restoring our biblical and constitutional foundations
Our Silly Politicians
There are two things that always amuse mesilly politicians, and even sillier Christians. The circus in Alabama is a case in point. No, Im not referring to the scenario being played out on the steps of the Alabama state judiciary building in Montgomery. Theres nothing silly at all about that issue. Im referring to Gov. Bob Rileys firm and unwavering support for his tax reform proposal called Amendment One, to be voted on in a state-wide referendum next week.
Tax reform, did I say? I meant to say the largest tax increase in the states history. Amendment One would up fees on everything from farmland to oil changes. Riley says a tax increase will mean an investment in something which allows Alabama to achieve a level of greatness never before seen. And he is not above using Christian apologetics to make his case. According to our Christian ethics, were supposed to love God, love each other and help take care of the poor, he said in one widely publicized statement to the news media. It is immoral to charge somebody making $5,000 an income tax.
Well, Gov. Riley is correct about one thing. It is immoral to levy an income taxbut why limit that to the poor? As one who owns a farm, I would certainly resent it if my taxes were raised 400 percent, as would be the case in Alabama. As for the governors Christian ethics, I would like to know where the Bible says that government has the right to coerce people to surrender their hard-earned wealth to the state so that the state in turn can redistribute that wealth. Charity, yes, Mr. Governor, but not at gun-point, thank you so much.
Simply put, Rileys plan is based on flawed scriptural assumptions. The state has taken over the role of God. For most Americans, including many conservative Christians, the state has become their church, and the government has become an idol, stripping individuals and communities of their social responsibilities and engaging in the immoral transfer of wealth. To no ones surprise, Rileys proposal provides no systematic justification for involving government in the redistribution of wealth. The reason is obvious. There can be no biblical justification given for the state usurping the function of private individuals and the church.
As I have noted previously, the Bible teaches that the church is responsible to do good to all men by helping non-Christians in needfeeding the hungry, clothing the naked, housing the homeless, healing the sickand no believer is exempt from this responsibility (see Luke 3:11; 1 John 3:17; James 1:27). On the other hand, no Scripture supports an active government role in alleviating poverty or the use of coercive measures for public education, welfare, etc. Even Paul refused to command believers to help their less fortunate brothers, stating: Each man should give what he has determined in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). All the while, have you noticed how our so-called Christian ethicists remain strangely silent on this issue?
Which raises another point about this compassionate conservative governor. Rileys plan will supposedly pump millions of additional dollars into the states public education programs. Money for education makes a nice sound bite, but again I ask, where are the Christian ethicists who are calling this ploy the gobbledygook that it is? Where are the Christian dads and moms who are decrying this notion that the government is the parent best equipped to educate their children? Friends, it doesnt take government to educate our children, just responsible parents, friends, and neighbors in private or homeschools where mothers and fatherswho are ultimately responsible before God for this task (Deut. 6)make all the choices, from curriculum to lesson plans to dress codes to textbooks.
The NEA reports that Alabama is 42nd out of 50 states in per-pupil spending. The teacher-student ratio is increasing in Alabama and, as a result, students are getting less individual attention. Thirty percent of Alabama schools have crumbling roofs, 38 percent have bad plumbing, 26 percent have poor ventilation, and 63 percent have an unsatisfactory environmental condition. One-third of Alabamas schools lack enough power outlets and wiring to accommodate computers and multimedia equipment in classrooms. And Rileys solution? Throw good money after bad!
How Republicans in Alabama can keep a straight face these days is beyond me.
September 3, 2003
David Alan Black is the editor of www.daveblackonline.com.