Don't Cry For Beto

Lighten Up, Francis!

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Once again, like that bad case of herpes, or those feisty Texas fire ants, Robert Francis "Beta" O'Rourke crawled out of his nest to invade Texas politics. It does not matter that he has been rejected multiple times by Texas voters, he is destined to be elected, somewhere, for something.
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Money poured in from socialists all over the country. All with dreams of transforming Texas into some sort of democrat utopia. The usual suspects supported Beta: Teacher unions, folks who are dependent on the government, and malcontents. He managed to outraise Governor Abbott - love the sound of that, by $600,000. With the help of big metro areas dominated by democrats, and their creative vote counting skills, Beta thought surely this was his year!
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They Are Just Not that Into You.

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Like the nutcase Cindy Sheehan before him, he jumped on top of the graves of the Uvalde children, and used them as his primary soapbox to attack guns, declaring, “Hell yes, we’re going to take your AR-15, your AK-47.” There is absolutely no reason to ban an AR-15, and automatic weapons, which would generally include many AK-47s, are already heavily regulated - such is the intelligence of the hipster from El Paso. Or does he truly think Texans are too stupid to not already know that fact? If the intent were to reduce crime, these so-called "assault weapons" are used in 3% of firearm murders, making his position even more curious. And in the very rare cases that they are used, law enforcement impotence can lead to many casualties. When law enforcement, or legal gun owners act quickly, the threat can be neutralized and lives saved.
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See Note Below

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Does he really believe his own rhetoric, or does he see gun control as an issue of opportunity? Either way, its not the type of person you want in leadership. The right to own weapons and defend one's person, family, and property is a Natural Right. History has proven how dangerous it is for folks when they are disarmed. Criminals will still possess weapons as will government. And before long, there will be little difference between the two.

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In Uvalde, 72 minutes went by before law enforcement, almost 400 officers, finally engaged the shooter. If you have a home invader, or you are at a location with an active shooter, you can't afford to wait on law enforcement.
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We Don't Need No Stinking Badges

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What you believe will eventually come out of your mouth. And Beta has a way of gushing that is quite revealing. During a campaign speech at Prairie View A&M University, his desire to divide and fan the flames of racism could no longer be restrained. With the zeal of country evangelist, he declared law enforcement the "new Jim Crow." Obviously, Texas police officers of all races put their lives on the line daily for all people. They thoroughly and completely rejected his statement. The TMPA issued a press release which included this paragraph.
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Mr. O’Rourke’s dangerous and incorrect characterization of law enforcement officers not only across our great state, but nationwide, is divisive and plainly untrue. O’Rourke taking aim at officers is an insult that further divides public safety from the very people they are sworn to protect due to the outrage incited by his false narrative. Racist accusations about the dedicated, hardworking men and women who don a uniform daily to protect and serve our communities are disgusting and disrespectful. It is critical to remember the number of law enforcement officers who have been assaulted and murdered simply because of the uniform they wear. O’Rourke’s inflammatory speech is particularly surprising since it follows a tweet he made four days prior, praising law enforcement officers who are “keeping our communities and our state safe.”

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This type of rhetoric is quite common in democrat circles, so its not surprising that Beta would embrace it. There have been more than a few prominent democrats who have called for defunding the police - an idiotic idea from folks whose neighborhoods and businesses are often being torched by crazy mobs who have been energized by agitators railing against Law and Order. Like Robert the Bruce's father, Beta seems to play both sides, embrace the madness when he is around other crazies, yet feigns respect for the Rule of Law when around normal Texans. But as we all know - A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (James 1:8)
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"I consider it completely unimportant who in the party will vote, or how; but what is extraordinarily important is this — who will count the votes, and how." - Attributed to Joseph Stalin

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Texas Our Texas, All Hail The Mighty State!

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Folks not from Texas rarely understand this state. From its earliest history, it has resisted tyranny. Texans are fiercely independent, and love Liberty. The idea that some punk from El Paso is going to decide what weapons we can own, or what kind of cars we drive, or how we protect ourselves, is an anathema to a typical Texan. And to be so tone death to the real concerns of Texans, especially those from Latino backgrounds, that folks coming here illegally must be stopped. We welcome anyone that comes legally and in peace. But these are largely criminal invaders who have been lied to by folks in our very own government. We all pay the price for unrestricted illegal immigration. Lower wages, fewer entry level jobs, higher insurance, especially medical insurance, and then of course the increase in crime and prison overcrowding. Nobody wins with illegal immigration. Even those coming here are being robbed and raped by cartels, and being used by criminals in sweatshops, and as servants for the rich and famous. If you are an advocate for illegal immigration, you are not going to appeal to the majority of Texans, no matter the ethnicity.
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Killing Babies For Fun And Profit

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Democrats also believed they had a winning issue with abortion. Texas is still a largely Christian state. But even beyond that, there is a sense of right and wrong that prevails throughout Texas. Murder is murder. If there is any choice, it should have occurred months earlier when the couple decided to have unprotected sex. 

