"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves" Romans 13: 1-2
"Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor' Romans 13: 5-7
Is there any profession less liked than politician? I think the current congress has a 9% approval rating, yet it seems the same people keep getting re-elected. It's like people say "all those guys are horrible except for my guys". Thus, nothing seems to change.
There are a lot of reasons for this. Money is a huge problem in politics. The feeling is that our representatives are bought and sold by special interests and don't serve the people. As opposed to being a short-term position, politicians are lifers now. This makes them less sensitive to the needs of their constituents. Also, I feel due to an uneducated populace who would rather rely on sound bites, rather than dig deeper into the issues of the day. We tend to have a lack of interest in things political. Unless, of course it is to bash the other side. Not much decorum or respect anymore. We used to agree to disagree on solutions to our problems. Now, there is almost a religious zealotry of hatred towards the other side. Like, if we agree with the other side or compromise, we are agreeing with the devil. George Carlin used to describe the political process as "Garbage in, garbage out". Sad to say, I agree with him.
My question is this: Does the job of politician make one corrupt? Or, do you have to be a corrupt person to get into politics? Is there anybody that goes into politics for selfless reasons anymore?
I have thought about this over the last few years as our political discourse has become more and more heated. Are the people who could really change the process afraid of being involved in the process? Is the invasion in our private lives and that of our families too much to get involved? How can we hope to improve this country if we are unwilling to make sacrifices or take risks? Do we believe the entire system is broken beyond repair?
I don't know all the answers to these questions. I have faith that the system can be fixed. But, each day makes it seem more difficult. So, I engage in the what if of what would I do. Would I run for public office and if so, what would I stand for? Would I be able to stand for God and keep to my faith while playing the political game? These are all daunting questions. But I do know what I'd like to see happen and what I would stand for if I were elected.
First, as the passages in Romans states the authority of the governing bodies is established by God. This is a serious appointment not to be taken lightly. If I am going to be anointed to this work by God, then I have to be a servant of the people. Not just a few, or corporations, or to myself. Those who agree and disagree with me. Whether they believe in the same things I do or not. This is where politicians get it wrong, looking out for their own interests. The following are what I believe and any decisions I would make regarding other peoples lives would be prayerfully considered.
1. Social Safety Nets - I would not cut them. They are needed. That being said, we need to make them more efficient and weed out the waste. Jesus asks us to "do unto the least of these"
2. Taxes - Tax cuts for the wealthy or "job creators" as some would call them doesn't work for the economy. A vibrant, healthy middle-class spending money moves the economy. We had the Bush tax cuts for years - yet where were all the jobs from the job creators that we were told would happen when the taxes were lowered? I would have tax loopholes closed and no longer should taxes be hidden off-shore. If you owe taxes, you should be paying them. The tax code needs to be reworked as there are many ways to use loopholes to avoid taxes. Yes, some people don't pay income taxes, but they don't make enough to qualify. They however are paying property, payroll, and sales taxes.
3. Money in Government - We need it out of there. Why should people get elected based on the amount of money they can pull in? It's we the people, not we the corporations. If we need to raise all this money to get elected (one that's a lot of wasting of money) for a job that pays less than the money spent on the campaign. If the job pays less than that, who are these politicians working for? The Supreme Court calling corporations people is a terrible joke. Why should people funnel money and not transparently to buy elections and influence people. Here is a question: Why do all these PAC's hide their donors? Are these people afraid to stand up for their beliefs? Gives the impression you are up to no good when you are hiding your activities.
Plus, we have corporations and lobby groups creating bills and laws they give to their senators and representatives. Why should these unelected groups be making our laws? Because they have more money than you and I? If you want to write bills, get elected - until then stay out of the bill writing business.
4. Gun control - Can we have a serious discussion regarding this? How many tragedies have to occur before it is the right time to discuss this? Why do you even need military hardware? I sometimes hear people stockpiling armaments in case the government comes after them. I'm not sure if that's pride talking or why you would think the government is always after you. I am not against the 2nd amendment, but I think common sense needs to happen rather than angry rhetoric.
5. Voting - Let's see. I hear about voting ID's needed due to vast fraud going on. I just don't see how in person voting is so corrupt that we need ID's when we allow mail-in ballots. I just don't see that kind of fraud happening.
Voting day should be a national holiday. We say it's important to vote so let's make it easy for everyone to vote. If you want voter ID's then a free ID given to each person made available. Let's have consistent voting rules nationally rather than different ones per state.
6. Religion - I am a Christian and I believe in God. However, I will not force my beliefs on another person. Jesus didn't force himself - he invited others to believe. WE do no more than that. I see legislators forcing their brand of "Christianity" on others. Mostly, its a Christianity I have never seen. There are times to stand up for what is godly and right - but forcing one's personal faith on another is not it. People are going to disagree with me and my faith. I am a big boy, I accept others believe differently than me. I wish them well. This country was also not founded on Christianity. Read the founding fathers' thoughts, read the treaty of Tripoli in 1801. We have separation of religion and state for a reason. If you believe that's not true, then what religion are we going with? If Christianity, what denomination? There are many. I am socially conservative, but believe everyone in this country has rights and should not be punished for that they believe differently from me. On the other hand, churches and religious organizations shouldn't be forced to go against their faiths either. Yes, it is a tightrope to walk, but I have faith we can manage it.
7. Investment - Please let's start investing in education, technology, and infrastructure. This country when all are benefitting, not just a select few. We should be on the leading edge of things, but no longer. Let's start investing in our future and not be so selfish.
Those are some of my thoughts. I don't admit that I know every answer and maybe I am a little bit naïve. Maybe I am wrong on some things and don't understand the nuances of every situation and some of my ideas might be argued to be short sighted. I know these are top level ideas that would need more fleshing out and working with others to come to a consensus. As I said, I am not a man who has all the answers. But, its a start and maybe more of us need to hold our politicians accountable. Maybe we need to give each other more grace even if we disagree and don't vote the same way. We are all unique people with different ideas of how this country could be better. Let's start respecting each other especially when we don't agree. Especially, those of us who call ourselves Christians. We can't get drawn down into angry rhetoric and go after each others with venomous anger. They will know us by the way we treat each other. Overall, I keep praying that we would treat each other with the same love and grace that God gives every one of us. Yes, God loves that person who voted for the other party.
"Why not me?" - sounds like a good campaign slogan.
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