Dutch Sheets' Response To Election 2008

Dutch Sheets has written several books about intercession and is the leader of the ministry that bears his name. This text was taken from an email that he sent his ministry's supporters following the election. While I agree with his points, I do believe that we can hold off the damage to the cause of life through our prayers. Here is the text of the email in its entirety.

November 6, 2008

I feel certain that many in my stream of the Church want a statement from me concerning Tuesday's presidential election. I will be frank in my remarks but I do not, however, intend to vent anger or attack anyone. I have read several statements from friends and colleagues I respect very much.

Their thoughts are well stated and, for the most part, insightful. None of them, however, seem to want to say some things that I believe need to be said. I do not claim infallibility or to have the final word, but my convictions run deep and I believe I bear a God-given responsibility to share them.

Was This God's Will?

Was what happened Tuesday God's will? I am quite confident it was not. America was offered a very clear choice between moving further toward protecting the unborn or further away; between a Supreme Court that would move toward honoring God, life and morality or away from it. The stakes couldn't have been higher nor the cost greater. As a nation we put on blinders concerning Barak Obama's background, associations, beliefs and practices, and set these causes back years, possibly decades.

And in doing so we took another step away from God and His plans for America, and another step toward judgment.

Judgment Will Increase

This is not a fire and brimstone warning from an angry, legalistic preacher. In fact, I feel more sadness and grief than anything else.

Perhaps I feel what Jesus felt as He wept for Jerusalem while announcing its judgment. I am not hoping for judgment; I am saying it is inevitable. I don't know where the unbiblical belief comes from that says a nation can live any way it pleases, can reject God and His ways-even mock Him-and not receive His judgments. Nor do I know when the belief came that it is always mean-spirited or judgmental to warn of these things. To the contrary, I believe it is our responsibility.

In warning of judgment, I am not suggesting that God is going to intentionally and directly hurt people. Much judgment is simply the absence of God's protection and provision, caused by a rejection of His laws and ways. We have been experiencing some forms of judgment in America for years, but God in His incredible patience and mercy has kept us from the level we've deserved. I believe this will change to a degree and judgment will now increase:

- For those in the Church who aligned themselves with pro-abortion forces, I believe judgment will result.

- For leaders in the Body of Christ who refused to take a stand for fear of losing people, money, and tax-exempt status-I believe there will be a degree of judgment.

- For those, both within the Church and without, who voted money over morality-a potential raise or better health insurance over the life of a baby-there will be judgment. (The irony is that this decision to base one's vote on the hopes of a better economy won't produce the hoped for result anyway. The scriptures teach that it is righteousness which exalts a nation and that the nation is blessed whose God is the Lord.)

I have heard the argument that God cares as much about social justice issues (such as poverty and racism) as He does abortion, making a vote for Obama OK. I certainly believe God puts a very high priority on caring for the poor and I, too, have wanted to see equality demonstrated through a "minority" president. But to equate having a better income or the desire for a first black president, regardless of his positions on abortion and morality, to the issue of killing 50 million babies is not justice-it is a gross distortion of justice and great deception. I fear that we have been desensitized to this issue of abortion. I believe it kills babies and takes innocent life. I also believe it is blood sacrifice that empowers demons. Let's not forget this in our noble attempts to be kind and conciliatory.

For African Americans I can easily see how it could bring healing to have a first black president, just as it would be for Native Americans to achieve this or for women if a woman were elected president. Again, I have wanted to see justice in this way. I am only saddened that the price for this healing ended up being Barak Obama, a man that will set the cause of life and, most-likely, our God-given destiny as a nation back so drastically. (I also realize there are some who interpret any criticism of Obama as racism. Racism is so NOT what I am about nor what I live, that I will not even dignify any such accusations with a response.)

What Can We Expect?

What are some of the judgments we can expect on our nation from this election?

- More economic woes
- More violence in an already violent nation
- Disease and death (satan, who is responsible for these things will have greater inroads to our nation.)
- Natural disasters (weather-tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, drought; fires; earthquakes; etc.)
- Terrorism (they will fear us much less now)
- War, perhaps on our own soil
- Judgments relating to the Court. The stacking of the Supreme Court against the sanctity of life and God's influence on America will occur, which will in turn cause the shedding of more innocent blood, more rejection of God's laws and the stealing from us of our godly heritage-all of which will perpetuate a cycle of even more judgment.

How Did This Happen?

I've been asked if this could have been averted had there been more prayer. I'm not sure. I believe there was a remnant of Christians fervently praying over these elections-I don't think there was anything more they could have done. Others, obviously, should have done more. The complacency and lack of discernment concerning our real condition in America-especially by the Church-is both appalling and horrifying. America is in serious trouble and it seems no one wants to say it. Fewer still are willing to do anything to change it.

Though I understand our reasons, we must be careful in our attempts to placate our feelings and calm our fears through religious phrases like "God is still on the throne" or "God has a plan". He was on His throne 35 years and 50 million babies ago. And He had a plan back then. The problem is, it was us. I understand our reasons for waving high the banner of God's sovereignty at times like these-it gives us hope. I will wave it, as well.

But please be careful with this. Too much emphasis on God's sovereignty and we're worthless; too little and we're hopeless. Maybe we should say, "we lost a critical battle but God will give us strategy to win the war." Then find the strategy.

But still yet, since God is usually willing to work through a remnant, I thought we had enough prayer. Obviously, God decided otherwise. There comes a time when He will not forgive or bless the majority based on the prayers or actions of only a few. America rejected God and asked for a king; I believe we now have our Saul (see 1 Samuel 8:5-7)-a man who does not have God's heart for America but his own. Like Israel in scripture, our nation believes it can turn from God and still be blessed. In His mercy and justice He will show us otherwise.

Like many, believing I had many promises and confirmations that God would "grace" us with a pro-life president in this election, I failed to consider strongly enough that all promises-even scripture-are conditional 99.9% of the time. Though I never prophesied or made guarantees that McCain-Palin would win, failing to factor this principle in strongly enough no doubt caused me to share my optimism with others inappropriately. If this caused any harm or confusion, I apologize.

