BE “BRAVE SALT”!
by Stephen Frank
Special to the Judeo-Christian Caucus
Those with Judeo-Christian values are to be as salt in the culture, seasoning and curing it. By keeping his church open, Pastor Rob McCoy proved he is "seasoned salt" in the Matthew 5:13[1] sense. Bishop Art Hodges, as well, showed his bravery by taking his case to open his church to the Supreme Court. The owner of the Pizza Cookery, in Thousand Oaks, who never closed his restaurant to indoor dining, every day shows his bravery. For his troubles, he is being sued by the County of Ventura. How brave is he? He is suing the County to show any data that would demonstrate why the close was ordered.
While government is bragging about the vaccine and its availability, in January, in the city of Riverside 50% of the health professionals had refused to take the vaccine.[2] Who is better to know the benefits and dangers than a health professional? In that same month, about 50% of Los Angeles police department officers refused the shots.[3] These are people who show their bravery every day. Now, they are saying they do not take untested vaccines into their bodies without knowing the immediate and long-term affects—first.
People like Jon Voight, James Woods, and other celebrities are showing their bravery by using their First Amendment rights to promote freedom, the Constitution, and truth. Dennis Prager has been censored, but he continues to speak out. Senators Ted Cruz and Rand Paul are more concerned about honest elections than their political careers—that takes bravery.
In the era of the Cancel Culture, a time where our own government is shutting down decent opposition, shuttering schools and churches, and sending jobs to China, while opening our borders to criminals from foreign countries, America is fast approaching the danger of becoming a totalitarian and authoritarian one-party nation. Whereas conservatives are being labeled “fascists,” the shoe is actually on the other foot.
BLM and ANTIFA riot, loot, burn vehicles and buildings, and government does not stop it. But just say you support the Declaration of Independence and believe all people are equal, and you risk being banned or suspended from social media—just like in a fascist nation. An affiliate of the Lincoln Project— whose twin missions were defeating Donald Trump and “Trumpism” at the ballot box—is circulating a list of Trump Administration officials to universities and corporations. The message is simple: Hire any of these people, and you will be considered an enemy of the State. This, too, is fascism, and a clear violation of our First Amendment Rights.
The number one sign of a fascist State is where the people are afraid to talk to one another or at public meetings. There are lots of people that think as we do. Yet, by groups stopping meetings and events, government agencies operating via ZOOM and not allowing much, if any, discussion, we have become a nation that takes orders from government. Government is the Master and we are the subjects. This has to be turned around.
Government that forgets the will of a free people fights back with threats and shut downs. We may not win every legislative battle. But, if we do not speak out and organize our friends, family and neighbors, we will find ourselves in a few short months or years no different than the people of Cuba or Venezuela. They are allowed to live—at poverty levels—but freedom does not exist. For us, as ordinary citizens trying to live our lives, protect our families, and not harm others, it takes bravery to speak up and participate in the public process.
Here are some actions you can take.
1. Go to church. In Simi Valley a local grocery store has a sign that says, “No more than 460 people at one time in the store.” Across the street is a church. They do not allow more than 10 people at a time in the church. Why is a grocery store “safer” than a church? Be brave, go to church. Or hold services in the produce section of the grocery store.
2. Educate your children for a bright future. For ideas, visit www.PublicSchoolExit.com, a website that aligns with Judeo-Christian values.
3. Patronize stores and restaurants that are open.
4. Organize discussion groups. Allow all viewpoints to be heard. You can meet outdoors or on ZOOM.
5. Go on social media to promote free speech and the Constitution.
6. Join with others around the State who are promoting freedom and community.
Bravery comes from the heart and the spirit. Think of your kids, your future, and your community. What would it be like if you were brave and helped keep society open and free? Or the alternative—not to be brave—think about what it is like to be a citizen of Cuba. These days, salt comes in different flavors and varieties. How about you: Are you ready to be “brave salt”?
[1]You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men (Matthew 5:13).
[2] Half of Riverside County hospital workers are declining COVID-19 vaccine, official says
[3] Only 60% of LAPD officers, employees willing to take COVID vaccine, internal survey shows
Stephen Frank is Senior Contributing Editor of California Political Review. Read California news that is incisive, hard-hitting, and solution-oriented with a free subscription to Steve’s daily emails at http://eepurl.com/UAspv
NOTE: Blogs published on the Judeo-Christian Caucus website are the opinions of their authors and not necessarily those of the Judeo-Christian Caucus.
Seize the Future
by Stephen Frank
Special to the Judeo-Christian Caucus
For those that know me well, I would give up politics and public policy for a good game of Bridge. It forces you to think ahead, to understand what the others players are thinking. You must be strategic, not emotional to play bridge.
So, as we say in bridge, let’s review the bidding…
Our schools are closed to real education. Government and unions are controlling the future of our children. The rich, like Gov. Newsom, send their children to private schools, while you send your child to the kitchen table to look at the computer.
The churches are closed. Yes, many conduct services and social gatherings via ZOOM. That does not replace the fellowship of greeting people in the pews or at coffee after the services. Churches were closed for Easter, and there is no doubt churches will be closed for Christmas Eve services. Though the just announced “curfew” runs through December 21, there is no guarantee that midnight Christmas Eve services will have to end by 9:30, so folks can get home before 10:00pm.
It used to be that by working hard, getting experience, having good work habits, you could succeed in your job or business. Today, government decides if you work at the office or shop, or must work remotely. San Fran is demanding all but the essential workers stay home. The numbers of customers you may have at one time is limited. This is the Christmas shopping season—and the stores will not be crowded, by order of government. While this is good for Amazon and FedEx, it is bad for the community and the small-business owner and their employees.
To me, most importantly, we are losing our traditions. Yes, traditions change over the years. In 2020 we have lost most of our traditions. No Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, there will be no Rose Bowl parade. We lost Easter, Memorial Day, the 4th of July, Labor Day. We are losing Thanksgiving.
Seriously, who is going to do a complete cleaning of the bathroom after each guest has used it? Or, since the Governor demands we eat outside, what happens if it rains?
Finally, the traditions of Christmas are being lost. From church services to the Newport Beach Christmas Parade of Boats. The home social gatherings for the holiday are gone. Will you have a sign in sheet for each guest, with their contact information, prepared to give to government?
Last year I attended my grandchildren’s’ school Holiday (I wish they would call it Christmas) program. That is not going to be allowed this year.
Government, for our “own good” has ended our traditions and freedoms.
It is time to take them back.
The process of returning to a free society is not going to be easy. Just ask Pastor Rob McCoy or Pastor John MacArthur about standing up for religious freedom. It takes guts, and it takes a foundation of belief in freedom. Freedoms are not taken away; they are given away. We have given away our freedoms to government.
Studies are conflicting about masks, lockdowns, curfew (does anybody believe that a virus is more deadly between the hours of 10:00pm and 5:00am then during the other hours? Think about that).
We need prayer, and we need action. Prayer is a personal thing, but it is most powerful when done together, in great numbers. Does anybody believe if 500 people showed up at 9:00am on Sunday and went into Wal-Mart to pray, anybody would stop it? So why are we concerned that going into a church is different? Only because government tells us it is different and wrong. Stand up for the First Amendment, that is what churches are about.
Government education has been a failure for a couple of generations. Maybe we can make a positive out of the closing of the government schools to education. Through your church or community groups create “education PODs.” Form small homeschool associations and allow your child a real education, not a government-sponsored indoctrination. This is also a good way to get to know your neighbors and people in the community.
As a free people, we need to express our values and principles. It is not enough to tell your spouse, children or close friends; it needs to be done loudly and publicly. Let the community know government cannot take our Constitutional rights from us.
As reported in Lifesite News, “Jericho Marches” are currently being held around State Capitols nationwide through December 14. These self-led, peaceful protests “support election integrity, transparency, and reform.” The Jericho March was born of a vision that an Evangelical and Catholic received independently of each other, of people of faith coming together to pray, be unified, and rise up for the cause of truth and justice.
Maybe we have to become creative to bring back our freedoms. The alternative looks like Cuba, China and Russia. The choice is ours. We must no longer complain. We need prayer, and we need action. In the spirit of Christmas, we need the spirit of Resurrection to return our freedoms.
Stephen Frank is Senior Contributing Editor of California Political Review. Read California news that is incisive, hard-hitting, and solution-oriented with a free subscription to Steve’s daily emails at http://eepurl.com/UAspv
NOTE: Blogs published on the Judeo-Christian Caucus website are the opinions of their authors and not necessarily those of the Judeo-Christian Caucus.
The Religious-Rights Movement Starts NOW!
by Stephen Frank
Special to the Judeo-Christian Caucus
Shortly, the Presidential and legislative races will be over. At the end of the day, the winners will be de facto “leaders.” Some in office may be so arrogant they think they are dictators issuing proclamations, Executive Orders, and signing bills. They will grace events as if ancient potentates.
Election to office, however, does not make you smarter; it just gives you a leading role in setting policy and standards for the community or nation. The real leaders of our community and nation are those who are heard—the people give elected officials their opinions and support. Whether it is the local Rotary Club, political organization, or religious community, leadership always stays with the people.
While elected officials have the power, they, too, know that power comes from the people. The Democrat Party is being transformed from a JFK Liberal ideology to a radical, totalitarian Socialist model. We see AOC and Bernie Sanders as the leaders of the movement, true. But it is the radicals in the community, the State, that ordain them as the leaders. In the GOP, the fight is between the go-along and get-along crowd with no real philosophy or direction, vs. the Trumpian view of populism, which goes back to the 1890s and William Jennings Bryan. But Trump is the leader because of the people who elected him to lead. Whether it is the Progressive movement or the Trumpian efforts, it is the people that prop up and continue leadership.
On the Progressive side, there are two identifiable groups of leaders—the academics and the unions. On the Trumpian side it is the workers and the Church. If any of these are silent, confused or divided, then their knights will lose. If some are more energized than the others, those knights will win.
