March 8, 2006

• Christ and political parties

  Spending time with the family is nice, even if through a time of external stresses.  Thanks, God, for such a family as this that you've given me!

  Also, pray for our friend Elypsical as you think of it, as she proceeds through this novel stage in her life...

  Ok, and for today's piece of well-meant-inanity-to-analyze, check out this quote from Dr. Spanier -

  “Since its beginning, American public higher education has been based on an important social compact. Our public institutions contribute to society through education, research, and public service. In exchange, the public invests in our colleges and universities. But the investment is eroding.  Today, less than 10 percent of Penn State's budget comes from legislative appropriation, and the University has few options for increasing revenue beyond raising tuition.

  “Unfortunately, the burden for the cost of education has dramatically shifted from state support to students and their families. This is a source of tremendous concern, particularly since these financing trends are likely to continue increasing the financial pressure on Pennsylvania's families.”

  Yah.  It all sounds very good.   We nod our heads, and appropriate more money for Penn State.

  But wait - where is that money going to come from???   Oh yes, taxes.  That means we'll have to raise taxes in Pennsylvania. 

  But wait, won't increasing taxes directly increase the "financial pressure on Pennsylvania's families?"   In fact, won't it be even more hurtful to the poor and needy of Pennsylvania, because while college is only for those kids who can already afford it, taxes are mandatory and impose upon everyone?

  Hmmm...  Some rhetoric is just so annoying when you begin to analyze it.

   

  What do you think about this interesting (paraphrased) blurb that I came across today in the World Magazine:

  Christians are drawn to both the Democratic and Republican parties, for different reasons.  Christians who put more emphasis on personal morality such as proper sexual morality and reducing abortion tend to vote Republican, wheras Christians who put more emphasis on kingdom ethics/social justice and helping the poor and needy tend to vote Democratic.

  The article went on to report the fact that both republicans and democrats are trying vociferously to play to both sides, with democrats trying to re-emphasize "family values" and republicans trying to play up "compassionate conservatism".  It's interesting - imho the old Cold War over communism (versus, so it was said, the "american way") never really ended... it just went underwater for a few years.  And the basic worldview questions are the same - is man "basically good", needing only education and money, or is man "basically evil", needing a Savior to redeem him from his sins?

  But anyway, what do you all think about the putative rationale for why Christians become Republicans or Democrats?  

  Or, more interestingly (if you're willing to share), why do you vote the way you do, and/or what do you see as the biggest strengths and weaknesses in the two (or other) parties?

  • 6:00 pm
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