Red America

Eleven reasons America is the new top socialist economy

This article from Market Watch popped up on my bank's news aggregator. For obvious reasons I did not post a link or screen shot. Could not find it on the Market Watch site so I copied and pasted it here. Pretty fun. Do not agree with all the comments they make but a very good article. I will say: this every time he talks about government favors for business that is not free market or conservative. The author seems to think that it is. Anyplace he says conservative just add "so called" in front of it.


ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (MarketWatch) -- Welcome to the conservative's worse nightmare: The law of unintended consequences. Why? Nobody wants to admit it, folks, but the conservatives' grand ideology is backfiring, actually turning the world's greatest capitalistic democracy into the world's newest socialist economy.

A little history: The core principles of conservative economic ideology are grounded in Nobel economist Milton Friedman's 1962 classic "Capitalism and Freedom." Too late to stop President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society, those principles became the battle cries energizing conservatives since Reagan: Unrestricted free markets, free enterprise and free trade; deregulation, privatization and globalization; trickle-down economics and trickle-up wealth to an elite plutocracy destined to rule the new American capitalist utopia.

So what happened? Are you guys nuts? Hey, I'm talking to all you blind Beltway politicians (in both parties) ... plus the Old Boys Club running Wall Street (into the ground) ... plus all you fat-cat CEOs (with megamillion parachutes) ... and all your buddies scamming everybody else to get on the Forbes 400. You are proof of Lord Acton's warning: "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

It's backfiring! You folks turned our America from a great capitalistic democracy into a meddling socialist economy. Still you don't get it. You're acting like teen addicts tripping on an overdose of "greed-is-good" testosterone while your caricature of conservative economics would at best make a one-line joke on Jay Leno.

Here are 11 reasons your manipulations are sabotaging the great principles of leaders like Friedman and Reagan:

1. Dumber than a fifth grader with cognitive dissonance
Kids know what it means. They know most adults today can't see past the end of their noses. Liberals tune out candidate McBush for being lost in the past. Conservatives can't hear Obama without seeing that turban.

Cognitive dissonance simply means most brains cannot see past their own narrow ideologies. They dismiss any data that contradicts their old ideologies. Whether you're a conservative Republican or liberal Democrat, you only hear what you already know is "true." All else is tuned out.

2. Where did all the leaders go with their moral character?
Friedman's economics requires leaders of moral character. Did it run into Lord Acton's warning: "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely?" Former Ford and Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca said yes in "Where Have All the Leaders Gone?"

Friedman's great conservative principles have been commandeered by myopic ideologues whose idea of leadership is balancing the demands of self-interest lobbyists with the need for campaign donations. Unfortunately, a new "change" president won't be enough; there are 537 elected officials in Washington controlled by 42,000 special interest lobbyists.

3. Fed and U.S. Treasury adopted Enron accounting tricks
Bad news: Enron failed several years ago because of its off-balance-sheet accounting scam. The Fed's doing the same thing: Dumping Bear's $30 billion liabilities onto the taxpayer's "balance sheet." Next Treasury proposes adding $5.3 trillion more from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Unfortunately clever accounting tricks by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke aren't going to fool foreign lenders analyzing America's creditworthiness. Worse-case scenario: U.S. Treasury bills with less than a triple-A rating.

With 90 banks on the brink and already too many bail-outs, our so-called leaders are running out of magic bullets. So now the taxpayer's "balance sheet" has become the all-purpose "dumping ground" and it's overcrowding fast as our leaders raise the white flag of socialism.

4. Deregulation creating new socialist housing system
Back in 1999 a Democratic president and Republican Congress were in love with a fantasy called the "new economics." Enthusiastic lobbyists invented the brilliant idea of dismantling the wall between commercial and investment banking: They killed the Glass-Steagall Act that was keeping the sleazy hands of short-term hustlers out of the pockets of long-term lenders.

Flash forward: We lost 85-year-old Bear Sterns and $32 billion IndyMac. Lehman's iffy. And 90 banks. With the virtual takeover of Freddie and Fanny, Wall Street's grand experiment with free-market ideology is backfiring, having socialized the housing market. They have nobody to blame but their self-centered greed.

