From My Perspective - - -

One would picture a “lame duck” as a creature that is injured or suffering some major malady. The broad definition attaches itself primarily to politicians and has gained the meaning of: “an elected official or group of officials, as a legislator, continuing in office during the period between an election defeat and a successor's assumption of office; a person finishing a term of employment after a replacement has been chosen; anything soon to be supplanted by another that is more efficient, economical…” After the recent elections in November 2010, the returning Congress was repeatedly referred to as the “Lame Duck Session.” A Seattle Times Editorial summarizes: “…After tax-cut legislation was completed, eight Republicans joined Senate Democrats passing hard-fought and overdue repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" legislation… On an arms-control treaty with Russia reining in nuclear weapons, 13 Republicans joined Democrats and independents to support the treaty…” It seems as though the “lame duck” still had a lot of strut and quack left as the year ground toward an end.

One of the things that doesn’t get mentioned very often regarding a “lame duck” Congress or Presidency is the underlying concern of the politician for a “legacy” – something that would signify his/her focus and drive to see accomplished. A “legacy” has varied meanings but, in general, is: a gift of property, esp. personal property, as money, by will; a bequest; anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor…” Different writers have used the word “legacy” in interesting ways. An examples is: Desiderius Erasmus (c. 1466–1536), a Dutch humanist who wrote: “What is popularly called fame is nothing but an empty name and a legacy from paganism.” Another is Hope Edelman (20th century), U.S. author who wrote in an epilogue to Motherless Daughters: “I am fooling only myself when I say my mother exists now only in the photograph on my bulletin board or in the outline of my hand or in the armful of memories I still hold tight. She lives on in everything I do. Her presence influenced who I was, and her absence influences who I am. Our lives are shaped as much by those who leave us as they are by those who stay. Loss is our legacy. Insight is our gift. Memory is our guide.”

In a Blog, Jeffrey H. Anderson has written: “There's a lot of overblown talk right now about how President Obama has righted his political ship since the midterm election by helping to force through an abundance of mostly liberal legislation in the lame duck congressional session. A Rasmussen Poll released on December 23, 2010 presents a very different conclusion. The poll shows that, by a margin of 3 to 2 (39 percent to 26 percent), likely American voters who have a strong opinion about President Obama's performance strongly disapprove of his performance – the exact same ratio (45 to 30 percent at that time) as on Election Day.  Among all likely voters (not just those who feel strongly), President Obama's approval rating has moved from minus-3 points on Election Day (48 percent approving, 51 percent disapproving) to minus-4 points today (47 percent approving, 51 percent disapproving).” Will this change in the next two years? Will he be able to preserve his legacy? Are most Americans focused on a President’s legacy?

A Legacy that matters most is shared in Psalm 37. It rests upon the Lord’s faithfulness. Just a few excerpts from Psalm 37:21-31, “…the righteous is generous and gives; for those blessed by the Lord shall inherit the land…The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing. Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever. For the Lord loves justice; He will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever…The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever. The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.” This is completely different from the “lame duck” politician who is primarily focused upon self and personal accomplishment. The Biblical Legacy is focused upon the Lord and His continued faithfulness toward the righteous. Consider these things with me!