Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Money, Money, Everywhere?

From My Perspective - - -

Years ago, the Humorist Will Rogers commented: “This is the best Congress money can buy!” Since then, books have been written on that same subject and theme. Amazon lists one of them along with these comments: Philip Stern has written a wonderfully insightful book about our political system that would be an eye-opener for any American. This fine, articulate journalist speaks from the politicians' point of view and, as you can glean from the title, reveals the misery and constant stress politicians are under to raise funds for their campaigns. We complain about politicians being greedy and preoccupied with fundraising, but after reading this account of the political process you realize the politicians don't like it any more than we do. We learn that they simply have no choice…Stern also lets us hear the other side, the viewpoint of the unions and the Political Action Committee's who wield such power over our system with the almighty dollar, and hence, make up the best Congress money can buy."

The White House is required to reveal a list of all employees at the White House and the salaries they receive. The complete listing indicates 469 employees receive a combined salary of $38,796,307.00. “Twenty-three top aides, including chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, press secretary Robert Gibbs, speechwriter Jon Favreau, White House counsel Bob Bauer and senior advisers David Axelrod and Valerie Jarrett, make the top full-time staff salary of $172,200. (Two health-care policy “detailees” — Michael Hash and Timothy Love — make $179,700.) By comparison, Vice President Joe Biden makes roughly $230,000 a year, according to Senate records.” All of this data can be viewed at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/disclosures/annual-r ecords/2010. The Federal Government is gradually and increasingly becoming the primary Employer in this country. At the other end of the spectrum are the unemployed in the nation: “The Labor Department estimates 3.3 million people could lose extended benefits by the end of July if they are not renewed. Altogether, 9.29 million people were collecting some type of unemployment benefits in the week ended June 12.” The amounts received vary but many receive almost $400.00 per week. However, “the best Congress money can buy” took no action to extend benefits for the unemployed before they left for their 4th of July recess.

If “Money, Money, Everywhere” is a reality, where exactly is that surplus located? For the person earnestly seeking employment, where is that person to go? And, if they find some employment – will the wage be equal or greater than the unemployment benefits being received? Is there an incentive to seek employment? Are private businesses willing to hire a full staff when (a) their taxes are scheduled to increase, and (b) health care benefits for employees may be required by the Federal Government? Obviously, it is a very difficult time for millions of people – and – there seems to be no immediate remedy.

In desperate times, one would hope there would be a return to the Lord and seeking Him for His provision, sustenance and guidance. There are two interesting prayers in Scripture that give a perspective in terms of the source and resource for all things. First, I Chronicles 29:11-14, “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.” Second, Proverbs 30:8-9, “Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.” The basic request in The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:11) is: “Give us this day our daily bread…” In the NLT it reads: “Give us our food for today,” Will the God of Heaven honor His Word? Yes! Will the Lord hear the cry of His people? Yes! Will the Lord prove Himself faithful? Yes! Consider these things with me!

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