Dr. Lee Edwards, a Distinguished Fellow in Conservative Thought, gave a lecture at the Heritage Foundation that asked the question: Is Conservatism dead? One could make a strong case that it is. Conservatives suffered a crushing defeat in the 2006 elections and, more recently, the 2008 elections. However, things have been worse. Much worse.
The 1964 election of Lyndon Johnson by a landslide caused critics to ring out that Conservatism was dead. Liberals had a 2-1 margin in the House and Senate. A greater margin than even today. Yet, the principles of Barry Goldwater endured. He easily won his Senate seat back in 1968 and Lyndon Johnson had become so unpopular that he did not even seek reelection and rejected the automatic nomination of his party. The 1968 election went to Richard Nixon running as a conservative. Mired in controversy liberals were able to take control of the White House in 1976. After four years of economic collapse, a true conservative was elected to the White House in 1980.
After the failed “borrow and spend” policies of the last eight years, the people spoke out and ushered in Democratic leadership to the House and Senate in 2006 and increased the margin in 2008. However, Republicans, as Dr. Edwards pointed out, lost, not because of conservative principles, but because they ran away from conservative principles. The biggest difference is that for the first time in 60 years, there is no leader in the conservative movement. From Rep. Robert Taft to Newt Gingrich, we have had someone moving our ideas forward. There are current Members of Congress that can emerge, but for right now, there is no clear leader.
To those who think the conservatives cannot govern, Dr. Edwards pointed out our successes. Taxes were cut and spending was reduced in 1948, in 1983, the Economic Recovery Tax Act lead to unprecedented recovery and growth. In 1996, the Welfare Reform Act was passed significantly changing the welfare system and dramtically reduced the number of people on welfare. In 2001, President Bush signed the biggest tax cut in history that kept the economy running in the wake of 9/11.
Of all the changes we have seen in the last 60 years, one thing has remained constant – our message and our principles. Our principles do not need to be changed because there is new technology, just how we deliver the message.
Conservatism is not dead, WE are still here! Our problem is that we have liars and pill heads who run on the Republican ticket as Conservatives and then when they get to Washington, they start "reaching across the aisle" to be friends with the Left. Just as you cannot be friends with a terrorist, you cannot trust a Leftist. The bottom line is we need someone who really IS a Conservative and will REMAIN one to run for office!
I am so discourage because every time I turn around I see our family conservative values being flushed down the toilet. Our freedoms being slowly taken away. Our God given right being stolen away by those who use their so called conscientious to judge my rights and freedoms. When they disagree with my conservative values and what this country was founded on they try to take it away. I am very angry!! Our founding father's laid a foundation we must stand and fight for what our founding father's fought for. W.W.J.D.?
Only God can take that which was given by him. Conservatism is not dead. It is being suppressed very strongly by the enemy foreign and domestic. All aspects of our society have been infiltrated by the anti-conservative movement and they walk and talk among all people of our nation. Our political, financial, educational, and social interaction platforms have been compromised. We must hold strong to our "rights" and take all necessary steps to reverse the "big government" movement.
I ask this question. Would any other way of life, thought, or society have lasted through what conservatism has? It is NOT a movement. The reason that EVERY other way of life is at war with conservatism, is that it is a truth. Truths cannot be changed. It just is. Conservatism came about from the strong moral, RELIGIOUS, belief from our founding fathers. It has so permeated the constitution and ALL of our founding documents, that it all stands opposed to every other societal position,belief, or political stance. I believe that this is KEY to the inability of those in the party to hold on to power once they have it. We don't strive FOR power. We run to fix then leave. We look for the positive in everybody, therefore, stop fighting once we achieve a victory. I will be the first to say so here but people ARE stupid. We forget, become apathetic, and turn off the TV. They on the other hand KNOW that they are coming for the power and do, say, and lie to get the end goal that they desire. They NEVER stop. They know that they just need to wait awhile once we shine a light on what they are doing, and we will go away. Conservatism can never die. It might be called something else in the future, but truth cannot be changed or die.
Conservatives/Republicans are being falsely blamed for the economic collapse due to it starting in the last administration.
