Friday, November 7, 2008

MBD's Response

I have had numerous concerned citizens inquire about my well-being post election. I considered holding a press conference to give my formal statement but decided posting to my blog would be sufficient.

I have experienced a roller coaster of emotions in the last 4 days. I knew I would need to “gird my loins” as Biden advised when I found myself dry heaving around 6pm on Tuesday. I began to prepare for the worst. Fortunately, I was in good company with new found GOP friends at a party when the news came. On the ride home, I began to think about everything and how I felt. I spoke to “Bright Eye,” Karin, first and we discussed the usual woes. Then I began a text war with Joel and he saw the bad side. Once I went to sleep, I knew that I would be in a better position come morning to logically formulate ideas and opinions.

I woke up the next day and my first thought was something that struck me in 2000. John Page wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson and today the words are engraved across the street from the White House. He took a verse from Ecclesiastes and wrote: “We know the Race is not for the swift nor the Battle to the strong. Don’t you think there is an Angel riding in the Whirlwind to direct this storm?” I have to believe that God is sovereign and knows what He is doing. He has appointed this man.

Then I had a second thought. There are times when advising others that certain things are not successful or promising and it falls on deaf ears. For example, parents tell their children not to touch the stove because it is hot. It isn’t until the child actually experiences the heat that he/she understands the parent’s caution. The same is true today. Citizens are curious about bigger government. What if you can really just let the government take care of you? How bad could that be? That curiosity supports my idea of the era of mediocrity. At what expense to us? I’m not sure. We will see it more prevalent than ever but that doesn’t mean it will stay. Remember, just like the muscles in your body, you must be broken before you are made stronger. Sure, January 2009 - January 2012 will be challenging, but anyone can endure challenges for a season.

It would be very easy to take you down the road of concerns and complaints. I have them. If you know me at all, you already know that is true. But it is a new day with new opportunities.

I have had several people ask me, “What do we do now?” This is the time that you put your action where your mouth has been. This begins by praying for our leadership and their decisions. This is also achieved by making a difference in your local community. As conservatives, we believe that it is not the job of the government to take care of people. Their role is to govern. We need to step up to the plate and make sure we are doing it. If your church doesn’t have an outreach program in your community, you either need to move churches or make sure one is started. Tutor tomorrow’s leaders and love on them. Volunteer feeding those less fortunate and give them a reason to get up in the morning. You see without an intrinsic reason for change, government is just giving away fish. There is no hope or salvation with a government check. But when God’s people get out there and offer meaning to life and eternal salvation, we have taught others how and why to fish. Which is a better plan? To give time and money directly to your local needs? Or to be forced to send money to DC so that it can pass through hundreds of hands before ever seeing the light of day in your world. I challenge you to show your community that you don’t need the government to force you to be compassionate.

There is a great concern about the financial well-being of those of us in the middle class. There is good reason for that concern. But let me remind you, if you build God’s house, He will build yours. No matter how much is taken away from you through taxes, know that you are living under God’s economy and you will not go without.

There are a number of promising items that can bring progress to this nation. Nonetheless, I vow to fight tooth and nail against socialism. I will do my part to keep watch on such violations and my Congress representatives will be hearing from me often. My motivation to stand athwart history yelling STOP has only increased. This is our moment and this is our call.

And may I remind you, we got Reagan after Carter…

2 comments:

Joel Andrews said...

Nice thoughts as usual...I particularly love the part about letting the church step up to the plate at this time. You know that is where the heart of our disagreement about politics lies. I hope the church will do it's part and start loving the least of these, that is my biggest hope, and I am encouraged.

Anonymous said...

Remember...they always end up apologizing to us. ;-)