More Republican Lies

REPUBLICANS MAKE FALSE NAZI REFERENCES ABOUT PROPOSITION 8

Commentary by Pate Hutson

I have never believed, in my lifetime, we would hear the activists of one political party refer to the other in the same light as German Nazis. Not only is this act despicable and cowardly, it is a clear indication of the Christian Right being represented by people who have not read their history. Hitler would have been to the EXTREME RIGHT of the American political spectrum. The Nazi party was a manifestation of “nationalistic fascism”. In other words, don’t question the “state” and let the corporations make the rules.

Now that the “Nazi” box has been opened, I ask you: Which American political party has a platform has a clear preference for the rights of businesses over the right of individual Americans? Which party produces propaganda saying a person is un-American if they don’t agree with the President? Which political party is supported primarily by Texas oil companies and the military industrial complex? Which political party supports the privatization of government functions (like trash collecting, civil defense, prisons, government accounting, etc…)

Nazis were the extreme right, just as communism is the extreme left. Conservative values are NOT Nazi values. Neither are Republican ones. They are to the right of the political spectrum, but they are not Nazi.

What I want to point out is that it would be more accurate to portray the backers of Proposition 8 with socialism or communism rather than with Nazism. The guy in the video should probably read his German history, American history, or al least SOME history before going off and making false comparisons to rile up a crowd.

There could be an argument where the backers of Proposition 8 are in keeping with the traditional Republican values of personal liberty, reduced regulation, and limited government. This argument would place those who are against Prop 8 more in line with the communis valuess… Government control over EVERYTHING… Including your person life! (I’ll bet they never saw that one coming!)

Here is the article that got me fire up (watch the video on the link at the bottom (scary stuff)………

When in Doubt Say "Nazi"

By Tim Einenkel

This has been the week of right wing wackos playing the Nazi-card. The Nazi-card is a true sign of desperation and shows that you are usually on the wrong side of the issue. Remember when Focus on the Family’s James C. Dobson likened embryonic stem cell research to Nazi experiments? I think we all know who was and has been wrong on this issue…

So, back to this week. First, John McCain asked “What if there was a tape with John McCain with a neo-Nazi outfit being held by some media outlet? I think the treatment of the issue would be slightly different,” when calling out the LA Times for not releasing a video of Obama talking about leading Palestinian American scholar, Rashid Khalidi.

Then, at a Pro-Proposition 8 rally, Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute, a conservative legal group and proponent of California’s anti-gay ballet, Prop 8 equated passing the ballet, therefore defeating homosexuals to defeating Hitler:

“There was another time in history when people, when the bell tolled. And the question was whether or not they were going to hear it. The time was during Nazi Germany with Adolf Hitler. You see he brought crowds of clergy together to assure them that he was going to look after the church. And one of the members, bold and courageous, Reverend Niemand (sp?) made his way to the front and (inaudible) said "Hitler, we are not concerned about the church. Jesus Christ will take care of the church. We are concerned about the soul of Germany." Embarrassed and chagrined, his peers quickly shuffled him to the back. And as they did Adolf Hitler said, "The soul of Germany, you can leave that to me." And they did, and because they did bombs did not only fall upon the nation of Germany, but also upon the church and their testimony to this very day. Let us not make that mistake folks. Let us hear the bell! Vote on Proposition 8.”

In the next five days the Nazi-card will continue to be put in play by the right wing. McCain is still down in the polls, Palin continues to call Obama a socialist and un-American and the FBI just stopped a skinhead plot to assassinate Obama. What’s next?

http://airamerica.com/blog/2008/oct/30/when-doubt-say-nazi

The Big Lie

I found this piece while researching for another article. This is the type of insight that seldom catches the attention of the "main stream media". There are so many fellow Christians who falsely believe Republicans have their best interests at heart. The reality is the Christians who follow the Republican party are misled... at best. This article can be found at http://www.christiandemocrats.org/ -Pate Hutson


The Republican Party and Abortion:

The Big Lie

Many people who consider themselves Pro-Life automatically assume that their natural political alignment is with the Republicans. Many Republicans candidates apply the Pro-Life tag to themselves, and hope voters don't look too close. Conservative Pro-Lifers also automatically assume that Democrats are the pro-abortion party. But as recent history tells us, it's all part of The Republican Big Lie.

