Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) on Monday accused Democrats of stealing elections by using completely legal methods of registering and convincing potential Democratic voters to support them.
As is usual for a Right Winger who rules by Snark, Rand Paul intended it as an accusation. I dont get his "accusation." Convincing potential voters to cast legal ballots is the how you win elections in a democracy.đłThere seems to be an assumption that the major responsibility in society towards the poor is to create some kind of legislative policy that will âtake care ofâ the poor.
As I am reading the Book of Proverbs this week, I am noting that it seems to see treating the poor more as a matter of personal responsibility.
âWhoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poorâ (Proverbs 14:21).
âWhoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors himâ (14:31).
âIt is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proudâ (16:19).
âWhoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunishedâ (17:5).
âWhoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deedâ (19:17).
âWhoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answeredâ (21:13).
âWhoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poorâ (22:9).
âWhoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to povertyâ (22:16).
âWhoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poorâ (28:8).
âWhoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curseâ (28:17).
Adding all that up is simple math:
Proverbs doesnât measure care for the poor by what kind of policies you support. It seems to care more about what you as an individual do with other people which equals: You share your stuff.
Jesus made a oft overlooked promise when he said, âThe poor you will always have with you" (Matthew 26) and even back in the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 15:11 declares âthe poor will never cease to be in the land," which means if you're looking for something to do "for the Lord," there's always someone somewhere you can bless.
âWhen the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.â
â Benjamin Franklin
Ive read a lot of quotes from the founders and I think most of them misjudged human character. Or they just didnt think that far out. Franklin is right on that point...and the "Republic" has not existed for quite a while now. It's a Democracy, which historically they are very fragile and, like Rome, our end may be in sight. Man was never created to rule. Power will always corrupt him as he attempts to rule autonomously.