5. Trade deficits outsourced more of America's wealth than jobs
One look at Forbes lists of fat cats and you know the 21st Century doesn't just belong to Asia, it belongs to everyone but America. Why? Once again, remember Warren Buffett's famous "Farmer's Story" in Fortune: "We were taught in Economics 101 that countries could not for long sustain large, ever-growing trade deficits ... our country has been behaving like an extraordinarily rich family that possesses an immense farm. In order to consume 4% more than they produce -- that's the trade deficit -- we have, day by day, been both selling pieces of the farm and increasing the mortgage on what we still own."

Friedman was right: Congressional spending is the biggest cause of inflation, and, wow, those conservatives sure did love blank-check deficit spending the past eight years!

6. Banking system in meltdown, minting penny stocks
The Friedman conservatives apparently understand Joseph Schumpeter's "creative destruction." Yet, our free-market ideologues can't seem to accept that America is now on the "destructive" downside leg of the cycle, in the economy, markets, trade, politics and, yes, sadly, even with their conservative ideology.

You don't have to be smarter than a fifth grader to figure out that our leaders are clueless about the reality of our crumbling banking system, with many banks trading as penny stocks, while the Fed still panders to conservative pre-election politics rather than getting serious about inflation.

7. Ideologues preach savings, but still push spending
A core principle of conservatism is frugality, saving for the future. Grandparents raised me, struggled during the Depression, passed on strong ideals.

Somewhere over the past generation conservatives forget frugality. This distortion peaked in 2003 when consumers were told to spend, not sacrifice, and fuel the economy even as government spent excessively on war. That was a clear breach of every conservative leader's position in earlier wars.

As a result, in one brief generation, as the power of conservative ideologues grew, America's savings rate dropped precipitously from 11% in 1980 to less than zero today.

8. Warning, the market's under 2000 peak, losing money
Imagine you're on Jeff Foxworthy's fabulous show competing to see if you really are smarter than a fifth grader. Question: "If you put $10,000 in the market in March of 2000 when the Dow peaked at 11,722, how much money would you have today if the market's 10% under 11,722?" So you guess $9,000.

But then two fifth graders raise their hands: One asks if the CPI inflation rate should be considered? If so, maybe $5,000 is closer to the right answer. The other kid wants to know if you're buying stuff in Chicago or Singapore.

The truth is, the best answer for most adults is: "You've lost a hell of a lot of money in the market under the grand conservative ideology the past eight years."

9. Inflation and dollars: Is Zimbabwe the new model for the U.S.?
The Los Angeles Times ran a photo of a Zimbabwe $500 million bank note, worth $20 at noon, less at dinner. Why? Inflation's there is running 32 million (yes million!) percent annually. The German company printing their banknotes finally cut them off.

Things may be worse in America, psychologically. Our ideological obsession with "growth" is not working because there is too much collateral damage, namely inflation. Our dollar has lost substantial value to the euro because our dysfunctional leaders are convinced that a trade policy funded by debt makes sense.

Now we owe China $1.3 trillion, sovereign funds want equity not cheap dollar IOUs, and still our clueless Treasury and the Fed continue debasing our currency, printing money like Zimbabwe.

10. Free-market health care failing 47,000,000 Americans
Big Pharma loves free-market conservatism and no-compete Medicare drug programs. Nobody else is happy. Taxpayers get stuck with the bill.

"The Coming Generational Storm" tells us that without massive reforms and big lifestyle changes for taxpayers (especially retirees), within a couple short decades America's entitlement programs will eat up the entire federal budget. Medicare is the biggest cost item in your future, over $50 trillion in unfunded liabilities.

Conservative ideologues naively believe the answer is more pay-out-of-pocket insurance plans, even with 47 million already uninsured because they can't pay. Here as in so many areas of our economy, free-market junkies really are suffering a severe case of cognitive dissonance, as blind to the facts about the uninsured as they are to their outdated free-market fantasies.

11. Conservative free-market policies inflated oil 300%!
Yep, oil inflated 300% in eight short years under the "leadership of two oil men." But, you can't blame them. We put the foxes in the henhouse, knowing full well "real" oil men love digging holes on the supply side, supporting ethanol subsidies and blaming speculators -- it's in their genes! Talk about cognitive dissonance; real oil men thrive on cowboy images of Marlboro Men in Hummers, Navigators and F-150 trucks.

Net result? Another perfect example of "creative destruction" in action as conservative ideology meets "law of unintended consequences," driving GM, the symbol of America capitalism, closer to bankruptcy ... while turning America into a socialist economy.

Samaritan's Market: The Aftermath

For those of you who attended the market, donated to the market or are interested in the concept for the future, check out one of the projects funded by the event last weekend. Have tissue ready...

