Comments on: Is there such a thing as compassionate conservatism? http://www.worthychat.com/blog/is-there-such-a-thing-as-compassionate-conservatism/ A deeper look into how Worthy Chat is run and the people who administer to Worthy Chat! Sun, 15 Aug 2010 16:24:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Omegaman 2.0 http://www.worthychat.com/blog/is-there-such-a-thing-as-compassionate-conservatism/comment-page-1/#comment-62570 Omegaman 2.0 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 01:35:59 +0000 http://www.worthychat.com/blog/?p=211#comment-62570 Wow, pop, that seemed so venomous and rambling, not to mention the vague though numerous accusations, that I am very happy that you sarcastically "conceded" to avoid further debate and division. I would not know where to begin to answer you. However, for the sake of others who read this, I would like to say, that debate and division are far from the same thing. Debate is the examination and discussion of ideas. It's intent is to educate the hearers, and expose fallacies. When people do that they can adjust, compromise, find solutions, come to concensus etc. Division, on the other hand, is when people decide to be inflexible in their positions, and hold on to them so dearly, that maintaining one's illusion of being right, is more important than actually being right, and in so doing, be willing to identify individuals who think differently as the enemy, when all the while they may be seeking your own good. Whether it is science, social justice, theology or politics or any other subject, not all ideas are equally valid or equally good. I do not think there should be any problem with people expressing their ideas and opinions, along with supporting facts, in order to get others to pause, think, and reconsider. Those who are not confident to defend their positions will usually respond with attack and criticisms rather than rationally discuss actuall ideas and solutions. Another method used, is to try to shame one's 'opponents' into silence. One might, for example, point out that another person is not Christlike. One that point, I will concede the debate also. I admit, I am not like Jesus, I do not measure up to that standard. However, I have not met anyone else who has either, that is why we need a savior, and it is why I am thankful I have one. Please recognise this blog for what it is, it is not about anything other than me expressing my opinions and thoughts. Sure, this is a Christian website, but my opinions are just that. These are not opinions representing the views of this ministry, nor are they intended to represent all Christian thought. They are just opinions and thoughts, MY opinions and thoughts, so that those who are chatters here at Worthy Ministries, can understand me better. That way, when they find me present in a chatroom, they already know enough about me, to know some of my beliefs and passions, I do not apologize for either, and I do not back down on what I beleive until someone shows me that I am wrong, then, I simply change my mind and agree. Calling me divisive, does nothing to address or resolve issues, and serves no purpose that I can see, other than to get something off your chest. Why is it that my political ideas are divisive? If that is really the problem, then all that needs to hapen, is everybody agree with me, and that division is over. Guess what, that is not going to happen. I have full fellowship with many who disagree passionatly with my views. There is no division, unless it is in the hearts of those who who have decided to break fellowship. Thank you for reading my blog and for taking the time to comment. Wow, pop, that seemed so venomous and rambling, not to mention the vague though numerous accusations, that I am very happy that you sarcastically “conceded” to avoid further debate and division. I would not know where to begin to answer you. However, for the sake of others who read this, I would like to say, that debate and division are far from the same thing. Debate is the examination and discussion of ideas. It’s intent is to educate the hearers, and expose fallacies. When people do that they can adjust, compromise, find solutions, come to concensus etc. Division, on the other hand, is when people decide to be inflexible in their positions, and hold on to them so dearly, that maintaining one’s illusion of being right, is more important than actually being right, and in so doing, be willing to identify individuals who think differently as the enemy, when all the while they may be seeking your own good.
Whether it is science, social justice, theology or politics or any other subject, not all ideas are equally valid or equally good. I do not think there should be any problem with people expressing their ideas and opinions, along with supporting facts, in order to get others to pause, think, and reconsider.
Those who are not confident to defend their positions will usually respond with attack and criticisms rather than rationally discuss actuall ideas and solutions. Another method used, is to try to shame one’s ‘opponents’ into silence. One might, for example, point out that another person is not Christlike.
One that point, I will concede the debate also. I admit, I am not like Jesus, I do not measure up to that standard. However, I have not met anyone else who has either, that is why we need a savior, and it is why I am thankful I have one.
Please recognise this blog for what it is, it is not about anything other than me expressing my opinions and thoughts. Sure, this is a Christian website, but my opinions are just that. These are not opinions representing the views of this ministry, nor are they intended to represent all Christian thought. They are just opinions and thoughts, MY opinions and thoughts, so that those who are chatters here at Worthy Ministries, can understand me better. That way, when they find me present in a chatroom, they already know enough about me, to know some of my beliefs and passions,
I do not apologize for either, and I do not back down on what I beleive until someone shows me that I am wrong, then, I simply change my mind and agree. Calling me divisive, does nothing to address or resolve issues, and serves no purpose that I can see, other than to get something off your chest. Why is it that my political ideas are divisive? If that is really the problem, then all that needs to hapen, is everybody agree with me, and that division is over. Guess what, that is not going to happen. I have full fellowship with many who disagree passionatly with my views. There is no division, unless it is in the hearts of those who who have decided to break fellowship.

