FORKED-TONGUE-POLITICAL-SPEAK

From My Perspective - - -

One of the sad realities in this nation is the high rate of cynicism that exists. Not only that it exists, but that it is expanding steadily. One of the reasons is the amount of “political-speak” with which the nation is inundated. It becomes very difficult to determine who is trustworthy and who is speaking unvarnished truth. If one speaks to “the man on the street”, the comment will be heard that most, if not all,  politicians are liars. They live in a world of “spin” and “talking points”. In the process, the level of integrity has declined precipitously.

As an example, we observe the Presidential Campaigns taking place. Candidate A has persistently hammered Candidate B regarding his past associations with and management of Bain Capital. They have also zeroed in on the closing of companies, and the numbers of people who lost employment and benefits. The thrust of Candidate A has been anti-investment firms. While all of this hammering of Candidate B has been taking place, can you guess what Candidate A has been doing in the background? A Headline in today’s Wall Street Journal reads: “White House Encouraged Carlyle To Save Plant…The story of how a Philadelphia refinery was rescued is an example of how the private-equity industry is more complicated than the image portrayed by the U.S. election.” A related report states: “The Carlyle Group will get a majority stake in Sunoco's Philadelphia refinery with the promise of capital investment.  The new venture will be renamed Philadelphia Energy Solutions.” IN reviewing these transactions, one cynic commented: “When something starts to stink, it's good to find out what's rotting. Oftentimes, it's truth decay. Does the world become a dark comedy as you age? Was it always that way and I just noticed?”

How will this be financed?  The Wall Street Journal painted of Carlyle's capital: ”Carlyle said it will fund improvements at the Philadelphia refinery with money from a small buyout fund and another that invests in debt tied to energy projects. It sounds like the usual PEU play, a small amount of equity and levered debt, aided by a government non-debt, non-equity capital injection and ample tax avoidance.” Question: If it was wrong for Candidate B to be involved with a Capital Investment Firm, why is it right for Candidate A to be involved with the activity of a Capital Investment Firm? Most people will be able to anticipate what the “Speaker-In-Chief” will say by way of “spin” to justify this hypocrisy. One can be almost certain that it will be more “forked-tongue-political-speak” and maybe it will prove to be the fault of his predecessor.

Can “forked-tongue-political-speak” gradually become the norm for the average conversations and business transactions? The Lord spoke through his prophet, Isaiah 9:13-17, “For the people do not turn to Him who strikes them, nor do they seek the Lord of hosts…the leaders of this people cause them to err, and those who are led by them are destroyed. Therefore the Lord will have no joy in their young men, nor have mercy on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is a hypocrite and an evildoer, And every mouth speaks folly.” This could easily be the commentary for the day in which we live. 

Jesus Christ also addressed this issue, Matthew 7:3-5, “…why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, Let me remove the speck from your eye; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.” Within the context of the “church”, this word from Jesus seems to have been unheard or is feigned to be unknown. There is also the scathing indictment by Jesus of the Scribes and Pharisees of His day, Matthew 23. A recurring phrase throughout that Chapter is, “…woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” These groups were prominent with “forked-tongue-political-speak” and placed needless burdens on helpless and gullible people. Question: What would Jesus say today regarding your words and actions? Don’t try to fake an answer? Why? Because God knows your every thought, action and word. You cannot fool Him! Consider these things with me!