Has the fact that my prayers weren't answered shaken my faith? No. I'm a little confused and discouraged. I'm also somewhat angry at the nation in general and much of the Church. Mostly I'm grieving over the nation and what this will cost us. I am not, however, angry with God and do not question His justice. And it is not true that we wasted our time, energy and money in our efforts anymore than it is a waste when we share the gospel with people who don't get saved. We must keep in the forefront of our thinking the fact that ultimately we are doing this for Him and that He will reward us for our faithfulness. And who knows, perhaps He will store up all those prayers for the next battle (Revelation 5:8, 8:3-5).

A friend and fellow warrior said it well,

"We did 'give it our all.' I know the Lord was pleased with that. A coach wants to know one thing at the end of a heartbreaking sports loss: 'Did you leave it all on the field?' (your passion, your commitment, your strength, your courage, etc.) I know that we 'left it all on the field.' We didn't hold anything back until the game ended. Tragically, it ended in defeat. We will rise for another day because Jesus is worthy."

Where Do We Go from Here?

Does this election outcome shake my faith that we can see a great awakening and ultimately reformation in America? Absolutely not (and it strengthens my resolve). We will simply get there through greater pain and loss. Even my passion to see the Supreme Court shift is not from a presupposition that there can be no spiritual awakening without it. It is simply due to my deep conviction that their decisions bring so much death, destruction, curses and judgment to America; and because our full destiny as a nation is unquestionably linked to their decisions. So, yes, we will get an awakening and reformation; but the reality is that this reformation of the nation will reform the Supreme Court (and government, in general), not vice-versa. My faith has never been in people or a political party; my faith is in the God who works through them.

I've been asked if my feelings about Sarah Palin have changed. They have not. I believe she is an Esther, a Deborah, with a huge mantle from God for reformation. God has a great destiny for her related to this nation if she chooses to continue down this path.

So, in conclusion, we must re-group as an apostolic, praying church and advance. We must maintain an immovable faith in God, His plans for America and His mercy. And we must move beyond simply asking God for a spiritual awakening and ask Him for strategy to produce reformation, as well. I, for one, am just getting started!

For God and this great nation,
Dutch Sheets

Confession And Repentance

For Confession and Forgiveness to Pave the Way for Powerful Prayers
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
—James 5:16

O Lord, in Your holiness and glory, You cannot tolerate sin. We thank You today that You have made provision for our sin through Your Son, Jesus Christ. We praise and thank You for Your healing, loving power that cleanses us when we confess our sins.

Today, may we corporately confess our sins before You—the sins we have committed as a nation and the sins we have committed individually. As we confess, Lord, bring freedom and release that we may be enabled to pray with effectiveness and power for our President-Elect, our leaders and our nation. Cleanse and heal us, O Lord, in Jesus’ name, amen.


This is the latest in the series of prayers led by the Presidential Prayer Team for the new President and for our nation. If you are interested in receiving the email with each day's prayer assignment you can click here and sign up.

General Quarters

In the aftermath of the Obama victory, many Christians are wondering, "What now?"

I believe (as I posted the day before the election) that the key issue at stake here is the heart of our nation. I believe that the choice that was made was a true reflection of the attitudes of the people of our country. That is the thing that concerns me most.

If you read the post that I referred to a moment ago, you will recall that I believe that the Lord showed me that shakings are coming to our country very soon. As I prayed about the election and this prophecy yesterday, I believe that the Lord gave me additional instructions for His people that I will share with you later in this post.

It is a weighty thing to bring a message from God. I do it with a great deal of seriousness and caution. Indeed, I have been rebuked by the Lord even today for not having a heart and mind aligned with the message that I have to bring. I hope that my error has been corrected.

To set the stage for these instructions I would like to explain some things about the nature of what the Lord has shown me. First of all, I want to make it clear that the Lord is saddened by the fact that judgment is coming. He does not delight in it. Secondly, I want to say that the discipline of the Lord is not mean-spirited. It is just. It is severe, but it is for the good of His children.

Let's consider the state that our nation is in. We are a nation that murders millions of its unborn children every year. We have shed much innocent blood. We are a nation that has perverted justice. Our rulers accept bribes and determine public policy on the basis of who will give them the largest campaign contributions. Our nation is perverse in almost every way imaginable. It is impossible to escape sexual images in our culture. We are bombarded by them constantly. Our nation is consumed by greed. Our corporations do not care who is hurt by their actions or decisions as long as they are making a profit. Our companies exploit workers the world over to satiate their (and our) lust for more. We hold to a form of religion but deny its power. We have perverted the Gospel of Jesus Christ and substituted a doctrine of good works or amorphous 'spirituality' in its place. We have abandoned the Scriptures and we have been systematically evicting God from public life. Our nation is full of lies. Our media cannot be trusted to tell the truth. To make a long story short, as a nation we have broken every one of God's commands, and sadly the Church is as culpable as the rest of society.

God spoke to Jeremiah saying, "Shall I not punish them for these things? And shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?" (Jeremiah 5:9) Fearsome words. When I read the prophets I fear for my people because I believe that God is just. If He punished Israel He must certainly punish us.

Brothers and sisters, punishment is coming. I believe that it is coming soon. There is a very small window of time before it begins. I do not know the extent of it, but I know that it will be severe. Let me share with you the words that I believe that I received from the Lord.

There will be a grace period before the shaking begins. During this time President Obama will show his true colors. I will use this to give My people who have been deceived the chance to repent of their mistake and to turn to Me. This is their window of opportunity to shield themselves from the wrath that will be unleashed.

The things that are coming against America will be staggering. It will cause even those who love Me and know me to be dismayed. My people MUST learn to press into Me. They must begin to start devoting time to knowing Me NOW. This is the real deal. It is no drill. The only way that My people will not become overcome by fear and despair is by pressing in deeply into Me. Many will be scorched, but I will protect those that are Mine.

Pray fervently that I will place My people in strategic and influential positions around the President. I will reveal them at the right time. I will give them apt words to speak at just the right moments. Pray for them because these will be the most trying days that your nation has ever seen.