The Progressive movement has grown due to the mandatory union membership, with unions using members as fodder for political campaigns. The academics have for two generations miseducated our students by lying about history, economics and freedom. Add in the sexual revolution, drugs and rock and roll, and students have accepted the notion that debate and discussion is bad. They believe opposing Socialism is racist, sexist and hateful. It is easy to accept lack of discussion and debate. It is easy to be idealistic if you have no absolute frame of reference, morals, values or ethics.
On the Trumpian side, we have seen massive turnouts for rallies, parades and events. Flags, banners, hats and open support of Trump is the order of the day. Throughout California and the nation, there have been numerous gatherings with tens-of-thousands attending, without a single call from the Trump campaign or the Republican Party. These have been true, grassroots happenings.
It is the churches that have been lagging. Some churches have set up ballot boxes to collect ballots for the pastor to deliver. Others have distributed petitions to Recall Gavin Newsom. But most churches have silently complained about being shut down, stayed away from elections, and now need to have someone connect-the-dots for them: They are shut down because elected officials closed them. Churches wanting to re-open need to do so under the requirements of the First Amendment, even if the Governor refuses to obey the law.
Next, the churches need to protect themselves by getting involved in Biblical education for the congregation. In the 1960s, the Civil Rights movement was led by the religious community. It wanted equal rights for black Americans. Today, there is another war meant to simply keep our congregations open.
Slowly, we are seeing small pockets of churches, organizations and individuals begin to galvanize and hold rallies in front of the State Capitol. Fed up with unconstitutional closures of houses of worship, they are praying on the streets and marching in their communities. A few brave pastors have taken their efforts to the courts through lawsuits. Some concepts were used in the 1960s; some may be new. All are nonviolent.
Yet, this movement is just now beginning. It has taken time and personal pain to see how legislation in Calif. has drifted so far left—and efforts to pull it back towards center are late; but at least they are starting.
If the 1960s saw a Civil Rights movement, we now need a Religious-Rights Movement. Believers in Judeo-Christian values are seeking it. As houses of worship respond, you will find their memberships would grow. Folks want to be involved with efforts that make a difference, show energy, and are based on eternal values.
Leadership for the future does not start in Washington or Sacramento, it starts in the largest community with shared values in America: the religious community. In the 19th Century, the real influencers of social discourse were the churches. It was a time of freedom and the trend was for prosperity, with a small government. Since then, it has mushroomed like a nuclear bomb.
Perhaps we took our eyes off the ball because we became too prosperous; success can corrupt, too. In this new decade, it behooves the Church to decide whose house will it serve: the one built on sand sitting in Sacramento, or the one founded on the Rock.
Stephen Frank is Senior Contributing Editor of California Political Review. Read California news that is incisive, hard-hitting, and solution-oriented with a free subscription to Steve’s daily emails at http://eepurl.com/UAspv
NOTE: Blogs published on the Judeo-Christian Caucus website are the opinions of their authors and not necessarily those of the Judeo-Christian Caucus.
COVID-19 and K-12: Parents are Back in Charge
by Stephen Frank
Special to the Judeo-Christian Caucus
So far, the virus has cost too many American lives, millions of jobs, caused depression, and loss of homes. Businesses have been shut down. Though you can still get an abortion, buy marijuana and get a tattoo, you can’t go to church, and you could be arrested for holding a meeting. The virus has caused a transformation on how we shop, eat and work. Another area that has also been hit—and hard—is education.
Instead of State-mandated, four hours a day of education, many districts, like Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) give only one hour and that seems to be perfunctory, not real. Most districts have reported large declines in enrollment. Some reports have LAUSD not being in touch with 40% of its students since March. Most districts have lost between 5-10% of its students.
How bad is the education given by LAUSD for example? The parents are suing the District due to its lack of providing quality education to the children.
From LA1st: “Since then, the California legislature passed Senate Bill 98, which set a minimum number of instructional minutes, ranging from three hours a day for kindergarteners, to four hours a day for fourth graders and older. It also called for ‘daily live interaction’ with teachers and classmates.”
So this school year, LAUSD teachers are required to provide at least an hour and a half of "synchronous" instruction - meaning they're interacting live with students—each day. The rest of the "asynchronous" time is supposed to be spent doing independent work or watching pre-recorded lessons.
But, a plaintiff and mother of a sixth grader in the district, “[Keshara] Shaw said in her experience, the fall has been inconsistent, too. She said her son's teacher sometimes experiences internet connectivity problems. At times, her son logs onto Zoom at 9 a.m. and is done by 10 a.m.”
At the same time, homeschooling has exploded. Parents are realizing that when government education is “working,” the children are getting pornographic lessons, teachers are telling young kids they can “choose” their gender—you do not have to be a boy or girl if you don’t want to, or wish to explore differences. Plus, we have the indoctrination of racism and bigotry in our schools as official parts of the curriculum. The governor just signed a bill to mandate a student cannot graduate from high school without taking a course in ethnic studies—classes meant to promote some races and denigrate others. Bigotry and hate in the classroom.
Government-funded public schools are trying to cash in on the homeschooling movement. From EdSource: “San Juan Unified in Sacramento had 38 students in its home-school program in March, when the state closed school campuses because of the spread of Covid-19. Now, it has more than 700. “The home-schooling program, which offers an alternative to the distance learning instruction currently prescribed by the school district, was started five years ago after some parents expressed an interest in teaching their children from home. It serves students in Transitional Kindergarten through eighth grade.”
Organizations like Public School Exit (PSE) give families the tools to take their children out of government schools and provide them with quality educations. I urge parents and legislators to go to that web site. For parents, it provides option to successfully manage your child’s education. For legislators, it gives opportunities to show support to parents. Legislators should not be afraid of homeschooling. At a minimum, it should part of the possibilities for families.
We need to promote the option of homeschooling. The best place for this is the Church. Pastors can organize a traditional school model of separate grades, or around a one-room school method that uses the highly-acclaimed and Christ-centered “Principal Approach®.” Churches can hold training sessions for parents and provide tools, curriculum and support for the homeschool community. Whereas government-schooled kids are being taught pornography, hate and bigotry, church and homeschooled students will learn moral and Biblical values alongside academics.
While the virus has been a tragedy, we can transform education to benefit the students—not special interests. The good news is parents are waking up. The better news is there are tools to provide quality educations. The churches can be the epicenter of the education revolution. Save our future. Save our children.
Stephen Frank is Senior Contributing Editor of California Political Review. Read California news that is incisive, hard-hitting, and solution-oriented with a free subscription to Steve’s daily emails at http://eepurl.com/UAspv
NOTE: Blogs published on the Judeo-Christian Caucus website are the opinions of their authors and not necessarily those of the Judeo-Christian Caucus.
Have Faith! We Will Win the Civil War
by Stephen Frank
Special to the Judeo-Christian Caucus
Let us admit it. We are in a Civil War. Rioters control dozens of cities at night. In towns like Philly, Chicago and New York, you have your run of the mill Progressive, gangsters and criminals. At the same time, the police in the Democrat-run cities are not allowed to get illegal aliens off the streets or stop riots without getting into trouble. Each arrest is an opportunity for a cop to go to jail and/or be financially ruined. In each city there are massive resignations and few replacements. Houston is advertising for police who are looking for a city where the community supports them.
The ongoing Civil War has closed schools and churches. Here in California, read the Governor’s four color plan to “re-open” the State. Even if EVERY criterion is met and the numbers are close to zero—restaurants and stores will only be allowed 50% capacity. Gov. Newsom has NO plan to totally open the State. Oh, just to get to the 50% mark will take upwards of another twenty weeks!
In the past, the media has exposed the corruption and excesses of government. Now it is an advocate for job loss, junk science, delusional statements, and a promoter that riots are “mostly peaceful.” It has become an overt affiliate of a Revolution by a “new” Democrat Party that is increasingly identifying as Marxist.
I will stir up Egyptian against Egyptian—brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom - Isaiah 19:2.
Through all of this, we need to believe we will win the Civil War. There is no losing option. To lose means the loss of the fight for 200 years for freedom, equality and opportunity. The Rule of Law will no longer even be allowed to be taught—it will be cancelled. Free speech will end since the Revolutionaries’ claim that to suggest freedom is a hate crime. Even today, people feel bullied and are afraid to speak up for fear of being called a racist, bigot or right-wing extremist.
No, losing is not an option.
So how do we turn this around? The first step is for our political and religious leaders to admit we are in a Civil War. You cannot win a battle you refuse to admit exists. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace - Ecclesiastes 3:8. We are in a War; the time is now.
The next step is organization. Start free-speech groups, prayer centers, letter-writing campaigns. Become educated on who is running for office. View some of the Sacramento legislators holding conservative values. Start the process of getting the apathetic, those that think they can do nothing, to get involved. They need to understand this is about freedom and the future. Just comparing the U.S. to Cuba, China and Venezuela is one way to start.
For instance, Gov. Newsom is trying to close down our fossil fuel industry after the nuclear and coal-based energy has been closed down to the people of California. We pay 2-3 times the amount the people of Texas pay for their energy. Families and businesses need to know that. Why the power outages? Because refineries and power sources have been cut back. They are even trying to stop hydro-electric power from dams in Oregon coming into California.
It is a physical war, an education and economic war, against the people of California and the nation. Each has to be fought on different grounds. Parents can pull their children from failed government schools that hold students’ hostage to failed ideologies in the classroom. Research homeschooling, church-run schools, one-room schoolhouses, private schools, and quality online education systems instead of unions and special interests.
Stop voting for tax increases. The November ballot will have 230 tax-increase measures on the ballot. Do not feed the government bear. Starve it instead.
While we have many single-issue groups, organizations, churches and leaders, we are still not united in a common strategy or goal. It is time for conservatives—as well as the unaffiliated, and even liberals who oppose the growing craziness—to join together in the cause of Constitutional government. Progressives are opposed to Constitutional government.
