FAIR AND BIASED: Don't Worry- God sets up kings and brings them down!

Monday, November 7, 2016

Don't Worry- God sets up kings and brings them down!

Weekly Opinion Editorial

And the Winner is…..

by Steve Fair

Due to printing deadlines, this column is being written before the general election results are known. As you read this, more than likely, America chose a new president and thousands more elected officials yesterday, but be not dismayed- God has this.

Like every election cycle, when it is over, the political analysis begins. Political consultants and Party leaders start pouring over voter data analyzing trends, turnout, demographics, and dozens of other factors. That information will be used to affect future campaign strategy. Political operatives enjoy the post mortem as much as a campaign. Some observations about the 2016 election cycle:

Neither of the two candidates for POTUS- Clinton or Trump- were without flaws. None of us are. Every human is born with an inherent sin nature- we got it from Adam. Any righteousness we have has to come from Christ after we are regenerated. In the case of Clinton and Trump, neither appears to manifest the ‘fruit of the spirit’ that Paul says believers produce after regeneration so in spite of what some well meaning Christian politicos want to believe, the next four years will likely not produce a spiritual revival in America spurred by the moral example in the White House. The best Christians can hope for is a president who will allow the pure gospel to be preached without restriction in our country. If that happens, God will take care of the rest.

Whoever won yesterday inherited a total mess- record unemployment, skyrocketing healthcare costs, mounting national debt, and disunity. In spite of what they said on the campaign trail, neither Trump nor Clinton can fix it without the cooperation and help of Congress and the American people. Our system of government is one of checks and balances. The executive branch can propose legislation, but Congress deposes it. Time will tell if the new POTUS will be part of the solution or the problem.

2016 has been the most polarizing campaign cycle in modern history. Insults and personal attacks happen in every cycle, but the incredible number hurled this year boggles the mind. Donald Trump deserves his share of credit for that, but while the Donald was always on the attack, he was also the most attacked candidate in modern history. The Democrats, the media and even his own Party joined arms against the political outsider, attacking his message and his delivery. To his credit, instead of backing down, he doubled down. Because of that, Trump likely has changed political campaign strategy forever. When something works, others emulate it. Trump’s true ‘straight talk’ approach to politics has appeal to the average Joe. In coming elections, expect candidates, at all levels, to begin to be embolden and candid with voters. That is a positive development in politics. Americans are tired of politicians who tip toe around tough questions and issues and try to tell voters what they want to hear. Trump’s style, while at times offensive and crude, has a candor and boldness that is refreshing.

This was also a campaign with ‘precedents.’ Never has the FBI announced two weeks before the general election they were investigating a presidential candidate. Most would have said that a candidate under federal investigation wouldn’t have chance to win, but the FBI pulled yet another surprise- another unprecedented action. On Sunday, FBI Director Comey sent a letter to Congress ‘clearing’ Secretary Clinton of wrong doing in the email scandal. Never in its history has the FBI so quickly ‘cleared’ a target in an investigation. Normal FBI investigation is methodical, slow, through, and is never rushed. The agency is routinely criticized for their lack of speed in investigations. Both of these actions by the FBI were unprecedented.

The fact is no matter who won the election yesterday, they are not the true winner. If you believe the bible, it is clear who controls this old world- a holy, sovereign God. Nothing happens that He doesn’t have a hand in. Daniel wrote that He sets up and brings down kings(and presidents). That can be frustrating for politicos. They like to think they control their own destiny and arrogantly point to their hard work and superior campaigning skills when they win. While its obvious that God uses human instrumentality to accomplish His will, rest assured He is going to come out on top.

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Why FAIR & BIASED?

FAIR- because that's my name and BIASED because the truth is we are all biased- either for something or against it. What's important is that our bias(opinions) are based on right- on absolute truth and not on changing values. What's right cannot change based on a change in circumstances. That is the basis for situational ethics.

Situation Ethics is a theory that is concerned with the outcome or consequences of an action; the end, as opposed to an action being intrinsically wrong. In the case of situation ethics, the end can justify the means. There are no absolutes. Your actions are guided only by your conscience.