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There was a time when democrats suggested that abortion be "safe, legal, and rare." Many Texans could probably tolerate that, as it would be extreme cases, maybe rape, or incest, where it would be desired, not necessarily preferred. As in most things, democrats saw a profit motive in expanded abortion. They would make sure the abortion providers had plenty of money to stay open, and the laws would remain in their favor. In return, the abortionist would kill the children, even at birth, as often as possible, collecting funds from their victims. And they discovered that medical research paid generously for baby parts, so a whole new revenue stream became available with an ever increasing demand for more baby parts. Who cares if more black babies are aborted than born in New York City. As long as the abortion industry was profitable - and it was, money flowed freely back to the democrat party - $45 million in the 2020 election. Hey, and let's call it health care, because Americans are so dumb they will not understand the difference between murder and health care. Unfortunately for the democrats, most Texans do understand the difference.
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One For You, Three For Me 

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As expected, Beta did well in the large, urban areas. Democrats have remained in power for decades by keeping millions stuck in poverty, living in government slums, and attending crappy government schools. Every couple of years, they are just a vote for a Republican away from losing everything. Just have to keep voting for the democrats just this one more time and you'll see, it will get better. Four generations of this, and there are more poor folks than ever. Always agitated and afraid that their government cheese will be taken from them.

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Even Benjamin Franklin understood that you do not finance poverty. That simply creates more poor folks. If democrats truly cared about the poor, they would have fixed the problem decades ago. But its nice to have a stable, yet perpetually agitated base of low information voters you can count on to do your bidding.

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Since 1964, America has been losing the War on Poverty. We have quite literally dumped $25 TRILLION in a completely ridiculous effort to end poverty. Hundreds of redundant programs manage these funds, so only God knows how many millions landed in the pockets of bureaucrats and ne'er-do-wells in NGOs. Surely a few Congress critters and their friends and families had their hands out for a few bucks as well.

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But let's just imagine that all that money did land in the hands of households living below the poverty line. If we could cut them a lump sum payment out of that amount, that is a staggering $6.25 million per household! So, why do we still have poor folks? Because that is what democrats want.

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When I was wee lad, my Mother worked for the welfare department. She eventually left for a job that would allow her more time with me, and my two older sisters. Years later we were discussing her career, and what she liked or disliked about each job. It was her task as a case worker to work with individuals, often minorities, and the very poor, to help them get jobs and get OFF of government assistance. And she was very good at it. She was a Believer and loved people. And wanted the very best for them. And even hired a few for odd jobs as she had extra money available. 

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Contrast that with today's case worker. They are tasked with signing up as many folks, for as many programs as possible. The idea is to get them permanently dependent. And even if they are here in America illegally, that does not matter, shower them with free gifts, compliments of American taxpayers - actually borrowed from future taxpayers. So that is the core of Beta's support.

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The next largest group is of course union workers, especially government employees who see government as their source. The most prominent, and radical of these are the teachers' unions. I am not aware of any group more universally against providing students with a quality education than teachers' unions. You could probably add the Federal and state bureaucracies to that list, as they add little value, and certainly don't earn the dollars wasted on them. 

Government School Education

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Now hear me carefully - I do not hate teachers. I have two sisters who were both teachers in public schools. I do stand against teachers, unions, school boards, and educrats, that would rather waste money, teach about alternative lifestyles, and hatred of America, than reading, writing, and arithmetic. IF the goal is to lift people out of poverty, something must change. School choice makes a whole lot of sense to me, compared to the mess that exists presently. Shutting down the Department of Education ($640 BILLION Budget) and greatly reducing union and administrator influence, would allow GOOD teachers the freedom to do what they do best. And those GOOD teachers could be rewarded accordingly. And, the bad ones could more easily be identified and dismissed, or assigned something else that fits their qualifications.

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Plus, technology is changing the world. Do we need 8-3, 5 days a week classroom study? I don't know? Maybe, maybe not. Maybe some hybrid. The point is, find what works and do it for the children. Stop teaching LGBT nonsense, and divisive, false history. Leave the politics at home and let kids think the best of their country and leaders at least until high school.

