If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. Anne Bradstreet

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. Ether 12:27

Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season therof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul. And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion. D&C 59:18-20

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Brown's win in Massachusetts

There is much danger that Republicans are going to misread this outcome in MA, and assume that being a Republican is going to be enough to get one elected.

Not so. The tea party movement isn't party-identified. It's against all politicians, be they Rs or Ds, who vote irresponsibly on budget matters and foster big government. Many Rs are almost as progressive as many Democrats, the only difference is big government compared to bigger government.

Right now fiscal responsibility and limited government is the focus of the tea party movement -- because we are in dire straits economically. We could see the total collapse of our economy if we don't put on the brakes and keep them on. Not slam on them, as that itself will cause a mega disaster, but slow steady pressure over an extended period of time. Do we have enough people that are willing to do that to fill Congress? Do we, as Americans, have the fortitude to go through some tough times now in order to save us from much tougher, even disastrous times, in the future?

So it really doesn't matter, at this point, if they are Rs or Ds -- they just have got to be committed to reduced spending to balance the budget, reducing the deficit, shrinking the size of the federal gov, and returning more powers to the states.

And they have to be committed to open debate, with plenty of opportunity for the people to weigh in. There's more than one way to skin a cat, and so the politicians have to openly discuss their suggestions.

They need to do what Obama promised they would do -- full disclosure of all bills 3 days before he signs them, but even before that, full disclosure before the bodies of congress vote on passage. Full disclosure of all pork-belly projects that benefit only one state, and often only a very small section of that state -- BEFORE the bill is voted on by the two bodies. Just as NE has rejected Nelson's back-room deal for their sole benefit, I believe many states will do the same, if they are informed in time to let their wishes be known before the vote is cast.

And we need mainstream media to honestly report on these debates.

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