
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LSKnew
Submitted by jheaton on Fri, 2009-05-15 14:32.
I used your quote;"that the Catholic Church and the other various Christian denominations are often the dam holding back the flood waters of social ills" while discussing this topic with a friend. I just wanted to give credit where it was due!
unclesamsboot.blogspot.com
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Saturday, May 09, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Diferencia entre la Guardia Nacional de un pais y Mexico
http://youtube.com/v/MI0x42Wv_vY
I fell over laughing when I saw this......
When Will We Seal The Borders?
The first of how many more?
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6398202.html
The first reported death in the United States from the swine flu outbreak was that of a 23-month-old Mexico City boy who fell ill in Brownsville and was transported for treatment at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, where he died Monday, officials said.
Also, officials suspended all high school athletic and academic competition statewide until at least May 11 because of the spreading flu, which has prompted five districts to cancel classes entirely, including three in suburban San Antonio.
Gov. Rick Perry issued a disaster declaration for the entire state, basically a paperwork measure that allows Texas to begin emergency protective measures and seek reimbursement from the federal government. Perry also said Texas has 850,000 more courses of antiviral medicine coming, which would double its supply.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6398202.html
The first reported death in the United States from the swine flu outbreak was that of a 23-month-old Mexico City boy who fell ill in Brownsville and was transported for treatment at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, where he died Monday, officials said.
Also, officials suspended all high school athletic and academic competition statewide until at least May 11 because of the spreading flu, which has prompted five districts to cancel classes entirely, including three in suburban San Antonio.
Gov. Rick Perry issued a disaster declaration for the entire state, basically a paperwork measure that allows Texas to begin emergency protective measures and seek reimbursement from the federal government. Perry also said Texas has 850,000 more courses of antiviral medicine coming, which would double its supply.
When Will We Seal The Borders?
The first of how many more?
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6398202.html
The first reported death in the United States from the swine flu outbreak was that of a 23-month-old Mexico City boy who fell ill in Brownsville and was transported for treatment at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, where he died Monday, officials said.
Also, officials suspended all high school athletic and academic competition statewide until at least May 11 because of the spreading flu, which has prompted five districts to cancel classes entirely, including three in suburban San Antonio.
Gov. Rick Perry issued a disaster declaration for the entire state, basically a paperwork measure that allows Texas to begin emergency protective measures and seek reimbursement from the federal government. Perry also said Texas has 850,000 more courses of antiviral medicine coming, which would double its supply.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6398202.html
The first reported death in the United States from the swine flu outbreak was that of a 23-month-old Mexico City boy who fell ill in Brownsville and was transported for treatment at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, where he died Monday, officials said.
Also, officials suspended all high school athletic and academic competition statewide until at least May 11 because of the spreading flu, which has prompted five districts to cancel classes entirely, including three in suburban San Antonio.
Gov. Rick Perry issued a disaster declaration for the entire state, basically a paperwork measure that allows Texas to begin emergency protective measures and seek reimbursement from the federal government. Perry also said Texas has 850,000 more courses of antiviral medicine coming, which would double its supply.
Monday, April 27, 2009
You Might Be A Taliban If:
You might be a Taliban if:
You refine heroin for a living, but you have a moral objection to beer.
You own a $3,000 machine gun and $5,000 rocket launcher, but you can't afford shoes. You have more wives than teeth. You wipe your butt with your bare hand, but consider bacon "unclean." You think vests come in two styles: bullet-proof and suicide. You can't think of anyone you haven't declared Jihad against. You consider television dangerous, but routinely carry explosives in your clothing. You were amazed to discover that cell phones have uses other than setting off roadside bombs. You have nothing against women and think every man should own at least one. You've always had a crush on your neighbor's goat. …and of course, you might be a Taliban if you hate America but love Obama!
Thanks ML for the laugh!
You refine heroin for a living, but you have a moral objection to beer.
You own a $3,000 machine gun and $5,000 rocket launcher, but you can't afford shoes. You have more wives than teeth. You wipe your butt with your bare hand, but consider bacon "unclean." You think vests come in two styles: bullet-proof and suicide. You can't think of anyone you haven't declared Jihad against. You consider television dangerous, but routinely carry explosives in your clothing. You were amazed to discover that cell phones have uses other than setting off roadside bombs. You have nothing against women and think every man should own at least one. You've always had a crush on your neighbor's goat. …and of course, you might be a Taliban if you hate America but love Obama!
Thanks ML for the laugh!
You Might Be A Taliban If:
You might be a Taliban if:
You refine heroin for a living, but you have a moral objection to beer.
You own a $3,000 machine gun and $5,000 rocket launcher, but you can't afford shoes. You have more wives than teeth. You wipe your butt with your bare hand, but consider bacon "unclean." You think vests come in two styles: bullet-proof and suicide. You can't think of anyone you haven't declared Jihad against. You consider television dangerous, but routinely carry explosives in your clothing. You were amazed to discover that cell phones have uses other than setting off roadside bombs. You have nothing against women and think every man should own at least one. You've always had a crush on your neighbor's goat. …and of course, you might be a Taliban if you hate America but love Obama!
Thanks ML for the laugh!
You refine heroin for a living, but you have a moral objection to beer.
You own a $3,000 machine gun and $5,000 rocket launcher, but you can't afford shoes. You have more wives than teeth. You wipe your butt with your bare hand, but consider bacon "unclean." You think vests come in two styles: bullet-proof and suicide. You can't think of anyone you haven't declared Jihad against. You consider television dangerous, but routinely carry explosives in your clothing. You were amazed to discover that cell phones have uses other than setting off roadside bombs. You have nothing against women and think every man should own at least one. You've always had a crush on your neighbor's goat. …and of course, you might be a Taliban if you hate America but love Obama!
Thanks ML for the laugh!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
President Surrender Monkey
Read this article by Gerald Warner and enjoyed an Englishman's point of view.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/gerald_warner/blog/2009/04/10/barack_obama_president_pantywaist__new_surrender_monkey_on_the_block
President Barrack Obama has recently completed the most successful foreign policy tour since Napoleon's retreat from Moscow. You name it, he blew it. What was his big deal economic programme that he was determined to drive through the G20 summit? Another massive stimulus package, globally funded and co-ordinated. Did he achieve it? Not so as you'd notice.
President Pantywaist is hopping mad and he has a strategy to cut Kim down to size: he is going to slice $1.4bn off America's missile defence programme, presumably on the calculation that Kim would feel it unsporting to hit a sitting duck, so that will spoil his fun.
Watch out, France and Co, there is a new surrender monkey on the block and, over the next four years, he will spectacularly sell out the interests of the West with every kind of liberal-delusionist initiative on nuclear disarmament and sitting down to negotiate with any power freak who wants to buy time to get a good ICBM fix on San Francisco, or wherever. If you thought the world was a tad unsafe with Dubya around, just wait until President Pantywaist gets into his stride.
»
jheaton's blog
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/gerald_warner/blog/2009/04/10/barack_obama_president_pantywaist__new_surrender_monkey_on_the_block
President Barrack Obama has recently completed the most successful foreign policy tour since Napoleon's retreat from Moscow. You name it, he blew it. What was his big deal economic programme that he was determined to drive through the G20 summit? Another massive stimulus package, globally funded and co-ordinated. Did he achieve it? Not so as you'd notice.
President Pantywaist is hopping mad and he has a strategy to cut Kim down to size: he is going to slice $1.4bn off America's missile defence programme, presumably on the calculation that Kim would feel it unsporting to hit a sitting duck, so that will spoil his fun.
Watch out, France and Co, there is a new surrender monkey on the block and, over the next four years, he will spectacularly sell out the interests of the West with every kind of liberal-delusionist initiative on nuclear disarmament and sitting down to negotiate with any power freak who wants to buy time to get a good ICBM fix on San Francisco, or wherever. If you thought the world was a tad unsafe with Dubya around, just wait until President Pantywaist gets into his stride.
»
jheaton's blog
President Surrender Monkey
Read this article by Gerald Warner and enjoyed an Englishman's point of view.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/gerald_warner/blog/2009/04/10/barack_obama_president_pantywaist__new_surrender_monkey_on_the_block
President Barrack Obama has recently completed the most successful foreign policy tour since Napoleon's retreat from Moscow. You name it, he blew it. What was his big deal economic programme that he was determined to drive through the G20 summit? Another massive stimulus package, globally funded and co-ordinated. Did he achieve it? Not so as you'd notice.
