government

Talking DC Politics

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There is gridlock in Washington DC right now. No doubt there are functional problems in the relationships with our leaders. The Senate seems to be the adults in the room right now. How can we let one faction of one party in one part of government shut things down like this. Many of their supporters do so against their best interest.

Friends, America is about to be in a very bad position and there is enough blame to be passed around. In full disclosure I am a Democrat and I think there needs to be more flexibility on my side of the issues but not at the expense of the middle class or the poor. 

Getting a deal done has become very hard and I am not sure when the House and Senate can come together on the issues of the shutdown. They have a few hours now before default. 

I feel that the GOP will be hurt for years because of this and all because of a radical faction put them in this spot. We will have to see how the coming days impacts our country. Our reputation and credit depend on it. 

Government Shutdown

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Our government is closed for business because of a failure to compromise on a continuing resolution to fund itself. Orders have been given to begin an orderly shutdown. This is the first time in seventeen years. My earlier post well give you an idea of what’s effected. Hang on fellow Americans.

The Official White House Tumblr: The White House, Tumbling Things

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whitehouse: We see some great things here at the White House every day, and sharing that stuff with you is one of the best parts of our jobs. That’s why we’re launching a Tumblr. We’ll post things like the best quotes from President Obama, or video of young scientists visiting the White House for the science…

(If you don’t have Tumblr as a part of your social networking/media strategy, you are missing out. Even the White House is hanging on Tumblr now)

The Official White House Tumblr: The White House, Tumbling Things

Priorities in Prayer

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There are some local issues here that involve prayer, namely the right to pray before a city/county meetings and before high school and college football games. All these are public arenas and you would think that prayer in that forum would go against the separation of church and state. Protests are coming from people who don’t think it’s all bad to pray this way while others think that it’s putting one religion above others. 

I live in what they call the “buckle of the Bible belt” where faith is very much rooted in the cultural fiber of many people. Two sacred cows here are God and Guns in that order (which seems kind of wonky if you ask me).

As many of you know, I am a man of faith; I am a Christian in the United Methodist tradition. Prayer is a vital part of personal practice of one’s religion. Prayer is important. However, I feel that the protests are misguided and not helpful. Would Jesus protest such things?

I have an issue with problems here locally. We are demanding to pray for what before these events, God’s will be done? Usually it’s the agenda of the leadership who are setting the agenda and most time God is not even in the picture. Faith can influence decisions but how often does it really when it comes to policies that can impact one group adversely.

I have no problem with personal prayer before a sporting event. Why does it have to be a corporate prayer when many in a crowd are not people of similar faith or no faith at all?

I wish people who are protesting these issues of a larger faith perspective would put as much drive into ending hunger, disease, homelessness, poverty and many other social issues.

It seems like a total waste of time and even money to defend a position on prayer when people could be better served with resources to make their lives better. Taking care of the widows and orphans along with the poor, challenging bullies in school and more would be time better spent. 

Places of worship have a responsibility to impact the world for the better. However, defending prayer in government and football games might not be two places that could use it the most. Our synagogues, mosques and churches could come together to work on issues of real significance, but that might be a Utopian dream.