I have been struggling what to write about President Obama’s Address to Congress this week. It has been a long time since I’ve lost sleep over a speech I heard on television, but this week I actually lost sleep. Not because I don’t think God is in control, but because I’m beginning to mourn for our culture and America as we knew her.

Why am I responding this way?  Because we elected a President who has no experience, has no vision, he doesn’t believe in the American people, he thinks government is the answer to all our problems and has surrounded him by a ‘Chicago Styles’ political system that isn’t interested America, but is more interested in power and doing away with their enemies.

I’m also mourning the death of journalism today. In the minds-eye of our founding fathers, the press was supposed to be the ‘Truth Tellers.’ They were supposed to be the tool used to keep our elected officials accountable to the people who elected them. They we supposed to provide unbiased news and information about issues that were/are being discussed on all levels. Today, journalists are providing news and information that HELP their candidate. Look no further than MSNBC who had nothing but negative comments about Governor Bobby Jindal’s remarks to Obama’s speech, while being nothing but glowing about the Obama performance.

I also mourn the Republic the we once knew in the U-S. Why? This leads me to why I mourn for our nation.

The United States is quickly turning into a Socialistic nation. Socialism refers to a broad set of economic theories of social organization advocating public or state ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods, and a society characterized by equal opportunities for all individuals, with a fair or egalitarian method of compensation. Did you hear that in President Obama’s speech this week?  I certainly did. That’s what kept me awake this week. He’s not looking to tax everyone (yet), he just wants to penalize the wealthy (those making $250,000 annually). He wants to take money from them, and give it to more bank bailouts, people who don’t have health insurance and those who fail to pay the credit card and mortgage payments.  While I’m not in the $250,000 salary range, I think this is totally unfair and un-American.

Where has our nation gone? Because of the negative ‘talk-down’ of the economy, the American people are scared. They’re following like sleep to slaughter to the ideals of socialism. President Obama has pushed through a bill that encompassed 1,000 plus pages and didn’t even allow the Republicans to have any input. That borders theocracy. How is THAT a representation of a Republic? How is that caring for your country. Less government is what’s needed in this situation, not MORE. I may be a spoonful of sugar now, but it will quickly turn into a stomach ache. Why? Because we’re spending money we don’t have.

On another note, Republicans are trying to do something. (I certainly wish they would have done something when they were in power other than spend money and act like democrats). They’re trying to save our free speech rights.

I received the following from the National Religious Broadcasters today:

• House and Senate Make Attempt at Broadcast Freedoms. Two stellar men in Congress have taken serious action this week to protect Broadcast Freedoms. They are sponsors of the House and Senate Broadcaster Freedom Act, the bill aimed at forever killing the Fairness Doctrine. United States House of Representative Mike Pence (R-IN) initiated a move to file an amendment in an Omnibus bill which would prevent the Fairness Doctrine from being restored through the end of this fiscal year. Pence through a similar move last year, won bi-partisan support preventing any FCC funds from being spent on a Fairness Doctrine thru March 6 of this year. Pence’s attempt to continue a block of funds for the next year failed in effort to be considered late Tuesday evening. House Republicans are looking at other options, presently.
  

• In the Senate, late this evening Sen. Jim DeMint (NC-R) plans to add the Broadcaster Freedom Act as an amendment to the DC Voting Rights Bill. DeMint said he added the amendment to prevent the Fairness Doctrine. The Senators office said it is also an attempt to get Congress to act in agreement with President Obama that they too oppose the Fairness Doctrine and stand in unison to oppose censorship on our nation’s airwaves. It is unclear at the time of this publication, how the amendment will be voted on. NRB’s Vice President of Government Relations, Bob Powers, is watching the item closely, in contact with Senate staff on the matter. To help weigh in on NRB’s most significant legislative items please log on to www.freedomtobroadcast.com.

What doe this mean? It means the Republicans have NO power and have NO voice in any of today’s politic. The national press is discounting everything they say. They have no platform and it won’t be long until Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and many Christian radio stations are off the air because of the liberal grab for power and their desire to silence their perceived enemy.

