Tonight in Jungleland

Headlines read the following and I hang my head as time tax time approaches. As you read this blog I ask you to read the whole entry for today and not just the first part. React to the totality of what I'm saying and not the buzzwords and soundbites you think you hear. Draw what you see not what you think you see. Hear my mind and accidentally hear my heart. I would even ask for you to have some music as you read. How bout something for my Jersey buds. Click the elephants above or here to play. Its out. The Bush Budget for 2007. Let me put it to you country simple what the budget means for some of you who don't really have time to follow the news or maybe you are in school and might not be old enough to work yet. Quite simply its "What the government of the richest, most Judeo-Christian, Freedom-loving country in the world is doing with the money it takes from its citizens. So heres the highlights and then of course my commentary will follow. 439 Billion on defense. A 7 percent increase. DOES NOT INCLUDE cost of Iraq war. 42.7 Billion dollar increase for Homeland Security. A 6 percent Increase. Environment: $300 Million CUT from the Environmental Protection Agency. The biggest cuts would come from the program designed to help states and communities update aging sewer systems. Education: 3.5 Billion CUT from Department of Education and the ELIMINATION of 42 programs which mostly include arts education, vocational education, parent resource centers, the drug-free schools program and education technology grants Healthcare: $367 million CUT from Center for Disease Control $252 million CUT from Health Resources and Services Administration Termination of the health programs like Primary Care Doctor Training and Health Community Access Program $12 Billion CUT from Medicaid health program for the poor $35.9 Billion CUT from Medicare by reducing payments to hospitals, nursing homes, and some other health care providers. These cuts are being made for two reasons. 1. The war in Iraq is expensive. 2. The president and the Republican congress reduced taxes for the wealthiest of Americans. These taxbreaks will cost US 1.7 TRILLION dollars over the next 10 years. Lets get country simple again. It seems that there is LESS money coming in, MORE money going to WEAPONS, and to pay for it they are cutting programs that all of us rely on for a certain, shall we say, American "Quality of Life." So what could be guiding his decisions? I know he is a man of faith so I decided to review some of his statements about his testimony and his convictions. The following are quotes directly from the president excerpted from interviews primarily before his election: "My interest in reading the Bible grew stronger and stronger, and the words became clearer and more meaningful. We studied Acts, the story of the Apostles building the Christian Church, and next year, the Gospel of Luke. The preparation for each meeting took several hours, reading the Scripture passages and thinking. Through responses to discussion questions. I took it seriously, with my usual touch of humor...." "As I studied and learned, Scripture took on greater meaning, and gained confidence and understanding in my faith. I read the Bible regularly. During the years in between, I pick different chapters to study at different times." "I have also learned the power of prayer. I pray for guidance. I do not pray for earthly things, but for heavenly things, for wisdom and patience and understanding. My faith gives me focus and perspective. It teaches humility. But I also recognize that faith can be misinterpreted in the political process. Faith is an important part of my life. I believe it is important to live my faith, not flaunt it." "I visited Israel in 1998. And we went to the Sea of Galilee and stood atop the hill where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. It was an overwhelming feeling to stand in the spot where the most famous speech in the history of the world was delivered, the spot where Jesus outlined the character and conduct of a believer and gave his disciples and the world the beatitudes, the golden rule, and the Lord's Prayer." "I have a reverence for life; my faith teaches that life is a gift from our Creator. In a perfect world, life is given by God and only taken by God. I hope someday our society will respect life, the full spectrum of life, from the unborn to the elderly. " "Pastor Craig said, "starved for leaders who have ethical and moral courage." "It is not enough to have an ethical compass to know right from wrong," he argued. "America needs leaders who have the moral courage to do what is right for the right reason. It's not always easy or convenient for leaders to step forward," "The pastor was, of course, talking to all of us, challenging each one of us to make the most of our lives, to assume the mantle of leadership and responsibility wherever we find it. He was calling on us to use whatever power we have, in business, in politics, in our communities, and in our families, to do good for the right reason. And his sermon spoke directly to my heart and my life...." "Government can spend money, but it cannot put hope in our hearts or a sense of purpose in our lives."... "But government should welcome the active involvement of people who are following a religious imperative to love their neighbors through after school programs, child care, drug treatment, maternity group homes, and a range of other services. Supporting these men and women - the soldiers in the armies of compassion" So I decided to think back on some of the verses that I remembered from reading the Bible. I am not trying to brag but I have probably read the Bible more than any other book in my life (Kerouac and Salinger are close seconds) and at least twice all the way through. Yes even the boring genealogies in I & II Chronicles. So here is what I understand as the essence of Christ's message. Regardless of how you feel about the man and his divinity there is an undeniable Philosophy of Jesus as great men like Thomas Jefferson and John Adams have written in detail. Thomas Jefferson went so far as to cross out all the miracles in his Bible and just assemble a bible which focused primarily on the teachings of Christ. Anyway here are some of my favorite verses that have meant a lot to Christians down through the ages. James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. Luke 10,25-37 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. Matthew 25, 31-40: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Mark (10:17-27) Jesus looking at him, loved him and said, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." Romans 12:15-19 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves. Ephesians 4:32 "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. ( The Sermon On The Mount) “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead. James 2: 14-17 So there. I have mixed politics and religion in one blog entry. People say that to mix politics and religion is to ruin both. I agree. Unfortunately we live in a very sad time where good people have been deceived into doing just that. Certain men with a TON of POWER and a TON of MONEY have realized that they can keep their power and money by appealing to the the most beautiful people with the most beautiful faith. They have created a division of US against them and have convinced churches that the ESSENTIAL message of christianity is uniquely American, Anti-Gay, Anti-Abortion,Pro-Feeding Tube, Pro-Intelligent Design, Anti-Science, and worst of all PRO-WAR. They seek to return us to a time when crusaders fought for thier beliefs against the infidels. It was no accident then the swords were made to look like crosses. And so I appeal to my president to look deeply within your heart and your convictions. I know you have read the Bible and I know deep in your heart you have some kind of feeling toward christ. So please consider the difficult choices and the cross he asks YOU to bear. It is a cross of humility. It is a cross and a lonely road he walked. When you want to truly help people it will not be popular with the rich and powerful and it will not line your pockets nor will it destroy your enemies. But when you really consider the cross and its meaning of sacrifice it will show in the way you treat people that are "The least." The Old. The Veterans, The poor. The sick. The innocent children and families of Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan...and New Orleans...and Mississippi...and right here in my town. Please...We know that HE will never forsake us, But life sure would be a lot easier if the government would NOT forsake us. So, "The midnight gang's assembled and picked a rendezvous for the night/They'll meet 'neath that giant Exxon sign that brings this fair city light." So, as the November elections approach, hearings are held, and suits in Washington do battle over "issues" and "budgets" let us remember what is at stake. Big countries and big money lock horns and brawl in this jungleland...And I am reminded of some words from an old African Proverb: "When the elephants fight the grass suffers" Peace, John Morello 2-8-2006