Finally, we will win by an outreach to the citizens of color who have been held on the Democrat Plantation for 150 years. Who created Jim Crow laws, the KKK, the genocidal Planned Parenthood, segregation? Who used the “Great Society” to kick fathers out of their homes and created divided families? It was the Democrat Party. Who runs the failed government schools? It is the unions and Democrats.
We need a strong campaign to remind the people of the U.S., regardless of color, that the systematic racism some talk about is really the results of the policies of the Democrat Party.
Once we admit we are in the Civil War, the direction becomes clear. When political and church leaders announce they are taking leadership in winning the War, we have a road map to victory. Then educate the public, and we will remind the nation of how freedom is won and kept.
This is work. The alternative cannot be accepted. Our children, our nation, and our heritage deserve better
On to freedom and victory.
Stephen Frank is Senior Contributing Editor of California Political Review. Read California news that is incisive, hard-hitting, and solution-oriented with a free subscription to Steve’s daily emails at http://eepurl.com/UAspv
NOTE: Blogs published on the Judeo-Christian Caucus website are the opinions of their authors and not necessarily those of the Judeo-Christian Caucus.
Canary in the Tunnel: The Closing of California Churches
by Stephen Frank
Special to the Judeo-Christian Caucus
The first signs of the formation of a Free State is not the establishment of newspapers, the rise of free speech or the development of a market economy. Instead modern day Europe was created in the shadow of the churches. Whether it was the Catholic churches, the Church of England or the churches formed during the Reformation. Churches led the way.
Churches were the repositories of history, culture and values. It was a place for people to gather and create a community. It was no surprise that when Lenin and his buddies took over the Soviet Union, they closed down the churches. Or that the Nazi’s closed down or controlled the churches. In Latin America “Liberation Theology” in the 1960’s through 1980-‘s replaced the Trinity as church doctrine, for the churches allowed to stay open.
One of the first institutions closed by Governor Newsom and other Governors were the churches. Yet at the same time, more people attended the Church of Wal Mart on a Sunday morning than the neighborhood church. You are allowed to gather to buy products and services—including marijuana, abortions, liquor or a weed whacker—but not to meet as a congregation to pray and to be part of a Faithful community.
Without any data showing attendance at churches is more dangerous than being a customer at Target, Gov. Newsom is forcing counties to sue churches that stay open, per the First Amendment of the Constitution. Ministers like Pastor Rob McCoy of Godspeak Calvary Church in Ventura County has been sued, because 1,000 people prayed at his church. Oh, the County also sued 1,000 John Does—the attendees. The same situation in the making for Pastor John MacArthur in the San Fernando Valley. Both ministers are being threatened with closure of their churches and being arrested—for the crime of obeying the Constitution.
From the Los Angeles Times, August 12, 2020, “Ventura County health authorities took Godspeak and McCoy to court last week, alleging that the church’s actions “will cause and continue to cause great and irreparable injury to the general public ... including hospitalizations and deaths, which in turn is likely to result in continued and further restrictions on businesses and other operations and activities.”
McCoy, though, has said he’s being unfairly targeted.
“We would be the first to be masked and distanced, and willingly so, if this were meriting it, and it doesn’t. This isn’t a health issue; it’s an ideological issue,” he said.”
If this was a health issue, than the County should be closing down Target, Costco, Home Depot, Wal Mart and more. Each of these stores have more people in the stores on an average Sunday than the 1,000 people that attend the three services at Godspeak Calvary.”
How serious is Pastor McCoy in defending religious freedom? Until the COVID virus, he was an elected member of the Thousand Oaks City Council. He resigned his seat because of what he perceived to be a conflict of interest, between being part of a government trying to close down churches and being the leader of a church.
From the ACORN, April 6, 2020, McCoy said the U.S. was founded on the idea of religious freedom and that he was choosing to exercise that liberty.
“I am in compliance and respect of authority. I will honor all (Centers for Disease Control) requirements, but I cannot submit to the authority that declares the church to be nonessential. It’s that simple,” he said.
Of stepping down from the council, the pastor said: “I didn’t desire to resign from the council. I love serving the city. I’ve tried to do my best but this comes into conflict and I completely understand and I don’t want to burden the other council members. But this calling is critical and I believe this to be of utmost importance.
“I firmly believe if rights aren’t exercised, they’re lost.”
That is the crux of the matter—“, but I cannot submit to the authority that declares the church to be nonessential. It’s that simple,” To government selling light bulbs is more important than prayers and a sermon. To believers in government, controlling the actions of the population is more important than the exercise of freedoms, guaranteed to us by the U.S. Constitution.
I have known Pastor McCoy for several years. Unlike many in the public eye, he lives his values and principles. He is not only a religious leader, but also a community leader. He has been faithful to his oath of office as a city council member, to uphold the Constitution. Too bad bureaucrats and hack politicians prefer bullying people than abiding by their oath of office.
Like Pastors, Ministers, Rabbi’s and Priests throughout history, Pastor McCoy has shown his Faithfulness to the word of the Lord and the laws allowing free exercise of religion. The good news is that Pastors all over the State are opening their churches. Like all historic movements of freedom, the Church will lead the way.
Stephen Frank is Senior Contributing Editor of California Political Review. Read California news that is incisive, hard-hitting, and solution-oriented with a free subscription to Steve’s daily emails at http://eepurl.com/UAspv
NOTE: Blogs published on the Judeo-Christian Caucus website are the opinions of their authors and not necessarily those of the Judeo-Christian Caucus.
Gov. Newsom Stirs Private-School Pods with a Dash of Inequality
In July, Governor Newsom declared that California schools, covering 90% of the students in the State, will be closed and could stay closed for a year—till the summer of 2021.
by Stephen Frank
Public School Exit - Parents Have a Choice
In July, Governor Newsom declared that California schools, covering 90% of the students in the State, will be closed and could stay closed for a year—till the summer of 2021.
Worse, a provision of the budget signed on June 29 by Newsom says school districts will be paid per student based on attendance in February, 2020. This, even if they have no students, no distance learning, no tests. The districts, unionized staff and teachers are fully paid, regardless.
From the Washington Post, July 23, 2020, “Faced with all this, parents are panicking. And for some of them, home-schooling pods—impromptu private schools led by parents or privately hired teachers—are emerging as an attractive idea.
I predicted in a column this month that parents would get creative in this fashion, but wasn’t sure it would happen. Now, I’m seeing more and more news reports and Facebook posts on the subject (“Looking for an experienced teacher in the area to teach a pod of four third graders in the fall. Message me if you know anyone.”). “I know that distance learning was not working for us,” Darcy Alkus-Barrow, the mother of a one-year-old son and six-year-old daughter, told the Marin Independent Journal. “I’ve known that for a long time.” She put out a query on social media and heard from 200 interested parents, the newspaper reported.
But the headline raises an issue: “Private ‘school pods’ are coming. They’ll worsen inequality.” Adding to that narrative, in a New York Times op-ed July 22, 2020, Clara Totenberg Green, a social and emotional learning specialist in Atlanta Public Schools, writes, “At face value, learning pods seem a necessary solution to the current crisis. But in practice, they will exacerbate inequalities, racial segregation, and the opportunity gap within schools.”
Totenberg Green concludes with these words: “Paradoxically, at a time when the Black Lives Matter movement has prompted a national reckoning with white supremacy, white parents are again ignoring racial and class inequality when it comes to educating their children.” As a result, she says, they are actively replicating the systems that many of them say they want to dismantle.
This, however, is the kind of shaming, divisive rhetoric that complicates the effects of the pandemic on families. In itself, it divides people into fragmented groups. In other words, the media narrative posits that poor and middle-class kids are not getting an education, so the children of the rich should not be allowed to get an education.
Regardless of what the Times, the Post, or Newsom say or want, people are turning away from government education. They are forced to turn away, since government is not providing learning, just a pretense, so unions can be paid and school districts can claim they are helping children.
Instead of using school district money going for nothing, let that money be spent creating pods—and other options—for children of the middle class and poor. Of course, the unions will not like that—the pods do not have teachers that pay dues to a union. Plus, parents may decide they like pods better than government education.
If closure in California continues past October, watch as enrollment in government schools spirals down. Then, when the schools open, would you trust them to stay open? How will they make up for what could be eighteen months of no education?
In the end, parents are learning they are the best determiners of their child’s education—not the state. And, many choose to do it without the strings attached to government money. The homeschool movement has proven that point.
Districts will find the voters, especially those with children, will no longer automatically approve parcel taxes or increased taxes and bonds to finance schools that may or may not be open, or that come with state-imposed, mandatory provisions such as comprehensive sexuality education or out-of-control vaccination schedules. It will convince parents that educational choice, not government monopoly, is best for their children. The winners will be education and children. The losers will be government and the unions.
With school slated to start in a few weeks, let there be no shame in looking into resources for your child be it called a pod, a homeschool group, churches opening schools, or any other option that works best for individual families of all strata. For those seeking a Biblical learning foundation, multiple resources can be found at www.PublicSchoolExit.com.
At any rate, check your options. Or, you can have your child stay away from education for 18 months—or longer. In NYC the Mayor announced he will not open their schools till there is a vaccine. Nothing stops Governor Newsom from making the same declaration.
Will parents do what is best for their children or best for government?
Stephen Frank is Senior Contributing Editor of California Political Review. Read California news that is incisive, hard-hitting, and solution-oriented with a free subscription to Steve’s daily emails at http://eepurl.com/UAspv
NOTE: Blogs published on the Judeo-Christian Caucus website are the opinions of their authors and not necessarily those of the Judeo-Christian Caucus.
When They Came for Us, No One Spoke Up
A couple of weeks ago, about 2,000 people protested in my hometown of Simi Valley. They were upset with racial inequality, wanting “social” justice and to defund the police. They marched shoulder to shoulder, many without masks, about a mile and a half from a shopping center to City Hall. Among the protesters were numerous local ministers. This gave me pause…I knew them.
by Stephen Frank
A couple of weeks ago, about 2,000 people protested in my hometown of Simi Valley. They were upset with racial inequality, wanting “social justice” and to defund the police. They marched shoulder to shoulder, many without masks, about a mile and a half from a shopping center to City Hall. Among the protesters were numerous local ministers. This gave me pause...I knew them.
