Issues for the 2022 Midterm Election - Inflation

A lot of numbers are being quoted by the government and the media to describe the runaway inflation we are currently experiencing.  I am not calling those numbers into question.  They come from what we hope are reliable sources, and those sources presumably have better data than the average person has access to.  Nevertheless, I keep records of what we spend and where we spend it. 

My records are subject to variables that are not accounted for in the information I am providing.  I hope, however, to provide a glimpse into how inflation is impacting one elderly couple in the United States. 

Most people are bored by numbers, statistics, and concrete thinking, so I will keep this concise and spare you the detailed data.  We buy groceries and related general merchandise from a “discount superstore,” a couple of supermarkets, and a meat pack.  The general merchandise includes things like paper products, detergents, and personal care items.  We are on a fixed income, and we are very careful about what we buy and what we pay. 

I compared our average expenditures for the months of February, May, and August for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022.  The price we paid for the necessary items listed increased as follows: 

·    From 2020 to 2021 the price we pay at the “grocery store” increased by about 13.6 percent. 

·    From 2021 to 2022 we paid about 16.7 percent more for the groceries and general merchandise we bought. 

·    From 2020 to 2022 the amount we paid increased by about 32.8 percent. 

A year ago, we eliminated all of our monthly payments except our mortgage.  If we had not done so, we would be in financial trouble today.  I am also aware of the circumstances of young couples who have children, and those I know are struggling to keep from going into the red each month. 

Citizens, everything we buy is delivered to market by truck, train, and airplane.  After taking office in January 2021, President Biden and the Democrats in the House and Senate killed domestic energy production.  The price of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel doubled.  These costs are passed on to the customer – to you and me – in the form of higher prices. 

Our Democratic and RINO Republican “elected representatives” then passed legislation that increased federal spending by trillions of dollars, flooding the economy with cheap money and driving inflation.  To pay for it, they propose to increase taxes on “the rich” and on big business.  We can expect this to cause even more of our productive capacity (high-paying jobs) to move overseas, and the cost of these taxes will be passed along to the consumer in the form of higher prices for the goods we buy.

To try to slow runaway inflation, the Federal Reserve has raised the prime lending rate.  The result is that you will pay more for the things you buy on credit in the form of higher interest rates.  Call that what you will … inflation or an inflation tax.  The end result is that you will pay more for the things you need. 

If you read the available literature, most Economists attribute inflation to bad government policy.  President Biden, the Democrats, and the RINO Republicans have been running things since January 2021.  Ask yourself, were things better before they took over?  YOU BET THEY WERE! * 

So, here comes the emotional part; because that is what people respond to: 

THE INFLATION WERE LIVING WITH IS AN OUTRAGE!  THOSE RESPONSIBLE MUST BE TAKEN TO TASK FOR WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO US AND TO THE COUNTRY!  WE MUST VOTE THEM OUT OF OFFICE IN 2022 AND 2024, AND NEVER, EVER VOTE THEM BACK IN!

 

* For a more detailed discussion of inflation please refer to my post, dated January 21, 2022.

Issues for the 2020 Midterm Election - Abortion

On June 24, 2022, the US Supreme Court decided the case of DOBBS, STATE HEALTH OFFICER OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, ET AL. v. JACKSON WOMEN’S HEALTH ORGANIZATION ET AL.  In that decision, federal protections of a woman’s “right to choose” to have an abortion, granted in 1973 by the Court in Roe v. Wade, were removed.  The Supreme Court found that the regulation of abortion was the responsibility of the individual states and not the federal government. See also: Amendment 10, US Constitution. 

This decision did not make abortion illegal, however, it was clear that a number of the states would do so.  The Supreme Court’s ruling did not make it illegal for a resident of a state where abortion is illegal to get an abortion in a state where abortion is legal. https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/19-1392_6j37.pdf 

The ensuing strong public reaction was predictable.  Those who oppose abortion in most cases were relieved and happy.  Those who believe that a woman has the right to choose to have an abortion were dismayed, and some were angry.  Democratic politicians seized upon the opportunity to build their support base by promising to “codify” Roe v. Wade by legislative action.  This in spite of the fact that the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson would seem on the face of it to make such legislation unconstitutional. 