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In every city there are numerous churches with classrooms that sit empty 6 days a week. There are also plenty of office space available in most markets for private and church schools to operate, giving parents more choices, smaller classrooms, and a more customized education experience. They key is the funding, currently just over $13k per student each year, must follow the student to whatever school they choose.

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Its all about choice, right?

Its amazing how often votes are misplaced by democrats. And they always find them just about the time the Republican takes the lead, or is about to take the lead. And its an amazing coincidence that all those votes that turn up in the wee hours, or found in the trunk of some worker's car, are almost exclusively votes for democrats, and only in competitive races. Amazing. But Beta, assuming he had help in Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, was shellacked in the counties. There are 254 counties in Texas. Some are very sparsely populated like King County. Some like Dallas county have a whole lot more. It is in the counties, the dislike and rejection of Beta reaches a crescendo. Here are a few select counties, (County Name - County Seat - Abbott Total - Beta Total)

1. Young (Graham) - 5,479 - 627
2. Wood (Quitman) - 15,647 - 2,320
3. Wise (Decatur) - 21,948 - 3,528
4. Van Zandt (Canton) - 18,388 - 2,461
5. Smith (Tyler) - 56,542 - 18,706
6. Rockwall (Rockwall) - 30,157 - 12,084
7. Parker (Weatherford) - 52,444 - 10,105
8. Midland (Midland) - 32,362 - 7,144
9. Lamar (Paris) - 12,521 - 2,657
10. King (Guthrie) - 100 - 3
11. Johnson (Cleburne) - 42,867 - 12,200
12. Hunt (Greenville) - 23,709 - 6,405
13. Gregg (Longview) - 24,174 - 8,630
14. Comal (New Braunfels) - 54,259 - 19,061
15. Borden (Gail) - 306 - 9

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Nearly 1 million votes separated Abbott from Beta. It was only a close race in the mind of Beta. But with all the experience he has now at losing, he should see if he can resurrect the Washington Generals. They were once the best at losing to the Harlem Globetrotters. He might fit right in to an organization like that.

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And please Beta, leave Texas alone. We have made it clear that we want NOTHING to do with the democrat agenda. We prefer Liberty to tyranny.

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There once was a time when Texas was dominated by democrats. The kind that loved Jim Crow laws, and often had white robes and hoods in their closets. By the mid 80s, they were being voted out of office, slowly at first, until the majority of the state embraced Conservatism, and reluctantly the GOP as the best party to preserve Liberty, which was under assault. Pockets of democrat support remains in the large urban areas as demonstrated above. 

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The party in Texas did evolve, becoming more Conservative, hiding their racist ways. However, it was not enough for the national party that was now championing depravity. God was kicked out, meaning any moral constraint was gone. In its place was a policy of the end justifies the means. The enemy was defined as anyone who opposes democrats, and they were to be identified as racists and fascists - a classic case of projection. This was too much. Long time democrats left the party and switched to the GOP. They could not stomach the evil anymore. Although collectivism in all its most ugly forms has led to misery and suffering for millions, democrats to this day still embrace it as the solution. 

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The average Texan is a rugged individualist. They enjoy their Liberty. They love their neighbor, and respect their right to be left alone. The notion that some "Karen" is going to come to their house and tell them how to keep their yard, raise their kids, or protect their family, is bat guano crazy.

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The male equivalent is Ken, which doesn't work as well. Karen is the perfect representation of the democrat party. Its the renegade teacher that is going to teach your 1st grader that there are 27 genders and he/she/it can choose whichever one they want. And there is nothing you can do to stop the teacher because the students belong to him/her/them? 

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Its the science editor in the national media headquarters that absolutely KNOWS that there has been no significant warming in 170 years, yet gleefully plays unchallenged clips of a Swedish dropout turned agitator angrily shouting, "We're all going to die!"

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Or the politicians railing against fossil fuels, and complaining about the rising oceans. They then fly on their private jets, leaving behind their beachfront compound, to participate in a global party celebrating the financial windfall they will all soon share because the people are so gullible and refuse to think for themselves. Especially those that live near the coast, or visit it regularly, SHOULD notice that there has been virtually no change going back hundreds of years. That should be reason to celebrate.

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So since Beto was our very own Karen, I choose to call him by a more accurate nickname, Beta. This describes a man who is seen as passive, subservient, weak, and effeminate. Its a perfect description of the grifter from El Paso, who pretends to be Mexican when it might help win votes, hiding his Irish roots. You've heard of "toxic masculinity" of course. Beta suffers from something far worse, toxic effeminacy. A man who projects the very worst traits of women, specifically a masculine Karen.