These ministers who are marching are refusing to open their churches for Sunday services in the building meant for prayer. Yet, at the same time, as they marched, they were violating State mandates on the number of people allowed to hold an event, and were not wearing masks, or keeping social distancing. They thought a politically-correct version of social justice more important than preaching the Gospel. Could this be why church involvement and enrollment in the so-called mainstream churches has been declining? To these ministers, it is about crafting public policy and ideology, not theology and solving justice issues via timeless lessons in the Bible.
Sadly, I have seen pictures from around the nation of people of faith, Police Chiefs, and even members of Congress kneeling to Black Lives Matter leaders and symbols. This, as if they were deities, not political activists.
It reminded me of the famous poem by Martin Niemöller:
First they came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up
because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up
because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up
because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
and by that time there was no one
left to speak up for me.
We have watched statues being torn down, we have witnessed riots over police actions, and we have been told, clearly, that the definition of racism is being white. So, when we watch the statues of Presidents Lincoln, Jackson and Grant being vandalized and destroyed, we say nothing.
Then, we had the attempted firebombing of St. John’s Episcopal Church across from the White House. The only outrage was that the President denounced the arsonists in front of the Church—not that the church was set on fire. Soon after, the Church was vandalized with graffiti—and again, ministers were silent.
Now, we have the greatest outrage of them all: If Christians are truly for “social justice,” they need to get rid of all stained-glass windows, statues and anything in a book that depicts Jesus Christ. No, this is not a joke.
Shaun King, a leader of the Black Lives Matter movement wrote this in twitter:
“Yes, I think the statues of the white European they claim is Jesus should also come down. They are a form of white supremacy. Always have been.”
He followed up with this:
“Yes. All murals and stained-glass windows of white Jesus, and his European mother, and their white friends should also come down. They are a gross form white supremacy. Created as tools of oppression. Racist propaganda. They should all come down.”
Our media no longer reports the news. Our professional sports leagues have caved to the idea of social justice rather than equality. Our schools are now teaching Black Lives Matter instead of unity. The last bastion of freedom is our religious heritage and freedom—and that is under attack. Yet, as Niemöller wrote, who will come to its defense?
Are the words of Shaun King a hate crime? Is the vandalism of a church a hate crime? Is the lack of support for religious freedoms a hate crime?
This is when the religious community must unite. Like the rest of society, it is being divided. If it can march for social justice, it can march for religious freedom.
Sad to say, but America is in the middle of a civil war. Riots, government-creating job losses, and businesses closing, education based on ideology and sensitivity—not facts or history… The media and entertainment industries have become politicized. The last bastion of sanity is religion, and it is being attacked with few defenders.
I will paraphrase a slogan from the Vietnam war era as a challenge to us all, “What did you do in the war, people”? This is a war on religion, and just as I served in Vietnam, I am enlisting in the war to protect religious freedom.
Stephen Frank is Senior Contributing Editor of California Political Review. Read California news that is incisive, hard-hitting, and solution-oriented with a free subscription to Steve’s daily emails at http://eepurl.com/UAspv
NOTE: Blogs published on the Judeo-Christian Caucus website are the opinions of their authors and not necessarily those of the Judeo-Christian Caucus.
Hope is More than Faith, It is Prayer and Action
We are being told we cannot end social distancing, shuttering businesses, and re-creating jobs until we have “full” testing. Others like Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, bioethicist and nonresident senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, say we cannot end sheltering-in-place, social distancing, and shuttering businesses till we have a vaccine. It should be noted that a vaccine is a year off, at best.
by Stephen Frank
Hebrews 10:23 says, Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. Hope, combined with faith, brings us through the tough times. For months, we have suffered through the coronavirus; we went through the government actions that closed down jobs, education and businesses; we have been forced to be isolated, divided from family, friends and co-workers. Then, as we were seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, we had protests that morphed into riots, looting, vandalism and thousands of business harmed and destroyed nationwide.
One after another, the tragedies of government and life have put many into a depression. It is like a boxer getting hit and unable to have a defense. But, in fact, we do have a defense—it is hope.
Many are they who say of me, "There is no help for him in God." Selah
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
I cried to the Lord with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah
I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around.
Hope and prayer, though, is not enough. We need to take action based on our principles. For too long, we have known what is right. But for fear of ridicule, name calling, and retribution, we have been silent. Silence is no longer an option. “Get along to go along” is not the answer. Our state and nation are facing numerous challenges: economic, moral, ethical, health issues, and more.
We can no longer be afraid to use Judeo-Christian evidence of our values. Some will call us racist if we believe that all lives matter. Imagine, wanting the best for all people can be considered a negative. To me it is a matter of Biblical teaching, not ideological agenda.
For instance, Sacramento is going through the new budget while facing a $54 billion deficit. The answer, per Gov. Newsom, is to have the federal government bail us out. At the same time, the super-majority in the State Senate has decided to continue the high-speed rail, which is an economic disaster; spend more money on those in our country in violation of federal laws and a recent Supreme Court decision barring such; and the pension system is collapsing. Instead of fixing our problems to solve the deficit issue, Sacramento wants to continue them by having people in Iowa and Georgia finance California’s mixed-up priorities.
Times change. Issues change. Circumstance change. Principles and values do not change.
Our elected officials need to stand tall on the Biblical values of self-responsibility. At the same time, they can use public policy to put the reins of government back in the hands of the people. This takes leadership. As elected officials, whether on a Water District Board or in the Legislature, by using press releases, appearances on talk radio shows, writing op-ed pieces for local newspapers, speeches to community groups, or holding ZOOM type townhalls, our leaders have a podium to shape public opinion and the public response to issues—in the majority or not, these are powerful platforms.
But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.”
There is risk in being a leader. You face the fire of the media and the special interests. It takes a strong heart, hope and faith to withstand the blaze of those who believe in government, not God—and certainly not the people. I know it is not easy to be called names and have your intentions questioned and attacked wrongly. Sadly, that is the nature of the Public Square today. Real leaders, either in office or volunteers in the community, know that to obtain a victory, you need to be challenged and questioned.
Hope and faith. Prayer and hard work. The road for a worthy future.
Stephen Frank is Senior Contributing Editor of California Political Review. Read California news that is incisive, hard-hitting, and solution-oriented with a free subscription to Steve’s daily emails at http://eepurl.com/UAspv
NOTE: Blogs published on the Judeo-Christian Caucus website are the opinions of their authors and not necessarily those of the Judeo-Christian Caucus.
Time for Strength thru Faith
We are being told we cannot end social distancing, shuttering businesses, and re-creating jobs until we have “full” testing. Others like Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, bioethicist and nonresident senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, say we cannot end sheltering-in-place, social distancing, and shuttering businesses till we have a vaccine. It should be noted that a vaccine is a year off, at best.
by Stephen Frank
In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote in the book The American Crisis, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” Just as at the final stages of the American Revolution that freed a nation, today we are in the final stages of another American revolution, caused by a virus, exacerbated by a government that believes we are owned by them, that they are our Masters. Like Paine, some are taking a stand against a tyrannical government.
Recently, 1200 Pastors wrote a letter to Governor Newsom, saying they were going to open the churches, because they answer to a Higher Power, The Lord. Reminds me of the old TV commercial for Hebrew National hot dogs. The ad noted they abided by the laws of government, but first they “answer to a Higher Power.”
In these times, we need courage. On TV, we have seen hairdressers and gym owners re-opening their businesses with and without the permission of government. You have people in every corner of the nation taking to the streets protesting the seizure of their Constitutional rights. Sadly, across the nation, hundreds of lawsuits have been filed by ordinary citizens to fight and gain freedom once again. Government does not easily give back. Lawsuits should not be needed for government to act responsibly and legitimately.
We need the courage of a Shelley Luther (Dallas hairdresser that got arrested for cutting hair and feeding her family) in our elected officials—whether at City Hall like the city council of Atwater declaring itself a sanctuary city for Constitutional rights for families and businesses, or, at the state level where a State Senator, Holly Mitchell, holds hearings on the no-bid billion-dollar mask contract to a firm owned by the Chinese Communist Party and 410 other no-bid contracts. Then, you have the courage of Calif. Assemblymen James Gallagher and Kevin Kiley presenting a resolution to repeal the Governor’s “Emergency Powers” given him in March before the Legislature left town.
To have strength of beliefs, you have to have beliefs, a foundation of values and principles. For me, these come from Joshua 1:9:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9 NIV)
I will admit it, there are times when a project gets tough, or I do not see a way to the goal that I think about quitting, giving up, just watching re-runs of Seinfeld. It would be easier not to say something and be “liked” than to tell the truth and be in the middle of controversy. For me, it is easy because I have strong beliefs and KNOW why I have them. I am not politicizing, I am PRINCIPLED.
Were I an elected official, my actions would be easy—especially in times of crisis. As a Maryland Minister stated when he was given a $5,000 fine for opening his Church to allow the community to pray, “The COVID-19 virus did not repeal the Constitution.”
The State of California has a $54 billion deficit, and growing. Governor Newsom is cutting health care for elderly; education for our children; threatening the Feds with cutting First Responders if President Trump does not bail out the collapsing pension system; the train to nowhere; and allowing the Governor—without a vote of the Legislature, to give money to illegal aliens. Plus, there is money in the Newsom budget to give to Planned Parenthood by using the public schools to promote abortion.
It will take courage and backbone to stand up to the Governor and remind him—and the public—we have millions of newly unemployed, people being pushed into poverty and businesses that will never open again. At times like these, we need faithful officials, with Biblical principles as the foundation, to remind Sacramento the role of government is to help people, not to transform and bankrupt society.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9 NIV).