Christian Democrats are not pro-abortion

First of all, it would be rare indeed to find anyone who is actually pro-abortion. Virtually everyone in American society has been sensitized to the moral trauma that is abortion. As a birth control solution, it cannot be morally supported.

But Americans, by and large, also oppose allowing the government the power to decide such personal issues as how many children they should have. It was in this context of coming up with a solution to a difficult issue that the US Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade in 1973. It is safe to say that Roe v. Wade decided nothing, and instead provoked a violent outcry among many Christians that continues to this day. This is the quandary that many Christian Democrats find themselves in. Christian Democrats want to see a solution to the abortion issue.

Republican Party wants to see abortions continue

The Republican Party, on the other hand, has profited greatly from abortions, and has no interest in seeing them end. Consider that the Republican Party won the 1968 presidential election by cobbling together an unlikely alliance between the Republican Party's traditional business interests and white southerners opposed to civil rights.

In the eight presidential elections since 1968, the Republican Party has struggled to put together a winning combination by appealing to Pro-Life voters. Despite this potent combination, Republican presidential candidates have come up with a plurality in just half those races. Without abortion as an issue, prospects for the Republican Party would be gloomy. One might even say, non-existent.

The Republican Party encourages Pro-Life voters to blame the U.S. Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision on Democrats. The Republican Party never points out that five of the seven justices in the majority in Roe v. Wade were Republicans; of the two justices who dissented, one was a Republican, one a Democrat.

Was Bush lying then, or is he lying now?

When George Bush Jr. was campaigning for president in 2000, one of his promises was that, if elected, he would not seek to overturn Roe v. Wade. Does that sound Pro-Life?

One should not lose sight of the fact that the U.S. Supreme Court that was willing to ignore the results at the ballot box and select George Bush Jr. to be president has a solid Republican majority. That majority was appointed by very conservative Republican presidents. This Republican court that was willing to steal the election for Bush has not taken one step toward overturning Roe v. Wade. Why? because future Republican electoral interests would likely be adversely affected. Without the promise to overturn Roe v. Wade as bait, why would Christians vote for a Republican?

Why do Pro-Life voters continue to fall for the Republican Big Lie? Because Democrats have been put on the defensive. A person who supports a Democrat with a sign, a bumper sticker, or a letter to the editor will be vilified by Republican attack dogs. Anyone who points out a poor decision by a Republican lawmaker can count on a Republican attempting to justify it by using the abortion card. Suggest that a Republican candidate is unqualified by reason of inexperience or lack of leadership and the response will be immediate: "But he's 100% Pro-Life."

What is Pro-Life?

Even those in the Pro-Life camp are unable to agree on what that label means. Does it mean no exceptions for the life and health of the mother? Does it include an exception for rape or incest? How about use of birth control that may work by preventing the implantation of a fertilized egg—a zygote, not a fetus? How about non-surgical abortions? How about abortions performed to save some embryos when a woman has a multiple pregnancy because of fertility treatments?

The truly pro-life position

Rarely do Republican policy makers support things that would make abortions unnecessary, like birth control. "If [women] refused to choose, if we insisted on keeping both our lives and bodies intact, what changes would our communities have to make? What would make abortion unnecessary? Flexible school situations, more flex-time, part-time, and home-commute jobs, attractive adoption opportunities, safe family planning choices, support in handling sex responsibly: this is a partial list." Frederica Mathewes-Green, former vice-president of Feminists for Life of America. A list like that is a rarity in Republican circles.

One could add a welfare system that doesn't force a woman to choose between having a baby and keeping a job. Republican politicians are fond of talking about the "tough love" represented by their cuts to the welfare system. They forget that "tough love" often results in an abortion.

Christian Democrats support all the things that will result in reducing the number of abortions by reducing the demand for abortions: family planning, teen pregnancy prevention and adoption law reform.