Tell My people to pray that President Obama will repent. Tell them to ask for a complete change of heart. Tell them to pray for those in the Congress who will stand against the measures that he and the others will try to implement. Pray for their courage and pray that they will trust me - even in the face of threats against their lives and the lives of their family members. Pray for strength for them to stand.

Weep for those who will be lost. They have chosen their doom, but how tragic it will be.

Guard your hearts. Cling tight to the truth that I am good. Never lose sight of this. The enemy will do his best to convince you otherwise.

During this time I will reveal the true hearts of those in leadership and those of the people. The fire will show what is there. I will expose things that have been hidden in secret. Carefully hidden plots will be revealed to broad daylight for all to see. I will expose this country's corruption and idolatry and the truth of it all will sicken the people. Then I will be able to bring healing.

When I have removed the stumbling blocks - when I have taken away those who refuse to come to Me and are determined to take others to hell with them - then I will bring an awakening to this land. It will be glorious beyond anything that you could ever imagine. It will not be localized like many of the outpourings in your land have been. It will be a great wind that will sweep through the entire nation simultaneously. It will not be driven by personalities or men - it will be completely orchestrated by My Spirit. Entire regions will be completely converted.

Once again, I pray that I am wrong about this - well, the judgment part. But I feel it to be true as certainly as anything that I have ever heard before. Please take advantage of this opportunity to seek the Lord. Dig into the Word of God and pray that He will drive its truth deep into your spirit. Pay close attention to God's nature as you read. See what He is like and cling to that. In the midst of judgment the enemy will lie to you and twist the truth about who God really is.

I have seen in my own life that the Lord's discipline is sometimes quite severe. It often lasts much longer than we would desire, but it is always for OUR best good. God does what must be done to heal us - and sometimes that requires breaking us first; much like a physician sometimes has to re-break a bone that is not set correctly. The process is painful but is GOOD.

I know that this is a fearful word. I know that it is not pleasant. We were not promised pleasant. We were promised that God would look after us and that He would cause all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) He has seen fit to allow us to be alive at such a time as this. Be brave and seek your strength in Him. He will not let you down.

No, But Give Us A King...

As many of you know I have had a deep and abiding interest in politics that has been demonstrated through the years that I have maintained this blog. In fact, that interest goes much further back. I remember some of my first political interest going all the way back to the Nixon administration (when I was a VERY young child.) I suppose it was only natural to have some curiosity about politics back then. They were troubling times, much like the ones that we face today.

This entire election cycle has been attended with turmoil. It is the longest campaign season that I have ever witnessed, and it has had one of the largest slates of candidates to winnow that I can remember. In fact, it is the first time in my lifetime that I recall both parties scrambling to find a candidate at the same time. This has created its own set of problems and surprises. However, the process has somehow worked, and we are left with two very distinct choices for president.

On the one hand we have Senator John McCain who is running on a platform that at its core stands for the protection of the unborn. He also is campaigning for less government and to maintain accountability in all levels of government - even promising top to bottom audits in every department if he is elected. He wants to eliminate waste and corruption from Washington. He is a man with many years of experience in Washington and someone who is as sick of the nonsense that goes on up there as I am. He is promising to do his best to reform our government. He is promising to lower taxes. He has military command experience. He has suffered for our country in ways that most of us cannot imagine. He understands the world that we live in and understands its dangers. He believes that peace comes through strength.

On the other hand we have Senator Barack Obama whose platform promises to continue the slaughter of the unborn. Whose voting record has shown him to be in favor of the indirect murder of children who somehow survive an abortion procedure. He is in favor of redefining marriage. His words have shown that he is easily confused when trying to discern what truth is. Such things are "above his pay grade." He has mocked Christians' belief in the Bible and demonstrated great confusion on his part in accurate handling of its truth. His policies are unashamedly socialist while his charitable giving prior to the beginning of his campaign seems to paint a dramatically different picture of his true heart toward those less fortunate. His background is filled with questionable associations, and there are many unanswered questions about how someone from such humble beginnings managed to get the funds to travel and go to the schools (Columbia and Harvard) that he attended. His experience in government is almost nil - most of his tenure as a Senator has been spent campaigning. And he has promised to gut our military in the face of the incredible dangers that we face in the world today.

The choice couldn't be more clear. There is almost no overlap between these two men. They are as different as it is possible to be. It is with this fact in mind that I want to write to you, the readers of this blog.

I believe that God still speaks to His people. Down through the ages this communication has been called prophecy. And God often reveals his plans to His people through individuals called prophets. Many of you probably have real doubts about whether prophets even exist in the world today. I can assure you that they do. I have known quite a few and can testify that their words have proven true.

A group of prophets, that included one man that I know personally, accurately predicted (in 1999) the current war against radical Islam. (They also predicted that the war would involve China and that it could be averted by prayer. I am hoping that the China part was turned away.) Months ago another friend of mine predicted the stock market crash that we have been witnessing over the past weeks.

What is prophecy? Prophecy is merely accurately reporting what God says about a situation or a person. The real rub is in the "accurately" part. It is pretty serious business to claim to speak for the Almighty. However, it is clear through the Scriptures that God speaks to His people through prophets. It occurred in both the Old Testament and in the New: Jesus spoke to his disciples about the blessing of receiving prophets, Paul commented that he wished that all of the believers in Corinth would prophesy, we are even encouraged to ask for the gift of prophecy.

I do not consider myself a prophet. I have never seen myself in that light, but lately my prayer times have been more of a two-way communication than I have experienced for most of my Christian life. During these prayer times I believe that the Lord has shown me some things that are going to happen in our country as a result of tomorrow's election. I hope that as I share some of these insights that they will serve to encourage you.

As I have been praying over the past few weeks about the state of our country, I believe that God has shown me that He is in the process of taking away the externals that America has relied upon. He is going to force America to realize that it is not by our might or by any inherent goodness that we have achieved our place in the world but that it is only by His grace and His operation on our behalf.

As America has rejected the foundational pillars that He placed in our nation at its founding the Lord has been removing His blessing and protection over our land. It is really our own foolishness that has removed His covering and support. Our nation is like the foolish woman in the Proverbs who tears down her home with her own hands.

In a large part the Church in America has rejected the Bible as its foundation. We have been influenced by our culture more than we have influenced it - which is why only about 9 percent of America's Evangelical Christians could be said to have a biblical worldview.

