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The Big Shift
Yesterday, America handed the Democratic Party the chance of a lifetime – control.
Click to see Associated Press overview of Democrats Plan.
As Governor Ted Kulongoski gave his victory speech for a second term as Governor of Oregon, he said, “It’s party time.”
Nancy Pelosi, who will become the next Speaker of the House said, “The democrats are ready to lead.”
I find a great deal of irony in yesterday’s election and many questions in what the Seattle P.I. called “the blue wave.”
Ms. Pelosi represents one of the most liberal congressional districts in San Francisco, yet she will be third in succession to the presidency. While San Francisco values will rule the gavel, will they now control America? And where will they lead us?
The platform of the Democratic Party is very clear on the issues. The favor gay marriage and are pro-choice, not pro-life. These issues are really very close to the heart of most Christian voters. The Republican Party platform has best represented these values, although there has been great disappointment in a number of people who supposedly represent the Republic Party. In too many cases, we sent people to Washington to change government only to find that government changed them. More and more Republican candidates have assumed that because they were Republican, they would enjoy the support of the faith community, even though they may not hold some of our most important values. They were wrong. We are more committed to principles then to Party. (See Faith & Freedom Poll).
As the “Blue Wave” has swept over America, it is unlikely that there will be a national Defense of Marriage Act amendment within the next two years.
I received an email from a friend in New York today telling me that staffers for Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, 86, are saying that he is very ill and will most likely have to step down very soon. It will be very difficult for President Bush to get confirmation on a true conservative “originalist” replacement. Will that give us Alberto Gonzales as the first Hispanic judge who happens to be pro-choice? Who knows.
Here in the Northwest, the Big Shift, will be felt most on two very important social issues. Marriage and the Sanctity of Life. Particularly marriage.
Ed Murray promised after the Washington Supreme Court ruling upheld traditional marriage, that he would immediately introduce new legislation in the 2007 session to provide at least civil unions. He has the support of other liberal legislators and Governor Gregoire. Will a new, emboldened liberal legislature try for gay marriage again?
And Governor Ted Kulongoski promised Oregon that if he were re-elected for a second term he would push for civil unions for homosexuals, which is simply gay marriage by another name.
I am not sure what all this means, nor do I think for one moment that we, or anyone else for that matter, can fully explain what all this “Blue Wave” -- Big Shift means.
Many emails have come to us today, thanking us for all we do and encouraging us to not get discouraged.
Thank you. And we’re not discouraged, nor should any person of faith get discouraged. At least after today.
There is much to learn as we move forward. And we will move forward. We know that God is in control and He allows things to happen for a reason.
Perhaps one thing that can come from this would be for every person of faith to re-evaluate how God would have us as individuals to engage in our society. Perhaps resolve can be strengthened and galvanized through these times.
Perhaps God would say to His people of today what He said more than 3000 years ago. “This is what the Lord says: stand at the crossroads and look; ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘we will not walk in it.’ I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet! But you said, ‘We will not listen.’ Disaster came because they did not listen to the ancient words of wisdom and they rejected His law.” (Jeremiah 6:16, 19).
We at Faith & Freedom have a strategic planning meeting tomorrow with leaders in Washington State, to define how God would lead us to address these most important issues in 2007.
Our desire is to act on His “ancient words of wisdom” and to influence our lawmakers to not reject His law.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
_____________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom
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20 Comments:
Gary, what I find astounding is that exit polls showed 74% of white evangelical Christians voted for candidates in the corrupt Republican party. In 2004, that percentage was 73%, statistically insignificant.
What that tells us is that no matter how deep the Republican party delves into the pits of sin and godlessness, we still support them.
Maybe it is not the Big Shift voters who are wrong; maybe it is we who are wrong for supporting such depravity and wrecklessness.
Would Jesus have really supported the war in Iraq, which was based on false pretenses and unrelated to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on our country? Would Jesus really stand for homosexuals losing their jobs or homes because of who God made them to be, or inequality in how we treat different families? Would Jesus really stand for putting criminals to death (often mistakenly, we are finding with DNA testing) while we stand for life in the womb?
We have a lot to consider.
We are in Iraq. We are there and so are the terrorists. Has everyone forgottten the people that were murdered and torchured under saddams regime? It amazes me how quickly people change their minds. and blame . We have a lot to consider. The soldiers are out there. Rather than put all our strength in getting out we need to put more strength in them. And stop complaining about Bush---It was voted on by Democrates as well.
The GOP has claimed to be morally
and ethically superior. The veil
is dropping. They are neither any more ethical or moral than anybody else.
In fact if anything they have less
etics , morals and integraty than
the Democrats. Hint :
check out this site
http://www.vote-smart.org/
ht tp://www.vote-smart.org/
and see how the parties supported
veterans organizations like the disabled vets.
Do your homework and see who TALKS THE TALK and WALKS THE WALK.
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
Wow , 27 percent of Evangelicals voted for the party of abortion on demand , Barny Frank , Hillary Clinton , Pork Pelosi and Murtha .. Interesting that when dealing with voting blocks , the Evangelical vote is much more diverse then say who minorities , homosexuals , and other groups vote .. Wow diversity , we all know that is a bad thing only when Christians have it .
