Discerning Moments

. . . it highly concerns us to know by what methods [nations] were founded; by what steps they rose to that exalted pitch of grandeur which we so much admire; what it was that constituted their true glory and felicity; and what were the causes of their declension and fall.

But another object of infinitely greater importance, claims our attention . . . [History] proclaims universally the greatness of the Almighty, his power, his justice, and, above all, the admirable wisdom with which His Providence governs the universe . . . that God disposes all events as supreme Lord and Sovereign; that he alone determines the fate of kings and the duration of empires; and that he transfers the government of kingdoms from one nation to another because of the unrighteous dealings and wickedness committed therein.

If the blessings of liberty are to be maintained, they need to be carefully identified and cherished by each generation. Let us not break faith with those whose blood was shed in behalf of us--their posterity. Let us be faithful to the next generations who follow us.

Rollin's Ancient History, 1730 quoted in Verna Hall's
The Christian History of the American Revolution: Consider and Ponder, p. 602, 604-605.

Political Numeracy

It's election day and I'm sitting in the lobby of a Fortune 500 company watching capitalism at work. (Note that I voted by absentee ballot). Any post on this site can represent 1 to 10+ hours of reading, thinking, researching, etc. And for every post you see, there are at least 5-10 that I haven't written but have thought about.

The number of politically related posts have increased with the election season... but admittedly many are superficial. I was inspired to start something new (and still keep The Brownsville Experience).

So today, I am announcing the launch of Political Numeracy. The first post is scheduled for January 20, 2009.

2008 Voter's Guide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PENNSYLVANIA FAMILY iNSTITUTE PUBLISHES NON-PARTISAN VOTER INFORMATION
October 30, 2008

Harrisburg, PA– Good news! More than four thousand Pennsylvania citizens are logging onto PAvoter.info, the latest family-friendly, interactive Web site for voter information!

The Pennsylvania Family Institute has published an easy-to-use, interactive, non-partisan Voter Guide available at PAvoter.info. The site employs the latest technology to allow users to enter their zip code to access all candidates on their local ballot, their views on key issues, and campaign contact information.

The Pennsylvania Family Institute has been publishing impartial, non-partisan voter information since 1991. This year PAvoter.info will cover the races for President, U.S. House, State Row offices, state House and state Senate.
"Pennsylvania voters want to know where the candidates stand on issues and how to contact their campaigns, and they have the right to know", stated Michael Geer, President of the Pennsylvania Family Institute.

"Candidates are spending millions of dollars trying to convince voters to remember a name or a face or a sound bite. PAvoter.info digs deeper to the level where issues intersect faith, family and Pennsylvania's future."

To view the Presidential portion of the Pennsylvania Family Institute voter guide, please visit www.PAfamily.org.

Pennsylvania Family Institute, 23 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101

Racist Western Pennsylvania

Not only does John Murtha refer to his constituents as racists but also "confused, despondent and unhappy." Unbelievable.

Around the Dinner Table

Politicians love to connect with the American public by presuming they know what we discuss “around the dinner table”. Over the past few weeks, I have had numerous dinner conversations with many people from many walks of life from many parts of the world.

The obvious common threads include the US election and the global economy. I hear some of the usual sound bites about McCain, Palin and Obama. And I am quick to relay my sentiment that none of the candidates represent my view of government, industry or religion. I express my disappoint in the collective lack of experience, lack of plan and lack of inspiration. I am finding that many people agree.

This is, of course, an unscientific focus group. But, then again, so is the presumption that Biden or Palin (as in the VP debate) know what we are talking about. In fact, we are not talking about a paycheck, we are not talking about our health care and we are not talking about our mortgage. We are collectively wondering, “Is this the best America has to offer?”

Where is the genius of Adams? The ability in inspire government like Henry? The clear articulation of Jefferson? The perseverance of Lincoln?

Where is sacrifice? Where is humility? Where is might? Where is truth? Where is righteousness? Where is leadership?

Where are the great men who stood with these great leaders? Where is the church? Where is the fire of the revolution? Where is America?

I lament. I weep.

I was recently at dinner with a multi-national group of businessmen. The conversation deepened with a man from France and a man from Spain. They wondered, with admiration, how can a nation that is so different remain so united. I quickly turned them to one of the greatest vision statements ever written “We the People of the United States of America.”

