Which Side Are You On?
On January 6, 2021, Fox News host Laura Ingram texted Mark Meadows, Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff. Ingram begged, “Mark, the president needs to tell people in the Capitol to go home. This is hurting all of us. He is destroying his legacy.â€Â
Everyone in the White House and on Fox News knew who was responsible for the assault on American Democracy: Donald J. Trump. Donald’s rioters beat a police officer with an American flag. They injured 138 others.
The trauma of the assault drove 4 Capitol Police to die by suicide. The violence was real.
Donald Trump fueled this mob. Since November, Donald and his team had sowed the seeds of anger. They had lost in the court of law and turned to a mob.
Donald’s mob was part of a larger plan. John Eastman, a Conservative lawyer and part of Trump’s legal team drafted a memo to Vice President Mike Pence. It detailed what Pence needed to do on January 6.
Eastman wanted Pence to trash the Electoral votes of several states: Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona and Nevada. The States had the right, under the Constitution, to send these votes to Congress. Each state defended successfully their votes in Federal Courts.
Eastman gave Pence a blue print to ignore their votes. If Pence, acting as dictator, threw away these votes, Donald Trump would have the majority of Electoral votes.
Donald Trump sent the mob to threaten Congress. Donald instructed them to “Stop the Steal.†Contrary to the facts and the Constitution, the election loser convinced the mob that Congress was stealing the election.
The mob broke into the Capitol to “Stop the Steal.†The mob, as instructed, intended to disrupt the law and order of the United States of America. Watching safely in the White House, Donald Trump refused to defend the United States of America despite the pleas.
Only a handful of Republicans didn’t play along. Their role was critical, however. As we see right now, Democrats need Republican help to govern. If they had also betrayed their constitutional oaths, our Democracy would have vanished on January 6.
At every level a few Republicans put country above party. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger refused to fabricate election results. The United States Supreme Court rejected the lies. Vice President Mike Pence maintained his integrity.
Big questions remain. Why are so many Republicans politicians defending the lie? Why are they threatening American democracy? Which side are you on?
Old Question, Same Answer
One of the first stories in the Bible recounts the relationship between Cain and his younger brother Abel. Cain famously killed Able because God praised Abel’s gifts.
After the killing, God asked Cain where to find Abel. Cain angrily replied “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
We never get a direct answer to that question. There should be no doubt, however, the answer is “Yes.”
Not only does God curse Cain, but story after story in the Bible expands the themes of mercy and compassion. In the Gospel of Luke a rich man found himself in torment after death while Lazarus found salvation at the side of Abraham.
Like many of us, the rich man found this situation shocking. He expected his blessings in this life to translate into blessings in the next.
Instead the rich man learned that his mistreatment of Lazarus earned him a spot in hell. Lazarus wasn’t even his brother. Lazarus was simply a neighbor.
The moral of the story is clear. Not only are we our brother’s keeper, but we have a moral responsibility to look out for our neighbor.
This ancient advice would serve many today. Experts are warning us that Covid 19 is once again spreading sickness and death through our neighborhoods.
We can help slow the spread, keeping our neighbors healthy and alive, by taking some simple precautions.
We should get vaccinated. We should wear a mask. We should keep physically distant.
Yes, these behaviors require small sacrifices on our part, but they will make us safer. I have no problem making them.
I have no problem saying that I am my brother’s keeper. I can either make small sacrifices now or make much bigger sacrifices later.
Away in A Manger
The Gospel of Luke starts with the most recognizable image of Christmas: a babe, wrapped in bands of cloth, lying in a manger. The manger scene certainly is touching, but it is also powerful. It tells us everything we need to know about Christianity.
The Christ child is weak and vulnerable. His mother gave birth in a manager because no one made room for her. She was just one of many common women and her pregnancy didn’t afford her any respect. If she had been from an aristocratic or merchant family, she could have afforded a bed and midwife.
Instead, she gave birth alone with her husband at her side. How frightening must this have been? The song Silent Night makes it sound so peaceful and calm. Having witness the birth of my two sons, I know it was not.
No one had noticed until an angel appeared to shepherds tending their flock. The angel terrified them. The angel, however, preached the very heart of the Gospels: “Do not be afraid; for see ”I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah.””
This child was no ordinary messiah. Unlike King David or Cyrus the Great, the babe was not a warrior. Jesus did not come to wage war, but to show the way of peace.
Saint Francis of Assisi understood this message. He recreated the manger scene in thirteenth century Italy and popularized its use in churches and homes. Francis wanted the world to see God in the least among us.
St. Francis crafted a prayer that reflected his understanding of the Gospel.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring love.
Where there is offence, let me bring pardon.
