Yesterday several of the GOP presidential hopefuls spoke in
Sioux Center, Iowa.
Two students (Dawson and Allie Feenstra), children of Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA), wrote a prayer. Dawson read it.
Its second half -“WE PRAY THAT WE MAY CONTINUE TO BE ONE
NATION UNDER YOUR REIGN, KNOWING
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG. WE PRAY FOR THE CANDIDATES
TODAY. PLEASE GIVE THEM CLEAR
MINDS AS THEY SHARE THEIR
VISION FOR AMERICA'S
FUTURE. WE ALSO PRAY FOR OUR CURRENT LEADERS AND ASK THAT THEY MAY LOOK TO YOU FOR GUIDANCE AND DIRECTION.
FILL THEM WITH WISDOM,
JUSTICE AND MERCY. HELP THEM TO BE THE HANDS AND FEET OF JESUS. WE ALSO ASK THAT YOU HAVE THE
COURAGE AND ABILITY TO BE THE DISCIPLES OF YOU, IN ALL THAT WE DO.
WE PRAY THAT ALL THOSE HERE WILL BE BLESSED WITH YOUR DISCERNMENT TO CHOOSE A
STRONG, GOD-FEARING LEADER, WHO WILL BRING PEACE, UNITY AND JUSTICE TO THIS GREAT COUNTRY.
WE ASK ALL THESE THINGS IN CHRIST'S NAME, AMEN.” (The complete prayer text and C-span coverage
link of the debate at the bottom.)
Taking this prayer seriously is hard. First,
most of ‘we the people’ within our un-united States rarely know “THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RIGHT AND
WRONG”. Half don’t vote the
other half is under the illusion that voting can fix our dysfunctional
government. They believe that if a
majority could impart their tribe’s values into our policy maker’s “CLEAR MINDS” “THEIR VISION FOR AMERICA'S FUTURE” would
happen.
Unfortunately, most people vote their special economic, religious,
or political truths. And they do not “LOOK” to Jesus “FOR GUIDANCE AND DIRECTION”. If they did they would find “WISDOM, JUSTICE AND MERCY”
that could actually make their lives better, healthier, free, and safer. Maybe
even more righteous.
But most voters narrow, and often selfish beliefs rarely
reflect any objective truths. Those “Truths”
that all Americans should now “hold” to be “self-evident” - that were clearly noted
in our Declaration of Independence.
This profoundly patriotic Declaration along with the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights (UDHR) are perhaps the two most important and valuable documents
in human history.
And if by chance you missed it in the news, today (Dec 10,
2023) is the 75th anniversary of the UDHR. While both
documents written centuries apart both offer fundamental principles. Wise principles that have been offered by faith,
philosophy, and moral leaders for millennia.
No one in their sane mind would argue against the assertion that ‘All
people are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable
rights’ -- and among those are ‘the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness’. But not the ‘happiness’ that
our culture today has ill-defined as persistently ‘feeling good’. When originally written ‘happiness’ meant
finding one’s bliss in one’s unique talent for best serving your
community.
Dr. Benjamin Rush (Thomas Jefferson’s friend and signer of the
Declaration of Independence Jefferson drafted) suggested that Jefferson edit “happiness”
out. And replace it with “health”. Again,
one would be insane to argue against having a healthy mind, body, spirit,
family, community, environment, economy, or sustainable political system maximining
human freedoms and security. Yet every
person now has a different understanding of what happiness is. It’s no coincidence that Thomas Paine wrote in
the pamphlet “Common Sense” that protecting “freedom” and “security” are the only
legitimate purpose of any form of government.
Why is our culture so sick? Rates
of suicide, obesity, mass shootings, depression, loneliness and medical care cost
continue to climb.
Even more important is reading ‘Common Sense” pages leading
up to the freedom/security assertion. In
those pages he makes clear that no man can live a healthy and sustainable life
without others. We need others to survive
and thrive. And must come together and negotiate
a political solution for engineering a government system that will keep us from
killing one another.
I’m guessing if Thomas Paine were alive now, he would be shocked
that our nation has lasted this long – being so blind to the wisdom, logic, and
common sense he offered. Basic principles
that he had gained from the logic of others from other nations before his time.
I searched every article in today’s Washington Post for any mention
of today’s special anniversary of the UDHR.
None! But in its major editorial “An
immigration solution south of the border” in the last two paragraphs it suggested
“lawmakers spend less time worrying about border enforcement and devote more
energy to helping to build an international framework enabling countries south
of the border to absorb migrants...like a sponge”...“to help the Americas cope
with what is becoming a crisis for everybody.”
Wow! Investing in root causes
instead of breaking the bank and dividing ourselves with expensive reactionary
policies that will never work.
