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The Word's Eye View is a newspaper column written by
An Open Letter to Senator Obama They tell me you are to be our next President. I am no one of any importance, and I am certain that this letter will never reach beyond your staff, but I feel compelled to offer my congratulations. I remember the last two elections when Hollywood celebrities and others of some notoriety promised to leave the country if George W. Bush was elected. To my knowledge they did not keep their promise. I’m sorry to inform you that even though I didn’t vote for you, I plan to stay and work hard to make America the best place it can be. There was much speculation that if you had failed to win there would be mayhem and rioting in many of the major cities of our beloved nation. I have heard of no such outburst because of Senator McCain’s loss. Perhaps the crowd that voted for him is more controlled. The courage of the American commitment has never been embodied by those who riot or quit; however, I sense that in the midst of their restraint there is a strong element of fear that is gaining the momentum of a Dakota blizzard. This has been characterized by a variety of things including a rush to buy guns. Out here in Colorado there was a record number of background checks called for in October. One gun store owner interviewed by ABC noted one of the great ironies was people in his store wearing Obama buttons but still expressing the concern that the Second Amendment could be severely abridged. My friends who work in the stock market inform me millions of investors are pulling money from the market to avoid an anticipated escalation in the capitol gains tax. Similarly, business acquaintances are preparing to tighten their belts by planning possible layoffs because of expected tax increases. I’m having a difficult time comprehending how your proposed tax expansion in these arenas is going to calm fears and bring stability to the economy. A great deal of the anxiety is being expressed over the re-distribution of wealth concept. Pardon my opposite opinion, but I really don’t believe Americans are selfish. We both know that every natural catastrophe in the world generates a huge outpouring from the USA. History demonstrates us to be the most generous nation on the planet. The stumbling block that I can’t leap over is understanding how non-producers are going to find any real incentive to reverse that role when the government will reward their inactivity. Conversely, producers will diminish their efforts due to confiscatory taxes being imposed. Perhaps, Senator, you should speak to your running mate about charitable giving. The media reported his total contributions last year were $3600…a rather paltry sum in light of his income. Evidently, he doesn’t tithe to his church. Red flags are jumping out of the ground over some of your staff selection. Your campaign rhetoric continually emphasized a bi-partisan approach. You may remember your mantra was “Change.” Rahm Emanuel, your chief of staff pick, is known as one of the most hotheaded, profanity laced, partisan conversationalists in Washington. Is it really true that he once sent a dead fish to a political adversary? Come, come, Senator, how such behavior manifests a desire to reach across the aisle is a true mystery. Last Sunday Valerie Jarrett, co-chair of your transition team, was being interviewed on “Meet the Press.” She made a comment about when you begin to “rule.” Her chosen word was not lead, or even govern, but rule. Possibly, it was simply a poor choice of vocabulary or was it a Freudian slip? The tone that is already being established suggests the latter. Senator, there are some of us who can acknowledge only one Potentate (I Tim. 6:15) who is known as “the King of kings and the Lord of lords.” You may recall we laud Him in Handel’s “Messiah” every Christmas. Did your church in Chicago ever present that magnificent symphony? Some of us rural, middle-America types live in the dingweeds to escape a portion of the influence the extreme left has imposed. We are keenly aware that the labor unions, feminists, gays, enviro-activists, trial lawyers, minorities, pacifists, MoveOn.org., academics and other radical goofballs contributed heavily to your campaign and will impatiently wait for payday. Personally, Mr. President-elect, my greatest fear is that the intense pressure that will be exerted by the left will provide the primary rudder on your ship. This group appears to have little regard for the Word of God and His commandments. The farther we move away from this critical source of information the less we can expect His providential protection. I understand that one of your heroes is Abraham Lincoln---good choice. Did you know that during one of the most critical periods of the Civil War, Lincoln wrote to his friend Joshua Speed, “I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this Book upon reason that you can and the balance upon faith, and you will live and die a better man.”
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