A statement so simple and profound but yet would bind together a dispersed and diverse group of people, give birth to a nation and hold her together for over 200 years.

Read the Preamble and know who we are. Know justice, liberty and freedom and you know what we cherish. Know God and you know who gives us hope, who inspires, and who comforts.

It is not time for America to change. It is time for her to return to the ideals that make her great and to the God who demonstrates his mercies and is always ready to forgive and welcome.

And the truth is… I must be ready to return.

I must be quick to offer forgiveness, to show compassion and to love.

Not just some distant people or those on the other side of the aisle but my friends, my family and my neighbor.

Change, whether its revival or revolution, starts in the heart of man.

How is your heart?

The Brownsville Economy

There are about 1,560 working age adults living in the Brownsville Borough. At any one time, we employ 25-30 drug dealers in the community. Dealers don’t typically work alone. If you count their familial support, their runners, their attorneys, their friends who serve as eyes and ears… it’s not hard to imagine 100-150 folks involved in the supply side of this economy. That’s about 10% of our population. Clearly it is one of the biggest employers in the community. The Brownsville Economy is a Drug Economy.

And I have known many dealers over the years. They are kids, neighbors, friends, grandmothers. They are black, they are white. Some consistently elude the law, many are incarcerated, some are dead.

I have had frightening encounters, thoughtful conversations and shocking points of view from dealers.

We have a very active and brazen dealer still living on our block and selling on our corner. Three times in the past few weeks we have run right into a deal. The unpredictability of a wild animal protecting its home and territory is the best way to describe such an encounter.

I have counseled and prayed with men at my kitchen table who believe they are morally justified in selling drugs as long as the money is used to put food on the table.

I have listened to men use oppression and racism as an excuse to lash back and seek vengeance through selling drugs to those of a different color.

There is not a single reason why the dealer exists. There is not a single solution to the problem. The “War on Drugs” may be a great description of what happens in Columbia, along our borders and against the cartels. But in Brownsville and neighborhoods across our country, the war is against kids, neighbors and families. It’s against a culture, against apathy and even oppression.

And the cost is found in despair, destroyed lives, and the “hard cost” of addictions, law enforcement, treatment and crime that is estimated to be nearly $181 billion (ONDCP Study).

Who can help?

Government. But laws and regulation won’t overcome corruption and the inability to enforce.

Business. But economic opportunity won’t overcome sloth and hatred.

The Church. But silence must be replaced by action.

It will take all and all working and all working together.

Choose Wisely

Over the past several months, the corporate parties have worked hard to establish the brand of their candidates. Yet, the best marketing in the world can’t change their experience, their policies and their gaffes. In November, we can choose…

We can choose a ticket that thinks that the pledge was written by the Founding Fathers or a ticket that believes there are 57 states.

We can choose a ticket that doesn’t have the discipline to graduate college in four years or a ticket that doesn’t have the discipline to stop smoking.

We can choose a ticket that has the experience of a mayor of a small community or a ticket that has the experience of a community organizer.

We can choose a ticket with no significant foreign policy or economic experience or a ticket with no significant foreign policy or economic experience.

We can choose a ticket that has voted with Bush over 60% of the time or a ticket that has voted with Bush 90% of the time.

We can choose a ticket that doesn’t know what the Bush Doctrine is or one that agrees with its principles more than they admit.

We can choose a ticket with strong rhetorical skills and mediocre substance or a ticket with little rhetorical skills and some substance.

We can choose based on gender, race or age.

We can choose based on policy positions.

We can choose based on world view, moral compass, or religious roots.

We can choose on information or we can choose on misinformation.

The choice is yours. How you choose is yours.

"But choose wisely, for while the true Grail will bring you life, the false Grail will take it from you."