Yes, we may lose a vote today, tomorrow or next month. But by using your faith as your strength, in the long term you will win. The fight today sets the foundation for a victorious vote tomorrow. Do not despair; the American Revolution, start to finish, took many years. It will take time to return government to the Constitution and the people to vote based on faithful principles.
Stephen Frank is Senior Contributing Editor of California Political Review. Read California news that is incisive, hard-hitting, and solution-oriented with a free subscription to Steve’s daily emails at http://eepurl.com/UAspv
NOTE: Blogs published on the Judeo-Christian Caucus website are the opinions of their authors and not necessarily those of the Judeo-Christian Caucus.
Facing the Future with Resolve and Faith
We are being told we cannot end social distancing, shuttering businesses, and re-creating jobs until we have “full” testing. Others like Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, bioethicist and nonresident senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, say we cannot end sheltering-in-place, social distancing, and shuttering businesses till we have a vaccine. It should be noted that a vaccine is a year off, at best.
by Stephen Frank
The news has not been good. The nation has a 14.7% unemployment rate, and over 30 million people have lost their jobs in the past seven weeks. California faces a $53 billion deficit when it had planned on a $8 billion surplus. We still do not know if schools will reopen and under what conditions. Entertainment, we are realizing, in the near future, will not be very entertaining with physical distancing, masks and temperatures being taken just to get in the door.
Grim.
Yet, the American spirit is historically “can-do.” Seventy-five years ago, we defeated fascism and Nazism. We came out of the Great Depression. Medical miracles, like ending polio, came from our nation. Through thick and thin, Americans have continued to create new technologies and supply food and energy for the world. In the depth of despair and horror, Americans are able to find their resolve.
To get to that point, we have to admit we have a problem. Some are short-term, like shelter in place; some are long term, like the economic devastation of a community and State. It is always easier to solve problems by listing them and then finding solutions, one by one.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29-11 NIV).
In the short term, the challenge is between local government, business and the State. The Governor needs to give “permission” for businesses to resume operation. Yet, Counties like Moduc, Orange, Sutter and Yuba have declared, under guidelines, they are relaxing restrictions.
It took protests started by surfers to reopen the beaches. Hairdressers and barbers are opening up, under the threat of losing their State-issued licenses. The Alcohol Beverage Control Board issued a statement that any bar or restaurant that sells alcohol without the permission of the Governor will lose its license. Yet in the Central Valley, these establishments are beginning to put out the welcome mat anyway.
Once this pandemic started, the Legislature went on “recess,” and the Governor was working furiously. According to a document from Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, the Governor issued 37 Executive Orders and changed 172 State laws. None of this was done with a single legislative hearing or a vote in the Assembly or State Senate. Actions such as these make the legislature irrelevant.
To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and He will establish your plans. The LORD works out everything to its proper end—even the wicked for a day of disaster (Proverbs 16:1-4 NIV).
What Gov. Newsom has done is done. Now is the time to return to the Rule of Law. Some are going to court to contest actions taken by the Governor. By listing the Orders and Laws changed, legislators, such as Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, bring attention to the problem of a Governor who has acted by accumulated power, not distributed power.
An action plan to return government to the people needs to be developed and promoted. This can be nonpartisan—every segment of society has been affected by these decisions. For instance, the Governor changed the rules of Workers Compensation, making it easier for folks to get it, though the law says changes can only be made by the Legislature. Who gets hurt the most? The minority and women who own small businesses that could see their Workers-Comp mandated payments go up by a third, making it difficult for these firms to re-open. In all, it takes about $11.2 billion a year from businesses and transfers it to a government program.
Government, one way or another, is being reformed. Instead of complaining, we need an action plan. All of this happens upon a foundation of Faith, the Faith to do the right thing, to be a leader. Have Faith in your beliefs and principles—you have them because the LORD led you to them.
Stephen Frank is Senior Contributing Editor of California Political Review. Read California news that is incisive, hard-hitting, and solution-oriented with a free subscription to Steve’s daily emails at http://eepurl.com/UAspv
NOTE: Blogs published on the Judeo-Christian Caucus website are the opinions of their authors and not necessarily those of the Judeo-Christian Caucus.
Trust Government or God?
We are being told we cannot end social distancing, shuttering businesses, and re-creating jobs until we have “full” testing. Others like Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, bioethicist and nonresident senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, say we cannot end sheltering-in-place, social distancing, and shuttering businesses till we have a vaccine. It should be noted that a vaccine is a year off, at best.
by Stephen Frank
In California, there are four counties without a single coronavirus case. Yet, Gov. Newsom has declared they should stay in complete shutdown. Now, the Boards of Supervisors of those counties have opened their communities. Which “government” should the people listen to—the State government or the county government?
The last weekend in April, tens of thousands of people flocked to the beaches in Orange County. The Governor got so upset he wanted to order all the beaches and state parks in California closed and to use law enforcement to force the people to comply. The City Council of Newport Beach voted 5-2 to keep the beaches open. Which government should the people obey—the State or the City?
These are troubling times. We have a deadly disease roaming the earth due to the irresponsible actions of a government—the Communist Chinese government. They withheld information, misled the world on the seriousness of the situation, and allowed a disease-carrier to travel the world. This is a government that imprisons people of faith, controls the churches and determines for students whether they go to college, where to go to college, or if they are sent to farms or technical schools.
In China, the people have no choices. Yet, the Bible says we must trust and respect government.
Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good (Titus 3:1, NLT).
Does China have the type of government we need to trust or respect? Should the people of China blindly follow the totalitarian government, while their freedoms are held in the hand of the military and their political party?
Another passage in the Bible says, Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God (Romans 13:1, NLT).
Governor Newsom has banned public demonstrations in Sacramento on government property and ordered NO permits be given to the public for any demonstration. In effect, he has repealed the First Amendment, from the federal laws/government and declared himself the Supreme Leader of California—he is taking away the right to assemble and the right to free speech, as well as the right to petition government.
The people have responded by protesting to the Chinese government-type orders from the California Governor. They are doing this though Governor Newsom has issued a ban on protesting at the Capitol. Indeed, a thousand protested on May 1, against the order of the Governor.
Around the State, there are at least ten demonstrations that I know of, from San Diego to Lake County. The people have decided that no government has the right to take away their freedoms. That is the difference between the people of the United State and those in China—we fight back.
There is a long-term problem for government. At what point do the people stop believing or listening to government? New York City is totally shut down by order of Mayor Di Blasio. Yet, Fox News reported on May 1 that construction sites all over the city opened, in defiance of the Mayor. In Auburn, California, two hair salons opened in defiance of Gov. Newsom. In my hometown, a local locksmith has been open—in defiance of orders of the Board of Supervisors. People are deciding that they need to retake their freedoms, their jobs, and their lives. In the past six weeks, 20% of working Americans became unemployed.
These folks need to choose between working and returning to freedom, or listening to government and become a Third-World state and nation.
Without permission of government, people are returning to their previous lives. The actions are loud and clear, government is out of control, no different than the government of China.
He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning (Daniel 2:21, NIV).
We also need to be discerning. The Kingdom belongs to the Lord, not the politicians. Our very lives and freedoms are at stake. These are troubling times. Government is made of man. Man, who is fallible. What do you think?
Stephen Frank is Senior Contributing Editor of California Political Review. Read California news that is incisive, hard-hitting, and solution-oriented with a free subscription to Steve’s daily emails at http://eepurl.com/UAspv
NOTE: Blogs published on the Judeo-Christian Caucus website are the opinions of their authors and not necessarily those of the Judeo-Christian Caucus.
America is Facing a Moral Dilemma
Thanks to the Wuhan Virus, most people are sheltered at home. Many businesses have been closed; our children no longer go to school for an education. Farmers are plowing under food and dairy farmers are spilling milk down the drain—because 30% of their business is from restaurants and schools; all of which are buying very little.
by Stephen Frank
Thanks to the Wuhan Virus, most people are sheltered at home. Many businesses have been closed; our children no longer go to school for an education. Farmers are plowing under food and dairy farmers are spilling milk down the drain—because 30% of their business is from restaurants and schools; all of which are buying very little.
The virus is serious. It is deadly, it Is spread person to person. Social distancing may have stopped the rate of contagion, but per Governor Newsom, at least half of Californians already have it. In a State of 40 million people, just under 1,000 have died from the disease, about equal to a bad year of influenza.
What are the social and health consequences of the “cure” for the virus? From the San Jose Spotlight, “According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Bay Area residents as a whole drank alcoholic beverages 42 percent more than usual during the first week of sheltering in place. This comes as no surprise, especially as local online retailer Wine.com has seen spirit sales alone surge 400 percent and restaurants and bars can now sell alcohol to-go.
But this increase in drinking and lack of contact, some medical professionals say, can be especially hard for those coping with addictions to drugs and alcohol. Anecdotes from addicts at Recovery Café detailed how isolation exacerbates substance abuse, and Harvard Medical School recently published resources to maintain recovery efforts while coping with social distancing.
Due to the concern the virus can spread in jails and prisons, in California over 3500 inmates, so far, have been released from prison and over 10,000 criminals have been released from jails around the State. We cannot tell how bad the crime wave has become, because “minor” offenses, like assault, simple robberies, burglaries, are no longer reported since the police arrest very few, and if arrested, the alleged perpetrator is given release with no bail, so they can go back into the shadows.
And for usually-working Americans, research shows unemployment is a risk factor for suicide. Benjamin Miller, chief strategy officer for Well Being Trust, a national foundation committed to advancing mental health issues, said the virus outbreak already is bringing into sharp relief risk factors for poor health such as loneliness and social isolation.
“Add to these social factors the possibility of an economic downturn, which may include job loss, and we are looking at a perfect storm of problems that will only exacerbate the depths of despair that our nation still has not addressed," Miller said.” All this while criminals are freed to continue their career paths.
USA Today noted, “Looking at a past disease outbreak like SARS in Hong Kong in 2002 and 2003 gives some indication of what may lie ahead. Social disengagement and stress and anxiety among some older adults resulted in an exceptionally high rate of suicide deaths, according to a 2010 study.