President Pantywaist is hopping mad and he has a strategy to cut Kim down to size: he is going to slice $1.4bn off America's missile defence programme, presumably on the calculation that Kim would feel it unsporting to hit a sitting duck, so that will spoil his fun.
Watch out, France and Co, there is a new surrender monkey on the block and, over the next four years, he will spectacularly sell out the interests of the West with every kind of liberal-delusionist initiative on nuclear disarmament and sitting down to negotiate with any power freak who wants to buy time to get a good ICBM fix on San Francisco, or wherever. If you thought the world was a tad unsafe with Dubya around, just wait until President Pantywaist gets into his stride.
»
jheaton's blog
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/gerald_warner/blog/2009/04/10/barack_obama_president_pantywaist__new_surrender_monkey_on_the_block
President Barrack Obama has recently completed the most successful foreign policy tour since Napoleon's retreat from Moscow. You name it, he blew it. What was his big deal economic programme that he was determined to drive through the G20 summit? Another massive stimulus package, globally funded and co-ordinated. Did he achieve it? Not so as you'd notice.
President Pantywaist is hopping mad and he has a strategy to cut Kim down to size: he is going to slice $1.4bn off America's missile defence programme, presumably on the calculation that Kim would feel it unsporting to hit a sitting duck, so that will spoil his fun.
Watch out, France and Co, there is a new surrender monkey on the block and, over the next four years, he will spectacularly sell out the interests of the West with every kind of liberal-delusionist initiative on nuclear disarmament and sitting down to negotiate with any power freak who wants to buy time to get a good ICBM fix on San Francisco, or wherever. If you thought the world was a tad unsafe with Dubya around, just wait until President Pantywaist gets into his stride.
»
jheaton's blog
Monday, April 20, 2009
The Face Of The Abuser And The Abused?
This guy is a well known cyber stalker......malcolmkyle is his screen name. He states how caring and loving he is and then makes false claims when one does not agree with him. He claims multiple wives and to also have a love of drugs. Beware if he appears on your blog. He is a stalker with causing harm as a goal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2QZLd3qO2k&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2QZLd3qO2k&feature=related
The Face Of The Abuser And The Abused?
This guy is a well known cyber stalker......malcolmkyle is his screen name. He states how caring and loving he is and then makes false claims when one does not agree with him. He claims multiple wives and to also have a love of drugs. Beware if he appears on your blog. He is a stalker with causing harm as a goal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2QZLd3qO2k&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2QZLd3qO2k&feature=related
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Tea Party Turlock California
I took some pics and blogged about it. It was picked up by the local paper. I may actually look into running for a state or federal seat.
Please ignore the woman and child, and drug abuser guy named malcolmkyle. He is some wierdo from the Hague who has been stalking me for quite sometime. I guess this is just the price of fame!
http://thehive.modbee.com/node/13478
http://www.turlockcitynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=603&Itemid=45
Please ignore the woman and child, and drug abuser guy named malcolmkyle. He is some wierdo from the Hague who has been stalking me for quite sometime. I guess this is just the price of fame!
http://thehive.modbee.com/node/13478
http://www.turlockcitynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=603&Itemid=45
Tea Party Turlock California
I took some pics and blogged about it. It was picked up by the local paper. I may actually look into running for a state or federal seat.
Please ignore the woman and child, and drug abuser guy named malcolmkyle. He is some wierdo from the Hague who has been stalking me for quite sometime. I guess this is just the price of fame!
http://thehive.modbee.com/node/13478
http://www.turlockcitynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=603&Itemid=45
Please ignore the woman and child, and drug abuser guy named malcolmkyle. He is some wierdo from the Hague who has been stalking me for quite sometime. I guess this is just the price of fame!
http://thehive.modbee.com/node/13478
http://www.turlockcitynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=603&Itemid=45
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
1 step Foward A 1000 Steps Back
After having done the right thing and allowing our Navy to rescue an American captain, good ol' Comrade B. Hussein Obama is moving foward with plans to allow money and certain items to be sent to Cuba. That should make many democratic libs and his fellow Marxist worshipers very happy. But, this his who president B. Hussein Obama is; besides being a Surrender Monke and chief.
Of course, Castro and his regime would never think of "stealing" the goods.
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D97HNM2O0&show_article=1
"There are no better ambassadors for freedom than Cuban Americans," Obama said in a campaign speech last May in Miami, the heart of the U.S. Cuban-American community. "It's time to let Cuban Americans see their mothers and fathers, their sisters and brothers. It's time to let Cuban American money make their families less dependent upon the Castro regime."
Of course, Castro and his regime would never think of "stealing" the goods.
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D97HNM2O0&show_article=1
"There are no better ambassadors for freedom than Cuban Americans," Obama said in a campaign speech last May in Miami, the heart of the U.S. Cuban-American community. "It's time to let Cuban Americans see their mothers and fathers, their sisters and brothers. It's time to let Cuban American money make their families less dependent upon the Castro regime."
1 step Foward A 1000 Steps Back
After having done the right thing and allowing our Navy to rescue an American captain, good ol' Comrade B. Hussein Obama is moving foward with plans to allow money and certain items to be sent to Cuba. That should make many democratic libs and his fellow Marxist worshipers very happy. But, this his who president B. Hussein Obama is; besides being a Surrender Monke and chief.
Of course, Castro and his regime would never think of "stealing" the goods.
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D97HNM2O0&show_article=1
"There are no better ambassadors for freedom than Cuban Americans," Obama said in a campaign speech last May in Miami, the heart of the U.S. Cuban-American community. "It's time to let Cuban Americans see their mothers and fathers, their sisters and brothers. It's time to let Cuban American money make their families less dependent upon the Castro regime."
Of course, Castro and his regime would never think of "stealing" the goods.
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D97HNM2O0&show_article=1
"There are no better ambassadors for freedom than Cuban Americans," Obama said in a campaign speech last May in Miami, the heart of the U.S. Cuban-American community. "It's time to let Cuban Americans see their mothers and fathers, their sisters and brothers. It's time to let Cuban American money make their families less dependent upon the Castro regime."
Monday, April 13, 2009
Stopping The Muslim Pirates
Thank God that all the Americans who were captured this past week got out of the situation alive. And good job president B Hussein Obama for allowing the military to do what they doe best; kill the bad guys and protect America and her people. Now, if the president wants to really do the right thing he will clearly state that we will never negotiate with pirates and that, when and if caught, they will be shot on sight. Our navy was created to protect Americans and our property from pirates. So let us get back to doing this once again. Zero tolerance for these criminals.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090413/ap_on_re_af/piracy
U.S. Defense officials said snipers got the go-ahead to fire after one pirate held an AK-47 close to Capt. Richard Phillips' back. Two other pirates popped their heads up out of the lifeboat, giving snipers three clear targets, one official said.
The military officials asked not to be named because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the case.
The Navy released images from an unmanned drone that showed snipers positioning themselves on the fantail of the USS Bainbridge. They fired simultaneously.
"(They are) extremely, extremely well-trained," Gortney told NBC's "Today" show, saying the shooting was ordered by the captain of the Bainbridge.
The SEALS arrived on the scene by parachuting from their aircraft into the sea, and were picked up by the Bainbridge, a senior U.S. official said.
http://www.jcs-group.com/military/navy_marine/1801tripoli.html
Within days of his March 1801 inauguration as the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson ordered a naval and military expedition to North Africa, without the authorization of Congress, to put down regimes involved in slavery and piracy. The war was the first in which the U.S. flag was carried and planted overseas; it saw the baptism by fire of the U.S. Marine Corps-whose anthem boasts of action on "the shores of Tripoli"-and it prefigured later struggles with both terrorism and jihad.
