Thoughts on government (or whatever you call what's been going on in Washington),

Last week, I came across a number of pithy sayings about government. As you read them, you might think someone penned the maxims last week after watching our government act like The Three Stooges. No, they were written a long time ago by one with a keen eye and a unique perspective on the machinations of government.

(I imagined Larry as the Judicial Branch, Moe as the Executive Branch, and Curly as the Legislative Branch though he looks a lot like VP Biden in this shot)

For your enjoyment and meditation. 

ON GOVERNMENT

"When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,

but when the wicked rule, the people groan."

That one may lack the zip of a Letterman zinger, but that truth satisfies to the marrow. Folks might party like its 1999 when a ruler begins his term, but governing is a marathon and not a sprint. At the end of four years (do I hear eight?), it says a lot when folks on your own team wonder what is going on. On the flip side, many decry the religiosity of the pious, but when people govern themselves either apart or within the law, the government has little to do. Dockets are empty. No need for more law when the people are a law unto themselves and they live out love for their fellow man. Peace and tranquility rule the day.

Had to think of this next one this last week.

"By justice a king builds up the land,

but he who exacts gifts (or taxes heavily) tears it down."

And what about the poor? You know the right cares nothing for the poor, right? Everyone says so, right?

"A righteous man knows the rights of the poor,

a wicked man does not understand such knowledge."

"If a king faithfully judges the poor,

his throne will be established forever."

We say much about the impoverished, and unfortunately, most just emote. Heartstrings do little to alleviate problems. These two axioms emphasize justice and rights. Eating is not a right, it's a need. A great and godly man once said, "If you will not work, you will not eat." That's a necessary and a tough love. Notice the latter saying above doesn't suggest that free meals will establish the king's throne. Nor is medical insurance on the table. The one thing the government must secure for the poor is equal justice under objective law.

Next.

"Scoffers set a city aflame,

but the wise turn away wrath."

Idiots. Hooligans. Our media would rather use the term "disgruntled youth" or "impoverished youth." If it's happening in Europe, you often find an imam in the shadows. Amazing and rare is the man who can get people to listen to and understand ideas. You might call such a man Reaganesque.

"If a wise man has an argument with a fool, 

the fool only rages and laughs,

and there is no quiet."

I'll not even pick a side in this one but offer you a challenge. Pick your favorite cable news network, and watch the discourse for fifteen minutes. Then flip over to the others (think CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC alphabetically), and grant equal time. Then consider who best exemplifies that aforementioned aphorism. Do you see a consistency in the ones raging? Yes, I've seen them on both sides and am ashamed when those arguing my position act like third-graders, but it seems that one team is made up largely of those who cannot make their point without venom and condescension. Who do you think best argues points on the right and the left? Would you like to have coffee with both of those individuals?

Next.

"Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless

and seek the life of the upright."

"An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,

but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked."

George Bush (43) came to mind with these last two. While disappointed with his second term in office and the way he governed, the one thing I could not impugn was his character. I have never heard in my 49 years such loathing toward a person. I even had a Christian friend who, when he spoke of the former President, held such a contempt for the man that it startled me.


Each of these Proverbs--and Proverbs they are*--points in a direction other than the one toward which our nation is hurtling. As we approach our nation's 236th birthday, we would do well to consider where we are going. Once you get the boulder tumbling down a hill, little will slow it down and the destruction can be massive.


We remain a government of the people. While you still have a voice in this process and small though it may be, please, make yours heard in your home, in your workplace, in your neighborhood and in your church. It's time to put the two taboos, religion and politics, back on the table for discussion.


Happy Fourth!

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*Cards on the table. Each of these adages come from Proverbs 29 (vv. 2, 4, 7, 14, 8, 9, 10, 27 in the order above). Truly, blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord (Psalm 33:12-19)