The mechanics leading to the collapse have building for more then half a century and are phenomena of credit mismanagement not political decision. By considering collateral senior to the ability to service debt, the banking world created unsustainable CONSUMER debt.
If credit had been more available to finance production, this disaster would not have occurred
A leader must come forward who can grasp and communicate the policies that need to be implemented in order to bring about the monetary change necessary to rebuild the economy.
One problem is that conservatism has been confined, for the most part, within the Republican Party; but the GOP has often failed to live up to conservative philosophy and principles. It has become all too clear that many Republicans are not truly conservative, or, if they are, either socially or fiscally conservative, but not both. It seems that trust in most any Republican eventually ends in disappointment.
Sadly, I know no alternative that will offer hope politically. Certainly, there's no place for conservatism within the Democratic Party. (I cannot imagine how so-called Blue Dog Democrats justify their inclusion within the Party, and much less pro-life Democrats.) Third-party groups lack the ability to garner sufficient votes to do anything other than guarantee a victory for Democrats. Perhaps a grass-root conservative movement would help, but I suspect it would splinter along the same or similar social and fiscal lines we have within the GOP and, again, do nothing but aid the Democrats.
That leaves, again, the Republican Party. But how long before continued disillusionment with its leaders, policies, and divisiveness leads to further conservative malaise and declining support?
We hope for another Reagan; but such cannot be manufactured. We hope for another set of circumstances that foists greatness upon another conservative leader; but there must first be a capacity for greatness. We hope for the conservative masses to shake off their lethargy and rise to the occasion of opposing tyranny; but are there still masses waiting to be roused?
I pray that conservatives find their will, their spirit, their commitment, their voice, their determination, their stamina, and their competence to combat the forces allied against them . . . and, frankly, against all America . . . before it is too late. I pray that the Republican Party rises to its conservative principles, genius, and heritage. I pray that I pray not in vain.
I think it's time to have a serious discussion about possible conservative leadership for the Republican Party–Jim DeMint, Michael Pence, Paul Ryan, Bobby Jindal, Mark Sanford? The party needs to get busy and rally around someone who can recapture true conservative principles or the party, itself, is doomed.
Our ideas are not dead. We are just in desperate need of good candidates. Conservatives do not seek government to solve their problems. We focus on our businesses and families. Liberals naturally see government as a solution and they act accordingly. We have a heck of a time finding business people willing to run for office. If we are not altruistic by nature, why would bright capitalistic minds spend time trying to save us from ourselves instead of creating more personal wealth? We don't put up a conservative candidate – the liberals win (within the GOP too).
Conservatives need to embrace the idea of donating two years of their life to public service so we can straighten out the bureaucratic mess that exists today. Conservative principles aren't dead, we just need the right people to step up and deliver it.
Conservatism is not dead but I hope against hope that Social Conservatism dies very soon.
Jamey,well said. For all of you, I've a question:
Now that the people have bread and circuses, how do you ever take that away?
We've a tough row to hoe; we're anathema to what's going on now.
To address Ozzy and Will, our Republicans "grow" once they're in office. Translation: they become insulated, listen to briefings by big gov't types, have an overriding concern to appeal to the lowest common denominator, then talk conservative when back home or on the campaign stump.
Liberalism is a gutless choice; conservatism is hard work.
I agree with Donna,further that we must Deal with those RINO's who let the Country down!
I doubt that Conservatism is dead, but it is definitely in some sort of coma. One of the main reasons the Republicans got trounced so badly was that they abandoned their conservative values to pander to the left in the hopes of getting more votes. Well, we see the result of that. Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Obama and their band of thieves are systematically destroying America piece by piece. This so called budget will surely bankrupt America. Where in the world did you ever hear of printing money to buy your own debt? We are going to see hyper-inflation like we have never seen in the history of this country and a worthless dollar. My head is about to explode!
Conservatism isn't dead yet! It is spread over too many areas and the message is diluted because of that spread. Many otherwise conservatives are lost because of some strong issues they disagree with. Abortion is a big one. I believe we would gain many more supporters if we developed a pro-choice position for medical personnel and individual. As a conservative myself, I could go along with that if their were NO government monetary support of abortion. I do not want to pay for that procedure. The would be parents should pay!
