Assurance Trumps Hope

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Isaiah 40:31

 But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength.  They will fly high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint.

NLT

In 2008 then candidate Obama ran on a platform of hope and change.  He even had a book published titled the audacity of hope.  I find it interesting that they would choose the word audacity for it means “a confident and daring quality that is often seen as shocking or rude.”  (1)  In other words, the title of the book is saying that hope has a quality of confidence and daring and can come across as rude.  However, hope also has a quality of doubt for even though we hope for something, there is always the possibility that what we hoped for may not come true.  Many today that placed their hope in Candidate, and now President, Obama to bring about change and have seen that hope fail to materialize as evidenced by President Obama’s falling approval numbers.  (2) (3)

Since hope carries with it doubt that what we hope for may not materialize, it is better if we seek assurances rather than hope.  Unfortunately in our world where we are taught that there are no absolutes, we have nowhere in the secular world to turn to in order to find assurances.  However, in the Bible, the Word of God, we can find many such assurances.  For example

1)       Isaiah 40:31 – The verse with which I opened this posting promises that we will fly high on wings like eagles signifying that we can soar above our problems.  It also promises that we can run and not grow weary meaning that the troubles of the world will not beat us down but we will maintain the energy we need to continue.  It also promises we will walk and not faint meaning we will not fall under the pressures of our struggles.  Of course these promises are conditional upon us being willing to wait on the Lord.  The Lord is never late but most of the time he does not work according to our schedule.  In our microwave society, we seek instant gratification but the Lord wants us to learn to wait on Him. 

2)      Philippians 4:19 – This verse promises that God, the creator, who created the entire universe, will supply our needs according to his riches.  Since God is the creator of everything, he has access to whatever it takes to meet our needs.  This includes not only my material or physical needs but also my spiritual and emotional needs.  However, this promise is also conditional for it does not say God will provide all my wants, but my needs.  Our prayer should not be for God to supply all our wants but that he would place in our hearts what we should desire (Psalm 37:4-5) and then give us those desires.

3)      Ephesians 2:8-9 – Thankfully our salvation is not because of our own works for if it was, we would only have a hope of salvation and would always doubt because we would see something we did today that was displeasing to God and wonder if that would cause us to lose our salvation.  The good news of the Gospel is that our salvation is dependent upon the finished work of Jesus on the Cross.  We therefore do not have just a hope of salvation, but an assurance of salvation based on the condition that we believe.

4)      John 3:16 – This is the most quoted verse in the Bible and carries with it not just a hope of eternal life in the presence of God but an assurance based upon us believing God sent His only Son to take upon himself all of our sins. 

In the secular world today, Christianity is often vilified.  However, as we have witnessed the failure of hope since 2009, I want to challenge everyone reading this to abandon hope and start trusting in the assurances contained in the Word of God.  Of course these assurances have conditions but as we see in the above examples, these conditions are mostly that we believe in God and Jesus and that we live lives in obedience to Him for this opens the door to a life of assurance. 

If you have not done so already, I challenge you to take a moment and ask God to forgive you of your sins, or the times you have missed the mark with God, and ask Jesus to become Lord of your life.  If you have done this already, take a moment to rededicate your life to God.  I then challenge everyone, including myself, to begin living our lives in obedience to God and His Word.  When we do these things, we can begin living lives of assurance that God will take care of us. 

1. Mirriam Webster Dictionary. Audacity. www.marriam-webster.com. [Online] Encyclopedia Britanica. [Cited: May 31, 2014.] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/audacity.

2. Rasmussen Reports. Daily Presidential Tracking Poll. www.rasmussenreports.com. [Online] Rasmussen Reports, May 31, 2014. [Cited: May 31, 2014.] http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll.

3. Edelman, Adam. President Obama’s approval rating falls to new low: poll. www.nydailynews.com. [Online] New York Daily News, April 29, 2014. [Cited: May 31, 2014.] http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/president-obama-approval-rating-falls-new-poll-article-1.1772756.

Honoring Heroes That Keep Us Free

By:  Dale Weckbacher   

John 15:13

3 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

NKJV

In honor of those who have fallen and given their lives to preserve our freedoms, I wanted to get this Wednesday’s post out early.  I believe the scripture in John 15:13 is probably the best description there is of why some men and women choose to serve and risk their lives for their fellow citizens.  On this Memorial Day, let us take a few minutes off from our barbecues, celebrations, and remember those that paid the ultimate sacrifice of love in order to preserve our liberties. 

Unfortunately, in many ways our nation has fallen short in its duty to honor these brave heroes as evidenced by the recent VA scandal and the failure of our government to lend aide to those that perished in Benghazi.  However, there are other things our nation does do that bring honor to these heroes and insure their brave efforts are remembered.  One of these things is the awarding of the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

The bestowing of what we call the Medal of Honor today was the result of legislation signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on July 12, 1862 and was initially created for the Civil War.  The award is intended for noncommissioned officers and privates who “shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other soldier like qualities.”  The award was later made permanent in 1863.  (1)

The first recipient of the Medal of Honor came because of heroic efforts in what has come to be called the Great Locomotive Chase during the Civil War.  Brigadier General Ormsby Mitchel, commanding Union troops in central Tennessee was planning an advance on Huntsville Alabama but lacked sufficient forces to block any Confederate counterattacks from Atlanta Georgia.  This is because Confederate reinforcements could quickly move in using the Western & Atlantic Railroad.  (2)

Aware of this issue, civilian scout James J. Andrews proposed a plan to steal a locomotive, destroying tracks and bridges in their wake.  After receiving approval for his plan from General Mitchel, Andrews selected 22 men along with experienced engineers William Knight, Wilson Brown, and John Wilson.  Andrews directed them to meet in Marietta Georgia by midnight on April 10.  (2)

The plan was for the men to slip through Confederate lines with the story they were seeking a Confederate unit in which to enlist.  All but two of the men arrived at their destination on April 11.  Their instructions were to board the train and do nothing until the train reached Big Shanty.  They were then to seize the locomotive and uncouple most of the train cars. 

