Posted on 03/29/2010 8:34:14 AM PDT by MsLady
Like you,I have long held the belief that members of Congress do not pay into Social Security and could retire after one term. I was asked this question by my wife recently and I told her what I thought, but granted, that I had no first hand knowledge and I would google her inquiry.
This is what I found. http:usgovinfo.about.com/od/uscongress/a/congresspay.htm
According to this site, Congress, as of Jan. 1, 1984 does pay Social Security Taxes on their salary, and “Members of Congress receive retirement and health benefits under the same plans available to other federal employees. They become vested after five years of full participation.”
This does not change my opinion of Congress in general. I still think way too many of it’s members are self-serving, weak spined, egotistical opportunist, that have no intention of upholding the Constitution!
As to the article which is the subject of this thread, I could not agree more. I believe it to be well thought out and presented in a sound and thoughtful manner.
My thanks to the author.
bttt
Of course there are those who will argue, "Well, government health care will free people up to pursue their dreams!" In theory it sounds lovely, but in reality the price of subsidizing on-demand abortion (that's the way it would be) and of giving up control of your own health care choices and hard-earned income to pay for them, it is A RIP-OFF and a selling of souls to evil. No one will be "freed" by it -- they will be enslaved to a culture of Murder of Innocents by Government Largess.
Thanks again for posting this beautiful and smart Christian take on why Christians must reject government-mandated health "care."
Jury Nullification is not just your right. It is your duty.
Nobody should be convicted for refusing to comply with an unconstitutional law.
http://fija.org/2010/03/23/challenge-for-churches-serving-justice-through-conscience/
I agree!!!
Thanks for the link....EXCELLENT!!!
I agree with you that you should have the freedom to not purchase health insurance. If you choose not to purchase insurance as a matter of faith, I hope you also understand that you are obliged to pay for any treatment. It would be moral for you to accept charitable help, but it would NOT be moral to receive treatment at another person’s expense. In other words, if you rack up a couple hundred thousand in medical bills, you are morally obliged to pay them.
The author seems to believe God will provide for him when he needs care. I hope that means what it should, that he believes God will provide charitable help from fellow believers and not that God will provide help from the government (via money taken by force from others) to pay for his treatment.
Just saying...if you are going to use morality to justify not paying for health care and/or refuse the health care fine, then follow Christian principles consistently. Personally, I think we are obliged to follow the law. The fact that government may spend a portion of taxes on something I deem immoral doesn’t mean I can forgo paying taxes. Keep in mind the Roman Empire was undoubtedly immoral and using taxes for immoral purposes, but Christ still said to give unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s.
>>> I believe it’s very possible that in order for the man of sin, anti-christ, to take over the planet, America has to seese to exist the way it is today.
I am in complete agreement with you on this.
This is something i’ve wondered about and foreseen for about 10 years now... just could never imagine how it would happen.
Now I know.
The only slight disagreement I would have with the statement is that it is the removal of the Holy Spirit, Not America that is key to revelation of the anti-christ.
To illustrate the difference and reflect what you are saying, here are the 2 scenarios I see as possible future events:
1: Rapture in the very near term (6 months - 2 yrs) clearing the way for Obama to finish off his plans on America, resulting in it’s destruction almost immediately.
2: Rapture in the mid-long term (2-10 years) preceded by a spiritual re-birth in America, and a catastrophic defeat of the enemy’s plans against America, which clears the way for God’s final push for evangelism and harvest before the tribulation period.
Now, because I have frequently heard within the past 2 years from prophetical and/or charismatic sources, that God is NOT finished with America, and that He wants to clean up the courts for 1... and that God is NOT going to surrender this nation that HE founded through our forefathers, I TEND TO BELIEVE IN SCENARIO #2.
There can be no clearer evidence that we are currently in the midst of a great awakening... whether you call it spiritual or political, or whatever. I for one will be greatly disappointed if we end up leaving this world in defeat... I don’t think that is God’s style.
All it would take for this nation to crumble overnight would be the disappearance of all it’s Christians...
So don’t be too anxious to see us witnessing this nation’s destruction too soon.
Yes you make a really good point. And I also agree with the fact that God founded this country. There is still a good solid remnant that love God and follow after His heart. And I don't think Jesus is coming back for a weak bride. It says the latter house will be greater then the former house. We aren't even close to how the church was in the chapter of Acts yet. But, that could happen quickly.
>>> It says the latter house will be greater then the former house.
What is that reference please? thanks
Haggai 2:9 The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty.”
Interesting... back up a couple of verses...
Hag 2:6 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it [is] a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry [land];
Hag 2:7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.
I really don’t think this particular prophecy was a direct reference to America, but it does portray a pattern where God sets aside His chosen as an example to “the nations”... portraying His Glory as testament to their lost condition.
Another example is sheole... that place in hell described as a paradise fully visible to but inaccessible by those who had rejected God during life.
I guess because of Israel’s rejection of Christ, one could argue that this nation (USA) has served as a standard bearer in Israel’s place until the end times when prophecy states that Israel will recognize Him and realize their error over 2000 years ago in their crucifixion of Jesus.
ANYWAY, what I really wanted to point out as interesting is the parallel that can be drawn between God’s promise here in this prophecy where God would “Shake the nations”, and another prophecy which is yet to be fulfilled in Ezekiel chapter 38. There too, as it is told that many nations will rise together against Israel from the north to invade and plunder... and that God’s response will be so decisive and destructive that it will literally shake the world so that many nations will “Know that He is the Lord”
Yeah... I think victory is afoot...
And oh... btw... that list of nations against Israel in Ezekiel 38?... USA is not listed there either.
Seems to me with all the current actions we have taken and threatened against Israel, that if the specified nations in Ezek 38 were to rise up to invade Israel, we would actually be in there helping them under our current leadership.
Just a little more evidence to me that Obama’s days of power are numbered... and much fewer than he thinks.
What a refreshing article.
Imagine that ~ believing (and demonstrating) that God (not government) is all things to all people.
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