The women's movement in America is the cause of the gross libertine state of affairs. Germ sharing sexual expression is the greatest threat to human existence since the days of Ancient Greece! The simple truth is that we have lost control of our young– who see the female as dominant period. This has happened repeatedly in History. Why have we refused to see it? Our school system decay to a disgusting level is very predictive of a very long continued decline.
We desperately need a species cleaning or ending world war– and it sure looks like its about here! Even Rush Limbaugh sounds like a egotistical, over-emotional child who has lost his handle on what being a man and a conservative should mean.
You poeple are the last hope that I see on the subject. At 84, I wish you all the success possible but my carefully planned retirement income is fast becoming inadequate so I am not able to help much there. But you have all other support I am capable of giving.
In Texas, where "W" came up, the Democrats are still pretty conservative, in fact they're probably more conservative than most of the moderate Republicans in other places. So when he "reached across the aisle" to the other side, what he found when he got there was politicians not that different from himself. It's not like that in Washington, and I wonder if he didn't realize that. I think he thought he'd find reasonable folks on the Democrat side, like he found in Texas when he was Governor.
We need to broaden the umbrella to cover more views to build the conservative following. If the core principles embrace personal freedoms, government by the constitution, reduced size of government to only include those duties that individuals cannot due for themselves. Must gravitate closer to the liberalist platform. Simple and easy to refer back to when issues arise as guidance to preferred procedure. Our founding fathers provided an excellent platform for a productive society. Conservativism has been damaged by washing it down to be more liberal it it's actions. The benefits of conservatism needs to be retaught. Our colleges are promoting the liberal ideal not the conservative ideals. We have a long way to go and must not falter.
Conservatism is not dead. There is no leader in either party as Dr Edwards points out for conservatives. Republicans, who come closest to conservative values, lost the elections because of big spending, earmarks, failure to deal with the illegal aliens and an attempt to play with the media instead of challenging them and standing up to conservative values. In Florida, when Nelson was up for reelection, the republicans really blew it by not working to get a good candidate and stand behind that candidate. They gave that one away. Now that Martinez is not running again, who will the Gov and repubs work to nominate? So far not much news there.
I'm going to try this again: How do you promote conservatism when all people want is freebies
(bread and circuses)and to have decisions made for them. The two cant co-exist.
Let me put this in perspective; everyone wants to unseat everyone else's Rep & Senator but not their own. E.g.- Barney Frank and Chris Dodd are poster boys for what went wrong yet Frank won in Nov. with 68% of the vote and Dodd won in 2004 w/66%. Dodd's chances might not look good now but 2010 is a political lifetime away. Once their machine gears up, coupled with the public's short memory, he's a shoe-in.
Call me negative but while you're at it, refute what I've said.
Perhaps it's time to band together to demand candidates step forward to run against incumbent Republicans. The only way this will happen is if they feel they have a chance of winning and this would require a strong, strong grassroots effort to thwart the RNC. Time after time we've seen our hopes go down the drain because of the party's insistence on forcing incumbents (congress and the senate) or the next guy in line, i.e., Bob Dole, John McCain, upon the electorate.
We have two Republican senators here in Georgia who still don't "get it," and I'm hoping and praying a strong conservative will have the courage to step forward to challenge the one whose term is up next year.
…sorry, I meant the "house and the senate."
@Gary;
In answer to your question 'How do you promote conservatism when all people want is freebies and to have decisions made for them?'
We can promote it constantly but not until all are essentially equal in poverty, dependency and indebtedness to the government, i.e. hopeless and without possibility of bettering their situation, will the message take hold. Suffice it to say I see a very long time before conservatism is given another chance at governing.
In the mean time we hone our message, develop new approaches and policies relevant to the times, develop new leaders and ready ourselves for that day.