The choice between the candidates this year is clear. It really couldn't be more so. On the one hand you have Senator McCain and Governor Palin who are standing on the traditional values that I enumerated earlier. While he is not perfect, Senator McCain is clearly much more in line with the admonition of Scripture than Senator Obama who has tickled the ears of many on the campaign trail this year.

I believe that the Lord has shown me that the majority of the people in America have rejected Him and His wisdom. This will be dramatically illustrated by a convincing Obama victory tomorrow. Just like the children of Israel rejected God as their king and demanded a king like all the other nations, so America will do tomorrow, and God is going to honor their wish. I believe God told me:

The nation has asked for its Saul, and I will give him to them. Shakings are coming. Not a shaking, but multiple shakings. Because the heart of this nation that has chosen this man is evil, there will be shaking. But don't be afraid because I am going to work through this to turn the heart of this nation back to Me. First I will turn his heart and then I will turn the heart of the nation, but it will be difficult. You will see many things that make your heart grieve. Stay anchored in Me. Let me carry Your grief. Let me give you My joy in its place. It is imperative that You remain close to me during this time. Remain close to me always and you never need fear. Do not give in to cynicism. Do not give in to bitterness and hatred. Do not allow anger to darken your mind. You will be angry, but bring it to Me. I am the Lord. I will defend the helpless. I will protect the downtrodden. You will see me glorified in this man.

...You will also see the end to abortion and infanticide. You will see marriage restored to its proper place.

...Trust Me that I am bringing another great awakening to your people. It will be a harvest like you will not believe. It will fill you with great joy. But first, like it was for my people, Israel, there will be great distress first to turn them from their idols.

I realize that there is a lot in this message that isn't exactly good news. I didn't think so either. But this isn't about what we think - it is about what God has sovereignly chosen to do.

Do not despair if these things come to pass. I truly hope that they do not. I hope that prayer has changed the outcome. I even hope that I totally missed it, but I want to share this message in the possibility that if the predicted outcome of tomorrow's vote does come true then the encouragement that is also in the prophecy will ring true.

Regardless of who wins the election tomorrow they are going to need our prayers. (With all of the troubles facing our country I can't imagine anyone wanting the job.) If the outcome that I have reported occurs, much prayer will be needed to turn Mr. Obama's heart to the Lord and much will be needed to prevent him from being able to take away our freedoms and reverse the gains made towards ending abortion. When his heart turns he will need our prayers to give him wisdom and protection in the face of the outrage that will be turned against him. We must take very seriously the commands of Romans 13 and 1 Timothy 2:1-3.

Watch your mouths and your hearts. Cry out to God not to each other. Complaining to each other will only make it harder to pray and believe. Take your grief and fear to the Lord and let Him take it away. Remember that it is God who chooses our leaders and gives them their authority. He also directs their heart. Our prayers will influence that.

And we need not fear if we are following Christ because He will protect us. Remember the glorious promises of this prophecy too. God will turn his heart. God will turn our nation. There will be incredible harvest and awakening in our land. Abortion will end. Any one of these things would be cause for great rejoicing.

The road will be difficult, but it will be worth it to see our nation healed.

PS - this revelation will not change my vote in any way. I fully intend to vote my conscience and will be voting for John McCain. I can do nothing else.

One More

Worship should be reserved for Sunday mornings, not Election Day.

- Cal Thomas

Don't They Know? "Hosanna!" Is The Proper Greeting For The Messiah

Was just reading a very scary piece by Oliver North. In it he wrote of an experience he recently had in Washington:

During Wednesday afternoon's rush hour, I was making my way home on the Dulles Greenway, when a phalanx of police motorcycles and cruisers stopped all traffic and ordered us to pull our vehicles off the highway and onto the shoulders. Over a loudspeaker, we were told to stay put until the Obama campaign convoy passed. They were on their way to a rally in Leesburg, Va.

Instantly, hundreds of people were out of their cars. Directly in front of me, a group of supporters -- evident by their bumper stickers -- jumped out with cameras, cell phones and banners. They began chanting: "The messiah! He's coming! Obama is coming!" The shouting only intensified as the candidate and his entourage -- motorcycles, police cars, black Secret Service Chevy Suburbans, and buses -- roared past us.

What I found so disturbing was seeing so many of my countrymen who apparently think -- or believe or hope -- that the next president of the United States will save us from ourselves. Sen. Obama has said we cannot "wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for." He would do well to remember that unfulfilled expectations are the greatest cause of anger on the planet. That's true whether it is between husbands and wives, students and teachers, employers and employees or leaders and the led. He also might recall that humility is a virtue that has distinguished our greatest leaders.

What all this means to the future of this republic, I don't know. I'm a military historian, not a prophet. But I do know the first name of the Messiah. It's not Mike. And it isn't Barack, either.

Ollie is right again. It will be scary to see their reaction if Senator Obama wins and doesn't walk on water.

Quote Of The Day

Today's economic crisis, like every other in our history, will in time pass. But the barbarians will still be at the gates. Whom do you want on the parapet? I'm for the guy who can tell the lion from the lamb.

- Charles Krauthammer

Joe The Plumber

I just saw an excellent video that encapsulates very well why I do not support Barack Obama's economic "plan." (Scheme seems a more appropriate term.)



If you want to see most of the conversation between Barack and Joe you can see it HERE.

Neil Cavuto of Fox News interviewed Joe. It was also worth viewing.



Barack Obama is a master of obfuscation. In another video that I saw today Charlie Gibson pointed out that in both cases when the Capital Gains tax was lowered (by Bill Clinton and by George W. Bush) that tax revenue increased. Barack objected that he didn't care about revenue he cared about fairness. Then, of course, he turned around and said that you have to have enough revenue to "pay as you go."

I have a real problem with this Obamanomics. First of all, it is utterly socialist for the government to redistribute wealth. In fact, it really goes beyond socialism - that is more a tenet of communism. The communists "redistributed the wealth" by taking all of the wealth so that everyone (except for those in charge) were dirt poor. Odd thing was - it still wasn't fair. And it deincentivised the workers in the society by removing any reward for their labor.

