thestream--2020-12-20--Why Seattle’s Proposed ‘Poverty Excuse’ for Crimes Would Destroy the City’s Economy

Matthew Humphrey recently lost $ 4,000 worth of goods in a theft of his Seattle barbershop .
Under a new proposal the Seattle City Council is considering this month , what happened to him wouldn ’ t even be a crime — if the thieves claimed they were driven by poverty , that is .
“ I think it ’ s insane , ” the victimized barber told a local news outlet .
“ It ’ s one of these well-intended concepts ( of ) we want to take care of people that can ’ t take care of themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is hurting other people.
” Up for debate is a reform proposed by Seattle City Councilmember Lisa Herbold .
For up to 100 different misdemeanor crimes , including theft , harassment , shoplifting , trespassing , and more , an individual could be excused if he or she claims poverty was their motive .
“ In a situation where you took that sandwich because you were hungry and you were trying to meet your basic need of satisfying your hunger ; we as the community will know that we should not punish that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Defense Anita Khandelwal said of the proposal , which she helped craft .
“ That conduct is excused.
” The intent of the proposal is to avoid punishing desperate people just trying to survive .
But the provision exempts not only stealing food or similar necessities , but stealing anything — if you claim the money gained from its sale would be used for essentials .
First and foremost , this policy would obviously incentivize more crime and more theft .
It would basically give anyone with a good sob story a green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In doing so , it would condemn Seattle to economic decline .
In a free market with secure property rights , people can engage in mutually-beneficial commerce .
In working to earn a profit , they will create employment opportunities and provide others with the goods and services they need .
Businesses can invest and communities can grow .
Without secure property rights , none of this is possible .
Think about it using Humphrey , the aforementioned barber , as an example .
As a small business owner , he employs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go out and spend their money elsewhere around town .
Meanwhile , locals can get haircuts they want at a price that ’ s worth it to them ( otherwise , he ’ d be out of business with no one willing to pay ) .
Yet if the Seattle proposal became law , Humphrey and thousands of other small business owners would likely have to shut down .
“ It ’ s a little upside-down world , ” he said .
“ The end result is small companies like mine have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t afford to be broken in [ to ] all the time.
” You certainly can ’ t blame him .
There ’ s no way any small business owner could possibly operate when anyone who is poor or homeless — or claims to be — is able to rob their store and get away with it .
Survival , let alone profitability , is impossible amid such unpredictability and lawlessness .
And so , while perhaps some homeless or poor people might benefit from lawless looting in the very short-term , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s economy and incentivize crime .
If businesses can not operate , jobs will not exist , wages will not be offered , taxes will not be paid , and , in short order , crime and poverty will only increase .
This is why free-market economist Thomas Sowell once said that property rights “ belong legally to individuals , but their real function is social , to benefit vast numbers of people who do not themselves exercise these rights.
” None of this is conjecture .
The strength of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s certainly true for a city as well ) closely correlates with its average per-person income .
So , the takeaway here is clear .
Progressive Seattle officials might have the best of intentions behind their proposal to create a hardship exemption to property crimes .
But , if successful , their naïve efforts would undermine the rule of law and property rights necessary for Seattle ’ s economy to survive .
Brad Polumbo ( @ Brad_Polumbo ) is a libertarian-conservative journalist and Opinion Editor at the Foundation for Economic Education @

Matthew Humphrey recently lost $4,000 worth of goods in a theft of his Seattle barbershop. Under a new proposal the Seattle City Council is considering this month, what happened to him wouldn’t even be a crime — if the thieves claimed they were driven by poverty, that is.
“I think it’s insane,” the victimized barber told a local news outlet. “It’s one of these well-intended concepts (of) we want to take care of people that can’t take care of themselves. But what you are really doing is hurting other people.”
The Poverty Excuse
Up for debate is a reform proposed by Seattle City Councilmember Lisa Herbold. For up to 100 different misdemeanor crimes, including theft, harassment, shoplifting, trespassing, and more, an individual could be excused if he or she claims poverty was their motive.
“In a situation where you took that sandwich because you were hungry and you were trying to meet your basic need of satisfying your hunger; we as the community will know that we should not punish that,” King County Director of Public Defense Anita Khandelwal said of the proposal, which she helped craft. “That conduct is excused.”
The intent of the proposal is to avoid punishing desperate people just trying to survive. But the provision exempts not only stealing food or similar necessities, but stealing anything — if you claim the money gained from its sale would be used for essentials.
An Upside-Down World
First and foremost, this policy would obviously incentivize more crime and more theft.
It would basically give anyone with a good sob story a green light to violate property rights at will. In doing so, it would condemn Seattle to economic decline.
In a free market with secure property rights, people can engage in mutually-beneficial commerce. In working to earn a profit, they will create employment opportunities and provide others with the goods and services they need. Businesses can invest and communities can grow.
Without secure property rights, none of this is possible.
Survival, let alone profitability, is impossible amid such unpredictability and lawlessness.
Think about it using Humphrey, the aforementioned barber, as an example. As a small business owner, he employs people in his Seattle neighborhood. They go out and spend their money elsewhere around town. Meanwhile, locals can get haircuts they want at a price that’s worth it to them (otherwise, he’d be out of business with no one willing to pay). Yet if the Seattle proposal became law, Humphrey and thousands of other small business owners would likely have to shut down. “It’s a little upside-down world,” he said. “The end result is small companies like mine have to close their doors because they can’t afford to be broken in [to] all the time.” You certainly can’t blame him. There’s no way any small business owner could possibly operate when anyone who is poor or homeless — or claims to be — is able to rob their store and get away with it. Survival, let alone profitability, is impossible amid such unpredictability and lawlessness.
The Takeaway is Clear
And so, while perhaps some homeless or poor people might benefit from lawless looting in the very short-term, this reform would almost certainly destabilize and erode the city’s economy and incentivize crime. If businesses cannot operate, jobs will not exist, wages will not be offered, taxes will not be paid, and, in short order, crime and poverty will only increase.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
This is why free-market economist Thomas Sowell once said that property rights “belong legally to individuals, but their real function is social, to benefit vast numbers of people who do not themselves exercise these rights.”
None of this is conjecture. The strength of property rights in a nation (and it’s certainly true for a city as well) closely correlates with its average per-person income.
So, the takeaway here is clear.
Progressive Seattle officials might have the best of intentions behind their proposal to create a hardship exemption to property crimes. But, if successful, their naïve efforts would undermine the rule of law and property rights necessary for Seattle’s economy to survive.
Brad Polumbo (@Brad_Polumbo) is a libertarian-conservative journalist and Opinion Editor at the Foundation for Economic Education.
Originally published at FEE.org. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-12-20--‘We Are in a War’: Skillet Rocker John Cooper is on a Mission to Combat Chaos and Defend Truth

John Cooper has been entertaining audiences for more than two decades as the lead singer of popular rock band Skillet .
Now he ’ s adding a new mission into the mix : combating cultural relativism .
Cooper , who has been increasingly vocal on issues plaguing Christianity and America , is out with a new book titled , Awake and Alive to Truth : Finding Truth in the Chaos of a Relativistic World — and he ’ s intent on driving home truth in an era of biblical apathy .
LISTEN : Hear Skillet ’ s John Cooper Speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We have gotten so scared about saying things that are true that it has caused a crisis , ” the singer recently said on the .
“ It has caused a crisis of people believing that they are good and that they can reach heaven without Jesus ’ help.
” Listen to Cooper discuss faith , relativism and more : Cooper has become more vocal in recent months about issues plaguing culture — a move that came after he started seeing friends around him struggle with their faith and make comments that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth .
As some of his Christian friends started to say , “ I don ’ t think that Jesus is the only way , ” or make other unbiblical claims , Cooper ’ s fears about the watering down of faith sparked in him a desire to speak out and help others navigate the ebbs and flows of an increasingly chaotic culture .
“ There is chaos happening for a reason and we need to be bold about what those reasons are , ” Cooper said .
“ If you just ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you can escape all of this chaos.
” He said there ’ s a disturbing trend in which too many people have come to believe that “ nothing in the world is absolutely 100 percent true , ” saying things like , “ your truth ” and “ my truth.
” READ ALSO : Dive Into the Headlines and Get Weekly Hope With the ‘ Edifi With Billy Hallowell ’ Podcast “ Relativism is something that Christians can not believe , ” he said , going on to note that there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite realize this reality .
“ We are in war where the church is losing so much ground within the church … the church is not looking like Christianity anymore.
” Cooper knows that there ’ s a risk to extending outside of music to address the issues of the day — but he believes the stakes are too high to back down .
“ What we are losing is so great , ” he said .
“ If it costs me fans , we have to start trying to save as many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that kind of a time.
” Find out more about Cooper ’ s mission in Awake and Alive to Truth : Finding Truth in the Chaos of a Relativistic World .
Billy Hallowell has worked as a journalist and commentator for more than a decade .
He is the director of communications and content for PureFlix.com , the former senior editor at Faithwire.com and the former faith and culture editor at TheBlaze .