It was thrilling knowing that the Post editors finally made
this ‘preventative’ case by stating a self-evident truth regarding the root of
our border problem. And the most cost-effective
global means of ending it by alluding to “Honduras...immigrants from China, Afghanistan,
Angola, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Eritrea, India, and Uzbekistan.” This example
represents only one of multiple global push factors driving our nation deeper
into debt. Simply because US policy
makers are elected by people who don’t understand the fundamental principle
that- “Everything is connected, everything is interdependent, so everything is
vulnerable.... And that’s why this has to be more than whole of government, a
more than whole of nation [effort]. It really has to be a global effort....”. These were the words of Jen Easterly,
Director of Cyber & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), our newest US
federal agency in October 2022.
So in bringing “PEACE, UNITY AND JUSTICE TO THIS GREAT COUNTRY”,
any GOP winner will need to be filled with “WISDOM, JUSTICE AND MERCY”. But who will “HELP THEM TO BE THE HANDS AND FEET OF JESUS”. Who will remind them of the fundamental value
based in every religion - The Golden Rule?
Or that Abraham Lincoln called our Declaration of Independence our “Apple
of Gold” and the Constitution it’s “Frame of Silver” (a biblical reference).
Pray that GOP voters will “ALSO ASK THAT”
GOP candidates “HAVE THE COURAGE AND ABILITY” to make vital distinctions. Like the difference between “the Laws of
Nature and Nature’s God” referenced in the first paragraph of the Declaration
of Independence- and the laws they are favoring now. Both political parties need to embrace the
fundamental principle that “everything” in reality “interdependent”! And the laws they prioritize must be
congruent with “the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God”.
What is so freaking complicated
about ‘taking care of nature and each other’?
Wouldn’t any real Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, or indigenous culture deems
this to be wise? It perplexes me to this day...how complicated
the world has become since we humans (in our glorified arrogance) have created
human principles that are literally killing us by the thousands. Flawed principles like ‘Peace through Strength’!
Instead of global peace via “liberty and
justice for all”. Those profound word
you may recall being at the end of our “pledge of alliance” to our flag. Or the flawed principle that ‘Market forces
will take care of it’. Covid19, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the
Hamas/Israel kill fest should kill that capitalist principle. When people and corporations value profits for
taking care of themselves while nature and billions of people suffer... don’t
expect less chaos.
Yet here’s two thrilling and encouraging bits of news from the
last 4 months.
1.
Last June, Bank of America Chair & CEO,
Brian Moynihan spoke about the state of the economy, the U.S. financial system,
and capitalism. * He said, ‘the SDGs
will cost approximately’ “$6 trillion annually”. “Governments are too debt
burdened” and “charity is insufficient”.
“Business leaders” “like the oil companies” and others need to step up
and prioritize a balancing of ‘short-term gains’ with ‘long term interests’. ‘Profits must be good for business and
society down to the community level’.
“Capitalism” “requires a greater purpose than making more profit. *
Interview hosted by the City Club of Cleveland.
Posted on C-span. Program
ID: 529044-1 https://www.c-span.org/video/?529044-1/bank-america-ceo-remarks-city-club-cleveland
2.
And last week Wash Post Dec. 6th printed
addition, “After long banning polio
campaigns, Taliban declares war on the disease” By Rick Noack. The Taliban was once killing vaccine workers
as a result of a flawed CIA tactic used to find DNA evidence to track Osama Bin
Laden. Now they are defending vaccination
workers and clinics. Even forcing families to have their children vaccinated
and insisting that their counterparts in Pakistan do the same. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/05/taliban-afghanistan-polio-vaccination/?itid=sr_1
WOW! If only Americans and policy makers could have
such a remarkable and beneficial change in beliefs. FYI: When polio is finally eradicated
globally - polio vaccines will no longer be needed. But if we fail to eradicate that virus from earth
it will only increase the possibility of it mutating - and the global campaign would
need to continue. The global eradication of Smallpox decades ago started with a
Soviet proposal. An effective Smallpox vaccine
had been available for decades. George Washington inoculated his troops against
Smallpox 246 years ago. His smarts back
then may have played a decisive role in his rabbled rebel army defeating the un-inoculated
British forces. In 1997 a GAO study documented
our nation’s domestic economic savings in investing just $32 million in the global
eradication campaign - to be a US taxpayer savings of $17 billion. Because we no longer needing to vaccinate our
own children against Smallpox.
Prevention pays monstrous dividends!!
As with most other global investments in protecting children
and other innocent lives, the environment, civil societies from war, genocide, terrorism,
hunger, diseases, environmental degradation, and political polarization...we
help ourselves and could save trillions of dollars. Plus gaining the trust and helpful alliances for
the chaotic days and years ahead. They are
coming unless we get serious about addressing the root causes of the multiple
interconnected and interdependent problems humanity faces.
In our democracy there is something you can do as a citizen
to make a significant difference. And it’s
not by voting. Begin to develop a gentle
and working relationship with your US Representative...regardless of their
party affiliation (it’s a dirty job...but somebody other than oil lobbyists
need to do it).
