I have watched as people got duped into believing that politicians' faith informed their political actions in the past. I have watched as people stormed off on a "moral" quest in elections. I have watched as people have twisted the truth about a politician's religious beliefs in order to manipulate voters. I have watched as people in power, both in church and politics, have claimed a division of church and state, while doing all they can to promote their particular religious agenda as they held others who did not share that down. I have also watched as some have disassociated how they vote with their active faith, or with any concern for others around them.
When will people who claim to follow Jesus stop voting for those who would hurt the many whom Jesus loves and who Jesus commanded us to love (Agape Love = active commitment on behalf of the other)?
When will people who claim to follow Jesus vote consistent with what Jesus taught and exemplified, and NOT just for their own self interests (Philippians 2:1-11)?
When will people who claim to follow Jesus, follow Jesus in how they vote regarding the powerless, the poor and the most vulnerable (Matthew 25:31-46)?
When will people who claim to follow Jesus, apply their obedience to Jesus in the voting booth?
"This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me..." Mark 7:6,7
"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord' and do not do what I tell you?" Luke 6:46
"As you do it (care for those in need, welcome the resident alien, care for the sick and imprisoned), you do it for me... when you refuse (them), you refuse me." Matthew 25:31-46
GREED is IMMORAL. ABUSES OF POWER are IMMORAL. SELF PROMOTION at the expense of others, especially the most vulnerable, is IMMORAL.
I will vote for the candidate who most exemplifies what Jesus taught and exemplified as Kingdom Values in His teachings and example for living... and NOT LOOK only to my own interests in doing so... (Phil. 2:1-11)...
Live what Jesus TAUGHT and EXEMPLIFIED. Vote accordingly.
Pastor Jamie
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Friday, September 7, 2012
America The Beautiful
America The Beautiful...
would value ALL its citizens equally, and not just those with wealth and power...
would establish ONE VOTE for EVERY CITIZEN that counts equally, eliminating the electoral college for State and National elections so that re-districting games are ended...
would allow ALL candidates a LIMITED amount of air time on television and radio for free, and include them ALL in national debates, equally to eliminate unfair advantages in election practices...
would hold elections over a four day period, including a weekend, so that those who do not get paid if they do not work, do not have to choose between their family's well being or their right to vote...
would give EQUAL representation to ALL its citizens, and demand the EQUAL taxation of all, eliminating the lack of taxation on off shore accounts, counting ALL assets for taxation and not giving tax breaks to its companies, organizations or citizens ...
would make sure that if ALL citizens pay their taxes, they have the EQUAL RIGHTS of others who do the same (marriage, living conditions and affordable housing, healthcare, education, jobs, safety, etc.), regardless of faith, gender, sexual orientation, race, class or any other distinction...
would make sure that all employers treat ALL citizens equally in their hiring and payment/benefits practices, regardless of their age, race, gender, faith, sexual orientation or any other distinction...
would allow resident aliens one year to live in the country without harassment, and then give citizenship to any who have paid taxes and lived peaceably in that year...
would make sure all of its children have an EQUAL education, not funding more highly the schools of the children of the wealthy and powerful, who already have an edge...
would have school year-round, with longer semester and holiday breaks, so that our children continue the momentum of learning, so their parents do not have the immense challenge of childcare in the summers, and so that we may again compete internationally in child development...
would make at least a LIVING WAGE available to ALL workers, so that ALL can work with dignity and not worry about not providing for their families (currently $18 per hour minimum with benefits)...
would offer public assistance to any who are unable to work and as a supplement up to $18 per hour for those who do work but do not make a living wage, because everyone in America has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness...
would limit the highest salaries in any corporation to 3x that of average workers, and not allow salaries that are 300x what they make...
would limit the percentage of profit companies can charge for necessities for living such as utilities, food, fuel, rent/mortgages and medicines, and limit the percentage of interest charged on any credit charges or loans...
would offer transportation for ALL citizens in EVERY area, whether by train, bus or other mass transit, so that ALL citizens can get to their jobs or schools by affordable means...
would offer incentives for companies that pay their employees well, and encourage entrepreneurs with limited tax exemptions for a short time and as long as they comply with salary minimums and pollution limits...