Note how effortlessly Beta USES victims to push an unconstitutional gun  grab. Legal gun owners are not the issue. The weapons that he is targeting are not a problem. Its an effort to control the population, to strip away their God-given rights incrementally. If they can take those two guns, why not handguns, and rifles, and so on? 

You get the idea. I'm done.

NOTE: The Thomas Jefferson quote cannot be verified. I am usually good about checking these quotes for accuracy, but the quote sounded so much like Jefferson, I ran with it. So in its place, I give you something even better. A few lines from Ayn Rand's essay Man's Rights - From Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal.

Thoughts On The NRA And Undermining The 2nd Amendment

For about 3 years, the NRA was my client. I had the opportunity to visit with the leadership at their headquarters, and had numerous meetings/conversations during that time as I sought to understand their business. They are the most effective group in DC, NOT because they buy politicians - as many lobbyists do. They are effective because they believe in their cause, it is a righteous cause, and they are truly a grassroots organization, full of people who share their love of the Constitution, and especially the 2nd Amendment. When necessary they can mobilize their

membership to flood DC with phone calls and letters, not AstroTurf agitation like most Soros-funded groups, but actual constituents passionately telling their Congress critters what they want. And its very effective.

The media attempting to demonize the NRA is foolish. Because like Soylent Green, the NRA is PEOPLE. It is doctors, housewives, teachers, lawyers, Conservatives, Libertarians, Republicans, and yes, even a few Democrats.  And unlike the Broward County deputies who hid behind cars outside the school as the school shooter killed 17, the average NRA member would have at least attempted to stop the shooter, rather than standing down.

Economic boycotts are even more foolish. Who do you think is more likely to follow through with an economic threat - 5 million + people who are politically engaged, and vigilant about their rights? Or, a Soros-funded group with paid lackeys sending the same email and stuffing envelopes with form letters? You are either with the NRA on the side of the Constitution, or you stand with the marxists who want to fundamentally transform the US, depriving citizens of their inalienable rights. I would think very carefully before I succumbed to the pressure of political hate groups. The NRA may only have around 5 million members, but there are 100 million citizens who own guns in this country. And there are millions more like myself who will stand against any move to restrict civil liberties. 

The left is all giddy that a few companies - Allied Van Lines, Alamo Car Rental, Avis Car Rental , Delta Air Lines, First National Bank of Omaha, United Air Lines - to name a few, are ending their discounts for NRA members. I doubt many joined the NRA for this benefit. And I bet when it comes to banking, moving, flying, or car rental, NRA members, Conservatives, Patriots, and Gun Owners might be a bit more discerning when purchasing these services. I know I will. 

It seems after every alleged mass shooting, there are already in place groups soliciting money on behalf of the victims, and organizations demanding that the 2nd Amendment be eradicated. The media is quite prepared to gleefully broadcast their demands even before a single fact is confirmed from the event. In the case of Parkland, a school with over 3,000 students, seemingly only 4 students are interviewed by every major media outlet - all with very carefully thought out talking points. Some interviews may have even taken place before the shooting! Those who had differing views, or pro gun or 2nd Amendment leanings, were ignored and kept out the gun confiscation rally held by CNN, with carefully scripted questions, and a stacked audience.

The left continues to believe that if they can trot out enough victims, real or imagined, they will get the emotional response they seek, especially if there are children involved. Their status shields them from honest debate, and any tough questions are deflected by the accusation that you are attacking the victim. The reality is whether its moms or students demanding action, I really don't care. I know the left is willing to do ANYTHING to further their agenda, even arm Mexican gang members in an effort to undermine the 2nd Amendment. But none of this moves me. My NATURAL RIGHTS come from my Creator, not politicians or the government. And no politician or even mob will take them away from me.

The Right to Bear Arms is an INALIENABLE RIGHT, or a NATURAL RIGHT. Which means it cannot be repealed or restrained by human laws. The left has gotten very good at incrementally undermining rights. In the case of the 1st Amendment, Google, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, have all made it far more difficult to share beliefs that are contrary to the prevailing opinion of the far left, which is also the dominate ideology among the gatekeepers of entertainment, journalism, and education. The militant among the alternative lifestyle crowd, along with their allies in the media and the judiciary, have assaulted Christian businesses, and sought to silence those who dare to preach God's Word. The PC culture has stifled debate on college campuses, at one time the very best place to freely exchange ideas and debate their merit.

The 1st Amendment is under assault, and is relatively defenseless in its battle for survival. Which is one of the reasons why the Founders made the right to bear arms the 2nd Amendment. The ability to freely speak your mind, to protest, to assemble, or worship as you wish, can be easily trampled by the mob, or government tyranny. The only check is an armed population who would stop this from happening. The Founders were well aware from history what happens when a tyrannical power is unleashed on an unarmed population. Or when a powerful religion is permitted by the state to hunt heretics for fun and profit. The best defense is for every citizen to have the means necessary to defend themselves from any force that would seek to deprive him of his life, liberty, or property.