Micky,
Apparently 27% of evangelicals understand that the democrats are not generally for "abortion on demand" (as you so erroneously imply) and see that the democrats represent a lot good Biblical values on a lot of issues.
Yes Jc and the Democratic party was the ku kluxs klan. Please. Hope you are not african american. And disappointed to know that party never supported rights or freedom. Nor will ever. They just follow the vote. Without apology.African americans deserve an apology from the democratic party.
Vishanti I would be careful in insulting the intelligence of others. That opens you up for review and critique.
I know you claim to have a Masters Degree. I have way more than that. You are not as smart as you like to believe and you are not fooling anyone.
My handle?
A different anonymous
You know someone doesn't have a valid issue when they have to fish so far upstream for their red herrings.
A point to remember when people have to reach back so many decades to try and find something to complain about when talking about the Democrats. I mean Republicans used to be the party of limited government and frugal government and Bush has tripled the national debt - parties change.
And considering no democrat alive from that time exists it would be hard to get an apology that meant anything and odd that a Christian would think one is required as long as they aren't currently that way.
Vishanti I would be careful in insulting the intelligence of others. That opens you up for review and critique.
Considering you left your note before I even replied to this one its difficult to even know what you are talking about - do your have your discussion threads confused?
And I don't remember insulting anyone's intelligence. I did point out that truth and rational basis for opinions are not the anonymous' priorities, a conclusion easily derived from their own words. That has nothing to do with intelligence but with priorities and choices of how to deal with discussionary issues. I am at least smart enough to give reasons and justifications for my opinions, something anonymous is rarely does.
Remember the Terri Schiavo case?
It seems to me that the GOP
, that claims to be the party of
traditonal Christian and family values
in varible chooses the side that goes against
the teachings of the Christ and the bible.
The same was also done in the Elian Gonzalaz case.
A 6 Y/O boy that had lost hismother was used
by the GOP for poltical gain.
I FAITH AND FREEDOM marched right in lock step
with the GOP on both of these cases.
___________________________________________________
A man and a woman get married and become a new family.
A child is born to this family and the couple
care for , protect & teach their child . The child grows,
matures and becomes an adult and leave its parents,
finds a mate and gets married and becomes a new family. This
is the story of Terri & Michael Schiavo , Terri Schiavo's
parents, Michael Schiavo's parents
and most of those reading this.
Once a child becomes an adult and marries they become a new
family separate from its parents.
The decisions of the new family are the new families
decisions alone.
Michael Schiavo's decision to let his spouse Terri go is
one of the most heart wrenching emotional decisions that a spouse
has to do.
This decision was Michael's and not Terri's parents , Terri's
brothers and sisters, President Bush, Governor Bush
or any other person outside Michael & Terri's family.
It was wrong for Terri's parents to fight Michael Shiavo's
decision to let Terri go in the courts.
It was wrong for Terri's parents , spiritual
advisor & lawyers to slander Michael Schiavo by
questioning his motives
and integraty.
When a hetersexual loses a partner
they usually don't have to go to court to
defend themselves from their partner's relatives.
Same sex parners should have the same legal benifits
as hetersexuals. They should be able to register
legally as partners to get the same benifits
as hetersexuals.
The solution is simple don't
call it marriage.
We are punished for our own sins.
God will punish me for my sins, you for your sins and
homsexuals for their sins. It is not our place to
do the judgement and punishment of others , that
is God's job.
You need to reread God's commands for his nation of Israel in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Our nation is patterned after the nation of Israel in many ways. (reread founders quotes) It is the nation's job to see that justice is done. It is the church's job to see that the poor and spiritually hungery are fed.
I think you should ask what has the democratic party done for african americans today. Not much. They still cover with the blind support of african americans and libral whites and Gays. Be weary. very weary.
They've done more for african americans or homosexuals or liberal whites than the Republicans have ever done for Christians and yet the Christians are out there with their blind support for the GOP. Save that 'weary' for yourself.
The Dems have given blacks more money, and more projects to live in. Is that really help?
GWBush and his recent hardly mentioned at all method of giving more to those who get married and a deadline for those on welfare gives blacks and others incentive to get off the welfare roles, to build self-esteem making a living for themselves and helping families to have more stable lives has helped more blacks and others than any dem program.
My house is paid for because my wages were high enough that
I could save & pay it off. My wages
were neotiated by the union. I have retirement & health
benifits that were negotiated by the union.
The GRAND OLD PARTY's voting record is anti union.
If somebody wants to cut my throat I am
surely not going to hand them a knife so I am voting
Democrat. To place my vote with the
Republicans or a minority party that has no chance
of winning would be handing them the knife.
Issues like Abortion , same sex marriages and other issues
are all secondary to my family.
Selling principles out for the bucks. Pathetic.
Yes, anonymous it is rather sad and pathetic the way the religious right has sold out their principals at the alter of republican power.
-JC
Principals???? We are dragging the school officials into this?
Yes, the Republicans did not stick to the principles which got them into power, the contract with America. They sold out for re-election. Hopefully, they have learned their lesson. Then we can get away from the spend-freely lie-routinely live-with-no-morals Democrat leadership we have now.
Let's read what the founding fathers stated in our Declaration of Independence: "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."
Pretty long cry from the poem at 10:44.
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