We were discussing some political issues on Facebook. I began writing in response to a friend’s comment (which I mostly agreed with). As I was writing my response, I found myself writing things I’ve thought about a lot, but never really written. I don’t know. Perhaps the Dam has finally collapsed and I am going to be able to get back into writing again, writing things that really matter. It’s been a long time… anyway, I thought I’d share these thoughts with you.

I don’t want to see any more Federal funding or administration of anything. I like your list, but I would definitely NOT entrust it to the Federal government, which has a track record of making everything they do more costly and inefficient. What made this country great were individuals, empowered by our Constitution to work to help themselves, their community, and their country.

I like the idea of improving education, but do not believe this can be done by Federal intervention. I would get rid of the Education department and put education back in the hands of parents and the community, which best understands the needs of their children. Since the Founding of the Department of Education, more money has been poured into “education” than ever – yet the level of real learning going on in the schools has decreased.

I am also amazed at our Federal Government’s willingness (either party, Democrat or Republican) to look closely at what has truly worked or failed in other countries, to examine those systems, and then to see, for example, what type of health care changes would BEST meet the needs of the people in our country. Tragically, this is not the case, the health care bill is a disaster waiting to happen.

While I’d like to see many major changes, I believe that our country has gone way off track. I realize now, that this process began a LONG time ago, before my time. It is only recently that I’ve begun to appreciate what my grandmother used to say about Roosevelt. In school we were being taught what a great President he was and how he saved America. My grandmother used to say he was the worst President we ever had, would be the end of America.

When Social Security was instituted, there was no consideration for the future, and no checks and balances to assure its future. Obviously, more people born leads to increased population leads to increased payouts. The system cannot sustain it. Medicaid is failing the people who really need it. More and more people are NOT getting their critical medical needs met. But on the other hand, people are able to sue for the most ridiculous things. Our nation is now driven by godless values and greed.

Morality has become relative. Our politicians make promises and don’t keep them, and the people conveniently forget. I am reminded of the Cultural Revolution in China. Mao said people were not dieing of starvation – and that became the mantra – even though the dead and dieing were in the streets! A friend of mine hid under his sheets at night in a locked bedroom in his HOME, learning English with a forbidden book and a flashlight. That way, if he was caught, his parents and sisters would not be blamed for what he did.

I guess, before anything, I long to see our country drawn to national repentance. National confession of our sin of greed, of self-interest, of pride, of taking God for granted, of not recognizing Jesus as the ONLY way to salvation, of becoming ashamed of the truth, and of indifference. That is first. (Other could believe differently, because God does not force Himself on anyone – but NO ONE would legislate that I cannot pray before I work, and religious violence of ANY kind would NOT be tolerated)

Second, and also not very likely, I’d like to see an end to the two-party system which has a stranglehold on the country. Fresh blood, new faces, non-politicians in government. I’d like to see REAL Christians seeking righteous legislation. And if they are not Christians, their lives would still be tempered by morality that seeks the common good, not personal gain.

I’d like to see people living in real communities. Communities where we know our neighbors. The ones next door, the ones across the street, and the ones in the market. I’d like to see us genuinely care for each other. When a house burns down, I’d like to see the whole community reach out and help that family, and an old fashioned “barn” raising.

When someone is threatened with homelessness, I’d like to see the whole community work together to do what they can to help them.

I guess, what I’m longing for is the new heaven and the new earth. Nothing here will ever satisfy…