Super Awesome Organization Sunday

World Vision focuses its work on projects that help communities address the root causes — not just the symptoms — of poverty. They do this through a variety of ways...

Sponsorship (A fun and inexpensive way for your family to get involved)
Children and families connected to sponsors through life-changing relationships.

Child Crisis Partner
Helping the world’s most vulnerable children escape a life of horror.

Food and water
Fresh water wells, seeds, tools, agricultural training, and livestock.

Health care
Immunizations, health clinics, HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.

Education
School fees, teachers, tutoring, building and repairing schools.

Economic Development (This is one of the my personal favorites)
Micro loans, business training, job skills, new markets for entrepreneurs.

Emergency Aid
Prepositioned relief goods, family survival kits, disaster mitigation, and shelter.
Beyond all of that, they are very open and honest with their finances so you know your money is being stewarded well. 86-87% of all donations go to service provision. Pretty substantial considering the infrastructure necessary for a large international relief agency.

Oh yeah, and you probably are asking yourself why this idiot put a goat on the World Vision post. Check this out for an explanation.

Gas Prices

When Bush took office the gas price national average was $1.46. What is it today in your area? I am on a roadtrip right now so I will post the price differences I see from Southern California up to Central California. I know, big world traveler.

*Update* Saw prices for regular unleaded as low as $4.17 and as high as $4.78.

The Anglican Church's Current War

I have already stated my position on members of church leadership who are gay, so I will refrain from getting into that charged field today. This is simply about how to handle conflict, especially as Christians.

Gene Robinson was "heckled" as he preached in a London church last week. Is sitting in the audience of someone we disagree with and screaming at them the best way to accomplish our goals? to change their minds? to win others to our side? Beyond that, its not like Gene Robinson is someone who does not currently have a lot of press surrounding him. And on a more practical note, could he not have been avoided while preaching, rather than giving him international press?

As more and more denominations go through these types of decision making processes, it will be interesting to see how Christians handle themselves. Our history shows we do not always deal with disagreements peacefully or very Christlike. Let us learn from the mistakes of our past.

Bad Marketing: The Cheapening of a Brand

Jesse Phillips wrote at the Catablog about Starbucks new marketing campaign leaving behind their roots as a luxury brand and seeming to self identify more with the fast food giants or commodities. (An interesting side note would be that many commodities, like milk and cheese, and the fast food giants are moving away from this model in many of their ads). He then poses an interesting question. "Does this apply to the Church as well? What kind of language has deteriorated the brand of Christianity to our post-Christian culture?"

Beyond that, have we done this personally? Do we often live as caricatures of our true selves, highlighting only that which we think is needed to make a good impression on someone? I read a book years ago that I cannot find or remember the author or title about personal branding. But it talked a lot about this. It was pretty much a treatise on inauthenticity and dishonesty.

I know it would be stupid and foolish to walk up to a stranger and drop all our junk in their laps, but why is it that we act as though we are perfect until either we prove that we aren't or we trust someone enough to let them know that this perfect thing has all been an act? Is that really that much better?

Super Awesome Organization Sunday (special Wed. addition)

Thought this was a great idea that other organizations could look at. Even if you just want to buy a little more for a local charity in your area individually. Pulled this info from Josh's Blog.

The Buy A Little More Project will be in conjunction with mountaintop experiences, inc. and connect rome.
Mountaintop Experiences, inc is an organization that feeds over 4000 people a month, provides clothing for people, and provides school supplies for the students of Anna k. Davies Elementary school.
Connect Rome is a new church plant coming to Rome, GA. They will be launching in January of 2009.

Here’s How the project will work:

From Friday August 1 @ 5pm until Sunday August 3 @ 5pm – the staff & leaders of Connect Rome will be staying in a lift above the parking lot at office depot. That’s right – 48 hours in a scissor lift in a parking lot.

Why are you staying in a scissor lift in the parking lot? Because we’re willing to sacrifice ourselves in hopes that others will be willing to sacrifice as well. And it sounds like fun. How many times do you get the chance to camp out in a lift in the middle of the summer?

Why Office Depot? It’s the back to school tax free weekend. Therefore, there will be a lot of people shopping at Office Depot. And Office Depot wants to partner with the Buy A Little More Project. Hopefully, we will also be setting up a drop off location at the West Rome Wal-mart.

