Needed: Men And Women Of Character

In most countries, advertising prescription drugs is illegal. I wish it were so here. I’m tired of drug companies pushing their high-powered products. Are we that gullible? The pill-pushers’ purpose is to get us to beg our doctor for the newest prescription. Is it safe? How much does it cost? When a drug’s benefits take 10 seconds to describe, and harmful side effects take 30 seconds to list, be wary. They certainly have me taking direct action. Now, I instantly mute the TV volume anytime a drug commercial appears.

The regulatory agencies of our government have provided us the best that money can buy, that is, if you’re a lobbyist. Yes, we need to keep lead out of paint and out of our water supply. No, margarine wasn’t better than butter. The FDA was biased and wrong. Now we know that it’s sugar, not eggs, that clogs arteries and causes inflammation. Let science speak for itself.

Money seems to be a hidden factor behind government. Keep our aquifers free of pig waste? Why should that even be debated? The profit motive is behind most issues. What about votes being cast by our elected officials? Are the decisions best for our nation, state or city — or only what’s best for the politician’s campaign donations?

Here is a question. How does a politician from a humble background go into office with modest wealth, then come out of office a few years later with multiplied millions of dollars and many expensive homes? It wasn’t due to their salary, that’s for sure.

The scriptures have plenty of cautions about corruption. God’s laws uphold fairness. By righteousness (i.e. what is just and impartial), “a throne is established.” Good governance requires honesty and integrity. Bribery tips the scales in favor of the rich or powerful. God judges us when the poor are taken advantage of by the wicked. Many wealthy business owners are good people. They employ others, produce valuable products and services, and behave with integrity. It is a few rotten apples that spoil the barrel. Likewise, judges must have absolute integrity to safeguard society.

We need men and women of character, neither intimidated nor corrupted with bribes, who speak up and stand for what is just, and true, and good. We need leaders inside board rooms and inside congressional hallways who fear God more than they fear the people or the media. We need leaders who love the truth, keep a clean conscience, and won’t sell their soul to the highest bidder. We need leaders who always tell the truth so that they don’t have to remember what they said the day before. We need spiritual leaders, prophetic voices, in our churches who dare to cry aloud the right ways of the Lord, who remind us of God’s thoughts and ways, who become a conscience to the community, who preserve the family, and who will not back down from strident accusers or angry agitators.

Sometimes the old ways were better. America has forsaken the ways that brought us prosperity. Some things that were good for us in the beginning are still good now. It is a constant battle to defeat the propaganda; ideas that display no fruit worth pursuing. Want to subsidize fatherless families? Want to cast off sexual restraints? Want to have thought-police? Want to go socialist in the economy? Want to keep God out of classrooms? How has that been working for you?

America won’t be great again. It can’t, without turning to God.