Senate Republican Ted Stevens (R) Who is a Republican from Alaska is Indicted

A federal grand jury has indicted longtime Senator Ted Stevens, Republican of Alaska, on charges of failing to disclose receiving gifts of services and construction work as part of a wide-ranging corruption inquiry involving public officials and corporations in his home state. (NY Times)

But Mr. Stevens’s constituents have a right to wonder why their revered senator, a Republican who has served them fiercely for four decades, ever agreed to have his home richly upgraded by someone so obviously hunting for the inside track to politicians. (NY Times Op)

Republican White House hopeful John McCain's campaign said on Wednesday the indictment of fellow Republican Sen. Ted Stevens was a "sad reminder" the next president will face a tough task rebuilding the public trust. (Reuters)

Eighty-four-year-old Republican Ted Stevens of Alaska, newly charged by the feds with corruption-related offenses, walked over to the desk of 90-year-old Democrat Robert Byrd of West Virginia yesterday morning. Byrd, in a wheelchair, clasped his friend's hands, then squinted up at him and shouted, "Say it ain't so!" (Washington Post)

Stevens is the Senate's longest-serving Republican and has been a dominant figure in congressional politics for a generation (AP)

The indictment of Alaska Republican Sen. Ted Stevens strengthened forecasts that Democrats will gain Senate seats on Election Day. (WSJ)

Some observers think the reputation of the longest-serving Republican senator may weather this scandal. The former chairman and now ranking Republican on the influential U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Stevens is known as a master of pork barrel politics, with a record of channeling billions of federal dollars to his home state. (LA Times)

In case you missed it, Ted Stevens is a Republican.

Back in March of this year, I posted a few lines about Eliot Spitzer. It was on a whim and timely as I had a number of posts back then about government, common good, and integrity. I never mentioned his name but I did mention that he is a Democrat. Why did I do that?

First, let me say that blogging has given me an opportunity to practice those forms of speech I learned in 8th grade English class and honed in 10th grade speech class: satire, sarcasm, alliteration, onamonapea, irony, parallel sentence structure,…

Second, when the Spitzer story broke I was annoyed that I could not find a single article that listed his party affiliation. In fact, I had to search his bio on Wikipedia. So I deployed an ironic device and listed his party affiliation… which had nothing to do with the post and everything to do with the media’s inability to report this simple fact. So, I was “hiding what is actually reality in order to obtain a desired oratorical or artistic effect.”

Now for some more irony. It worked. The eight sentence Spitzer post is one of my most viewed and commented posts. I chuckled when I was gently reminded by an anonymous comment that Democrats don’t have the birthright to corruption. Indeed, that was half the point.

Corruption is truly a bipartisan issue. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Hope in What or Who

Our Founding Fathers were radicals, fundamentalists and zealots. Among them were men who invoked the Name of God and professed faith in Christ. They were intolerant, warmongers, and stubborn. They were the Right in men like John Adams. They were the Left in men like Thomas Jefferson. They were all patriots. They were willing to die for their country. They were willing to live for their country. Why? They had purpose, they had calling, and they had hope.

Their hope was not in government, not in the military, not in the economy, and not even in their fellow man. Their hope was in a God who provides, directs and sustains.

How times have changed! Our politicians preach hope in government, the military and the economy. Our citizens put into action the words from the pulpit (grassroots), evangelize the message (campaign) and come to the altar (of subsidy, welfare and rebate). That is the New Religion. Government is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people.

Government becomes God.

How times remain the same! Government is not god in the same way the ancient kings and rulers proclaimed their divinity. We are too sophisticated for that. But yet, the end will be the same.

A reminder…

Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. (Jesus in Matthew 22:21)

Hopkins has Record Breaking Write-ins

Unofficial counts put Greg Hopkins over the 2,000 mark for write-ins on the Democratic ticket. An unbelievable and record breaking number of write-in votes. Congratulations Greg and Team Hopkins and all the best for the fall!

Obama Regrets PA

Definitions of regret on the Web:

• repent: feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
• feel sad about the loss or absence of
• decline formally or politely; "I regret I can't come to the party"
• sorrow: sadness associated with some wrong done or some disappointment; "he drank to drown his sorrows"; "he wrote a note expressing his regret"; "to his rue, the error cost him the game"
• be sorry; "I regret to say that you did not gain admission to Harvard"

He says he didn't choose his words well, but "I said something that everybody knows is true."

"Obviously, if I worded things in a way that made people offended, I deeply regret that," he told the Winston-Salem Journal of North Carolina.

Campaigning in Muncie, Ind., Obama called the controversy interesting.

