From My Perspective - - -
Being ignored, mistreated, disregarded, seen as inconsequential, or treated in a non-sequitur manner – leaves one on the edge of frustration, despair, hopelessness, and utter disenfranchisement. This sense and experience can happen when the AARP sends out a letter stating: “Over the last several months, AARP has fought hard for crucial components of health reform that will improve the health and lives of our members and their families. The House of Representatives will vote on a final bill this week that includes key priorities for older Americans. That's why we've chosen to support the legislation about to be voted on by the House – AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR AMERICA ACT. We believe it protects and strengthens Medicare, and ensures that your care will never take a back seat to insurance companies' profits.” Someone indignantly responded to the AARP with the following words: “You DID NOT take a stand for me - you have misrepresented the Senior Citizens of this nation! How dare YOU SAY that YOU represented me - YOU have not listened to the Senior Citizens and do not care what they think!” News Releases indicate that AARP and the American Medical Association are both endorsing the Health Care For America Act.
The Dispassionate Disconnect occurs when the 53% who pay taxes do not get a receptive audience, whereas the 43% who pay No Federal Tax become the reference darlings of the Redistribution of Wealth Elected Officials presently in Congress. There are many who have paid Federal Taxes all of their adult lives who now observe a nation recklessly increasing spending to a level that will produce a National Debt that will be impossible to pay down or reduce. The United States Department of the Treasury has an informative Web Site on The History of Taxation. One of the many interesting paragraphs indicates: “By 1913, 36 States had ratified the 16th Amendment to the Constitution. In October, Congress passed a new Income Tax law with rates beginning at 1 percent and rising to 7 percent for taxpayers with income in excess of $500,000. Less than 1 percent of the population paid income tax at the time. Form 1040 was introduced as the standard tax reporting form and, though changed in many ways over the years, remains in use today.” The Tax Policy Center (a joint venture of the Urban Institute and the Brookings Institution) writes about the overall disparity in current Tax Law: “…between 43% and 49% of the American population pays no income tax and a substantial number actually receive negative income tax federal payouts…In 2009 approximately 47% of single filers, 38% of joint filers, and 72% of heads of households will pay no federal income taxes.”
Some years ago, a clever saying was made into Jewelry (WWJD). The saying asked about life’s situations and contacts: “What Would Jesus Do?” We know what Jesus would do – and what he wants us to do - in terms of the needy. MATTHEW 6:1-4 (NIV) – “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do…to be honored by men…when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret…” This same passage from The Message: “Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but God…won't be applauding. When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action – playactors…acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause…but that's all they get. When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. Just do it - quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.”
Words must be accompanied with Actions! In JAMES 2:15-16, the question is asked: “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” While our Government is caught up in its rhetoric and showing Dispassionate Disconnect, you can and should – as best you can - fill the vacuum and void with Compassionate Connection. Have wisdom and discernment as you distinguish between Need and Greed. Don’t be biased or profile others! Run the Risk of helping those with needs! Consider these things with me!
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