After the passengers had disembarked for breakfast in Big Shanty, Andrews and his men boarded the train, uncoupled all of the passenger cars, and pulled out of Big Shanty.  The plan was for them to have sufficient lead-time because the train station at Big Shanty did not have a telegraph and would be unable to alert Confederate troops about the train heist until they could ride to Marietta Georgia.  However, after seeing the train depart Big Shanty, Fuller and other members of the train’s crew began running after it and were able to secure a handcar.  Thus, the Great Locomotive Chase began. 

Unfortunately, Andrew’s plan failed with the capture of his entire raiding party by Confederate forces.  Andrews and seven others from his raiding party were hanged.  Of the remaining men, eight managed to escape.  Many of the members of Andrew’s raiding party were among the first to receive the new Congressional Medal of Honor.  Although this mission failed, 1862 was a banner year for Union Forces as General Grant won the battle of Shiloh and Flag Officer David G. Farragut captured New Orleans.  (2)

The most recent recipient of the Medal of Honor is Staff Sargent Ty Carter.  Carter was one of 54 members of B Troop, 3^rd Squadron, 61^st Cavalry Regiment charged with defending Outpost Keating in Nuristan Provence Iraq.  On October 3, 2009, the base came under attack by enemy machine gun and rocket fire as more than 400 fighters attempted to overrun the base.  (3)

Then Specialist Carter joined his fellow soldiers on the perimeter but then ran back to gather up necessary supplies despite enemy fire.  It was then that Carter noticed fellow soldier Specialist Stephan L. Mace had been wounded.  While fellow soldier Larson provided cover fire from a nearby Humvee, Carter tended to Mace’s wounds.  Realizing he would be unable to carry both his weapon and Mace, Carter returned to Larson’s Humvee, left his weapon, and while Larson provided cover fire, returned to Mace carrying him back to the Humvee.  Carter then returned to firing.  (3)

Both of these stories illustrate the uncommon valor and courage of these special individuals who out of love willingly risk their lives for their fellow citizens.  Thankfully, we still award the Medal of Honor to these special people but we must also take care of them when they return injured or suffer from diseases as they get older.  Not that these individuals do what they do expecting some reward or handout from their fellow citizens but as a way to reward them for their special love and commitment to us. 

Join me today in taking a moment to remember these heroes and also say a special prayer for the families of those who have lost someone giving the ultimate sacrifice for us. 

1. U.S. Department of Defense. A Brief History - The Medal of Honor. www.defense.gov. [Online] U.S. Department of Defense. [Cited: May 26, 2014.] http://www.defense.gov/faq/pis/med_of_honor.aspx.

2. Hickman, Kennedy. American Civil War: Great Locomotive Chase. militaryhistory.about.com. [Online] About.com. [Cited: May 26, 2014.] http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/CivilWarEast1862/p/American-Civil-War-Great-Locomotive-Chase.htm.

3. Ingersoll, Paul Szoldra and Geoffrey. Here's What Army Staff Sgt. Ty Carter Did To Earn The Medal Of Honor. www.businessinsider.com. [Online] Business Insider, August 27, 2013. [Cited: May 26, 2014.] http://www.businessinsider.com/how-ty-carter-earned-medal-of-honor-2013-8.

I Am Not Giving in to Fear.

By:  Dale Weckbacher

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

NLT

Fear is an emotion we all experience at times in our lives.  However, as the above verse teaches us, its source is not from God.  As a believer in Christ when I experience fear, it is not the time to give up, it is a time to trust God and move forward with what God has planned for our lives. 

This week, Mitch McConnell, the minority leader of the U.S. Senate, survived a primary challenge from Matt Bevin by winning 60% of the vote.  (1) Some in the media are claiming McConnell cruised to victory (2) but only being able to win 60 percent of the vote from a candidate's own party is hardly a landslide victory.  Mitch McConnell has a lot of work to do to win in the general election. 

However, this victory against the “Tea Party” has caused many within the “Tea Party” to fear and believe the movement is dead.  (3)  On the other hand, some contend that the movement is not dead but regrouping.  (4)  Others contend that the movement’s structure means it can withstand low popularity and continue to exert a huge pull on the GOP.  (5) Therefore, in light of recent primary defeats, we must ask if the belief that the Tea Party is dead has credence.

First, we must define what the “Tea Party” is.  It is not a political party like the Republicans or Democrats but is a movement, or caucus if you will, within the Republican Party.  The Democrat Party also has its movements or caucuses (i.e. the feminist movement, the black caucus, the environmentalist movement, etc.).  Like the recent setbacks of the “Tea Party,” these movements have also suffered setbacks and defeats.  However, these movements continue to go on and have an influence on the Democrat Party. 

I refuse to fear that the Tea Party movement is dead even in light of the defeat to Mitch McConnell for now Mitch McConnell faces an uphill battle as he must convince the 40 percent of his own party to vote for him.  Most of this 40 percent are part of the Tea Party movement, a movement he vowed to crush.  (6)  In polling, the race between the democrat nominee Alison Grimes and Mitch McConnell is close (44.8% for McConnell and 44.2% for grimes) illustrating the need for McConnell to garner support from the Tea Party he vowed to crush.  (7) 

This need for Mitch McConnell to court the Tea Party vote demonstrates the power of the Tea Party movement in influencing elections.  Between now and November, we will witness many RINO Republicans seeking election moving to the right to court the Tea Party vote.  However, unlike in the past, those in the Tea Party Movement are wise to their strategy.  We understand that this movement to the right does not mean they are joining the movement but are simply trying to win our vote. 