John Cooper has been entertaining audiences for more than two decades as the lead singer of popular rock band Skillet. Now he’s adding a new mission into the mix: combating cultural relativism.
Cooper, who has been increasingly vocal on issues plaguing Christianity and America, is out with a new book titled, Awake and Alive to Truth: Finding Truth in the Chaos of a Relativistic World — and he’s intent on driving home truth in an era of biblical apathy.
LISTEN: Hear Skillet’s John Cooper Speak Out on Faith, Relativism and More
“We have gotten so scared about saying things that are true that it has caused a crisis,” the singer recently said on the “Edifi With Billy Hallowell” podcast . “It has caused a crisis of people believing that they are good and that they can reach heaven without Jesus’ help.”
Listen to Cooper discuss faith, relativism and more:
Cooper has become more vocal in recent months about issues plaguing culture — a move that came after he started seeing friends around him struggle with their faith and make comments that didn’t quite align with biblical truth.
As some of his Christian friends started to say, “I don’t think that Jesus is the only way,” or make other unbiblical claims, Cooper’s fears about the watering down of faith sparked in him a desire to speak out and help others navigate the ebbs and flows of an increasingly chaotic culture.
“There is chaos happening for a reason and we need to be bold about what those reasons are,” Cooper said. “If you just ground your life in the truth of Christ, you can escape all of this chaos.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
He said there’s a disturbing trend in which too many people have come to believe that “nothing in the world is absolutely 100 percent true,” saying things like, “your truth” and “my truth.”
READ ALSO: Dive Into the Headlines and Get Weekly Hope With the ‘Edifi With Billy Hallowell’ Podcast
“Relativism is something that Christians cannot believe,” he said, going on to note that there are many inside churches who don’t quite realize this reality. “We are in war where the church is losing so much ground within the church … the church is not looking like Christianity anymore.”
Cooper knows that there’s a risk to extending outside of music to address the issues of the day — but he believes the stakes are too high to back down.
“What we are losing is so great,” he said. “If it costs me fans, we have to start trying to save as many as we can. It’s that kind of a time.”
Find out more about Cooper’s mission in Awake and Alive to Truth: Finding Truth in the Chaos of a Relativistic World .
Billy Hallowell has worked as a journalist and commentator for more than a decade. He is the director of communications and content for PureFlix.com, the former senior editor at Faithwire.com and the former faith and culture editor at TheBlaze.


thestream--2020-12-20--New York Lawmaker Begs Goldman Sachs Not to Go to Florida: ‘Please Don’t Leave Us’

Rep. Thomas Suozzi ’ s message to the ( likely ) soon-to-be departing financial firm Goldman Sachs had the sound of an 80s love ballad : don ’ t go , baby .
“ Please don ’ t leave us , ” the New York congressman said on CNBC following news that the multibillion-dollar investment bank is likely to bolt New York City for Florida .
“ We ’ re in a desperate time in New York right now .
We need you .
You ’ re important to us .
We want you to stay.
” There ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation is desperate .
The state was facing a $ 13 billion budget deficit and an exodus of people before the coronavirus arrived .
The pandemic , and the draconian and bungled response to it from lawmakers , has only made the situation worse .
The 36,000 New Yorkers who died with or of the coronavirus is a higher death toll than 95 percent of the countries in the world , in large part because of Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ’ s order that forced nursing homes to admit discharged COVID-19 patients .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the virus have ravaged the state ’ s economy .
New York ’ s unemployment rate stands at 9.6 percent , higher than all but two U.S. states , and its aggressive enforcement of lockdowns has devastated commerce .
The New York Times recently estimated that one-third of small businesses in the state may be gone forever .
Many of the perks of being in New York have vanished , which has hastened the exodus from the Big Apple and resulted in a drain on the greatest of all resources : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to the virus has been disastrous , its economic plight can not be blamed solely on the pandemic or the response to it .
History and recent events suggest Goldman ’ s pending exit may be part of a larger economic shift at work .
Goldman Sachs is hardly the only company or entrepreneur making a move .
Days after the Goldman Sachs news broke , Elon Musk dropped some news of his own .
The billionaire founder of Tesla announced he was moving from California to Texas , a move his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after inking a $ 100 million deal with Spotify .
A few days later Oracle , the multinational computer technology corporation that employs 138,000 people , announced it was moving its headquarters from Redwood Shores , California to Austin , Texas .
Oracle ’ s announcement came less than two weeks after the computer giant Hewlett-Packard announced the San Jose , California-based tech company had decided to move its headquarters to Houston .
Something is clearly happening here , and economics may hold a clue .
The economist Paul Samuelson once wrote a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local solutions to public goods problems can ’ t exist because individuals are incentivized to free ride .
But in a rebuttal , the economist Charles Tiebout argued there is a solution : competition across jurisdictions that places competitive pressures on public goods offered by local governments , which come with benefits and costs just like any commodity .
Tiebout ’ s paper , “ A Pure Theory of Local Expenditures ” ( 1956 ) , essentially argued that as long as individuals and companies have mobility , there will be a level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allows individuals and companies to “ shop ” for an optimal amount of public goods and their associated tax burdens .
The Tiebout model is a fancier ( and more robust ) presentation of the “ voting with your feet ” idea , which essentially says people gravitate toward environments based on self-interest and the attractiveness of the locality .
Which brings us back to New York and California .
In their 2012 book Why Nations Fail , economists James A. Robinson of the University of Chicago and Daron Acemoglu of MIT analyzed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries fail primarily because leaders make poor decisions that inhibit the spread of prosperity .
“ Nations fail today because their extractive economic institutions do not create the incentives needed for people to save , invest , and innovate , ” write Acemoglu and Robinson .
“ Extractive political institutions support these economic institutions by cementing the power of those who benefit from the extraction .
Extractive economic and political institutions , though their details vary under different circumstances , are always at the root of this failure.
” The economists were writing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wonder if we ’ re seeing a similar phenomenon at work in U.S. states .
New York has the highest overall tax burden in the U.S. California , meanwhile , has a top income tax rate of 13.3 percent , the highest in the country .
These are among the most extractive — to borrow the term used by Acemoglu and Robinson — policies in America , and they strongly inhibit investment , innovation , and prosperity .
It ’ s not just tax rates , however .
Both New York and California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets , and entrepreneurs .
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio openly complains about the problems with private property , the engine of wealth creation , and New York elected officials publicly float a 120 percent tax on the wealthy “ to confiscate their wealth and put them in debt before they leave us.
” These are not idle threats .
The New York Senate is currently considering a massive tax hike on wealthy New Yorkers , and the Wall Street Journal reports it is even trying to make the tax retroactive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” In California , the treatment toward entrepreneurs is arguably worse ( just ask Elon Musk ) .
It ’ s naïve to think people who work for Goldman Sachs , which would not be the first financial company to flee New York in recent years , and Oracle do not notice this treatment or these tax proposals .
Meanwhile , these wealth creators are being welcomed with open arms by officials in Florida and Texas , warm-weather states that have no income tax , booming financial sectors , functioning cities , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plead with Goldman Sachs to stay and talk about reinstating the SALT deduction , a coveted provision for wealthier taxpayers ( especially in high-tax states ) that allows them to deduct state and local taxes in their federal filing .
Gov .
Cuomo can promise to buy drinks and perhaps even offer a few lucrative tax incentives — like the $ 115 million in cash grants and tax breaks Goldman received to build in NYC ( one of the flaws in the Tiebout model ) .
However , they have little else to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Goldman Sachs or its employees , who were a main driver of the decision to consider relocation .
“ It ’ s not just about how cities are treating the companies themselves , ” Andrew Ross Sorkin , the host of Squawk Box , told Suozzi .
“ One of the things that I understand from my reporting on Goldman Sachs is that there ’ s a group of employees who effectively think they want to work in Florida because their personal income taxes would be a lot lower.
” The Tiebout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basic idea — that competition between jurisdictions can reveal points at which the costs of public goods have exceeded their actual value to the public — is sound .
If this competition can incentivize New York and California to rethink the extractive policies that are driving out wealth and investment , we should be thankful it exists .
Jonathan Miltimore is the Managing Editor of FEE.org .
His writing/reporting has been the subject of articles in TIME magazine , The Wall Street Journal , CNN , Forbes , Fox News and the Star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington Times , MSN.com , The Washington Examiner , The Daily Caller , The Federalist , and the Epoch Times .

