Yearly Archives: 2016

To (Perhaps) Our Next President

Dear Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton,
Insults are substitutes for critical thinking and civil debate.

Calling Trump “racist” or “sexist” enables opponents to avoid both his record and serious consideration of their own classism and prejudices (i.e., “guns and religion” generalizations and marginalization)

Merely calling Clinton “crooked” does the same, preventing accountability for serious policy formulation (gender must not be the focus – policies and principles matter!)

Both candidates must offer insights on:
Immigration: can we be hospitable and wise?
Healing racial tensions.
National security and the fight against Islamic terrorism.
Balancing the budget and controlling the federal Leviathan.
Long-term entitlement stewardship.
Global military and political alliances and strategies.
The relationship between the federal government and freedom for persons and states.

Supreme Court nominees…
And there is so much more.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

 

 

In Memorium

Today I read the sad news that Eli Wiesel has died.
His voice is one of a handful of “lifetime voices” marking my history.

As his generation leaves our world, the memories and lessons he offers must be amplified, especially in the current atmosphere of intolerance emanating from all extremes.

A survivor of the Shoah, a witness for peace and a devout man wrestling with good and evil, Weisel was unafraid to confront power in the interests of human liberty:

From asking President Reagan not to place a wreath at a German military cemetery in Bitburg to pleading with President Obama to call on Iran to renounce genocide and nuclear ambitions, Wiesel’s deeds and words leave a legacy of hope and thoughtfulness.

Praying for peace tonight.

 

 

 

A Beautiful America

America the Beautiful begins with beautiful dispositions in her people.
St. Francis of Assisi and Loren Cunningham (founder of YWAM) both taught that Christians should counter forces of hatred and violence, greed and pride with “the opposite spirit.”

Friends, let’s oppose hatred with love, violence with the hard work of peacemaking, greed with generosity and arrogance with humility.

This goes for conservatives and progressives, Sanders and Trump supporters – anyone with a conscience and care for her or his neighbor.

Let’s also oppose hyperbole, agitation propaganda and outright lies with critical thinking, consensus building and good information that engender hope.

We can argue passionately – and enjoy a meal.

We can debate policies – and apply shared principles.

We can build a better future, one shared meal (and Eucharist) at a time.

 

 

 

For Our Children

Dear conservative and liberal friends and all candidates for office:
Insults are easy.
Critical thinking requires work.
Dismissing people for their color or gender negates civil debate.

Labeling and libeling any idea or person outside our cozy space is both immoral and unwise.

May we please debate economic and political substance instead of promising what we cannot deliver and burdening the next generation with our uncourageous procrastination?

We cannot pay for every liberal promise.

Conservatives must learn proximate justice for their causes.

ALL people of conscience care for the poor and vulnerable – they may disagree on methods, but not the aims of compassion or justice.

Jesus is not a conservative or a liberal, capitalist or communist – He is uncontainable in our little ideological boxes.

For the sake of the world and generations yet unborn, let’s face reality with hope and forge solutions that help everyone prosper.

Sanity, Please!

Dear fellow stewards of God’s beautiful world,
May we please care for the earth without worshiping her?
May we redeem our environmental mistakes without destroying economic progress?
Can you partner with me for sane policies that are not a veil for massive coerced redistribution of wealth that destroys productivity and subverts human flourishing?

Can you please debate climate change without labels like, “denier” – equating my skepticism about Al Gore’s ideas with Holocaust denial?

Science is defined by debate, not secular inquisitions that seek punishment for the non-conforming. (16 attorney generals want to punish companies that are skeptical – a massive shakedown)

Freedom includes listening to ideas we disagree with, not marginalizing dissenters with agitation propaganda.

I challenge serious scientists and laypersons to civil, reflective dialogue and partnership for the common good.

By the way, conservative friends – good ecology is the key to a good economy for generations yet unborn.

Liberal friends, I really do not want global governance and taxation – problems are best addressed locally if possible.

Let’s talks about coal, oil, solar, geothermal, wind and other forms of energy with compassion and realism, not polarizing shouting.

This is my Father’s world and it deserves all the care I can bring.

Billions are being lifted out of poverty – NOT by central planning, but access to markets, property rights and the rule of law.

I am still hopeful, as I love my neighbor with today’s value-producing work.