Therefore, as a member of the Tea Party Movement, I demand promises that once winning election and winning a majority in the House and Senate, we in the Tea Party Movement would have a place at the table when it comes to crafting legislation to get this country back to its position of greatness.  Just as Democrats give environmentalists, feminists, and minorities a voice in legislation, we demand a voice. 

The Republican Establishment speaks of a big tent.  This is usually said to try to get minorities to join the Party.  How about a tent that is big enough to hold conservatives and the Tea Party Movement as well.  Is that too much to ask? 

1. Dana Bash, Paul Steinhauser, and Rachael Streitfeld. McConnell wins primary in Kentucky; he'll face Grimes. www.cnn.com. [Online] CNN, May 21, 2014. [Cited: May 24, 2014.] http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/20/politics/primaries-roundup/.

2. Gerth, Joseph. McConnell crushes Bevin; Grimes cruises to win. www.courier-journal.com. [Online] The Courier Journal, 21 May, 2014. [Cited: May 24, 2014.] http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/elections/kentucky/2014/05/20/ap-mcconnell-grimes-claim-senate-primaries/9350463/.

3. Ponnuru, Ramesh. Is the tea party dead? www.chicagotribune.com. [Online] The Chicago Tribune, May 23, 2014. [Cited: May 24, 2014.] http://www.chicagotribune.com/site/ct-perspec-teaparty-0523-20140523,0,5294481.story.

4. The Hamilton Spectator. Viewpoint: Tea Party movement: dead or regrouping? www.thespec.com. [Online] USA Today (excerpted), May 23, 2014. [Cited: May 24, 2014.] http://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/4533711-viewpoint-tea-party-movement-dead-or-regrouping-/.

5. Skocpol, Theda. Why the Tea Party Isn't Going Anywhere. www.theatlantic.com. [Online] The Atlantic, December 26, 2013. [Cited: May 24, 2014.] http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/12/why-the-tea-party-isnt-going-anywhere/282591/.

6. Benson, Guy. McConnell: We're Going to 'Crush' Tea Party Candidates in GOP Primaries This Year. townhall.com. [Online] Townhall.com, March 10, 2014. [Cited: May 24, 2014.] http://townhall.com/tipsheet/guybenson/2014/03/10/mcconnell-tea-party-candidates-will-get-crushed-everywhere-in-gop-primaries-n1806523.

7. The Huffington Post. Alison Lundergan Grimes Wins Primary In Kentucky Senate Race. www.huffingtonpost.com. [Online] The Huffington Post, May 20, 2014. [Cited: May 24, 2014.] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/20/alison-lundergan-grimes-primary_n_5354678.html.

I Have Seen the Movie Trailer Preview, We Do Not Want to See the Movie:

By Dale Weckbacher

1 Samuel 17:25

So the men of Israel said, "Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel; and it shall be that the man who kills him the king will enrich with great riches, will give him his daughter, and give his father's house exemption from taxes in Israel."

NKJV

King Saul may have had his faults but one thing he got right, he understood the importance of rewarding men in his army that defended the Nation of Israel.  Unfortunate, it is not a policy shared by the leaders of our nation.  Instead, they use the military as a political football for cutting spending instead of cutting spending for their pet social programs. 

From the title, you might think this post is about an upcoming movie.  However, this post is about something even more diabolical than a new movie promoting the liberal progressive agenda.  That is because this post is not about a movie but something that threatens to ruin the lives of most, if not all Americans.  I am talking about Obamacare and the fact that what is currently happening at the Veterans Administration (VA) is a preview of what will happen to health care nationwide once Obamacare is fully implemented. 

As bad as Obamacare is already, we have yet to feel its full impact because the legislation is not yet fully implemented.  Full implementation is scheduled for 2018.  (1) Of course, this legislation has incurred numerous delays as politicians that supported it fear retaliation from voters realizing how much this legislation will negatively impact their lives.  However, even with the delays we have already witnessed how this terrible legislation has had a detrimental effect on the lives of countless individuals.

Josie Gracchi was diagnosed with breast cancer and is in need of life-saving surgery.  However, her surgery was postponed after she lost her doctors under Obamacare.  In an interview with Fox & Friends, she looked into the camera and made the following heartfelt plea to President Obama, ““I would like my health care taken care of. I was insured. I think anyone who is going through a serious illness should have immediate responses. I shouldn’t have to wait months, weeks, to even be considered for surgery that I should have had weeks ago.”  (2)  Of course if Obama responded to her plea, he would probably just come up with a hashtag. 

Then we have the case of sick children in Seattle denied coverage due to Obamacare.  It appears that children with pre-existing conditions requiring specialty care, which the President continually claimed would be covered, are being denied coverage.  (3)  This all coming from legislation created and passed by liberals claiming to be the champions of women and children.  However, what is currently happening at the VA is a preview of what is yet to come for healthcare under Obamacare. 

Just in case you are not familiar with what is happening at the VA, let me take a moment to fill everyone in.  Federal law requires that the VA provide appointments within a month.  To hide its noncompliance with this requirement, veterans were put on a special waiting list that was kept secret so as not to affect compliance with the law.  In other words, the VA cooked the books in order to hide the lengthy wait times some veterans were experiencing.  (4) 

Of course this is nothing new for government run healthcare for in the UK they also experienced similar delays.  In the UK, patients were facing eight-hour delays in ambulances outside emergency departments.  The reason for the delays is due to the National Health Service (NHS) target of treating all patients admitted to an emergency facility within four hours.  In order to comply with this target goal, emergency facilities made patients wait in ambulances because they are not technically in the ER until they come in the door.  (5)  What is happening in the UK sounds eerily similar to the secret waiting lists at the VA.

The problem with the VA and the UK NHS is a bloated bureaucracy unable to deliver on its promises.  The problems at the VA are nothing new but as we move into full implementation of Obamacare, and its bureaucracy becomes overwhelmed with the demands placed upon it, we can look forward to delays.  The only difference here is it will not be delays in a foreign country or delays only effecting veterans, it will be delays in treatment affecting everyone.  This leads to the question, what is the solution. 

