If you look at the big picture, things are still mostly going the way leftists want them to in spite of a year and a half of trump in office.
There have been some window-dressing wins for conservatism, but in reality all of the movement and infrastructure toward leftist ideas is still in place. The republican-controlled congress had failed to pass any legislation that begins to dismantle the authoritarian (far beyond original constitutional intent) state as constructed by the left through legislation, the courts, and bureaucratic rulings. The ripping apart of the social fabric that held our nation together is still continuing at an increasing rate.
If you don't believe me, think of how increasingly unacceptable it is to be conservative or make conservative statements in a public venue. Conservative speakers or ideas are still not allowed on many (most?) college campuses. Stating that the Bible should be the foundation or our social interactions or the Constitution the only basis for government policies will get you booed out of many places, shunned by the cognoscenti, and even attacked physically with the blessings of elected democrats.
Yet, with almost everything still going their way, the anger and hatred from the left is intense and vitriolic. If anything ever does actually turn against them in a way that begins to correct the course of our nation, the left will explode in both peaceful and violent uprising that cannot be controlled by civil means.
It will not matter what the SC rules if the law cannot be enforced. Though the percent of people who would identify as socialist or communist might not be large, it is the single largest chosen political philosophy of activist youth and the numbers are growing rapidly. Nearly half of millennials say they would vote for a socialist.
Add to this a lack of understanding (or intentional misunderstanding) of history, and we are in trouble.
"A surprising 64 percent of Americans agreed with the classic Karl Marx statement that underpins Marxist philosophy: “From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.""
"1 in 4 Americans (26 percent) and one third of millennials (32 percent) falsely believe more people were killed under George W. Bush than under Joseph Stalin."
Antifa and other disruptive and often criminal leftist and anarchist movements over the past 10 years are still there. They can erupt overnight anywhere they are needed to disrupt businesses, government, social media, and the peace of our society.
Recent interactions with otherwise seemingly normal people of various ages have helped me see the reality that when this happens, they will have the support of virtually everyone who did not vote for trump.
It will be impossible to enforce any law, government action, civil norm that these people do not support unless the government goes full authoritarian.
Bowsite is a self-selected group. We see these people here and think it can't be real. It is - and probably even worse.
It is impossible to know whether it will come to a full-scale civil assault or our nation will continue it's slow (but increasingly rapid) descent into authoritarian socialism.
Either way, the Supreme Court will not change the course.
Matt
I'd also like to point out that the original post is nothing put complaining and dire predictions. There's no attempt to offer solutions or any resolve. I just don't relate to that doom and gloom mentality.
Matt
"Is the US perfect? ... But it's a far cry better than most countries around the world, IMO."
GG, I agree except I would say all, rather than most. I believe it will remain so for quite a while, but the writing is on the wall. We may all be passed on by when it happens, but unless the people repent of their dash to perdition it will come.
I wish you well with your pessimism and dire outlook. Honestly.
Matt
Nothing has changed, a Never Trump looks at the world from a half empty seven mountain nationalist glass.
Hmm...that sure doesn't seem to jive with your original post, to me, but maybe I've misinterpreted something.
Matt
Matt
I most certainly believe Divine Intervention played a role, a Big one, in the formation of this country and throughout our history. I was not a supporter of Trump, but even now I am inclined to believe there was an Influence in the election outcome.
I am witnessing a change on campuses, and a growing number who refuse to be silent. It is part of the Trump Effect IMO.
Will this Great Experiment come to an end. Yes, for sure. Will that take place before or doing the Second Coming? None of us know. But, as Christians it is important to remain positive. Most assuredly though, He is most important and His Will will be done.
"I most certainly believe Divine Intervention played a role, a Big one, in the formation of this country and throughout our history. I was not a supporter of Trump, but even now I am inclined to believe there was an Influence in the election outcome.
I am witnessing a change on campuses, and a growing number who refuse to be silent. It is part of the Trump Effect IMO."
I definitely agree with the first part of this statement and hope that the second is true everywhere, not just where you are.
To me, it is quite evident that the main reason our nation survived and thrived this long was that it was built on Biblical principles and for the most part the government and citizens followed the constitution.
As the population becomes increasingly ungodly and irreverent while abandoning the principles upon which the nation was founded, there will be a price to pay and we won't like it.
I also believe that God puts whomever He pleases in positions of power. Sometimes we think we know the reason and at other times we do not.
When obama was president, Christians should have accepted it without giving up their Biblical principles. The same is true today. I don't particularly like either of them, but each is president for a reason. Jesus didn't tell the people to like Caesar, but He did say that Caesar was in authority over certain aspects of their life and that they were to obey the laws of the land.
Henry admitted the end may come after all of us our gone. Christ certainly was optimistic about the future. So must we if we want His Word to spread further.
My faith is with God's support, the American Experiment will continue to lead more to Him. We have faced darker periods.
Many, probably most of the immigrants coming through our southern border have a Christian back ground. Today, we even have socialists arguing the moral validity of immigration. Our country is changing, maybe that bothers us more than Him?
I believe we are one of His instruments for the inevitable Plan. I still like to think in spite of our challenges, this nation is still the best example of trying to do good.
Look at how well versed you and Henry are with regards to Scripture. It is not by accident that you both post here.
WRT the country..... the next year, 5 years, 20 years...... they VERY much matter. IMO there is nothing currently as important to the life of the country. I can't imagine where it would be headed if Hillary would have gotten the last appointment as well as this one. Some very important cases were won with a 5-4 vote which would not have been. 5 or 6 such as Ginsburg and even the types of cases that came before the court would change greatly.
IMO religion is meant to save the person..... the soul..... extended out maybe the family..... not to save the nation. A good many leftists can recite bible verses as well, in fact a good many Christian Churches are very leftist oriented. Kind of maybe saving the soul while actively flushing the country down the drain.......
Great question. God can use either. For the person, it matters greatly. For the purpose as a government functionary - no (IMO).
I wonder if God reads this site and belly laughs?
I am sitting on the porch to our cabin, watching another storm pass by dropping rain except on the scorched parcel that owns me. Something I seldom do, but after working in the heat, I am enjoying a Coors Light. Actually my second. I noticed something, in this state Rocky's post gain clarity for me. I wish a few of you were here now just to debate something!
I couldn't disagree more.
The loons are as vehement as ever. Look at how the "separating the kids from their parents" ballooned overnight and resulted in trump basically going back to the obama catch and release for anyone who comes in with a kid.
We rent some party equipment to folks...... I was looking into those inflatable "bouncers" several years ago. Our insurance told us they would drop us if we picked up bouncers. Why? The people sign a waiver they are responsible for any accidents, etc.... what is the problem? "you could have them sign a stack of waivers, doesn't matter.... as soon as they wheel that paraplegic kid into the courtroom that was injured on your equipment..... it's all over. The facts, right, wrong, what's fair and what's not will no longer matter. The judgement will go against you. In the end they will own everything you have."
Pick and choose your battles. Your backing and their confidence is essentially all you have. Once you lose them it's near impossible to get it back.
I'm optimistic for this country.
Like I said , Hackbow, I try to separate religion from politics, just like our founders did. I believe that all the bible's references to not trusting men are spoken in a religious context. Trust and worship seem to be used synonymously in the Bible. I don't take those versus to mean we are not to trust our fellow man in every context, rather we are to never worship other men.
I hope that helps,
Matt
