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The Word's Eye View is a newspaper column written by
How About Patience? The old proverb “haste makes waste” has never been truer than now. Congress in its rush to spend money for the alleged purpose of stimulating the economy is busy proving the wisdom of the axiom. The American public was told that it was absolutely essential to pass spending packages immediately to avoid a total collapse of the economic system. Bailouts were proposed for banks, insurance companies and auto manufacturers, accompanied by hundreds of billions for shovel ready projects to keep people working. All of this legislation was accomplished with the swiftness of a speeding bullet because Superman assured us that unemployment would not rise above 8% if the trigger was squeezed. To date, roughly 7% of the latest stimulus package has been spent and unemployment is 9.5% and rising. It is worth mentioning that the demanded acceleration of this legislation resulted in not one person in Congress reading the bill. An Associated Press study of 5500 planned transportation projects has found that stimulus cash is targeted more to counties with less unemployment than those with a higher rate. How could government be so inept? The answer is quite simple: when politicians make decisions they tend to be politically motivated. Example: The John Murtha Airport in Johnstown/Cambria County, PA will receive $800,000 in economic stimulus funds to repave the backup runway, though only about 20 people a day use the airport. Road signs are being purchased at a cost of $300 apiece advertising that “this construction project” is being paid for with stimulus funds. Illinois alone has already spent $150,000 on such signs. It would be interesting to know in whose district these signs are manufactured. The Social Security Administration admits that it mailed out 10,000 checks (using stimulus funds) to “deceased persons,” blaming pressure to spend the money quickly. Senator Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma, has assembled a list of 100 stimulus recipients that primarily reflect this type of insanity. The fog is lifting on the necessity of haste – it has nothing to do with saving the economy but everything to do with pork being served in the dark of night. A speedy solution is necessary in the event of snake bite, cancer or national defense but large expenditures require thorough examination. When campaigning, Mr. Obama pledged that all bills under his administration would be posted on the internet for five days before a vote was initiated. Perhaps his doctor needs to prescribe a pill to improve his memory. The stimulus represented thousands of words assembled on more than 1100 pages to be acted upon the next day. God’s comment: “Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him.” (Proverbs 29:20) The Bible is an analysis of motives which is revealed in this perspective: “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.” (Proverbs 21:5) The idea is quite simple---spontaneous purchasing is predicated more on want than diligent evaluation. The merchants of America spend a great deal on advertising to convince us to buy more of what we want than what we need. Unfortunately this tends to poverty whether it be individual or national. The majority of Congress are doing their own merchandising at our expense. God’s character is one of patience that is worthy of immulation. Peter made this observation, “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” John the Revelator calls Jesus Christ the “Bright and Morning Star.” (Revelation 22:16) When Venus is moving toward the earth in its orbit, the planet can be seen in the evening sky, and thus it is called the Evening Star. When moving away from the earth, it is visible in the early morning and called the Morning Star. Venus possesses several fascinating characteristics, but none are more revealing than its revolution. While earth turns on its axis once a day, Venus turns slowly—and in the opposite direction—once every 243 earth days. At the same time it revolves about the sun once every 225 earth days. The combination gives the planet a solar day (that is, from one sunrise to the next) of 117 days. The idea of the slow revolution is that time is fairly irrelevant to God. He is patient and thoughtful with a plan that will not be hurried by anyone. The computer age demands fast hamburgers, pizza delivery, instant 24 hour news and unlimited internet information. This rocket ship lifestyle has led us to be more accepting of fast tracking just about everything—even God. Most Americans can barely spare Him one hour a week while He sits in the heavens continually posting construction zone signs which impose a double fine for speeding when caution is mandated. The lesson is irrevocable—move to fast and pay a heavy price. A backwoods, common sense suggestion—require Congress to pause 117 days before they can spend any more of our dollars. Waiting for one of God’s sunrises might cause some restraint.
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