On Veterans Day in 2011, Presidential candidate Mitt Romney floated the idea of the privatization of veterans’ health care.  He made his comments at an occasionally emotional roundtable discussion with dozens of vets in South Carolina.  (6)  Of course, any call to privatize veterans’ health care or any veterans benefits are slammed by Democrats.  (7)  However, privatization actually solves two of the problems created by government bureaucracies. 

First, privatization gives consumers choices.  Armed with choices, consumers who receive sub-standard service from one provider can find another provider, something that is missing with the present single-payer system veterans’ healthcare system.  Secondly, privatization breaks the bureaucracy into smaller parts that are more manageable by allowing demand to be handled by numerous providers in the system.  These providers also have an incentive to provide good affordable service because the consumer can find another provider if they are dissatisfied. 

There is little doubt that Obamacare will eventually evolve into a single-payer system resembling the current VA healthcare system.  This is not the solution for skyrocketing healthcare costs and will result in many being denied or experiencing delays in care.  These delays can be deadly, especially for individuals suffering from life-threatening conditions.  The solution, increasing health care choices for consumers and creating a system similar to the one we currently use to pay for car insurance.

1. Kaiser Family Foundation. Health Reform Implementation Timeline. kff.org. [Online] The Kaiser Family Foundation. [Cited: May 20, 2014.] http://kff.org/interactive/implementation-timeline/.

2. Fox News. Cancer patient’s treatment put on hold over ObamaCare. www.foxnews.com. [Online] Fox News, January 19, 2014. [Cited: May 20, 2014.] http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/01/19/cancer-patients-treatment-put-on-hold-over-obamacare/.

3. Burke, Jennifer. Sick Children Denied Coverage in Seattle Due to Obamacare. www.tpnn.com. [Online] Tea Party News Network, January 31, 2014. [Cited: May 20, 2014.] http://www.tpnn.com/2014/01/31/sick-children-denied-coverage-in-seattle-due-to-obamacare/.

4. The Editors. The VA Hospital Scandal . www.nationalreview.com. [Online] The National Review, April 25, 2014. [Cited: May 20, 2014.] http://www.nationalreview.com/article/376560/va-hospital-scandal-editors.

5. Donnelly, Laura. Patients facing eight-hour waits in ambulances outside A&E departments. www.telegraph.co.uk. [Online] The Telegraph, June 29, 2013. [Cited: May 20, 2014.] http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10150635/Patients-facing-eight-hour-waits-in-ambulances-outside-AandE-departments.html.

6. McAuliff, Michael. Mitt Romney: Maybe Veterans' Health Care Should Be Privatized. www.huffingtonpost.com. [Online] The Huffington Post, November 11, 2011. [Cited: May 20, 2014.] Mitt Romney: Maybe Veterans' Health Care Should Be Privatized.

7. Fox News. Dems Attack GOP's Proposals for Private-Sector Health Care for Veterans. www.foxnews.com. [Online] Fox News, October 8, 2010. [Cited: May 20, 2014.] http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/10/07/republicans-accused-wanting-privatize-veterans-health-care/.

Leadership Assessment of Jeb Bush

By Dale Weckbacher

Josh 1:7-8

7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.

NKJV

Joshua is about to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.  The above verse is Gods pep talk to him before crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land.  However, God does not tell Joshua to be courageous in battle but to be courageous in his observation of God’s laws.  God is emphasizing the importance of leaders courageously holding onto their values when leading and as Joshua would find out, if he remained obedient, God would bring about victory.  We see this played out in the conquest of Jericho where their obedience caused the walls of defense for the city to fall under the power of God enabling the soldiers to simply walk in and conquer the land (Joshua 6:1-27). 

In today’s world, Joshua would not be considered a moderate for, even though he made mistakes, he ultimately learned the importance of obedience to God’s law.  Under Joshua’s courageous and principled leadership, the Israelites were able to occupy the Promised Land.  We need a leader like Joshua to lead our nation today but is Jeb Bush such a courageous principled leader? 

The Bush family is hardly an unknown in the world of politics so Jeb Bush has little to do in order to have name recognition should he decide to run for President.  However, having name recognition can be a double-edged sword bringing both positive and negative baggage.  This is why just having a certain last name or a relationship to someone of power does not guarantee one success.  True and lasting success comes as one learns to stand upon their own God given abilities. 

Most everyone is aware that Jeb Bush is the son of the 41^st President and brother of the 43^rd President of the United States.  Jeb Bush was raised around politics and demonstrated an early interest in public service by choosing to go to Mexico to teach English while on an exchange program in high school.  After high school, he went on to the University of Texas and earned a degree in Latin American affairs.  (1) 

Perhaps it is his degree and interest in Latin American affairs that explains his recent obsession with granting some form of amnesty to those in our country illegally from Mexico and other Latin American countries.  Granted, Latin American affairs may be something of interest to Jeb Bush but in order to win election to the Presidency of the United States, he must appeal to a majority of voters.  Granted, it is possible to win election to the Presidency without a majority as Jeb Bush’s brother did in 2000 but we know that haunted George W. Bush for his entire presidency. 

Jeb Bush’s first government post was serving as Secretary of Commerce in Florida.  He first ran for elected office in 1994 when he ran for governor of Florida but lost by a slim margin.  However, he ran for governor again in 1998, and won.  He then won reelection in 2002.  As governor, worked to improve the state’s education system, protection of the environment, and improving the state’s economy.  (1)

However, Jeb Bush’s tenure as governor will mostly be remembered not by his accomplishments but by the fact that his state was the deciding state in the Electoral College, which propelled his brother to victory in the 2000 presidential election.  Jeb Bush did recuse himself from any participation in decisions surrounding the election in order to avoid any appearance of impropriety.  (1)

Now let us assess Jeb Bush using the matrix of Vision, Courage, Integrity, and a Servants Heart. 

