Boston Tea Party
So I’ve debated over the last several months just how much to get involved with the political discussion. Most pastor-types are pretty careful about going there, and I understand why. But I can’t shake this idea that we don’t live in the first century Roman empire, but in a representative republic…or, more generally, a democracy. In a very real sense, every citizen is emperor and responsible for this government of the people, by the people, for the people. Besides, I like to think that I can bring a thoughtful, reasoning approach which genuinely attempts to understand all sides of the issues. It’s the goal anyway.
So the reason I resonate with the TEA Party message is not “Obey, Obama, Oh my!” (For those outside the area, Dave Obey is the longstanding Democratic US congressman around here.) The reason I resonate with the TEA Party message is that I see the continual march toward centralizing power in the US federal government as harmful to the long-term welfare of the country. Let me say it a different way, I believe that even the prosperity, justice, peace, and environmental well-being sought by those progressives/liberals who tend to dovetail with President Obama’s take on America’s future…those things will not ultimately be reached on the path America is taking.
Beside the fact that the US constitution and the founders’ intent seem to limit and warn us about too much centralized power, there are a few reasons why it seems like a bad idea to me, mostly thinking about taxes and the economy.
1. History – Historically, nations that have been more centralized (or socialized), have not done well in terms of long-term national prosperity and individual freedoms. I think there’s overwhelming evidence for this…which I won’t present here. I’d be interested to hear if someone has an honest disagreement about this.
2. The economic pie – There are only two ends of the economic continuum: capitalism (a decentralized economy) and socialism (a government-controlled economy). Perhaps I’ll pull an illustration out of an economics textbook. If the economy is a pie, then socialism is primarily focused on dividing the pie equally. Capitalism, on the other hand, is primarily focused on making the pie bigger so there’s more to go around for everyone. Responsible capitalism says, “Let’s be legal, ethical and fair, but let’s get out there and build the wealth that helps everyone!”
3. Government track record – When it comes to national control—I’m thinking of Canada and the US—the government has a terrible track record of running things efficiently. Government run businesses and programs tend to balloon into massive bureaucracies that cripple the worthy causes they administer.
Let me ask you this: the NFL (National Football League) has experienced wild success in recent decades. Being signed to an NFL contract is like winning the lottery. If a sitting president would fire NFL Commissioner Goodell today, dissolve the current ownership structure, and appoint a government department to run the league, how long with the golden goose survive? I’m guessing not long.
4. Who gets the power? – OK, so let’s say America trusts President Obama with leadership of the country and great centralized power, but who’s next? We don’t have kings, we have elected leaders, and term limits for the president. Decentralized power respects not just the office of the president, but the checks and balances of a national framework which respects states’ rights and local governments’ rights.
My solutions?
1. Elect government officials who respect the limits of the constitution and commit to reigning in the runaway centralization. Governor Perry of Texas seems to have some outstanding ideas on how a state can still generate economic prosperity and freedom during these difficult times. I want to hear more from him.
2. Privatize – I’m not a policy wonk, but I think we need to reject the idea that government programs must live forever. Experiment on the local and state levels if we must, but let’s find models of successful private leadership for the essential components of our economy.
3. Clarify – We need to clarify what are the constitutionally supported places we should spend our taxes, and make concerted, aggressive efforts to get back to that. National defense is certainly needed. National Endowment for the Arts, probably not.
4. States’ rights – The federal government is usurping the authority of the states. It was intended only to be the agent of the states to provided for common defense and international relations and such. We need to reverse that trend and, again, decentralize. Seems to me that if we rebalance the power and restrict the flow of funds through the national government bureaucracy, we’re moving in the right direction.
Please remember that I’m not a politician. Technically, I’m not even American. But as a guy living here and enjoying the amazing blessings of the United States (and paying my taxes, believe me!), I think it’s only responsible to think things through the best I can and give a rip about where we’ll be as a country in the years ahead.
Rick Warren
Just one more thought. I don’t know what’s all going on with Rick Warren and the California Prop 8 thing. Proposition 8 was about homosexual marriage in California, and Warren seemed to come out with a traditional conservative position and then backtrack in deference to friends he has in the homosexual community. He doesn’t seem to be saying much about it at the moment, but I am completely disappointed with those who have thrown him under the bus on this. Here’s one article link: http://www.onenewsnow.com/
I don’t know where this is all going, but Rick Warren has been an unbelievably wonderful leader in the church and the broader faith community. His track record is stellar and his materials and contributions to the national discussion have been rock solid and extremely well received. If you’re a Jesus-follower, Pastor Rick has been one of your truest friends. Blasted! Let’s give things time to play out! Let’s listen. Let’s talk and consider. In my opinion, to publicly flog Rick Warren without more information on this sends the message, “If anyone of faith places a toe over the line, we will destroy you!” THAT is not the faith I signed up for! Your thoughts?