"Lately there has been a little typical sort of political flare-up, because I said something that everybody knows is true, which is that there are a whole bunch of folks in small towns in Pennsylvania, in towns right here in Indiana, in my hometown in Illinois, who are bitter," Obama told the crowd.

Well... of course, there are people that are bitter. The offensive part of Obama's full statement is the implication that its the bitter people who "cling to guns or religion or antipathy..."

Obama is doing a good job of using the choice words of a politician... "I mis-spoke... I regret..." but never "I was wrong... I'm sorry... I apologize..." The Clinton's have mastered the language and Hillary is doing an absolutely brilliant job of capitalizing on Obama's mis-steps. At the same time, Obama continues to dig himself into a hole.

Many have called Obama's statement "elitist".

"Sen. Obama's remarks are elitist and they are out of touch," she [Clinton] told a crowd in Indianapolis.

But what I find most offensive is the implication from Senator Obama that (1) government can save people and (2) religion has failed. At best, I call that Socialist.

And now, I didn't say it as well as I should have, because you know the truth is that these traditions that are passed on from generation to generation, those are important." [Obama]

Just Another Bitter Small Town in PA

Here we are in Brownsville clinging to guns and religion with the audacity of despair. Save us Obama.

In case you missed Obama's quote from a San Francisco fund raiser...

You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing’s replaced them…And they fell through the Clinton Administration, and the Bush Administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are gonna regenerate and they have not

And it’s not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.

For an insightful commentary.

Greg Hopkins for 50th District State Representative

Southwest PA has a real opportunity to make a difference in their own lives and in the lives of all Pennsylvanians this year. We are strongly endorsing Greg Hopkins for our State Representative in the 50th District.

Greg represents an opportunity for true reform in the PA legislature in open records, tax law, and government spending.

Greg will provide greater transparency, accountability and results.

He is a man of character and integrity and has strong moral stances in his pro-life beliefs and anti-gambling position.

I strongly encourage you to vote for Greg is this upcoming election.

In fact, if you are registered Democrat. I strongly encourage you to write-in Greg Hopkins on the Democratic ticket on April 22.

Join "VOTE GREG HOPKINS" on FACEBOOK

For more information on Greg, visit his website.

For my posts on Greg's opponent, Bill DeWeese, click here.

Race, Politics and Religion

It’s been several days now since the story of the Reverend Jeremiah Wright came into the public discussion. I’ve spent hours reading, listening and watching what the preachers, the politicians, the press and the people have to say about race, politics and religion.

After all of this, my initial reaction to the Reverend’s sermon remains a defining and critical point. It is grievous and gut-wrenching to listen to profane and blasphemous preaching from the pulpit. It is painful to listen to other ordained ministers call Wright a prophet when he has twisted, mis-used, and denied God’s word. It is sad this has been politicized.

The relationship between priest and communicant, pastor and congregant, shepherd and sheep is a powerful one. The ordained ministry is first one of representation; representation of Christ and his Church. It is not a relationship of genealogy, blood or metaphor. It is spiritual.

You can walkout, reject and disown this relationship. More importantly, and appropriately, you can call it to account (Matthew 18).

There is little question that the pastoral relationship between Wright and Obama is one that is dependent on race. I find this only problematic if this part of the relationship supersedes the Christ-centered spiritual relationship.

You can see and hear the pain and suffering of Jeremiah Wright. His pain and suffering is born from racism. And each of us face the trials of this world and the kinds of suffering: in abandonment, abuse, loss, injustice, betrayal… and all of their kin. And these forms of suffering have power. And this power, called sin, bears resentment for those who refuse to forgive.

The harboring of unforgiveness and the justification of unforgiveness by holding up the bible is blasphemous.

Barack Obama responded with a great speech. But a great man will call for forgiveness and repentance. A great man will call to account the words of a friend. A great man will take on the hard work of reconciliation.

Suffering bears sin. But, more importantly, suffering bears hope.

This is why the apostle Paul wrote to rejoice in our suffering.

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that
suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us (Romans 5:3-5)

Hope is not born from our achievement but our suffering

Change is not born from a promise but from forgiveness

Holiness and righteousness cannot be sacrificed for unity

Reconciliation between men cannot take root until there is reconciliation with God.