Vision – As governor of Florida, Jeb Bush envisioned a six-pillar education plan based on

1)      Grading schools on a simple A through F scale based on student standardized test scores.

2)      High-stakes testing.

3)      Requiring students to meet grade standards before promotion to a higher grade.

4)      Paying teachers based on student performance.

5)      New methods to credential teachers.

6)      Adding charter schools, private school vouchers (since struck down by a court) and online schools to offer parents more choices.  (2)

His environmental vision for Florida included consistent opposition to off-shore drilling off the coast of Florida, something which may place him at odds with others in his party that favor drilling for domestic oil as a means of lessoning our nation’s dependence on foreign sources of petroleum, especially from countries in the Middle East hating our country.  However, his economic vision for Florida included the belief that tax cuts act as a catalyst for economic growth.  (3)  With our nation currently enjoying anemic growth of only .1% in the last quarter, a catalyst is definitely needed.  (4)

Courage - Jeb Bush like many moderates tends to compromise on issues, which demonstrates a lack of courage.  For example, in an op-ed published in August 2012, Jeb Bush avoided extremism on women’s issues.  Even though he talks about reducing budget deficits significantly in December 2012, as Governor the budget of Florida grew by 27%.  (5)  However, his actions to champion enterprise zones and business deregulation at a time when politicians make it a point to vilify corporations, like Harry Reid’s continual vilification of the Koch brothers (6) does demonstrate courage.  This is no doubt something he developed when serving as Secretary of Commerce in Florida.  However, his favoring of amnesty for illegals, which will lower wages for American workers according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), (7) is in direct opposition to a statement he made in 2013 to stop rewarding portfolio Americans over paycheck Americans.  (5)  I guess people with portfolios in companies that would benefit from cheap labor through the hiring of recently amnestied illegals have precedence over paycheck Americans presently in our nation legally.

Integrity – Jeb Bush did exhibit integrity when he recused himself during the hotly contested presidential election of 2000 where his brother was one of the candidates.  (1) However, he moderates on issues where conservatives would like a candidate to take a strong stance.  For example, his avoidance of extremism on women’s issues, (5) including the right to life of an unborn fetus shows a lack of integrity.  His support of amnesty when the CBO states it will lower paychecks for American workers (7) when he promised in October 2013 to give paycheck Americans preference (5) also demonstrates a lack of integrity. 

Servants Heart – In a speech in Fort Meyers Florida in 2003, to a faith-based group, Jeb bush said, "When you see a need, you don't just sit there, you act." (8) Jeb Bush, raised a Christian by his parents, believes the best means of helping the poor is through faith based charities and not government redistribution.  It takes a servants heart to have faith to believe in the American people assisting the poor through faith based charitable giving.  It does not take a servants heart to confiscate peoples wealth through taxation and redistribute it to them as liberals and progressives do today. 

I give Jeb Bush a C in his assessment because of his lack of courage when it comes to supporting hard working American citizens over those who came to our nation illegally and represent cheap labor.  Mr. Bush, if you aspire to be our next President you need to garner the support of the citizens of this country.  Backing a policy that threatens to lower the wages of hard working American citizens that could vote for you in favor of corporate contributors seeking cheap labor from newly amnestied illegals is hardly the way to gain their support.  Remember Mr. Bush, it is votes, not money that wins elections, as you are all too familiar with having witnessed the closeness by which your brother won election to the Presidency in 2000. 

Our nation needs a strong leader willing to defend working Americans and stand against crony corporatists supporting amnesty because it means cheap labor.  We also need a strong leader that will support policies, such as drilling for oil, which will grow our stagnant economy.  The economic boom presently occurring in North Dakota (9) and Texas (10) does not have to be limited to those two states and can become a nationwide boom with the right leader. 

1. Biography.com. Jeb Bush. www.biography.com. [Online] Biography.com. [Cited: May 16, 2014.] http://www.biography.com/people/jeb-bush-201294#awesm=~oEtZl3nKxPRzaK.

2. StateImpact. stateimpact.npr.org. Jeb Bush: The Once and Future Reformer. [Online] NPR. [Cited: May 16, 2014.] http://stateimpact.npr.org/florida/tag/jeb-bush/.

3. Our Campaigns. Bush, Jeb. www.ourcampaigns.com. [Online] Our Campaigns. [Cited: May 16, 2014.] http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=468.

4. Fox News. www.foxnews.com. Obamanomics under fire from GOP as economy slows to 0.1 percent growth rate. [Online] Fox News, April 30, 2014. [Cited: May 16, 2014.] http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/04/30/us-economy-slowed-to-01-percent-growth-rate-in-q1-weakest-in-year/.

5. On The Issues. Jeb Bush. www.ontheissues.org. [Online] On The Issues. [Cited: May 16, 2014.] http://www.ontheissues.org/Jeb_Bush.htm.

6. McAuliff, Michael. Harry Reid Proposes Changing Constitution To Block The Koch Brothers. www.huffingtonpost.com. [Online] The Huffington Post, May 15, 2014. [Cited: May 16, 2014.] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/15/harry-reid-campaign-finance_n_5329917.html.

7. Lee, Tony. JEB BUSH: OPPOSING AMNESTY 'MAKES NO SENSE TO ME'. www.breitbart.com. [Online] Breitbart News, May 14, 2014. [Cited: May 16, 2014.] http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/05/13/Jeb-Bush-Opposing-Amnesty-Makes-No-Sense-to-Me.

8. Hicks, Regina. Faith-based giving partnerships lauded by Fla. Gov. Jeb Bush. www.bpnews.net. [Online] Baptist Press, July 30, 2003. [Cited: May 16, 2014.] http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=16397.