So the reason I resonate with the TEA Party message is not “Obey, Obama, Oh my!” (For those outside the area, Dave Obey is the longstanding Democratic US congressman around here.) The reason I resonate with the TEA Party message is that I see the continual march toward centralizing power in the US federal government as harmful to the long-term welfare of the country. Let me say it a different way, I believe that even the prosperity, justice, peace, and environmental well-being sought by those progressives/liberals who tend to dovetail with President Obama’s take on America’s future…those things will not ultimately be reached on the path America is taking.
Beside the fact that the US constitution and the founders’ intent seem to limit and warn us about too much centralized power, there are a few reasons why it seems like a bad idea to me, mostly thinking about taxes and the economy.
1. History – Historically, nations that have been more centralized (or socialized), have not done well in terms of long-term national prosperity and individual freedoms. I think there’s overwhelming evidence for this…which I won’t present here. I’d be interested to hear if someone has an honest disagreement about this.
2. The economic pie – There are only two ends of the economic continuum: capitalism (a decentralized economy) and socialism (a government-controlled economy). Perhaps I’ll pull an illustration out of an economics textbook. If the economy is a pie, then socialism is primarily focused on dividing the pie equally. Capitalism, on the other hand, is primarily focused on making the pie bigger so there’s more to go around for everyone. Responsible capitalism says, “Let’s be legal, ethical and fair, but let’s get out there and build the wealth that helps everyone!”
3. Government track record – When it comes to national control—I’m thinking of Canada and the US—the government has a terrible track record of running things efficiently. Government run businesses and programs tend to balloon into massive bureaucracies that cripple the worthy causes they administer.
Let me ask you this: the NFL (National Football League) has experienced wild success in recent decades. Being signed to an NFL contract is like winning the lottery. If a sitting president would fire NFL Commissioner Goodell today, dissolve the current ownership structure, and appoint a government department to run the league, how long with the golden goose survive? I’m guessing not long.
4. Who gets the power? – OK, so let’s say America trusts President Obama with leadership of the country and great centralized power, but who’s next? We don’t have kings, we have elected leaders, and term limits for the president. Decentralized power respects not just the office of the president, but the checks and balances of a national framework which respects states’ rights and local governments’ rights.
My solutions?
1. Elect government officials who respect the limits of the constitution and commit to reigning in the runaway centralization. Governor Perry of Texas seems to have some outstanding ideas on how a state can still generate economic prosperity and freedom during these difficult times. I want to hear more from him.
2. Privatize – I’m not a policy wonk, but I think we need to reject the idea that government programs must live forever. Experiment on the local and state levels if we must, but let’s find models of successful private leadership for the essential components of our economy.
3. Clarify – We need to clarify what are the constitutionally supported places we should spend our taxes, and make concerted, aggressive efforts to get back to that. National defense is certainly needed. National Endowment for the Arts, probably not.
4. States’ rights – The federal government is usurping the authority of the states. It was intended only to be the agent of the states to provided for common defense and international relations and such. We need to reverse that trend and, again, decentralize. Seems to me that if we rebalance the power and restrict the flow of funds through the national government bureaucracy, we’re moving in the right direction.
Please remember that I’m not a politician. Technically, I’m not even American. But as a guy living here and enjoying the amazing blessings of the United States (and paying my taxes, believe me!), I think it’s only responsible to think things through the best I can and give a rip about where we’ll be as a country in the years ahead.
Rick Warren
Just one more thought. I don’t know what’s all going on with Rick Warren and the California Prop 8 thing. Proposition 8 was about homosexual marriage in California, and Warren seemed to come out with a traditional conservative position and then backtrack in deference to friends he has in the homosexual community. He doesn’t seem to be saying much about it at the moment, but I am completely disappointed with those who have thrown him under the bus on this. Here’s one article link: http://www.onenewsnow.com/
I don’t know where this is all going, but Rick Warren has been an unbelievably wonderful leader in the church and the broader faith community. His track record is stellar and his materials and contributions to the national discussion have been rock solid and extremely well received. If you’re a Jesus-follower, Pastor Rick has been one of your truest friends. Blasted! Let’s give things time to play out! Let’s listen. Let’s talk and consider. In my opinion, to publicly flog Rick Warren without more information on this sends the message, “If anyone of faith places a toe over the line, we will destroy you!” THAT is not the faith I signed up for! Your thoughts?
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"The States can best govern our home concerns and the general government our foreign ones. I wish, therefore... never to see all offices transferred to Washington, where, further withdrawn from the eyes of the people, they may more secretly be bought and sold at market.." - Thomas Jefferson, to Judge William Johnson, June 12, 1823
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