Apparently, today’s Republicans–who sure don’t look like the Republicans I grew up with–are no longer bothering to hide their corruption from public view. All of America has witnessed the travesty of the Senate’s impeachment “trial,” and reports of the party’s operation “Redmap” and other efforts at gerrymandering and voter suppression have become ubiquitous.
Now Politico reports that even garden-variety bribery is out in the open.
Allies of Donald Trump have begun holding events in black communities where organizers lavish praise on the president as they hand out tens of thousands of dollars to lucky attendees.
The first giveaway took place last month in Cleveland, where recipients whose winning tickets were drawn from a bin landed cash gifts in increments of several hundred dollars, stuffed into envelopes. A second giveaway scheduled for this month in Virginia has been postponed, and more are said to be in the works.
The cash giveaways are supposedly under the auspices of an outside charity, the Urban Revitalization Coalition. That stratagem permits donors to remain anonymous and make tax-deductible contributions. (That adds insult to injury–taxpayers are subsidizing partisan bribery.)
One leading legal expert on nonprofit law said the arrangement raises questions about the group’s tax-exempt status, because it does not appear to be vetting the recipients of its money for legitimate charitable need.
“Charities are required to spend their money on charitable and educational activities,” said Marcus Owens, a former director of the Exempt Organizations Division at the Internal Revenue Service who is now in private practice at the law firm Loeb & Loeb. “It’s not immediately clear to me how simply giving money away to people at an event is a charitable act.”
The CEO of the organization is a longtime Trump ally, and the rest of the Politico report is enough to turn your stomach.
But this is hardly the only evidence that the GOP is trading money for votes. Salon has an article documenting contributions to Republican senators in advance of the sham impeachment trial.
President Trump’s legal team made numerous campaign contributions to Republican senators overseeing the impeachment trial.
Former independent counsels Ken Starr and Robert Ray, who both investigated former President Bill Clinton ahead of his impeachment, contributed thousands of dollars to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell last year before they joined the president’s team, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics (CFPR)….
The contributions came months before McConnell bragged to Fox News host Sean Hannity that he would be in “total coordination with the White House counsel’s office and the people who are representing the president in the well of the Senate.”
It would also be enlightening to know how many projects were recently and generously funded by the federal government in states represented by Republican senators–especially purple states.
And I suppose promising that a senator’s head wouldn’t be “on a pike” might be considered a bribe as well..
Along with raising money for senators who will decide his fate, Trump has also been accused of threatening Republicans after a Trump confidant told CBS News that senators were warned: “vote against the president, and your head will be on a pike.”
In all fairness, Trump has never made a secret of his belief that bribery is just part of doing business. According to the Washington Post,
For years, President Trump has criticized a more than 40-year-old law banning companies from bribing foreign officials to win business.
In 2012, he told CNBC that the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act was a “horrible law.” In a 2017 Oval Office meeting, Trump ordered his then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to do away with it.
“It’s just so unfair that American companies aren’t allowed to pay bribes to get business overseas,” Trump said, according to “A Very Stable Genius,” a book by Washington Post reporters Philip Rucker and Carol D. Leonnig that published in January.
White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said recently that the Trump administration is “looking at” making changes to the global anti-bribery law.
Because of course they are.
Honesty, morality and integrity are so last administration.
100 years ago, in Downtown Chicago, The Republican ward healers would give my Greek immigrant grandfather 5 bucks to vote for their guy. My Grandfather took the money and then voted for FDR. Buying votes does not always work so well.
Bad week for liberals: Iowa debacle, fabulous SOTU, greatest economic record in 50 years, Nancy’s hatred and derangement on full display last night,
Trump’s approval at all time high, Acquittal today. If I were a liberal, I’d make up reasons too for T’s success, because socialism and the democratic field of candidates are so exciting ???.
Trump and America for the WIN 2020.
I depart for Tel Aviv this afternoon. Blatant bribery? The President announced the Blueprint for Peace in The Holy Land. Trump and Bibi decided that a win win is to take full possession of the rich green Jordan Valley and give Palestinians strips and blocks of land where even birds don’t fly along the Egyptian border. Then Trump announces he will give the Palestinians $50 billion for economic development paid for by the Arab states. Remember his promise to build a wall on our southern border paid by Mexico? The League of Arab Nations then announced in unison: no pesos for you here, either, Bubba!!! What is even more amazing? Our nation seems to be getting used to it. Shalom.
Regarding the Republican’s “…reports of the party’s operation “Redmap” and other efforts at gerrymandering and voter suppression have become ubiquitous.” Let’s not forget voter purging at and after elections. Compare the “Redmap” situation regarding voter registration and actual votes with the mid-20th Century real estate “Redlining”; also under Republican leadership, to maintain segregation which was a form of voter registration suppression and purging back in the “good old days”.
