The Words of Willy Brown

Retired Mayor of San Francisco, Willie Brown, has a weekly column in the San Francisco Chronicle Newspaper. On January 3rd he wrote an article responding to 3 things: Napolitano's mishandling of the terrorist that almost blew up a plane, Obama's first year in office, and a Californian New Year's Resolution. This third item is what I am going to focused on. I find it profound that a very leftist democrat, a former mayor of San Francisco has penned these words to his readers:

"If we as a state want to make a New Year's resolution, I suggest taking a good look at the California we have created. From our out-of-sync tax system to our out-of-control civil service, it's time for politicians to begin an honest dialogue about what we've become.

Take the civil service.

The system was set up so politicians like me couldn't come in and fire the people (relatives) hired by the guy they beat and replace them with their own friends and relatives.

Over the years, however, the civil service system has changed from one that protects jobs to one that runs the show.

The deal used to be that civil servants were paid less than private sector workers in exchange for an understanding that they had job security for life.

But we politicians, pushed by our friends in labor, gradually expanded pay and benefits to private-sector levels while keeping the job protections and layering on incredibly generous retirement packages that pay ex-workers almost as much as current workers.

Talking about this is politically unpopular and potentially even career suicide for most officeholders. But at some point, someone is going to have to get honest about the fact that 80 percent of the state, county and city budget deficits are due to employee costs.

Either we do something about it at the ballot box, or a judge will do something about in Bankruptcy Court. And if you think I'm kidding, just look at Vallejo."

Well, Mr. Brown, all I can add to your words are: Why must we have to wait until California is on the brink of bankruptcy before we address the problems in our legislature? Is it not better to forecast the trend and take the steps to avoid the pitfall.

prudence

PRU'DENCE, n. [L. prudentia.] Wisdom applied to practice.

Prudence implies caution in deliberating and consulting on the most suitable means to accomplish valuable purposes, and the exercise of sagacity in discerning and selecting them. Prudence differs from wisdom in this, that prudence implies more caution and reserve than wisdom, or is exercised more in foreseeing and avoiding evil, than in devising and executing that which is good. It is sometimes mere caution or circumspection.

Prudence is principally in reference to actions to be done, and due means, order, season and method of doing or not doing.

Why do governments exist?

A friend recently began a discussion on this topic with me and I thought others might benefit from my response. I did not tell my friend that I would be posting my response on my blog, so to protect my friend's privacy I will not include the original question.

What is God's purpose for government?

It was his idea, so how did He design it to work? What was His purpose behind creating the concept of government? Essentially, I am asking what is the role of government from a Christian point of view?

Well, I also believe in what Romans 13 teaches and I believe that we can find God's position on the matter from that text and a few others. Please read: 1 Kings 21, Daniel 4, and 1 Samuel 8 because I will be referencing them as well.

In Romans 13 we read that God says He establishes all governments and to rebel against them is to rebel against God. Initially, it is easy to see why many Christians feel that to oppose a sitting leader is wrong. However, I do not believe that this is the proper interpretation of the text. If it were, than all women would need to submit to their abusive husbands regardless of their abuse of authority as the head of the family. No, we know that God is not expecting a woman to turn the cheek and take another beating because she is to "submit" to authority. The same is true for the governments that God has established.

If you read 12:19 in Romans it begins to talk about vengeance and taking the authority of wrath into your own hands. Instead, Paul says that we are to "repay evil for good" and to submit to the governing authority because this authority is established by God. As you continue to read it now makes sense when Paul writes "he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves" (13:2). Paul is telling us that we are to leave room for God's wrath (12:19) because He provides it through a government that has a purpose for "punishing evil" (13:4).

Verse 4 is fascinating because we see the explicit purpose of governments: "To condone good and punish evil." Governments should condone (passive) good and punish (active) evil. Meaning, governments bear the sword (God's wrath) as a servant to permit Godly behaviors and punish persons who commit evil acts. Simply put, God's desire of government is a limited one.

Are there other scriptural texts to support a limited government and why should it be limited in nature?

Simply put, gGovernments are one of many social spheres that God has created an order to. Other social spheres are: the family, the church, and the economic. All of these social spheres are based upon the model of the trinity, his very nature. In the government sphere we have: God, the government, and the people. God creates the government and the people and sits the citizens underneath the authority of the government. However, the governing entity is subject to God and the people have direct access to the Lord should the government abuse its power. This is how it should work. Now, let's look at some scriptural support.

Daniel 4 lays out a story of Nebuchadnezzar and his dream. As you progress down chapter 4 we get to the portion in verse 30, which the king says, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" God immediately punishes King Nebuchadnezzar for his arrogance until he repents (4:34). The lesson of course being that God establishes all authorities and no man should ever boast for himself what God has done for him.

In 1 Kings 21 we read about King Ahab and Naboth's vineyard. The story tells us that Jezebel murdered Naboth because Ahab whined about wanting his vineyard. King Ahab had no right to even buy the vineyard in the Lord's eyes, but he wanted it anyway. In the end, he stole a murdered man's land and used his governmental authority to do it. God then sends Elijah to proclaim His punishment for the sin he committed and causing the nation to sin (21:22).

2 Chronicles 26 tells us the story of King Uzziah and how he abused his authority. He thought that his Kingly authority allowed him to perform the duties of a priest. That sphere is independent from the governmental sphere and Uzziah overstepped his bounds. God gave him leprosy for it.

These last two paragraphs establish that God expects governments, who bear the sword (Romans 13:4), are expected to act within their authorities only. And when they do not, He punishes them for it. Sometimes He punishes them directly, or sometimes He raises up other men to depose them. Either way, God remains sovereign.