What are we asking for? We’re asking for people to simply buy a little more than they typically would. So when you go back to school shopping, we’re hoping that you would be willing to buy a little more for people who don’t get to go back to school shopping. Our goal is to provide Mountaintop Experiences, inc. over 1000 dollars in school supplies.

Won’t it be hot up there in the lift? Yeah, it will be hot.

Are you guys a little crazy? Yeah, Probably more than a little.

How Do I Get More Information? Go to http://www.buyalittlemore.com/. We will explain more about the project, tell you more needs that Mountaintop Experiences, inc. has, and provide links and information about all of our sponsors. This website will be going live exactly one week before the event (Friday July 25th @ 5pm.) Or you can call or email josh roberts anytime at JOSHTALKS@GMAIL.COM or 706.409.2379

How do I help sponsor this event? You can sponsor this event by doing one of the following. 1) give a donation of at least $100 dollars. 2) provide a gift or service to use for giveaways. 3) You can help advertise this event.

Anything else we should know? This thing is going to be like a carnival. Not only will there be people staying up 30 ft in the air for 48 straight hours, but there will also be live musical and inflatables. Make sure to visit http://www.buyalittlemore.com/ to stay informed.

The site appears to be down at the moment but I am sure they will get it back up shortly.

Tax Breaks for Stillborn Kids?

WashingtonWatch.com - H.R. 6554, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow the personal exemption deduction for a stillborn child

Such an awful topic needed a smily sun to lighten it up. I am not sure what I think about the bill itself. Typically any chance to lower taxes I am for, but this seems like it could be easily, and horrifically abused. But, wow, to be against it is like voting no on lollipops at doctors offices. I can just picture the ads now, "Would you deprive a grieving family of some restitution for their loss?" Well, when you put it that way of course not.

On the flip side the reason the government currently taxes less to larger families has to do with the expense of childrearing. I know when my son was born in January I often joked about getting robbed since prior to his birth was when I bought all of his stuff. So, in theory parents of stillborn children may have alot of expenses as well.

So I am all tied up in knots on this one. I think it is a great example as to why we need a simplified tax code that takes out the social planning aspects. The US government should not be encouraging or discouraging child birth period. Leave that to parents to decide. Since I know the nature of government is to get more and more oppressive and involved in individuals lives, I try to make the best judgements on laws and leaders I can but this one is tough.

What are your thoughts? Should the government give tax breaks to the parents of stillborn children?

Social Networking Brings a New Era in Criminal Justice

The implications of this new era of social networking are constantly being seen, felt and written about. It has huge ramifications in all areas of life. Radical honesty is a hallmark of new media. It is quite interesting though, that many who lie about something in person have no problem sharing on line. I am sure in the future there will be sociology classes on blogging, facebook and myspace. Until then, if you do tell a judge you are very sorry for what you did, do not go prove you are not and post the pictures all over the internet. Just a thought...

Unrepentant on Facebook? Expect jail time - CNN.com

Super Awesome Organization Sunday

This event is actually raising funds to support three great organizations. Basically it is going to be an urban market type event where you can go buy things that you want and/or need, then all of the funds go to helping several social justice causes.

South County Outreach is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to helping low-income families and seniors in crisis. Services provided by S.C.O. include crisis and transitional housing, food pantry, rental and utility assistance, clothing vouchers, computer learning lab, seasonal program services, employment and financial counseling. S.C.O. is located in Lake Forest and serves all of Central Coast Orange County.

The Row is a weekly gathering of people who help provide food and clothing to the homeless of Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. The Row provides hope and love to those who need it the most. Proceeds donated will help the people of Skid Row earn income for many of their own basic needs.

cWOW Design Stars | Home Renovation Project
Proceeds from sales will go to renovating the home of a family in need. The renovation project will be similar to the style of ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition.

When: July 26th 8am - 1pm
Where: 18842 Teller Ave. Irvine, CA 92612

Go ahead and check it out here.

Hoverboards are so Cool

No question, just about everybody who is old enough to remember Back to the Future wants a hoverboard. Much to our dismay, the one in the movie does not yet exist (although one person thinks it will in our lifetime).

Until then check out this review of two similar products available for purchase here and here (it is #2).

If anyone gets one because they saw it on my site, lets agree that I get to ride it at least once to give an update to the rest of the readers, you know, to be fair.

American Fundamentalists

A very funny article. Check it out. Do you know anyone who may benefit from seeing how they look to others? Send it to them too...