Rep. Thomas Suozzi’s message to the (likely) soon-to-be departing financial firm Goldman Sachs had the sound of an 80s love ballad: don’t go, baby.
“Please don’t leave us,” the New York congressman said on CNBC following news that the multibillion-dollar investment bank is likely to bolt New York City for Florida. “We’re in a desperate time in New York right now. We need you. You’re important to us. We want you to stay.”
Desperate Times in The Big Apple
There’s no question that New York’s situation is desperate. The state was facing a $13 billion budget deficit and an exodus of people before the coronavirus arrived. The pandemic, and the draconian and bungled response to it from lawmakers, has only made the situation worse.
The 36,000 New Yorkers who died with or of the coronavirus is a higher death toll than 95 percent of the countries in the world, in large part because of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s order that forced nursing homes to admit discharged COVID-19 patients. Meanwhile, government efforts to slow the spread of the virus have ravaged the state’s economy.
New York’s unemployment rate stands at 9.6 percent, higher than all but two U.S. states, and its aggressive enforcement of lockdowns has devastated commerce. The New York Times recently estimated that one-third of small businesses in the state may be gone forever. Many of the perks of being in New York have vanished, which has hastened the exodus from the Big Apple and resulted in a drain on the greatest of all resources: people.
https://twitter.com/brad_polumbo/status/1339235007035035656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1339235007035035656%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ffee.org%2Farticles%2Fnew-york-lawmaker-begs-goldman-sachs-not-to-go-to-florida-please-don-t-leave-us%2F
While New York’s response to the virus has been disastrous, its economic plight cannot be blamed solely on the pandemic or the response to it. History and recent events suggest Goldman’s pending exit may be part of a larger economic shift at work.
The Tiebout Model and Economic Exodus
Goldman Sachs is hardly the only company or entrepreneur making a move.
Days after the Goldman Sachs news broke, Elon Musk dropped some news of his own.
The billionaire founder of Tesla announced he was moving from California to Texas, a move his podcaster pal Joe Rogan made months earlier after inking a $100 million deal with Spotify.
A few days later Oracle, the multinational computer technology corporation that employs 138,000 people, announced it was moving its headquarters from Redwood Shores, California to Austin, Texas. Oracle’s announcement came less than two weeks after the computer giant Hewlett-Packard announced the San Jose, California-based tech company had decided to move its headquarters to Houston.
Both New York and California have created climates hostile to capital, markets, and entrepreneurs.
Something is clearly happening here, and economics may hold a clue.
The economist Paul Samuelson once wrote a paper that essentially argued that decentralized, local solutions to public goods problems can’t exist because individuals are incentivized to free ride. But in a rebuttal, the economist Charles Tiebout argued there is a solution: competition across jurisdictions that places competitive pressures on public goods offered by local governments, which come with benefits and costs just like any commodity.
Tiebout’s paper, “A Pure Theory of Local Expenditures” (1956), essentially argued that as long as individuals and companies have mobility, there will be a level of competition in the public space that allows individuals and companies to “shop” for an optimal amount of public goods and their associated tax burdens.
The Tiebout model is a fancier (and more robust) presentation of the “voting with your feet” idea, which essentially says people gravitate toward environments based on self-interest and the attractiveness of the locality.
Which brings us back to New York and California.
Why Nations (and States?) Fail
In their 2012 book Why Nations Fail, economists James A. Robinson of the University of Chicago and Daron Acemoglu of MIT analyzed poor countries around the world and concluded countries fail primarily because leaders make poor decisions that inhibit the spread of prosperity.
“Nations fail today because their extractive economic institutions do not create the incentives needed for people to save, invest, and innovate,” write Acemoglu and Robinson. “Extractive political institutions support these economic institutions by cementing the power of those who benefit from the extraction. Extractive economic and political institutions, though their details vary under different circumstances, are always at the root of this failure.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The economists were writing about nations, but one has to wonder if we’re seeing a similar phenomenon at work in U.S. states. New York has the highest overall tax burden in the U.S. California, meanwhile, has a top income tax rate of 13.3 percent, the highest in the country. These are among the most extractive — to borrow the term used by Acemoglu and Robinson — policies in America, and they strongly inhibit investment, innovation, and prosperity.
It’s not just tax rates, however. Both New York and California have created climates hostile to capital, markets, and entrepreneurs.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio openly complains about the problems with private property, the engine of wealth creation, and New York elected officials publicly float a 120 percent tax on the wealthy “to confiscate their wealth and put them in debt before they leave us.” These are not idle threats. The New York Senate is currently considering a massive tax hike on wealthy New Yorkers, and the Wall Street Journal reports it is even trying to make the tax retroactive “to some earlier point in 2020.”
In California, the treatment toward entrepreneurs is arguably worse (just ask Elon Musk).
90% of NY: Tax the damn rich Cuomo: Well, I think it’s unconstitutional and what if they leave us and won’t finance my political future? Me: Then let’s raise their rates to 120% to confiscate their wealth & put them in debt before they leave us https://t.co/ty7OHcdzJu — Ron T. Kim (@rontkim) September 7, 2020
F*ck Elon Musk. — Lorena Gonzalez (@LorenaSGonzalez) May 10, 2020
It’s naïve to think people who work for Goldman Sachs, which would not be the first financial company to flee New York in recent years, and Oracle do not notice this treatment or these tax proposals.
Meanwhile, these wealth creators are being welcomed with open arms by officials in Florida and Texas, warm-weather states that have no income tax, booming financial sectors, functioning cities, and plenty of entertainment.
How it started: How it’s going: pic.twitter.com/t7W6NZWaWn — David Sacks (@DavidSacks) December 9, 2020
Rep. Suozzi can plead with Goldman Sachs to stay and talk about reinstating the SALT deduction, a coveted provision for wealthier taxpayers (especially in high-tax states) that allows them to deduct state and local taxes in their federal filing. Gov. Cuomo can promise to buy drinks and perhaps even offer a few lucrative tax incentives — like the $115 million in cash grants and tax breaks Goldman received to build in NYC (one of the flaws in the Tiebout model).
However, they have little else to offer to make New York more attractive to Goldman Sachs or its employees, who were a main driver of the decision to consider relocation.
“It’s not just about how cities are treating the companies themselves,” Andrew Ross Sorkin, the host of Squawk Box, told Suozzi. “One of the things that I understand from my reporting on Goldman Sachs is that there’s a group of employees who effectively think they want to work in Florida because their personal income taxes would be a lot lower.”
The Tiebout model has some problems, but the basic idea — that competition between jurisdictions can reveal points at which the costs of public goods have exceeded their actual value to the public — is sound.
If this competition can incentivize New York and California to rethink the extractive policies that are driving out wealth and investment, we should be thankful it exists.
Jonathan Miltimore is the Managing Editor of FEE.org. His writing/reporting has been the subject of articles in TIME magazine, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Forbes, Fox News and the Star Tribune. Bylines: Newsweek, The Washington Times, MSN.com, The Washington Examiner, The Daily Caller, The Federalist, and the Epoch Times.
Originally published on FEE.org.