Christian Democrats © 2002 All Rights Reserved

These are examples of issues we all should be paying attention to. Few candidates are talking about any of them. Theses are the types of things that really matter to the electorate. Instead of talking about issues like these, the current Republican candidates from all levels are using attack adds and working hard to suppress the vote! The best way to combat this disturbing trend is to educate our friends and neighbors and encourage them to do the same. Duane Shank does a fine job of articulating the issues. Don't take my word for it, judge for yourself. God Bless!
- Pate Hutson

The latest news on Christians Combating Poverty, Envagelical Journalists, U.S. Economy, Presidential Campaign, Death Penalty, Global Economy, South America, U.S. Wealth Gap, Food Crisis, Pakistan, Iraq, and Select Op-eds.

compiled by Duane Shank 10-23-2008

Christians combating poverty. Activists see opening for poverty issue “At a time when more than 37 million Americans are in poverty, including many who are newly poor and paying keen attention, spiritual leaders are encouraging the young to vote and urging voters to select candidates who will fight poverty.” Evangelicals gathering to combat poverty “A diverse group of 2,000 evangelical Christian community activists from different denominations and political parties will meet in Miami this week to discuss ways to combat poverty and empower the disenfranchised.”

Evangelical journalists. Evangelicals are in the news, but not in newsrooms “Here is a foolproof way for politicians to score points with evangelical voters: Attack the media, an institution widely seen as lacking conservative Christian voices. … One way to change this perception, some church leaders, social commentators and journalists say, is for mainstream news organizations to employ — and keep — more evangelicals in their newsrooms.”

U.S. economy. Job Losses Accelerate, Signaling Deeper Distress “Employers are moving to aggressively cut jobs and reduce costs in the face of the nation’s economic crisis, preparing for what many fear will be a long and painful recession.” Foreclosures continued their rise in September, stats show “Nevada, Florida and California continued to lead the country in foreclosures in September. Of the 10 worst cities for foreclosures, six were in California, two in Florida and Las Vegas and Phoenix rounded out the list. Nationwide, foreclosures were up by 21 percent over September of last year.” Medical costs still burden many despite insurance “Although far more Massachusetts residents have health insurance coverage than residents nationwide, a significant portion of Bay Staters are still struggling to pay for needed healthcare, a new survey shows.”

Presidential campaign. Rivals Split on U.S. Power, but Ideas Defy Easy Labels “Mr. McCain’s campaign portrays him as an experienced warrior who knows how to win wars and carries Theodore Roosevelt’s big stick, even if he occasionally strays from Roosevelt’s advice about speaking softly. Mr. Obama’s campaign portrays him as a cerebral advocate of patient diplomacy, the antidote to the unilateral excesses of the Bush years, who knows how to build partnerships without surrendering American interests.”

Death penalty. Texas to execute ten men in one month “The state of Texas has scheduled ten executions in 30 days, a record in the southern state that is already the U.S. leader in capital punishment, having put more than 400 people to death in 30 years.”

Global economy. Bush to Host World Leaders at Nov. 15 Economic Summit “President Bush will host a summit on the global economic crisis in Washington on Nov. 15, kicking off landmark negotiations among world leaders on financial reforms less than two weeks after American voters go to the polls to choose a new president.” Bush Calls 20 Nations to Summit on Markets “President Bush will convene leaders of 20 nations in Washington on Nov. 15 for an emergency summit meeting to discuss the economic crisis.”

South America. Financial panic now sweeping through South America “While the United States wrestled with financial meltdown this fall, Latin American leaders often boasted that their economies were models of stability in an otherwise tumultuous global landscape. Such confidence gave way, however, to panic this week, as the effects of the U.S. credit crunch and an international downturn wreak havoc on Latin America’s formerly booming economies.” Turmoil in Latin American markets “Latin American investors brace themselves a day after government interventions in Argentina and Brazil.”

U.S. wealth gap. Wealth gap creating social time bomb, says U.N. report “Growing inequality in U.S. cities could lead to widespread social unrest and increased mortality, says a new United Nations report on the urban environment. In a survey of 120 major cities, New York was found to be the ninth most unequal in the world and Atlanta, New Orleans, Washington, and Miami had similar inequality levels to those of Nairobi, Kenya, Abidjan, and Ivory Coast.”