Though savaged by American and European Leftists, conservatism is not dead. The question, however, is whether, in so far as this great nation is concerned, it is nearly irrelevant, or put another way, even were it to again become ascendant would that ascendance be limited to a small island of people. Today another state court ruled unanimously that our American Constitution contains somewhere in it a mysterious inference that homosexual marriages are protected. If a right to homosexual marriage may be discovered what other perversions of civil society may not also be discovered. Today, for example, there is a strong movement beginning to "constitutionalize" intergenerational marriage or shorn from this Orwellian double speak, a constitutional right for a homosexual to marry a minor male. We used to call such conduct statutory rape.
It seems to me that while we have had good conservative presidents; of course, I think of Reagan, even so the inexorable intellectual, cultural and moral degeneration of this country via the judiciary, a government operating as a criminal enterprise, media, academia, and television have eaten away at the heart of our culture and will eventually destroy it.
So I think the question is whether even if conservatism becomes ascendant will it ever be able to reverse the tide. For example, I think of the Republicans. Can you imagine their pitch: "What we need is limited government, respect for tradition, lower taxes, balanced trade and the irradiation of deficits." How many times have we heard it. It it has not happened in eight years so how will Republicans overcome the enormous, and probably irreversible damage now being worked on our country. And frankly, don't such promises begin to sound a bit hollow. I have voted Republican all my life based on such promises made and ignored or worse still on their last pitch to the effect, Well you may not like us but look at the alternative. When they come again mumbling perhaps straight faced the same promises,the temptation to tell them to get lost will be enormous.
Pete & Robert Colorado…well said!
Pete, I hate to think of the tribulation period wherein we're all "equal in poverty, dependency and indebtedness to the government, i.e. hopeless and without possibility of bettering their situation". Maybe it's necessary; I just think of all the lost time and promise involved.
Robert, your last paragraph re. Republicans hearing the same old promises for 8 years or more reminds me of African Americans hearing the same old promises of gov't provided prosperity from the Dems for over 40 years.
I like the idea of primary challenges.
I believe that for all practical purposes conservatism is dead. Now that the public has come to expect certain entitlements from the government, we will never be able to reverse that trend. In addition, moderate and conservative legislators and senators are expected to "bring home the pork" just like their liberal counterparts. Likewise capitalism is also dying a slow and painful death. I see no one or group that can re-energize the conservative message. I fully anticipate a one party state in the future with different factions. None of which will be conservative. Over time the word "conservative" will come to mean something different than it does today. Something more palatable to the liberals in charge.
Washington is a highly toxic environment.People living in DC have learned to make great sums of money through cultivating and catering to the hubris of politicians. The results is the longer a politician remains in DC the more corrupt they are likely to become. The only way to limit exposure to the toxic elements of DC and reduce the toxicity of said elements is to institute term limits on all politicians. I believe these toxic elements abilities to exploit the weaknesses of most human beings would be greatly reduced. It seems to take about two terms for most politicians before hubris sets in and they give in to the toxic influences in DC. However two term limits for congressmen may be too much exposure to the toxins that exist in DC. Given the speed and gross corruption that is occuring at this time in DC. I guess further studies would be required to determin how much time spent in DC is too much.
Conservative is not dead. Although it is a very sad time for our country. I am paying close attention. I read and I listen. There are many of us out there and I believe that they are staying informed and listening too. Washington is being run by thieves and thugs. Nancy Pellosi, Harry Reid, Charles Schumer, Chris Dodd, Dick Durbin. Sneaky people. There are too many. The Hollywood Madonna's and Al Franken's, godless Bill Mahr. The Media. We are infested. We were not paying attention. But this may be the very best time there is for Conservatism. Because you see suddenly we are paying attention. And suddenly we don't take it for granted. I am waiting for someone to stand up and unite us because that's all I can do. Wait, stay informed and be ready. Something is going to happen. Something and someone WILL HAPPEN!
This country must get back to the principles that made this country great, hard work and deication to the rights that the constitution provided to us. We must stop taking the Constitution for granted. We have to stand up for our beliefs and for our Christian religion. The liberals have pushed the constitution and God off the face of this country. They have accomplished all of this because we the people kept saying"they can not do this". Well they have and we need to stand now and let then know that we will no longer allow them to force their beliefs down our throats. Pollitacly correct is not the way to go, I have an opinion and the "right of freedom of speech" for now. The dems and liberals will soon take these away if we do not act, get out and vote in the next election and vote for your beliefs.