thestream--2020-12-21--Your Transformation Will Transform Others

Some of you were raised in the faith and , as far back as you can remember , you loved the Lord .
Others , like me , were not raised in the faith and can point back to a dramatic conversion experience .
The turning point for me came on December 17 , 1971 , when I surrendered my life to the Lord and said , “ I will never put a needle in my arm again.
” That had been the sticking point for me — no pun intended — for the previous 5 weeks .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that the light went on for me as a Jewish , 16-year-old , LSD-using , heroin-shooting , hippie rock drummer .
It was then that I first believed Jesus died for my sins and rose from the dead .
But I was not yet willing to repent , and true faith and true repentance must go hand in hand .
The battle for my soul was on , and the Spirit ’ s conviction in my life was deep .
I knew I had to change , but the bondages were strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in December , overcome by God ’ s love , I came to that point of surrender , recognizing the power of His grace .
And from that moment on , I was free .
Absolutely and totally free .
Jesus is amazing !
In commemoration of my 49th spiritual anniversary , I posted an old picture from those days on my social media accounts , along with a short note .
One of those who responded was a woman named Jeannine , who knew me back then .
She wrote , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my life.
” She , too , became a follower of Jesus and she has been walking with Him ever since .
Your transformation can transform others .
Others are watching you , too — family members and friends and business associates .
Even those who don ’ t like you .
People are watching our lives , and when we are changed , many of them will be changed too .
That is how revival in the church brings awakening to the culture .
That is how whole families come to faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be impacted .
How we need to see this happen on a wide scale across America today !
During the second half of the 1990 ’ s , there was a great spiritual outpouring at the Brownsville Assembly of God in Pensacola , Florida .
It has been called the longest-running local-church revival in American history , with a cumulative attendance of more 3.5 million people .
They came from all over the country and from 140 nations to attend services in this church in Pensacola , where they would hear a strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Lord Jesus .
But those who lived in Pensacola were greatly impacted as well , since so many of them knew someone who was touched during the revival .
To give you a case in point , in 1999 , some young men were on the beach in Pensacola , drinking together .
They were not believers , but they knew about the revival and were talking about it as they drank , obviously in mocking tones .
One of the men decided he needed to attend , so his friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ church .
( Again , this happened while they were drinking ) .
He attended a service the next night and was truly converted .
In fact , the conversion was so deep that two days later , he turned himself in to the police , saying that he was running from a six-month prison sentence .
One of our ministry school students doing prison outreach met him there and learned his story .
The young man , serving his prison sentence , was on fire for the Lord .
Can you imagine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touched ?
Can you imagine how many were transformed by his transformation ?
In July of 1996 , a 17-year-old atheist came to Florida together with his church youth group .
They had driven in from out of state , and he was only with the group because his parents made a special request of the youth pastor .
At that time , he was regularly doing drugs , toting guns , given to drunkenness , filled with rage and bitterness , and battling suicidal thoughts .
( This is his own description @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the revival , he was radically born-again , devoting the rest of his life to Jesus .
He describes what happened to him when he returned home : When I went back to high school the next semester , 27 students called on the name of the Lord as a result of the transformation they saw in my life .
I was immediately freed from the grip of drugs , alcohol , suicidal tendencies , and rebelliousness toward my teachers and parents .
“ One day , I even jumped in my ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 250 of my music CD ’ s that were filled with immoral themes and profanity .
What else could I do ?
I had experienced the cleanness of a forgiven heart for the first time , and I could not engage in that which contradicted it .
I began preaching in youth gatherings , bearing witness to the Gospel on the streets , and leading prayer meetings .
He is a transformed man to this day , married to a woman he met in our ministry school .
Together , they have raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are now starting their own families .
The ripple effect , now multigenerational , is wonderful to behold .
As We Are Revived , So Are Others But it is not just through our own born-again experience that others can be born-again .
When we , as believers , experience spiritual renewal , others will also be renewed .
The spark in our lives can help ignite a spark in theirs , and before you know it , those sparks have turned into blazing , holy fires .
In keeping with this mentality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how he prayed for revival .
He said , “ I draw a circle on the ground .
Then I stand inside that circle .
Then I pray , ‘ God , revive everything standing in this circle !
’ ” It ’ s a prayer that God will answer .
As we are revived and changed , others will be as well .
This is truly the hope of our nation .
So let the revival start with you and me !
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program .
His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

Some of you were raised in the faith and, as far back as you can remember, you loved the Lord. Others, like me, were not raised in the faith and can point back to a dramatic conversion experience. The turning point for me came on December 17, 1971, when I surrendered my life to the Lord and said, “I will never put a needle in my arm again.”
That had been the sticking point for me — no pun intended — for the previous 5 weeks. It was then, on November 12, 1971, that the light went on for me as a Jewish, 16-year-old, LSD-using, heroin-shooting, hippie rock drummer. It was then that I first believed Jesus died for my sins and rose from the dead.
But I was not yet willing to repent, and true faith and true repentance must go hand in hand. The battle for my soul was on, and the Spirit’s conviction in my life was deep. I knew I had to change, but the bondages were strong.
Finally, on that Friday night in December, overcome by God’s love, I came to that point of surrender, recognizing the power of His grace. And from that moment on, I was free. Absolutely and totally free. Jesus is amazing!
People Are Watching
In commemoration of my 49th spiritual anniversary, I posted an old picture from those days on my social media accounts, along with a short note.
One of those who responded was a woman named Jeannine, who knew me back then. She wrote, “I remember your transformation. It changed my life.”
She, too, became a follower of Jesus and she has been walking with Him ever since.
Your transformation can transform others. Others are watching you, too — family members and friends and business associates. Even those who don’t like you.
People are watching our lives, and when we are changed, many of them will be changed too.
That is how revival in the church brings awakening to the culture. That is how whole families come to faith. That is how entire communities can be impacted.
How we need to see this happen on a wide scale across America today!
Brownsville Revisited
During the second half of the 1990’s, there was a great spiritual outpouring at the Brownsville Assembly of God in Pensacola, Florida. It has been called the longest-running local-church revival in American history, with a cumulative attendance of more 3.5 million people.
They came from all over the country and from 140 nations to attend services in this church in Pensacola, where they would hear a strong message of repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus. But those who lived in Pensacola were greatly impacted as well, since so many of them knew someone who was touched during the revival.
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To give you a case in point, in 1999, some young men were on the beach in Pensacola, drinking together. They were not believers, but they knew about the revival and were talking about it as they drank, obviously in mocking tones.
One of the men decided he needed to attend, so his friends told him how to get to the church. (Again, this happened while they were drinking).
He attended a service the next night and was truly converted. In fact, the conversion was so deep that two days later, he turned himself in to the police, saying that he was running from a six-month prison sentence.
One of our ministry school students doing prison outreach met him there and learned his story. The young man, serving his prison sentence, was on fire for the Lord.
Can you imagine how many others lives his life ultimately touched? Can you imagine how many were transformed by his transformation?
The 17-Year-Old Atheist
In July of 1996, a 17-year-old atheist came to Florida together with his church youth group. They had driven in from out of state, and he was only with the group because his parents made a special request of the youth pastor.
At that time, he was regularly doing drugs, toting guns, given to drunkenness, filled with rage and bitterness, and battling suicidal thoughts. (This is his own description.)
In that one service in the revival, he was radically born-again, devoting the rest of his life to Jesus.
He describes what happened to him when he returned home:
When I went back to high school the next semester, 27 students called on the name of the Lord as a result of the transformation they saw in my life. I was immediately freed from the grip of drugs, alcohol, suicidal tendencies, and rebelliousness toward my teachers and parents. “One day, I even jumped in my ’89 Thunderbird and ran over more than 250 of my music CD’s that were filled with immoral themes and profanity. What else could I do? I had experienced the cleanness of a forgiven heart for the first time, and I could not engage in that which contradicted it. I began preaching in youth gatherings, bearing witness to the Gospel on the streets, and leading prayer meetings.
He is a transformed man to this day, married to a woman he met in our ministry school. Together, they have raised 5 godly kids, some of whom are now starting their own families. The ripple effect, now multigenerational, is wonderful to behold.
As We Are Revived, So Are Others
But it is not just through our own born-again experience that others can be born-again.
When we, as believers, experience spiritual renewal, others will also be renewed. The spark in our lives can help ignite a spark in theirs, and before you know it, those sparks have turned into blazing, holy fires.
In keeping with this mentality, an old evangelist was once asked how he prayed for revival. He said, “I draw a circle on the ground. Then I stand inside that circle. Then I pray, ‘God, revive everything standing in this circle!’”
It’s a prayer that God will answer. As we are revived and changed, others will be as well.
This is truly the hope of our nation.
So let the revival start with you and me!
(As I was typing these words, I noticed the newest tweet on my thread. It said, “God wants us to live righteous and holy and if we do those around us will reap the benefits. We can only trust God to do what He said. I can’t change people but I can hope they see the change in me.” They will!)
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-12-21--Military Photo of the Day: Building Snow Globes

U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy sailors build snow globes during a “ Twelve Days of Christmas ” event on Camp @ @ @ @ @ , on December 7 , 2020 .