9. Rider, Richard. ECONOMIC LESSONS FOR CALIFORNIA FROM NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA. sdrostra.com. [Online] San Diego Rostra, December 21, 2011. [Cited: May 17, 2014.] http://sdrostra.com/?p=23268.

10. Sager, Ryan. Tyler Cowen’s 10 Reasons Texas Is Our Future. ideas.time.com. [Online] Time, October 17, 2013. [Cited: May 17, 2014.] http://ideas.time.com/2013/10/17/10-reasons-texas-is-our-future/.

How Do You Define Equality?

By Dale Weckbacher

Gal 3:26-29

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

NKJV

There has been much in the news lately about equality.  We have seen the president traveling all over the country calling for income equality, which means he wants an increase in the minimum wage as well as raising taxes in the rich and Obamacare.  However, these policies do more to promote income inequality and little to bring about income equality.  (1) Then the Pope entered the fray with his favoring forced income redistribution by the state in an effort to bring about income equality.  He has made such comments in the past but the difference this time was that he made his comments to the UN, hardly a bastion of income equality.  (2)  Outside of the economic realm, we have gays, lesbians, minorities all claiming they are treated unequal.     

In this posting, I want to explore equality from the perspective of God according to His Word, the liberal view of equality, and the conservative view on equality.  As we look at equality from each of these perspectives, we will discover one thing that is blatantly unequal, how each side defines equality.  I then ask each of you to decide which definition of equality you agree with. 

Liberals – Liberal equality revolves around the values of justice and fairness.  This view of equality’s basic moral value is utility of welfare.  The goal is doing what is viewed as most beneficial for the community as a whole.  This view of equality places the human person in a secondary position with the human person viewed as the mechanism used to achieve equality.  (3) 

We see this philosophy in action among the liberal elite in our nation whose interest is not in equality of opportunity but equality of outcomes.  This explains why they believe, as President Obama and even Pope Francis have stated, that redistribution of income from the wealthy to the poor is somehow moral because it insures equal outcomes by equalizing incomes.  Sounds good in theory, but we also observe that everywhere this is attempted you still see poverty among the citizens and wealth among the ruling elite.  Just look at North Korea and Venezuela. 

Conservatives – Conservatives believe in equality of opportunity.  This stems from the belief that rights are endowed from the creator and that each person is born with an equal opportunity to the right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  (4)  Outcomes will be unequal and based upon how each individual utilizes the opportunities they have been given.  Conservatives understand that this means some will become wealthy and some will not.  However, this is justified for it is the wealthy that create opportunities for others in society through the creation of jobs within their businesses and through spending their wealth.  President Reagan believed in conservative equality and expressed it by saying that “a rising tide lifts all boats.” and adopting supply side economics, restoring the entrepreneurial spirit in the United States.  (5)

God – If we were to only read Galatians 3:26, we would conclude that God’s views all men and women as equal.  However, when we read the Bible, or any other literature for that matter, we must place it in context and also consider the audience the literature is written to.  In the case of the above passage of scripture, the audience is the Church in Galatia or those who already believe in Jesus as their Messiah.  We can therefore conclude that when he says they are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, he means that all that have chosen to believe,  This position is clarified in the remainder of the passage above (Galatians 3:27-29). 

God sees all that believe in Jesus as Messiah as equal but draws a distinction between believers and unbelievers.  With God there is equality of opportunity for all have an opportunity to come to Christ (Revelation 3:20, 2 Peter 3:9).  With God there is equality of outcomes for those choosing to believe for all who believe in Jesus inherit eternal live in the presence of God (John 3:16).  However, there is inequality of outcomes between believers and unbelievers for unbelievers are condemned to eternal separation from God (Matthew 25:31-46). 

As we can observe, the Godly view of equality leans more towards conservative equality and might explain why many professing faith in Jesus Christ as their savior lean conservative.  In our nation over the past 100 years of the progressive movement, we have tried numerous government programs designed to achieve equality of outcomes.  The results are more people on Foodstamps, (6) record deficits, (7) and many giving up on finding work.  (8)  In other words, evidence shows we still have income inequality in spite of our efforts to create income equality. 

In the other hand supply-side economic policies, especially tax cuts result in increased economic activity and since we tax income, increased revenues to government.  Historically, the tax cuts of the 1920’s, 1960’s and 1980’s resulted in faster growth, rising incomes, and more job creation and in spite of the caterwauling of progressives, the rich ended up paying a greater share of the tax burden.  (9)

God on the other hand has a longer-term outlook for he does not just promise to meet our needs here on earth but promises eternal life equally to everyone placing their belief in Him.  I am not sure about the rest of you, but as for me, I choose God’s equality. 

1. Matthews, Merrill. Obama's Quest to Increase Income Inequality--Starting With The Minimum Wage and Obamacare. www.forbes.com. [Online] Forbes, December 16, 2013. [Cited: May 13, 2014.] http://www.forbes.com/sites/merrillmatthews/2013/12/16/obamas-quest-to-increase-income-inequality-starting-with-the-minimum-wage-and-obamacare/.

2. Moody, John. Pope Francis should stick to doctrine, stay away from economic 'redistribution. www.foxnews.com. [Online] Fox News, May 9, 2014. [Cited: May 13, 2014.] http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/05/09/pope-francis-should-stick-to-doctrine-stay-away-from-economic-redistribution/.

3. Right and Wrong. ryanmaboloc.blogspot.com. [Online] PHAVISMINDA Journal Volume 12 , March 13, 2008. [Cited: 13 2014, May.] http://ryanmaboloc.blogspot.com/2008/03/on-rawls-and-liberal-equality.html.

4. Hillsdale College. The Declaration of Independance. The U.S. Constitution: A reader. Hillsdale Michigan : Hillsdale College Press, 2012.