Today’s blog is Chapter 2, following yesterday’s “Subsidizing Bigotry” which has systematically added new “others” to gerrymander out of, of into, political candidates depending on their personal needs to be elected.
“It would also be enlightening to know how many projects were recently and generously funded by the federal government in states represented by Republican senators–especially purple states.”
It has been many years since I opened my door to find a political candidate or his/her workers getting out among the people to ask their needs and wants as well as inform them of their candidate’s campaign foundation. When this was the norm; there were no bribes offered, neither was lobbying a full-time, highly-paid job to bribe the candidates.
Last night’s Republican stand up/sit down aerobic session, listed as the State of the Union address, was carefully choreographed like a synchronized chorus line as Republicans stood at the end of every third line of Trump’s speech. Bribery by lies, supported by Republican officials to maintain the support of Trump’s public who stand for nothing but fall for everything he says. Trump’s bribery is working; this will become a proven fact when he is acquitted today in the Democratic hard fought Impeachment Inquiry, fact filled hearings and the Senate trial with their verdict announced before it began. Bribery comes in many forms; like the Biblical “wolves in sheep’s clothing”.
al la russia..the type of now legal bribes,via assoc,you establish for the direct idea to sway and bribe..and of course if you dont produce after accepting,what else is the outcome,to the bribed? will it go far enough to sue,retaliate in kind,or really,not so kind..taking advantage of a group in a city we the truckers nicknamed decades ago,, “dirty” i will atest, bribery was a subject i was taught about in public school at a very young age..maybe trumps kids will be the next to smile and say,hey,were just like you,young,and ,(you fill in the hideousness. ) actully, most black people ive spoke with,dont see politics on their radar..most havent even or considered a canidate..im shocked, and cant get around why some didnt even look at the situation..actully they have,its been handed down for gens that you are what you are,and whitey who runs the show,isnt about to help you anywhere,except low wages and exploitation in their quest for recognition. token man carson didnt even make a blip on anyone of colors radar , whatjathink? ive had some lively discussions with black drivers like myself, i do and always leave them thinking when we get back to work. but i always,shake the hands,and thank them for listening..it after all,now is a time to reflect and make a stand,again…free money my ass,and some how out of my ass again…im headed to a newly finished wind farm and moving parts for a crane to another wind farm in okla,seems those workers,are getting a decent wage,and per diem..i didnt even get any housing or per diem,when i was in the oil boom a decade back. so it shows ya,whos winning..the oil field workers are under extreme amount of pressure from employers,i was one,job,safety,blame game,and everyday needs..the wind farm crews,steady, relaxed,hard working,and safe,after all they wont experience a hole blowing out and lives lost,and millions of $ in damage,plus,,its, wind is forever..keep the green new deal alive,and never allow wall street to greed the wages to their pockets..time for change,in both work,eco,and wages..and tell cleveland,free money now, but if trump wins,what will they leave you next?more rust?
Becky,
I any of us rational people were you, we’d get our papers in order for emigration to Somalia where it will be safe from Republicans.
Republicans are compelled to cheat, lie, steal and obfuscate/dupe the unsuspecting fools in our country. Polls aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on. Republicans MUST do these nefarious things because they only serve the rich. The fact that people like Becky continue to support this ugliness and a president who is fundamentally corrupt and a raving psychopath tells rational people how deep the hook of stupidity is set.
Republicans don’t give a single damn about the Constitution. To them it is an impediment to their donors who pay them regularly to do the lying, cheating and destruction of our democratic republic. Becky’s moronic comment about “winning” in 2020 also reflects the blindness of a lemming or a sheep, things Republicans love because they are so easily duped.
Vernon, according to you “ rational” people, climate change and Trump’s horrific policies are ending the world soon (12 years?), so I’m good! I’ll wait it out in my villa in Beaulieu-sur-Mer. ?
Sheila writes, “Honesty, morality and integrity are so last administration.”
I’m not sure I’d heap such praises on the Obama administration and his supportive DNC crowd. There is no honor among thieves, and politicians are nothing more than thieves in suits.
Anyone watching the boots on the ground in the Iowa caucuses was treated to a lack of honesty, immorality, and zero integrity. I wouldn’t accept any results from the Iowa Democratic Party and their fraudulent app funded partially by Biden and Buttigieg.
Max Blumenthal and Lee Fang have been nailing the DNC rather hard the last couple of days.
https://thegrayzone.com/2020/02/04/pro-israel-buttigieg-seth-klarman-iowas-voting-app/
If you go back and read Albert Einstein’s brilliant piece, “Why Socialism,” he explains why Capitalism is “Evil.” The competitive nature of Capitalism destroys the spirituality of our existence, which is meant to be as ONE.