The Smoking Bill

Bill DeWeese promised a smoking ban by the end of the year (2007, that is). He is now using his leadership position to delay the committee. Yet another reason to ensure he isn't re-elected. Here is a press release from the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund.

House Leaders DeWeese and Smith also have refused to support comprehensive smoke-free legislation and -- through their leadership positions -- have delayed the convening of the conference committee.

Although comprehensive smoke-free legislation was approved by the House on July 16, 2007, after the Senate approved loophole-filled legislation on June 26, 2007, the conference committee has yet to take action. After months of delay, the committee has scheduled public hearings on the legislation for March 10 and 13.

"Pennsylvanians deserve to know that these legislators are standing in the way of their right to breathe clean air," said William V. Corr, Executive Director of the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund. "Pennsylvania lawmakers face a clear choice. By enacting a comprehensive smoke-free law for all workplaces, they can ensure that no one has to choose between their health and their paycheck. If they fail to pass such a law, they will continue to put Pennsylvanians at risk of lung cancer, heart disease and other serious illnesses caused by secondhand smoke."

The ad in this post was in the Herald Standard on Tuesday of this week. It reads:

WARNING: THIS REPRESENTATIVE'S DECISIONS MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH.

Representative Bill DeWeese is standing in the way of your right to breathe clean air - even though 84% of voters want ALL workers protected from secondhand smoke. It's time to stop the delay and pass a smoke-free law for all workplaces, including restaurants, bars and casinos. Because secondhand smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, including arsenic and cyanide. And it causes lung cancer and heart disease - killing more than 2,100 Pennsylvanians each year.

For more information on the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund

Here is the article from last year about the ban.

John Jacob Gerrymander Murtha

The image attached with this post is the perimeter of the 12th Congressional District which John Murtha has lorded over since 1974. The image looks more like a Rorschach blot than a congressional district but the redistricting was necessary back in 1982. It proved to be an enduring strategy.

Murtha is facing opposition in this year’s election. That’s a good thing.

For more on Gerrymandering.

For more on Murtha’s voting record.

I’ve added an RSS feed at the bottom of the page to keep track of John’s legislative activity.

Moral Conviction in NY

A few days ago I lamented the absence of moral conviction in our government. I strongly believe that the public convictions of our elected officials must align with their private convictions. That is the fundamental definition of character. I'd like to believe that character in leadership is something that America still believes in.

Can you recall one of the prevailing opinions when Bill Clinton had an affair with his intern? It was something along the lines of "he's doing a great job with the economy, does his private life really matter?" I think time has proven that it does.

Maybe that is why the Democratic Governor of NY has resigned his position as the chief executive of that state. There is no doubt political pressure, public pressure and personal pressure... including his relationship with his family... have played a role in that decision.

Despair in Brownsville

Owning and managing a small business in Brownsville (our rental properties) is more ministry than business. That was by intent, but this shift manifested itself in ways that was never anticipated. I have encountered drug use, drug dealers, squatters, altercations, trespassers, thieves, and vandals. I’ve fixed furnaces, waded through sewage and cleaned toilets. I’ve lost my temper, lost sleep and shed tears… not over the physical damage, the unpredictable interruptions or the financial loss.

Helping folks with one of the most basic of necessities in their time of need puts you in a vulnerable position. Compassion breeds vulnerability. Vulnerability can be gut wrenching. There was no greater time of this gut wrenching experience when I went to visit “Holly.”

We decided to help Holly in her time of need. She was getting her feet back on the ground with a new job and wanted to provide a better life for herself and her young children. She knew she had to leave the environment she was in.

She moved in and was a model tenant for several months. Then her boyfriend was released from prison and moved in with his “extended family.” To put it bluntly, all hell broke loose.

I increased my visits to the property out of concern for the physical property, the safety of the tenants as well as the safety of my family. There were times when Holly was afraid… or ashamed to talk to me. Her boyfriend would beat her and she would wear the marks of those encounters for days.

This gut wrenching experience occurred on one of those visits. Holly came outside and closed the door to keep her children from hearing the conversation. She told me that she would be unable to pay this months rent. I told her we could work something out and asked if everything was OK. She said, “I don’t know why I’m telling you this, but I had to use my rent money to pay for an abortion.”