5. Lloyd, Attorney Rees. RONALD REAGAN, TEA PARTY PATRIOTS, AND AN HISTORIC ELECTION. www.newswithviews.com. [Online] NewsWithviews.com, November 6, 2010. [Cited: May 13, 2014.] http://www.newswithviews.com/Lloyd/rees108.htm.

6. Tucker, Rich. Rise in Food Stamps Part of Growing Dependence on Washington. blog.heritage.org. [Online] the Heritage Foundation, August 2, 2012. [Cited: aUGUST 7, 2012.] http://blog.heritage.org/2012/08/02/rise-in-food-stamps-part-of-growing-dependence-on-washington/.

7. Chantrill, Christopher. US Federal Debt Since 1900. www.usgovernmentrevenue.com. [Online] US government Revenue. [Cited: February 7, 2014.] 16,738.2.

8. Durben, Tyler. People Not In Labor Force Soar To Record 91.8 Million; Participation Rate Plunges To 1978 Levels. www.zerohedge.com. [Online] Zerohedge, January 10, 2014. [Cited: January 10, 2014.] http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-01-10/people-not-labor-force-soar-record-918-million-participation-rate-plunges-1978-level.

9. Ph.D., Daniel J. Mitchell. Time for Lower Income Tax Rates: The Historical Case for Supply-Side Economics. www.heritage.org. [Online] The Heritage Foundation, February 19, 1999. [Cited: May 13, 2014.] http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/1999/02/time-for-lower-income-tax-rate.

Leadership Assessment of Chris Christie

By:  Dale Weckbacher

James 1:8

8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

NKJV

The Greek word translated double-minded in James 1:8 is dipsychos.  It means one that wavers, is uncertain, doubting, or divided in interest.  (1)  Interestingly the context of this passage of scripture is profiting from trials.  The previous verses tell us to count it joy when we fall into various trials for these trials test our faith and produce patience (James 1:2-3).  The passage goes on to speak of how letting patience have its perfect work makes us perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:4).  It then goes on tell us that if we lack wisdom, we should ask God who gives to all liberally and without reproach and this wisdom will be given to us.  However, we must ask in faith not doubting or being double-minded (James 1:4-8). 

Strong leaders are men and women of faith who ask God for wisdom and do not doubt.  They are not double-minded people full of doubts or uncertainties but instead are people of purpose and that purpose is a dedication to serving the people they lead.  As we begin our look at moderates who may seek the Presidency in 2016, we must ask ourselves if being moderate means one is double-minded. 

Chris Christie was born in New Jersey in 1962 and is currently the governor of New Jersey.  He is best known for his combative style of leadership as governor of New Jersey and has a long-running battle with teachers unions who have mobilized strong opposition to his policies.  He earned a degree in political science from the University of Delaware and then went on to study law at Seton Hall University.  He was admitted to the New Jersey bar in 1987.  (2) 

He entered politics as a relative brash freeholder in Morris County.  His political philosophy is moderate and he regularly supports pro-choice positions.  His first run for political office came in 1995 when he ran for State Assembly.  However, he had not yet built up support with the Republican Party apparatus and was defeated.  Stung by his defeat, he did not run for elected office again until 2009 when he won election to the Governorship of New Jersey.  (2)

When I initially heard of Chris Christies’ election as a Republican in the dark blue state of New Jersey, I was impressed.  However, I soon, like others, found out that he was able to win election by wooing Democrats into voting for him through moderating the traditional conservative values of the Republican Party.  This has led many political consultants to believe that for a Republican to win election to office, he or she must moderate the traditional conservative values of the GOP and woo independents and moderate democrats.  However, this theory assumes that the entire nation is dark blue just like New Jersey, which is an incorrect assumption according to polling data.  (3)  The losses of the recent moderate Republican candidates John McCain and Mitt Romney serve as proof that this strategy does not apply on a national level. 

So how does Chris Christie rate as a leader using our matrix of vision, courage, integrity, and a servant’s heart?

1)      Vision – Christie won election to Governor promising to restore fiscal integrity to state government and the improving of public education.  He worked towards achievement of that vision by achieving passage of a 2 percent cap on property taxes; public employee pension and health benefit reforms, saving taxpayers over $130 billion and the passage of $2.35 billion in job-creating tax cuts.  His vision of improving schools consisted in setting historic highs for school funding.  (4)  His national vision is much the same and believes Washington needs leadership that is not afraid to make the tough decisions and the need to restore fiscal sanity in Washington DC.  (5)  Even though I share Governor Christie’s vision for our nation, I have doubts about whether a strategy of moderation is the best way to win election and implement this vision in a Washington where liberals view any moderation by Republicans as a weakness and will use it as a method of incrementally accomplishing their liberal statist agenda.

2)      Courage – Governor Christie demonstrated courage when he stood up to teachers unions in his state.  Like any Republican holding office, he has had to endure attacks from unions and other liberal organizations.  Most recently, and coincidentally when it began to appear he might run for President, he has had to endure the bridgegate scandal.  In case you are unfamiliar with the details of this scandal, the scandal revolves around Christie aides and appointees shutting down two access lanes onto the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, New Jersey as political pay back against the town’s Democratic mayor who refused to endorse Governor Christie’s reelection bid.  (6)   Wow a Democrat mayor refusing to endorse a Republican candidate for Governor, hardly something that is unbelievable in our extremely divided political climate today.  However, Governor Christie did demonstrate courage in his not attempting to cover up the scandal when it came to national attention and instead fired the aides and appointees involved and stated publicly that he would resign if found guilty of any wrongdoing.  (7)  This scandal also demonstrates the willingness of the liberal controlled media to attack and bring down any opposition, whether moderate or conservative, to their liberal statist agenda for our nation.  Governor Christie has demonstrated courage in standing up to these attacks.

