There is only one omniscient being and He isn’t running for office.

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

GOD HAS THIS!

by Steve Fair

 

     The contentious nature of politics turns off most people.  Civility and respect for differing opinions are considered weak attributes in public affairs.  Passion, anger and confrontation are deemed stellar characteristics.  In a recent poll by Statista Research, just 16% of Americans think Congress is doing a good job and over 60% think President Biden is doing a good job.  Citizens mistakenly believe getting involved in politics accomplishes little.  They think all engaged in politics are liars and crooks, but that is not true.  Three observations:

     First, there are principled people engaged in politics.  There are plenty of reprobates, rascals and scalawags involved in what Ronald Reagan called the world’s second oldest profession.  But there are trustworthy, high-minded, honorable politicians as well.  Lumping all elected officials into the same category is unwise and imprudent.  Citizens should judge each elected official on how they govern.  Separating the sheep from the goats can be challenging. 

     Second, Christians should be involved in politics.  That is a controversial statement.  Many theologians claim the temporal nature of politics distracts believers from the eternal (Gospel) and therefore they should not engage in political involvement.  All Christians are political whether they realize it or not.  God set up human government and ordained its authority.  Christians should be involved in the culture and community.  Christ commanded believers to be the salt and light of the world.  Political involvement is Biblical stewardship. 

     The problem comes when Christian political activists and elected officials adopt secular tactics to further a political agenda.  Nowhere is a believer told to use situational ethics to advance a program.  They should labor and God then gives the increase.  Those misguided zealots violate the very values they claim they hold.  That inconsistency gives fellow believers pause when they consider engaging in politics and that is a terrible loss to the process and the country. 

     Third, no human being knows everything.  There is only one omniscient being and He isn’t running for office.  The arrogance and egotism in elective politics has escalated in recent years.  Self-promoting, boasting, and swager are necessary qualities for a candidate.  Exaggeration, sensationalism, and hyperbole rule.  Humility, meekness and modesty are non-existent in today’s public square. Every politician knows the answer to every question.  In the past, admitting ignorance wasn’t considered a weakness, but the modern politico bluffs their way to victory.

     What is a Christian to do in regard to politics: (1) Do not compromise Biblical values to further a cause.  When a believer uses worldly tactics in politics, it reveals a lack of faith in the sovereignty of God.  He sets up leaders and no election result catches Him by surprise.  (2) Get involved in politics.  At the very least, a believer should be a faithful voter.  Involvement can mean political activism or running for office.  Christians should pay attention to what their elected officials are doing.  What is their worldview?  How they view basic human nature will dictate how they govern.  (3) Pray for those in authority.  The most effective lobbying is asking God to move on the heart of an elected official.  God can change their mind/heart more effectively than a yelling constituent.

     In 50 days, Americans will go to the polls.  Those on both political spectrums are claiming the future of America is dependent on their candidate winning, but no matter what the outcome- God has this!  He sets up leaders- and brings them down. 

CONSTITUENTS SHOULD PROVIDE MEANINGFUL INPUT!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

SCHOOL THE IGNORANT!

by Steve Fair

     This week on the steps of the Oklahoma Capitol, Senator Shane Jett, (R-Shawnee) announced the formation of the Freedom Caucus (FC) in the Oklahoma state legislature.  The Sooner state is the 12^th state to form a Freedom Caucus in the legislature.  The concept mirrors the FC in the U.S. Congress.

     Jett said the purpose of the FC will be to ‘preserve freedom for families back home and to educate and provide meaningful input to our colleagues before they vote.’   Five fellow members of the legislature also members of the FC stood behind him.  Other members of the Oklahoma legislative FC were not identified because according to Jett members in other states of the FC have faced punishment from their legislature leadership for their participation in the caucus. Three observations:

     First, legislators should be listening primarily to those who elected them.  Constituents within their district are who they represent first and foremost, not a caucus.  If a lawmaker is too lazy or incompetent to read, research and study a bill before a vote, they should quit and go home.  An effective representative develops a network of trusted counselors within their district who advise them in their field of expertise and provide ‘meaningful input.’ It’s not the job of legislators to ‘school the ignorant’ among them.  Lawmakers are there to represent those who elect them.  They aren’t elected to form cliques, fraternities and hold theme parties.  

     Second, freedom and liberty promote independence, not interdependence.  A caucus is formed to promote and execute group think- vote as a bloc.  Group think promotes interdependence.  A legislator should never feel obligated to vote for a bill because a caucus tells them to.  That is the opposite of freedom.  The best elected official is an independent thinker, one not bound to lobbyists, donors, special interests or their fellow legislators.  Good ones collaborate, but don’t capitulate.  They participate, but don’t surrender.  They are independent thinkers who use their own judgment and perceptions to make decisions and solve problems.    

     Third, anonymity is for cowards. Jett said the full membership (other legislators) couldn’t be revealed because of fear of retribution. Jett didn’t identify who the executioner/boogie man in legislative leadership that was going to punish the unnamed for joining the FC.  If an elected official is a member of a caucus and plans to vote with them, then why hide?  If two agree, they walk together- not one hiding behind the other.

     Jett said anonymity was necessary because the focus of the caucus is to be on policy and not personality, but those can’t be separated?  Anonymity hides/shields/protects/shelters cowards.  The truly brave don’t fear retaliation.      

     The FC in the U.S. House has been a vehicle of disruption within the GOP majority and hasn’t truly advanced conservative policy.  They took down the Speaker of the House, stalled legislation they deemed not conservative enough, and attacked fellow Republicans in the media.  They steadfastly refuse to compromise, collaborate, or negotiate.  They are willing to get nothing if they can’t get everything, so most of the time they get nothing.  Many conservatives agree with their values, but not their zeal to get nothing done and continual attacking of the like-minded.  Hopefully the Oklahoma chapter of FC is willing to work and play well with others.  In the meantime, citizens should be helping to school the ignorant.