This is what Barack Obama proposes: The government is all-knowing and all-wise and knows what a "fair wage" is far better than you do. If you (or your business) get above that level of income the government should knock you back down to size and take your "excess" because it can waste money far better than you ever imagined was possible.

As a former small business owner, I can testify that the amount of revenue that a company brings in is in NO WAY a reflection of the income that the owner takes home. My "prosperous" real estate business bled out three times what I took home in expenses. In one good year where I actually managed to make about $10,000 more than the average my taxes knocked me back down to making LESS than I had the year before. Even with revenue over $100,000, my take home pay was not enough to make ends meet, and I do not live an extravagant lifestyle by any means. (I live in a modest home under 900 square feet. I own one vehicle. I don't have any "toys" like boats or 4-wheelers or things like that.)

This will only get worse under Obama's "brilliant" plan.

In fact, Obama's many assurances that he plans to lower taxes for us peasants appear to be prevarication. According to a recent email that I received:

Obama plans to charge 28% Capital Gains Tax on profit from ALL home sales. (How does this affect you? If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes. If you are heading toward retirement and would like to down-size your home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal will adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homes as part of their retirement income.) How well do you think that will help the housing crisis? Funny how he didn't mention that part in his discussion with Joe.

Obama plans to raise the dividend tax from 15% to 39.6% - (How will this affect you? If you have any money invested in stock market, IRA, mutual funds, college funds, life insurance, retirement accounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earned on taxes if Obama becomes president. The experts predict that 'Higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market, yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit.') Remember what Charlie Gibson said in the debate? Lowering taxes INCREASED tax revenue.

This increased dividend tax will also hurt small business owners who have incorporated under an "S" corporation. They are able to reduce their tax liability by paying themselves dividends instead of income. Yet one more way Obama is planning to pillage the little guy.

Obama also wants to reverse the Bush Administration tax cuts in the income tax. Currently these liabilities are as follows:

Single making 30K - tax $4,500
Single making 50K - tax $12,500
Single making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 60K- tax $9,000
Married making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 125K - tax $31,250

Under Obama's plan?

Single making 30K - tax $8,400
Single making 50K - tax $14,000
Single making 75K - tax $23,250
Married making 60K - tax $16,800
Married making 75K - tax $21,000
Married making 125K - tax $38,750
Under Obama, your taxes could almost double!

And Obama wants to bring back the inheritance tax too. This tax was never fair. All of the items in an inheritance have already been taxed throughout an individual's lifetime. Yet the government decided that they could rape the heirs by stealing the estate that a person worked so hard for all their life through taxes. Many families have lost businesses, farms, ranches, and homes that have been in their families for generations because they could not afford the inheritance tax. Those willing their assets to loved ones will only lose them to these taxes. This is basically the government playing God. By this tax they are saying, "I have given you all of these things and so I deserve to take them back."

In addition to these tax increases, Obama plans to penalize people for buying houses that are too large (new government taxes proposed on homes that are more than 2400 square feet.) The government under Obama will suddenly have the right to determine how big a house you should have. He also plans to add new taxes for natural resources consumption (heating gas, water, electricity) because the government should also save the world from "global warming," no doubt. Communism, my friends.

Oh yes, and then there is the increase that Obama plans for the gasoline tax. And plans to tax your retirement accounts. And new taxes to pay for socialized medicine so we can receive the same level of medical care as other third-world countries!!!

If Barack Obama was interested in "fairness" over revenue, then he should be talking about the fair tax plan proposed by Mike Huckabee and others. Why not have a flat tax based on consumption rather than based on income? Think of the reduction of government expense if they didn't have to employ an army of auditors to keep the people of our country afraid to do their taxes. Turn those auditors against the government bureaucracy! Let them find the waste in the government and root out the dead wood. That would account for a huge reduction in revenue needed to run the government.

Wouldn't it be much nicer if no one had to worry about doing taxes? If they were handled whenever you made a new purchase? Those who spend less will pay fewer taxes. Those who spend more will pay more taxes. Makes sense to me. Accountants will be able to keep normal hours throughout the year and focus on other aspects of their business that are more enjoyable and incur less liability than personal and business income taxes do.

Barack Obama's economic/taxation policy will bankrupt America. It will take a shaky economy and send it in an unrecoverable tailspin. I pray to the Lord that he never gets his way.

(The text in italics is taken directly from the email that I received. A couple links were offered as verification for the claims made, but there are about 50 articles between the two links and I have not had time to fully investigate. And both links take you to CNN sources, which I hardly trust as unbiased or trustworthy. Is everything contained in this email true? I don't know. The articles that I have tried to scan seem to be all over the place, just like Obama's answers to every question that is asked him.)

In the end, regardless of whether this data is completely true or not it does not influence my decision one iota. I had already made up my mind before I saw this, and it only serves to reinforce that decision. I may take the time to verify all of this data, but realistically I probably won't. I don't have the time, interest, or patience to deal with a whole lot of political hooey right now. You can check the links that I provided above if you have an inquiring mind.

Some Thoughts On The Election

I have talked to many people who are extremely dissatisfied with their choices for the election in just a few weeks. I can understand their frustration. What concerns me most is the confusion that seems to be attending this frustration. As I have been pondering the election this morning, and particularly as I have been thinking about the confusion of the people I have talked to, I thought it would be worthwhile to write about it here this morning.

The political spin doctors have done a very good job of obfuscating the real issues that are at stake. Instead of really getting down to the key points they have tried to draw people's attention to the inexperience of either candidate. The reality is that the core issues at stake haven't changed.

As a Christian I have one issue that is to me a make or break issue for any candidate. Any candidate that supports abortion is an automatic no in my book as long as I have a pro-life choice. Thankfully, this year I don't have to choose between two pro-murder candidates. This year the delineation between the two presidential tickets is clear on this issue. Senator Obama has consistently and publicly declared his support for the murder of the unborn, and has gone even further by supporting infanticide for babies that somehow survive an abortion. He supports partial birth abortions. In fact, there is nothing about abortion that he opposes at all. His running mate, Joe Biden is also in favor of abortion.