The Barbary States of North Africa-Algiers, Tunis, Morocco and Tripoli (today's Libya)-had for centuries sustained themselves by preying on the maritime commerce of others. Income was raised by direct theft, the extortion of bribes or "protection" and the capture of crews and passengers to be used as slaves. The historian Robert Davis, in his book Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters: White Slavery in the Mediterranean, the Barbary Coast and Italy, 1500-1800, estimates that as many as 1.25 million Europeans and Americans were enslaved. The Barbary raiders-so called because they were partly of Berber origin--struck as far north as England and Ireland. It appears, for example, that almost every inhabitant of the Irish village of Baltimore was carried off in 1631. Samuel Pepys and Daniel Defoe both mention the frightening trade in their writings; at that time, pamphlets and speeches by survivors and escaped slaves had a huge influence on the popular imagination. James Thomson's famously rousing 1740 song Rule Britannia, with its chorus about how Britons "never shall be slaves;' was a direct allusion to the Barbary terrorism.
Jefferson was appalled by this practice from an early stage of his career. In 1784 he wrote to James Madison about the Barbary depredations, saying, "We ought to begin a naval power, if we mean to carry on our commerce. Can we begin it on a more honorable occasion or with a weaker foe?" He added that John Paul Jones, the naval hero of the Revolutionary War, "with half a dozen frigates" could subdue the slave kingdoms of North Africa.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090413/ap_on_re_af/piracy
U.S. Defense officials said snipers got the go-ahead to fire after one pirate held an AK-47 close to Capt. Richard Phillips' back. Two other pirates popped their heads up out of the lifeboat, giving snipers three clear targets, one official said.
The military officials asked not to be named because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the case.
The Navy released images from an unmanned drone that showed snipers positioning themselves on the fantail of the USS Bainbridge. They fired simultaneously.
"(They are) extremely, extremely well-trained," Gortney told NBC's "Today" show, saying the shooting was ordered by the captain of the Bainbridge.
The SEALS arrived on the scene by parachuting from their aircraft into the sea, and were picked up by the Bainbridge, a senior U.S. official said.
http://www.jcs-group.com/military/navy_marine/1801tripoli.html
Within days of his March 1801 inauguration as the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson ordered a naval and military expedition to North Africa, without the authorization of Congress, to put down regimes involved in slavery and piracy. The war was the first in which the U.S. flag was carried and planted overseas; it saw the baptism by fire of the U.S. Marine Corps-whose anthem boasts of action on "the shores of Tripoli"-and it prefigured later struggles with both terrorism and jihad.
The Barbary States of North Africa-Algiers, Tunis, Morocco and Tripoli (today's Libya)-had for centuries sustained themselves by preying on the maritime commerce of others. Income was raised by direct theft, the extortion of bribes or "protection" and the capture of crews and passengers to be used as slaves. The historian Robert Davis, in his book Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters: White Slavery in the Mediterranean, the Barbary Coast and Italy, 1500-1800, estimates that as many as 1.25 million Europeans and Americans were enslaved. The Barbary raiders-so called because they were partly of Berber origin--struck as far north as England and Ireland. It appears, for example, that almost every inhabitant of the Irish village of Baltimore was carried off in 1631. Samuel Pepys and Daniel Defoe both mention the frightening trade in their writings; at that time, pamphlets and speeches by survivors and escaped slaves had a huge influence on the popular imagination. James Thomson's famously rousing 1740 song Rule Britannia, with its chorus about how Britons "never shall be slaves;' was a direct allusion to the Barbary terrorism.
Jefferson was appalled by this practice from an early stage of his career. In 1784 he wrote to James Madison about the Barbary depredations, saying, "We ought to begin a naval power, if we mean to carry on our commerce. Can we begin it on a more honorable occasion or with a weaker foe?" He added that John Paul Jones, the naval hero of the Revolutionary War, "with half a dozen frigates" could subdue the slave kingdoms of North Africa.
Stopping The Muslim Pirates
Thank God that all the Americans who were captured this past week got out of the situation alive. And good job president B Hussein Obama for allowing the military to do what they doe best; kill the bad guys and protect America and her people. Now, if the president wants to really do the right thing he will clearly state that we will never negotiate with pirates and that, when and if caught, they will be shot on sight. Our navy was created to protect Americans and our property from pirates. So let us get back to doing this once again. Zero tolerance for these criminals.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090413/ap_on_re_af/piracy
U.S. Defense officials said snipers got the go-ahead to fire after one pirate held an AK-47 close to Capt. Richard Phillips' back. Two other pirates popped their heads up out of the lifeboat, giving snipers three clear targets, one official said.
The military officials asked not to be named because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the case.
The Navy released images from an unmanned drone that showed snipers positioning themselves on the fantail of the USS Bainbridge. They fired simultaneously.
"(They are) extremely, extremely well-trained," Gortney told NBC's "Today" show, saying the shooting was ordered by the captain of the Bainbridge.
The SEALS arrived on the scene by parachuting from their aircraft into the sea, and were picked up by the Bainbridge, a senior U.S. official said.
http://www.jcs-group.com/military/navy_marine/1801tripoli.html
Within days of his March 1801 inauguration as the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson ordered a naval and military expedition to North Africa, without the authorization of Congress, to put down regimes involved in slavery and piracy. The war was the first in which the U.S. flag was carried and planted overseas; it saw the baptism by fire of the U.S. Marine Corps-whose anthem boasts of action on "the shores of Tripoli"-and it prefigured later struggles with both terrorism and jihad.
The Barbary States of North Africa-Algiers, Tunis, Morocco and Tripoli (today's Libya)-had for centuries sustained themselves by preying on the maritime commerce of others. Income was raised by direct theft, the extortion of bribes or "protection" and the capture of crews and passengers to be used as slaves. The historian Robert Davis, in his book Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters: White Slavery in the Mediterranean, the Barbary Coast and Italy, 1500-1800, estimates that as many as 1.25 million Europeans and Americans were enslaved. The Barbary raiders-so called because they were partly of Berber origin--struck as far north as England and Ireland. It appears, for example, that almost every inhabitant of the Irish village of Baltimore was carried off in 1631. Samuel Pepys and Daniel Defoe both mention the frightening trade in their writings; at that time, pamphlets and speeches by survivors and escaped slaves had a huge influence on the popular imagination. James Thomson's famously rousing 1740 song Rule Britannia, with its chorus about how Britons "never shall be slaves;' was a direct allusion to the Barbary terrorism.
Jefferson was appalled by this practice from an early stage of his career. In 1784 he wrote to James Madison about the Barbary depredations, saying, "We ought to begin a naval power, if we mean to carry on our commerce. Can we begin it on a more honorable occasion or with a weaker foe?" He added that John Paul Jones, the naval hero of the Revolutionary War, "with half a dozen frigates" could subdue the slave kingdoms of North Africa.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090413/ap_on_re_af/piracy
U.S. Defense officials said snipers got the go-ahead to fire after one pirate held an AK-47 close to Capt. Richard Phillips' back. Two other pirates popped their heads up out of the lifeboat, giving snipers three clear targets, one official said.
The military officials asked not to be named because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the case.
The Navy released images from an unmanned drone that showed snipers positioning themselves on the fantail of the USS Bainbridge. They fired simultaneously.
"(They are) extremely, extremely well-trained," Gortney told NBC's "Today" show, saying the shooting was ordered by the captain of the Bainbridge.
The SEALS arrived on the scene by parachuting from their aircraft into the sea, and were picked up by the Bainbridge, a senior U.S. official said.
http://www.jcs-group.com/military/navy_marine/1801tripoli.html
Within days of his March 1801 inauguration as the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson ordered a naval and military expedition to North Africa, without the authorization of Congress, to put down regimes involved in slavery and piracy. The war was the first in which the U.S. flag was carried and planted overseas; it saw the baptism by fire of the U.S. Marine Corps-whose anthem boasts of action on "the shores of Tripoli"-and it prefigured later struggles with both terrorism and jihad.
The Barbary States of North Africa-Algiers, Tunis, Morocco and Tripoli (today's Libya)-had for centuries sustained themselves by preying on the maritime commerce of others. Income was raised by direct theft, the extortion of bribes or "protection" and the capture of crews and passengers to be used as slaves. The historian Robert Davis, in his book Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters: White Slavery in the Mediterranean, the Barbary Coast and Italy, 1500-1800, estimates that as many as 1.25 million Europeans and Americans were enslaved. The Barbary raiders-so called because they were partly of Berber origin--struck as far north as England and Ireland. It appears, for example, that almost every inhabitant of the Irish village of Baltimore was carried off in 1631. Samuel Pepys and Daniel Defoe both mention the frightening trade in their writings; at that time, pamphlets and speeches by survivors and escaped slaves had a huge influence on the popular imagination. James Thomson's famously rousing 1740 song Rule Britannia, with its chorus about how Britons "never shall be slaves;' was a direct allusion to the Barbary terrorism.
