I know history is not a popular subject, and most of us have probably forgotten everything we learned in tenth grade anyway. But, almost everyone should remember the reason the colonists revolted against English rule and founded this country. There were many causes, I know, but the central issue was taxation without representation. The Boston Tea Party was a demonstration against the government imposition of a burdensome tax on the colonists' staple beverage.
Anyone paying even a little attention to the news recently should see a parallel in the current debate about taxing soft drinks, the modern day equivalent of colonial tea. Granted, the government proposing this tax is our very own (supposedly,) yet one wonders if Washington D.C. isn't as far removed from its constituents as King George was from his. Does the average U.S. citizen have the ability to influence the thinking, let alone the actions of his representative holding the reigns of power? Has the ability to vote for a representative voice lost its value in America today?
Closer to home, the governor of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm, has announced another cut in the state per child allotment to public schools. Her expression seemed pained as she spoke, and her plea to the legislature to find some way to reinstate the funds seemed genuine. But she made the cuts anyway. One wonders why the choice was made to cut school funding. The parents of school children have little power to influence Governor Granholm, but the Michigan Education Association certainly does. The MEA was one of Granholm's big supporters when she ran for office. They must regret that decision these days. Where is the influence they imagined they bought with their campaign contributions?
The last example of leadership disconnected from the people comes from my home county. A small school district is in financial trouble due to fiscal irresponsibility spanning many years. An outlandishly expensive new high school was built as a monument to a former superintendent, laying a debt burden on an already strapped budget. The current central administrative staff numbers four times as many as other county schools of comparable size, cronyism being the apparent explanation. The money spent on support versus instruction is the highest percentage in the county. Fearing state intervention because of budget shortfalls, the superintendent is making a unilateral attempt to close schools and lay off teachers, a move which has proved very unpopular with citizens. Here again, the people most directly effected feel powerless to do anything meaningful.
What is a concerned Christian citizen to do? Paul told his Roman audience to pay taxes to whom they were due. This, remember, was during the time of a government by a dictator who was violently persecuting believers. Paul's readers had no voice in their government like we do. First, no matter how much we dislike the policies of a federal, state or local government, we must assume that Paul's directive to the Romans applies to us today. We have every right to protest, but we must pay whatever taxes we owe. Period.
That doesn't mean we can't protest. Our form of government allows "tea parties" as long as they are civil. Our representative democracy also gives us a lever to pull in most cases. Our leverage, pun intended, with politicians is that we hired them and we can fire them as well. Most localities are getting ready to hold elections next month. Christians must not zone out during local elections. The mayor, councilmen and school board members have a more direct effect on daily life than most people in Washington D.C. Two years from now, those of us who are unhappy with the current crop of D.C. politicians will have the chance to dramatically alter the landscape there.
Finally, when decent Christians do run for office, we must support them any way we can. The Roman letter also commanded giving honor to whom honor is due. Let all concerned Christians honor those who are making the choice to work for a more representative government. If we don't get involved, we have no right to complain when we are taxed more heavily to pay for programs we disapprove of strenuously.
Anyone paying even a little attention to the news recently should see a parallel in the current debate about taxing soft drinks, the modern day equivalent of colonial tea. Granted, the government proposing this tax is our very own (supposedly,) yet one wonders if Washington D.C. isn't as far removed from its constituents as King George was from his. Does the average U.S. citizen have the ability to influence the thinking, let alone the actions of his representative holding the reigns of power? Has the ability to vote for a representative voice lost its value in America today?
Closer to home, the governor of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm, has announced another cut in the state per child allotment to public schools. Her expression seemed pained as she spoke, and her plea to the legislature to find some way to reinstate the funds seemed genuine. But she made the cuts anyway. One wonders why the choice was made to cut school funding. The parents of school children have little power to influence Governor Granholm, but the Michigan Education Association certainly does. The MEA was one of Granholm's big supporters when she ran for office. They must regret that decision these days. Where is the influence they imagined they bought with their campaign contributions?
The last example of leadership disconnected from the people comes from my home county. A small school district is in financial trouble due to fiscal irresponsibility spanning many years. An outlandishly expensive new high school was built as a monument to a former superintendent, laying a debt burden on an already strapped budget. The current central administrative staff numbers four times as many as other county schools of comparable size, cronyism being the apparent explanation. The money spent on support versus instruction is the highest percentage in the county. Fearing state intervention because of budget shortfalls, the superintendent is making a unilateral attempt to close schools and lay off teachers, a move which has proved very unpopular with citizens. Here again, the people most directly effected feel powerless to do anything meaningful.
What is a concerned Christian citizen to do? Paul told his Roman audience to pay taxes to whom they were due. This, remember, was during the time of a government by a dictator who was violently persecuting believers. Paul's readers had no voice in their government like we do. First, no matter how much we dislike the policies of a federal, state or local government, we must assume that Paul's directive to the Romans applies to us today. We have every right to protest, but we must pay whatever taxes we owe. Period.
That doesn't mean we can't protest. Our form of government allows "tea parties" as long as they are civil. Our representative democracy also gives us a lever to pull in most cases. Our leverage, pun intended, with politicians is that we hired them and we can fire them as well. Most localities are getting ready to hold elections next month. Christians must not zone out during local elections. The mayor, councilmen and school board members have a more direct effect on daily life than most people in Washington D.C. Two years from now, those of us who are unhappy with the current crop of D.C. politicians will have the chance to dramatically alter the landscape there.
Finally, when decent Christians do run for office, we must support them any way we can. The Roman letter also commanded giving honor to whom honor is due. Let all concerned Christians honor those who are making the choice to work for a more representative government. If we don't get involved, we have no right to complain when we are taxed more heavily to pay for programs we disapprove of strenuously.
I beieve upon the first review of your blog, that I agree with everything you say except for the last sentence. I will explain my plight, and I am sure you will have a retort.
ReplyDeleteIn today's health care climate, you have to put in about 50 plus hours per week to survive....I follow the lack of leadership in government,write letters occasionally, vote, and other than that, I literally don't have time. I am left with something very powerful called prayer....does that count as far as being involved?
I have about 24 ancestors that fought in the American Revolution, and I will tell you my brother, that we need another.
Allan W. Crummett