Today Dan Walters of the Sacramento Bee reports that despite what conservative Republican nay-sayers want us to believe, California is not "inhospitable to job-creating investment".
He offers up evidence from the PPIC, which has produced two seperate reports which blow up conspiracy theories that the Dems in the Legislature have driven businesses from California in record numbers with their 'tax and spend' ways.
Common sense, not hyperbolic rhetoric, is what is going to move our State forward. I would hope that those preaching economic armageddon would look at the facts and get away from the dangerous, irresponsible dogma that hamstrings all of us.
President Barak Obama's declaration that America is not a Christian nation has sparked debate and controversy throughout the country. So, how would you answer the question?
For me,the answer to this question would depend on your interpretation of what it is to be a “Christian Nation”. America is not is not a theocracy (a church run state) and Americans have never been compelled to believe in any one faith perspective. But it is undeniable that America has a distinctly Judeo-Christian heritage and that our history is rooted in Biblical principles from which all freedom flows. Absent these Judeo-Christian principles, there would be no America and no liberty!
Consider the following:
1.52 of the 55 Founding Fathers who worked on the Constitution were members of orthodox Christian churches and many were evangelical Christians (see David Barton’s resources at Wallbuilders.com).
2. A study conducted at the University of Houston involving a sample of over 15,000 writings revealed that 94% of the Founders’ quotes were directly or indirectly based on the Bible (David Barton).
3. Key components of our governmental structure are clearly derived from Scripture:
a. The rationale for the Separation of Powers comes from Jeremiah 17:9 based on the Biblical idea of fallen man
b. The structure of the three-Branch System of Government comes from Isaiah 33:22 and
c. Tax Exemptions for Churches comes from Ezra 7:24.
d. The concept of Federal, State and Local Governments comes from Exodus 18:21
4. Our Founders instituted prayer at the beginning of every session of Congress and a Chaplain system in the military.
5. The Motto of the American Revolution was “No King but King Jesus!”
6. The Bible was called the “Great Political Textbook of the Patriot.”
7. The Mayflower Compact, dated November 20, 1620, records the purpose for the Plymouth colony and subsequent expansion across North America, “for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith…” This is the American Covenant, that is, the document which organized the first civil government with linkage to the Great Commission and based on the principle of Christian self-government!
8. Our Declaration of Independence, dated July 4, 1776, makes four direct references to God and our dependence on Him.
9. Our US Constitution was ratified on September 17 “in the Year of our Lord” 1787 (Article VII, subscription clause)! Its principles are distinctly Biblical.
And if our founders were truly Deists, how do you explain the following quotes:
George Washington The first President of the United States in his Farewell Address (Sept. 19, 1796) stated, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great Pillars…”
John Jay The First Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court and one of the three men most responsible for the Constitution said, “It is the duty—as well as the privilege and interest—of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”
Noah Webster Founding Father, Author of Webster’s Dictionary, educator, largely responsible for Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution “The religion that has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and His apostles… to this we owe our free Constitutions of Government. …No truth is more evident to my mind than that Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.”
John Quincy Adams America's sixth President, said (in a speech delivered on July 4, 1837, at Newburyport): “Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer's mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?”
These are not the words of Deists. These are Christian men declaring that the precepts upon which our nation is founded are indeed Christian and to preserve the blessings of this nation, we must preserve this Christian foundation.
What are these precepts?
1. Man is fallen and capable of wickedness (Jer. 17:9), therefore, the powers of civil government must be separated (and found the Biblical pattern for separation in Is. 33:22).
2. God-granted inalienable rights to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness (private property and free enterprise): this stands in stark contrast to the idea of Man-granted privileges (“divine right of kings” which allows the sovereign to live “above” God’s and man’s law).
3. God’s principle of individuality: Exalts God and explains how He works through individuals and individual nations; each person is a unique and valuable creation of God.
It exposes the error of secular collectivism (i.e., the idea that the state has value, not the individual) and the error of individualism separate from Christ. (I Corinthians 12:4-11)
4. The Christian principle of self-government: In order to have true liberty, man must be governed internally by the Spirit of God rather than by external forces. Government is first individual, and then extends outward to the family, church, and community. The principle of self-government involves God ruling internally from the heart of the individual and is dependent upon man’s obedience to “the spirit of the law of Christ” (Rom. 8:2; Prov. 16:32; Rom. 8:2; Eph. 6:6; I Tim. 3:5)
5. America’s heritage of Christian character: The image of God engraved inside the individual brings dominion and change to his outside environment. The Founders understood that Christian Character (based on a strong sense of accountability to God) in governmental leadership is essential to the preservation of liberty in America. The model of Christian character is the Pilgrim and Patriot character. Becoming accountable for one’s individual actions and productivity is the fruit of Christian character. (Matt. 7:24-29; Acts 24:16; Phil. 4:13; II Tim. 4:7)
6. Private property with conscience as the most sacred of all property: Christians are required to exercise faithful stewardship of their God-given sense of right and wrong which is the key to the proper use of private property. Conscience is also a tool for the development of self-government as each child learns to submit his will. (Acts 5:4, 24:16; Eph. 2:10; I Tim. 3:9; II Tim. 1:3; Heb. 13:18)
7. Planting the seed of local self-government and the importance of the home: Identifies the Judeo-Christian home’s responsibility for maintaining religious and civil liberty under law (and the fruits of local sovereignty) including teaching and practicing industry, charity, and obedience to all laws not contrary to Scripture. (Deut. 6:1-9; 10:12-14; Is. 9:6; Lk. 9:6)
8. The Christian principle of voluntary union: God wants His children to cooperate and work together politically, commercially, and in meeting community needs through voluntary consent, without compromising a Christian conscience or Scriptural separation. (Ps. 133:1; I Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4:1-3)
With all this, the question still remains, “Is America a Christian nation?”