Jefferson was appalled by this practice from an early stage of his career. In 1784 he wrote to James Madison about the Barbary depredations, saying, "We ought to begin a naval power, if we mean to carry on our commerce. Can we begin it on a more honorable occasion or with a weaker foe?" He added that John Paul Jones, the naval hero of the Revolutionary War, "with half a dozen frigates" could subdue the slave kingdoms of North Africa.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
President B Hussien Obama Destroying America
Barry knows that more illegal aliens who are allowed to stay in our fine country and become citizens equates into more votes for the dems and libs. This guy needs to be put in check, but many a repub are not up to the task. It will be the independant voter who will eventually take back our country from these neo Marxist jackasses.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30125477/
By Julia Preston
updated 5:20 a.m. PT, Thurs., April 9, 2009
function UpdateTimeStamp
While acknowledging that the recession makes the political battle more difficult, President Obama plans to begin addressing the country’s immigration system this year, including looking for a path for illegal immigrants to become legal, a senior administration official said on Wednesday.
Mr. Obama will frame the new effort — likely to rouse passions on all sides of the highly divisive issue — as “policy reform that controls immigration and makes it an orderly system,” said the official, Cecilia Muñoz, deputy assistant to the president and director of intergovernmental affairs in the White House.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30125477/
By Julia Preston
updated 5:20 a.m. PT, Thurs., April 9, 2009
function UpdateTimeStamp
While acknowledging that the recession makes the political battle more difficult, President Obama plans to begin addressing the country’s immigration system this year, including looking for a path for illegal immigrants to become legal, a senior administration official said on Wednesday.
Mr. Obama will frame the new effort — likely to rouse passions on all sides of the highly divisive issue — as “policy reform that controls immigration and makes it an orderly system,” said the official, Cecilia Muñoz, deputy assistant to the president and director of intergovernmental affairs in the White House.
President B Hussien Obama Destroying America
Barry knows that more illegal aliens who are allowed to stay in our fine country and become citizens equates into more votes for the dems and libs. This guy needs to be put in check, but many a repub are not up to the task. It will be the independant voter who will eventually take back our country from these neo Marxist jackasses.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30125477/
By Julia Preston
updated 5:20 a.m. PT, Thurs., April 9, 2009
function UpdateTimeStamp
While acknowledging that the recession makes the political battle more difficult, President Obama plans to begin addressing the country’s immigration system this year, including looking for a path for illegal immigrants to become legal, a senior administration official said on Wednesday.
Mr. Obama will frame the new effort — likely to rouse passions on all sides of the highly divisive issue — as “policy reform that controls immigration and makes it an orderly system,” said the official, Cecilia Muñoz, deputy assistant to the president and director of intergovernmental affairs in the White House.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30125477/
By Julia Preston
updated 5:20 a.m. PT, Thurs., April 9, 2009
function UpdateTimeStamp
While acknowledging that the recession makes the political battle more difficult, President Obama plans to begin addressing the country’s immigration system this year, including looking for a path for illegal immigrants to become legal, a senior administration official said on Wednesday.
Mr. Obama will frame the new effort — likely to rouse passions on all sides of the highly divisive issue — as “policy reform that controls immigration and makes it an orderly system,” said the official, Cecilia Muñoz, deputy assistant to the president and director of intergovernmental affairs in the White House.
The Dirty Dozen article
This comes via The heritage Foundation. Enjoy!
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Family/wm2389.cfm
April 8, 2009
The Dirty Dozen: 12 New Policies That Undermine Civil Society
by Jennifer A. Marshall and Katherine Bradley
WebMemo #2389
Within the first quarter of 2009, the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress have advanced a number of policies that will undermine family and religious freedom in America. Together they show a serious disregard for parental rights, human dignity, freedom of conscience, and civil society in American life.
In these difficult economic times, policymakers should recognize and empower the vast resources of family, religious institutions, and civil society. Instead, Congress and the Administration have systematically promoted policies that debilitate the protective and problem-solving capacity of these fundamental institutions.
Undermining Family, Faith, and Freedom
1. Discouraging Charitable Giving. Even as charities struggle to make ends meet during the economic recession, the President's budget would reduce the amount higher earners can deduct from their income taxes for their charitable giving.
Faith-based ministries and other non-profits serving the public good are dependent on the generosity of others through charitable giving. Individuals targeted by this proposed policy are some of the most significant supporters of these charitable causes. The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University estimates that households with the highest incomes will reduce their giving annually by 4.8 percent, or $3.87 billion, in response to this policy change.
2. Blocking Educational Opportunity for Low-Income D.C. Students. Due to a devastating policy included in the omnibus bill, the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program is in danger of ending after the 2009-2010 school year. Since 2004, this program has provided approximately 3,700 scholarships worth $7,500 each for low-income children to attend safe and effective private schools of their choice. Evaluations show that parents are very pleased and test scores are moving in the right direction, with students regaining lost ground.[1]
President Obama has made a smart choice in sending his daughters to private school rather than the D.C. public schools. Low-income parents should have the same opportunity to choose safe and effective schools for their children.
3. Reducing Abstinence Education. The omnibus bill reduces spending on the Community Based Abstinence Education program by $13 million while increasing family planning funding by $7.5 million.[2]
A Heritage Foundation report indicates that the government spends $12 to promote contraception and safe-sex education for every dollar spent to encourage abstinence.[3] Evidence shows that abstinent teens report better psychological well-being and higher academic achievement while avoiding risky behaviors.[4] Further, a 2004 Zogby poll revealed that 96 percent of parents want teens to be taught that abstinence is the best option.[5]
4. Rolling Back Conscience Protections for Health Care Professionals. The Obama Administration has announced plans to eliminate a regulation that protects the conscience rights of doctors and other health professionals who object to participating in controversial procedures such as abortion or sterilization. 87 percent of respondents to a March 2009 poll believe it is important to "make sure that health care professionals are not forced to participate in procedures and practices to which they have moral objections."[6]
5. Subsidizing Planned Parenthood. The omnibus bill includes a provision that increases the profits of Planned Parenthood and manufacturers of contraceptives.
Under Medicaid, drug companies are required to pay rebates to the Medicaid program. Certain sales offered at discounts can be excluded from the calculation of the "best price," reducing the rebate owed to Medicaid. The omnibus bill expands the exclusion to cover discounted sales of contraceptives through additional family planning clinics. The result is that drug companies can sell contraceptives at deeply discounted prices, and these lower prices increase profits for the clinics that resell them.
Ironically, while forfeiting higher rebates from the sale of these contraceptives, the President's budget proposes to increase other drug rebates.
6. Restricting Parental Notification and Expanding Family Planning. The President's budget seeks to expand family planning services through Medicaid.
Initially proposed as part of the stimulus bill, this provision was eliminated after attracting negative attention. Now back as a part of the budget, the proposal would likely allow states to disregard the income of an applicant or recipient for family planning under Medicaid. This would allow a child--no matter what his or her family's income level--to be eligible for free family planning services without parental notification.
In addition, the proposal would supersede current law and would likely not allow states to provide coverage without including family planning services.
7. Using Tax Dollars to Finance Abortion Abroad. On January 23, the President overturned a policy that prohibited the use of U.S. tax dollars for family planning organizations that provide abortions and abortion counseling overseas. 58 percent of Americans disapprove of this decision by the Obama Administration, according to a February 2009 USA Today/Gallup poll.[7]
U.S. taxpayers should not have to pay to export this controversial practice abroad, where it serves as poor public diplomacy for the nation's commitment to life and liberty.
8. Taxpayer Funding for Controversial, Unproven Embryonic Stem Cell Research. President Obama issued an executive order authorizing federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research. It also repeals a 2007 executive order that encouraged the National Institutes of Health to explore alternatives to embryonic stem cell research that do not involve destroying a human embryo.
While advocates of embryonic stem cell research discuss the potential cures, many medical advances have already been achieved by ethically sound, alternative stem cell research.[8]
9. Violating Religious Groups' Equal Access on College Campuses. The stimulus package offers funds for the renovation of colleges and universities. These funds are prohibited, however, from use in the renovation of facilities used for gatherings like religious worship or sectarian instruction. This provision can be interpreted broadly enough to keep groups such as the Catholic Students Association or the Fellowship of Christian Athletes from meeting in buildings renovated with these funds.
