By Bob Beetler
We were reminded recently of President Lincoln's 203rd birthday - my favorite president. Because he stood for righteousness, he faced the Civil War. Was it fought over slavery? Indirectly, yes. But it was really fought over money. Cotton was very profitable if you didn't have to pay for the labor. Lincoln called it "wringing their bread from the sweat of other people's faces." He had debated and declared the evil of it, and refused to back down. That is why seven states seceded before he was even inaugurated. They would sacrifice moral righteousness for money. Would you do that? Sadly, millions have sunk to that level.
In a slave state there are givers, and there are takers. Slaves were the "givers," but not voluntarily. And the slaveholders were the takers. In a welfare state, there are also givers and takers. The givers are hard-working people, but their giving is not voluntary either. And the government is the taker, the majority of which is not for the purpose of doing what governments are supposed to do, but to "spread the wealth around" - your wealth, that is. Of course, that's after they skim off what they want for paying fat salaries and giving political favors: expanding the bureaucracy. You see, the government of a welfare state is not only a taker, but also a giver: very generous with your money. Then, of course, there becomes an ever-expanding mass of the populace who also become takers. With all of the numerous government programs available, there is plenty of opportunity to get on the gravy train - food stamps, subsidized rent, free medical, unemployment compensation, etc. (I remember when unemployment compensation began, over 60 years ago. I couldn't believe they were actually paying people for not working.) Some years ago I asked someone on unemployment compensation if he had found a job. He said, "Shhh, don't tell anybody, but I'm not looking too hard."
Worse than all of this is the sad truth that families are being destroyed. Many children have no "Daddy" in the home because the government has made it profitable without him. Yes, the government will pay mamma for abandoning their daddy, and living an immoral life. Children born out of wedlock make mamma eligible for a number of government programs. When you become such a "taker," you are defying God and His righteous principles. Children become the victims. Did you know that there are eight million Americans on SSI, including a million children? A 4-year-old girl died from an overdose of drugs administered by her parents to get her on SSI. Another mom said, "You've got to medicate the child to get the check." A mother of a 2-year-old on SSI said, "It's a better form of welfare. You get more money, and they don't check up on you." Honesty and responsibility are destroyed in a welfare state.
Do those who promote and construct a welfare state know what they are doing? Of course they do. If they can get a majority dependent on the government, they have set things up to retain their power, for these people will vote for them. Food becomes the ultimate weapon in a Communist Socialist state. When the welfare state collapses through massive indebtedness and worthless money due to hyperinflation; by executive orders, a military dictatorship of the "elite" henchmen emerges. Before that happens, if people are elected who attempt to stop this deliberate destruction of the Republic, and take austere measures, thankless and irresponsible people will riot and revolt. That is because the root of our problem is spiritual - rebellion against God.
Lincoln said the Civil War was a judgment of God. He quoted Psalm 19:7. "The judgments of the Lord are true and righteousness altogether." His principles bear repeating:
• "You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift."
• "You cannot lift up the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer."
• "You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich."
• "You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income."
• "You cannot further brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred."
• "You cannot establish security on borrowed money."
• "You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence."
• You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves."
Wake up, America! Repent, or join the "empires in the dust." It's a fun ride, but a horrible crash awaits at the bottom.
Bob Beetler is a resident of Battle Mountain.
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