would allow and encourage American companies to increase their profit margins by investing in overseas companies owned and operated by their own citizens...
would offer healthcare to ALL its citizens, so that the poor can be healthy just like the rich, and make all elected officials subject to the same healthcare system that every citizen has...
would expect any companies in America to hire its own citizens, and would levy high import taxes on any companies that go overseas to exploit other peoples for resources and labor...
would limit the use of our military to national security, with the exception of the liberation of other citizens from tyranny across the world, if a majority of the remaining nations agree...
would make sure that prisons are state-run, and demand that inmates learn a trade or get a GED and go to college during their incarceration, while not allowing non-education related activities...
would not separate white-collar and blue collar criminals, but put them all in the same correctional facilities...
would do everything possible to develop renewable sources of energy for our economy, independence and stewardship of the creation...
would regulate pollution, waste and destruction of the planet, and regulate the safety of our food, air, water and land ABOVE any value for profit...
would eliminate the sale of assault weapons and explosives to citizens, and require stringent registration practices including careful background checks and time restraints before anyone is allowed to purchase a handgun or rifle of any kind, requiring also a special permit to be presented in order to purchase ammunition of any kind...
would make higher education affordable for all citizens, and instill a value for people pursuing it...
would require that anyone of "college" age who is not enrolled in college or trade school, or does not work in a non-profit organization that positively affects our citizens, serve in the military or the peace corp for two years...
would encourage spirituality in the diversity of practices that the world has represented, without lifting any one faith above others, which is the example Jesus set for Christians in His acceptance of non-Jews in His life and ministry, and which is the right of all citizens according to our constitution...
would acknowledge that these things should be done to benefit ALL, equally, and that these things are not done as an embrace of any other ideology than that of doing the right things for the right reasons...
That would be America The Beautiful! Pastor Jamie
would value ALL its citizens equally, and not just those with wealth and power...
would establish ONE VOTE for EVERY CITIZEN that counts equally, eliminating the electoral college for State and National elections so that re-districting games are ended...
would allow ALL candidates a LIMITED amount of air time on television and radio for free, and include them ALL in national debates, equally to eliminate unfair advantages in election practices...
would hold elections over a four day period, including a weekend, so that those who do not get paid if they do not work, do not have to choose between their family's well being or their right to vote...
would give EQUAL representation to ALL its citizens, and demand the EQUAL taxation of all, eliminating the lack of taxation on off shore accounts, counting ALL assets for taxation and not giving tax breaks to its companies, organizations or citizens ...
would make sure that if ALL citizens pay their taxes, they have the EQUAL RIGHTS of others who do the same (marriage, living conditions and affordable housing, healthcare, education, jobs, safety, etc.), regardless of faith, gender, sexual orientation, race, class or any other distinction...
would make sure that all employers treat ALL citizens equally in their hiring and payment/benefits practices, regardless of their age, race, gender, faith, sexual orientation or any other distinction...
would allow resident aliens one year to live in the country without harassment, and then give citizenship to any who have paid taxes and lived peaceably in that year...
would make sure all of its children have an EQUAL education, not funding more highly the schools of the children of the wealthy and powerful, who already have an edge...
would have school year-round, with longer semester and holiday breaks, so that our children continue the momentum of learning, so their parents do not have the immense challenge of childcare in the summers, and so that we may again compete internationally in child development...
would make at least a LIVING WAGE available to ALL workers, so that ALL can work with dignity and not worry about not providing for their families (currently $18 per hour minimum with benefits)...
would offer public assistance to any who are unable to work and as a supplement up to $18 per hour for those who do work but do not make a living wage, because everyone in America has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness...
would limit the highest salaries in any corporation to 3x that of average workers, and not allow salaries that are 300x what they make...
would limit the percentage of profit companies can charge for necessities for living such as utilities, food, fuel, rent/mortgages and medicines, and limit the percentage of interest charged on any credit charges or loans...
would offer transportation for ALL citizens in EVERY area, whether by train, bus or other mass transit, so that ALL citizens can get to their jobs or schools by affordable means...