Thank you for reading my blog and for taking the time to comment.

]]> By: Pop http://www.worthychat.com/blog/is-there-such-a-thing-as-compassionate-conservatism/comment-page-1/#comment-60496 Pop Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:34:35 +0000 http://www.worthychat.com/blog/?p=211#comment-60496 So you are willing to dismiss my premises as being to simplistic, idealistic, and naive for such a complex topic? So you would rather have me muddy the waters if I said I was a Democrat, or a Liberal, or a Libertarian, or any other political label that yours, than to love me just as a brother in Christ, not worrying about my political label? That way you can throw stones, continue to debate, fill up more of this blog page, and divide those in the Body of Christ? You are more worried about fighting "for the reputation we deserve" as a "conservative" than loving your fellow brethren in Christ? You are so worried about being "slandered by the media, but I do not think we should just lie down and let them get away with it", yet Jesus was slandered by everyone when hanging on the cross, laid his life down, letting them think they were getting away with it. (Why didn't he politically debate when he got in front of King Herod or Pilot to save his reputation, but opted to remain silent instead, leading him to the Cross?) Then he arose! The power of the cross is more powerful than the power of political debate. Do you really think debating over conservative and liberal political views will forward the Kingdom of God? What does "defending" your political beliefs while "blaming" opposing views as being wrong or incorrect do in helping in the spirit of working together, or "bipartisan", as you call it. America is divided now. There is no spirit of bipartisanship in Washington or our State capitol or in any political arena. This division can even be felt in the Church in America today. Why propagate the division rather than working on bringing togetherness and unity and singleness of direction. Oh, I forgot, it is more complex than that! Oh, I forgot, that sounds to simplistic and naive too! OK, you win. Let's keep being defensive, throwing stones of debate at each other, worry about what "the media" thinks, and defend our reputations and see if it gets us out of the state we find ourselves currently in in America and the Church: fighting, disagreeing, and being divisive rather than loving, agreeing, and coming together in Jesus. Rather than continue the debate, I concede. You can win the debate, that way your "reputation" can stay intact and those non-conservatives and media types will get what they deserve, one's self-righteous (but politically correct) opinion. So you are willing to dismiss my premises as being to simplistic, idealistic, and naive for such a complex topic? So you would rather have me muddy the waters if I said I was a Democrat, or a Liberal, or a Libertarian, or any other political label that yours, than to love me just as a brother in Christ, not worrying about my political label? That way you can throw stones, continue to debate, fill up more of this blog page, and divide those in the Body of Christ? You are more worried about fighting “for the reputation we deserve” as a “conservative” than loving your fellow brethren in Christ? You are so worried about being “slandered by the media, but I do not think we should just lie down and let them get away with it”, yet Jesus was slandered by everyone when hanging on the cross, laid his life down, letting them think they were getting away with it. (Why didn’t he politically debate when he got in front of King Herod or Pilot to save his reputation, but opted to remain silent instead, leading him to the Cross?) Then he arose! The power of the cross is more powerful than the power of political debate.
Do you really think debating over conservative and liberal political views will forward the Kingdom of God? What does “defending” your political beliefs while “blaming” opposing views as being wrong or incorrect do in helping in the spirit of working together, or “bipartisan”, as you call it. America is divided now. There is no spirit of bipartisanship in Washington or our State capitol or in any political arena. This division can even be felt in the Church in America today. Why propagate the division rather than working on bringing togetherness and unity and singleness of direction.
Oh, I forgot, it is more complex than that!
Oh, I forgot, that sounds to simplistic and naive too!
OK, you win. Let’s keep being defensive, throwing stones of debate at each other, worry about what “the media” thinks, and defend our reputations and see if it gets us out of the state we find ourselves currently in in America and the Church: fighting, disagreeing, and being divisive rather than loving, agreeing, and coming together in Jesus.
Rather than continue the debate, I concede. You can win the debate, that way your “reputation” can stay intact and those non-conservatives and media types will get what they deserve, one’s self-righteous (but politically correct) opinion.

