Category: Politics
A few observations about Obama's acceptance speech. It would seem that the "Obama as Messiah" rhetoric has had some success because this was certainly not of the same arrogant, I-will-redirect-the-hurricanes tone as his previous speeches. However, he still made some lofty promises, all based on the same troubling foundation: Like all Democrats, Obama believes that the State is our god, savior, and hope.
Examples—He complained that our kids deserve a much better education than they are currently getting. Who is going to provide it? The government. Likewise, anyone who serves the community deserves a good college education. Who will provide it? The government. Health care coverage is too low and premiums are too high? Who will provide health care for everyone? The government. Employees deserve paid sick days and paid "family leave." Who will make this happen? The government. Women should be earning the same as men. Who will end this disgrace? Of course, the government. (For an interesting counter-perspective on the last point, written by a woman no less, read this.)
After all of these heroic vows, he made the comment, "I'll pay for every dime." Now, many Americans applaud this kind of nurture and care, and jump for joy when he says he'll pick up the tab. But here's the thing, see. When he says he'll pay for all of these blessings, he means the American people will pay for them. It's very simple. We send our money to the king and he will take care of all of our problems. Just where is he going to get the money to pay the salaries of better teachers and the college tuition of students who pick up trash in the neighborhood? From my paycheck and yours. How is he going to pay for health care for every American? By taking our money. You get to pay your health insurance fees and someone else's. Obama gets the credit.
A little of "Obama Christ" came out when he pledged to end our dependence on foreign oil in ten years. How? By investing $150 billion in "renewal power." Where is he going to get that kind of cash? From taxation, of course. But we won't mind. He is, after all, our god, our savior, and our hope.
I know this is Politics 101, but I am continually amazed at how many Americans do not understand the basic differences between liberals and conservatives. And more importantly, many Christians want to relegate this to "secular politics," and insist that it's not a spiritual matter. But consider this. All authority has been given to Jesus Christ. He has delegated the responsibility to commend good and punish evil to the civil magistrate. That's where its authority ends. For the magistrate to present itself as the hope and security of its people, and to control and regulate education, wages, oil prices, health care, and (for crying out loud!) sick days, is to take to itself responsibility that its ruler has not granted. Imagine me walking into Intel headquarters and demanding they pay all of their employees at least $20/hour, that anyone who earns more than $300,000 annually must give me half, that Intel must pay all of its female employees the same as they pay men, and that they have to pay anyone who works more than 40 hours/week an additional 50% for overtime. The folks at Intel would have every right to say, "Hit the road, Jack! Those things are none of your business." But liberals want to give (have given) Uncle Sam the right to demand all those things and much, much more. But the real Messiah would say, "Hit the road, Sam! Those things are none of your business. You have pole-vaulted over the boundaries I have given you."
Even if Obama and friends did not promote (and pay for with our tax money) infanticide, we would have serious biblical reasons for rejecting them. They want to be regarded as our god, our savior, and our hope, which is nothing less than idolatry. That's a spiritual matter if ever there was one.