would offer incentives for companies that pay their employees well, and encourage entrepreneurs with limited tax exemptions for a short time and as long as they comply with salary minimums and pollution limits...
would allow and encourage American companies to increase their profit margins by investing in overseas companies owned and operated by their own citizens...
would offer healthcare to ALL its citizens, so that the poor can be healthy just like the rich, and make all elected officials subject to the same healthcare system that every citizen has...
would expect any companies in America to hire its own citizens, and would levy high import taxes on any companies that go overseas to exploit other peoples for resources and labor...
would limit the use of our military to national security, with the exception of the liberation of other citizens from tyranny across the world, if a majority of the remaining nations agree...
would make sure that prisons are state-run, and demand that inmates learn a trade or get a GED and go to college during their incarceration, while not allowing non-education related activities...
would not separate white-collar and blue collar criminals, but put them all in the same correctional facilities...
would do everything possible to develop renewable sources of energy for our economy, independence and stewardship of the creation...
would regulate pollution, waste and destruction of the planet, and regulate the safety of our food, air, water and land ABOVE any value for profit...
would eliminate the sale of assault weapons and explosives to citizens, and require stringent registration practices including careful background checks and time restraints before anyone is allowed to purchase a handgun or rifle of any kind, requiring also a special permit to be presented in order to purchase ammunition of any kind...
would make higher education affordable for all citizens, and instill a value for people pursuing it...
would require that anyone of "college" age who is not enrolled in college or trade school, or does not work in a non-profit organization that positively affects our citizens, serve in the military or the peace corp for two years...
would encourage spirituality in the diversity of practices that the world has represented, without lifting any one faith above others, which is the example Jesus set for Christians in His acceptance of non-Jews in His life and ministry, and which is the right of all citizens according to our constitution...
would acknowledge that these things should be done to benefit ALL, equally, and that these things are not done as an embrace of any other ideology than that of doing the right things for the right reasons...
That would be America The Beautiful! Pastor Jamie
Thursday, September 6, 2012
The Nation
I do not want to see an America that disregards the plight of those who are most vulnerable, whether they are poor or uneducated, homeless or elderly. The short term, exorbitant profit of the wealthy is not a higher value for me than their well-being.
I do not want to see an America that disregards our health and life through the de-regulation of businesses so that they may pollute and destroy our air, water and ground in order to make more profits for a few. The quality of the food we eat should not be compromised for the profit of a few because agencies designed to keep us safe have been cut. The health of our children and all people is at stake, and I have a higher value for them than for the profit of a few.
I do not want to see an America that exploits people overseas for profit. Our corporations go to places where they can pay very little for labor and pollute the environments, waste the resources and destroy the landscapes of other nations for the profit of a few from our land. We invade nations that are oil rich on false pretenses, rather than develop alternative sources of energy. The opulence of a few is NOT a higher value for me than the integrity of our nation.
I do not want to see an America that runs schools for profit, so that teachers will go to the highest bidder in order to make a living, and schools that cannot make it are shut down in rural and urban areas, thereby providing child labor for the robber barons who de-regulate labor practices. I have a higher value for the education of our children than for the greater wealth of the already wealthy.
I do not want to see an America that runs prisons for profit, so that in order to make more profit there must be more prisoners, and they are hired out for $2 an hour to farms and industries, furthering the for-profit system, thereby creating a new slavery in America, particularly because arrests are targeted more highly in urban, poor neighborhoods where people of color are more likely to live. I value true justice in a justice system, over the injustices perpetrated by a few for more profit on the backs of others.
I do not want to see an America that has 90% of the wealth in 5% of the population, and any government representation for their benefit only. I do not want to see the 95% of the population pay 100% of the taxes off of 10% of the wealth they possess, while the 5% pay 0% from the 90% of the wealth they hold. I value the well-being of ALL people too much to see them be owned by companies for the profits of a few.
I do not want to see an America that has sick and elderly dying in the streets, because there was no profit for the few in giving them medical care. I do not want to see an America in which disparities in education, employment, housing, safety and healthcare are so great that an even playing field even for survival is a distant fantasy. I do not want to see an America in which the mean-spirited, greedy, ruthless, intolerant and self-centered run rough-shod over the rest of the population. I value the well-being of all people, over the obscene practices for more profit by a few.