I have been critical of Democrats in recent posts about what’s called the ‘Fairness Doctrine.’  I call it the ‘Censorship Doctrine.’  This week we heard this from Fox News.

“President Obama opposes any move to bring back the so-called fairness doctrine,” FOXNews.com reports. It adds that:

“The statement is the first definitive stance the administration has taken since an aide told an industry publication last summer that Obama opposes the doctrine — a long-abolished policy that would require broadcasters to provide opposing viewpoints on controversial issues.

“As the president stated during the campaign, he does not believe the fairness doctrine should be reinstated,” White House spokesman Ben LaBolt told FOXNews.com.

However, what’s not said in the release is that many of the House and Senate Deomoctrats FAVOR the measure. According to insiders, it’s believe the Democrats may make it a part of budget legistlation that President Obama WILL sign, because he won’t want to close down the government.

Chad Bresson at CDR Radio reports, “The problem, as it was described to us in Nashville, is that when Copps says, “put public interest considerations and guidelines back into licensing for full power stations”, he means granting local boards licensing power. The license will be at the mercy of a local board… which is fine if the community has no problem with religious programming (as some would say); however, if the community wants politically correct radio, the Christian broadcaster would be toast.

In other words, the NRB sees the localism standard as a means of bringing the fairness doctrine in the back door. The NRB believes it has successfully stigmatized the fairness doctrine… if it becomes reality again, the NRB believes it will be by another name in another form. And they’ve identified the localism boards as one of those forms.”

So, while the Obama administration isn’t seeking to reinstate the Censorship Doctrine, many others may be trying to.

It is quite disturbing how far our country has deteriorated from the country ‘of the people, by the people and for the people.”  Now our montra is socialism, ‘The good of the many outweighs the good of the one.”  What ever happened to capitalism.

According to Wikipedia, “Capitalism is an economic system in which wealth, and the means of producing wealth, are privately owned and controlled rather than commonly, publicly, or state-owned and controlled.^[1][2] In capitalism, the land, labor, and capital are owned, operated, and traded by private individuals or corporations,^[3][4] and investments, distribution, income, production, pricing and supply of goods, commodities and services are primarily determined by voluntary private decision in a market economy largely free of government intervention.”

That’s exactly the opposite of what happened today in the U-S Senate as Liberal socialist politicians took a huge step into the hole of socialism, rather than allowing the spirit of the American workforce pull up our boot straps and tackle the economic conditions head on.

The Obama administration claims we needed to act on what they called the “Economic Stimulus” bill quickly, or things were going to spiral out of control. It’s amazing how President Obama wanted to have an open government, but he wouldn’t even allow law makers to read the 1,000 plus pages in the bill. How would Republicans have been treated if THEY had done that when they were in control of both chambers and the executive branch?  They would have been crucified by the press, yet the press has said virtually NOTHING about this.

Now, my grand children and great-grand children will be responsible for an incredible amount of debt. In just one week we’ve surrendered even more of our nation’s economy to other nations, who will give us even MORE credit — which is what got us into this mess in the first place. Investing in infrastructure may provide jobs short-term, but what’s going to happen when these infrastructure programs are completed? We’ll just have more unemployment and be back where we are now. How is this an ‘Economic Stimulus” bill? It’s just a socialist ‘hand-out’ similar to those of the former Soviet Union.

President Ronald Reagan was a great cheerleader for the American people. He believed in the American spirit. He knew our roots would help us rebound. He knew that tax cuts and empowering the PEOPLE to help us out of the tough economic conditions would be the only way out.

How does this affect Christian Radio?

Well, the next step in this leap to socialism is silencing the opposition. The democrats are now openly talking about the Fairness Doctrine, or as I’m calling it the Censorship Doctrine (as are many others). It will end talk radio as we know it. It could also end Christian radio as we know it. It may not come in form of a new FCC mandate, it may come in the form of hate speech legislation. The first step in ending free speech. We soon won’t be able to talk negatively about God’s hatred for homosexuality. We may be prevented from saying Jesus is the ONLY way to salvation. A,d, we may be restricted from talking about the truth of Islam. Why? If we do, we could be charged under hate speech crimes.