On the other hand Senator McCain and Governor Palin are both staunchly opposed to abortion. Senator McCain has a long voting record that gives testimony to his opposition. Governor Palin has demonstrated by her own choices her support for life. I am not as impressed with the stance Senator McCain has taken on cloning, but the difference between him and Senator Obama is stark.

To me this makes the decision simple.

This is, of course, not the only reason that I support the McCain/Palin ticket. I am sure that McCain will be more fiscally conservative than Obama. I am certain that he will not be as likely to raise taxes as Obama will. I believe that McCain understands what really needs to happen in Washington - regardless of whether or not he can make it happen or not. I believe that Senator McCain really does have the country's best interest at heart. (I cannot help but question the sincerity of someone who has spent the majority his short time in the Senate doing little but campaigning for the presidency. It offended me when John Edwards tried it, and I am similarly offended by Barack Obama.) I am certain that John McCain is more fit than Obama to be Commander-In-Chief. And I believe that he understands the dangers that our country faces in this world far better than Obama does. I do not believe that Senator McCain would compromise our sovereignty to make himself look better.

If Governor Palin is inexperienced, Senator Obama is even less so. If you don't agree with all of Senator McCain's past actions, statements, or positions, how many of Senator Obama's do you agree with?

Don't buy the lie that it is better to not vote or to vote for a third party candidate to show your displeasure with the choices. A non-vote or a third party vote is the same as a vote for Obama.

I believe that God is sovereign, and because of this I believe that the choices that we have were sovereignly chosen by Him. I think that the disparity between the candidates is offering America a clear choice - a choice that will determine the future of our country. God is holding up a measuring line. Will we choose someone who values life and holds to the values that have influenced our country since its founding? Will we choose someone who has demonstrated his courage and character through many trials? Or will we choose someone who is confused about what the Bible really says? Someone who is confused about when life begins? Someone who has more experience campaigning than he does governing?

To me the choice is clear. Even though there are things about Senator McCain that I am not wholeheartedly in agreement with, the alternative is absolutely unacceptable. I pray that an unquestionable majority agree with me.

Freaky

Have you ever seen something just at a glance and it looked like something else?

I just saw Obama/Biden at a glance and it looked like Osama Bin Laden.

Yikes!

Want Some Salt With That Crow, Dr. D?

Dr. Dobson has finally come to his senses. About a year ago he said in no uncertain terms that he would rather stay home than vote for John McCain. He has changed his mind. You may recall that I showed the folly of his statement and predicted that this day would come. Well, it has.

In an interview with Dennis Prager, Dobson said:

Well, you know I did a radio program about a month ago with Dr. Albert Mohler, and we talked about what was at stake in this election and our concerns about the policies that Barack Obama would implement. The more I hear the more I learn, the more concerned I am, and so on that program Dr. Mohler and I talked about the fact that John McCain is not the perfect candidate. He’s certainly would not be my choice and, for over a year, I did not feel that I could vote for him. But I said in that radio program that “I can’t say it now”—which was then, because I didn’t know who his vice presidential choice would be, and he if would come up with Lieberman or Tom Ridge or somebody like that, we’d be back in a hole again. But I said for the first time “I might, I might.” And some people call that a flip-flop. If they do, so be it. Campaigns are long. You get information. You find out what the choices are. So I’ve been moving in John McCain’s direction....

...I can tell you that if I had to go into the studio, I mean the voting booth today, I would pull that lever....

...You know, Dennis, the things that concern me about John McCain are still there. I made those comments not just based on emotions, but based on his record and some of the things that took place—embryonic stem cell research, and other things, the campaign finance, and other things. Those are still there. So, there’s still concerns. But I tell you, when I look at the choices that are ahead and what the implications are for this country, and now especially with this selection, with just an outstanding V.P. candidate as a running mate, I tell you what I am relieved and very excited.

So there you have it: Dr. James Dobson has all but endorsed the McCain/Palin ticket for President.

Perhaps Dr. Dobson should leave the emotions completely out of his commenting. That way he wouldn't have to eat his words. It simply wasn't logical or wise to make the statements that he did earlier, knowing who was running on the Democratic side. Even Rudy Giuliani (as liberal as he is) would have been a better choice than either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. I hope that he will exercise more wisdom in the future.

John McCain Is A Genius

OK. I'm convinced. John McCain is a genius.

I'll admit that I was a little concerned about his maverick streak when he was picking his running mate. I thought that he may pick someone like Lieberman or Ridge. But when he promised that he was going to hold true to the convictions that he has about the right to life and the protection of the unborn I began to feel much better about things.

I guess that is the problem with a maverick. They aren't status quo. They do things that don't always make the most sense politically. When you don't know the person and their character it can make things a bit nerve-wracking. My fear about John McCain came from my underestimation of his political savvy and intelligence. I couldn't have been more wrong to fear.

John McCain's selection of Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate shows that he has effectively sized up his competition, identified its weaknesses, and recognized the strengths and weaknesses of his own campaign. Sarah Palin is a great answer to all of these things.

Is John McCain too old? Sarah Palin is young. Is McCain eloquent? Not so much, but I think that you will agree that Sarah is. Does Obama have a record of reform? No, but Governor Palin does; something that compliments McCain's platform to bring reform to the government in Washington. And she has as much experience in government as Obama - actually more executive experience.

Obama is weak militarily. Palin has a son getting ready to deploy to Iraq. Obama has a bunch of shady characters in his path to the Presidential nomination, whereas Palin has stood up to shady characters. Obama doesn't want the nation to avail itself of domestic energy resources. Sarah Palin's government in Alaska has already taken steps to help make it easier to utilize those resources.

Also consider the demographics that she covers. She's pro-life, and to her it is more than words. When faced with the knowledge that one of her children had a birth defect, she decided to keep the child no matter what. In fact, there wasn't even a question. She gives the women disappointed with the outcome of the Clinton campaign a choice. Her parents were educators, so she has an insider's perspective on the problems in the education system. And both she and her husband have been union members. She hunts and fishes. She's a member of the NRA. I wonder if she has a sister?