]]> By: Omegaman 2.0 http://www.worthychat.com/blog/is-there-such-a-thing-as-compassionate-conservatism/comment-page-1/#comment-60373 Omegaman 2.0 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 06:34:02 +0000 http://www.worthychat.com/blog/?p=211#comment-60373 Pop, I find little to disagree with in what you said, in fact, you are making points that i frequently express myelf. However, I am not sure what you mean my this: "“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are Gods.” Render to the political those things that are political and to God those things that are for His kingdom, the Kingdom of God." I am tempted to assume that you are suggesting that politics is somehow separate from the Christian world view, and that we should just love out neighbor and these issues will go away. IF that is what you are suggestion, I do not think you could be any more wrong, but I give you the benefit of a doubt. To explain why I think that politics is rightly the realm of Christian influence, I suggest we only need to ask "How can I love my neighbor?' If you like, you can give up everything the world holds dear, and simply live a life of service. However, I think it is obvious that God provides. If one has wealth for example, he could give it away. Perhaps he is gifted and enterprise and creating wealth, can not he decide to serve God by providing people with employment, so that they are able to meet their needs? Of course we have the liberty to do that. Politics in no different, it is not something that belongs outside of the Christian mindset, if anything, it should be us who are the most involved, since the decisions made in that arena, impact everyone, for better or for worse. So, the key is not to give up everythng the world is into, but to manage it with Godly principals, do good where others do harm. That is not liberal or conservative, not partisan, and should not be open to debate, some things are just right things to do and are part of being responsible citizens. We are not of the world, but we are in the world, why not make it a better place by impacting it as best we can? Your statement: "If we propagate taking 100% responsibility for our own actions, quit the “Blame Game”, and love “unconditionally” with “grace” and “mercy”, then this whole debate will vanish! Thank God. Let’s as a Church move in this direction!" Sounds really good, but is idealistic and perhaps naive. I do not meant that you are naive, it is obvious that you are not, but the statement is too simple for such a complex topic. Moving the Church in that direction is fine, but the fact is, that we will never tale 100% of responsibility, we will not stop blaming others, and the debate will never vanish as long as sinful man exists. We (Christians) are only a small portion of the population, and while we might individually work toward the goals of living as you suggest, many or most will not, and the world has no interest in doing so. Therefore, we are stuck in this debate, and the consequences of selfishness, poverty etc, until Jesus returns. My point was, that there is a propaganda war going on to damge the reputations of conservative (most Christians consider themselves conservatives) and I do not see why we should not fight for the reputation we deserve. After all, if we live in a world where no good deed goes unpunished, some people will be discouraged. I think we should consider it a badge of honor to be slandered by the media, but I do not think that we should just lie down and let them get away with it. Therefore, my blog was about presenting information to put the slandered, in the light they deserve. I agree strongly with what a large part of what your reply stated, that we (the Church) needs to get out there and love people, and in so doing we can help many, far better that government programs can ever hope to do, but many of us have decided that it is better to let the world take care of people, and give up on taking it on as the personal responsibility that Christ called us to. Pop, I find little to disagree with in what you said, in fact, you are making points that i frequently express myelf. However, I am not sure what you mean my this:

““Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are Gods.” Render to the political those things that are political and to God those things that are for His kingdom, the Kingdom of God.”

I am tempted to assume that you are suggesting that politics is somehow separate from the Christian world view, and that we should just love out neighbor and these issues will go away. IF that is what you are suggestion, I do not think you could be any more wrong, but I give you the benefit of a doubt. To explain why I think that politics is rightly the realm of Christian influence, I suggest we only need to ask “How can I love my neighbor?’

If you like, you can give up everything the world holds dear, and simply live a life of service. However, I think it is obvious that God provides. If one has wealth for example, he could give it away. Perhaps he is gifted and enterprise and creating wealth, can not he decide to serve God by providing people with employment, so that they are able to meet their needs? Of course we have the liberty to do that. Politics in no different, it is not something that belongs outside of the Christian mindset, if anything, it should be us who are the most involved, since the decisions made in that arena, impact everyone, for better or for worse. So, the key is not to give up everythng the world is into, but to manage it with Godly principals, do good where others do harm. That is not liberal or conservative, not partisan, and should not be open to debate, some things are just right things to do and are part of being responsible citizens. We are not of the world, but we are in the world, why not make it a better place by impacting it as best we can?