Help inform him/her/they on the fundamental patriotic ideas expressed
in our Declaration of Independence. Encourage
them to support the funding of the SDGs by advocating for businesses in their
district to link their profit goals with the 17 SGDs while investing in the basic
needs of people in your own local community.
Suggest they listen to the Bank of America CEO interview.
You can personally inform others and encourage business
leaders and other influential people in your congressional district to join on an
‘Open Letter’ intended to generate the political will in all 435 US Congressional
Districts before the 2024 elections. Expand
their interests and values given that ‘everything is interconnected, interdependent,
and vulnerable’. And investing a moment
of time by putting an ‘entity’ (not a
personal name), but a current or former title of influence, after a business
name, school, church or other entity of influence. Then put the city and Congressional District
in which it is located. We are seeking
at least 10 entities per US Congressional District by July 4th,
2024. Send your entity to 435campaign@earthlink.net. Encourage others to join on the Open Letter.
Here is an example of how it will appear. This is what has been done only in Maryland within
the last two weeks.
MARYLAND
1.
Rotary Club of Rockville, President &
former Presidents. 8CD
2.
United Nations Association, Former Chair.
Rockville 8CD
3.
Maryland United for Peace and Justice, Catonsville, President. 7CD
4.
Baltimore Nonviolence Center, Director 7CD
5.
Alliance for Child Survival, Director.
Rockville 8CD
6.
435 Campaign, Editor. Rockville
8CD
7.
American Public Health Association, former
Action Board member. Rockville. 8CD
8. The Unforgotten, Executive Director & Board 7CD
9.
Friends of Redgate, Board. Rockville 8CD
10.
I Support the Girls, Outreach & Volunteer
Coordinator. Rockville 8CD
11.
Girl Scout Troop 34247, Leaders. Silver Spring
8CD
The SDGs are targeted for 2030. We are more than half way there. And more than hope and prayer is needed.
**********************
PRAYER: WILL
YOU PLEASE BOW YOUR HEAD AND PRAY WITH ME? OUR LORD AND HEAVENLY FATHER, THANK
YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO GATHER TOGETHER THIS MORNING TO TALK FREELY ABOUT OUR
GOVERNMENT WITH THOSE WHO WANT TO GOVERN. WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THIS COUNTRY
WE LIVE IN, WHERE WE CAN OPENLY WORSHIP AND PRAY WITHOUT PERSECUTION. WE ARE
GRATEFUL FOR THE MINDFUL BLESSINGS THAT YOU HAVE BESTOWED UPON OUR NATION. WE
PRAY THAT WE MAY CONTINUE TO BE ONE NATION UNDER YOUR REIGN, KNOWING THE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG. WE PRAY FOR THE CANDIDATES TODAY. PLEASE
GIVE THEM CLEAR MINDS AS THEY SHARE THEIR VISION FOR AMERICA'S FUTURE. WE ALSO
PRAY FOR OUR CURRENT LEADERS AND ASK THAT THEY MAY LOOK TO YOU FOR GUIDANCE AND
DIRECTION. FILL THEM WITH WISDOM, JUSTICE AND MERCY. HELP THEM TO BE THE HANDS
AND FEET OF JESUS. WE ALSO ASK THAT YOU HAVE THE COURAGE AND ABILITY TO BE THE
DISCIPLES OF YOU, IN ALL THAT WE DO. WE PRAY THAT ALL THOSE HERE WILL BE
BLESSED WITH YOUR DISCERNMENT TO CHOOSE A STRONG, GOD-FEARING LEADER, WHO WILL
BRING PEACE, UNITY AND JUSTICE TO THIS GREAT COUNTRY. WE ASK ALL THESE THINGS
IN CHRIST'S NAME, AMEN. DAWSON AND ALLIE FEENSTRA. Graduate and student, offering blessing at
DECEMBER 9,
2023 Campaign 2024
Republican
Presidential Hopefuls Speak in Sioux Center, Iowa
Rep. Randy
Feenstra (R-IA) hosted
conversations with 2024 Republican presidential candidates and their family
members at Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa. Participants were Gov. Ron
DeSantis (FL) and first lady Casey DeSantis, Ryan Binkley and wife Ellie
Binkley, Vivek Ramaswamy and his son, Karthik, and former South Carolina Gov.
Nikki Haley and her daughter, Rena Haley Jackson. In addition to the candidates
discussing their plans for the nation, topics also focused on family background
and religious faith.
https://www.c-span.org/video/?532196-1/republican-presidential-hopefuls-speak-sioux-center-iowa
FYI: A new Netflix movie was released Dec. 8, 2023. Leave the World Behind: Cast, Release Date, Trailer & Plot of Julia Roberts Movie - Netflix Tudum Grobar, Matt (April 14, 2022). "The Obamas' Higher Ground Boards Sam Esmail's Netflix Pic Leave The World Behind". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
Leave the World Behind had
its world premiere at the AFI Fest on October 25, 2023. It was
released in select theaters on
November 22, 2023, before its streaming release by Netflix on
December 8, 2023.
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