Posted on 08/18/2003 11:46:47 PM PDT by JohnHuang2
Socialism is a danger that can destroy entire governments. It's the wrong solution to policy problems because it's not economically feasible. It's also the wrong solution because it is very much immoral.
What? Didn't Jesus teach about the importance of helping others? Absolutely, but the real question is: Do the ends justify the means. Does one good deed balance out another sin? No way.
This is an issue Alabama is currently facing. A controversial proposal by Gov. Bob Riley would, if passed, be the largest tax increase in Alabama history. But the more controversial thing is that he is calling the passage of the proposition based on the perception of "Christian duty."
He went further: "According to our Christian ethics, we're supposed to love God, love each other and help take care of the poor." The Associated Press reported him as saying, "It is immoral to charge somebody making $5,000 an income tax."
As if he's trying to put Alabamians on a guilt trip, Gov. Riley also said in an interview with the Birmingham News, "Jesus says one of our missions is to take care of the least among us. We've got to take care of the poor."
The main selling point for the plan is to help the poor by raising the income tax threshold, but the proposal would also raise taxes considerably on many citizens. The majority of the money, like with most state governments, will most likely be going to social programs.
Does Riley have a point? After all, didn't Jesus actually speak of taking care of the least among us?
Of course, but did He teach us that as long as we're doing good, it also OK if we commit evil? Socialism is theft. How do Riley's "Christian ethics" square with that? It's an undeniable truth that theft is wrong. Socialism is legalized plunder; government forcefully taxes you to pay for what Riley deems "much needed" social programs.
But Kyle, you might say, we need to pay taxes. It's our duty to submit to the government and pay taxes. Government wouldn't work without some sort of revenue, right?
Well, of course. However, in this free republic, we have the wonderful opportunity to affect government to represent our beliefs.
I, for one, believe that Alabamans would be in a less difficult position if they would cut spending rather than hike taxes. Bureaucratic social programs, such as welfare, some educational systems, government housing, business subsidies, and others are what suck up all the money – requiring government to plunder more.
Sure, helping others is a good thing to do, but not with government funds! Government has invaded the realm of charities, but, unlike private charities, it is demanding money by force and this obviously does not allow one to contribute and work with a charity that a person feels led to. It's nothing less than coerced redistribution of wealth.
I suppose you could say that one who speaks of such things is more of a naïve idealist rather than a realist when it comes to politics. Sure, that might be true.
However, what if we did endorse socialism to help others – wouldn't we live in a great society and wouldn't the ends justify the means? Probably not. Theoretically, the ends might justify the means, but that doesn't change the fact that a Robin Hood state cannot work. Socialist systems are too bloated with bureaucracy, flagrantly violating basic economic principles.
While the governor of Alabama might have good intentions, his logic is flawed. Tax increases for programs that promote socialism is not "Christian ethics." It's wrong.
Sorry, but socialism cannot be based upon a Christian worldview.
Raising taxes on home-schooling parents in order to send more children to Godless public schools is hardly what any rational person would label as "Christian" behavior.The new tax money isn't even earmarked for the schools (or the poor, for that matter). It has "PORK" and "SUCKER" written all over it, and nowhere are any of these "raise taxes for Christ" people asking for bibles for our public school libraries, must less for prayer in schools.
It ain't about being Christian, that's for sure.
The real issue is that socialist will rob you of your free will. It's the choice to walk in the steps of Jesus that defines one as being Christian. Having all your worldly possessions stripped from you for redistribution simply makes one a victim, not a Christian.
Very true, but the words of the Lord have been twisted to endorse so many things. It's so common for a public figure to quote scripture completely out of context and sadly not only does no one ever call him on it, but most of the people hearing the quotation don't even realize the error.
Ridiculous comment considering that God did not provide a reprieve for the poor from paying the tithe. All were to pay it, and that for a variety of reasons.
Suffice it to say that God did not want anyone to think they had NO responsibility, nor did God want others to think they had MORE ownership of Him than did those who gave less $$$ than they did. God is not a respecter of persons, nor does He show favoritism.
On the other hand, whaddaya suppose young Master Kyle thinks about Judge Moore's notion that the taxpayers of Alabama ought to pick up the tab for Jesus?
Sigh...
Yes. Government programs for the poor are a violation of the separation of church and state. This governor of Alabama is advocating using the power of government to force his version (a false version, since Scripture clearly assigns the care of the poor to the church, not to Ceasar) of Christianity on all the citizens of Alabama. Government dole programs are nothing but politicians being charitable with other people's money in a misguided attempt to earn favor with God.
P.S. Imagine the howls if churches tried to step in every time the government fails to do it's proper job. Governments caring for the poor is as laughable and as wrong as churches undertaking criminal investigations and prosecutions.
Is there something in young Master Kyle's article that you disagree with?
' Motto: "Every man a king" conveys the great plan of God and of the Declaration of Independence, which said: "All men are created equal." It conveys that no one man is the lord of another, but that from the head to the foot of every man is carried his sovereignty.
Now to cover the principles of the share-our-wealth society, I give them in order:
1. To limit poverty:
We propose that a deserving family shall share in our wealth of America at least for one third the average. An average family is slightly less than five persons. The number has become less during depression. The United States total wealth in normal times is about $400 billion or about $15,000 to a family. If there were fair distribution of our things in America, our national wealth would be three or four or five times the $400 billion, because a free, circulating wealth is worth many times more than wealth congested and frozen into a few hands as is America's wealth. But, figuring only on the basis of wealth as valued when frozen into a few hands, there is the average of $15,000 to the family. We say that we will limit poverty of the deserving people. One third of the average wealth to the family, or $5,000, is a fair limit to the depths we will allow any one man's family to fall. None too poor, none too rich.
2. To limit fortunes:
The wealth of this land is tied up in a few hands. It makes no difference how many years the laborer has worked, nor does it make any difference how many dreary rows the farmer has plowed, the wealth he has created is in the hands of manipulators. They have not worked any more than many other people who have nothing. Now we do not propose to hurt these very rich persons. We simply say that when they reach the place of millionaires they have everything they can use and they ought to let somebody else have something. As it is, 0.1 of 1 percent of the bank depositorsnearly half of the money in the banks, leaving 99.9 of bank depositors owning the balance. Then two thirds of the people do not even have a bank account. The lowest estimate is that 4 percent of the people own 85 percent of our wealth. The people cannot ever come to light unless we share our wealth, hence the society to do it.'
Senator Huey Long, -- February 5, 1934
' Hear me, people of America, God's laws live today. Keep them and none suffer, disregard them and we go the way of the missing. His word said that. Here is what He said:
"The profit of the earth is for all." Ecclesiastes: chapter 5, verse 9.
"And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof; it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family." Leviticus: chapter 25. verse 10.
"At the end of every 7 years thou shalt make a release. . . Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbor shall release it; he shall not exact it of his. . . brother; because it is called the Lord's release." Deuteronomy: Chapter 15, verses 1 and 2.
Maybe you do not believe the Bible; maybe you do not accept God as your Supreme Lawgiver. God help you if you do not....'
Senator Huey Long, January 23, 1935
Using the Bible, Huey Long was able to make socialism very palatable indeed to millions of folks during the Depression
Thanks to floretninefilms.com for the jpg.
If he thought about it, maybe he would suggest a compromise --- a monument to the 6th through 10th commandments only. Those are the only ones secular authorities should be concerned with in their role as ministers of God for the good of the people.
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