Do you doubt this?  We need only look to Australia and Canada as examples of what hate speech legislation can do to ‘help’ society. In Australia, two pastors were charged under hate speech legislation for simply reading a passage in the Koran that supported their notion that Islam is a violent religion. In Canada the Bible may be viewed as hate literature because it denounces homosexuality and other sexual sin.

It’s time for Americans who believe in preserving our nation, to speak up and do something to make sure we don’t continue sliding down this slippery slope to socialism. Or, the United States of America will be known as the United Socialistic States of America.  Sound vaguely familiar?

I’m on my way to Nashville for the National Religious Broadcasters Convention!!

For those of you who know me, this is NOT my favorite place to visit. Albeit a necessity, especially this year. Actually, because of the downturn in the economy, I wasn’t planning to attend this year. I figure since donations were down and our budgeted expenditures are more aggressive this year because of some planned programming changes, I would stay home and save some money.  But, things changed.

To my surprised, our broadcasting peers named Mission Network News National Religious Broadcasters best short feature program of the year. Then, Open Doors USA is honoring MNN with the Passion of the Persecuted award. Both of these awards are being presented at this conference. So, I decided (with the help of my staff) to go to NRB to receive the awards in person.

Actually, it isn’t costing that much, either. Cornerstone University had some “Biz Perks” award points saved, so I got to fly for $50. I don’t need a car. So, I’m only paying my conference fees and hotel room for two nights (even though THAT’S expensive).

I also hope to meet with a number of radio stations, talk with many of our partner ministries and potential partners, and renew friendships.

However, this conference is not on the forefront of my attention. Have you ever had someone in your life that God used to spiritually change your whole life?  Pastor Dan Cummings was that person in my life (see gregorysyoder.wordpress.com).  He was diagnosed with stage four cancer last March. On Thursday, February 5, 2009 — (the man I called Oh captain, my captain) was called to Heaven. His funeral in Monday. My heart aches because I can’t be there. I true wish I could honor him in a way fitting for someone I hold in such high esteem. One of the award ceremonies is 30 minutes after the funeral. For me to cancel would create an incredible headache for the ministry that’s giving it to us. While we’re receiving an award from man, I can’t help but think about the reward Dan’s experiencing right now of being in the presence of Jehovah.

Be praying for the Cummings family (his wife, daughter and two sons) as they’re missing their husband and father right now. Also for his church, Five Points Community Church as they’ve lost their Shepherd.

I received this message from the National Religious Broadcasters Association today.

“President Elect Obama’s selection of Melody Barnes as the Director of his Domestic Policy Council may be a troublesome sign regarding the new White House’s attitude toward conservative and/or Christian broadcasters. Ms. Barnes was the prior Executive Vice President for Policy of the Center for American Progress (2004-2008). That liberal think tank issued an extensive report in 2007, complaining about the prevalence of conservative talk radio, and making several suggestions on how the FCC could force the airwaves to reflect more liberal viewpoints.”

It’s quite troubling to me that today, in a time when information can be found ANYWHERE, that a liberal think-tank thinks they need to do something to get their liberal views spewed on even more broadcast outlets. I’m amazed. Why don’t they take a look at all the mainstream networks to see how their liberal bias is ALREADY entrenched in American society.

It’s obvious the democrats aren’t interested in fairness. They’re only interested in silencing conservatives. That’s unamerican.

Americans are heading to the polls to decide on the next President of the United States. In just hours we’ll know who the next president will be. For those of you who have been following my blog, you know I have been concerned about the future of our nation under a Barak Obama presidency. Well, I’m still concerned, especially after an interview I did with Craig Parshall, Vice President and General Counsel for the National Religious Broadcasters Association.

Interview with Craig Parshall at NRB

I’d like to encourage you to listen to this interview that’s both sobering and frightning for Christians in the United States. Who would have ever thought religious freedom would be in jeopardy under any U-S presidential candidate.

Hopefully this will anger you and cause you to go to the polls and cast your vote for the party who will protect religious freedom. The time is short. Pass this along to everyone you know.