Your statement:

“If we propagate taking 100% responsibility for our own actions, quit the “Blame Game”, and love “unconditionally” with “grace” and “mercy”, then this whole debate will vanish! Thank God. Let’s as a Church move in this direction!”

Sounds really good, but is idealistic and perhaps naive. I do not meant that you are naive, it is obvious that you are not, but the statement is too simple for such a complex topic. Moving the Church in that direction is fine, but the fact is, that we will never tale 100% of responsibility, we will not stop blaming others, and the debate will never vanish as long as sinful man exists. We (Christians) are only a small portion of the population, and while we might individually work toward the goals of living as you suggest, many or most will not, and the world has no interest in doing so. Therefore, we are stuck in this debate, and the consequences of selfishness, poverty etc, until Jesus returns. My point was, that there is a propaganda war going on to damge the reputations of conservative (most Christians consider themselves conservatives) and I do not see why we should not fight for the reputation we deserve. After all, if we live in a world where no good deed goes unpunished, some people will be discouraged. I think we should consider it a badge of honor to be slandered by the media, but I do not think that we should just lie down and let them get away with it.

Therefore, my blog was about presenting information to put the slandered, in the light they deserve. I agree strongly with what a large part of what your reply stated, that we (the Church) needs to get out there and love people, and in so doing we can help many, far better that government programs can ever hope to do, but many of us have decided that it is better to let the world take care of people, and give up on taking it on as the personal responsibility that Christ called us to.

]]> By: Pop http://www.worthychat.com/blog/is-there-such-a-thing-as-compassionate-conservatism/comment-page-1/#comment-60083 Pop Sun, 20 Jun 2010 17:10:10 +0000 http://www.worthychat.com/blog/?p=211#comment-60083 I know "liberals" who give "conservatively", and "conservatives" who give "liberally". It is all semantics. "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are Gods." Render to the political those things that are political and to God those things that are for His kingdom, the Kingdom of God. If Christians would put "I John 3:16" beside "John 3:16" then the Cross might prevail as being central to the Christian faith. "You know love by this, that you will lay down your life for your brethren. " I John 3:16. What does "laying down your life for your brethren" mean? Really?!?! What happens if your "brethren" doesn't dress like you, worship in you style of worship, doesn't have the same "theology" as you, is not politically bent the same as you? Is he still your "brother" if he professes Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior? Of course he is! Then why this ridiculous debate of generalized political terms? Just love him "unconditionally". Extend "Grace" & "Mercy" to him, not judgment. Judgment is not ours to give, just "G & M"! That is what Christians should do. If the Church did their job in advancing the Kingdom of God, then the government wouldn't have to do it. If the Church took care of their widows, there would be no need for Medicare for Christians. If the Church took care of the poor, then there would be no need for Welfare. If the Church believed in healing the sick and actually practiced it, there would be no need for mega-medical systems to be established and government regulation of them, or even government health care. When Jesus died on the cross he took 100% responsibility for the sin in the world, and gave back 0% blame. On the Cross he said, "Father, forgive them for they know not what to do." He didn't blame the Jews, nor the Romans, nor those mocking him, nor the sinners for whom He was dying for. He took 100% responsibility with 0% blame. Let's start being Jesus like! Quit the blame game right now! Quit blaming conservatives or liberals who are our brethren. Lay your life down for them instead! That's the challenge. As Christians we have been commissioned to "lay down our lives for our brethren", "love thy neighbor as thyself", and "love your enemy". So if we both are in the family of God, you either got to love me as one of your brethren, your neighbor that is not of your "bent", "practice", "lifestyle", or "theology", or your enemy (a conservative if the other is a liberal, or vice versus). No matter which of the three I fall in, you are still command to love me! The people who I call "sand paper Christians", those who rub me the wrong way, have been the most influential people in bring correction to my life, "sand" me down, make me rethink my theology, and have loved me unconditionally while I generalized, labeled, and blamed them! If we propagate taking 100% responsibility for our own actions, quit the "Blame Game", and love "unconditionally" with "grace" and "mercy", then this whole debate will vanish! Thank God. Let's as a Church move in this direction! I know “liberals” who give “conservatively”, and “conservatives” who give “liberally”. It is all semantics.
“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are Gods.” Render to the political those things that are political and to God those things that are for His kingdom, the Kingdom of God.
If Christians would put “I John 3:16″ beside “John 3:16″ then the Cross might prevail as being central to the Christian faith. “You know love by this, that you will lay down your life for your brethren. ” I John 3:16. What does “laying down your life for your brethren” mean? Really?!?! What happens if your “brethren” doesn’t dress like you, worship in you style of worship, doesn’t have the same “theology” as you, is not politically bent the same as you? Is he still your “brother” if he professes Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior? Of course he is! Then why this ridiculous debate of generalized political terms? Just love him “unconditionally”. Extend “Grace” & “Mercy” to him, not judgment. Judgment is not ours to give, just “G & M”! That is what Christians should do.
If the Church did their job in advancing the Kingdom of God, then the government wouldn’t have to do it. If the Church took care of their widows, there would be no need for Medicare for Christians. If the Church took care of the poor, then there would be no need for Welfare. If the Church believed in healing the sick and actually practiced it, there would be no need for mega-medical systems to be established and government regulation of them, or even government health care.
When Jesus died on the cross he took 100% responsibility for the sin in the world, and gave back 0% blame. On the Cross he said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what to do.” He didn’t blame the Jews, nor the Romans, nor those mocking him, nor the sinners for whom He was dying for. He took 100% responsibility with 0% blame. Let’s start being Jesus like! Quit the blame game right now! Quit blaming conservatives or liberals who are our brethren. Lay your life down for them instead! That’s the challenge.
As Christians we have been commissioned to “lay down our lives for our brethren”, “love thy neighbor as thyself”, and “love your enemy”. So if we both are in the family of God, you either got to love me as one of your brethren, your neighbor that is not of your “bent”, “practice”, “lifestyle”, or “theology”, or your enemy (a conservative if the other is a liberal, or vice versus). No matter which of the three I fall in, you are still command to love me!
The people who I call “sand paper Christians”, those who rub me the wrong way, have been the most influential people in bring correction to my life, “sand” me down, make me rethink my theology, and have loved me unconditionally while I generalized, labeled, and blamed them!
If we propagate taking 100% responsibility for our own actions, quit the “Blame Game”, and love “unconditionally” with “grace” and “mercy”, then this whole debate will vanish! Thank God. Let’s as a Church move in this direction!