If one were to judge based on our foundation the answer would be undeniably “Yes!” But as we turn away from these precepts, we become less and less a Christian nation. And despite what some would have us believe, this is not a good thing.
Rarely am I kept up at night by a burning need to get something off my chest. But tonight is such a night for me.
Yesterday evening, I had the chance to visit a friend of mine who is a guest at the Alameda County Jail. It was, as I explained to him, the first time I had ever visited someone in jail. But knowing what he was imprisoned for, I could not in good conscience stay away. I could not sit idly by without letting him know how his much his sacrifice meant to me and so many others.
“What did he do?” you ask?
That is the same question my kids asked when I told them that I would be going to support my good friend in jail.
You can imagine their confusion when I told them that Rev. Walter Hoye was imprisoned for standing in front of Planned Parenthood, holding a sign that read, “Jesus Loves You and Your Baby. Can We Help You?”
“Can they do that?” my son inquired after a moment of stunned silence?
Apparently, they can in Oakland, California; one of several cities that has passed an ordinance creating a 100 foot “Free Speech Free” zone around abortion clinics. Specifically the ordinance makes it unlawful, and punishable by up to one year in jail, to knowingly approach within eight (8) feet of any person seeking to enter an abortion clinic, without their consent, to counsel or distribute literature to them or to urge them not to obtain an abortion. And it appears that Rev. Hoye being in front of Planned Parenthood with his sign made him guilty of violating this ordinance.
But what the enemy meant for evil, God is turned for good. Walter shared with us how he has been able to witness to his fellow inmates and even the guards. The stacks of letters he receives on a daily basis has others inquiring as to who he is and why he is jail. He has also taken to purchasing food and other items from the prison commissary and giving it to the newer inmates. He does this even as he himself has chosen to fast from food during his incarceration.
His sacrifice has not been without victory. He tells of how he led five men to faith in Christ during his first week in prison. Right outside the prison, other pastors have taken to holding prayer vigils every Sunday evening for Walter. Last week was the first and about 20 were present. This week that number was doubled. And I believe it will double again next week as more and more people hear Pastor Hoye’s story. I myself, have been moved by the numbers of people who have responded to the injustice of Walter’s incarceration; not only prolife activists, but those who cannot believe that someone would be imprisoned for exercising their God given right to free speech.
Now, I cannot say that Walter’s time jail has been without challenges. Walter is notably tired and in need f rest. He explained to us that because of the crowded conditions and the fact that many of his fellow inmates would stay up all night, there were not many opportunities to sleep. His already slim frame was visibly weakened as the result of his fast. His only nourishment coming from the 4oz containers of apple juice that his fellow inmates save and share with him.
I share this with you, not to illicit your sympathy, rather to inspire your action. It is my hope that Walter’s commitment to stand for what he believes in would help others to give up their roles as mere spectators and encourage them to get in the game.
That is not to say that we all have to go to prison. But we can help. Walter has asked everyone to continue writing to him while he is in jail. The letters both encourage him and provide opportunities for him to witness to others. You can write to him at:
Walter B. Hoye II PFN# BGR852 Santa Rita Jail 5325 Broder Blvd. Dublin, CA 94568-3309
Walter also asks that we send notice to the justice system that his imprisonment was wrong. He asks that we send a blue envelope to Judge Stuart Hing. The envelope should be sealed – DO NOT PUT ANYTHING IN THE ENVELOPE! And on the back, write: FREE WALTER HOYE as large as possible.
You can address it to:
Alameda County Superior Court WILEY W. MANUEL COURTHOUSE Attention: Judge Stuart Hing, Dept. 109 661 Washington Street, Oakland 94607-3922
If you would like to help with Walter’s defense send your contributions to Life Legal Defense Foundation. Their website is – www.lldf.org.
Finally, if you can give of your time, there will be prayer vigils every Sunday starting at 6:30 pm at the prison (Santa Rita Jail 5325 Broder Blvd, Dublin, CA 94568-3309.
As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. The only question is, what are we willing to give up to protect innocent life? How about to protect our free speech rights?
I could not help but ask myself, if I could be as committed as Walter? If presented with the choice of my freedom or standing for what is right, which would I choose?
Walter’s example has made that choice a little easier for me. How about you?
Might Obama be wrong and "crazy" Jim Cramer be right?
I just read the response of MSNBC's Jim Cramer to Rush Limbaugh's assertion that he (Cramer) is on the White House "Enemies List". While is disagree with Limbaugh, I find that I agree with Cramer on some key points: the Stimulus Bill could have been more focused on infrastructure spending and included less "boutique" spending (good politics but bad stimulus), and I agree with his prescription for a cure to what ails us.
In short, Cramer criticizes the president's plan for taxing the rich - those who he says need to "spend and create new businesses" - and for cutting the deductions which are key to spurring more home sales. He also criticizes the plan for being full of "pork". Finally, he offers a plan to get us out of this recession:
4 percent mortgages for all mortgage holders - to get rid of what he calls the moral hazard of responsible homeowners purposefully tanking on their mortgages to bet better deals; and
Cutting principle on overpriced real estate, offering certificates of equity for banks to make them whole once appreciation occurs.
While I could argue about Cramers points (I am not sure President Obama's stimulus plan is "full" of pork, but it definitely misses the mark in terms of what many mainstream economists might point to as truly 'stimulus' spending), I agree that more work needs to be done to get us out of this mess.