The last scripture is 1 Samuel 8. In this section we read about the sinful nature of man that does not trust God as a leader. The sin wasn't because they asked Samuel to replace his sons; rather, it was because they wanted a system of government that resembled the other nations (8:5). This displeased the Lord because their motive was really rejecting Him as king. So, the Lord graciously warns them about what will come from a government in which all governmental authority resides with one man. This section is also fascinating:(11) He will draft an army, (12-13) forced civil service and labor, (14-17) taxes and redistribution of wealth, and (18) slavery.

I don't know if you noticed in verses 14-17 state he will take your "best" and "a tenth" when he taxes you. This is tithing language. The king/government will steal from God what is rightfully His and you will be unable to fulfill your obligations to me. Think about your paychecks when you worked in your past jobs. Who took the first fruits? It grieves me that I am unable to give God my first fruits when I work for another company. The only modern solution today is to repeal the current tax system or become self-employed so that you can give to God first before the government takes its taxes. Now, I'm not opposed to all taxation because we need it to pay for the services that "condone good and punish evil." However, the first step to change is awareness of the problem. We have a major problem in our nation. We are a socialist nation hiding behind a mostly capitalistic economy. We have to come to terms with that before and permanent change can be effected. Christians, most of all, need to understand the purpose of government as God intended.

So, in the end, how do I reconcile my positions against Obama, the left, and democrats? I believe it is my duty as a citizen, a Christian and a human being to legally oppose all governments that function contrary to scriptural parameters as long as the government does not require me to violate scripture. This does not give me the right to call the man (Obama) an absolute moron and idiot. I sometimes stumble in this. However, I don't believe him to be either, especially since he has proved his intelligence and charisma as a lawyer and politician. Nevertheless, I do believe he is a deceiver, or perhaps blind. He should know better because he possesses the ability to reason and all of human history points to the abuse of governmental powers and the atrocities they bring. Why on earth would he and others like him try and gather more power in a centralized government? Simply put, because it is power.

The gospel teaches us that every person has a sinful desire to oppose God in everything (Galations 5:17). The government was God's design. It was His idea. Let's follow His plan.

Obama confirms GM bailout yesterday, Conservatives across America say, "I told you so."

Yesterday, GM and Obama released speeches and information relating to the Chapter Bankruptcy filing of General Motors. You can watch Obama's press release here, but if you apply this formula, you will already know what he said. The formula goes like this:

Assumptions:

• I inherited this problem, it is not my fault.
• It's a crisis we have never seen and can only be fixed by government help.
• Not only can I help, but I can fix it because what I am about to do you have never seen.
  
• My solution requires everyone to sacrifice.

Assuming these 4 things, we'll label as "ASSumptions", makes it very easy to accept the formula:

If we add Obama to ASSumptions, then a New Utopia (New U) will result naturally.

The beauty of this liberal formula is that we can substitute anything for the ASSumptions, sit on it a while and feel the comfort that Obama brings. For example, insert Health Care and you get the New U. In fact, maybe if we put the old you into the formuala, let's see what happens.

Obama + Old You = New U. Wow, this formula is magic. We'll let's see what happens when you put me in the formula.

Obama + Rusty Pang, Awesome Asian = Rusty Pang, Adolescent Asian. Hmmmm...What happened? Why did I revert to my pubescent days of idealism and impracticality? Oh, because back then I didn't use my brain. I made decisions based upon my feelings. Kind of like modern liberals today, the more developed ones anyway.

When are we going to learn that the real formula of life is Government + Anything = innefficiency and self-growth. If this wasn't true, please explain to me why TARP has not worked and lending is still restricted. If government involvment was the solution, can someone please tell me why GM is declaring bankruptcy? I thought that Obama + GMC = Jobs, stability, andgoodness.

So then you say, "Rusty, why did you not warn us of this earlier?" This is to which I reply, I did.

Here's the link to my commentary on the idiocacy of the Stimulus Bill.
When I railed against government spending click here.
My predictions for the effects of the socializing privatized business can be found here.

Ultimately, I'm not saying anything new. When you pause and think like an adult, it makes sense. We joke about government jobs and how cush they are. Never, do we ever credit the government with any brains, nor efficiency. So, my question is why did we think that it was a good thing for Congress to get into the car business?

I know Obama says he doesn't want to run GM, but I am more concerned with what he does. And what he has done is fire the CEO, require increased CAFE standards, mandated vehicle price increases, and the closure of dealerships across America. Don't fall for it. They are "just words, just speeches.

Here's what's going to happen to GM. Obama and the democratic congress is going to come in with their Kangaroo courts and portray GM leadership as devils since they have to close dealerships across America. As they emerge out of bankruptcy, GM will be 60% owned by government, effectually controlling GM. This means that Obama successfully nationalized a private car company. This is also referred to as SOCIALISM, which is a stepping stone to COMMUNISM. Read the Communist Manifesto.

Once this is complete, Obama (no car or business experience) will begin to tell CEO's of a major automotive manufacturer how to do it right. In what world does that make sense? Apparently, in ours it does.

Anyway, as GM's value plummets because consumers aren't buying their vehicles, more money will be required to be sent to this company because "they are too big to fail." Once again, the infusion of cash will require more printing of money, therefore, sending our inflation up again.

This will lead to another recession, or at least prolong this one. Mark these words, because I'm not trying to be a doomsday dude. I'm just trying to tell it like it is.

Inflation, recession, and unemployment numbers are on the rise people. This administration and our state governments are trying to fix problems using broken tools and I am not going to sit here and take it. What about you?