I give props to Bret in the above video, at least he is honest about the misguided goal of the radical left, that is the complete repeal of the 2nd amendment. He is not alone in this. Far too many people have been brainwashed into thinking that guns are bad, and rights are anything from free health care, to on demand, government-funded infanticide. The very schools that are being targeted in these shootings are not teaching their students and teachers that the founders gave them the Constitutional means to protect themselves. The Gun Free Zone signs certainly aren't doing the trick, and law enforcement seems to continually drop the ball when it comes to the prevention of mass violence.

It has demanded us to deliver up our arms, which are essential to our defence, the rightful property of freemen, and formidable only to tyrannical governments. Texas Declaration Of Independence - March 2, 1836

During one of my visits to the NRA headquarters, I sat in a conference room with a few people waiting for a meeting to start. On the wall they had mounted a massive flag, a replica of the the Battle of Gonzales flag pictured above. Being a native Texan, I was well aware of the history and significance of the flag and the event. After I commented, it became apparent that nobody in the room knew the story. Admittedly, these were mostly young staffers, but everyone present had graduated high school, college, and in some cases even graduate school, knowing nothing of the war for Texas Independence. If we can't learn from our history, we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes of the past.

So what was the meaning of the flag? Mexico had given the residents of Gonzales a cannon to help the local militia (the city residents, not a standing army) as a defense against Indian raids. Under Santa Anna, Mexico transformed into a dictatorship, and rumbles of rebellion could be heard all over the country. A small detachment, about 100 Mexican Calvary, was dispatched to seize the cannon from Gonzales. About 150 militia met them and a short skirmish followed. Although strategically the engagement was of little value. To the people living in Texas, it became obvious that the time of talking was over. The message from Gonzales should be the same for every tyrant who would seek to disarm law abiding citizens: Come And Take It!

Our Founding documents, especially the Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States, are some of the best works on Liberty ever produced by man. Only Paul's letters to the Body of Christ found in the New Testament exceed them. And Paul had much assistance from the Holy Spirit in crafting and explaining to Believers the Liberty they have in Christ, expanding it way beyond the limits of this temporal world. 

Instead of looking for ways to undermine our inalienable rights, we should be working to make sure that EVERYONE on the planet gets to enjoy the freedom our Founders imagined for the United States. Instead of robbing people of their Constitutional Rights, leaving them unprotected and easy targets for criminals and tyranny, why not empower them to protect themselves and their families? America's political elite seem to have no problem arming Mexican drug gangs, ISIS terrorists, and all types of unsavory folks all over the world, giving them automatic weapons, mortars, and the equipment to wage war, but somehow find it distressing that an American would dare own a semi-automatic weapon that simply LOOKS like a military weapon. How stupid is that?

Freedom - You Keep Using That Word...

...I do not think it means what you think it means. 

Pope Francis appeared before Congress this past week, and in a meandering speech touched on numerous current issues. Normally, I would simply ignore a religious leader's opinion on politics. But this pope continues to push ideas that have no place in the United States, and are often contrary to God's Word. I especially found his continual use of words like "free, freedom, and liberty" rather odd.

Building a future of freedom requires love of the common good and cooperation in a spirit of subsidiarity and solidarity.

That sounds rather consistent with America's founding principles. All decisions should be handled at the lowest possible political level, leaving it to the individual would always be the ideal. That is true freedom. "Building a future of freedom" would require rolling back the massive growth of the Federal bureaucracy over the last 60 years, and drastically shrinking government at all levels. Somehow, I don't think that is what this pope has in mind.

A delicate balance is required to combat violence perpetrated in the name of a religion, an ideology or an economic system, while also safeguarding religious freedom, intellectual freedom and individual freedoms.

I found this quote very interesting. Throughout history, what economic systems have been most prone to violence, and which ones were best at protecting individual freedom? Socialism, Fascism, and Communism gave us death camps, extermination by hunger, wars, gulags, killing fields, political prisoners, censorship, oppression, shortages, ethnic cleansing, and many other splendid accomplishments. The Feudalism of the past was not much better, leading to constant conflict and little freedom for the majority of people. Only Capitalism, best exemplified by the post-industrialized United States, shines in comparison. Freedom flourished, economic growth was unprecedented, and millions were lifted out of poverty.