Food crisis. Fearing a Drought of Aid “President Bush, who has made international aid a cornerstone of his foreign policy, warned yesterday against cutting U.S. assistance to impoverished nations in the midst of the financial turmoil sweeping Wall Street and Main Street.” U.N. food agency says millions suffer food crisis in North Korea “The U.N. food agency said Thursday that millions of North Koreans face a food crisis, but a South Korean official said that Seoul has not decided whether to respond to a request for food aid to the communist country.” South Africa poverty ‘emergency’ “A former Anglican archbishop of Cape Town has described poverty in South Africa as being worse than ever. Having met communities affected by poverty across the country, Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane said South Africa was in ‘a state of emergency.’”

Pakistan. Pakistan stares into the abyss “Pakistan was locked in crisis last night, with the government pressed by Washington to deepen its conflict with Islamic militants in the lawless regions on the Afghan border, and obliged to call in the International Monetary Fund to stave off financial catastrophe.” Pakistan Will Give Arms to Tribal Militias “Pakistan plans to arm tens of thousands of anti-Taliban tribal fighters in its western border region in hopes — shared by the U.S. military — that the nascent militias can replicate the tribal ‘Awakening’ movement that proved decisive in the battle against al-Qaeda in Iraq.” Pakistan and IMF in talks over loan “Pakistan has begun talks with the International Monetary Fund in Dubai over a loan program to overcome a balance of payments crisis, according to an adviser of the prime minister.” ‘U.S. missiles’ hit Pakistan school “A suspected U.S. missile strike kills at least eight students at a religious school in north-western Pakistan, witnesses say.”

Iraq. Blow to U.S.-troop withdrawal from Iraq “The Iraqi Cabinet dealt a blow yesterday to a draft agreement to allow U.S. forces to stay in Iraq beyond the end of the year, demanding changes to the document to make it more acceptable.” Russia Backs Keeping U.S. Force in Iraq “With the prospects for agreement on a proposed American-Iraqi security pact in doubt, the idea of allowing United States-led troops to stay under a United Nations mandate resurfaced this week, and Russia’s foreign minister told reporters that his country would support such a plan.” In Sadr City, a Repressed but Growing Rage “Seven months after intense clashes with U.S. and Iraqi government forces rocked Baghdad’s Sadr City enclave, a sense of betrayal and frustration flows through its sprawling expanse.”

Commentary. Stopping A Nuclear Tehran (Daniel R. Coats and Charles S. Robb, Washington Post) “It is likely that the first and most pressing national security issue the next president will face is the growing prospect of a nuclear-weapons-capable Iran. After co-chairing a recently concluded, high-level task force on Iranian nuclear development, we have come to believe that five principles must serve as the foundation of any reasonable, bipartisan and comprehensive Iranian policy.”

Categories: Daily News Digest

Which Party is More Biblical? Democrats or Republicans

Which Party is More Biblical? Democrats or Republicans

Pate Hutson, October 2008

A number of concerns were recently brought to my attention by a friend who is also a practicing Christian. All of the comments and questions can be boiled down into one; Which American political party most closely embrases Christian values?

I think you will agree, one of the greatest strengths of the Bible is its ability to be interpreted in so many different ways, each being relevant to the reader. When I left the Lima area in 1990, I was a firm evangelical Republican. After going to 36 countries in the past eighteen years and becoming Catholic, my views have changed.

I am now identifying myself as “a Biblical Progressive”. It so happens, at this particular time, that the Democrats promote more of Christ’s teachings than the Republicans do. (I am sure that too will change at some point.)

Although many of us may be blessed with economic success and cozy homes. Often, when I am looking at the 2in thick steak at the butchers’ market, I remember the words of Mother Teresa, “It is a great tragedy that a child might die so that you may have what you want.” Sometimes I buy the steak, other times I pass it by. Always, I am more aware that the simplest decisions can have great consequences to our neighbors. (I think that was her point.)

The problem is that most people don’t even realize they are being repressed. Did you know you, me, and every other American citizen can be indefinitely detained without warrant or trial? How about the corporatization of our government? Does anyone really think we are better off giving corporations more rights than citizens? What about the response to Katrina? What about police brutality? What do you call it when your children are taken from you without any legal process and judicial accountability? An unbalanced child support system is not repression? How is this NOT repression? (Don’t get me started on the unconstitutionality of income tax!) Repression is directly in front of us everyday!

