1-9-23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You probably have heard this acronym, a good prescription for getting through life and advising others. The fact that we seldom observe it does not diminish its wisdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Events in the news this week will live on, and on, as yet another political football: the election of a new Speaker of the House of Representatives. Reactions in chat rooms, on cable news and, because I frequently write (and draw editorial cartoons) about politics, outreach from friends who vented, asked questions of me, and unpacked angry comments of their own. There has been widespread frustration with the machinations on Capitol Hill.
It was confusing; it was messy; it was of interminable length. Rivalries were exposed; partisan divisions were highlighted; ambitions were on display. Why could not a simple winner-take-all vote prevail? Why the florid speeches and name-by-name roll calls? Why the horse trading and pledges?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 the answer to all this is: That\u2019s the way it is supposed to work. The Framers of the Constitution (as in so many other ways, thank God) knew what they were doing. Such arrangements in the House of Representatives \u2013 designed differently than the Senate \u2013 is the closest the American government gets to democracy\u2026 which is in its purest forms, by the way, a system the Framers despised and distrusted. They designed a Federal Republic, at most a modified republican democracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They did not want to \u201ckeep it simple\u201d in this case. Virtually automatic accession of leaders \u2013 which recently has prevailed in the House’s power-structure \u2013 were envisioned as exceptions, not routine. Changing rules\u2026 challenges to those in authority\u2026 factions\u2026 the input of lobbies (how that <\/em>has been perverted!)\u2026 compromises\u2026 frequent elections (two-year terms instead of the Senate\u2019s six)\u2026 apportioned seats on committees\u2026 and, yes, \u201cdeals\u201d\u2026 were all meant to keep the House close to the pulse of the public. NOT simple; just the opposite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So. We saw this week what is called \u201csausage-making\u201d: when politics seemingly gets messy. Folks like me (and I believe the shades of the Framers) loved the aroma of a country breakfast \u2013 \u201csausage making\u201d in the House’s Speaker contest. A great show. And was the House\u2019s \u201cbusiness\u201d on hold for four whole days? Folks like me sometime wish that parts of government could be on gridlock for four months<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anyway, I regret that so many people are ignorant of our government\u2019s structure \u2013 its original architectural design, really \u2013 and were further seduced by Svengalis of the media. (For instance, instead of \u201csimply\u201d and properly reporting events, TV hosts colored the process. The 20-or-so holdouts were characterized as insurgents, egoists, and even terrorists; but I think if they had been liberals they would have been called Profiles in Courage and brave souls with integrity\u2026) A lone congressman traditionally was allowed to challenge a leader’s status, until a Pelosi-decade ago; but its restoration is likened to a lynch mob’s fervor. Horrors! Chaos!! A raucous caucus!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n The holdouts were upset with decades of broken promises about balanced budgets, transparent writing of laws, term limits, earmarks, “regular order” (through committees instead of puppet-strings of the handful of leaders). Upset that 5,000-page bills are devised in secret and presented for voting immediately upon arrival. Upset that too many laws are written, really, by donors and lobbyists. Left-or-right IDs aside, elaborate complaints ought to have outlets for pushing back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, some things are not <\/em>supposed to be simple. But \u2013 Spoiler alert: I will share how \u201cKeep it simple, stupid\u201d does<\/em> pertain to one of life\u2019s more important matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Throughout humanity\u2019s history this matter invariably has been distorted to seem complicated. It has been festooned with uncountable conditions. The matter has been subject to additions and subtractions. Innocent people have been deluded by rules and exceptions and mumbo-jumbo and, too often, have been intimidated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That matter is Salvation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Religion \u2013 that is: humankind\u2019s systems<\/em> of translating and explaining and operating what should be the simple province of your soul and your God \u2013 <\/em>has sent more people to hell than have demons. Religion is, at best, reaching up to Heaven. Christianity simply is God reaching down to humankind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n God did not want it to be anything but Simple: He sent His Son to be the substitution for the punishment we deserve as sinners. Simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesus did not add to laws and commandments and rules: Rather, He fulfilled the Law. Simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Holy Spirit was sent to be God\u2019s method of guiding believers \u2013 to comfort, inspire, and direct us. Simple. God created us with free will. But as humans, we choose to sin and offend Him.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A just God, being Holy, cannot have those whom He loves continue our sinful ways, or approach the Throne and live in Heaven, unless sinless.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n This Holy God provides a loving means for us to be forgiven, and to be reconciled with Him. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n He sent His Son to take our sins upon Himself.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n All that is required is that we accept in our hearts that Jesus is the Son of God; that we confess with our mouths that He died to be our Savior; and believe that God raised Him from the dead.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s all? That\u2019s all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s not stupid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n + + +<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Gospel, explained many ways and many times, is the opposite of complicated:<\/p>\n\n\n\n