Sunday, July 13, 2014

Good government by the angry

Today's angry stewards of American government - especially those in Washington - seem willing to break our country apart, or to let it come apart by neglect, if they cannot get their own way. For many politicians, expressing blame and anger seems as far as they will go toward fixing things. 

Moving forward in small steps by compromise seems out of the question. A winning party takes everything it can grasp and will not collaborate with the others.

Or, a party will not try to conquer a hill if they cannot be assured of immediate victory in the whole political war. So events take a twisted course.

Whether the issues are war and peace, or immigration, or even government budgets, the national government offers American voters high-handed decrees, partisan battling, and half measures in place of real constitutional government. The smell of anger is everywhere.


Angry partisans should answer two questions before acting on that anger in an issue of government: "Do we have good reason to be angry over this issue?" And, "Are we dealing with our anger in a way that is likely to produce concrete benefits for the country?" 

If our elected representatives and leaders are not willing to be guided by honest answers to these questions, we must replace them at the next election - and at every election.

Let's move our gaze beyond our personal interests and onto the well being of our country!


o The Lord said, “Do you have good reason to be angry?” Jonah 4:4

o Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger ... Ephesians 4:26