]]> By: Omegaman 2.0 http://www.worthychat.com/blog/is-there-such-a-thing-as-compassionate-conservatism/comment-page-1/#comment-58240 Omegaman 2.0 Thu, 20 May 2010 08:57:37 +0000 http://www.worthychat.com/blog/?p=211#comment-58240 In response to Herb Pritchard: Thank you for giving me the benefit of a doubt on my effort to be honest and fair. I do not get my facts from Fox News however, I do not even watch television. I do not doubt your volunteer experience might have indicated that there are few conservatives in the trenches. That might be true in general, I do not know, but your personal experience is limited to a handful of people, relatively, and anecdotal evidence is a poor way to build a case for your point. Your are correct about my focus being the political landscape, but not so much the last few years, more the track record of 60-70 years. My gripe is not with people, who consider themselves to be liberal, but with people in the media and politics, who constantly are harping on conservatives, comparing them to Nazis, calling them "mean spirited", scaremongering with ideas like "if conservatives get their way, your granny will have to get by on dog food". These notions are foolishness, and it you have not seen them, then you are not paying attention. I find it hypocritical to cast conservatives in that light, while the programs and ideologies of self proclaimed liberals, perpetuate poverty and they preside over programs that trap people in a cycle of despair and dependancy. Please note, I am not talking about individuals, I am referring to a system put in place and maintained by a few in power, and those in the media who are their cheering section, who seem to have an eliteist atitude, that the government is needed to take care of people, because they are too stupid to run their own lives. What is wrong with giving people a hand up, instead of a hand out? By the way, my sources are places like the Census Bureau, The Government Accountability Office, the Congressional Budget Office, etc. I get a lot of my ideas from various reporters and commentators, but I always check their facts, I am quite the skeptic. As far as an economics course, I have taken one (got 4.0, not that that matters) and I did enjoy it. Additionally, I have numerous books on the economy and the effects of political systems and theories upon economic systems, and have researched beyond even that. I have, and have read,research papers and reports on these topics, the pile is probably 3 inches thick, single spaced double sided, 8-1/2 by 11. I don't think I am ill informed or underinformed. In response to Vince: I have not forgotten our former president, I assume you mean George W. Bush. Bush had a lot of flaws, and he was not the man I wanted to see the Republican party offer as a candidate. In fact, he sort of coined the term "compassionate conservative". That is part of what the rant was about. Bush implied with that self description, that he was a different kind of conservative, one who cared. That goes to demonstrate how effective the media has been in creating the image of conservatives as not compassionate. Bush was true to his word, and was a different kind of conservative, spending more on government entitlements than his predescessors, and that, is NOT conservatism, that is just irresponsible spending, nothing compassionate about it. While Bush was a huge spender, our new president, Barack Obama, will have spent more in two years, than Bush did in eight years. We may never recover from that, and a financially weak America, is not in the best position to be able to help those in need. You seem to be leveling an accusation that I am praising Republican and criticising Democrats. For the most part, I do not see this as a problem of partisanship, there a liberal Republicans and conservative Democrats. It is not the parties that is the issue, but the ideaologies. I do not share your opinion, that the leaders of this country, are idiots. I find that to be a mean and offensive word. I will agree that there are a few who could stand to be brighter, but the problem is not that they have low inteligence, or insufficient knowledge. I believe a person of average intelligencs and knowledge, is plenty capable of running the country, provided that they surround thenselves with expertise and can abandon thier pride and personal ambition long enough to serve as statesmen, not politicians. But I won't be holding my breath. Thanks to both of you for reading my blog, and offering your opinions. In response to Herb Pritchard:

Thank you for giving me the benefit of a doubt on my effort to be honest and fair. I do not get my facts from Fox News however, I do not even watch television.
I do not doubt your volunteer experience might have indicated that there are few conservatives in the trenches. That might be true in general, I do not know, but your personal experience is limited to a handful of people, relatively, and anecdotal evidence is a poor way to build a case for your point.
Your are correct about my focus being the political landscape, but not so much the last few years, more the track record of 60-70 years. My gripe is not with people, who consider themselves to be liberal, but with people in the media and politics, who constantly are harping on conservatives, comparing them to Nazis, calling them “mean spirited”, scaremongering with ideas like “if conservatives get their way, your granny will have to get by on dog food”. These notions are foolishness, and it you have not seen them, then you are not paying attention. I find it hypocritical to cast conservatives in that light, while the programs and ideologies of self proclaimed liberals, perpetuate poverty and they preside over programs that trap people in a cycle of despair and dependancy. Please note, I am not talking about individuals, I am referring to a system put in place and maintained by a few in power, and those in the media who are their cheering section, who seem to have an eliteist atitude, that the government is needed to take care of people, because they are too stupid to run their own lives. What is wrong with giving people a hand up, instead of a hand out?
By the way, my sources are places like the Census Bureau, The Government Accountability Office, the Congressional Budget Office, etc. I get a lot of my ideas from various reporters and commentators, but I always check their facts, I am quite the skeptic. As far as an economics course, I have taken one (got 4.0, not that that matters) and I did enjoy it. Additionally, I have numerous books on the economy and the effects of political systems and theories upon economic systems, and have researched beyond even that. I have, and have read,research papers and reports on these topics, the pile is probably 3 inches thick, single spaced double sided, 8-1/2 by 11. I don’t think I am ill informed or underinformed.

In response to Vince:

I have not forgotten our former president, I assume you mean George W. Bush. Bush had a lot of flaws, and he was not the man I wanted to see the Republican party offer as a candidate. In fact, he sort of coined the term “compassionate conservative”. That is part of what the rant was about. Bush implied with that self description, that he was a different kind of conservative, one who cared. That goes to demonstrate how effective the media has been in creating the image of conservatives as not compassionate. Bush was true to his word, and was a different kind of conservative, spending more on government entitlements than his predescessors, and that, is NOT conservatism, that is just irresponsible spending, nothing compassionate about it. While Bush was a huge spender, our new president, Barack Obama, will have spent more in two years, than Bush did in eight years. We may never recover from that, and a financially weak America, is not in the best position to be able to help those in need.
You seem to be leveling an accusation that I am praising Republican and criticising Democrats. For the most part, I do not see this as a problem of partisanship, there a liberal Republicans and conservative Democrats. It is not the parties that is the issue, but the ideaologies.
I do not share your opinion, that the leaders of this country, are idiots. I find that to be a mean and offensive word. I will agree that there are a few who could stand to be brighter, but the problem is not that they have low inteligence, or insufficient knowledge.
I believe a person of average intelligencs and knowledge, is plenty capable of running the country, provided that they surround thenselves with expertise and can abandon thier pride and personal ambition long enough to serve as statesmen, not politicians. But I won’t be holding my breath.

