World News Through the Third Lens: State of the Union

"Leadership is now a shared responsibility" stated President Obama in his State of the Union address last night. Sounds a bit like the playground bully who dominates and dictates the rules until someone calls him out. Then he wants to govern by committee. How pompous is that? So let me get this straight. When the Dems were in power, it was their (B. O.'s) way or the highway. After the most lopsided transfer of congressional power since 1938, it's time to share the leadership? What leadership? There hasn't been any, and the American people said, loud and clear, that that horse won't plow any more.

Of course the president was polite, and some times even made an attempt at being humorous. He threw a bone of congratulations to the new congress and to the new Speaker of the House (who looked, most of the time, like enduring the speech was worse than wearing cactus underwear). He acknowledged the tragedy in Arizona 3 weeks ago. (One of the biggest tragedies is that with dozens of eye-witnesses, Jared Loughner has plead "not guilty" and probably won't go to trial until October). Gabrielle Giffords seat was vacant an often in the view of the cameras.

The president then launched into his four point plan with epithets such as, "We need to out build, out-educate, out-innovate the rest of the world." "We need to take responsibility for the deficit and reform our government." (Who was it that spent trillions in stimulus money, appointed dozens of powerful czars without Senate consent, and chose to use the military as a laboratory for social perversion?)

Step #1 - Innovation. While he stated that free enterprise drives it, the government has to help. He said we need a "Sputnik moment," and that the budget will reflect this. OK, let's spend some more money we don't have because we've about busted the free enterprise system with red tape, regulations, penalties and taxes. Then he said something scary - about promoting clean energy technology, establishing a goal of having 1 million electric cars on the road by 2014 and 85% of our electricity being generated by "clean sources" by 2035. Can anybody say, "Here come the EPA Police with way higher electric rates!"? Then he said that politicians have to work to make this happen/ Why not business and industry?

step #2 - Education. He began by lamenting that we as a nation are 9th in math and science. Then he stated that good education starts at home, yet nothing is done to honor home schooling by the granting of tax relief or school vouchers. Then he revealed the "Race to the Top" program whereby the States who show the best plan get the money. (Like there's not enough cheating on things like Mastery Tests for the money's sake already). Then the ominous left foot fell as he stated that there were hundreds of thousands of students in schools who aren't citizens and that we have to address the issue of illegal aliens once and for all. His conclusion was that many of these are good students and that America loses if they are sent back home to be scientists and teachers in other countries. Ouch! I don't hear much of a plan there other than to keep paying for the education of citizens of other countries PLUS entice them to remain in this country with further rewards for being ILLEGAL! Many would argue that the 10th Amendment excludes the Federal Government from being involved in education.

step #3 - Rebuild America's Infrastructure. I can see the Federal Government being involved in the interstate system and other means of travel across state lines (air, train, bus, etc.), but why do they have to get involved in making the Internet and digital technology available to everyone. I would think that the private sector would figure this out eventually. I don't think that the American taxpayers should subsidize some guy's Internet just because he chooses to live 100 miles from Point Barrow. I do agree with the president's statement that the tax code should be simplified and loopholes cut. (I've never heard a politician openly say the opposite, while the opposite is what always seems to happen). Then he plugged his healthcare reform program, admitting that it could be improved, but offering no suggestions for improvement. How about deleting all coverage for abortions, tax-payer funded or not? How about removing all so-called "domestic partner" benefits?

step #4 - Stop the Debt. He said that government must live within its means, just like individuals and families have to. Good! He called for a 5 year freeze on annual domestic spending (which for some crazy reason only amounts to 12% of the budget! Oh, I guess that the $720MM spent in Lebanon, only to have the government now controlled by Hizbullah is part of the 88% non-domestic spending not subject to freeze. He spoke of initiating medical mal-practice reform We'll see if the lawyers let him get away with that, although it's long overdue. He said he will submit a proposal to streamline the government. (Start by getting rid of the czars, their staffs, regulations and budgets!) And just when i couldn't take any more, he said, "American Muslims are part of our American family." Mr. president, there may be some; but why do we seldom hear of a Muslim taking a stand against terrorist organizations and terrorist activities? Why do we not see them upholding the American flag. Why do they keep pushing for Sharia law? And why hasn't Major Nidal Malik Hasan faced a firing squad yet?

Through the third lens of Scripture: I realize that some of the things I've said do not sound very loving, but the truth has a tendency to sound that way at times. So please let me begin this part with an oft repeated mantra of mine: "We must pray for President Obama." We must first of all that he "be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4). Why should we do this? He is obviously not saved, and God wants him to be (1 Timothy 2:4).

Paul writes: "I urge, then, first of all. that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -for kings and all those in authority...." (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Now for a few observations about his speech as compared to the Word of God. He played the pride card several times. We're the richest, we have the best institutions of higher learning, we have the largest economy, we have grit, determination and ingenuity. Not once did he acknowledge any of these as coming from God, nor that we are accountable to Him for how we use them. Then there is this warning: "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). Wouldn't it be better to be second or third or ninth and right rather than first and wrong?

Many parts of the speech reminded me of how these words of wisdom have frequently been ignored: "There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers" (Proverbs 6:16-19). By his silence, or by his contrary actions, President Obama has been an affront to Almighty God in these seven areas and more. Prideful looks, lies (or at least hiding the truth) concerning his birth and even records right through college, his radical pro-abortion stand, rushing quickly into the repeal of "Don't Ask - Don't Tell," Lying about abortion provisions in the health care reform, and pandering to Muslims who will even don a US Army uniform to attack US Soldiers.

I fear that the last global superpower is about to be brought to her knees. I don't know how far we can push God's mercy and avoid His justice. "Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a disgrace to any people" (Proverbs 14:34). One small step towards righteousness and towards trimming the budget - cut off all funding to Planned Parenthood ($320MM)!