10. Rolling Back Successful Welfare Reform. The stimulus package undermines the fiscal incentive structure that drove national welfare reform.
The 1996 reform rewarded states for decreasing their caseloads and putting people into jobs. As a result, the number of welfare caseloads shrunk by more than 60 percent, and child poverty fell by 1.6 million. The stimulus bill moves in the opposite direction, creating a new $5 billion cash welfare program that pays states when their caseloads rise. This new program gives states an incentive to grow their rolls, decreasing their motivation to move people into jobs and self-sufficiency.
11. Expanding Dependence on Government. The stimulus package combined with the omnibus bill and the President's budget represents a massive expansion of overall welfare spending. The stimulus bill alone will add nearly $800 billion in new spending over the next 10 years on programs like food stamps, government housing, and Medicaid.[9] Significant changes to Medicaid and SCHIP--programs intended for low-income Americans--have extended eligibility to families well into the middle class, costing taxpayers an extra $25 billion over 10 years.
12. Leaving a Legacy of Debt to Future Generations. Since its start in January, the 111th Congress has already spent more than $2 trillion in response to the recession, and that figure could go much higher, incurring an enormous debt that will have to paid by future generations. The stimulus package alone represents an added debt burden of $9,400 per household in America.[10]
Weakening America
These 12 policies represent a troubling new direction in social policy. They will leave Americans less equipped to provide for themselves and their neighbors in the midst of trying times.
Policymakers can ensure America's social welfare, economic stability, and capacity to lead in the world by pursuing policies that encourage stable family formation; show respect for parental rights, conscience, and the role of religious institutions; and create positive incentives for work, thrift, and private initiative. In the first quarter of 2009, the Administration and Congress have pursued policies that move in the opposite direction.
Jennifer A. Marshall is Director of and Katherine Bradley is Research Fellow in the Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society at The Heritage Foundation.
[1]U.S. Department of Education, "Evaluation of the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program: Impacts After Three Years," March 2009, at http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/pubs/20094050/pdf/20094051.pdf (April 7, 2009).
[2]The Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, Public Law 111-8, page 411, at http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/2009_Con_Statement_DivF.pdf (April 2, 2009).
[3]Melissa G. Pardue, Robert E. Rector, and Shannan Martin, "Government Spends $12 on Safe Sex and Contraceptives for Every $1 Spent on Abstinence," Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 1718, January 14, 2004, at http://www.heritage.org/Research/Abstinence/bg1718.cfm.
[4]Christine C. Kim and Robert E. Rector, "Abstinence Education: Assessing the Evidence," Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 2126, April 22, 2008, at www.heritage.org/Research/Abstinence/bg2126.cfm.
[5]Robert E. Rector, Melissa G. Pardue, and Shannan Martin, "What Do Parents Want Taught in Sex Education Programs," Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 1722, January 28, 2004, at www.heritage.org/Research/Abstinence/bg1722.cfm.
[6]Kellyanne Conway, "Key Findings on Conscience Rights Polling," letter to interested parties regarding the polling company, inc./WomanTrend survey, April 8, 2009, at http://www.freedom2care.org/docLib/20090407_090408SurveyPressPacket.pdf (April 9, 2009).
[7]Jeffrey M. Jones, "Americans Approve of Most Obama Actions to Date," Gallup, February 2, 2009, at http://www.gallup.com/poll/114091/Americans-Approve-Obama-Actions-Date.aspx?version=print (April 2, 2009).
[8]David Prentice, William L. Saunders, Jan Ledochowski, and Lukas Lucenic, "Adult Stem Cell Success Stories--2008 Update: July-December," Family Research Council, January 12, 2009, at http://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF09A32.pdf (April 2, 2009).
[9]Robert Rector and Katherine Bradley, "Stimulus Bill Abolishes Welfare Reform and Adds New Welfare Spending," Heritage Foundation WebMemo No. 2287, February 11, 2009, at http://www.heritage.org/Research/Welfare/wm2287.cfm.
[10]Brian M. Riedl, "Obama Budget Would Double the National Debt," Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 24, 2009, at http://www.heritage.org/press/commentary/ed032409e.cfm. This total was calculated by dividing the stimulus bill's cost ($787 billion, plus approximately $324 billion in net interest costs) by the estimated 118 million U.S. households.
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Family/wm2389.cfm
April 8, 2009
The Dirty Dozen: 12 New Policies That Undermine Civil Society
by Jennifer A. Marshall and Katherine Bradley
WebMemo #2389
Within the first quarter of 2009, the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress have advanced a number of policies that will undermine family and religious freedom in America. Together they show a serious disregard for parental rights, human dignity, freedom of conscience, and civil society in American life.
In these difficult economic times, policymakers should recognize and empower the vast resources of family, religious institutions, and civil society. Instead, Congress and the Administration have systematically promoted policies that debilitate the protective and problem-solving capacity of these fundamental institutions.
Undermining Family, Faith, and Freedom
1. Discouraging Charitable Giving. Even as charities struggle to make ends meet during the economic recession, the President's budget would reduce the amount higher earners can deduct from their income taxes for their charitable giving.
Faith-based ministries and other non-profits serving the public good are dependent on the generosity of others through charitable giving. Individuals targeted by this proposed policy are some of the most significant supporters of these charitable causes. The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University estimates that households with the highest incomes will reduce their giving annually by 4.8 percent, or $3.87 billion, in response to this policy change.
2. Blocking Educational Opportunity for Low-Income D.C. Students. Due to a devastating policy included in the omnibus bill, the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program is in danger of ending after the 2009-2010 school year. Since 2004, this program has provided approximately 3,700 scholarships worth $7,500 each for low-income children to attend safe and effective private schools of their choice. Evaluations show that parents are very pleased and test scores are moving in the right direction, with students regaining lost ground.[1]
President Obama has made a smart choice in sending his daughters to private school rather than the D.C. public schools. Low-income parents should have the same opportunity to choose safe and effective schools for their children.
3. Reducing Abstinence Education. The omnibus bill reduces spending on the Community Based Abstinence Education program by $13 million while increasing family planning funding by $7.5 million.[2]
A Heritage Foundation report indicates that the government spends $12 to promote contraception and safe-sex education for every dollar spent to encourage abstinence.[3] Evidence shows that abstinent teens report better psychological well-being and higher academic achievement while avoiding risky behaviors.[4] Further, a 2004 Zogby poll revealed that 96 percent of parents want teens to be taught that abstinence is the best option.[5]
4. Rolling Back Conscience Protections for Health Care Professionals. The Obama Administration has announced plans to eliminate a regulation that protects the conscience rights of doctors and other health professionals who object to participating in controversial procedures such as abortion or sterilization. 87 percent of respondents to a March 2009 poll believe it is important to "make sure that health care professionals are not forced to participate in procedures and practices to which they have moral objections."[6]
5. Subsidizing Planned Parenthood. The omnibus bill includes a provision that increases the profits of Planned Parenthood and manufacturers of contraceptives.
Under Medicaid, drug companies are required to pay rebates to the Medicaid program. Certain sales offered at discounts can be excluded from the calculation of the "best price," reducing the rebate owed to Medicaid. The omnibus bill expands the exclusion to cover discounted sales of contraceptives through additional family planning clinics. The result is that drug companies can sell contraceptives at deeply discounted prices, and these lower prices increase profits for the clinics that resell them.
Ironically, while forfeiting higher rebates from the sale of these contraceptives, the President's budget proposes to increase other drug rebates.
6. Restricting Parental Notification and Expanding Family Planning. The President's budget seeks to expand family planning services through Medicaid.
Initially proposed as part of the stimulus bill, this provision was eliminated after attracting negative attention. Now back as a part of the budget, the proposal would likely allow states to disregard the income of an applicant or recipient for family planning under Medicaid. This would allow a child--no matter what his or her family's income level--to be eligible for free family planning services without parental notification.
In addition, the proposal would supersede current law and would likely not allow states to provide coverage without including family planning services.