Thanks to both of you for reading my blog, and offering your opinions.

]]> By: herb pritchard http://www.worthychat.com/blog/is-there-such-a-thing-as-compassionate-conservatism/comment-page-1/#comment-58144 herb pritchard Tue, 18 May 2010 15:57:25 +0000 http://www.worthychat.com/blog/?p=211#comment-58144 Hi. You seem to have made an honest effort to be fair. But I don't know where you get your facts. I suspect it is from Fox "news". I have spent years volunteering my time in psych wards, hospice and battered women's shelters. I have met hundreds of caring, loving, voulnteers following Christ as best they knew how. I believe very few of them were politically conservitive. It MAY be true that conservitives give more money, I have no idea. But these people are not present where the suffering is. I believe your idea of liberal and conservitive is limited to the focus of the political landscape of the last several years. The words accually refer to mind sets, not to current issues which result from the mind sets. Think of the differences between nurses and accountants, or artists and engineers. Guess which is which. I surely hope you can. God loves us all. Love, Herb P.S. Take a course in economics. Truely, you will probably enjoy it. Hi. You seem to have made an honest effort to be fair. But I don’t know where you get your facts. I suspect it is from Fox “news”. I have spent years volunteering my time in psych wards, hospice and battered women’s shelters. I have met hundreds of caring, loving, voulnteers following Christ as best they knew how. I believe very few of them were politically conservitive. It MAY be true that conservitives give more money, I have no idea. But these people are not present where the suffering is. I believe your idea of liberal and conservitive is limited to the focus of the political landscape of the last several years. The words accually refer to mind sets, not to current issues which result from the mind sets. Think of the differences between nurses and accountants, or artists and engineers. Guess which is which. I surely hope you can. God loves us all. Love, Herb

P.S. Take a course in economics. Truely, you will probably enjoy it.

]]> By: Vince http://www.worthychat.com/blog/is-there-such-a-thing-as-compassionate-conservatism/comment-page-1/#comment-57648 Vince Tue, 11 May 2010 20:30:57 +0000 http://www.worthychat.com/blog/?p=211#comment-57648 Sounds like someone already forgot our former president... i see no point in this "rant". you make it a point to say that your argument is made on generalizations, which is like saying "all Mexican-Americans are illegal". Your highlighting a portion of the democratic party and comparing it to all the good qualities of republicans... i can do the same thing and say republicans are bigoted hicks. its not entirely true, however such a faction exists in the GOP. the real problem which i think you fail to see, is that the leaders of this country: are idiots. the smart ones are the ones who realize what a B.S. job politics are and stay out of it. Sounds like someone already forgot our former president… i see no point in this “rant”. you make it a point to say that your argument is made on generalizations, which is like saying “all Mexican-Americans are illegal”. Your highlighting a portion of the democratic party and comparing it to all the good qualities of republicans… i can do the same thing and say republicans are bigoted hicks. its not entirely true, however such a faction exists in the GOP. the real problem which i think you fail to see, is that the leaders of this country: are idiots. the smart ones are the ones who realize what a B.S. job politics are and stay out of it.