American Fundamentalists: Their Identification, Traits, and Proper Mockery | Wittenburg Door

Religion can help end wars, too?

Heresy to many, I know, but give the guy a chance. It is a really good piece.

Religion can help end wars, too - Opinion - USATODAY.com

Interesting Thoughts on the Self

I am sure their are great applications for arguments for the soul and self here. But for now, wow, this is really interesting. I know that I have never scratched myself until my brain oozed out.

Annals of Medicine: The Itch: Reporting & Essays: The New Yorker

Thanks to Oh My Seven for pointing this story out.

Linux User(s)

Hey Linux User(s),

I know that everyday for about the last month and a half one Linux user has looked at my site. I do not know if it is the same one everyday or just a cool coincidence that a different one each day. Just wanted to say hi to you or you guys and see if everything looks ok. I am pretty familiar with PC and Mac but not so much with the Linux. If not feel free to send me an email and cuss me out (like people do when they disagree with me about being Christian and not having to vote Republican or that it might not be required to vote down Gay Marriage to be saved) or just leave a polite comment in the comment section.

A Very Cool Example of Forgiveness

Time For Some Campaignin'

Send a JibJab Sendables® eCard Today!

Prohibition Still Does Not Work

Check out this article on drug prohibition...

U.S. Leads The World In Illegal Drug Use, Survey Says People With Higher Incomes More Likely To Use Legal And Illegal Drugs, Marijuana Use Widely Reported In U.S. - CBS News

Then check out this discussion on alcohol prohibition in churches, especially the comments...

Sublty Finding Out if Your Christian Friends Drink

Our history as a nation answered a lot of these questions a very long time ago. Let us learn from our mistakes.

A Conservative View of Life?

Often it is said that Christians should vote Republican because of the sanctity of life issues. Apparently, the current Republican administration does not feel so strongly though after recently downgrading the value of a human life by about a million dollars. Check it out.

EPA: Your Life is Worthless

False Dichotomies Abound

A satirical look at the unspoken assumptions of the "Values Voter" lobby. A little crass but very funny. Earmuffs for the kids. *update: Since the Values Voters often identify themselves as Christians I think its important to consider what that title may imply to someone who disagrees with you politically.


'No Values Voters' Looking To Support Most Evil Candidate

Iced out grill

Just thought it was pretty awesome. Made me think of that Slick Rick song where he talks about showing a girl his mouth full of gold teeth to impress her. Turns out girls don't dig cavities (learned the hard way) or any other sort of mouth deformities (so I hear). But they love a guy with an iced out grill. Don't believe me, go watch a new rap video (ask you parents or your wife for permission first of course). To get one go to Iced Out Gear. They also have iced out goblets and stuff to hang on your chain to attract ladies. Being married I just use my grill for special occassions like anniversaries and Valentine's Day.

Cheesy sermon videos and some alternatives

Check out these "parody" videos being sold for almost $100 to churches. I put parody in quotes because parody implies wit, humor and smarts. These cheesy imitations of the great Mac commercials with Justin Long and that other guy who was in that movie with Tina Faye and Amy Poehler are not only really poorly produced (not every church has lots of money to invest in multi media, I know) but the acting is really bad and the scripts not that funny. A couple clever puns but by and large a scam looking to pawn some crummy "christian" movie off on some poor unsuspecting pastor hoping to be relevant.

Now I know someone out there is going to know the organization who put these together. Maybe you thought they were amazing. That's fine. You spend the money on them. And maybe I am being overly critical but organizations that claim to be helping churches and churches themselves should be held to a higher standard. Their motives may be great, but good intentions are not enough. My point is that creativity and innovation should be hallmarks of the Church as we follow the God who invented the duck billed platypus. We need not steal someone else's idea. We don't always have to reinvent the wheel though. That being said. . .

Save your parishioner's some money. Record the actual Mac commercials. Then use those clips to highlight any of the following for a sermon series.

1. Evangelism.

Mac could be represented as Athens. Windows is Jerusalem. A series on Acts17.(Updated: I specifically was thinking of the commercial where Mac talks about making movies and PC talks about spreadsheets. Some would not work because the point you should, I think, be making is that Paul's methods were equal but specially suited to the circumstance.)

A little more topically Mac can be seen as kind of an ancient future type faith. One that maintains the time less truths of the faith but expresses them in a way that people today can get. With Windows being the stuffy "we've always done it that way" type.

