I think we Americans have a serious problem with instant gratification. While Bush was spending billions of dollars each month to “liberate” Iraq our mouths were shut because we didn’t feel the pinch in our pockets at the moment. We had the gratification that we so desire—even though it was a false gratification. Now, Obama—who’s been in office for only a few months—is spending billions, and we are up in arms throwing tea parties. It’s an interesting concept, but to me it just proves how fickle and selfish we are.
Sure, it’s okay if we support our president going to war and killing hundreds of thousands of people, just as long as it doesn’t strain us financially at the moment and the battle is in the name of “liberation’. But when it comes to some liberal raising taxes forcing us to take more money from our fat wallets, then, oh no, we must fight this evil. Let me ask, what is more evil: higher taxes or killing innocent people? Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Give to God what belongs to God. Our money bears the image of our Caesars, but we bear the image of God. What’s more important? What should we be working to protect?
I am as guilty as any for I too initially supported Bush in is war to “free” Iraq. I used to believe that America was the last greatest hope for the world, that we could offer freedom, and that democracy was ultimate existence, but then I came to realize that I cannot serve two masters. I had forgotten about this simple statement made by my true Lord—who is our only hope, who can offer true freedom, and in whose kingdom lies ultimate existence.
“What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the made destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy?” – Mahatma Gandhi
And then I would add, What difference does it make to God whether his image, his creation is destroyed in the in the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy?
4 responses so far ↓
Roger // April 28, 2009 at 7:33 pm |
Hey Jeff,
The “Tea Parties” weren’t about “Obama spending Billions”. (Which is inaccurate. The B should be a Tr in Obama’s case.) They were about the government in general spending more and more money. I believe they were prompted by the numerous corporate bail outs.
I have been finding it interesting lately how different sources report etirely different stories on the same event. Either mentioning or failing to mention different aspects of the event.
I enjoyed reading about your Easter celebration. When are you going to be in Idaho next? Anywhere in the near future?
-Roger
jlitsey // May 14, 2009 at 8:52 am |
I think the Billions stated rather than Trillions was my mistake. Although, I’m sure many are glossing over how much money is being spent, and I don’t want to do that.
My biggest point and main point is that to me it seems hypocritical for us to be so upset at Obama when we stood by and let Bush spend so much on his war to “liberate” Iraq. I originally supported the war because I thought that evil could be defeated with the sword, but I have repented of that. It’s sad to me that when Bush was spending billions, and in the process, millions have died, I stood by and did nothing.
I don’t know how to atone for this. I guess I can do my best to speak and act for peace at all times, because I believe violence is never an answer as shown to us by the Son himself when, instead of defeating evil with a sword and army, he defeated it with his own shed blood. He exposed our injustice so that we might repent and be covered by that same sacrificial blood.
M. Kjonaas // May 21, 2009 at 7:27 pm |
Jeff I do not think you should be bad-mouthing the good old USA. It is still by far this world’s best place to live. I do not see how you can say that President Bush spent billions and killed hundreds of thousands of people while our present president is OK with his spending trillions and continuing a war that will have no end.
jlitsey // May 31, 2009 at 6:14 pm |
I don’t necessarily agree with Obama’s spending, and I don’t believe that he is our hope. But at the same time, I think it’s very sad that most of us, including myself, had nothing to say about Bush’s spending.
My intention is not to bad-mouth the US. My intention is to bring light to the fact that we cry “foul” louder when it affects us personally than we do when others are blown to bits at the hands of our nation and its leadership (whether it be Bush or Obama). And in the end, I was not focus on the speck in an others’ eye, but I must focus on the log in mine. And because I’m a citizen of the US, I feel like the US’s eye is my eye also.