Hong Kong's disrupted economy may have led to increased suicides, noted Eric Caine, co-director of the Center for the Study of Prevention of Suicide at the University of Rochester Medical Center. He is concerned the U.S. may see the same. Research shows unemployment is a risk factor for suicide. Benjamin Miller, chief strategy officer for Well Being Trust, a national foundation committed to advancing mental health issues, said the virus outbreak already is bringing into sharp relief risk factors for poor health such as loneliness and social isolation.
Is the cure worse than the disease? That is a moral question we have to face. Yes, politicians will pontificate, give long explanations as they claim the health of the people is more important than jobs and businesses. Yet, the health of the public is at stake. With the virus exponentially increasing the fear of being near others, we face potentially higher rates of suicide, depression, drug use, alcoholism, mental illness, and bankruptcies.
Governor Newsom, Cuomo and others are saying isolation and job losses need to continue until at least May 15, one month from now. The trade off, the moral dilemma, is should government policy “save” lives from the virus, by killing the economy and jobs so no one dies of the virus, or should we open society to save lives from suicide, drug addiction, alcoholism, domestic violence, and the potential of a dismal future?
That is a true discussion for the public. At this point the politicians have made this one sided. It is up to the public to discuss all the ramifications of the current virus policies. What do you think?
Stephen Frank is Senior Contributing Editor of California Political Review. Read California news that is incisive, hard-hitting, and solution-oriented with a free subscription to Steve’s daily emails at http://eepurl.com/UAspv
NOTE: Blogs published on the Judeo-Christian Caucus website are the opinions of their authors and not necessarily those of the Judeo-Christian Caucus.
The Coming Economic Shock in California
As we sit at home, watching re-runs of re-runs, seeing the 1978 World Series for the third time in a week, we dream about the end of this national nightmare. Today we are worried about our jobs, paying bills, seeing our friends and family.
by Stephen Frank
As we sit at home watching re-runs of re-runs, seeing the 1978 World Series for the third time in a week, we dream about the end of this national nightmare. Today we are worried about our jobs, paying bills, seeing our friends and family. Sadly, we are not even allowed, today, to go to religious services. Imagine Easter without an early morning service. Think about an egg hunt for the kids at the church that is not going to happen.
Brett Baier on Fox News quoted Winston Churchill, “When you are going through hell, keep going.” As we used to say in Vietnam, “and this too shall pass.”
But when this crisis ends, what is the world we are facing?
I am hopeful and of the belief we will realize what is really important—family and friends. Like you, except for using Facebook, I have not seen my children or grandchildren in a few weeks. The Saturday dinners that last three hours with friends are now email exchanges. Joining with those of faith, either at services or Bible study is now done via Zoom. Not the same as prayers standing next to one another in a Holy place.
In a matter of one month, our nation went from the most successful and prosperous in the history of the world to a nation in Depression. In two weeks, ten million people lost their jobs. Government has suspended April 15 as Tax Day and put a moratorium on most rents and mortgages. The biggest change—for the long term—was the passage of a $2.2 trillion rescue bill—with a total cost of $6 trillion.
During the political debate and public discussion one issue was never made—where does the money come from? Yet another rescue bill is being promoted, at a cost of about $780 billion, for infrastructure—to create jobs and fix our roads and bridges. Again, no mention of where the money comes from.
Then you have this from California: “We estimate that California’s total state and local government debt as of June 30, 2017 totaled just over $1.5 trillion. That total includes all outstanding bonds, loans and other long-term liabilities, along with the officially reported unfunded liability for other post-employment benefits (primarily retiree healthcare), as well as unfunded pension liabilities.
This represents a rise of about $200 billion—or 15%—over our last debt analysis, in January 2017.
Our findings may appear to contradict reports that suggest a state budget surplus of about $9 billion. But the state’s spare cash and rainy day funds pale before the mountain of long-term liabilities that California governments at all levels have accumulated. Moreover, if the stock market drops, personal income tax and capital gains-tax revenue will decline precipitously, wiping out these surpluses.” From the California Policy Center.
Yet, Governor Newsom claims the State has a $21 billion reserve. How do you have a reserve so small and unfunded liabilities so large? You don’t.
Where does this leave us? Without much complaint people closed businesses, church services, agreed to rationing, loss of Second Amendment rights, at least ten million lost their jobs, and our right to assemble is being denied.
We have agreed not to meet with family or friends, or use restaurants and linger over a cup of coffee.
Socially, we have given our lives to government. With the massive expenditures, we are giving our financial futures to government. My answer is go back to the basics: Faith and Family.
Government answers are transitory and self serving. They are set for the masses, not the individual. In most part, government regulations, taxation policy, and social policy is set based on ideology. For instance, government is trying to end religious services and the sale of guns during this crisis—but consider the sale of marijuana and abortions are essential services.
Returning to normalcy, Faith and Family, is not a national movement. It is a commitment, one person at a time and spreading. It is being a role model for others, showing what is really important. Government cannot and will not mandate that we return to “normal.” It is up to us. While it may be a few weeks before we can go with friends and family to a diner or to church services, we need to emotionally decide now what our normal will be.
This too will pass. Plan now for your family, your faith, for your future. Don’t let others create it for you.
Stephen Frank is Senior Contributing Editor of California Political Review. Read California news that is incisive, hard-hitting, and solution-oriented with a free subscription to Steve’s daily emails at http://eepurl.com/UAspv
NOTE: Blogs published on the Judeo-Christian Caucus website are the opinions of their authors and not necessarily those of the Judeo-Christian Caucus.
California Government Makes Recovery More Difficult
On March 26, national unemployment numbers were released. Nationally, in the past week, 3.3 million Americans were unemployed. In California, we contributed over one million to that number. While we are 14% of the nation, we had 33% of the unemployed. Could it be the implementation of AB 5, which was expected to kill hundreds of thousands of jobs, “worked.” No more free-lance journalists, photographers, health care workers, truckers and more.
by Stephen Frank
On March 26, national unemployment numbers were released. Nationally, in the past week, 3.3 million Americans were unemployed. In California, we contributed over one million to that number. While we are 14% of the nation, we had 33% of the unemployed. Could it be the implementation of AB 5, which was expected to kill hundreds of thousands of jobs, “worked.” No more free-lance journalists, photographers, health care workers, truckers and more.
Then you have the price of gas. On March 25, the national average cost of unleaded was $2.06 a gallon. In Dallas the price was $1.61 a gallon—in Simi Valley it was $3.09. The difference between the Dallas cost and California: Sacramento taxes and government regulation of the gas formula.
The City of Hayward, in the Bay Area is rethinking its increase in the minimum wage, due to the virus.
“The move by the three councilmembers comes in the wake of already massive layoffs in the Bay Area related to the COVID-19 outbreak and shelter in place order given last week by Gov. Gavin Newsom,” reports Online journal Eastbay Citizen.
“I’m trying to preserve jobs,” opined Councilwoman Elisa Marquez, in a bid to study the impacts of delaying a July 1 scheduled $1 wage increase. “I’m fearful if we don’t do something to help these businesses, people will be out of work.”
Councilmember Sara Lamnin, who voted for the minimum wage ordinance last month, said Tuesday the wage bump actually foments jobs loss. “Minimum wage increases do eliminate jobs, and in a time like this, we need to preserve them,” she said.
Even those who supported the minimum wage increase when the economy was going good understood it would cost jobs. Now with the Wuhan Virus, the disaster magnifies.
Yet, the State of California is on the way to a mandated $15 minimum wage.
How do you recover when AB 5 makes it too expensive to hire new workers, the minimum wage forces business to pay unqualified people wages and benefits that are not warranted?
Because of the factors noted, and others, this will accelerate the use of technology in California businesses. For instance, the push for driverless cars—already on the roads in San Fran, Oakland and Santa Ana, will be done by the end of 2021—then rider share companies will need much fewer drivers and cars. Oh, the new cars will be electric, making environmentalists happy.
Telecommuting will continue to explode, on a permanent basis. The State could even give tax credits for telecommuting employees. This will alleviate a lot of the gridlock on the roads.
The biggest change will be in urban planning. The Left has been promoting the New York lifestyle. High density communities, pushing people on buses and subways, by the millions, causing close contact and the spreading of disease before the health care industry is aware of the problem. State Senator Scott Weiner, with his SB 50 and current legislation, SB 902, wants us to look and feel like New York. That goes along with the push to get people out of safe cars and into disease carrying, and physically dangerous, government transportation.
After this crisis is over, one way of staying well is to stay out of crowds. No elbow-to-elbow commute on the BART, watch movies that are streamed into your home instead of sitting inches away from strangers with the sniffles at a theater.
Life is going to change when this crisis is over. As part of that is the way we do business. In California, high taxes, bad regulations, dangerous housing policies and more, make it more irresponsible and unhealthier—and maybe it is a necessity that productive and responsible families leave the State.
Even the illegal aliens are going to be a bigger problem. Since the cost of hiring is so high in the former Golden State, the use of people that can be paid under the table makes more economic sense. So, low skilled or inexperienced Californians will not get hired, while cheap illegal labor will get the menial and bottom rung jobs.
The crisis has forced government to reconsider regulations and rules that hold back healthcare innovations, the building of needed masks, ventilators and pushing lifesaving drugs to the patients. The governors of Maine and New Hampshire have suspended the ban on plastic grocery bags, since they knew cotton bags are disease carriers. Hopefully, like housing density, this too will be rethought, and ended.
Do not expect California to become responsible after this crisis ends. Only the financial collapse of the State will accomplish that. Just last week, Kaiser Permanente decided not to build a $900 million facility in Oakland, due to delays, government costs, and regulations. As tech firms leave the State, maybe the politicians will get the message?
Until then I would “short” California as if it was a stock. We are in trouble and those in charge are short-term thinkers. Long term, they still believe in making us the Socialist Paradise.
Can California recover? Not with current policies and leadership.
