On a recent trip, the topic of discussion was socialism verses capitalism.
“Did you learn the definition of socialism in school?”
“Yes.”
“What’s the definition?”
“Hmmm…..well. Taxing rich people?”
Due to their lack of understanding, here was my little socialism parable from Auntie End Times:
John, Bill, Jane, and Mary all go to work. They put all of their wages in a big pile. The government keeps some and then splits the rest in equal shares. This all sounds good and fair. Everyone works. Everyone makes the same amount. Everyone is happy.
Jane decides that she’s tired of working so she quits.
Now, John, Bill, and Mary are working and they put all of their wages in a big pile.
The government divides their earnings and gives all four an equal share. Jane is happy! She gets an equal share and doesn’t have to work for it.
John looks at Jane and asks himself, “Why am I working when Jane gets to stay home?” John quits.
Now, Bill and Mary go to work. They have to work harder because there are only two people working.
On payday, Bill and Mary get their pay. John and Jane get the same pay. John and Jane are so happy. Bill and Mary not so much.
Bill decides he’s tired. Why should he be killing himself at work when he gets the same pay whether he works hard or whether he doesn’t’ work at all.
Bill quits.
Now, Bill, John, and Jane are not happy because the pile has gotten smaller. Their portions are smaller because only Mary is working. That is making them frustrated.
But Mary is dedicated! She believes hard work will be rewarded. So she continues to work…for a couple of years. But then Mary gets tired. It doesn’t seem fair that she’s killing herself at work while everyone else gets the same portion for doing nothing. So Mary quits.
Now the pile is gone.
John, Bill, Mary, and Jane are all angry.
They start demanding more from the government. But, the government cannot convince people to go back to work to add to the pile. They have gotten used to staying home and there is no incentive to go to work.
The government appoints a leader to force John, Bill, Mary, and Jane back to work.
Now, they no longer call this great sharing plan “socialism”. They call it “communism”.
Everyone works. Government keeps pile. John, Bill, Mary, and Jane are not happy.
Now in a capitalist economy, a person can start with nothing. They can go to school, study, and get a job. They can work hard, advance in their job, and make money. They can start a business and hire other people. Those people work hard, advance, and make money. That used to be the American way. When I was young, people would flock here from all over the world in search of the “American dream”. Unfortunately, that dream is dying and it saddens me.
That is why I trap my family in the car and discuss politics with them. Because if we don’t educate our children on the consequences of being uninformed and apathetic when it comes to politics, then we are abandoning them to the world and socialistic professors to educate them. And if you don’t think they are, then ask your children what they discuss in their social studies classes. The answers may shock you. So, as Christians, we have an obligation to discuss politics with our children. We must discuss the necessity to pray for our nation and to exercise our right to vote. If we don’t model for them a love for God and country than they will assume it does not matter.
My daughter asked me, “How do you know whom to vote for?”
My answer, “It’s the same as preparing for a school exam. You study. You study the candidates. You study what they stand for. Then you pick the candidate the stands as close as possible to what you stand for, what God stands for.”
And then you pray for God’s will, mercy and grace.
My little political rant for the day!
Love,
Yolanda
Prayer for the nation taken from Daniel 9
I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: "O LORD, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and keep your commands. But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations. We have refused to listen to your servants the prophets, who spoke your messages to our leaders, ancestors, and to all the people of the land.
LORD, you are in the right; but our faces are covered in shame because we have sinned against you. But the LORD our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him. We have not obeyed the LORD our God, for we have not followed the the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. All have disobeyed and turned away, refusing to listen to your voice. So now all the solemn judgments written in the law are being poured out against us because of our sin. You have done exactly what you warned you would do against us and our rulers. But we have refused to seek mercy from the LORD our God by turning from our sins and recognizing the truth.
O our God, hear your servant's prayer! Listen as I plead. For your own sake, LORD, smile again on our desolate nation. O my God, listen to me and hear my request. Open your eyes and see our wretchedness. See how our cities lie in ruins - for everyone knows they are yours. We do not ask because we deserve your help, but because you are so merciful. O LORD, hear. O LORD, forgive. O LORD, listen and act! For your own sake, O my God, do not delay, for your people bear your name."
In the Powerful Name of Jesus, who is The Way, The Truth, and The Life, who was, who is, and is to come, I pray for His divine mercy and grace on our nation. Amen.
