News

Personal Responsibility Over Political Control

Published

5 months ago

October 17, 2022

There seems to be something in strongly held political positions that doesn’t just want to win. There is a strong temptation for the winners to use their government victory to control and even punish the losers. Obviously, not all in either party would suggest such extreme measures, but it seems that the extremes on either side can be tempted to want nothing less than exercising “control.”

Politicians seem to convince themselves in a closely divided country that a slim victory, sometimes less than 1%, somehow becomes a clear mandate for radical change. Naturally, initiating radical changes only enrages and energizes the opposition to rally their base in the next election. The result is a natural, destructive pendulum swing that smashes all who dare to search for something in the middle that might receive more widespread support.

Attempting to control the masses has always been popular, but seldom successful. A.S. Sussman has been attributed as the author of The Harvard Law: “Under the most rigorously controlled conditions of temperature, humidity, and other variables, the organism will do as it damn well pleases.”

Such “laws” are unacceptable to radical politicians, they seemed locked into demanding compliance. It’s the modern-day version of “My Way or the Highway!” Even when choice is possible, they often demand control and move to silence dissent and eliminate options.

California is facing a continuing draught and a serious water problem. In response, local water companies have imposed overly restrictive rules that defy logic and invite non-compliance. In our area, citizens are allowed to water only on Thursdays with more water than is needed. With highly accurate water meters, it would have been just as easy to establish a water limit for the week and let people determine how best to spread out their allowed water resources. Freedom loving people treasure choice over control. Unnecessary controls just irritate citizens and invite non-compliance.

On a national scale, with the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal on Roe vs. Wade, the abortion issue has fired up the extreme advocates on both sides of the issue. Adamant Pro Choice supporters won’t settle for anything less than the right to an abortion up to the day of birth. Adamant Pro Life supporters do not want to allow any abortion. Both sides have a right to be heard and to demonstrate in support of their position, but the vast majority of Americans value life and yet understand how the choice to abort is difficult and complicated. Like most countries around the world, most want some leeway and some limits. Most would like politicians to find a reasonable middle ground, because they understand both the challenges mothers face and the value of that baby in the womb. If they don’t, they should.

In the face of the sudden COVID 19 pandemic and the fog of the war to combat the disease, you can understand the desire of politicians to mandate vaccination. Only as more data has become available do we realize that the vaccines were not as effective as hoped, and there are even those who were vaccinated that have experienced severe health reactions. Even with more data on who should take the vaccines and who should not, politicians seem reluctant to relinquish their unnecessary and unscientific controls demanding vaccination. Thousands who have refused to be vaccinated have lost their jobs. Even with support from their personal physicians, the message was clear—Be vaccinated or pay the price! For liberal politicians, “My Body, My Choice!” may work for abortions, but such sentiments clearly do not apply to vaccination.

The principle of limiting government control and increasing personal responsibility over one’s own choices is relevant to many areas of our lives. Instead of mandating parents to send their children to public schools committed to indoctrinating their children in ways they do not support, institute school choice letting parents decide what school will receive the public funds for educating their children. Instead of mandating that no new gas-powered vehicles will be sold after 2035, give companies the challenge of creating alternative energy vehicles people will want to buy at a price they can afford. Instead of ending fossil fuel energy dependence, use an all-of-the-above model that supports innovation until better alternatives prove sufficient.

The GOP is expected to make significant gains in state and federal elections this November. May they learn from the Biden administration’s overreach and resist the temptation to consider their victories as a “clear” mandate. Go too far in instituting conservative “controls,” and they will be fueling their own future reversal. Political revenge is a sweet temptation that always carries a cost.

The GOP would be wise not to get stuck demonizing opponents and radically changing everything. Instead, focus on getting results most Americans of both parties want—a secure border, fair immigration, a vibrant economy, fair taxes, support of law enforcement, lower crime, less inflation, and an all-of-the-above commitment to energy independence. Listen and encourage input from all sides on important issues. There is a lot more support in the middle than either party realizes. They don’t want to be silenced. Value them, and they may very well elect your candidates and keep you in power.

