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The Word's Eye View is a newspaper column written by Change Isn't Always Good The theme of Mr. Obama’s campaign has been “change.” The two changes that I have heard him advocate repeatedly are universal health care and the extraction of our troops from Iraq. Beyond those two things I am not sure what changes he has in mind, but whatever they may be, I am reasonably certain they will cost the American taxpayer more money. The entire scenario reminds me of a story found in II Chronicles 10. King Solomon had led his kingdom to unparalleled achievements, but the cost to his subjects were characterized as a “grievous yoke.” In the wake of Solomon’s death his son Rehoboam assumed the throne. The counsel of the old men was to lighten up, but the young men who composed Rehoboam’s inner circle advised him to lay it on the people even thicker. The enthusiasm of the inexperienced youth was embraced with the following results: 1. A rebellion ensued which effectively divided the kingdom. (chapter 11) 2. National security was seriously compromised. (chapter 12) 3. The economy was devastated. (12:9) 4. Israel was reduced to a third rate imitation power. (12:10) A peek into the character of God is illustrated in Malachi 3:6: “For I am the Lord, I change not.” Mankind is frequently consumed with an unabridged fervor for change, but God appears to be much more cautious. He does advocate advancement in the spiritual life of individuals, but more often than not, His recommendation for societies is to return to the original landmarks. (Proverbs 22:28) Along these lines I have some suggestions for change in a reverse direction: 1. Reinstitute prayer and Bible reading in the public schools. When I went to high school (Pueblo East), it was endorsed and practiced. Police were not necessary to patrol the campus, school shootings were unheard of, and teen pregnancies were extremely rare. The year after I graduated, the Supreme Court ruled this to be an unconstitutional practice. According to the Pueblo Chieftain, East High just graduated 160 students, but there were 300 in that class when they were freshmen. Would someone please tell me how this change has benefited society? 2. Refuse to raise taxes, and reduce or rescind one annually. Interestingly, at a much lower tax rate, America found the funds to build an interstate highway system, but at today’s increased rates, we can’t find the revenue to repair them. The anti-Christ will be a “raiser of taxes” (Daniel 11:20), and John added that the spirit of the anti-Christ is already in the world. (I John 4:3) 3. State and federal legislative bodies consider tens of thousands of new pieces of legislation every year. By virtue of sheer volume, they can’t all be good for the constituency. The only laws that these assemblies seem willing to dismiss are ones that pertain to old-fashioned morality. It would be reason enough to stand up and cheer if the government of the people, by the people and for the people would make an concerted effort to repeal unnecessary laws. I would personally favor sending Congress on a two year paid vacation, to be called together only in the time of national emergency. Jesus reduced all the Old Testament laws (more than 500) to two, but what could He possibly know?
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