]]> By: FresnoJoe http://www.worthychat.com/blog/is-there-such-a-thing-as-compassionate-conservatism/comment-page-1/#comment-57631 FresnoJoe Tue, 11 May 2010 13:28:35 +0000 http://www.worthychat.com/blog/?p=211#comment-57631 Yeap! I Understand And Agree In My Navy And Post-Navy (College) Days When I Could, I Would Read Day And Night. Among Other Things I Would Ponder The Different "Ways" Of Life (Philosophies) I Very Well Understood Marxism As The Soviets Practiced It And Had The Experience Of Facing Off Directly With Their Guns In The Mediterranean, The Black Sea And The Caribbean (Cold War). But I Had To Spend Real Time Reading And Pondering Ayn Rand's Objectivism (I Subscribed To Her "The Objectivist Newsletter") Before I Realized Communism And Objectivism Were Two Faces On The Same Coin. With Men As god On One Side Of "The Coin Of Mankind" And Man As god On The Flip Side. Additionally On And Off Since 1952, I'd Volunteered As A Precinct Worker For Both Republican And Democratic Conservative Candidates. My Direct Observation Is The Two Main-Line Parties Often Act As Two Sides Of The Same Rope-A-Dope Coin And Together They Often Take The Peoples Money For A Merry Ride As They Pay Back Election Contributions And Such While Increasing Income Taxes (Democrat) And Excise Taxes (Republican). Both Often Spend With Little Direct Improvement To The Public Commonwealth. In Fact, Lately There Has Been A Rush By Members Of Both Parities To Push Through Massive Sell Offs Of Public Capital Assets And Defense Contracts To Foreign Powers Who Do Not Value Freedom, The LORD Jesus Christ Or Israel. There Are Notable Exceptions Like - Harry "The Bomb" Truman - General Ike "Get That Military-Industrial Complex Pig Out Of My Pocket" Eisenhower - Ronald The Gipper "Nancy Their Spending Like Drunken Sailors On My Watch Again" Reagan. So I Have Come To The Firm Conclusion These Two Scriptures Are The Only Valid Philosophy Needed To Measure Value In Government "Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD." Jeremiah 17:5 "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is." Jeremiah 17:7 And I Believe This Is God's Design For Economic Endeavors Which I Think Cannot Truly Exist Until KING Jesus Is Seated In Jerusalem "And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them." Amos 9:14 Gotta Love That Hebrew Cowboy! Just Another Take On The Mess Before The Son-Rise! Be Blessed Beloved Of The KING Love, Your Brother Joe Yeap! I Understand And Agree

In My Navy And Post-Navy (College) Days When I Could, I Would Read Day And Night.
Among Other Things I Would Ponder The Different “Ways” Of Life (Philosophies)

I Very Well Understood Marxism As The Soviets Practiced It And Had The Experience Of Facing Off Directly With Their Guns In The Mediterranean, The Black Sea And The Caribbean (Cold War). But I Had To Spend Real Time Reading And Pondering Ayn Rand’s Objectivism (I Subscribed To Her “The Objectivist Newsletter”) Before I Realized Communism And Objectivism Were Two Faces On The Same Coin. With Men As god On One Side Of “The Coin Of Mankind” And Man As god On The Flip Side.

Additionally On And Off Since 1952, I’d Volunteered As A Precinct Worker For Both Republican And Democratic Conservative Candidates.

My Direct Observation Is The Two Main-Line Parties Often Act As Two Sides Of The Same Rope-A-Dope Coin And Together They Often Take The Peoples Money For A Merry Ride As They Pay Back Election Contributions And Such While Increasing Income Taxes (Democrat) And Excise Taxes (Republican). Both Often Spend With Little Direct Improvement To The Public Commonwealth. In Fact, Lately There Has Been A Rush By Members Of Both Parities To Push Through Massive Sell Offs Of Public Capital Assets And Defense Contracts To Foreign Powers Who Do Not Value Freedom, The LORD Jesus Christ Or Israel.

There Are Notable Exceptions Like – Harry “The Bomb” Truman – General Ike “Get That Military-Industrial Complex Pig Out Of My Pocket” Eisenhower – Ronald The Gipper “Nancy Their Spending Like Drunken Sailors On My Watch Again” Reagan.

So I Have Come To The Firm Conclusion These Two Scriptures Are The Only Valid Philosophy Needed To Measure Value In Government

“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.”
Jeremiah 17:5

“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.”
Jeremiah 17:7

And I Believe This Is God’s Design For Economic Endeavors Which I Think Cannot Truly Exist Until KING Jesus Is Seated In Jerusalem

“And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.”
Amos 9:14

Gotta Love That Hebrew Cowboy!

Just Another Take On The Mess Before The Son-Rise!

Be Blessed Beloved Of The KING

Love, Your Brother Joe

]]> By: Beth http://www.worthychat.com/blog/is-there-such-a-thing-as-compassionate-conservatism/comment-page-1/#comment-57470 Beth Sat, 08 May 2010 05:32:10 +0000 http://www.worthychat.com/blog/?p=211#comment-57470 I think this is pretty spot on. It really cleared it up for me. I think this is pretty spot on. It really cleared it up for me.

]]>