Still don’t think repression doesn’t exist? Go to the local Job and Family Service Center. Look at the people who are there and tell me these people are not experiencing repression! They aren’t there because they enjoy it, they are there because they have no other choice. I could go on and on.

What is the mission of Jesus? There is absolutely no doubt that the Prince of Peace devoted his ministry, life, death, and resurrection to forgiveness, grace, and service to his people. Jesus told us to go forth and make disciples of all men, to baptizing (them) in the name of the Father. To be a disciple is to follow his moral example of clothing the poor, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, leaving judgment to the Father, accepting the grace of others and reconciliation. As a Christian, I consider Jesus’ example to be a perfection I can only pray to maybe, sometimes, if I’m lucky, come close to achieving.

So, how does the GOP and Democratic Platforms compare to the teachings of the Christ? Here is a link to both: http://www.gop.com/2008Platform/ http://www.democrats.org/a/party/platform.html Please take a few hours and read both of them. I did so last month, after each convention. The read was illuminating (and boring)!

I find it amazing how many people will vote for the same things over and over and have no clue about what they are really voting about, on both side of the isle. If anyone who calls themselves a Christian were to read each platform without prejudice, they would find the Democratic one most in line with Christian teachings. Please notice, I am not saying the entire Democratic platform is within the Jesus’ teachings. I am simply saying the Democratic platform is MUCH more in line with Christian teachings then the Republican one.

Personally, I have issues with the Democrat's pro-choice aspects of their platform. Serious issues, I think the Democrat’s stance on abortion is morally wrong; Just as wrong as the Republican stance on Capital Punishment. Pro-Life means Pro-“All”-Life, I would even go as far as to say Pro-Life should also mean “Pro-Public/ Universal Health”! Is the GOP protecting the lives of newborns by opposing expansion of Children’s Health Insurance? How is the opposition to virtually all public health initiatives helping protect the newborns? Sorry, but opposing abortion is only part of the equation. The Dems have a MUCH better grasp on the rest of the “Life” equation!

I cannot, for the life of me, think of how Republicans have guaranteed ANY freedoms we grew up with! At one time they did, but not for awile now. During the past eight years, the Republican administration and congress has assaulted our civil liberties and constitutional freedoms more then any foreign power in our Nations history. The following are examples of freedoms which President Bush and Republicans in Congress have already expunged (as reported by the Associated Press):

FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION: Government may monitor religious and political institutions without suspecting criminal activity to assist terror investigations.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION: Government has closed once-public immigration hearings, has secretly detained hundreds of people without charges, and has encouraged bureaucrats to resist public records questions.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH: Government may prosecute librarians or keepers of any other records if they tell anyone that the government subpoenaed information related to a terror investigation.

RIGHT TO LEGAL REPRESENTATION: Government may monitor federal prison jailhouse conversations between attorneys and clients, and deny lawyers to Americans accused of crimes.

FREEDOM FROM UNREASONABLE SEARCHES: Government may search and seize Americans’ papers and effects without probable cause to assist terror investigation.

RIGHT TO A SPEEDY AND PUBLIC TRIAL: Government may jail Americans indefinitely without a trial.

RIGHT TO LIBERTY: Americans may be jailed without being charged or being able to confront witnesses against them.

Please explain to me how the Republican Party is defending our freedoms. The hypocrisy that the Republicans are spreading is to force the American people to live to a strict standard of the law, while they themselves are cheating, when it is convenient. They produce proclamations exalting patriotism, freedom, and democracy, while at the same time, limiting constitutional protections in the name of “security”.

The current crop of Republican leadership is indistinguishable from the Pharisees of Biblical times! Sarah Palin is simply in over her head. Sure she lies and philanders, most politicians do, but she is vastly under qualified to be in national office. She is also a poor representation of Christianity, at best! She clearly has trouble thinking on her feet, a skill ALL politicians should have, especially at that level. Palin has little too no understanding of the functions of our Constitution. That is why she disqualifies McCain from being President; Palin was a disqualifying choice.

