As I write this over 35 Congressman are petitioning the Attorney General of the United States to investigate ACORN for systemic voter fraud. Republicans charge the organization with intentional illegal voter fraud and trying to steal an election. Democrats do not defend the exposed and obvious fraud, but do defend the effort to increase voter registration and participation.
I think they are both right. Fraud is wrong and should be punished. We are (or pretend to be) a nation of laws. Greater voter participation is essential for democracy to work. So how did we get to this point?
I am beginning to understand more and more every day there are legitimately two Americas. IF not in reality, then certainly in concept. Socialism vs. Capitalism. Rights vs. Opportunities. Main St. vs. Wall St. Rich vs. Poor Red State vs. Blue State. Modernism vs. Postmodernism
I can easily understand how one side views ACORN as a fraudulent evil. The other side as a crusader for the downtrodden. I can see that because I have come to understand how these two Americas approach abortion. One side passionately defends the rights of the unborn. The other side passionately defends the right of the woman to choose. These are not bipolar opposite issues. It is not black versus white. It is Orange vs. Monkey. On the one hand the unborn should be protected. If someone other than the mother injures the unborn the state prosecutes. On the other hand we do not want the government to make private decisions for us. Do we want to become China and have the government decide if we can have children and how many? What we cannot decide in America is does Orange trump Monkey or visa versa?
How did we get here? I believe the answer is as simple and as complex as saying we lost our moral focus. There is no longer a consensus in America on what to base moral decisions. In the past there was a greater consensus that the Word of God would direct our laws and decisions. That consensus is gone. Without consensus we cannot come together and find agreement. Oranges believe Monkeys are immoral. Monkeys feel the same about Oranges. But how do we resolve this important debate?
Voter fraud may not be wrong if more people vote for me. After all, my leadership is essential to the country. Voter fraud may be wrong if more people vote for him. After all, my leadership is essential to the country. Without a moral compass that we can all agree to, how can we come together?
When I grew up and there were disagreements in the family, the final word, the authority was my father. Why? Because he was bigger, stronger, wiser or more determined? NO. He was head of the family. That was a given. When we decide once again God is the head of our nation, sovereign over us, then we will allow His Word to settle our disagreements. Daniel 4-6 reminds us how God humbles great nations who forget this sovereignty. Is today’s financial crisis just such a humbling moment? When the stock market collapses and fortunes are lost, will He regain our attention. I don’t know. But if this doesn’t work, what will He do next? I for one am listening now. Are you? Are we?