I don't know what John McCain's grade was when he got out of the Navy, but he would have made a fine Admiral. He has completely flanked the Obama campaign and delivered a broadside that has made this a race worth watching. Hopefully the Republican convention this week will provide a Midway style decimation for the Obama camp that will prove the handwriting on the wall for the Democrats as surely as that battle did for the Japanese in World War II.

Obama says McCain doesn't know who he is messing with? No, Barack, I think John McCain knows EXACTLY who he is dealing with, and I think that your hubris has caused you to underestimate your opponent, hopefully resulting in your defeat in November.

On The Money

Democrats have worked hard to bring more religious voters into their fold. As part of their strategy they have promoted a dubious and debatable doctrine that big government should be doing the work of God on Earth. But Democrats want to pick and choose what they like about God and what they don't (Republicans sometimes do this as well in such matters as wealth and materialism).

While government has a role in addressing certain issues that can be considered biblically-based (such as justice and poverty), Democrats see no role for government in helping to restrict sinful man when he wishes to kill the unborn, or allow - even promote - any and every relationship but traditional marriage.

It is in its failure to address these premier moral issues that the Democratic Party has unmasked itself as a party that cares less for God's agenda and more for its own, as it pursues the White House.

- Cal Thomas (excerpt from 'Losing Faith Voters')

Cal is so right on this one. The big problem is that the Democrats don't understand Evangelical Christians. They think that if they try to pretend to be more religious that Evangelicals will buy in and vote for the Obamessiah.

The problem is that Evangelicals cannot support the positions that the Democratic party has taken on life and moral issues. Evangelicals are overwhelmingly pro-life, and this is a make or break issue with most of them. Evangelicals are also overwhelmingly in support of the defense of a biblical definition of marriage - also a make or break issue.

In its stance on both of these issues the Democratic party has shown its true colors in regards to its so-called deep religious conviction. The conviction may be religious, but it isn't Christian, and Evangelicals know the difference.

(If you would like to see who ought to be "doing the work of God on Earth" check out this new post over at Conspiracy of Kindness.)

Perhaps The Truth Hurts?

I can certainly understand why Barack Obama doesn't want this ad to air. I am staggered though that he would dare to try to use the legal system to illegally go after one of the donors that helped to sponsor the ad. I guess it is a good thing that he doesn't have control of a gulag.

In the meantime what does this say about Obama's attitude towards the rule of law and the provisions of the US Constitution? What does it say about his attitude towards frivolous lawsuits?

Also what does it say about Obama's toughness? Did he honestly think that his weaknesses would not be brought to light in a national presidential campaign? Can he not take a little heat? Would he be able to weather the blistering attack that has been leveled against President Bush? I seriously doubt it if he is whining about this ad.

Finally, what does this ad (in conjunction with his former association with the Reverend Jeremiah Wright) say about Obama's ability to judge character and choose friends?

These are all very serious questions that should be raised again and again.

Well Said, Peggy!

As to the question when human life begins, the answer to which is above Mr. Obama's pay grade, oh, let's go on a little tear. You know why they call it birth control? Because it's meant to stop a birth from happening nine months later. We know when life begins. Everyone who ever bought a pack of condoms knows when life begins.

- Peggy Noonan

BRAVO! Couldn't have said it any better myself.

Peggy went on to write this about John McCain:

I still think a one-term pledge could win it for him, because it would allow America to punt. It would make the 2008 choice seem less fateful. People don't mind the chance to defer a choice when they're not at all sure about the product. It would give bitter Democrats a chance to regroup, and it would give those who like Obama but consider him a little half-baked to vote against him guiltlessly while he becomes fully baked. (Imagine the Q&A when Sen. Obama announces his second presidential run in 2011: "Well, Brian, I think, looking back, there is something to be said for the idea that I will be a better president now than frankly I would have been four years ago. Experience, if you allow it, is still the best of all teachers.") More, it would allow Mr. McCain to say he means to face the tough problems ahead with a uniquely bipartisan attitude and without having to care a fig for re-election. That itself would give him a new power, one that would make up for the lost juice of lame duckdom. It would also serve to separate him from the hyperpolitical operating styles of the Clinton-Bush years, from the constant campaign.

And Mr. McCain would still have what he always wanted, the presidency, perhaps a serious and respectable one that accrued special respect because it involved some sacrifice on his part.

A move that would help him win doubtful voters, win disaffected Democrats, allow some Republicans to not have to get drunk to vote for him, and that could possibly yield real results for his country. This seems to me such a potentially electrifying idea that he'd likely walk out of his convention as the future president.

I think she may be on to something there. It's unorthodox. It's maverick. It's genius.

Quote Of The Day

"Washington is full of talented talkers. The bottom line is that Sen. Obama's words, for all their eloquence and passion, don't mean all that much."
- Senator John McCain

Quotes Of The Day

Go back to the day when Michelle (Obama) first told him (Barack) that she was pregnant with their first daughter. Was his daughter alive? If someone had desired to injure his baby girl while developing in his wife's body would he have "misunderstood" as to whether it would have been morally wrong? How deep would his anger have been if someone had robbed him of the relationship with his little girl?

And yet this flail speaks to his fundamental misunderstanding of morality and whether or not his moral judgment could be trusted as the most powerful man on earth.

- Kevin McCullough

Republicans have spent the last few weeks pleasantly surprised at the closeness of the presidential race. But they have generally chalked this up to Obama's weakness, not McCain's strength. After Saturday night, even Republicans most skeptical of McCain must conclude: "Perhaps we aren't doomed after all."

Of such small hopes are large upsets made.

- Michael Gerson

Cutsie Answers Are Not Befitting A Presidential Candidate

The weasel of the day award goes to Barack Obama. (I know you are terribly surprised.)

In today's Q & A session with Rick Warren the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee "side-stepped a pointed query about abortion on Saturday by 'mega-pastor' Rick Warren during a televised forum.

Asked at what point a baby gets 'human rights,' Obama, who strongly supports abortion rights, said: '… whether you’re looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity … is above my pay grade.'"

'Above my pay grade?' What kind of cutsie answer is that? Are we supposed to think that Barack is appealing to a higher authority in this case? Which higher authority? Obviously he isn't referring to God or he would already know that what he went on to say was way outside of the bounds.