7. Using Tax Dollars to Finance Abortion Abroad. On January 23, the President overturned a policy that prohibited the use of U.S. tax dollars for family planning organizations that provide abortions and abortion counseling overseas. 58 percent of Americans disapprove of this decision by the Obama Administration, according to a February 2009 USA Today/Gallup poll.[7]
U.S. taxpayers should not have to pay to export this controversial practice abroad, where it serves as poor public diplomacy for the nation's commitment to life and liberty.
8. Taxpayer Funding for Controversial, Unproven Embryonic Stem Cell Research. President Obama issued an executive order authorizing federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research. It also repeals a 2007 executive order that encouraged the National Institutes of Health to explore alternatives to embryonic stem cell research that do not involve destroying a human embryo.
While advocates of embryonic stem cell research discuss the potential cures, many medical advances have already been achieved by ethically sound, alternative stem cell research.[8]
9. Violating Religious Groups' Equal Access on College Campuses. The stimulus package offers funds for the renovation of colleges and universities. These funds are prohibited, however, from use in the renovation of facilities used for gatherings like religious worship or sectarian instruction. This provision can be interpreted broadly enough to keep groups such as the Catholic Students Association or the Fellowship of Christian Athletes from meeting in buildings renovated with these funds.
10. Rolling Back Successful Welfare Reform. The stimulus package undermines the fiscal incentive structure that drove national welfare reform.
The 1996 reform rewarded states for decreasing their caseloads and putting people into jobs. As a result, the number of welfare caseloads shrunk by more than 60 percent, and child poverty fell by 1.6 million. The stimulus bill moves in the opposite direction, creating a new $5 billion cash welfare program that pays states when their caseloads rise. This new program gives states an incentive to grow their rolls, decreasing their motivation to move people into jobs and self-sufficiency.
11. Expanding Dependence on Government. The stimulus package combined with the omnibus bill and the President's budget represents a massive expansion of overall welfare spending. The stimulus bill alone will add nearly $800 billion in new spending over the next 10 years on programs like food stamps, government housing, and Medicaid.[9] Significant changes to Medicaid and SCHIP--programs intended for low-income Americans--have extended eligibility to families well into the middle class, costing taxpayers an extra $25 billion over 10 years.
12. Leaving a Legacy of Debt to Future Generations. Since its start in January, the 111th Congress has already spent more than $2 trillion in response to the recession, and that figure could go much higher, incurring an enormous debt that will have to paid by future generations. The stimulus package alone represents an added debt burden of $9,400 per household in America.[10]
Weakening America
These 12 policies represent a troubling new direction in social policy. They will leave Americans less equipped to provide for themselves and their neighbors in the midst of trying times.
Policymakers can ensure America's social welfare, economic stability, and capacity to lead in the world by pursuing policies that encourage stable family formation; show respect for parental rights, conscience, and the role of religious institutions; and create positive incentives for work, thrift, and private initiative. In the first quarter of 2009, the Administration and Congress have pursued policies that move in the opposite direction.
Jennifer A. Marshall is Director of and Katherine Bradley is Research Fellow in the Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society at The Heritage Foundation.
[1]U.S. Department of Education, "Evaluation of the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program: Impacts After Three Years," March 2009, at http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/pubs/20094050/pdf/20094051.pdf (April 7, 2009).
[2]The Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, Public Law 111-8, page 411, at http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/2009_Con_Statement_DivF.pdf (April 2, 2009).
[3]Melissa G. Pardue, Robert E. Rector, and Shannan Martin, "Government Spends $12 on Safe Sex and Contraceptives for Every $1 Spent on Abstinence," Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 1718, January 14, 2004, at http://www.heritage.org/Research/Abstinence/bg1718.cfm.
[4]Christine C. Kim and Robert E. Rector, "Abstinence Education: Assessing the Evidence," Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 2126, April 22, 2008, at www.heritage.org/Research/Abstinence/bg2126.cfm.
[5]Robert E. Rector, Melissa G. Pardue, and Shannan Martin, "What Do Parents Want Taught in Sex Education Programs," Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 1722, January 28, 2004, at www.heritage.org/Research/Abstinence/bg1722.cfm.
[6]Kellyanne Conway, "Key Findings on Conscience Rights Polling," letter to interested parties regarding the polling company, inc./WomanTrend survey, April 8, 2009, at http://www.freedom2care.org/docLib/20090407_090408SurveyPressPacket.pdf (April 9, 2009).
[7]Jeffrey M. Jones, "Americans Approve of Most Obama Actions to Date," Gallup, February 2, 2009, at http://www.gallup.com/poll/114091/Americans-Approve-Obama-Actions-Date.aspx?version=print (April 2, 2009).
[8]David Prentice, William L. Saunders, Jan Ledochowski, and Lukas Lucenic, "Adult Stem Cell Success Stories--2008 Update: July-December," Family Research Council, January 12, 2009, at http://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF09A32.pdf (April 2, 2009).
[9]Robert Rector and Katherine Bradley, "Stimulus Bill Abolishes Welfare Reform and Adds New Welfare Spending," Heritage Foundation WebMemo No. 2287, February 11, 2009, at http://www.heritage.org/Research/Welfare/wm2287.cfm.
[10]Brian M. Riedl, "Obama Budget Would Double the National Debt," Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 24, 2009, at http://www.heritage.org/press/commentary/ed032409e.cfm. This total was calculated by dividing the stimulus bill's cost ($787 billion, plus approximately $324 billion in net interest costs) by the estimated 118 million U.S. households.
The Dirty Dozen article
This comes via The heritage Foundation. Enjoy!
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Family/wm2389.cfm
April 8, 2009
The Dirty Dozen: 12 New Policies That Undermine Civil Society
by Jennifer A. Marshall and Katherine Bradley
WebMemo #2389
Within the first quarter of 2009, the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress have advanced a number of policies that will undermine family and religious freedom in America. Together they show a serious disregard for parental rights, human dignity, freedom of conscience, and civil society in American life.
In these difficult economic times, policymakers should recognize and empower the vast resources of family, religious institutions, and civil society. Instead, Congress and the Administration have systematically promoted policies that debilitate the protective and problem-solving capacity of these fundamental institutions.
Undermining Family, Faith, and Freedom
1. Discouraging Charitable Giving. Even as charities struggle to make ends meet during the economic recession, the President's budget would reduce the amount higher earners can deduct from their income taxes for their charitable giving.
Faith-based ministries and other non-profits serving the public good are dependent on the generosity of others through charitable giving. Individuals targeted by this proposed policy are some of the most significant supporters of these charitable causes. The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University estimates that households with the highest incomes will reduce their giving annually by 4.8 percent, or $3.87 billion, in response to this policy change.
2. Blocking Educational Opportunity for Low-Income D.C. Students. Due to a devastating policy included in the omnibus bill, the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program is in danger of ending after the 2009-2010 school year. Since 2004, this program has provided approximately 3,700 scholarships worth $7,500 each for low-income children to attend safe and effective private schools of their choice. Evaluations show that parents are very pleased and test scores are moving in the right direction, with students regaining lost ground.[1]
President Obama has made a smart choice in sending his daughters to private school rather than the D.C. public schools. Low-income parents should have the same opportunity to choose safe and effective schools for their children.
3. Reducing Abstinence Education. The omnibus bill reduces spending on the Community Based Abstinence Education program by $13 million while increasing family planning funding by $7.5 million.[2]
A Heritage Foundation report indicates that the government spends $12 to promote contraception and safe-sex education for every dollar spent to encourage abstinence.[3] Evidence shows that abstinent teens report better psychological well-being and higher academic achievement while avoiding risky behaviors.[4] Further, a 2004 Zogby poll revealed that 96 percent of parents want teens to be taught that abstinence is the best option.[5]
4. Rolling Back Conscience Protections for Health Care Professionals. The Obama Administration has announced plans to eliminate a regulation that protects the conscience rights of doctors and other health professionals who object to participating in controversial procedures such as abortion or sterilization. 87 percent of respondents to a March 2009 poll believe it is important to "make sure that health care professionals are not forced to participate in procedures and practices to which they have moral objections."[6]
5. Subsidizing Planned Parenthood. The omnibus bill includes a provision that increases the profits of Planned Parenthood and manufacturers of contraceptives.
