In case you're wondering about the photo....I 'Google'd' it. I was looking for something funny, but this seemed a bit more appropriate for what I'm thinking about. My thoughts are on politics. I've been watching Fox News at night here lately and I'm a bit worried and confused. I use the words 'Democrat' and 'Republican' loosely. I don't claim to be deep into politics in any way what so ever.....but I do like to follow along. After hearing the candidate's platforms and plan for their election.......it's got me thinking: how do I see the role of government?I believe government should be no more than a stable structure. It seems as if they are becoming more and more apart of our lives. Like I said...I'm not a student of political science......but isn't the government supposed to just be an umbrella.....a covering? But now it seems they are wanting to tell us that we have to have this or do that or be this way or that. I'm not talking about laws that govern and protect people....I'm talking about moral issues. It's almost like they want to create a utopia... have a saviour. It's really confusing to me. I'm no genius.....but I can see that it doesn't work. Government can't fix every social or moral issue. Individuals can. I believe that to be true. The church has the power and ability to fix a lot of stuff.......but for some reason it's acting very limited in it's capabilities. I include myself in this.
Government can only make things worse (in a sense). By that I mean......creating standards that allow immorality. The two biggest (for me) are abortion and same-sex marriages. These are moral issues. Morality can't be legislated. It just can't. Morality comes (in my opinion) from God. Realizing the need for God.......getting our sense of right or wrong from Him. It almost seems to me that our elected officials are trying to make use more and more dependent on themselves (the government). To look to them as an end to all of our troubles. To fix all of our problems. Make us happy. Put food on our tables. Take away all of my pain. It doesn't work!
I hear the presidential candidates talk about health care.....(which seems to be the most talked about issue right now)....more recently the security of our nation (abroad and at home).....comparing this country to others around the world......as if those other countries are a beacon of light....of perfection. Crazy! They are worse off than we are. Who would want to leave this country and move to France.....England......for their health care......socialist systems of government. We have freedoms in this country that no other country in the world has. We have blessings and opportunities unrivaled by anyone else. I don't want to lose them! Especially over politics and agendas. Not worth it.
Countless men and women have devoted themselves to freedom (to the point of death) for us to have what we have now.......shame on us if we squander it! Shame on the church (me included) if nothing is done about it!
Again....I say.....I'm no student of politics......but here are a few quotes from centuries ago. They make sense to me today. I believe that the men and women who had their hand in forming this country were appointed to that time by God. Whether they knew Him or not.... they were appointed to be there at that time and pour their lives into what we have today. Take a moment and read these quotes......think about them.
All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. Thomas Jefferson
Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves are its only safe depositories. Thomas Jefferson
Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny. Thomas Jefferson
It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself. Thomas Jefferson
My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government. Thomas Jefferson
One man with courage is a majority. Thomas Jefferson
Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual. Thomas Jefferson
Taste cannot be controlled by law. Thomas Jefferson
That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves. Thomas Jefferson
The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson
When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. Thomas Jefferson
One thing about Elvis......he's good company for Peppers. He's made more like his father. His father is a Yorkie name JR (belongs to Denise's sister Vicki). His hair is a lot longer than Peppers. Later........