Stephen Frank is Senior Contributing Editor of California Political Review. Read California news that is incisive, hard-hitting, and solution-oriented with a free subscription to Steve’s daily emails at http://eepurl.com/UAspv
NOTE: Blogs published on the Judeo-Christian Caucus website are the opinions of their authors and not necessarily those of the Judeo-Christian Caucus.
Coronavirus Could Cause NEW Education Dynamic
Usually trends and cultural changes take years and decades to catch the golden ring. In 1969 the Army was first on the Internet, but it took more than twenty years for the commercial, public use of the new medium to take hold. Fifty years later, there is no way for us to live without the Internet.
By Stephen Frank
Usually trends and cultural changes take years and decades to catch the golden ring. In 1969 the Army was first on the Internet, but it took more than twenty years for the commercial, public use of the new medium to take hold. Fifty years later, there is no way for us to live without the Internet.
In July, 1995 Amazon was on the Internet—selling books. Twenty five years later you can buy books, toilet paper and cars, around the world from Amazon. It is killing brick and mortar retail shops, large and small.
In 1985 Blockbuster opened its first store, in Dallas, Texas. The rental of videos created many other firms, made lots of money for early investors. On a Saturday afternoon you could find your neighbors at Blockbuster, choosing movies to see for the weekend—for you, your spouse and your kids. By 2005 the business was dying and cable TV, and DVR’s replaced the rental of movies. This trend lasted about twenty years. It came, it conquered, and it disappeared.
Fox News was launched in 1996 and changed the news business forever. But CNN was on the air in 1980 and started the trend of cable news. Fox was started and the competition created a whole new information industry.
All of these aforementioned companies created new industries and a new way to look at the marketing of a product. We will not be going back to the days before Amazon or Fox/CNN. We will improve on them, but end them? Not for decades until a new technique can be used.
The Coronavirus was not planned. It may have exploded due to the authoritarian Chinese government refusing to admit they had a rare disease in their midst. By not containing it in December, when it was isolated by Chinese doctors, the Government of China, allowed the creation of a world wide pandemic. This is bad for everyone personally and economically.
We have seen the NBA and the NCAA close shop. California is demanding no gathering of more than 250 people in one place—and for those who attend church or other public events with fewer people, everyone needs to sit six feet apart. Corporations are asking workers to work from home. Zoom, a firm that makes video conferencing software—very good software—is exploding with demand.
On Thursday at 9:15 am I left Simi Valley for Torrance. At that time of day, it usually takes 90 minutes to two hours to Torrance on the 405 Freeway. Instead it took me 68 minutes. There was no traffic. One reason is that UCLA has basically closed own, plus many tech firms on the West Side had workers stay home.
A few years ago Steve Poizner developed an online graduate degree for UCLA. Instead of students spending time on the streets, freeways and in classrooms, they could take the classes, at a graduate level, remotely from on-site locations in the San Fernando Valley, San Jose, or San Juan Puerto Rico. The same quality education—but saved the environment. Because of the coronavirus, most State colleges and Universities are finishing the semester using online classes instead of forcing students to physically attend classes. The environmentalists should be promoting this type of education.
As you know, many of the school bonds on the March 3 ballot failed. The biggest was Prop. 13, the $26 billion (principal plus interest) measure to help developers and to expand brick and mortar. Now with the advent of 5G Internet speed and technology, we no longer need to expand buildings—we need to get more broadband instead. This is cheaper and stops unneeded car trips, buses and trains. Moreover, money saved on those would easily finance the expansion of broadband technology and 5G.
In fact the State of California, under Gov. Brown, created an online community college—cost affective, save commute time and with the same quality of education as in a physical classroom. Why not expand the courses available online, when the virus threat is over?
Then you have government schools for grades k-12. Did you know there is a national online charter school system, so students do not have to travel to class and they can learn at their own speed and in the time that fits their schedule? We could save billions on brick and mortar. In fact, that property could instead be used for the homeless and affordable housing.
While the Internet has been with us since 1969, we have not really taken advantage of it. Yes, you can buy from Amazon or QVC on it, read the El Segundo Times (formerly L.A. Times) on it, and keep up with the stock market and the scores of your sport teams. But we need to think outside the box. Could it be that the coronavirus recreated the need for online education? Is it possible that folks will see this as an advantage?
We save money, we save the environment, folks will no longer have to fight boys in girls bathrooms, the bullying, the harassment, the lack of free speech. We can return education to its real purpose—education
I do a lot of writing and research. I can get more information at 3:00am on a Saturday morning from the Internet, including the Library of Congress, 3,000 miles away, then I can at 10:00am on Monday morning at the Simi Valley Public Library.
The answer to money problems for schools, environmental problems for society, help for the homeless and an education that means something, is right in front of us. Due to the coronavirus we can now think outside the box. In fact, we should throw away the box. This is 2020 and we should create education systems based on the world of today, not 1950.
Let something good come out of the coronavirus pandemic.
Stephen Frank is Senior Contributing Editor of California Political Review. Read California news that is incisive, hard-hitting, and solution-oriented with a free subscription to Steve’s daily emails at http://eepurl.com/UAspv
NOTE: Blogs published on the Judeo-Christian Caucus website are the opinions of their authors and not necessarily those of the Judeo-Christian Caucus.
Is the California Electorate Changing? Bonds/Taxes Defeated
If you read the headlines, the March 3 ballot proved that California is a Socialist State. Sen. Bernie Sanders easily won the lion share of votes for the Democratic Party presidential primary votes in California.
by Stephen Frank
If you read the headlines, the March 3 ballot proved that California is a Socialist State. Sen. Bernie Sanders easily won the lion share of votes for the Democratic Party presidential primary votes in California.
No one doubts that Gov. Newsom and the Sacramento Democrats prefer higher taxes. Newsom in his budget this year wants to create a single-payer healthcare system and take over the sale of drugs in the State. He wants the State, not your city council, to determine housing, zoning and building permits. Last year, he signed a bill to allow government to start and own banks—putting private banks out of business. California is a Socialist State.
Yet, on March 3, while voters continued to nominate Socialists for legislative office, the same voters made it clear they no longer trust government with their money. In a normal election, 95% or so tax increases, parcel taxes, and bonds pass. Last Tuesday was much different.
Of the 227 local tax and bond measures on ballots across California, voters:
Rejected 122
Approved 58
The other 57 are too close to call.
Plus, the granddaddy of them all Prop. 13 has failed. The proponents spent north of $4 million to pass the bond. The opponents, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, spent $250,000 on radio ads. The Democrat Party supported it. The California Republican Party did not take a stand on the measure. The defeat is from the guts of the people.
They found out it was not a $15 billion bond, but a $26 billion bond when you include the interest charges. While this was an “education” bond, special interests like developers used it to promote new projects. If passed, the developers would not need permission from local government to build affordable and low-cost housing within half a mile of a bus stop.
Then you have this, even if the city goes bankrupt, the voters say NO to more taxes. “Lemon Grove is in trouble: Voters decisively rejected a sales tax increase city leaders said was vital for keeping the city an independent municipality (and to keep it from dipping dangerously into reserves).”
I should note that two years ago, Lemon Grove had a similar tax increase on the ballot, and it was defeated. The city said at that time if not passed, they would go bankrupt. Looks like they lied and the citizens were not going to be fooled a second time.
Moorpark voters said NO to a school bond—the School district REFUSED to admit to the $83 million interest charges on the $96 million bond.
It looks like all of the school bonds in Placer, Orange and San Diego County were defeated.
In 2019, LAUSD had a $500 million bond that was soundly defeated.
Though Prop. 13 was defeated, the Democrats in Sacramento are planning to come back with another school bond—for less money and less obvious abuses of the public.
Why the defeat of tax increases and school bonds? I think there are two reasons.
First, after years of being lied to, the people are fed up. In 2018, we were told not to repeal the gas tax. The money was to be spent on needed road, bridge and street repairs. That is what Governor Newsom told us. He lied. Instead he redirected gas-tax money to the special interest scam, the choo-choo to nowhere. While there was not a massive outcry, the public understood what he said—the people are so stupid they will give us money for one thing, but we can spend it anyway we want.
The second reason is the families and students of California are tired of being held hostage in failed government schools. Currently, the per-student expenditure in government schools—statewide—to pay for failure, is a little over $20,000. On the other hand, the average cost of the very successful charter schools in a little over $10,000 a year. Californians pay double to give our kids failed education.
At the same time, the schools have become indoctrination centers. Sex education comes from the porn industry more than from the moral and ethical values of the family and community. It is as if government schools want kids to have sex, the earlier the better.
Then you have the unions controlling when, or if, the teachers show up to teach. The teachers unions that have been major donors to the school bonds—not to fix schools, but to move money around for more wages and benefits for teachers.
How bad did the teachers unions lose last Tuesday? Four Bay Areas school districts had bonds on the ballot. No, not for education, but to become developers and speculators. The money was to go to “teacher” housing.” The voters made it clear—first, teach our kids.
Voters gave school districts an “F.” The voters gave government in California an “F.” Maybe our voters have matured and the November results will be even better for freedom.
Stephen Frank is Senior Contributing Editor of California Political Review. Read California news that is incisive, hard-hitting, and solution-oriented with a free subscription to Steve’s daily emails at http://eepurl.com/UAspv
NOTE: Blogs published on the Judeo-Christian Caucus website are the opinions of their authors and not necessarily those of the Judeo-Christian Caucus.
Work is the Lords Effort, Not the Unions
The money to pay for this? It comes from the dues of the workers—even those workers that oppose the policies promoted by the unions. Unions are major supporters of Planned Parenthood and candidates that believe in unlimited abortions. There is no way for a worker, if they are in a union NOT to support abortion—even a person of Faith.
by Stephen Frank
One reason you want to be assured your representative in Sacramento is a person of faith, is because every bill is based on the words of the Bible—either supporting the Word, or opposing the Word. As I like to say, every dollar of taxation is a dollar less of freedom. Discuss education in a bill with a Progressive, and they do not believe your child is a child of God, but a child of the State. They believe government has the right to teach them immorality (so they understand the world around them). “Educrats”, as I call them, believe it is okay to teach a Progressive history—radical ideology—rather than real history.