The United States was founded on Judeo Christian values. It was founded on religious freedom. Our forefathers wanted a place where the government was of the people, by the people and for the people. It was supposed to be place where the government gets out of the way so the people can do what they need to do to earn a living, worship their God, take care of their families and ‘live the American Dream.’

If that’s what America is — what are Americans ready to turn their back on those principles.

Let me explain.

Here’s what Senator Obama is for:

• Obama wants socialized healthcare, higher education (giving students $10,000 rebates), jobs, and gas.
• Obama wants tax people who make $250,000 or more, so he can ’spread the wealth around.’ He wants to penalize those who work hard and make money (the American dream) so those who don’t have as much can have more. IF THAT’S NOT SOCIALISM, I DON’T KNOW WHAT IT IS.
• He also will be giving people who currently don’t pay taxes a tax credit — or welfare. He’ll be giving them money for nothing.

Others also believe Obama is a socialist.  According S.E. Cupp, “Cliff Kincaid of Accuracy in Media pointed out that, for example, Obama was endorsed in 1996 by the Chicago branch of the Democratic Socialists of America for Illinois state senate. He eulogized Saul Mendelson, a well-known socialist activist. And he campaigned for socialist senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

While speaking recently at Columbia University, he spoke of a national volunteer program that many have called socialist in nature.

And his tax plan, whereby he’d raise taxes for the richest 5% and redistribute that income to the rest of the country, has also earned focused allegations of socialism. Bill O’Reilly told Obama to his face it was socialist during their much-discussed interview.”

Have we not learned from the world’s past? Socialistic systems don’t work. They passify the needy for a while, but those who want to work hard to achieve the American Dream — the American Dream could be dead.

Unfortunately, many Americans don’t know the difference between helping the poor and socialism.

What I don’t understand is why Obama thinks big businesses are bad. They employ U-S workers. They provide the majority of our tax base. Though their research and development they produce products that not only protect us, but helps make life easier.

By taxing big business — even Exxon — you take money away from their development — which includes expansion, which means fewer jobs for the American people.

I have become more of a political junkie that I typically am. Yes, I love talk radio. Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh are my favorites. But, I must admit that I have been amused at the liberal media’s attempted smear of Vice Presidential nominee SarahPalin. It is amazing.

Let’s start of with experience:

Palin: She’s been the governor of Alaska. She beat an incumbent Republican in the primary to out a corrupt politician. She then beat a well known Democrat to win the election. Her executive experience goes beyond being governor. She was the mayor ofWasilla, Alaska. While a relatively small city, it’s still executive experience.

Obama: He was a community organizer. What is that? My understand of what he did was encourage Chicago’s poor to stand up to the city to give them better housing. He also says he sat on a foundation, but we’re not sure which foundation. He’s also a freshman U-S Senator. He served about 180 days when he announced he was running for President.

It appears Palin (the Republican V.P. Candidate) has more experience than the Democratic Presidential candidate, Obama.

Now let’s take a look at the liberal media bias for the Democrats:

Palin is announced as John McCain’s running mate. Immediately, the media goes after Palin’s 17 year old teenage daughter who’s pregnent, out of wedlock. They go after her husband who (20 years ago), was arrested on a drunk driving charge. The media also asks the howPalin can be a v.p. after just giving birth to a child with downs syndrome.

When Obama announced his presidential intentions NOBODY asked why Obama was involved with admitted American terrorist Bill Ayers. Nobody asked him about his admitted cocaine use as a youngster. Nobody asked ayers why he attended the racist church the Trinity United Church of Christ, following Pastor Jeremiah Wright for 20 years. This is the same man who calls the United States “The U-S of KKK -A” and said, “Not God bless America, but God D*&$M America” and the guy who has extreme anti Semitic views. And, did they ever ask the question if Barak Hussein Obama would be a good President since he’s got two girls?

We live in a world where the media is so biased, the American public has no hope of getting all the information they need to make an informed decision.