I do not want to see that America. I see it on the horizon and it scares me. I see it incrementally being implemented in policies that have been pushed for for 31 years. I see it being embraced by those who have the wealth and power and by those who believe they may be among them someday if they "tow the line". I see it in the de-regulation of industry and in the dismantling of government safeguards. I see it in the legislation of the bedrooms of Americans, and in the disenfranchisement of ANYONE not like the majority of power and wealth who hold sway. I see it. I saddens me. I value lifting up all, rather than just a few, and NOT tearing many down so that a few can stand on their shoulders... I value the morality of community values over the immorality of greed.
I will pray. I will speak. I will write. I will demand. I will demonstrate. I will challenge. I will vote.
What will you do? What America do YOU want to see? I will share my vision for the America I DO want to see on my next blog.
Pastor Jamie
I do not want to see an America that disregards our health and life through the de-regulation of businesses so that they may pollute and destroy our air, water and ground in order to make more profits for a few. The quality of the food we eat should not be compromised for the profit of a few because agencies designed to keep us safe have been cut. The health of our children and all people is at stake, and I have a higher value for them than for the profit of a few.
I do not want to see an America that exploits people overseas for profit. Our corporations go to places where they can pay very little for labor and pollute the environments, waste the resources and destroy the landscapes of other nations for the profit of a few from our land. We invade nations that are oil rich on false pretenses, rather than develop alternative sources of energy. The opulence of a few is NOT a higher value for me than the integrity of our nation.
I do not want to see an America that runs schools for profit, so that teachers will go to the highest bidder in order to make a living, and schools that cannot make it are shut down in rural and urban areas, thereby providing child labor for the robber barons who de-regulate labor practices. I have a higher value for the education of our children than for the greater wealth of the already wealthy.
I do not want to see an America that runs prisons for profit, so that in order to make more profit there must be more prisoners, and they are hired out for $2 an hour to farms and industries, furthering the for-profit system, thereby creating a new slavery in America, particularly because arrests are targeted more highly in urban, poor neighborhoods where people of color are more likely to live. I value true justice in a justice system, over the injustices perpetrated by a few for more profit on the backs of others.
I do not want to see an America that has 90% of the wealth in 5% of the population, and any government representation for their benefit only. I do not want to see the 95% of the population pay 100% of the taxes off of 10% of the wealth they possess, while the 5% pay 0% from the 90% of the wealth they hold. I value the well-being of ALL people too much to see them be owned by companies for the profits of a few.
I do not want to see an America that has sick and elderly dying in the streets, because there was no profit for the few in giving them medical care. I do not want to see an America in which disparities in education, employment, housing, safety and healthcare are so great that an even playing field even for survival is a distant fantasy. I do not want to see an America in which the mean-spirited, greedy, ruthless, intolerant and self-centered run rough-shod over the rest of the population. I value the well-being of all people, over the obscene practices for more profit by a few.
I do not want to see that America. I see it on the horizon and it scares me. I see it incrementally being implemented in policies that have been pushed for for 31 years. I see it being embraced by those who have the wealth and power and by those who believe they may be among them someday if they "tow the line". I see it in the de-regulation of industry and in the dismantling of government safeguards. I see it in the legislation of the bedrooms of Americans, and in the disenfranchisement of ANYONE not like the majority of power and wealth who hold sway. I see it. I saddens me. I value lifting up all, rather than just a few, and NOT tearing many down so that a few can stand on their shoulders... I value the morality of community values over the immorality of greed.
I will pray. I will speak. I will write. I will demand. I will demonstrate. I will challenge. I will vote.
What will you do? What America do YOU want to see? I will share my vision for the America I DO want to see on my next blog.
Pastor Jamie
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Labor Day
While some would LOVE to go back to the Serfdom of old, in which the "lord" of the manor held sway over everyone "under" him, and the belief was promoted that some are just born to greatness
and others to servitude, this is America.