U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy sailors build snow globes during a “Twelve Days of Christmas” event on Camp Foster in Okinawa, Japan, on December 7, 2020.
Have a great holiday week, everyone!
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thestream--2020-12-21--As Space Force Turns 1, Its Trajectory Remains on Target

The U.S. Space Force celebrated its first birthday on Dec. 20 .
Through a year of news cycles dominated by coronavirus-driven lockdowns and the presidential election , you might have lost track of just how much progress this youngster has made , but its accomplishments are worth more than a passing glance .
The Two Huge Goals of Space Force From his first moments in charge of the force , Air Force Gen. John Raymond began establishing the culture of the Space Force by setting two huge goals ; namely , delivering unrivaled dominance in space while keeping the service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act on Dec. 20 , 2019 , Congress limited the people , facilities , and assets the new service could draw on to just those that reside within the Air Force .
That equates to a pool of roughly 27,000 military and civilian personnel on five major installations , along with 72 satellites and their supporting networks .
There are more than 48,000 military and civilian space professionals in the Defense Department , and Raymond ’ s vision is to take just 15,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the size of the Coast Guard .
With a 1-in-3 chance of snagging one of those billets , the personnel and the Space Force that emerge from that competition will have an elite foundation and a compelling culture that fights for excellence .
Like the other four services within the Defense Department , the mission of the Space Force is to organize , train , and equip forces that protect U.S. and allied interests in specific domains .
The Space Force ’ s domain encompasses all the others , and the capabilities it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others on land , at sea , and in the air .
Every combatant commander will depend on the seamless communications , precision navigation , weather forecasting , real-time intelligence , and targeting that space professionals and space-borne assets provide .
However , Space Command , the newest of the 11 combatant commands , will receive the bulk of those assets and capabilities to ensure America continues to dominate the critical domain of space .
In its first year , the Space Force stood up its headquarters in the Pentagon and began designing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has just four levels , including that of the chief of space operations .
That would be Raymond .
The three major field commands that fall directly under Raymond are Space Operations Command , Space Systems Command , and Space Training and Readiness Command .
Each of those major field commands will be headed by a three-star general whose command will encompass the third tier of the diagram : Delta and Garrison commands .
The lowest command level , squadrons , will report to the Delta and Garrison level .
If that description @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hair loss associated with not just designing that structure , but also filling it .
The first major field command , Space Operations , stood up in Colorado Springs in October , with the other two set to follow in 2021 .
Two Garrison and nine Delta commands are up and running , operating primarily with personnel who still belong to one of the other services .
The actual transfer of personnel from the Air Force into the Space Force has been done methodically to ensure no balls get dropped .
Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just under 10,000 military and civilian personnel in the current fiscal year and , to date , just over 2,000 have made that transition .
With a little luck , the Space Force will complete the transfer of selected Air Force personnel into its ranks by the end of September 2021 , and then it can start looking at the other services and agencies .
There are an additional 21,000-plus space professionals and some 95 satellites within the Defense Department that are outside the Department of the Air Force .
And , once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2022 , the Space Force can begin drawing from those organizations to complete its portfolio .
Until then , it will continue providing warfighters with exceptional capabilities , while it refines warfighting doctrine , system requirements , and the acquisition process that will continue to outpace the ever-growing threat from Russia and China .
There ’ s still a lot of growth ahead , but at the ripe old age of 1 , there ’ s already so much to be proud of .
So , go ahead , space professionals : Take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve done .
Happy birthday , Space Force !
John Venable , who served 25 years in the Air Force , is a senior research fellow for defense policy at The Heritage Foundation .

The U.S. Space Force celebrated its first birthday on Dec. 20.
Through a year of news cycles dominated by coronavirus-driven lockdowns and the presidential election, you might have lost track of just how much progress this youngster has made, but its accomplishments are worth more than a passing glance.
The Two Huge Goals of Space Force
From his first moments in charge of the force, Air Force Gen. John Raymond began establishing the culture of the Space Force by setting two huge goals; namely, delivering unrivaled dominance in space while keeping the service lean.
In the founding legislation, signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act on Dec. 20, 2019, Congress limited the people, facilities, and assets the new service could draw on to just those that reside within the Air Force.
That equates to a pool of roughly 27,000 military and civilian personnel on five major installations, along with 72 satellites and their supporting networks.
There are more than 48,000 military and civilian space professionals in the Defense Department, and Raymond’s vision is to take just 15,000 of them to build a service one-third the size of the Coast Guard.
With a 1-in-3 chance of snagging one of those billets, the personnel and the Space Force that emerge from that competition will have an elite foundation and a compelling culture that fights for excellence.
The Space Force Mission
Like the other four services within the Defense Department, the mission of the Space Force is to organize, train, and equip forces that protect U.S. and allied interests in specific domains. The Space Force’s domain encompasses all the others, and the capabilities it provides allow our combatants to dominate all others on land, at sea, and in the air.
Every combatant commander will depend on the seamless communications, precision navigation, weather forecasting, real-time intelligence, and targeting that space professionals and space-borne assets provide.
However, Space Command, the newest of the 11 combatant commands, will receive the bulk of those assets and capabilities to ensure America continues to dominate the critical domain of space.
In its first year, the Space Force stood up its headquarters in the Pentagon and began designing an organizational structure — a diagram that has just four levels, including that of the chief of space operations. That would be Raymond.
The three major field commands that fall directly under Raymond are Space Operations Command, Space Systems Command, and Space Training and Readiness Command.
Each of those major field commands will be headed by a three-star general whose command will encompass the third tier of the diagram: Delta and Garrison commands. The lowest command level, squadrons, will report to the Delta and Garrison level.
Space Force Up and Running
If that description makes your head hurt, just imagine the hair loss associated with not just designing that structure, but also filling it. In such cases, you could take the help of https://www.numan.com/hair-loss/minoxidil
The first major field command, Space Operations, stood up in Colorado Springs in October, with the other two set to follow in 2021. Two Garrison and nine Delta commands are up and running, operating primarily with personnel who still belong to one of the other services.
The actual transfer of personnel from the Air Force into the Space Force has been done methodically to ensure no balls get dropped. Congress has authorized the service to grow to just under 10,000 military and civilian personnel in the current fiscal year and, to date, just over 2,000 have made that transition.
With a little luck, the Space Force will complete the transfer of selected Air Force personnel into its ranks by the end of September 2021, and then it can start looking at the other services and agencies.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
There are an additional 21,000-plus space professionals and some 95 satellites within the Defense Department that are outside the Department of the Air Force. And, once Congress gives the nod some time in 2022, the Space Force can begin drawing from those organizations to complete its portfolio.
Until then, it will continue providing warfighters with exceptional capabilities, while it refines warfighting doctrine, system requirements, and the acquisition process that will continue to outpace the ever-growing threat from Russia and China.
There’s still a lot of growth ahead, but at the ripe old age of 1, there’s already so much to be proud of. So, go ahead, space professionals: Take a minute and celebrate what you’ve done. Happy birthday, Space Force!
John Venable, who served 25 years in the Air Force, is a senior research fellow for defense policy at The Heritage Foundation.