A person's view of right can be subjective. But there is a way mankind can definitely know what's right and that is revealed in God's Word- the Bible. As His creatures, we should be biased toward things our Creator is for and biased against those things He is against. May God grant us the grace and understanding to know the difference.

PARTY AFFILIATION IS IMPORTANT! by Steve Fair- written in 2009

How important is political party affiliation? Some people mistakenly believe only politicians need political affiliation, which they use for support to get elected. They contend the electorate or voters, do not need to be aligned with any Party. These same people often state they “support the man, not the Party.” But whether they recognize it or not, they are supporting a party when they “support the man.”
Most of the Founding Fathers had a negative view of political parties. In his farewell address to the nation, George Washington warned about political parties saying, “However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.” In spite of Washington's warning, political parties were formed anyway.
From 1796 to 1828 the first political parties were formed. Starting with the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, two opposing factions arose. Each was concerned with how the new government was to be organized. The Federalists believed in a strong central government. Their philosophy and beliefs would closely mirror the Democrat Party today. The Anti-Federalists strongly supported the rights of the states. They would more closely align with Republicans today.
Since the mid 1800s, the Ds and Rs have been the two major political parties in our country. Political parties flourished in our government mainly for legislative organization and expediencies sake. Why is Party affiliation important for the average voter? Party affiliation is important for three very simples reasons.
First, party affiliation is the first vote a citizen casts. When a citizen registers as a Democrat, then they are aligning philosophically with the values, beliefs, tenets, and positions of the Democrats on the issues. Party affiliation “defines” you are and what you stand for. It should be taken as seriously as a vote for a specific candidate. Research what each Party stands for, their positions on issues, and then align with the Party that is closest to your values. Copies of both major Party platforms are available on-line or at the local library.
Second, legislatures organize themselves and conduct business using party affiliation. The legislative branch of government is the most powerful arm of the three branches of government. Legislative bodies hold closed meeting of party members, called a caucus to decide on questions of policy or leadership. The Republicans hold a caucus meeting and the Democrats hold a caucus meeting-both at the state and federal level. Unfortunately, conservative, moderate and liberal philosophies do not hold caucus meetings or control the legislative agendas- parties do. When someone says they vote for “the man,” not the party, they fail to understand the power and function of a caucus system in a legislative body. The Party in the majority controls appointments, Chairmanships, the agenda and countless other things through the caucus.
Third, party affiliation should be a matter of conviction, not convenience. Often, people align with a party so they can vote in primary elections or based on family tradition or geographies. Even candidates will align, file and run affiliated with a Party they have little philosophical agreement with. That decision is made out of convenience, not conviction. While no political party is perfect or has all the answers, there is a distinct difference between the two major parties and honest citizens should align with the Party that reflects their convictions.
The Democrat Party is more liberal than the Republican Party. Liberals believe in more government control of business, the environment and speech, using large bureaucratic programs to address real or perceived social ills and constant reinterpretation of the Constitution. Liberals are more inclined to trust government than the people themselves. They see the role of government as a great provider of goods and services and have little faith in the individual to solve his own problems.
Republicans are more conservative than Democrats. Conservatives believe in less government control of the environment and business. They want fewer and less comprehensive government programs to address real or perceived social ills. They believe in personal responsibility and trust individuals to make decisions for themselves. Republicans believe in a strict literal interpretation of the Constitution. A person should find out which of these philosophies best fits their view if they wish to actively participate in the political process.
Party affiliation is important. Washington’s prophecy has come to past, and political parties have been used to empower “unprincipled men,” on both sides of the aisle, but like it or not, political parties are a reality in our system of government. Each concerned citizen should evaluate the philosophy, values, beliefs and tenets of each Party and align their party affiliation accordingly.

FAIR AND BIASED

Monday, November 7, 2016

Don't Worry- God sets up kings and brings them down!

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PARTY AFFILIATION IS IMPORTANT! by Steve Fair- written in 2009

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