From Here to There

Reading the news this morning I see one article after another of the ‘recovery’ efforts all over the place.

California just passed a budget which included tax increases and spending cuts.  From my chair in my office here in quaint Murrieta, CA I wonder how deep those spending cuts were.  How much will continue to be wasted by a bloated system to serve social needs that would be met more efficiently by individuals and private organizations.  In these hard times I have to cut my spending as deep as needed to make it work because I can’t expect to just ‘make’ more money.  I wonder if those that voted for this budget remember the days of worrying about their personal budget.

Ray LaHood, our new Transportation Secretary says we need to “Think outside the box” by installing GPS devices in all vehicles on the road to charge a mileage tax because with more fuel efficient vehicles the federal government is getting less money from gasoline usage charge.  Frankly – I don’t want anyone that says, ‘think outside the box’ to do any creative thinking on my behalf.  The creative center of this guy’s brain has obviously been bashed out by years spent in a job that acts like a reality isolation chamber.

There are so many lessons.  I offer this post to those working in full time ministry – be aware of fact that your job can create a reality isolation chamber.  Work hard to understand the lives that those you serve live and work hard to not become disconnected from them in that way.

I also offer these thoughts to the every-day working people.  We read the news and we feel like the government is day by day overstepping its bounds.  We feel like they don’t understand us and don’t know what its like to live our lives.  Remember that these representatives didn’t start out disconnected.  They started out just like me – upset about the way of things and convinced they could do it better.  It just takes so long to get into a place of influence that from here to there they loose touch.

But in the end its our fault what comes our way.  Its not the overstepping authority, its not the loud activists that don’t seem to get us either.  Its us.  We must make our voices heard, the every day conservative minded American trying to get by.

If you live in the Murrieta than I give you this:

Your House Representative: Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack
Your State California State Senator: Senator Barbara Boxer
Your California State Senator: Senator Dianne Feinstein

If you DON’T live in Murrieta go HERE to find out who your House Representative is.  You might be surprised to find that they represent part of your zip code.  They will really know who you are!

Use your voice, do your best to be heard.  Pray for these people.  If it changes nothing you see unfolding at least you know you have done what you should and can sleep well.  The rest is for God to sort out.