thestream--2020-12-21--A Messy Calling, a Merry Christmas

A Messy Calling, a Merry Christmas

It may feel like responding to the call of God in Jesus makes your life more difficult rather than easier .
Perhaps we find ourselves living with convictions and behaviors that are different from everyone around us .
That can be a difficult path .
Mind you , it is relatively easy to be a Christian here in Canada compared to other parts of the world — where your family may disown you , your community may shun you , the authorities may arrest and imprison you , and someone may kill you .
Isn ’ t religion supposed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Isn ’ t God supposed to make your life , well , “ cushy ?
” When it comes to Christmas and we think of Mary , Joseph and baby Jesus , we might get these nice sentimental visions of what it was like .
We imagine the beautiful scenes we see in Christmas cards .
Was it so beautiful and nice ?
Let us focus on Mary .
She was very young , and this was what we would call an unwanted pregnancy .
Imagine how Mary must have felt in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was pregnant , and that there was no man involved .
Perhaps we imagine that family members would be overjoyed at the news ?
Remember that Joseph did not believe Mary until an angel convinced him that Mary was speaking the truth .
Imagine how that first conversation must have gone , how Mary must have felt in breaking the news to a doubting Joseph .
That must not have been easy .
We are not told that any other family members get clued in by an angel apart from Elizabeth and Zechariah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went very quickly to visit Elizabeth .
Perhaps Elizabeth was the only family member who would show some understanding .
The fact that Joseph needed an angel to clue him in should indicate to us how most people would have reacted to Mary ’ s news — “ yeah right , Mary !
” Thanks to the Romans , Mary and Joseph had to make the trek to their ancestral home .
And then there was no room for them in the inn .
Great timing .
Then there is flight to Egypt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this infant king .
Joseph and Mary become refugees .
Then there is a return — not to Bethlehem , for there is still some danger there — but to Galilee .
Will they be accepted ?
Is the rumor mill still working overtime ?
Some Bible scholars point out that rumors seemed to persist into Jesus ’ adulthood .
Thus far it would seem that God has called Mary to walk a very difficult path .
Strikingly , before they flee there is an ominous prophecy from a man named Simeon about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blessed them and said to his mother Mary , ‘ This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel , and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed — and a sword will pierce your own soul too.
’ ” ( Luke 2:34-35 NRSV , emphasis added ) Jesus taught and performed miracles for three years .
For those three years , Mary watched the opposition to Jesus grow .
Jesus was strongly opposed in his own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt at that .
Jesus was arrested , charged , tortured and killed .
Just imagine what Mary was going through .
Indeed a sword would pierce her soul .
Mary had this awesome calling of being the mother of Jesus .
Mary had this awful calling of being the mother of Jesus .
We have an awesome calling from God .
Sometimes it can feel like we have an awful calling from God .
It can feel like a more difficult path to follow than if we were to find our own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Our Own Path ?
Though it was the difficult path , through responding to the call of God , Mary had the opportunity to participate in the unleashing of God ’ s love .
Mary was called by God to walk a hard road — a messy road , yes .
But it was a road that would lead to things being better for so many others .
It was a road of love .
At Christmas , we see the love of God expressed in the incarnation of God , through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of participating in the unleashing of God ’ s love on the world .
Jesus , of course , had a messy calling .
He faced disbelief , opposition , arrest , torture and execution .
But he wouldn ’ t have it any other way .
It was the way of love .
It was a difficult path , but a path that led to God ’ s love being unleashed .
It was a rough road for Jesus , but a road that led to blessing for so many .
Mary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the way of love before picking up your cross and following was a thing .
Do we pick up our cross and follow ?
Do we center our lives on God ’ s will , difficult though it may be , so that God ’ s love can be poured out on others ?
Our expression of Christianity can become quite self-centered , self-obsessed even .
We can become like the rich man : “ As he was setting out on a journey , a man ran up and knelt before him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Teacher , what must I do to inherit eternal life ?
’ ” ( Mark 10:17 ) Do you notice the self-centredness of that question ?
It was all about him and all about what he could get from God .
This often seems to be the case today .
“ How can I get to heaven ?
” That is a question we preacher types want people to ask us .
Yet it is kinda self-obsessed if it is the only question .
Notice how Jesus gets the rich man to refocus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Teacher , I have kept all these since my youth.
’ Jesus , looking at him , loved him and said , ‘ You lack one thing ; go , sell what you own , and give the money to the poor , and you will have treasure in heaven ; then come , follow me.
’ ” ( Mark 10:20-21 ) Jesus gives an answer that calls the rich man to think about others .
In fact , we could say that Jesus changed the question .
The question Jesus answered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see the love of God unleashed through my life ?
” In this rich man ’ s case , the answer is be generous .
What is the answer to that question in your life , and mine ?
What might God ’ s call on your life be ?
It might be to dive deeper into a marriage relationship .
Given the sacrifice involved , it may be the harder road .
But love will be unleashed .
It might be to take a deeper dive into parenting , and again the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be unleashed .
It might be to live out the single life in a kingdom-building way .
There will be sacrifices along the way , but love will be unleashed .
It might be to ask forgiveness from someone .
That can be difficult .
But love will be unleashed .
It might be to forgive someone .
That can be a hard thing to do .
But love will be unleashed .
It might be to speak out against racism .
It might be to speak up for a people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be to express a greater generosity of time , or talents , or treasure .
It might be to deeper prayerfulness .
It might be to helping the oppressed .
It might be praying for the oppressors .
It might be seeking help .
All of these things can be a difficult path to walk .
But love will be unleashed .
For some people around the world it is to remain faithful to Jesus even under threat of death .
Evil still abounds .
Yet love is unleashed .
Jesus took the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by doing so , he blessed us .
Mary picked up her cross and followed before picking up a cross and following was a thing .
Her life , though difficult , led to God ’ s love being unleashed .
Jesus calls us to pick up our cross and follow .
It may be the more difficult path , the road less taken .
But it will be the better road — opening up blessings for others , unleashing God ’ s love .
When we follow God ’ s calling for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives better right now , if we define better as easier or cushier , but it will make life better for others in the long run .
It is the path on which love wins .
It is the path along which God ’ s love is unleashed .
Clarke is the pastor of Calvary Baptist in Cobourg , Ontario .
He blogs at clarkedixon.wordpress.com .