We, as Christians need strong political leaders. We need to support politicians who can think on their feet and have at least a BASIC understanding about the functions of government. We need leaders who can be examples of wisdom and compassion. I don’t know about the compassion Palin exhibits , but I am certain of the wisdom she has demonstrated to this point.

Senator Obama, a politician I really don’t care much for personally, has demonstrated his wisdom, compassion, and commitment to Christian values. McCain has not (remember the 2000 & 2008 primaries… when he stated he doesn’t even like the “Christian Right”, or when Dr. James Dobson said he would NEVER vote for McCain). Obama has, like McCain, dedicated his life to service. What sets Obama apart is his demonstrated dedication to Christ and the wisdom to choose a running mate, Joe Biden, who is also a strong Christian steward.

Clearly, when a Christian looks at the entire political platforms of both parties, weighs the history ofeach canidate, and compares those things to the guiding moral principale of the Christ's teachings, there is only one choice.

Does The Bible Tell Us How To Vote?

Does The Bible Tell Us How to Vote?

By Pate Hutson

What the Bible says about how we should vote? Granted, there wasn't much voting by the common person in Biblical times, but there is, none the less, a guide. Here it is:

Exploitation of Workers and Poor:

Jeremiah 22:15,16 "Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He did what was right and just, so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?" declares the LORD.

Micah 2:1-3 Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning's light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it. They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them. They defraud a man of his home, a fellowman of his inheritance. Therefore, the LORD says: "I am planning disaster against this people, from which you cannot save yourselves.

Isaiah 58:3,6,7,10 Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers....Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.

Mark 12:38,39 Watch out for the teachers of the law . . . . They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.

Economic issues are pro-life issues: Micah hits hard on economic injustice, and uses extreme language to show how much of a life-and-death matter it really is.

Micah 3:1-3 Listen, you leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel. Should you not know justice, you who hate good and love evil; who tear the skin from my people and the flesh from their bones; who eat my people's flesh, strip off their skin and break their bones in pieces; who chop them up like meat for the pan, like flesh for the pot?

Greed, Love of Money:

Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore . . . . greed, which is idolatry.

Ephesians 5:5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person-such a man is an idolater-has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

I Timothy 6:5,9-10 . . . men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain . . . . People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

I Peter 2:1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.

The Company They Keep:

Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

Isaiah 32:5 No longer will the fool be called noble nor the scoundrel be highly respected.

Wealth and Power:

Micah 3:11,12 Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD and say, "Is not the LORD among us? No disaster will come upon us." Therefore because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field.

Isaiah 1:23 Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow's case does not come before them.

Ezekiel 34: 13,20 Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? . . . . Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says to them: See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.

Proverbs 14:31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

"Gentle and Humble": Quoted from Matthew 11:28

Pro-life: Proverbs 24:11,12 Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?

Mis-using moral teachings to promote another agenda:

Luke 12:2 Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known

Homosexuality in Scripture:

Cast the First Stone: Jesus said, in John 8:7, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."

I am not sure how ANYONE can call themselves a Christian and vote for the Republican Ticket. Sure, there are exceptions on individual levels, but for the sake of God, the ENTIRE Republican platform is about disenfranchisement, keeping the poor uneducated, misinformed, and deeply in debt.

Jesus was very clear about how we should treat our neighbor. He was very clear about sitting down with our enemies, helping to poor, tending to the sick, and the active practice of forgiveness!

To my brothers and sisters who say you are a Christian and continue to vote for the Republican ticket.... Please, Please Please think about what you are doing! Was the mission of Jesus Christ to help the corporations? Was his mission to limit health care for the masses? What did the Christ think of greed or exploitation? Was his death on the cross representative of the entire human race, or just the people who think and act like you do?

Think about how you cast your votes the November. Remember, those of us who believe in the ministry

of Jesus need to weigh how his mission will be carried out by our elected officials. The Bible is clear about the ministry Jesus created! Are you going to honor his death and resurrection by combating poverty, improving health care, fighting racism and discrimination, and attacking greed?

If you vote for a political party who does everything possible to FIGHT the mission of Jesus should you really call yourself a Christian?