Where there is discord, let me bring union.
Where there is error, let me bring truth.
Where there is doubt, let me bring faith.
Where there is despair, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, let me bring your light.
Where there is sadness, let me bring joy.
O Master, let me not seek as much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love, for it is in giving that one receives, it is in self-forgetting that one finds, it is in pardoning that one is pardoned, it is in dying that one is raised to eternal life.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_of_Saint_Francis
Peace, Love, Forgiveness, Hope, Light, Joy. These are the words of Christmas. If you what the world to know that you are a Christian, then pray that you become an instrument of Peace.
Rebellious Lies
Why have Republicans embraced the lie? If they can lie about something we all watched, they can lie about anything. Ohh wait….Tax cuts don’t pay for themselves. Diversity really is a strength for America. We can trust women in their doctors’ offices. Christianity is founded on compassion for the poor, not the idolatry of power and wealth. War is not peace.
I love Modern America. I love what we have become. Replaying 1861 is a bad idea. Why can’t Republicans tell the truth?
Build Back Better
President Joe Biden won the 2020 election by promising that America would Build Back Better. Slowly, the Democratic Congress has been fulfilling that promise.
A big step occurred last month. Democrats crafted a bi-partisan infrastructure bill. It included $110 billion for building, repairing, and replacing roads, bridges and bicycle paths.
The infrastructure bill also included the expansion of broadband, or high speed internet, services. This funding is especially important to rural areas.
Private companies don’t want to pay the upfront costs of running cable to low density populations. Few customers mean investors would have to wait years for a return on investment. This reality has left rural American behind.
Biden, however, followed the approach used by Franklin Delano Roosevelt during the New Deal. FDR did not wait for the private sector to deliver electricity or telephone services. The Federal government paid for the lines and reaped the rewards as rural areas grew.
Private companies are already bidding for these infrastructure projects. When they start the work, millions of Americans will have a steady paycheck.
The second half of the Build Back Better Plan is still being negotiated in Washington. On November 19, Democrats in the House, without a single Republican vote, approved their version of the plan.
The House Democratic Bill significantly improves the financial position of millions of Americans. For example, it increased the Federal subsidies for individuals and families to buy private health insurance.
It also made Health Insurance more affordable in states like Texas. Texas Republicans had blocked federal dollars to expand Medicare. If the Senate agrees with the House plan, individuals can bypass the Republican road block and get help directly when buying insurance.
The House Build Back Better bill makes child tax credits permanent. During the Covid 19 pandemic, Democrats gave families with children a monthly $300 credit. House Democrats know it is expensive to raise children and want this tax credit extended past January.
Another substantial improvement for Texas families would be the creation of a preschool program. Many parents struggle to work and pay for childcare. This provision would expand preschool programs in public schools, community-based programs, and Head Start programs.
Now, we have to wait on the Senate to act. Every Republican is opposing the Build Back Better program. Two conservative Democrats are hesitant, but they have been negotiating the final bill. Once the Build Back Better bill passes both Houses of Congress, President Biden will deliver a big win for American families.
Advent
One of the best parts growing up as a Roman Catholic was enjoying all of the Holy Days. During the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church controlled the calendar and established celebrations year- round. These “holidays†taught and reinforced the faith.
After the Sixteenth Century Protestant Reformation, non-Catholic politicians began canceling many of these celebrations. For example, when the Pilgrims landed in America, they were determined to create their version of a Godly society.
The Pilgrims, or more accurately English Puritans, outlawed Holy Days because they only recognized one. The Bible only mentions to rest on the Sabbath, which they interpreted as Sunday.
To rest on other days was against the will of God. Puritans also hated celebrating the holidays with food and drink. Their Christian society required everyone to work year round, canceling all of the Catholic Holy Days.
This war on Christmas didn’t take off in Catholic and Lutheran countries. My ancestors, the Cajuns, were the descendants of Roman Catholics. I never questioned the need to stop periodically and enjoy life.
As Mary Poppins sang, “A Spoonful of Sugar Helps the Medicine Go Down.â€
The damage done by the Pilgrims has had a lasting impact. Many Christians don’t know that we are in the Advent Season. Advent means that “Christ is coming toward us†and we need to prepare.
How should we prepare for Christmas? I believe the best way is to heed the words of the words of John the Baptist in the Gospel of Matthew.
It should be obvious that Christians should prepare for the “Coming of Christ†by “bearing good fruit.†The Gospels then spend page after page explaining to the hard headed the meaning of “bear good fruit.â€
Jesus insists that we feed the hungry, cloth the naked, welcome the stranger and comfort the oppressed. These are the true Christmas gifts. We are not going to find them in any store.