Consider the various religions and ideologies, and the savagery they have unleashed on mankind. Even a cursory review of history's darkest hours reveals a common thread - rejection of God's Word. The pagan empires of antiquity tortured, murdered, and enslaved their conquered foes by the thousands. Islamic attacks on infidels, piracy, and slavery has continued unabated for almost 1400 years. Catholicism's golden age, when the religion dominated Europe, included violent suppression of dissent, religious wars, torture, genocide, and unspeakable barbarism. After centuries of oppression, reformers broke free from Rome's iron fist. And once they were in the majority and had power, many Protestants returned the favor, demonstrating that Christianity without Christ is just another religion, and no better than the pagans. Intellectuals told us they had a better way apart from God. Their foolishness gave rise to the economic systems mentioned above. Their philosophies devalue life, and the lack of a moral foundation leads to diabolical concepts like eugenics, population control, and family planning. Secular humanists attack the very foundation of society, undermining family and faith. Without God, they become their own deity, choosing life for themselves, and violence and death for those they deem unworthy. The weak, elderly, poor, and innocent become victims of cruel experiments, euthanasia, forced sterilization, and abortions. The latter alone has claimed the lives of over 1 Billion children just in the last 50 years!

The United States, while far from perfect, was founded for the very purpose of religious freedom. The Founders, inspired by God's Wisdom, placed a premium on Liberty for the individual - the smallest minority. No delicate balance is needed when the foundation is built on THE ROCK. Religious freedom would not even exist without the Founders understanding the Liberty Believers have in Christ, and the oppression of the past. To preserve this Freedom, all that is required is that everyone respects the Rule of Law, and understands that their Liberty ends when it clashes with the Liberty of another. Cutting off the heads of infidels may be desirable in your homeland, but it is unacceptable in a land where people have the right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Torturing and burning people for fun and profit who disagree with your religious system is contrary to both the Word, and Freedom. Genocide in the name of a deity, religion, economic system, the Fatherland, or the Motherland, is not exactly safeguarding the freedom of anyone.

America has had its dark moments. However, no nation has done more to defend Freedom globally. Very few countries have conquered nations, and even empires, only to give them back to the people and assist in their reconstruction. No nation has shed more blood, or shared more wealth with the rest of humanity than the United States of America.

But there is another temptation which we must especially guard against: the simplistic reductionism which sees only good or evil; or, if you will, the righteous and sinners.

When I read this quote, I wondered if Pope Francis has ever really studied God's Word. I truly want to give him the benefit of the doubt, but this is an egregious departure from the Truth. Consider just a few verses from God's Word.

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (KJV)
²¹ Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
²² Abstain from all appearance of evil.


This is written by Paul to Believers in the New Testament. He warns Christians to even avoid the appearance of evil. Believers are in the world, but not of the world. There should be no compromise with evil, or even the appearance of evil. That does not mean any departure from the Law of Love. (Matthew 22:35-40, 1 John 3)

John 10:10 (KJV)
¹⁰ The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

This is the Bible's dividing line. The thief is Satan, the enemy of man. His children imitate him. God's children imitate Jesus. Knowing John 10:10 will help you understand what went wrong throughout most of Christendom's history.  If you are imitating Satan, stealing, killing, and destroying, you cannot be following Christ.

There is Light and darkness, Good and evil, Love and selfishness, and most importantly Children of God - those made alive in Christ, and children of disobedience - those who are spiritually dead. Light cannot compromise with darkness. And as a champion of Christianity, the pope should know this. God has made it quite clear throughout His Word what He considers evil. This should not be up for debate. The same goes for what He considers Good.

Proverbs 16:25 (KJV)
²⁵ There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Isaiah 5:20-21 (KJV)
²⁰ Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
²¹ Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!


Nothing is more dangerous to a Believer than relativism. Without clinging to God's Word, man will always compromise with the world. There is no Truth apart from His Word. The moment you start seeing the world in shades of gray, you are in trouble. If you value the reasoning man, or the theology of your denomination above God's Word, you end up in the religious ditch. The moment you elevate a leader, no matter how charismatic, above Jesus Christ, things go catawampus. There is only ONE HEAD in the Body of Christ, Jesus. And you cannot know Him apart from His Word and the Holy Spirit.

I would like to mention four of these Americans: Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton.

Of all the hundreds of great Americans you could pick as examples, why would you pick two obscure figures of the extreme religious left? Obviously, I have no problem with Lincoln and King being mentioned. The other two show a profound misunderstanding of what has made this nation great. BTW - if you had to look these folks up, you are not alone. I had no clue who they were.

We know that no religion is immune from forms of individual delusion or ideological extremism.