Mac could be Paul and Windows Peter. Make sure to reference 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 to drive home the point as well as Galatians 2:11-21 (of course).

2. Doctrine

I have to be careful on this one so I don't get my mailbox flooded with the DIE HERETIC emails again, but I would take one of three approaches on this one.

a. Correct Doctrine is Mac. Heresy (or for the ecumenical, Error)is Windows.

b. Those Focused on strong commitment to doctrines and statements of faith are Mac. Those who would cast aside doctrine on the altar of relevance are Windows.

C. Those who believe that Truth can be bigger than our intramural squabbles and thus agree to disagree for the sake of community and to spend our resources doing the work of the Kingdom are Mac. Insert your least favorite famous Christian figurehead as Windows.

I am sure there are plenty of people way smarter than me who have even better ideas.

Such a complex world needs a good explanation

Check out the rest of the ad campaign. It is very clever. Thanks to Marc for showing it to me. He is a fantastic designer if you need any work done.

Super Awesome Organization Sunday Numero Uno or SAOS1 for those of you spanishally challenged

Bambu manufactures and sells organic fair trade bamboo products. They employ locals throughout China and North Vietnam, regularly visit the sites and donate 1% to enviornmental causes. They are making a positive impact on the communities where the bamboo is harvested and where the products are manufactured as well as having very little enviormental impact by utilizing sustainable materials and methods. Check out their Guiding Principles and their blog to learn more.

The Middle Finger of Grammar

John over at Stuff Christians Like always refers to lower cased letters at the beginning of proper pronouns the middle finger of grammar. I like that. It makes me laugh. It also made me aware of how often I miss proper pronouns and wonder if people are secretly incredibly insulted. Oops. I better be more careful.

On the reconciling of my mixed up beliefs

A lot of people ask me how I am able to reconcile my seemingly mixed up beliefs. I mean you just do not see too many Christian, libertarian, social justice focused, environmental loving, classical liberal, free will, fiscally responsible, socially tolerant, traditional conservative, half Mexican quarter German quarter British, non-interventionist, Molinist, capitalist, Americans who really like spicy food. But thats me for now. So I thought I would give a brief explanation but more importantly, I wanted to start introducing some of the organizations whom I believe are effective, world changing, models for others, etc. and are not spending millions lobbying the government to take my money and give it to them. Instead they convince me that they are good stewards of the resources they have and their cause is worthy and ask me for it or provide a worthwhile product or service to fund their organization.

My faith informs my value system. My political philosophy (that of non-aggression whenever possible) helps me to figure out what I think is the best way to accomplish those goals. This leads to me seeking to accomplish my values without force (laws require force to enFORCE, thus are out of the question unless they are protecting others from forced action thus keeping life, liberty and property safe from harm). This happens in a variety of ways from the local church to social entrepreneurship to corporate giving to charities.

So starting today I will be highlighting an awesome organization each week that seeks to solve a problem creatively, informatively and without force.

Christian Bloggers Network

Check out this Facebook Group if you blog, consider yourself a Christian and use facebook.

McCain's been talkin' down to white people

Hahaha! A really funny spoof on Jesse Jackson's comments about his desires and Obama's genitalia. Potentially a bit offensive but certainly PG or PG 13. Check it out here.

Obama's Running Mate

The Onion published a list of potential running mates. The best one: David Duke, since Obama is currently not polling well among racists. I also think Jesse Jackson could help him cut off any chances of McCain catching up.

Reason.TV and Drew Carey present "Welcome to the Nanny State Nation"

Whether you love it, hate it, or have never thought about it, chances are some politician wants to ban it. "Welcome to the Nanny State Nation," says reason.tv host Drew Carey. "Where the government minds your own business."

Saggy pants, fire places, plastic bags, light bulbs, poker—it's all been banned somewhere. Same with owning swine or fowl, feeding pigeons, owning pit bulls, and chomping on trans fats, a naughty little substance that makes food taste better.

Of course, smoking's been banned in all sorts of places—indoors, outdoors, near doors, beaches, casinos, even private homes. America's smoking ban craze began in California. So many bans start there.

"But is New York City the new California?" asks Carey? Smoking, trans fat, aluminum baseball bats, straddling a bike, wearing in-line skates or drinking coffee on a subway—the Big Apple bans them all.

Even if we don't particularly like something we should be wary of banning it because every ban is backed up by the force of law. Plus, would you want to live in a nation that bans everything that offends someone?

