From My Perspective - - -
The times in which we live are serious and uncertain. A brief glimpse of the current news is merely a microcosm of what is occurring throughout our world. North Korea and Iran with their nuclear ambitions; Pirates off the coast of Somalia and their ongoing seizure of unarmed merchant vessels for financial gain; the declaration of Israel to Iran to Stop Nuclear development or they will be stopped; Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (escalating into Pakistan); Growing Unemployment and Tax Frustration in the United States (Tea Party Meetings Across the United States set for April 15th) – these events don’t even begin to scratch the surface of human needs and fears.
While we can take great pride in the recent accomplishment of the US Navy Seals off the coast of Somalia, it does serve to underscore some of what could be accomplished if our military was permitted to do what it is trained and capable of doing. A favorite video series is Horatio Hornblower, a fictional British Naval Officer who was – undaunted by the challenges; unstoppable by overwhelming odds; with flamboyant swagger and courage; able to manage the unmanageable; a leader who was followed; etc. One cannot help but reflect on what could be done with such a person in reality today. Our Navy Seals exhibited that kind of ability and determination. They will be unknown as they move on to their next task and achievement.
Government usually does not have the training or expertise in terms of military strategy and mission accomplishment. Different pundits have shared some thoughts regarding government over the years:
The times in which we live are serious and uncertain. A brief glimpse of the current news is merely a microcosm of what is occurring throughout our world. North Korea and Iran with their nuclear ambitions; Pirates off the coast of Somalia and their ongoing seizure of unarmed merchant vessels for financial gain; the declaration of Israel to Iran to Stop Nuclear development or they will be stopped; Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (escalating into Pakistan); Growing Unemployment and Tax Frustration in the United States (Tea Party Meetings Across the United States set for April 15th) – these events don’t even begin to scratch the surface of human needs and fears.
While we can take great pride in the recent accomplishment of the US Navy Seals off the coast of Somalia, it does serve to underscore some of what could be accomplished if our military was permitted to do what it is trained and capable of doing. A favorite video series is Horatio Hornblower, a fictional British Naval Officer who was – undaunted by the challenges; unstoppable by overwhelming odds; with flamboyant swagger and courage; able to manage the unmanageable; a leader who was followed; etc. One cannot help but reflect on what could be done with such a person in reality today. Our Navy Seals exhibited that kind of ability and determination. They will be unknown as they move on to their next task and achievement.
Government usually does not have the training or expertise in terms of military strategy and mission accomplishment. Different pundits have shared some thoughts regarding government over the years:
- In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a Congress. -- John Adams
- If you don't read the newspaper, you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper, you are misinformed. – - Mark Twain
- I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle. -- Winston Churchill
While these comments are intended as “humor”, there is an element of pithiness and truth to some of what was spoken and written.
Consider these things with me - - - Tomorrow taxes for 2008 are due and payable. In lieu of the recent increased funding for Banks and Businesses by the Federal Government, a form of Tax Revolt is occurring across our nation. Tea Party events are scheduled. The frame of reference is the historic Boston Tea Party. This was a direct action protest by colonists in Boston, against the British government. On December 16, 1773, after officials in Boston refused to return three shiploads of taxed tea to Britain, a group of colonists boarded the ships and destroyed the tea by throwing it into Boston Harbor. Protest is legal but we need to be reminded of our obligation to pay our taxes in a timely manner.
When Jesus was asked about taxes “Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” Jesus replied (Matthew 22:17-21), “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax. And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, Whose likeness and inscription is this? They said, Caesar's. Then he said to them…render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” When demand was made for Jesus to pay the Temple Tax, we read in Matthew 17:24-27 how provision was made to do so – “When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax went up to Peter and said, Does your teacher not pay the tax? He said, Yes. And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others? And when he said, From others, Jesus said to him, Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a coin. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.” Our duty is to do and be honest in the sight of all. For 2009, establish a Personal Budget that plans for Taxes, Tithing and Saving. It can and must be done. A starting point is to Eliminate Credit Purchases and to be frugal.
When Jesus was asked about taxes “Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” Jesus replied (Matthew 22:17-21), “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax. And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, Whose likeness and inscription is this? They said, Caesar's. Then he said to them…render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” When demand was made for Jesus to pay the Temple Tax, we read in Matthew 17:24-27 how provision was made to do so – “When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax went up to Peter and said, Does your teacher not pay the tax? He said, Yes. And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others? And when he said, From others, Jesus said to him, Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a coin. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.” Our duty is to do and be honest in the sight of all. For 2009, establish a Personal Budget that plans for Taxes, Tithing and Saving. It can and must be done. A starting point is to Eliminate Credit Purchases and to be frugal.
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