As the 2022 Midterm Election approaches, the Democrats are attempting to define the election as a referendum on abortion.  They are not blind to recent public opinion poles that seem to show that a small majority of the American voting public favor allowing women the right to choose to have an abortion.  Most Republican politicians favor prohibiting abortion except in certain, very limited circumstances.  A few Republicans, like Sen. Lindsay Graham, have come out in favor of abolishing abortion. https://news.gallup.com/poll/1576/abortion.aspx 

In my view, the whole debate over abortion is a diversion, created by the Democrats to obscure from public view their abject failure to govern since January 2021.  Confident if an easy victory next month, the Republicans are allowing themselves to be drawn in, rather than to speak out strongly on issues like: runaway inflation; domestic energy production; the crisis on our border with Mexico; the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan; crime; restoring sanity to our educational system; coping with adversary nations like China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran; returning our industrial production to the United States; and so forth.  These are the issues upon which the Republicans can win.  If they continue to allow the Democrats to define the election in terms of abortion – the Republicans may lose. 

It is time for each of us to determine where we stand on abortion rights, and then to move on to the other issues that really do pose a threat to our country’s existence.  Fellow Americans, this time it is too important.  We must not choose poorly, as we did in 2020. 

NOTE: Religion, politics, and personal convenience aside, it is my opinion that we should look at the process of human reproduction scientifically.  The salient question for each of us is, “When does the termination of a pregnancy become a homicide.?”  Is it morally justifiable up until the point of live birth, or is there a point between conception and delivery when the developing life becomes a baby?  There are a number of descriptions of human gestation available on the Internet or at your local library.  The following link is from a trustworthy source: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002398.htm

 Also, I posted on the subject of Abortion on April 9, 2016, June 11, 2019, and October 11, 2020.

The Only Work God Wants from You

Jesus traveled across the Sea of Galilee with his disciples, and a large number of people followed Him because He had been healing the sick.  There was about 5,000 men in the multitude, and they were probably accompanied by women and children.  The crowd had nothing to eat, and Jesus miraculously fed them with five barley loaves and two fish. Afterward He withdrew to be alone because the people wanted to make Him king by force.  Evening came, and His twelve disciples started back across the lake without Him.  He joined them by walking on the water.  After He got in the boat, they were instantly transported to their destination. 

When they saw that Jesus had departed, the throngs pursued Him. Then, when they found Him, the following exchange took place: 

They found him on the other side of the lake and asked, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” 

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs.  But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.” 

They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” 

Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” 

They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do?  After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven.  The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 

 “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.” 

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.  But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me.  However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.  And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day.  For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:25-40 NLT) * 

All that we must do to be saved is to believe in Jesus.  Everything after that is done through Him living in us and empowering us to do it.  Believe in Jesus Christ today, and you will be raised up bodily when He returns to take His true followers to be with Him forever. (1Thessalonians 4:13-18)

  

*  https://biblehub.com/nlt/john/6.htm

 

All Jesus, All the Time

The only way we are able to walk as Jesus walked is to remain in Him.  He creates us anew (2Corinthians 5:17) and gives us the strength and ability to keep His commands and do the things that He has prepared for us to do.
(Ephesians 2:10)

Jesus said:

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 
(John 14:6 ESV)

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  (John 15:1-5 ESV)

So, let us all say with the Apostle Paul:

 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

 (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)

Note: all verses are copied from,  https://biblehub.com/

Believe, Be Born Again, and Be Saved

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.  This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 

Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 

Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’  The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 

Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?” 

Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?  Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.  If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?  No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,  that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 

 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.  But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
(John 3:1-21 NKJV) *

*  https://biblehub.com/nkjv/john/3.htm

 

God Knows Best

 

Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths. 

Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones. 

Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine. 

My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor detest His correction;
For whom the Lord loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

(Proverbs 3:3-12 NKJV) *

  

*  https://biblehub.com/esv/proverbs/3.htm

 

Sermon on the Mount - Do God's Will, Build on Christ the Solid Rock, and the Fruits of Your Labor Will Show It

   “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.  A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. 

   “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’  And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ 

   “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.  And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” 

And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching,  for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.  (Emphasis added) (Matthew 7:15-29 ESV) *

 

*  https://biblehub.com/esv/matthew/7.htm