I must say it lightens my heart to see the strong, clear and well written sentences of conservatives. Conservatism itself is to the individual and civil society what physics is to science, a set of laws as immutable as gravity. One may in contempt of gravity step off a high building; however, physical death is certain. A country may abandon conservatism but it will just as certainly will find spiritual death in the extinction of freedom, liberty and human dignity.
While conservatism may be destroyed, by Gulags and killing fields, by "cultural revolutions" and People's Republics, by Orwellian Double Speak in the construction of our American Constitution, by American traitors, in places of power who in their defamation of America, have the temerity to hold themselves out saviors, still, even so, they and we must reap the world wind of their betrayal which has been so well described in the posts of conservatives here.
The post modern and culturally relative society we describe as the Left, in the name of judicial construction, have created a racial spoils system, defied the only rules of constitutional construction, the 9th and 10th amendments which reserves powers to the people or state and not the Federal government, created the very totalitarian state that Federalism and a division of powers was created to prohibit, have treated religion as if it were a disease to be forcefully quarantined from the public square, have abolished the ancient laws of pornography so that now, against our will, adolescent children, young men and women, may be exploited, drugged and destroyed in pornographic pollution.
They have abolished free speech except for favored classes and finally, in an orgy of irrational waste are spending this country into a debt it will never have the means to pay. Finally, as the Left destroys the creed that has made America great and invited us regardless of previous nationality to enter the one, to become American, the Left, again in the double speak of Multi Culturalism, has separated us into tribes, each bent on seeking, heedless of the damage done, a piece of this America.
I do hope that Conservatism becomes ascendant. The tea parties intrigue me. There is room for hope. But if we discover the will and means to fight, it will be for one or the other a lethal engagement.
First, we have to realize that the 'Far Left' and the Far Right' are two of the same thing. Both their "Ideals" have nothing in common with our'Bill of Right and our "Constitution", both of which declare this country to be a Republic, and were created to limit the power of the Federal Government!
Second, we have to understand that according to these two Documents we are fifty independent Nations joined under a 'Common Charter." Each Nation has certain Inalienable Rights that the Federal Government can not infringe upon.
Third, both of the two parties have become answerable to the same donors, no that 'Organized Labor' is all but gone, they both feed from the same plate. We need, in each of the fifty Nations, to have 'Open Primaries' and 'Open Elections', where no matter your regisration, you can vote for the "Person, not the Party" of your choice.
We need a President, members of the Senate, and members of the House that instead of being attorneys, know the 'Bill of Rights' and the 'Constitution' frontwards and backwards to qualify. People who know that it is against our Constitution for the Federal Government to have control over "Private Enterprize' such as bank, stock market, auto industries. People who keep our Military defence strong, settle disputes between our independent Nations, set up 'Free Trade with other Countries, and the Duties outlined in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.
People who know the differnce between the 'Right to pursue happiness' and a 'Guarantee.'
Forth, How can we have people who vote their own salaries and benifits, set the salaries and benefits for Private Bussiness? Perhaps that would serve better if reversed!
Hozro
Conservatism is not dead it is breed in our heart. We have been taught by family and friends or by the experiences that we have lived. It is a part of my life that I live every day. We must look at our local politicians and if they don't meet or needs we must replace them. Find new people it might be you or your neighbor or mabey through a tea party.
Conservatism will never die. As long as there are hardworking Americans that WANT to live the American dream, realize that America's economy drives that world economy(Not France's), That America IS the greatest country in the world and that the conservative ideas of Ronald Reagan are the ideas that make America great. Conservatives need to realize that Liberals are not going to like us or our ideas at any stage of the game! The Liberal media is going to misquote and downright misprint the message of Conservatives. The only way we can return to a Conservative America is to stick to our values in the political and personal areas. If enough Conservatives do this(Yes, I am speaking especially to Republicans holding office)Conservatism will flourish.
A Time Of Decision For Today’s Church,
Or Just The Reflections Of A Squeaky Wheel?