All I could say was “I’m so sorry.”

I don’t know if you have ever felt or seen despair… the absolute absence of hope. I saw the depths of despair that day in a way I pray no one ever must see or experience. Holly was so helpless and hopeless in her relationships, her finances, and her future she could not comprehend a new child in that same despair.

But she knew it was wrong and she grieved. Hopelessness is not a covering for sin; it does not erase our moral being. For all the rhetoric about choice and life; there was no doubt that it was an unborn child that lived within her womb, not a choice.

I can tell you with certainty that a government that claims to serve the common good, and a politician that is a harbinger for hope and change must be the voice for the most helpless of our country… the unborn child.

I can tell you with certainty that a government and that claims to serve the common good, and a politician that is a harbinger for hope and change must serve the most hopeless and vulnerable of our nation… the poor, the elderly and the unwed.

I can tell you with absolutely certainty that abortion did not bear hope in Holly’s life or the life of her unborn child. It’s time for real change.

Exploiting the Poor to Reduce Taxes

I recently received my taxpayer funded propaganda from our state representative, Bill DeWeese. The opening piece states:

“Homeowners across Pennsylvania will see property tax cuts this year, which are made possible by proceeds from the state’s successful gaming industry, a proposal that was shepherded though the legislature by Rep. Bill DeWeese”.

This sentence, alone, gives the 50th District three reasons why DeWeese should no longer have his stronghold over all of Pennsylvania.

One. We will not see property tax cuts this year. I also recently received my real estate tax notice from the borough of Brownsville. It’s not there.

Two. I wish I could feel good about getting tax relief funded from the poor and elderly who are gambling away their dollars that will fund the (alleged) $1 billion in tax relief. That $1 billion is just a fraction of what Pennsylvanian’s have to lose in front of the slot machine. Anyone with an ounce of compassion should find this repulsive.

Three. Someone, somewhere must understand that gambling expansion doesn’t come with an associated cost for infrastructure, increased crime, bankruptcy, social programs, more administration and a host of other costs. The cost of legalized gambling in PA will likely exceed $500 million. Anyone with an ounce of common sense should find gambling funded tax relief ludicrous.

So, I’m committing to donate all tax relief to any candidate or organization who will actively seek to oppose and repeal legalized gambling in PA. I hope you will do the same.

The Common Good

Some folks have asked about my voting preferences in the upcoming election. This election has revealed that my politics are best aligned with 18th century Federalism. I'm in good company but unfortunately, guys like John Adams have been dead for quite some time. I find myself in the 2008 Presidential election without anyone I can support. I completed a few of the on-line matching tests; they reveal that I have less than a 50% match on the issues with any candidate. At the bottom of the spectrum, I have an 8% match with Barack and Hillary.

I’m an unapologetic federalist, capitalist and catholic. The current candidates are pretty far from those ideals and lean towards non-federalism, socialism and secularism.

Unfortunately, I see (and have felt the effects of) those destructive forces, socialist policy, abortion on demand, the absence of moral conviction, corruption and the despair that this brings to families of our community. The idea that government can bring hope is repugnant to me. Liberty gives us hope. And dare I say, suffering gives us hope. Liberty is risky, audacious and bold. Hope is impotent apart from the love of God (Romans 5).

Tax cuts do not bear hope. More jobs, more health care, more handouts will not bear hope. Socialism has not, and never will bear hope.

Government exists for the common good. The common good preached from the pulpit of politics in 2008 has tempo, it has a cadence but it lacks substance. Even worse, it is a lie. The common good is not universal health care, it is not social security, and it is not a lower unemployment rate and job security.

Addressing the question “Should we have universal health care?” is the wrong question. The questions to answer include “How do we treat the most vulnerable of our nation?” and “What is the appropriate role of government? Of community? Of the church?”

Common Good or Commonweal. There is work to discern the Common Good and this was the hard work of the great minds that formed our government and framed our constitution.

There is much to say on this issue but I will leave you with one thought. Our candidates for President believe that government is the common good and not that government exists to secure the common good. And that is a fundamental departure from the framers.

For more on The Common Good, I commend this research paper: The Notion of Common Good in Early American Thought.