It may feel like responding to the call of God in Jesus makes your life more difficult rather than easier. Perhaps we find ourselves living with convictions and behaviors that are different from everyone around us. That can be a difficult path. Mind you, it is relatively easy to be a Christian here in Canada compared to other parts of the world — where your family may disown you, your community may shun you, the authorities may arrest and imprison you, and someone may kill you.
Isn’t religion supposed to make your life better, not worse? Isn’t God supposed to make your life, well, “cushy?”
Consider Mary’s Calling
When it comes to Christmas and we think of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, we might get these nice sentimental visions of what it was like. We imagine the beautiful scenes we see in Christmas cards. Was it so beautiful and nice?
Let us focus on Mary. She was very young, and this was what we would call an unwanted pregnancy. Imagine how Mary must have felt in realizing she had to tell people she was pregnant, and that there was no man involved. Perhaps we imagine that family members would be overjoyed at the news? Remember that Joseph did not believe Mary until an angel convinced him that Mary was speaking the truth. Imagine how that first conversation must have gone, how Mary must have felt in breaking the news to a doubting Joseph. That must not have been easy. We are not told that any other family members get clued in by an angel apart from Elizabeth and Zechariah. Perhaps that is the reason Mary went very quickly to visit Elizabeth. Perhaps Elizabeth was the only family member who would show some understanding. The fact that Joseph needed an angel to clue him in should indicate to us how most people would have reacted to Mary’s news — “yeah right, Mary!”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Thanks to the Romans, Mary and Joseph had to make the trek to their ancestral home. And then there was no room for them in the inn. Great timing. Then there is flight to Egypt, because Herod is out to kill this infant king. Joseph and Mary become refugees.
Then there is a return — not to Bethlehem, for there is still some danger there — but to Galilee. Will they be accepted? Is the rumor mill still working overtime? Some Bible scholars point out that rumors seemed to persist into Jesus’ adulthood.
Thus far it would seem that God has called Mary to walk a very difficult path. Strikingly, before they flee there is an ominous prophecy from a man named Simeon about what lay ahead:
“Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed — and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’” (Luke 2:34-35 NRSV, emphasis added)
Jesus taught and performed miracles for three years. For those three years, Mary watched the opposition to Jesus grow. Jesus was strongly opposed in his own hometown. Imagine how Mary would have felt at that.
Jesus was arrested, charged, tortured and killed. Just imagine what Mary was going through. Indeed a sword would pierce her soul.
Mary had this awesome calling of being the mother of Jesus. Mary had this awful calling of being the mother of Jesus.
We have an awesome calling from God. Sometimes it can feel like we have an awful calling from God. It can feel like a more difficult path to follow than if we were to find our own way.
So Why Not Just Stay on Our Own Path?
Though it was the difficult path, through responding to the call of God, Mary had the opportunity to participate in the unleashing of God’s love.
Mary was called by God to walk a hard road — a messy road, yes. But it was a road that would lead to things being better for so many others. It was a road of love. At Christmas, we see the love of God expressed in the incarnation of God, through Jesus. Mary had the amazing opportunity of participating in the unleashing of God’s love on the world.
Jesus, of course, had a messy calling. He faced disbelief, opposition, arrest, torture and execution. But he wouldn’t have it any other way. It was the way of love. It was a difficult path, but a path that led to God’s love being unleashed. It was a rough road for Jesus, but a road that led to blessing for so many.
Mary picked up her cross and followed Jesus in the way of love before picking up your cross and following was a thing. Do we pick up our cross and follow? Do we center our lives on God’s will, difficult though it may be, so that God’s love can be poured out on others?
Our expression of Christianity can become quite self-centered, self-obsessed even. We can become like the rich man:
“As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’” (Mark 10:17)
Do you notice the self-centredness of that question? It was all about him and all about what he could get from God. This often seems to be the case today. “How can I get to heaven?” That is a question we preacher types want people to ask us. Yet it is kinda self-obsessed if it is the only question. Notice how Jesus gets the rich man to refocus:
“He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’” (Mark 10:20-21)
Jesus calls us to pick up our cross and follow. It may be the more difficult path, the road less taken. But it will be the better road — opening up blessings for others, unleashing God’s love.
Jesus gives an answer that calls the rich man to think about others. In fact, we could say that Jesus changed the question. The question Jesus answered is “what can I do to see the love of God unleashed through my life?” In this rich man’s case, the answer is be generous. What is the answer to that question in your life, and mine?
God’s Call on Your Life
What might God’s call on your life be? It might be to dive deeper into a marriage relationship. Given the sacrifice involved, it may be the harder road. But love will be unleashed. It might be to take a deeper dive into parenting, and again the sacrifice may be huge. But love will be unleashed. It might be to live out the single life in a kingdom-building way. There will be sacrifices along the way, but love will be unleashed. It might be to ask forgiveness from someone. That can be difficult. But love will be unleashed. It might be to forgive someone. That can be a hard thing to do. But love will be unleashed. It might be to speak out against racism. It might be to speak up for a people who are on the margins. It might be to express a greater generosity of time, or talents, or treasure. It might be to deeper prayerfulness. It might be to helping the oppressed. It might be praying for the oppressors. It might be seeking help. All of these things can be a difficult path to walk. But love will be unleashed. For some people around the world it is to remain faithful to Jesus even under threat of death. Evil still abounds. Yet love is unleashed.
Jesus took the difficult path of the cross — and by doing so, he blessed us. Mary picked up her cross and followed before picking up a cross and following was a thing. Her life, though difficult, led to God’s love being unleashed. Jesus calls us to pick up our cross and follow. It may be the more difficult path, the road less taken. But it will be the better road — opening up blessings for others, unleashing God’s love.
When we follow God’s calling for us, it may not make our lives better right now, if we define better as easier or cushier, but it will make life better for others in the long run. It is the path on which love wins. It is the path along which God’s love is unleashed.
(The full reflection can be seen as part of this “online worship expression.”)
Clarke is the pastor of Calvary Baptist in Cobourg, Ontario. He blogs at clarkedixon.wordpress.com.
Originally published on Clarke’s blog. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-12-21--Stonewalling and Intimidation: Democrats Not Interested In Showing the Election Was Clean

I know I ’ m not the brightest bulb on the tree , but I am getting the impression Democrats don ’ t want us to know the truth about the election .
Let ’ s take a look at a couple stories lost in the holiday shuffle .
Last week , the Arizona State Senate served the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors with a subpoena , ordering Dominion voting machines in the county secured , a forensic audit and a scanned ballot audit .
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors ignored the subpoena .
In fact , they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now why in the world would they want to block an effort to examine Dominion voting machines ?
What skin is it off their back ?
It ’ s not like they ’ d be the ones forced to give up holiday time to do the technical analysis .
Seems worth it to have a few tech geeks put down the egg nog for a couple days just to assure voters the machines were clean and not compromised .
With Christmas parties cancelled , and travel discouraged , what else they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maricopa County officials are blocking the road to truth .
Why ?
See No Fraud , Hear No Fraud You know why .
They saw the results of a similar audit in Antrim , Michigan .
That forensic audit revealed a 68 % error rate — which allows for the manual “ adjudication ” of ballots — deleted security and adjudication logs , vote switching functions enabled , and on and on .
In fact , Russell Ramsland Jr. revealed Saturday that the redacted parts of this company ’ s analysis indicate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Perhaps the Maricop-outs also saw a new analysis that indicates Joe Biden received an average of 5 % more votes on Dominion machines than he did on other voting systems .
Well , except for the HART InterCivic voting system .
Old Joe got 6 % more on those machines .
Guess who bought HART just a couple months ago ?
Delvin Talbott , the son of Clinton Machine fixture Strome Talbott .
You knew Hillary had to be in the election debacle mix somewhere .
Incidentally , HART was one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 report on lack of election security .
This analysis echoes the findings of insurance fraud investigator Ben Turner , who calculated Biden got a 2 % -3 % vote shift in counties that used Dominion machines .
Joe Biden ’ s margin of “ victory ” in Arizona is only 10,457 votes .
Maricopa County doesn ’ t want anyone looking at the machines that generated that tally .
Does their stonewalling make you more confident or less confident the election was on the up-and-up ?
Michigan Secretary of State Official Seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Michigan Secretary of State ’ s office is caught on video displaying a shocking lack of interest in voter fraud .
It happened during a “ risk-limited audit ” in Antrim County .
As Gateway Pundit reports , a male ballot counter from Central Lake Township notes “ multiple ballots with same signature.
” Matthew DePerno puts the figure at 138 ballots .
However , this female official insists those dubious ballots be counted .
A female counter asks “ So when we ’ re done with the audit , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fact that we have multiple ballots with the very same signature ?
” she asks .
Nothing doing .
When the two counters press the issue , they are again shut down .
“ That is not the process.
” Actually , this is the third video in Gateway Pundit ‘ s report .
The first two show other shenanigans during that “ risk-limited audit.
” Naturally , Michigan ’ s Secretary of State office is dubbing the article “ Misinformation.
” That ’ s the buzz-word workshopped before the election for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that Joe Biden won the election legitimately .
Two whistleblowers in Georgia who swear they saw election wrongdoing are paying the price of coming forward , Epoch Times is reporting .
Bridget Thorne and Susan Voyles witnessed abnormal activity during the election in Fulton County .
Now both have been dumped as poll workers .
Just weeks before the Senate run-offs .
Dwight Brower , elections consultant for the Fulton County Department of Registration and Election , notified the woman via email their contracts aren ’ t being renewed .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my being honest , ” Voyles says .
“ In that oath , we say that I will , to the best of my abilities , make sure there is no fraud , deceit — it kind of goes on down like this , ” Voyles said .
“ So I saw what I was doing was an extension of my job as a poll manager .
In other words , I had seen fraud , I had seen deceit , I had seen the things that in our poll reading we were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report if we see them .
I did , and in this case , at this point , the truth was not received well.
” Voyles swears in her her affidavit and in public testimony before state lawmakers that she found a batch of “ pristine ” ballots that were all marked exactly the same .
No customary folds or bent edges .
Approximately 98 percent of that batch were for Joe Biden .
Nobody gets 98 % , unless your name is Saddam Hussein .
Thorne was a Fulton County voting technician @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Farm Arena were mishandled .
“ When they came in from the warehouse , they were haphazardly treated by anybody who wanted to dump the ballots out of the scanner tabulators , ” Thorne told Fox & Friends .
“ There weren ’ t two people present .
People were just dumping them in suitcases and then leaving the suitcases on the floor , and taking a break for dinner or just quitting the job.
” State Farm Arena was the scene of the infamous fake water pipe break and setting for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican and media observers were sent home .
Even Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger , whose own election actions have been dubious , wants the workers rehired .
“ I condemn in the strongest terms the decision by Fulton County elections officials to fire two poll managers purely for raising concerns about the November elections , ” Raffensperger Friday .
Raffensberger insists there ’ s no “ widespread ” election fraud in Georgia .
( Of course , admitting the state was stolen would mean confessing he failed at his job miserably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ask the obvious question as to why two whistleblowers would be axed ?
Intimidation .
Two of the most public witnesses to Fulton County misdeeds have been figuratively hanged in the public square .
What does that say to others who have proof of fraud but haven ’ t yet come forward ?
Who is going to risk his job – to say nothing of harassment and threats – especially when it seems cries of fraud fall on deaf ears ?
Dispatching of pesky whistleblowers sends a very clear message : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message is also being heard by poll workers who will be working the Senate run-off .
Can anyone say “ election interference ” ? )
Don ’ t examine the election equipment you paid for .
Don ’ t discard the fraudulent ballots you spotted .
Don ’ t speak out on the misdeeds you witnesses .
Don ’ t believe your own eyes .
Don ’ t pursue the truth .
Don ’ t dare question .
That is the message from the party that insists this election was on the level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not America .
For this reason alone , it is crucial and in the best spirit of our nation that President Trump not give up the fight .
Fortunately , Trump is clearly in no mood to surrender .
The President of the United States calling on his supporters to muster in Washington , to shout across the Swamp for Election Justice .
January 6th is the day Congress meets to accept — or challenge — the electoral vote .
Throw in a mass protest by patriots , and the day will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If we can not secure this election tally , we can not guarantee we ’ ll ever again be able to secure our liberty .
For ourselves or anyone else .
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author , with @ JZmirak , of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration .
You can follow him at @ StreamingAl .
And if you aren ’ t already , please follow The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