A contemplative writing by David W. Crummett
March 30, 2009
Throughout the history of the Church, it has witnessed the rise and fall of many rulers, kingdoms, nations, leagues of nations, movements, etc. When I say “Church”, I mean the body of believers who have surrendered their hearts to Jesus Christ and are as the scripture says, “born again” or “born from above” (John 3:3). In the realm of the spirit, there is warfare going on constantly, because the souls of men and women are so precious to God and are very much hated by God’s adversary, Satan. The Church’s interactions with and responses to societal structures and dictates imposed by nation’s rulers or kingdom’s monarchs have often necessitated hard decisions to be made by clergy and laity, as well as all men and women who see liberty as an unalienable gift of God.
Man has been given a conscience by God to generally steer him in areas of right and wrong. I say “generally” because it was never intended to be a stand-alone mechanism for making ethical decisions. Over time, societies, as well as individuals have demonstrated the inevitability of allowing any number of factors to shape, or maybe I should say deform, their consciences. In fact, we know according to 1 Timothy 4:2 that it is possible for people’s consciences to be seared, made dull, or calloused. That is why God has given us His immutable Word. Indispensable to intimacy with God is one on One communion with Him through prayer and reading His Word, all combined with complete openness to Him. Our consciences can only be made sharp and remain so through this intimacy.
Without understanding a Christian worldview, or worse: understanding it and cutting out parts that certain believers don’t like, a spiritual smorgasbord of paradoxical beliefs and practices have erupted and been laid out before the individual Christian. It reminds me of Judges 7:6, “…but every man did that which was right in his own eyes”. That is a good example of a society’s dilution and distortion of conscience within a particular span of time in man’s ancient history.
Fast forward to modern day history. Intimacy level with God, predicated upon rich fellowship with Him and openness to His will, will press leaders in the Church, as well as individual believers, to make tough decisions as to what beliefs and practices they will or will not tolerate in the Church or in their individual lives, respectively. Going back to my first paragraph, the interaction and influence of the spirit realm is a key factor in what we believe and what we are willing to live for, fight for, and even die for-if called upon. As believers, we should be only be inspired by God’s Word, His Holy Spirit, and godly people who are “rightly dividing the Word of Truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Satan, the world, and the flesh are eagerly trying to influence us, so as to dilute or totally negate God’s holy inspiration in the shaping of our faith and practices.
There is within the “Presence” movement today, a particular focus on unity, and rightly so. God highly esteems unity within the Church (Ps 133:1, Amos 3:3, Eph 4:3, Eph 4:13). What God does not expect, however, is an acceptance of abhorrent beliefs and practices within congregations for the sake of unity. That cost would be too great. Rev 2:15,16 gives us an example of that. An unholy mixture of such beliefs and practices with pure Christian doctrines and God-honoring piety makes the Church and its influence in the world confusing and weak when it needs to be dynamic and strong.
There are some bodies of believers today whose leaders tacitly acquiesce legitimacy to the views of supporters of abortion rights and homosexual rights sympathizers and enablers, and are left effectively unchecked. Without this unrighteous support being addressed deliberately by leadership from the pulpit, it is flourishing. In fact, efforts are seemingly made to make them feel quite accepted, as though differences of opinions on these weighty matters are analogous to differences in trivial matters. The purpose of this writing is not to single out any particular congregation. This may very well be systemic of ethnically diverse urban congregations throughout America. For those whose consciences have not been so dulled, this makes for undue inner-struggles during times of corporate fellowship, worship, and service, because it does and should matter what other people among us believe, and what God thinks of it. Is He smiling upon and dancing over the aforementioned sympathizers and enablers of such evil as they praise Him, or should we be concerned? How widespread is it? Should we just ignore all of that and concentrate on our own worship of God? That’s more easily said than done.
It gives pause and begs the question “Is this unholy mixture allowed due to fears held by leadership in the Church?” Some have suggested the reason for people’s enabling and advocating elected officials holding indisputably ungodly beliefs along these lines: “We should to try to understand how they were treated in the past.” Or, “We don’t know what it’s like to walk in their shoes”. I’m reminded of the old adage, “Two wrongs don’t make a right”. Until this situation is handled, it is entirely possible for half of such congregations to be sympathizers of the poisonous views of Jeremiah Right, Louis Farrakhan and their ilk, while the other half has been effectively emasculated of its differing voice, as though it doesn’t really matter to God. Or could it be the just mentioned half are reasoning, “If the under-shepherds aren’t concerned, why should we be? After all, unity is the most important thing, right?”
