Thus Spake The President
In his masterful work, The Devil's Dictionary, Ambrose Bierce defined Impiety as, "Your irreverence toward my deity." I remembered this quote while thumbing through the news tonight and seeing that President Obama (you may remember him as the guy who had the gold plate behind his head during the 2008 election) attended the National Prayer Breakfast today, whereupon he had an epiphany. From his remarks:
And when I talk about shared responsibility, it's because I genuinely believe that in a time when many folks are struggling, at a time when we have enormous deficits, it's hard for me to ask seniors on a fixed income, or young people with student loans, or middle-class families who can barely pay the bills to shoulder the burden alone. And I think to myself, if I'm willing to give something up as somebody who's been extraordinarily blessed, and give up some of the tax breaks that I enjoy, I actually think that's going to make economic sense.
But for me as a Christian, it also coincides with Jesus's teaching that "for unto whom much is given, much shall be required."
Required by whom, Mr. President? You? That's the inescapable conclusion given your penchant for coercively taking from some to give to others in order to, "spread the wealth" as you so aptly explained to Joe the Plumber a few years ago.
Christianity, you might recall, teaches charity as distinguished from armed robbery. While Christ admonished us to render unto Ceasar, I would suggest that if the Almighty can get by on a 10 percent tithe, that it boggles this imagination why you would require so much more.
You do remember the story of the tax collector, Zacchaeus, don't you? You remember as well, do you not, that after his encounter with Jesus, Zacchaeus reportedly made restitution to the citizens for his corruption? But your use of Biblical teachings in the service of your tax increases, sir, would have us wondering if perhaps Jesus would have preferred to instruct the citizens to hand over more of their property to Zacchaeus in the service of Ceasar's shovel ready projects of course.
Mr. President, go and bombast no more.
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Aug '11
Re: Thus Spake The President
Obama's epiphany is hardly new and has been dragged out by Liberals over and over. I think in many ways it is a transparent attempt to deflect guilt for their niggardliness when it comes to real charity. It is easy to grab the mantle of charity and empathy when doling out the government's money. To go further and demand that more be deposited in the General Fund so you can futher your political desires, and then to chastise those whose money you claim (when they balk at your demand) as uncharitable, is the epitome of arrogance!
Edited on Feb 3 at 8:19amJul '10
Re: Thus Spake The President
He's invoking Jesus to justify his tax policy the same week he is assaulting the Catholic Church's health care providers? It's enough to make one scream.
Apr '11
Re: Thus Spake The President
My favorite gospel story is when the rich man asks how he can earn eternal life, and Jesus says he must, "Give all he has to the poor and follow Me." The rich man sadly walks away because he can't bring himself to do it.
Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said, "Boys, he didn't get the point. You three hold him down, and the rest of you grab all his stuff. We got some distributing to do!" Or wait, I'm remembering that wrong.
Jul '10
Re: Thus Spake The President
Yes, in Obama's world Jesus and his apostles were a roaming shakedown unit, spreading intimidation throughout the land. Matthew taught them the ropes from Rome's tax collector seminar.
The prodigal son was fresh back from knee breaking school.
The loaves and fishes were rifled from the servants of the well to do in the audience.
Lazarus rose on the news of a death tax.
The moneychangers didn't want to give up a cut.
It all begins to fall together.
Edited on Feb 3 at 10:23amAug '10
Re: Thus Spake The President
Wonderful post, Dave. And some great comments. Simply put, I think the hubris of this president is terrifying. He is a shameless and artful manipulator of words. I only hope the American people ultimately see him for the charlatan that he is.
May '11
Re: Thus Spake The President
"for unto whom much is given, much shall be required."
Where exactly does this teaching appear in the New Testament? I ran the search through several versions on line, and could not find it. Still, I'm not a biblical scholar and I retain hope that His Petulancy is not just confusing Jesus with Peter Parker.