This is a true statement, but not in the way Pope Francis intends. Religion is everything man does apart from God's Word. Faith comes from hearing God's Word. (Romans 10:17) And faith is the only way you can please the Father. (Hebrews 11:6) Apart from God's Living Word, you can do nothing. His Word must abide in you in order to bear fruit. (John 15:1-8) The pope is correct, no RELIGION is immune from delusion and extremism. The difference is that TRUE Christianity is RELATIONSHIP with the Father through Jesus. It is NOT religion.

Delusion is thinking you can chart your own path to God apart from His Truth. That was the sin of Cain. By faith, Abel offered a lamb as his substitute as a sacrifice to God. It was accepted. Since Abel did it by faith, we know that he followed God's Word. Cain offered produce from the cursed ground. It was not accepted. There is a profound contrast here. Following God's way versus man's way. One was by faith, while the other was by works. All religious error, including much within Christianity, flows from a choice between following Christ, or religion, God's Grace, or human merit, His Word, or the reasoning of theologians. Choose your path wisely. It will save you from much frustration. And note, even after murdering his brother, God was still reaching out to Cain. God is LOVE. He will never give up on you as long as you are alive. (Genesis 3, 4, Romans 1, Ephesians 2, Hebrews 11:4)

Even in the developed world, the effects of unjust structures and actions are all too apparent. Our efforts must aim at restoring hope, righting wrongs, maintaining commitments, and thus promoting the well-being of individuals and of peoples.

The quickest way to promote the well-being of individuals is to set them free, spiritually, economically, and politically. Oppressive governments, religious bondage, and spiritual darkness hinders God's Blessing.

In Laudato Si’, I call for a courageous and responsible effort to “redirect our steps” (ibid., 61), and to avert the most serious effects of the environmental deterioration caused by human activity.

I addressed his global warming manifesto previously. Its so sad that someone who claims to represent God on Earth, has such little faith in the Creator's ability to prepare this planet, fully anticipating everything mankind might do. I wonder, does the pope know who ultimately owns this planet? The Earth is the Lord’s. The world and all its people belong to Him. He created the Heavens and the Earth. (Genesis 1, Psalm 24:1, 89:5-18) The Earth long ago was created by God's Word, and then it was destroyed by water and darkness. The present Earth is preserved by that same Word until the day of judgment. (2 Peter 3:3-8)

And speaking of Freedom again, who determines what is environmental deterioration, and what is economic or human progress? What the pope imagines is hurting the planet, may actually be creating jobs, protecting the environment, or improving lives. Our heavenly Father gave the Earth to us. (Psalm 115:12-18) He gave man dominion over the Earth, and authority over all things. (Psalm 8) God made the world to be inhabited, He made it for His children. (Isaiah 45:18) He instructed both Adam and Noah to be fruitful and fill the Earth. (Genesis 1:28. 9:1)

Now is the time for courageous actions and strategies, aimed at implementing a “culture of care” (ibid., 231) and “an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature” (ibid., 139).

Nature does not need protecting at the expense of humanity, or individual Liberty. We certainly do not need more government oversight and regulation. We need less government, more private ownership of land, and more of God's Wisdom. We need FREEDOM from economic, political, and religious bondage. Giving more power to spiritually dead politicians, religious leaders, and agitators is a recipe for even more final solutions.

“We have the freedom needed to limit and direct technology” (ibid., 112); “to devise intelligent ways of… developing and limiting our power” (ibid., 78); and to put technology “at the service of another type of progress, one which is healthier, more human, more social, more integral” (ibid., 112).

Who is the "we" in his statement. Because if government bureaucrats, or some global enforcement agency, is limiting the use of technology and/or energy consumption, there is no Freedom. Oil, gas, nuclear, and coal, are the most efficient forms and energy, and readily available without the constraints of government. They have fueled economic prosperity for over a century. Would the pope deny those in developing countries the ability to enjoy what most people in the developed world take for granted? Can those nations struggling to emerge from poverty do this without modern technology, and the energy required to drive this progress? And further, would the pope have those in the developed world relinquish one hundred years of economic and technological progress simply to equalize the misery on a global scale? Where is his compassion for humanity?

On this continent, too, thousands of persons are led to travel north in search of a better life for themselves and for their loved ones, in search of greater opportunities. Is this not what we want for our own children? We must not be taken aback by their numbers, but rather view them as persons, seeing their faces and listening to their stories, trying to respond as best we can to their situation. To respond in a way which is always humane, just and fraternal. We need to avoid a common temptation nowadays: to discard whatever proves troublesome.