Carey wonders when so many of us turned into "ban-happy busybodies," and compliments the British on their more civilized approach to bans.

Not a Cookie Cutter Nation (a remix)

Another post from the primaries that seemed pertinent to today...

Grrrr...

Being a nerd, I read a lot of political commentaries. The right and the left, the conservative and liberal splits are starting to get fairly annoying...

The longer this primary season drags out the more clear it gets that our country just does not fit into neat little cookie cutter ideologies. It brings down the entire level of discourse and sets up straw men. We live in a sound bite culture. Arguments are meant to hit at a strictly emotional level. They may be right or wrong. They may have logical rationales for their positions, but we never get to that level. We just get the soundbite and then the commentators tell us what to think about it based on whether we are right or left. What's worse is that over the years, the definitions change. So without the commentators, we are lost as to what we are suppose to believe as a party, movement or subculture.

Much easier for the left to say the right don't care about the poor than for them to express a lack of trust in charity. Much easier for conservatives to say liberals don't have family values, than to explain why they think that gays cannot get married.

The examples can go on and on but the point is that people tend to disagree and with good reason. By saying all people fall into one of two categories it creates a mob mentality where critical thinking ceases and the other side becomes an enemy rather than an ally with a different strategy.

We all want a better economy. We all want strong families. We all want social equality (in opportunity not outcome necessarily). We all differ strongly on how to accomplish these goals. Its time we come together and have a civilized discourse on the how to's.

(On a side note, I think that the Nolan chart being made the norm rather than right/left would go far in helping to ease tensions in our nation.)

Even FOX has trouble justifying shooting a man in the chest with a machine gun for gambling

Check it out here. By the way short of satire or parody, I will probably never refer you to a Fox news piece, so consider yourself lucky if your a fan of Fox News. Now Fox cartoons on the other hand...

Update. Notice the specs on the HK MP5 listed by the manufacturer. Geared towards reliability and accuracy, customizable trigger configs to eliminate problems like this...

Is your music WORSHIP or EVIL?

Now there is a mathmatical formula to figure it out. Special thanks to the good people at Way of Life for helping to develop this formula. What you do is take the number of people in a band and determine what percentage of them make up the rhythm section, then you determine if that number is 4% or less like in an orchestra or an organ by itself. This would be considered appropriate worship music. On the other hand, if it is say 75% like most ROCK bands, then it would be sensual and demonic, or evil. This should clear things up for those of you trying to unravel this mystery in your churches.

Also, for another perspective check out what Dan Kimball found out when he researched the topic here and here.

Hope this makes things a little easier.

The Politics of God Again

Hate to reuse a post but I wrote this during the primaries, and given the Obama Dobson war, the California War on Gay Marriage and Claiborne, Wallis et al War on the Religious Right I thought it would be fun to look at it again. Enjoy!!!

UPDATE I am reading Lord Save Us From Your Followers by Dan Merchant and it also made me think back to this post....

Over the past several decades numerous books, lectures and conferences have attempeted to define or otherwise extrapolate what it means to be a Christian in the United States of America in regards to politics, voting and civic duty.

From Jerry Falwell, Hugh Hewitt, James Dobson, etc. to Jim Wallis, Tony Campolo, Rick Warren, etc.; everyone seems to know the heart and mind of God for the next election.

The 2008 election is no different and may even be more faith centric than previous cycles. We have had Mitt Romney (a Mormon elder), Mike Huckabee (a Southern Baptist preacher), and most recently gracing the headlines, Obama's church with a controversial pastor.

What role does faith play in leading? In voting? In our daily life? For everyone these answers will be different. I think it is clear that our values are defined largely by our religious background. What I think is not so clear (as evidenced by the wide body of work on the topic and no concensus) is how that manifests itself into politics.

I would like to change the dialogue a bit and venture a new approach. People who feel life begins at conception mostly believe that they should be opposed to legalized abortion. People who feel a yearning to see an end to poverty tend to believe in socialized welfare programs. The list goes on and on as most people want to see the law dictate the values they cherish. And that is ok. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs and approaches and their strategies. No one is entitled to speak for God as to which political position is the right one. (The one exception to this would be in Catholocism, but one chooses to submit to Papal Authority by being a Catholic and in turn accepts that the Pope speaks on behalf of God so the political portions of the new seven deadly sins would apply to you.)