I know I’m not the brightest bulb on the tree, but I am getting the impression Democrats don’t want us to know the truth about the election.
Let’s take a look at a couple stories lost in the holiday shuffle.
Maricopa County Election Officials Ignore Subpoena on Dominion Machines
Last week, the Arizona State Senate served the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors with a subpoena, ordering Dominion voting machines in the county secured, a forensic audit and a scanned ballot audit.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors ignored the subpoena. In fact, they are going to court to block the subpoena. Now why in the world would they want to block an effort to examine Dominion voting machines? What skin is it off their back? It’s not like they’d be the ones forced to give up holiday time to do the technical analysis. Seems worth it to have a few tech geeks put down the egg nog for a couple days just to assure voters the machines were clean and not compromised.
With Christmas parties cancelled, and travel discouraged, what else do they have to do anyway?
But no, Maricopa County officials are blocking the road to truth. Why?
See No Fraud, Hear No Fraud
You know why. They saw the results of a similar audit in Antrim, Michigan. That forensic audit revealed a 68% error rate — which allows for the manual “adjudication” of ballots — deleted security and adjudication logs, vote switching functions enabled, and on and on. In fact, Russell Ramsland Jr. revealed Saturday that the redacted parts of this company’s analysis indicate the results of some down-ballot races were switched.
Perhaps the Maricop-outs also saw a new analysis that indicates Joe Biden received an average of 5% more votes on Dominion machines than he did on other voting systems.
Well, except for the HART InterCivic voting system. Old Joe got 6% more on those machines. Guess who bought HART just a couple months ago? Delvin Talbott, the son of Clinton Machine fixture Strome Talbott. You knew Hillary had to be in the election debacle mix somewhere. Incidentally, HART was one of the companies NBC News highlighted in its 2019 report on lack of election security.
This analysis echoes the findings of insurance fraud investigator Ben Turner, who calculated Biden got a 2%-3% vote shift in counties that used Dominion machines.
Joe Biden’s margin of “victory” in Arizona is only 10,457 votes.
Maricopa County doesn’t want anyone looking at the machines that generated that tally. Does their stonewalling make you more confident or less confident the election was on the up-and-up?
Michigan Secretary of State Official Seems to Want Illegal Ballots Counted
An official with the Michigan Secretary of State’s office is caught on video displaying a shocking lack of interest in voter fraud.
It happened during a “risk-limited audit” in Antrim County.
As Gateway Pundit reports, a male ballot counter from Central Lake Township notes “multiple ballots with same signature.” Matthew DePerno puts the figure at 138 ballots. However, this female official insists those dubious ballots be counted.
A female counter asks “So when we’re done with the audit, there’s still the opportunity to challenge the fact that we have multiple ballots with the very same signature?” she asks.
Nothing doing. When the two counters press the issue, they are again shut down. “That is not the process.”
WATCH:
Actually, this is the third video in Gateway Pundit‘s report. The first two show other shenanigans during that “risk-limited audit.”
Naturally, Michigan’s Secretary of State office is dubbing the article “Misinformation.” That’s the buzz-word workshopped before the election for any evidence which contradicts the official story, that Joe Biden won the election legitimately.
Georgia Whistleblowers Punished
Two whistleblowers in Georgia who swear they saw election wrongdoing are paying the price of coming forward, Epoch Times is reporting.
Bridget Thorne and Susan Voyles witnessed abnormal activity during the election in Fulton County. Now both have been dumped as poll workers. Just weeks before the Senate run-offs.
Dwight Brower, elections consultant for the Fulton County Department of Registration and Election, notified the woman via email their contracts aren’t being renewed.
“I see it as a direct consequence of my being honest,” Voyles says.
Reports the Epoch Times:
“In that oath, we say that I will, to the best of my abilities, make sure there is no fraud, deceit — it kind of goes on down like this,” Voyles said. “So I saw what I was doing was an extension of my job as a poll manager. In other words, I had seen fraud, I had seen deceit, I had seen the things that in our poll reading we were warned to stay away from and to report if we see them. I did, and in this case, at this point, the truth was not received well.”
An East German or Iraqi-Style Election
Voyles swears in her her affidavit and in public testimony before state lawmakers that she found a batch of “pristine” ballots that were all marked exactly the same. No customary folds or bent edges. Approximately 98 percent of that batch were for Joe Biden.
Nobody gets 98%, unless your name is Saddam Hussein.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Thorne was a Fulton County voting technician. She testifies that ballots at State Farm Arena were mishandled.
“When they came in from the warehouse, they were haphazardly treated by anybody who wanted to dump the ballots out of the scanner tabulators,” Thorne told Fox & Friends. “There weren’t two people present. People were just dumping them in suitcases and then leaving the suitcases on the floor, and taking a break for dinner or just quitting the job.”
State Farm Arena was the scene of the infamous fake water pipe break and setting for the video proof of questionable vote processing after Republican and media observers were sent home.
Even Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, whose own election actions have been dubious, wants the workers rehired.
“I condemn in the strongest terms the decision by Fulton County elections officials to fire two poll managers purely for raising concerns about the November elections,” Raffensperger Friday.
Raffensberger insists there’s no “widespread” election fraud in Georgia. (Of course, admitting the state was stolen would mean confessing he failed at his job miserably.) But is he even bothering to ask the obvious question as to why two whistleblowers would be axed?
“Shut Up,” They Explained
Intimidation. Two of the most public witnesses to Fulton County misdeeds have been figuratively hanged in the public square. What does that say to others who have proof of fraud but haven’t yet come forward? Who is going to risk his job – to say nothing of harassment and threats – especially when it seems cries of fraud fall on deaf ears?
Dispatching of pesky whistleblowers sends a very clear message: “KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT.” (The message is also being heard by poll workers who will be working the Senate run-off. Can anyone say “election interference”?)
The Sound of Democracy Dying
Don’t examine the election equipment you paid for. Don’t discard the fraudulent ballots you spotted. Don’t speak out on the misdeeds you witnesses. Don’t believe your own eyes. Don’t pursue the truth. Don’t dare question.
Don’t fight, Chump.
That is the message from the party that insists this election was on the level. That is not democracy. That is not America.
For this reason alone, it is crucial and in the best spirit of our nation that President Trump not give up the fight. Fortunately, Trump is clearly in no mood to surrender.
On Saturday, Trump tweeted.
Peter Navarro releases 36-page report alleging election fraud 'more than sufficient' to swing victory to Trump https://t.co/D8KrMHnFdK. A great report by Peter. Statistically impossible to have lost the 2020 Election. Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 19, 2020
The President of the United States calling on his supporters to muster in Washington, to shout across the Swamp for Election Justice. January 6th is the day Congress meets to accept — or challenge — the electoral vote. Throw in a mass protest by patriots, and the day will, indeed, “be wild.”
If we cannot secure this election tally, we cannot guarantee we’ll ever again be able to secure our liberty. For ourselves or anyone else.
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author, with @JZmirak, of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration. You can follow him at @StreamingAl. And if you aren’t already, please follow The Stream at @Streamdotorg.