Nancy Pelosi gave a statement of determination near the end of January regarding Health Care when she said: “We’ll go through the gate. If the gate’s closed, we’ll go over the fence. If the fence is too high, we’ll pole-vault in. If that doesn’t work, we’ll parachute in.” Determination can be a very good thing when it comes to promoting what is right and good, but it can become a means where the wrong and bad occur when it promotes a cause that could easily bankrupt the government, businesses and the citizenry. Determination is an interesting word. It means: “the act of making or arriving at a decision; firmness of purpose; resolve; a fixed intention or resolution; the decision or settlement arrived at or pronounced…” A critique, that is a bit caustic of this bold statement, was expressed by The American Voice: “Wow! - did not know she possessed athletic prowess. Talk about hyperbole!! Nancy, you mean like you did this last year? Will this event be televised on CSPAN? Or, is this a private event behind closed doors of the White House?”
It makes one think of Mary Poppins when Julie Andrews came floating in with her Parasol in hand. The Mary Poppins film focuses on children who need a Nanny to provide them with strict care. “The latest nanny, Katie Nanna, quits out of exasperation after the children, Jane and Michael run off in pursuit of a wayward kite. The children are reported missing. A policeman arrives with the children, who asks their father to help repair their damaged kite. The father dismisses them and advertises for an authoritarian nanny-replacement. The children draft their own advertisement asking for a fun, kind-hearted and caring person, but their father tears up the paper and throws it in the fireplace. Unnoticed, the note's remains float up the chimney. The next day there is a queue of old and disagreeable nanny candidates waiting at the door. However, a strong gust of wind literally blows the queue away, and Mary Poppins floats down with her umbrella in hand to apply. The father is stunned to see that this calmly defiant new nanny has responded to the children's ad despite the fact he destroyed it. As he puzzles, Mary Poppins employs herself and begins work. The children face surprises of their own: Mary possesses a bottomless carpetbag, and makes contents of the children's nursery come to life and tidy themselves by snapping her fingers…”
Perhaps Nanny Nancy considers herself to be calmly defiant - a reincarnation of Mary Poppins who can float over the wall of opposition with her umbrella in hand – along with her Health Care Proposal - snap her fingers and make inanimate things become animate. Nanny Nancy may prevail with her minions believing that the citizenry wants what they have repeatedly said they don’t want. The clue for Nanny Nancy is that the citizenry wants “Reform” – not – “Replacement”! They want “Cost Containment” – not – “Cost Escalation”! The People want “Tort Reform” – not – Tort Revisionism”! There are not enough “Parachutes, Poles for Vaulting or Parasols” to get the citizenry to float over the wall with Nanny Nancy.
People have often referred to the statement by Edmund Burke: “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for all good men to do nothing.” However, the acceptable Biblical concept is: When good men do nothing, they get nothing good done. Two places in particular state the Christian Principle and Profile for doing good in this world and culture - Galatians 6:9-10, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers..” And Titus 2:11-14 (selected), “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say – No! - to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives…while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” We don’t need Parachutes, Pole Vaults or Parasols – just consistency and faithfulness in doing what Jesus Christ modeled and taught. There is no discrimination when one loves his neighbor as himself; and loves his enemy and does good to those who misuse and abuse him. It’s a radical approach to life but it is also a Biblical lesson that must be learned and demonstrated. Consider these things with me!
It makes one think of Mary Poppins when Julie Andrews came floating in with her Parasol in hand. The Mary Poppins film focuses on children who need a Nanny to provide them with strict care. “The latest nanny, Katie Nanna, quits out of exasperation after the children, Jane and Michael run off in pursuit of a wayward kite. The children are reported missing. A policeman arrives with the children, who asks their father to help repair their damaged kite. The father dismisses them and advertises for an authoritarian nanny-replacement. The children draft their own advertisement asking for a fun, kind-hearted and caring person, but their father tears up the paper and throws it in the fireplace. Unnoticed, the note's remains float up the chimney. The next day there is a queue of old and disagreeable nanny candidates waiting at the door. However, a strong gust of wind literally blows the queue away, and Mary Poppins floats down with her umbrella in hand to apply. The father is stunned to see that this calmly defiant new nanny has responded to the children's ad despite the fact he destroyed it. As he puzzles, Mary Poppins employs herself and begins work. The children face surprises of their own: Mary possesses a bottomless carpetbag, and makes contents of the children's nursery come to life and tidy themselves by snapping her fingers…”
Perhaps Nanny Nancy considers herself to be calmly defiant - a reincarnation of Mary Poppins who can float over the wall of opposition with her umbrella in hand – along with her Health Care Proposal - snap her fingers and make inanimate things become animate. Nanny Nancy may prevail with her minions believing that the citizenry wants what they have repeatedly said they don’t want. The clue for Nanny Nancy is that the citizenry wants “Reform” – not – “Replacement”! They want “Cost Containment” – not – “Cost Escalation”! The People want “Tort Reform” – not – Tort Revisionism”! There are not enough “Parachutes, Poles for Vaulting or Parasols” to get the citizenry to float over the wall with Nanny Nancy.
People have often referred to the statement by Edmund Burke: “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for all good men to do nothing.” However, the acceptable Biblical concept is: When good men do nothing, they get nothing good done. Two places in particular state the Christian Principle and Profile for doing good in this world and culture - Galatians 6:9-10, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers..” And Titus 2:11-14 (selected), “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say – No! - to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives…while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” We don’t need Parachutes, Pole Vaults or Parasols – just consistency and faithfulness in doing what Jesus Christ modeled and taught. There is no discrimination when one loves his neighbor as himself; and loves his enemy and does good to those who misuse and abuse him. It’s a radical approach to life but it is also a Biblical lesson that must be learned and demonstrated. Consider these things with me!
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