Under Medicaid, drug companies are required to pay rebates to the Medicaid program. Certain sales offered at discounts can be excluded from the calculation of the "best price," reducing the rebate owed to Medicaid. The omnibus bill expands the exclusion to cover discounted sales of contraceptives through additional family planning clinics. The result is that drug companies can sell contraceptives at deeply discounted prices, and these lower prices increase profits for the clinics that resell them.
Ironically, while forfeiting higher rebates from the sale of these contraceptives, the President's budget proposes to increase other drug rebates.
6. Restricting Parental Notification and Expanding Family Planning. The President's budget seeks to expand family planning services through Medicaid.
Initially proposed as part of the stimulus bill, this provision was eliminated after attracting negative attention. Now back as a part of the budget, the proposal would likely allow states to disregard the income of an applicant or recipient for family planning under Medicaid. This would allow a child--no matter what his or her family's income level--to be eligible for free family planning services without parental notification.
In addition, the proposal would supersede current law and would likely not allow states to provide coverage without including family planning services.
7. Using Tax Dollars to Finance Abortion Abroad. On January 23, the President overturned a policy that prohibited the use of U.S. tax dollars for family planning organizations that provide abortions and abortion counseling overseas. 58 percent of Americans disapprove of this decision by the Obama Administration, according to a February 2009 USA Today/Gallup poll.[7]
U.S. taxpayers should not have to pay to export this controversial practice abroad, where it serves as poor public diplomacy for the nation's commitment to life and liberty.
8. Taxpayer Funding for Controversial, Unproven Embryonic Stem Cell Research. President Obama issued an executive order authorizing federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research. It also repeals a 2007 executive order that encouraged the National Institutes of Health to explore alternatives to embryonic stem cell research that do not involve destroying a human embryo.
While advocates of embryonic stem cell research discuss the potential cures, many medical advances have already been achieved by ethically sound, alternative stem cell research.[8]
9. Violating Religious Groups' Equal Access on College Campuses. The stimulus package offers funds for the renovation of colleges and universities. These funds are prohibited, however, from use in the renovation of facilities used for gatherings like religious worship or sectarian instruction. This provision can be interpreted broadly enough to keep groups such as the Catholic Students Association or the Fellowship of Christian Athletes from meeting in buildings renovated with these funds.
10. Rolling Back Successful Welfare Reform. The stimulus package undermines the fiscal incentive structure that drove national welfare reform.
The 1996 reform rewarded states for decreasing their caseloads and putting people into jobs. As a result, the number of welfare caseloads shrunk by more than 60 percent, and child poverty fell by 1.6 million. The stimulus bill moves in the opposite direction, creating a new $5 billion cash welfare program that pays states when their caseloads rise. This new program gives states an incentive to grow their rolls, decreasing their motivation to move people into jobs and self-sufficiency.
11. Expanding Dependence on Government. The stimulus package combined with the omnibus bill and the President's budget represents a massive expansion of overall welfare spending. The stimulus bill alone will add nearly $800 billion in new spending over the next 10 years on programs like food stamps, government housing, and Medicaid.[9] Significant changes to Medicaid and SCHIP--programs intended for low-income Americans--have extended eligibility to families well into the middle class, costing taxpayers an extra $25 billion over 10 years.
12. Leaving a Legacy of Debt to Future Generations. Since its start in January, the 111th Congress has already spent more than $2 trillion in response to the recession, and that figure could go much higher, incurring an enormous debt that will have to paid by future generations. The stimulus package alone represents an added debt burden of $9,400 per household in America.[10]
Weakening America
These 12 policies represent a troubling new direction in social policy. They will leave Americans less equipped to provide for themselves and their neighbors in the midst of trying times.
Policymakers can ensure America's social welfare, economic stability, and capacity to lead in the world by pursuing policies that encourage stable family formation; show respect for parental rights, conscience, and the role of religious institutions; and create positive incentives for work, thrift, and private initiative. In the first quarter of 2009, the Administration and Congress have pursued policies that move in the opposite direction.
Jennifer A. Marshall is Director of and Katherine Bradley is Research Fellow in the Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society at The Heritage Foundation.
[1]U.S. Department of Education, "Evaluation of the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program: Impacts After Three Years," March 2009, at http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/pubs/20094050/pdf/20094051.pdf (April 7, 2009).
[2]The Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, Public Law 111-8, page 411, at http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/2009_Con_Statement_DivF.pdf (April 2, 2009).
[3]Melissa G. Pardue, Robert E. Rector, and Shannan Martin, "Government Spends $12 on Safe Sex and Contraceptives for Every $1 Spent on Abstinence," Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 1718, January 14, 2004, at http://www.heritage.org/Research/Abstinence/bg1718.cfm.
[4]Christine C. Kim and Robert E. Rector, "Abstinence Education: Assessing the Evidence," Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 2126, April 22, 2008, at www.heritage.org/Research/Abstinence/bg2126.cfm.
[5]Robert E. Rector, Melissa G. Pardue, and Shannan Martin, "What Do Parents Want Taught in Sex Education Programs," Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 1722, January 28, 2004, at www.heritage.org/Research/Abstinence/bg1722.cfm.
[6]Kellyanne Conway, "Key Findings on Conscience Rights Polling," letter to interested parties regarding the polling company, inc./WomanTrend survey, April 8, 2009, at http://www.freedom2care.org/docLib/20090407_090408SurveyPressPacket.pdf (April 9, 2009).
[7]Jeffrey M. Jones, "Americans Approve of Most Obama Actions to Date," Gallup, February 2, 2009, at http://www.gallup.com/poll/114091/Americans-Approve-Obama-Actions-Date.aspx?version=print (April 2, 2009).
[8]David Prentice, William L. Saunders, Jan Ledochowski, and Lukas Lucenic, "Adult Stem Cell Success Stories--2008 Update: July-December," Family Research Council, January 12, 2009, at http://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF09A32.pdf (April 2, 2009).
[9]Robert Rector and Katherine Bradley, "Stimulus Bill Abolishes Welfare Reform and Adds New Welfare Spending," Heritage Foundation WebMemo No. 2287, February 11, 2009, at http://www.heritage.org/Research/Welfare/wm2287.cfm.
[10]Brian M. Riedl, "Obama Budget Would Double the National Debt," Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 24, 2009, at http://www.heritage.org/press/commentary/ed032409e.cfm. This total was calculated by dividing the stimulus bill's cost ($787 billion, plus approximately $324 billion in net interest costs) by the estimated 118 million U.S. households.
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Family/wm2389.cfm
April 8, 2009
The Dirty Dozen: 12 New Policies That Undermine Civil Society
by Jennifer A. Marshall and Katherine Bradley
WebMemo #2389
Within the first quarter of 2009, the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress have advanced a number of policies that will undermine family and religious freedom in America. Together they show a serious disregard for parental rights, human dignity, freedom of conscience, and civil society in American life.
In these difficult economic times, policymakers should recognize and empower the vast resources of family, religious institutions, and civil society. Instead, Congress and the Administration have systematically promoted policies that debilitate the protective and problem-solving capacity of these fundamental institutions.
Undermining Family, Faith, and Freedom
1. Discouraging Charitable Giving. Even as charities struggle to make ends meet during the economic recession, the President's budget would reduce the amount higher earners can deduct from their income taxes for their charitable giving.
Faith-based ministries and other non-profits serving the public good are dependent on the generosity of others through charitable giving. Individuals targeted by this proposed policy are some of the most significant supporters of these charitable causes. The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University estimates that households with the highest incomes will reduce their giving annually by 4.8 percent, or $3.87 billion, in response to this policy change.
2. Blocking Educational Opportunity for Low-Income D.C. Students. Due to a devastating policy included in the omnibus bill, the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program is in danger of ending after the 2009-2010 school year. Since 2004, this program has provided approximately 3,700 scholarships worth $7,500 each for low-income children to attend safe and effective private schools of their choice. Evaluations show that parents are very pleased and test scores are moving in the right direction, with students regaining lost ground.[1]
President Obama has made a smart choice in sending his daughters to private school rather than the D.C. public schools. Low-income parents should have the same opportunity to choose safe and effective schools for their children.