How does Christian Radio come into play here?  It’s simple — what are we doing to make the process fair?  I’m not saying we need to be just the opposite of the liberal media, but are we being fair. Are we talking about ALL of the issues? When McCain and Obama met at Saddleback Church, that was the first opportunity we had to talk about this issues. Did we do it?

Many Christian radio stations stayed away from politics for fear of offending some of their listeners. Let me be so bold as to say if you didn’t talk about the issues, you’re not doing your job. We have a responsiblity as Christian broadcaster to provide information that will help them be more informed voters, citizens and Christians. Many say we’re not to be ‘of the world’, but we are ‘in the world.’ And, we need to be good stewards of the world God gave us. That also means we don’t bury our heads in the sand, ingoring what is good and evil.

I’m not saying either candidate is good or evil.  If we look inside ourselves, we have both good and evil in our lives. However, I am saying each candidate stand for things that affect our values and our beliefs. We need to be talking about those issues.

I received this email today from a friend and thought I would share it with you all.  I would love to hear your thoughts. Isn’t it amazing what Americans are doing today?

—————————————————–
Each year I get to celebrate Independence Day twice. On June 30 I celebrate my independence day and on July 4, I celebrate America’s. This year is special, because it marks the 40th anniversary of my independence.

On June 30, 1968, I escaped Communist Cuba and a few months later I was in the United States to stay. That I happened to arrive in Richmond on Thanksgiving Day is just part of the story, but I digress.

I’ve thought a lot about the anniversary this year. The election year rhetoric has made me think a lot about Cuba and what transpired there. In the late 1950s, most thought Cuba needed a change, and they were right. So when a young leader came along, every Cuban was at least receptive.

When the young leader spoke eloquently and passionately and denounced the old system, the press fell in love with him. They never questioned who his friends were or what he really believed in. When he said he would help the farmers and the poor and bring free medical care and education to all, everyone followed. When he said he would bring justice and equality to all, everyone said “Praise the Lord” And when the young leader said, “I will be for change and I’ll bring you change,” everyone yelled, “Viva Fidel!”

But nobody asked about the change, so by the time the executioner’s guns went silent the people’s guns had been taken away. By the time everyone was equal, they were equally poor, hungry, and oppressed. By the time everyone received their free education it was worth nothing. By the time the press noticed, it was too late, because they were now working for him. By the time the change was finally implemented Cuba had been knocked down a couple of notches to Third-World status. By the time the change was over more than a million people had taken to boats, rafts, and inner tubes. You can call those who made it ashore anywhere else in the world the most fortunate Cubans. And now I’m back to the beginning of my story.

Luckily, we in America would never fall for a young leader who promised change without asking, what change? How will you carry it out? What will it cost America? Would we?

Manuel Alvarez Jr. Sandy Hook

The Saddleback Church Civil Forum was revealing. It showed the world what these two men are really about. In this forum, truth was revealed. You saw a statesmen with a world of experience. You saw two men wanting to be president, but only one with the experience needed to fill the position.

Why do I say this?

Let’s look at the issues talked about in the Civil Forum.

Abortion: John McCain is pro-life. He told us life begins at conception. That’s one area where John McCain has been conservative. Barak Obama stammered around having a difficult time talking about his pro-abortion stance that he calls pro-choice.

Federal funding of Faith Based Organizations: McCain says faith based groups are more equipped to help the poor and needy. He says the government should help with no strings. Obama says faith based groups need to be careful that they don’t discriminate with federal funds. In other words, churches would be required to follow federal guidelines — unable to proselytize and hire individuals that share their faith.

Moral Failings: McCain was open about his moral failing — the failure of his first marriage. He sounded dejected, but open about that. However, Obama said the only moral failing he had was that he was selfish.

It was clear from my perspective that one man was ready to be president — the other is just doing the right things and saying the right things to get elected.

How does this relate to Christian radio? It relates because Christian radio should have overwhelmingly aired this two hour political event. I know Moody Radio air the Civil Forum from Saddleback, but how many others did the same?  I’m guessing most music stations didn’t air the forum.

My question is — when do music radio stations take ‘the leap’ and do something just because it’s the right thing to do?

What do you think?