"He went on to reiterate his view that it was important to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies."

Really? Says whom? Which authority has ordained that it is important to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies?

You can't have it both ways. You can't decide that there are too many unwanted babies and not know when those babies deserve human rights. Apparently Obama doesn't think that the decision that there are too many unwanted babies is 'above his pay grade.' What a jerk. (I'm working really hard to keep this rated G.)

Too bad he didn't answer the question in the way that his voting record would answer it for him. But of course he couldn't without looking like a complete monster. Not only does Barack Obama not believe that human rights begin for a baby in the womb, he also doesn't believe that they extend to babies born alive in botched abortions. He prevented the passage of the Born Alive Infants Protection Bill in the Indiana Senate. Perhaps he wanted to avoid this issue in general by supporting partial-birth abortions too?

I guess he is pretty lucky that his momma wanted him enough to keep him. But wait, she didn't have a choice - Roe versus Wade hadn't been inflicted upon the unborn in our nation when this "great moral champion" was born. Lucky him. There are over 45 million babies who didn't get that chance.

I love what Jill Stanek had to say about Obama's attitude toward abortion:

Obama stated pro-life proposals must be "amenable to reason."

OK, Sen. Obama, let's reason. Explain why you support abortion for whatever rationale, at whatever gestation, by whatever means. Explain why you support infanticide, if banning it might interfere with abortion.

Then, since you brought it up, explain how, despite all that, you think Jesus should vote for you, either now or in the hereafter, particularly given His statement, "It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around the neck than to face the punishment in store for harming one of these little ones."

In the classic words from Bill Cosby's Noah routine, "How long can you tread water?"

The foil to this 'comic' man who would be king that we have in Obama is found in his opponent John McCain.

When he was posed the same question he didn't pussyfoot around.

"He said a baby’s human rights began 'at the moment of conception … I have a 25-year pro-life record.'" You don't need a higher pay grade to answer the question. It has already been answered. You just need to read the manual. (Perhaps if Obama did read the manual a little more often he also wouldn't have such heretical universalist notions about salvation?)

Oddly, I see a pattern developing. When asked a question of vital national importance, Obama likes to dance around giving "nuanced" answers that hide his true agenda, while McCain gives a concrete answer that lets you know exactly where he is coming from. When faced with a global situation that affects US security, Obama gives a politically correct admonition for both sides to be nice while McCain cuts to the chase and denounces the aggressor and talks about the possible consequences that these actions will bring upon the aggressor.

Obama is playing President. We need someone who can be President. In the classic words from my state's motto, "esse quam videri", 'To be and not to seem.' Our world is too dangerous for people playing a game - and Obama's cute answer today just shows that he doesn't get it.

A Contrast

Regarding the situation in Georgia:

John McCain has taken a strong stand from the start. His statement, "We are all Georgians," echoes John F. Kennedy's "Ich bin ein Berliner." Barack Obama, after a weak opening statement, has also condemned the Russian actions. But his own speech before the Prussian Victory Column in Berlin showed an incomplete appreciation of history.
- Michael Barone

I have been writing today about the great danger that faces our nation. Which would you rather have: someone who can't make up his mind about what he should do or someone who can make a quick, decisive statement and stick by it? Ask Vlad how far niceness and political correctness will get you.

As weird as it is to admit it, Hillary Clinton would have handled this situation better than Barack Obama did.

More On Putin

Bill O'Reilly wrote the following in a recent editorial:

Realizing that the Bush administration cannot handle another armed conflict right now, Putin decided to show the world that he could punish America's friend, Georgia, without a meaningful response. He has succeeded in doing that.

Down the road, either John McCain or Barack Obama will have to deal with Vlad the Assailer. This dour, brutal man senses weakness in both America and Europe, weakness that will drive him to become bolder. The only thing a guy like Vlad understands is the stick.

But how to wield it is the question. As with Iran, diplomacy is not likely to deter Putin because Europe needs Russia's natural gas and oil and is not likely to challenge Russia by supporting sanctions. So it will come down to the United States vs. Russia, mano a mano.

Putin is one tough customer. It will be interesting to see whether the United States will elect a leader who can effectively neutralize him. If that does not happen, old Vlad, like Dracula, will commit scourge on the countryside.

- Bill O'Reilly

Back in October 2007 I wrote a post that talked about what I see as a growing threat to American security. It highlighted apparent ties between China, Venezuela, Russia, Cuba, North Korea, and Iran. I thoroughly believe that the action that we see in Georgia right now is the beginning of the unfolding of the dreadful scenario that I laid out in that post.

Vladamir Putin has grown bolder and bolder since he took office. He has established Naziesque Russian youth organizations. He has now begun the process of imperial expansion to regain the countries of the former Soviet bloc.

Putin has taken a calculated risk with his invasion of Georgia. He believed that the US would not, indeed could not, retaliate or help because we could not risk an all-out war with Russia. I fear our response - or the weakness of that response will bear much bad fruit.

China likewise has a similar "Hitler Youth" type of program. It has also been doing much saber rattling in its region - especially towards Taiwan. I believe that the response of the US in the Georgian invasion will invite a similar invasion of Taiwan.

Here is the way I think that things will play themselves out. If the US does nothing then we will see additional 'Anschlusses.' If the US responds militarily to any of these attacks, I believe that we will see simultaneous attacks on territory by Russia, China, Iran, Venezuela, and North Korea.

I think that it would be possible for the US to make a limited stand against Russia right now. China is in the middle of the Olympics and doesn't want global favor turned away. That would make a response much safer, but I fear that we are quickly finding ourselves in a Catch-22.

Our window of opportunity is extremely small. The longer we wait to curb Putin, the less we will be able to do so. Great Britain had an opportunity to stop Hitler early on, but they missed their chance, and thousands upon thousands paid for that mistake with their lives.

The US had best develop some very strong allies quickly.

When I was a kid in the middle of the Cold War, our greatest fear was mutually-assured nuclear annihilation. In our current world, the stakes are just as high. We risk military defeat like we never have since the war of 1812. It's a dangerous world we live in. I pray to God that our next President has the grit to lead our country in such a perilous time.