Concern for the condition of believer’s souls who have felt no remorse for their irrational and possibly rebellious (whichever way God sees it) election of national and state leaders with stated ungodly views, should most certainly be prayerfully, yet forthrightly addressed. There is no doubt that God loves them and seeks to open their eyes and give them good understanding. The truth should not be withheld from them because their feelings might be hurt. It can be done so as not to offend the dignity of any people group’s heritage or past struggles. On the other hand, pride should not prevent anyone from embracing the truth, however it may cut across the grain. When we were young, we never liked taking medicine that tasted bad, but our mothers gave it to us anyway. If there’s not a change of heart, we will repeat the same old destructive pattern every election cycle.
A good model of how a 501C-3 organization, such as a local church, can tell the truth about any Administration, or candidates prior to elections, and their policies as they relate to God’s Word, God’s Kingdom, and free speech to include the political free speech of clergy, is The Hal Lindsey Report. It airs on Friday nights on TBN at 8:30. Gifts are still tax deductible, as of 03/27/09. He is well respected around the world for doing his homework, and for his unwavering candor in laying out the truth. He candy coats nothing.
Groups or individual believers who still won’t see the light and change their views concerning their support for evil ideologies and policies promised and delivered by those they have put in office (possibly because they see nothing wrong with them), they should at least have the respect to leave and congregate with people of like mind. Where is the line in the sand? Who will draw it? Until then, the unholy mixture is spiritually nauseating.
We who encapsulate the classic evangelical Christian worldview are: staunch supporters of a baby’s right to be born; advocates for the US blessing the State of Israel; adversaries of the homosexual’s destructive agenda; proponents of abstinence and creationism given place in public schools; opponents of socialistic European-style government; supporters of a strong national defense; defenders of 1st and 2nd Amendment right’s, etc, should have the assurance that we are in unity with those among whom we worship. Instead, leadership seemingly suggests those holding such godly views (juxtaposed with the current Administration’s policies with almost unfettered support from majorities in both houses of congress) walk on eggshells. It is only natural for God’s people to desire His blessing, both individually and in the corporate congregational setting. Let the unholy mixture end! Until that happens, there will only be limited portions of God’s power and only small glimmers of His glory in such congregations, however much His grace allows. It will certainly not be all He desires for the Church. The world is waiting.
My writing ends with two rhetorical questions; can the Church afford such a lack of God’s power and glory in these last days? And (or), “Are these just the writings of one of just a few squeaky wheels?”
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
I welcome your comments. Also, feel free to share this with others. You can omit my name if you’d like, though I am not ashamed of these sentiments.
In Christ,
David W. Crummett
I am a conservative, I am a business owner, I have a voice. Like all of you, I agree we need conservative leadership. But do we really rally around the conservatives we elect into office? Do we support them really? Or do we abandon them when they falter or stray. We have to be personally responsible for keeping our conservatives, conservative. We have to fight for that kind of leadership, not just go back to sleep once we have fought the battle. This is a war, and because we have been tolerant and politically correct, we have allowed ourselves to be brow beaten into silence. We have to fight back, we have to uphold the constitution, not allow for the undermining of our country's framework. We have to be willing to take the bullet, because blood has been shed and is still being shed for our liberty and freedom. So put your armor on, crawl to the frontline, and beat back the enemy. It is going to hurt and it will cost you; that is the price for freedom.
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Competition between ethnics and elderly for socialized money! ..and what's great about it is that neither side can imagine what happens when the socialized payments go to neither of them. Ethnics and elderly make up exactly one-half of the population. The amount of places (hospitals, nursing homes, shopping malls, expressways, etc.) at which these two intermingle has been increasing steadily for years. This is the work of those who witnessed desegregation while attending school, blamed their elders for not more forcefully opposing it, and have effectively trapped ethnics and elderly in a scheme in which competition with each other is very destructive to both.