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Education

Eight Dysphemisms to Start Your Week

A dysphemism is a word or phrase that is more offensive than the words it is replacing

Published

1 day ago

March 20, 2023

Jeff Davidson

A “euphemism” is the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that might suggest something more bluntly or offend others, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. To say, for example, “He doesn’t have all his marbles,” is regarded as gentler than saying “He is stark raving insane.”

The Mighty Dysphemism

The opposite of a euphemism is a “dysphemism.” A dysphemism is a word or phrase that is more offensive, blunt, or harsh than the word or phrase which it is replacing. For example, instead of stating that the Manhattan District Attorney is “cognitively challenged,” you refer to him instead as a “total partisan whack job.”

For your amusement, at the least, here are eight dysphemism followed by the kinder, gentler, or at least more definitive terminology of what is being said:

“Biting off more than you can chew” – Orally extracting an amount of edible matter that exceeds what one is comfortably able to masticate.

“That’s a load of B.S.” – Your assertion reminds one of bovine excretion.

“Sh__faced” – Bearing an expression that one normally associates with the act of removing solid waste from the body.

“Can’t tell your ass from your elbow” – Unable to differentiate between your dorsal side orifice and the joint connecting your forearm and upper arm.

“Stepping in a pile of crap” – A pedestrian venture into an accumulation of animal or human waste.

“Go F-yourself” – Engage in the act of physical consummation with yourself.

“Up to your eyeballs in crap” – Finding yourself surrounded at the visual level by unpleasantly aromatic organic waste.

“Carnal knowledge” – Having a close encounter with another, free of garments and other impediments, leading to direct tactile stimulation.

A True Time Saver

Thank goodness for dysphemisms. In a most fundamental way, they are true time-savers. Without them, we’d be groping for tedious phrasing all day long. “Up your nose with a rubber hose,” if you don’t “catch my drift.”

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News

How to Trust God During Uncertain Times

God is in control of all things and that we can trust Him completely

Published

2 days ago

March 20, 2023

Chris Widener

Want to Influence People Like Jesus Did? Click here to find out how!

Trusting God during uncertain times can be challenging, but it is essential for believers to lean on their faith and trust in God’s plan. As a Christian, I firmly believe that God is in control of all things and that we can find peace in His presence. In this article, we will explore ways to trust God during uncertain times and provide relevant scripture and quotes from famous pastors and Bible teachers.

Remember God’s Promises
God’s promises are true, and we can rely on them during times of uncertainty. The Bible is full of promises that God has made to His people. One such promise is found in Jeremiah 29:11, which says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” When we trust in God’s promises, we can have hope and confidence in His plan for our lives.

Another promise is found in Philippians 4:6-7, which says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” When we give our worries and fears to God, He can replace them with peace and comfort.

Focus on God’s Character
When we focus on God’s character, we can trust Him more fully. The Bible tells us that God is loving, faithful, and just. In Psalm 145:13, we read, “The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made.” When we remember that God is loving and faithful, we can trust Him to keep His promises.

Another important aspect of God’s character is His justice. In Romans 8:28, we read, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” God can use even the difficult times in our lives for His glory and our ultimate good.

Seek God’s Will
During uncertain times, it is essential to seek God’s will for our lives. When we trust in His plan, we can find peace and comfort. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” By seeking God’s will, we can have confidence that He will guide us in the right direction.

Want to Influence People Like Jesus Did? Click here to find out how!

Build Your Faith
One way to trust God during uncertain times is to build our faith. Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” By reading the Bible and spending time in prayer, we can strengthen our faith and trust in God’s plan.

Connect with Others
During times of uncertainty, it is important to connect with others who share our faith. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” By connecting with other believers, we can find support and encouragement.

In closing, trusting God during uncertain times can be challenging, but it is possible. By remembering God’s promises, focusing on His character, seeking His will, building our faith, and connecting with others, we can trust in God’s plan for our lives. As the famous pastor Charles Stanley once said, “Trusting God means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees.” Let us trust in God every day during these uncertain times.