What is not ok is the infighting and the claims that those who disagree with your politics somehow have less faith. Politics is largely about strategy not values. Some believe that outlawing things they feel are immoral is a good strategy to stop them. Others feel that it is not. CS Lewis once said that it would be a bad thing to try to legislate divorce out of existence. It was not the role of the Church to change peoples morals it was to change their hearts. Given the esteem he is given within most churches this should be seen as at least an acceptable and defensible position.

Grace, one of the hallmarks of the Christian faith seems to be lost in the world of faith and politics. Maybe this should be examined. Disagreements will happen. How we handle these disagreements should be a reflection of our values.

Have you met Fred?

Biblical basis for spousal abuse?

Wow. What else can be said but wow.

Biblical basis for spousal abuse?

Cannot wait to see McCain Windsurfing

He says he is STRONG on the economy here.



He proves he does not even understand economic questions here.



And here, we see that he use to say that the economy is not something he is strong on.

The original remark that prompted Roberts' question and has haunted McCain slipped out last December in New Hampshire when McCain said, "The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should." He went on to joke, "I have Greenspan's book," referring to the biography that has just been published at the time by former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan.

And at a January town hall meeting in Concord, N.H., McCain told the crowd, "I am not an expert on Wall Street. I am not an expert on some of this stuff."

How's that for honor, integrity and change we can believe in?

Matthew Anderson's Critique

In his posting, Mere Orthodoxy » The (Mis)Use of C.S. Lewis by Christian Libertarians Matthew Anderson claims that I misuse Lewis writings on the governments role in Marriage since he was speaking of divorce. This of course is true, Lewis was speaking of divorce. But his reasoning was what I focused on. His reasoning (which he backed up with a thought experiment with two examples not one it is easier to ascertain his intention) seemed to be that one ought not seek to legislate their religious beliefs.

Anderson does not address any of my other arguments in his post and my Lewis argument was only intended to show that it is possible to be a traditional Christian and not believe it is the governments job to do everything your interpretation of scripture tells YOU to do.

As far as claiming that it is politically conservative to oppose gay marriage, let me remind you that that is very recent revisionism (Reagan's second term). Barry Goldwater and Reagan '76 and '80 were vocal with respect to social tolerance. Reagan spent a lot of time during his campaigns outreaching to libertarian publications and WFB (rest in peace) founded national review to bring together Republicans and Libertarians since they shared the same conservative ideals.

Lastly, it is positively Marxist thinking to think that our laws should reflect the majority. We do not live in a democracy, we live in a constitutional republic, thus our laws should represent our constitution. We elect representatives whom are charged with upholding the constitution. This may not sound very familiar to anyone as we have lost our way, but the founding fathers sought to protect us from this tyranny of the majority. With regular church attendance down to roughly 20% of the population, we Christians should be very grateful and not seek to redefine the constitution when it suits our purpose.

A.W. Tozer: a study in heart versus head

A Passion for God: The Spiritual Journey of A. W. Tozer by Lyle Dorsett

In Tim Challies review of Tozer's biography he says,

"Those who have enjoyed Tozer’s writings will find here the life of a man who can and should be much admired for his deep spirituality and for his overwhelming love for Scripture. They will find here also the sad reality that Tozer, as have so many men before and after him, was willing to sacrifice his family on the altar of ministry. They will wrestle with the great irony that as Tozer grew closer to his Savior he seemed to grow more and more distant from his wife and family. His life stands as both an inspiration and a solemn warning."

Across the blogosphere very similar comments have been made, his was just the most eloquent.

I think that one further thing, and possibly the most important thing, can be learned from this. Can it really be that he "grew closer to his Savior" but "seemed to grow more and more distant from his wife and family"? I would say that it seems that Tozer subsituted "Knowledge of the Holy" for "relationship with the Holy." I have read all of Tozer's work and love it and have grown a lot from it and think it stands the test of time and nothing revealed about him personally will change that. I just think that as a result, bloggers have been letting him off the hook. Had a more recent theologian had similar revelations made about him I imagine it would not be so friendly.

1 Corinthians 13

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Drawing closer to God (who is Love according to 1 John 4:7-8) should enable deeper love relationships with our family, friends and the lost.

1 John 4:7-8

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

If that is not occuring one has to reflect on whether they really are just learning about God and not getting to know Him. I know I have taken this journey and it was painful to realize I knew alot about doctrine and theology, but very little about the heart of God.

There is a lot to learn from Tozer's story, but we must be willing to look honestly at both his story and our own.