America is a very welcoming nation to those seeking freedom and the American dream. Over a million LEGAL immigrants arrive annually. However, what is happening on our Southern Border can be best described as an invasion. As Believers, we can and should be compassionate. But we also have to obey the laws of the land. There is a LEGAL way to enter this country. If people disobey the immigration laws, they are ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS and should be deported. Nobody should be rewarded for breaking immigration laws - especially when millions spend their hard-earned wealth and time to be admitted legally. If you do not like the immigration laws, change them. Its troubling when religious folks encourage illegal activity. The pope should remember Peter's inspired words on this subject.

1 Peter 2:13-16 (KJV)
¹³ Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
¹⁴ Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
¹⁵ For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
¹⁶ As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

They too need to be given hope. The fight against poverty and hunger must be fought constantly and on many fronts, especially in its causes. I know that many Americans today, as in the past, are working to deal with this problem. 

 It goes without saying that part of this great effort is the creation and distribution of wealth. The right use of natural resources, the proper application of technology and the harnessing of the spirit of enterprise are essential elements of an economy which seeks to be modern, inclusive and sustainable.

Throughout his time as pope, there have been plenty of hints of his socialist leanings. It should be no surprise since he was raised in Argentina. His attacks against Capitalism specifically, and the United States indirectly, are misplaced. America has never had true economic Freedom. Government has been picking winners and losers, and regulating businesses and industries into bankruptcy for decades. However, even with so much state involvement, no nation has ever lifted more people out of poverty, or created more jobs, wealth, and quality of life than the United States. I have seen what socialism does to countries. Even the "good kind" in the Nordic nations that is often hailed as a model for the world, features unmotivated drones who are little more than slaves of the state. Everyone is equally miserable, unless you get the golden ticket into the club that enforces the misery on others. If he truly cares about the poor, making everyone else poor is not the answer, nor is it Scriptural.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 (KJV)
¹⁰ For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
¹¹ For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
¹² Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.


Success, wealth, and prosperity never come before work, except in the dictionary.

Ephesians 4:28 (KJV)
²⁸ Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.


To all those religious socialists out there including the pope, look at God's formula - work with your own hands so that you can give to those in need. Note that it says GIVE, not confiscation and redistribution by a government.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (KJV)
⁶ But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
⁷ Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:


All of 2 Corinthians 9 is germane. Note the emphasis of giving from the heart. This has nothing to do with government redistribution. This lays out God's economy. Believers give from the heart, trust God's Word, and He makes sure that His Favor and Blessing is working, supplying all needs in abundance. (see also Proverbs 19:17, Luke 6:38, Philippians 4:15-19)

Deuteronomy 8:18 (KJV)
¹⁸ But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.


Proverbs 10:22 (KJV)
²² The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.


Prosperity and wealth comes from the Lord, not from governments, economic systems, or redistribution schemes. The state will NEVER be able to provide every need, much less the desires of everyone. But God certainly can.

I bristle at the notion that the United States even needs a lecture on giving, or helping the poor. Individuals in the US give nearly $30 Billion a year to charities. That is more than the economies of most nations. No nation has sent out more missionaries, fed more people, built more orphanages, or sent more Bibles worldwide than Christians in America. $4 TRILLION is taken every year from taxpayers and sent around the world, often given to tyrants, or people who hate us. Knowing how governments waste money, I am pretty certain very few of those dollars truly helps anyone. And yet the pope and his lefty friends demand more redistribution?

Since 1964, US Taxpayers have had over $22 Trillion taken from them and given to the "poor" in a vain attempt to win the war on poverty. That figure does not even include social security and medicare, which are also redistribution programs. America has some of the richest poor folks in the world, almost half own their own home, many have cable TV, AC, computers and a higher quality of life than many taxpayers. Its no surprise many people want to come here and enjoy the gravy train. Its anecdotal, but I often stand in line with guests at Walmart buying carts full of food that would break my budget with their Lone Star card - the EBT of Texas. While waiting in line, they check their Facebook on the latest iPhone. I'm still rocking my 3-year old Android that I bought for under $50. And as I am leaving in my 20 year old vehicle, I often find them pulling ahead of me in a late model SUV. I'm not complaining or envious. I am debt free, and very Blessed. Simply making the point that this nation has made far too many people comfortable in their poverty. The programs designed to help the poor, to be a safety net when hard times hit, are now nothing more than a hammock for too many people. Spiritually, we are doing the poor a great disservice. If a person is dependent on the state for survival, stuck on the government plantation if you will, are they really Free? There is only one way to be truly Free.

John 8:31-32 (KJV)
³¹ Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
³² And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.


This is what the pope SHOULD be discussing. Setting people Free through God's Word. That is why I wonder if he truly understands what Freedom in Christ really means.