3. Reducing Abstinence Education. The omnibus bill reduces spending on the Community Based Abstinence Education program by $13 million while increasing family planning funding by $7.5 million.[2]
A Heritage Foundation report indicates that the government spends $12 to promote contraception and safe-sex education for every dollar spent to encourage abstinence.[3] Evidence shows that abstinent teens report better psychological well-being and higher academic achievement while avoiding risky behaviors.[4] Further, a 2004 Zogby poll revealed that 96 percent of parents want teens to be taught that abstinence is the best option.[5]
4. Rolling Back Conscience Protections for Health Care Professionals. The Obama Administration has announced plans to eliminate a regulation that protects the conscience rights of doctors and other health professionals who object to participating in controversial procedures such as abortion or sterilization. 87 percent of respondents to a March 2009 poll believe it is important to "make sure that health care professionals are not forced to participate in procedures and practices to which they have moral objections."[6]
5. Subsidizing Planned Parenthood. The omnibus bill includes a provision that increases the profits of Planned Parenthood and manufacturers of contraceptives.
Under Medicaid, drug companies are required to pay rebates to the Medicaid program. Certain sales offered at discounts can be excluded from the calculation of the "best price," reducing the rebate owed to Medicaid. The omnibus bill expands the exclusion to cover discounted sales of contraceptives through additional family planning clinics. The result is that drug companies can sell contraceptives at deeply discounted prices, and these lower prices increase profits for the clinics that resell them.
Ironically, while forfeiting higher rebates from the sale of these contraceptives, the President's budget proposes to increase other drug rebates.
6. Restricting Parental Notification and Expanding Family Planning. The President's budget seeks to expand family planning services through Medicaid.
Initially proposed as part of the stimulus bill, this provision was eliminated after attracting negative attention. Now back as a part of the budget, the proposal would likely allow states to disregard the income of an applicant or recipient for family planning under Medicaid. This would allow a child--no matter what his or her family's income level--to be eligible for free family planning services without parental notification.
In addition, the proposal would supersede current law and would likely not allow states to provide coverage without including family planning services.
7. Using Tax Dollars to Finance Abortion Abroad. On January 23, the President overturned a policy that prohibited the use of U.S. tax dollars for family planning organizations that provide abortions and abortion counseling overseas. 58 percent of Americans disapprove of this decision by the Obama Administration, according to a February 2009 USA Today/Gallup poll.[7]
U.S. taxpayers should not have to pay to export this controversial practice abroad, where it serves as poor public diplomacy for the nation's commitment to life and liberty.
8. Taxpayer Funding for Controversial, Unproven Embryonic Stem Cell Research. President Obama issued an executive order authorizing federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research. It also repeals a 2007 executive order that encouraged the National Institutes of Health to explore alternatives to embryonic stem cell research that do not involve destroying a human embryo.
While advocates of embryonic stem cell research discuss the potential cures, many medical advances have already been achieved by ethically sound, alternative stem cell research.[8]
9. Violating Religious Groups' Equal Access on College Campuses. The stimulus package offers funds for the renovation of colleges and universities. These funds are prohibited, however, from use in the renovation of facilities used for gatherings like religious worship or sectarian instruction. This provision can be interpreted broadly enough to keep groups such as the Catholic Students Association or the Fellowship of Christian Athletes from meeting in buildings renovated with these funds.
10. Rolling Back Successful Welfare Reform. The stimulus package undermines the fiscal incentive structure that drove national welfare reform.
The 1996 reform rewarded states for decreasing their caseloads and putting people into jobs. As a result, the number of welfare caseloads shrunk by more than 60 percent, and child poverty fell by 1.6 million. The stimulus bill moves in the opposite direction, creating a new $5 billion cash welfare program that pays states when their caseloads rise. This new program gives states an incentive to grow their rolls, decreasing their motivation to move people into jobs and self-sufficiency.
11. Expanding Dependence on Government. The stimulus package combined with the omnibus bill and the President's budget represents a massive expansion of overall welfare spending. The stimulus bill alone will add nearly $800 billion in new spending over the next 10 years on programs like food stamps, government housing, and Medicaid.[9] Significant changes to Medicaid and SCHIP--programs intended for low-income Americans--have extended eligibility to families well into the middle class, costing taxpayers an extra $25 billion over 10 years.
12. Leaving a Legacy of Debt to Future Generations. Since its start in January, the 111th Congress has already spent more than $2 trillion in response to the recession, and that figure could go much higher, incurring an enormous debt that will have to paid by future generations. The stimulus package alone represents an added debt burden of $9,400 per household in America.[10]
Weakening America
These 12 policies represent a troubling new direction in social policy. They will leave Americans less equipped to provide for themselves and their neighbors in the midst of trying times.
Policymakers can ensure America's social welfare, economic stability, and capacity to lead in the world by pursuing policies that encourage stable family formation; show respect for parental rights, conscience, and the role of religious institutions; and create positive incentives for work, thrift, and private initiative. In the first quarter of 2009, the Administration and Congress have pursued policies that move in the opposite direction.
Jennifer A. Marshall is Director of and Katherine Bradley is Research Fellow in the Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society at The Heritage Foundation.
[1]U.S. Department of Education, "Evaluation of the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program: Impacts After Three Years," March 2009, at http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/pubs/20094050/pdf/20094051.pdf (April 7, 2009).
[2]The Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, Public Law 111-8, page 411, at http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/2009_Con_Statement_DivF.pdf (April 2, 2009).
[3]Melissa G. Pardue, Robert E. Rector, and Shannan Martin, "Government Spends $12 on Safe Sex and Contraceptives for Every $1 Spent on Abstinence," Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 1718, January 14, 2004, at http://www.heritage.org/Research/Abstinence/bg1718.cfm.
[4]Christine C. Kim and Robert E. Rector, "Abstinence Education: Assessing the Evidence," Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 2126, April 22, 2008, at www.heritage.org/Research/Abstinence/bg2126.cfm.
[5]Robert E. Rector, Melissa G. Pardue, and Shannan Martin, "What Do Parents Want Taught in Sex Education Programs," Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 1722, January 28, 2004, at www.heritage.org/Research/Abstinence/bg1722.cfm.
[6]Kellyanne Conway, "Key Findings on Conscience Rights Polling," letter to interested parties regarding the polling company, inc./WomanTrend survey, April 8, 2009, at http://www.freedom2care.org/docLib/20090407_090408SurveyPressPacket.pdf (April 9, 2009).
[7]Jeffrey M. Jones, "Americans Approve of Most Obama Actions to Date," Gallup, February 2, 2009, at http://www.gallup.com/poll/114091/Americans-Approve-Obama-Actions-Date.aspx?version=print (April 2, 2009).
[8]David Prentice, William L. Saunders, Jan Ledochowski, and Lukas Lucenic, "Adult Stem Cell Success Stories--2008 Update: July-December," Family Research Council, January 12, 2009, at http://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF09A32.pdf (April 2, 2009).
[9]Robert Rector and Katherine Bradley, "Stimulus Bill Abolishes Welfare Reform and Adds New Welfare Spending," Heritage Foundation WebMemo No. 2287, February 11, 2009, at http://www.heritage.org/Research/Welfare/wm2287.cfm.
[10]Brian M. Riedl, "Obama Budget Would Double the National Debt," Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 24, 2009, at http://www.heritage.org/press/commentary/ed032409e.cfm. This total was calculated by dividing the stimulus bill's cost ($787 billion, plus approximately $324 billion in net interest costs) by the estimated 118 million U.S. households.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Harvard student takes on Barney Franks over his role in the economic melt-down
http://youtube.com/v/XTK068aDcPQ
Good job kid. Tune up this lying lib who helped create the problem and now says he can fix it! Why are these guys elected over and over?
Harvard student takes on Barney Franks over his role in the economic melt-down
Good job kid. Tune up this lying lib who helped create the problem and now says he can fix it! Why are these guys elected over and over?
Keyes: Stop Obama or U.S. will cease to exist
http://youtube.com/v/lqkMfToY9Pk
Dr. Keyes is spot on about B. Hussein Obama.
Michael Savage - March 4, 2009 - New World Order Agenda Exposed!!! Listen Carefully......
http://youtube.com/v/uMfZ7czIIWY
This is hitting the NWO nail on the head. Listen to the words of B Hussein Obama. He wants one world citizen with no religion or borders. Scary stuff.
Michael Savage - March 4, 2009 - New World Order Agenda Exposed!!! Listen Carefully......
This is hitting the NWO nail on the head. Listen to the words of B Hussein Obama. He wants one world citizen with no religion or borders. Scary stuff.
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