3)      Integrity – As of yet, there has been no proof of lack of integrity in the bridgegate scandal and in fact, governor Christie was cleared of any wrong doing in a recent report.  (8)  Granted this report came from the Governor’s office and may be biased but with all the other investigations of this scandal coming up empty of any proof of wrongdoing by the Governor plus the Governor’s willingness to subject himself to investigation and not trying to cover up the scandal leads me to believe he is innocent of any wrongdoing.  

4)      Servants Heart – Hurricane Sandy is no doubt the greatest disaster faced by Governor Christie in his tenure as Governor of New Jersey leaving many homeless having lost everything.  In an effort to assist these people, Governor Christie launched a charity with his wife to assist those devastated by Sandy.  In the first 24 days of its launch, the charity raised $18.2 million from more than 9000 people and corporations.  (9)  Of course, the liberal media cannot even give the governor credit for his charitable efforts and claims the charity is not distributing money fast enough.  (10)  Of course, the media ignores the slowness of Federal aid for victims and the possibility that these victims may someday be asked to repay the money given to them just as some Hurricane Katrina victims were asked to do.  (11) 

Governor Christie is a visionary, courageous, and man of integrity.  He also demonstrated his willingness to serve the people he leads by not waiting for government aid for his people during Hurricane Sandy, aid that the government may ask people to repay when the next disaster strikes, but instead formed his own charity.  I must give him an A in my matrix assessment but, as I have stated in the other assessments, this does not mean he is the most qualified candidate to be our next President. 

Governor Christie did win election to governor as a Republican in the deep blue state of New Jersey, which is no small feat.  However, Chris Christie accomplished this by moderating on traditional conservative issues in order to woo independents and moderate Democrats in mostly liberal New Jersey.  However, I do not believe this strategy is a winning strategy nationally as demonstrated in the past two Presidential elections. 

The winning strategy for the Republican Party in 2016 is to adopt the strategy implemented by Ronald Reagan.  This strategy involves standing in direct opposition to the liberal statist agenda of the left or as Ronald Reagan put it in his speech to CPAC in 1975, “Our people look for a cause to believe in.  Is it a third party we need, or is it a new and revitalized second party, raising a banner of no pale pastels, but bold colors which make it unmistakably clear where we stand on all of the issues troubling the people”.  (12)  This is where a Chris Christie presidency would fail to win election.  Granted his willingness to compromise may woo some independents and moderates, but these gains will evaporate as greater numbers of conservatives go out the back door and either do not show up to vote, or vote third party. 

Next Saturday we will look at the leadership qualities of Jeb bush. 

1. Stydtlight.org. Strongs Interlinear Bible Search James 1:8. www.studylight.org. [Online] Studylight.org. [Cited: May 9, 2014.] http://www.studylight.org/desk/interlinear.cgi?search_form_type=interlinear&q1=James+1%3A8&ot=bhs&nt=byz&s=0&t3=str_kjv&ns=0.

2. Biography.com. Chris Christie Biography. www.biography.com. [Online] Biography.com. [Cited: May 9, 2014.] http://www.biography.com/people/chris-christie-20648789#awesm=~oDPe08hojcSFMc.

3. Saad, Lydia. Conservatives Remain the Largest Ideological Group in U.S. www.gallup.com. [Online] Gallup Politics, January 12, 2012. [Cited: May 9, 2014.] http://www.gallup.com/poll/152021/conservatives-remain-largest-ideological-group.aspx.

4. State of New Jersey. Governor Christie. www.state.nj.us. [Online] State of New Jersey. [Cited: May 9, 2014.] http://www.state.nj.us/governor/admin/about/.

5. Cillizza, Chris. Chris Christie lays out a national vision. voices.washingtonpost.com. [Online] The Washington Post, February 16, 2011. [Cited: May 9, 2014.] http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/governors/chris-christie-lays-out-a-nati.html.

6. Levy, Pema. Making Sense of Bridgegate. www.newsweek.com. [Online] Newsweek, January 13, 2014. [Cited: May 10, 2014.] http://www.newsweek.com/making-sense-bridgegate-225853.

7. Walshe, Shushannah. Chris Christie Says He ‘Unequivocally’ Had No Knowledge of Lane Closure. abcnews.go.com. [Online] ABC News, February 3, 2014. [Cited: May 10, 2014.] http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2014/02/chris-christie-says-he-unequivocally-had-no-knowledge-of-lane-closure/.

8. McCalmont, Lucy. Report: Chris Christie’s Bridgegate probe clears gov. www.politico.com. [Online] Politico, March 24, 2014. [Cited: May 10, 2014.] http://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/chris-christie-bridgegate-probe-report-104941.html.

9. CBS News. Christie’s Sandy Relief Charity Raises $18.2 Million In First 24 Days. newyork.cbslocal.com. [Online] CBS News, November 27, 2012. [Cited: May 10, 2014.] http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/11/27/christies-sandy-relief-charity-raises-18-2-million-in-first-24-days/.

10. Travis, Shannon. Christie defends wife against Sandy relief criticism. politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com. [Online] CNN, March 12, 2013. [Cited: May 10, 2014.] http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/12/christie-defends-wife-against-sandy-relief-criticism/.

11. Cripples, Sandy. From Katrina To Sandy, FEMA Rumors and Failures Keep Swirling. www.thedailybeast.com. [Online] The Daily Beast, November 9, 2012. [Cited: May 10, 2014.] http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/11/09/from-katrina-to-sandy-fema-rumors-and-failures-keep-swirling.html.

12. Arn, Ulysses. No Pale Pastels: A Lesson From Ronald Reagan Lost On The IL GOP. www.redstate.com. [Online] Red State, February 9, 2012. [Cited: May 10, 2014.] http://www.redstate.com/diary/ulyssesarn/2012/12/09/no-pale-pastels-a-lesson-from-ronald-reagan-lost-on-the-il-gop/.