This is the collectivist theory of government. That we all belong to the State. In this view you, your family, and your community must respond to the commands of politicians, not your values, principles and faith.
In contrast, Proverbs 90:17 says, May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us, establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.
That means it is the Lord, not the government or a union that controls our work. Work is a Biblical value. Not of others in control of you, but you using your Biblical values doing the work of your choice—answering to your employer, your faith and yourself.
Yet, in California we have a law, AB 5, written by the unions that takes away your freedom of choice. On Sunday you have the right to attend the church of your choice. AB 5 says that on Monday, you must pay blackmail to a union if you want to work. It takes away your right to work a few hours a week, of your choosing, to be a journalist, truck driver, rideshare driver, healthcare worker.
It is theft to tell a worker they cannot work unless they pay tribute to a union or third party.
Who are these unions? Those who are forced to pay dues to them may not be aware a large portion of their funds go to candidates for office and ballot measures. Unions were a major donor to the opposition to Prop. 8, the effort to keep marriage between one man and one woman. They have spent hundreds of millions on candidates that support the creation of dozens of genders, higher taxes, and open borders. In fact, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has a whole office promoting the unionization of illegal aliens.
The money to pay for this? It comes from the dues of the workers—even those workers that oppose the policies promoted by the unions. Unions are major supporters of Planned Parenthood and candidates that believe in unlimited abortions. There is no way for a worker, if they are in a union NOT to support abortion—even a person of Faith.
“Thou shall not steal” is the eighth of the Ten Commandants. Nevertheless, this Commandment has come to be interpreted, especially in non-Jewish traditions, as the unauthorized taking of private property (stealing or theft), which is a wrongful action already prohibited elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible that does not ordinarily incur the death penalty.
Isn’t the taking of wages without permission or by extortion (either you pay the dues or you do not work) theft? Worse, the money taken is then used against worker’s faith, values and principles.
There are many policy reasons to oppose AB 5. For those of faith, it is a law that steals freedom, and free choice; a law based on theft. At some point, we need to speak up against such law.
To be clear, I am a supporter of the right of workers to freely join a union. Free association. I am opposed to enslaving workers to a union. How many good teachers have been forced to leave the classroom to hold a picket sign, while the children are forced to stay home and watch cartoons or get into trouble? A teacher is forced to strike, or the union will bully them out of the profession.
The purpose of this article is to show that every piece of legislation is based on Biblical values or the opposition to Biblical values. When you vote, think about the candidates. Do they promote the values of faith or do they tear them down? Free choice is a Biblical value, and our vote is an extension of that principle.
Stephen Frank is Senior Contributing Editor of California Political Review. Read California news that is incisive, hard-hitting, and solution-oriented with a free subscription to Steve’s daily emails at http://eepurl.com/UAspv
NOTE: Blogs published on the Judeo-Christian Caucus website are the opinions of their authors and not necessarily those of the Judeo-Christian Caucus.
Who to Vote for? That is a Good Question!
Absentee voting has begun. The newly created Voting Centers are opening.
by Stephen Frank
Absentee voting has begun. The newly created Voting Centers are opening. The actual date of the election is March 3, when you can go to the polls (if your county has them) and place a mark next to the name of a candidate for Assembly, President, Congress or State Senate. You might also have county and city offices up for election.
In the past weeks, you have seen ads on TV, heard them on radio, and received mailers from candidates and “slate cards” from groups you never heard of telling you how to vote. Maybe you have attended an event, forum or debate with the candidates. They all sound good, sincere, rational and on your side. Like a first date, they are putting their best face forward. But, just like a first date, before you get into a serious relationship—or vote for them—you need to find out more. The hard part is to determine if the candidate is telling you what they think you want to hear, or if they are truly showing their hearts on an issue.
Allow me to suggest some questions to ask and how to get a real answer. For instance, if you ask Speaker Nancy Pelosi her position on abortion her answer is, “I am personally pro-life.” Well, that takes care of it—she is one of us. Actually, she is using a weasel word, “personally.” I do not doubt she is personally opposed to abortion. But as an elected official, how she votes is all that counts. She votes money for Planned Parenthood, votes to allow abortion up to and after birth, she only backs candidates that will vote for the expansion of abortions. The lesson is simple, do not allow a candidate to give you a headline without asking how serious they are about their views.
Then you have the candidate that is looking for a job. As a voter, you need to ask about experience, background, actions. I always ask a candidate to tell me what they do not want to see as a story in the local newspaper. I ask about divorces, arrests, drug or alcohol use, bankruptcies, military service, and more about their personnel lives. If divorced, I ask about the first spouse, what will they say about them?
Do not be afraid to ask these questions. How many times towards the end of a campaign do you see scandals coming out about a candidate?
Importantly, you want to know what is in their hearts. I do that by asking about their religious activities and values. For instance, does the candidate think the Bible is the Word of the Lord, or is it a “living” Bible where the lessons, values and Faith can be changed day by day or based on politically correct, of-the-moment values?
It is good to go to church, but we all know Sunday Christians. What we need to know is whether the candidate values Faith and Family. How deep is that value? Does Faith have a role in the public square and in deciding positions on issues? For instance, I like to say, “Every dollar of taxation is a dollar less of freedom.” To go further, yes, we need government, but taxation that finances projects and programs beyond the real scope of government is theft—and we know what the Bible says about that.
Your vote is sacred. And, like looking for a church that fits your needs, you need to ask questions of candidates wanting your votes. Shining faces, pretty mailers, wonderful TV ads mean nothing—that is just the gloss of a campaign. You need to get to the heart of the candidate. If elected, they will have a large role in your life. Taxations, housing, education, transportation policy—all controlled by government. You would not buy a car or house based on an ad, why vote for a candidate without a serious “kicking of the tires”?
Most importantly, office holders should be moral leaders. They promote or oppose sex-ed curriculum, abortion policy, use government to create “moral” or Immoral” codes for the community. The San Francisco DA has told police NOT to arrest drug dealers on the streets selling product or arrest prostitutes plying their trade. Every office is important.
I urge two things. First, become an informed voter. Then vote Judeo-Christian values. Your family and community deserve a knowledgeable and active participant in the election process. Get involved.
Stephen Frank is Senior Contributing Editor of California Political Review. Read California news that is incisive, hard-hitting, and solution-oriented with a free subscription to Steve’s daily emails at http://eepurl.com/UAspv
NOTE: Blogs published on the Judeo-Christian Caucus website are the opinions of their authors and not necessarily those of the Judeo-Christian Caucus.
Economics: Road to National Security/Freedom of Religion
The United States is the freest nation in the world. Yes, we have problems, but we also have guarantees for our freedoms.
by Stephen Frank
The United States is the freest nation in the world. Yes, we have problems, but we also have guarantees for our freedoms. Most think national security is based on the military. Tanks, guns, drones, planes and ships all make us safer, that is true. A trained, experienced military is key to the use of the technology. Yet, none of us want the nation to go to war. I have been there, served in Viet Nam, and hope others would not have to confront enemies.
Though we have a Constitution, a strong military, a President that puts our nation first in deliberations, this is not the whole story.
For many years, the United States had to import our energy and oil from foreign nations, mostly from the unstable Middle East and literally from terrorist nations. If those nations made demands on us, we would have to compromise our principles and values to get the needed oil. Today, thanks to the policies of President Trump, we are oil independent. For the first time, we are exporting oil and natural gas instead of having to borrow to buy energy, making us weaker. By exporting, we gain revenues and can no longer be blackmailed by bad people into making wrong policy decisions.
Sadly, California does not allow drilling, fracking, and is trying to end–and shut down–the oil industry in the state. Last year, 56% of the oil used in the former Golden State was imported—mostly from terrorist nations. Except for Hawaii, due to its being an island with no home-drilled oil, California is the only State in the nation that needs to import oil. So, California is financing terrorist nations—forcing our national government to spend more defending us and stopping terrorism. Economics is national security.
Then you have taxation. Every dollar of taxation is a dollar less of freedom. When you give government a dollar in taxes, you are transferring money from your family and the private sector to the government. That means government grows while your ability to invest, grow jobs, and make your family economically secure is decreased. Taxation policy is part of our security system. More taxes, less security for families, churches and businesses.
Bigger government means less decisions made by families and business. When you raise taxes there is less money to save for college funds, church tithes or community service. Government decides how to spend the money. My Economics professor in my freshman year in college would say, “The government is the leak in the economic garden hose.”
You may read about the “trade wars” and wonder what it means to you. NAFTA, the North American Trade Agreement between the United States, Canada and Mexico caused automakers to close factories in the United States and move to Mexico. That cost Americans several million jobs, we lost hundreds of major manufacturing companies to other nations, and more Americans had to take lower paying jobs and lower their standard of living, just because of a trade agreement. The same with our trade relations to China. They have taken advantage of us, in trade, for two generations. Our political leaders wanted to be friends with China, so gave them what they wanted, instead of caring about the families of America. We suffered as China grew economically—and this became a security threat to our nation.
The bottom line is this: We need to care as much about tax policy, trade agreements and energy independence, as we do about the military. The security of our families mandates that we take an interest in state, local and national economic policy. Debtor nations, socialist nations, communist nations all have two things in common. First, the people are in poverty. Second, government cracks down on religious freedom. Why? Because when the people are hurting, it is the churches that speak for their suffering. Government needs to control religion to keep the people in line.
When you are in church on Sunday remember this: Your ability to pray and live your faith is based on a government with a strong military and a free economy.
Stephen Frank is Senior Contributing Editor of California Political Review. Read California news that is incisive, hard-hitting, and solution-oriented with a free subscription to Steve’s daily emails at http://eepurl.com/UAspv
NOTE: Blogs published on the Judeo-Christian Caucus website are the opinions of their authors and not necessarily those of the Judeo-Christian Caucus.