While others would LOVE to go back to the days before Unions, when the Robber Barons of our land lived in what was called "the gilded age" for some as others worked seven day weeks and 12 hour days, children were forced into sweat shop labor and there was not only no healthcare but penalties and threats if someone had to take off work to go to the doctor, and people worked until they died because there was no pension, social security or medicare, this is America.
Some at the top of the economic ladder, you know, those who make 300x what those who do the labor make "under" them, have already manipulated a number of states into being "right to work" states what do not allow Union labor to have any power, while others do all they can to strip the power away from organized labor so that the owners and CEO's of corporations can get more work for less money and fewer benefits, claiming that it is good for the state employment health.
In "Right To Work States", like the one I live in (Georgia)...
Wages are 3.2% lower AT LEAST
Pensions are 4.8% lower AT LEAST
3.8 million fewer people would have pensions
and 2 million fewer would have healthcare if they were enacted in all states...
Workplace deaths are 34% higher
Middle Class income is lower in EVERY Right To Work State
Voter turnout is lower (partly because people cannot get off work to vote w/o losing wages)
For every $1 million in wage cuts, there is a loss of 6 or more jobs, in just a few industries counted
So, unless you are among those who make 300x what laborers make, and unless you are in the elite club, I suggest that you see the wisdom of supporting organized labor... the folks who brought us the 40 hour work week instead of 80, the folks who brought us the weekend and health coverage and pensions - NOT just for the wealthiest and most powerful, but average workers. See the wisdom of long term well-being for ALL our citizens, rather than just the short-term exorbitant profit for a few. See the wisdom of treating workers well and lifting up ALL Americans, rather than just those with power and wealth, while making it so that there are fewer of them.
Pray. Pray for Justice. Pray for the Unemployed. Pray for those who have the least. Pray for the souls of those who perpetrate injustice on others in order to serve their idol - greed.
Work. Speak. Demand. Call for Justice. Vote for those who will do the MOST FOR "THE LEAST", and not THE LEAST for THE MOST, while doing the MOST for only A FEW...
God help us all.
Pastor Jamie
and others to servitude, this is America.
While others would LOVE to go back to the days before Unions, when the Robber Barons of our land lived in what was called "the gilded age" for some as others worked seven day weeks and 12 hour days, children were forced into sweat shop labor and there was not only no healthcare but penalties and threats if someone had to take off work to go to the doctor, and people worked until they died because there was no pension, social security or medicare, this is America.
Some at the top of the economic ladder, you know, those who make 300x what those who do the labor make "under" them, have already manipulated a number of states into being "right to work" states what do not allow Union labor to have any power, while others do all they can to strip the power away from organized labor so that the owners and CEO's of corporations can get more work for less money and fewer benefits, claiming that it is good for the state employment health.
In "Right To Work States", like the one I live in (Georgia)...
Wages are 3.2% lower AT LEAST
Pensions are 4.8% lower AT LEAST
3.8 million fewer people would have pensions
and 2 million fewer would have healthcare if they were enacted in all states...
Workplace deaths are 34% higher
Middle Class income is lower in EVERY Right To Work State
Voter turnout is lower (partly because people cannot get off work to vote w/o losing wages)
For every $1 million in wage cuts, there is a loss of 6 or more jobs, in just a few industries counted
So, unless you are among those who make 300x what laborers make, and unless you are in the elite club, I suggest that you see the wisdom of supporting organized labor... the folks who brought us the 40 hour work week instead of 80, the folks who brought us the weekend and health coverage and pensions - NOT just for the wealthiest and most powerful, but average workers. See the wisdom of long term well-being for ALL our citizens, rather than just the short-term exorbitant profit for a few. See the wisdom of treating workers well and lifting up ALL Americans, rather than just those with power and wealth, while making it so that there are fewer of them.
Pray. Pray for Justice. Pray for the Unemployed. Pray for those who have the least. Pray for the souls of those who perpetrate injustice on others in order to serve their idol - greed.
Work. Speak. Demand. Call for Justice. Vote for those who will do the MOST FOR "THE LEAST", and not THE LEAST for THE MOST, while doing the MOST for only A FEW...
God help us all.
Pastor Jamie
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