We need to start preparing our heart to act now. We can then wish all of our neighbors Happy Holidays.
Coming Covid Winter?
The Covid 19 vaccine has been a lifesaver for millions of Americans. Nearly 59% of Americans over 12 have taken advantage of this pro-life drug. The unvaccinated patients account for nearly all deaths and hospitalizations.
Unfortunately, we live a region of the country that still believes lies about Covid and the vaccine. For example, while Connecticut and Massachusetts vaccination rates of 79%, Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana have vaccination rates of 65%, 57%, and 53% respectively.
The vaccination rate in rural counties is even worse. Grayson County (my home county) has a 42% rate. Bowie and Marion counties are at 38%. This does not bode well for the winter months.
All we have to do is look at Europe to predict how this will play out. Europeans started moving indoors for the colder weather several weeks ago. That change in behavior has caused an uptick in Covid cases.
The outbreaks, however, are not uniform. In places like Portugal, with a vaccination rate of 86%, there are a few cases. In Russia, the epicenter of anti- vaccine propaganda, the vaccination rate is 36% and a high number of cases.
The science and practical experience is clear. Vaccines save lives and money. Refusing the vaccine is like playing Russia roulette. Even if the virus doesn’t kill you, it could leave you disabled or bankrupt.
As we approach the colder months, we do have some advantages over Europeans. The Center of Disease Control has approved the vaccine of children over 5. Vaccinating more children will slow the spread.
We also now know that the booster shots help increase the vaccines’ effectiveness. Both natural immunity and vaccine immunity decreases over time. Giving a vaccine to those that had Covid or a vaccine already strengthens the immune response.
If we act now, we can save lives. We have the knowledge. Too many of our neighbors, however, have decided to believe the lies. Texas Governor Gregg Abbot is even fighting against vaccinations.
This problem is a tougher nut to crack. Every time a conservative politician and talk show host tries to nudge their audience toward the vaccine, the audience lashes out. Like the mob that attacked the United States’ Capitol on January 6, conservatives prefer the destructive lies to the truth.
What does this mean for you and me? First, talk to your doctor about the vaccine or booster for yourself and your loved one. Take it if you can. Second, practice sensible social distancing. Don’t stand in other people’s personal space and avoid tightly packed indoor events.
It gives me great comfort knowing that my wife and children have taken the vaccine. We’ll survive the winter. I can’t help but wonder how many more Americans must die for a lie.
Building a Brighter Future
Last week America won. It received strong news about the present economy and the outlook for the future. President Joe Biden and the Democratic Congress delivered on their promise to create and improve American jobs.
The CNBC headline read “Job creation roars back in October as payrolls rise by 531,000.â€Â This rate of job creation beat expectations and drove the unemployment rate down to 4.6%.Â
Private payrolls were even stronger, rising 604,000 as a loss of 73,000 government jobs pulled down the headline number. October’s gains represented a sharp pickup from September, which gained 312,000 jobs after the initial Bureau of Labor Statistics estimate of 194,000 saw a substantial upward revision in Friday’s report.
Published Fri, Nov 5 20218:31 AM EDT Updated Fri, Nov 5 20212:23 PM EDT Jeff Cox
Not only are more Americans working, but they are earning higher wages. Wages today are 4.8% higher than they were a year ago. The labor market is working for the first time in years as wage earners take home more pay.
As more and more of us take a Covid shot for America, the economy is growing again. We are traveling and spending money on hospitality and recreation. These industries attracted new workers by offering hourly wages of $15 and $20 per hour.
This situation is quite a turnaround from Donald Trump. Donald argued that American wages were too high. Conservatives want low wages to pay investors. Liberals want workers to earn their fair share.
On the heels of this good news, Congress finished its negotiation of an infrastructure package. Infrastructure is like the skeleton or circulatory system of the body. It keeps the many parts standing up and moves products around.
Any infrastructure bill had been elusive for years. This bill, part of Biden’s Build Back Better program, invests $110 billion in roads, bridges and bicycle paths. This money will replace or repair existing infrastructure.
The infrastructure bill also addresses railroads. Railroads are an essential part of our supply chain. Just as important, however, passenger rail provides a vital commuter service. Improving rail service will create jobs and reduce greenhouse gases.
The future of job and business growth also requires investing in information infrastructure. The Democratic bill provides $65 billion dollars to expand high speed internet, or broadband, services. This investment is a big win for rural areas left behind fast growing urban areas.
Add all of this up, and we have a big win for America. America is building back better. Job creation is strong now and will be in the years to come. Despite the efforts to sabotage the Biden Administration, American resilience is forging ahead with a future full of hope.