Bribery and kickbacks have always been part of the playbook in both the private and public sectors. In other countries, they have laws against bribing public officials. Not in the Grand Ole Democracy called the USA. Our SCOTUS approved bribes – remember Scalia claimed there is no “quid pro quo” with campaign contributions. Capitalists applauded.
The Republican lawmakers in Indiana responded to their Evangelical base, which insisted that Casinos and Gambling ventures shouldn’t contribute to political campaigns, so they passed a law against it. Theocrats applauded.
However, there are many PACs and the Republican and Democratic Governors Association, which takes donations that can’t be traced. Donors are given secrecy. Cash is even better.
So, does anyone honestly believe that the Irish and Italian mobs who run all the gambling in this state don’t get money to the politicians?
Thanks to Trump and the new GOP, the dog whistles and winks have been tossed out in favor of brazen acts for all to witness, causing the house of cards to crash poetically to the ground. It’s all available to view – the ethical liberals are shocked while the right-wingers applaud in admiration.
I note that we all stand firmly planted on our side of the mountain while we decry the ever increasing divide in our nation. Becky, I’m glad that you at least acknowledge climate change.
Oh Becky Becky Becky, LOL how exciting for you and all of your tribe! How wonderful, finally, you have your long-sought after Messiah, and your new Messiah absolutely reflects his God! And all of you worshipers just feast at the trough of his ever growing mountainous supply of manure! Garbage in garbage out? Absolutely, and it must be such a pleasant and orgasmic feeling to reach this pinnacle of unfathomable ecstasy! You should be proud, your Messiah’s dogma of Moral Turpitude and Debauchery is on full display!
“The bribe blinds clear-sighted men.” (Exodus 23:8) “The bribe blinds the eyes of wise ones.” (Deuteronomy 16:19)
Exodus 23:2 reads; ” You must not follow after the crowd to do evil, and you must not pervert justice by giving testimony to go along with the crowd.”
But hey, the Messiah you replaced, actually discussed this very thing! When a blind man Christ restored site to was thrown out of the temple, Jesus Christ approached those leaders, and this is what ensued, his words as stated in Scripture @ John 9:35-41 which reads; “Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and on finding him, he said: “Are you putting faith in the Son of man?” 36 The man answered: “And who is he, sir, so that I may put faith in him?” 37 Jesus said to him: “You have seen him, and in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” 38 He said: “I do put faith in him, Lord.” And he did obeisance to him. 39 Jesus then said: “For this judgment I came into this world, that those not seeing might see and those seeing might become blind.” 40 Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and they said to him: “We are not blind also, are we?” 41 Jesus said to them: “If you were blind, you would have no sin. But now you say, ‘We see.’ Your sin remains.”
So, you claim you are not blind? So you claim allegiance to your new Messiah? That way you can somehow be absolved? You claim you are enlightened, that you “See?” But even if you claim to See, and claim lack of blindness, then your sin remains intact. Because knowingly committing sin, is not only condemnable, it is also unforgivable as a sin against the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 6:4-6 emphatically reads; “4 For it is impossible to renew again to repentance those who were once lighted up and tasted the heavenly gift and became partakers in the Holy Spirit 5 and tasted God’s good word and the powers of a future age, 6 and have gone off the track; men that are recrucifying the Son of God for themselves and making a spectacle of him.”
So when you abandon the scriptural Messiah for your new model, there is no longer any repentance left! That means no matter what you do, you cannot repent for this particular sin! So the die is cast for those individuals. Of course I’m sure the new Messiah’s followers have deluded themselves into believing that he is the Savior, but that was foretold by some of the last of Christ’s apostles.
There is a reason why Jesus Christ was known as the great Shepherd, as we emphatically read at John 10:10-12; ” The thief does not come unless it is to steal and slay and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance. 11 I am the fine shepherd; the fine shepherd surrenders his life in behalf of the sheep. 12 The hired man, who is not a shepherd and to whom the sheep do not belong, sees the wolf coming and abandons the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.”
So yes, your Messiah has come along as the thief, and you are ecstatic, because he is only your Messiah and not the Messiah of everyone, and your Messiah has come to steal, slay, and destroy! Yes, if I were you, I would be proud! What’s not to love about a very temporary rush of power, as verified by man’s historical record all away from the beginning, and then not being written down in the book of life by the person who has the power to resurrect! Yes, you should be proud!
It’s a well known fact that legislators contribute through nonprofits to other senators to vote a certain way. How do legislators get to be so rich off that salary. Corruption is on all levels and it appears
John Sorg,
Nice try at enlightening and shaming Becky, but it’s really hard to do with people whose heads are filled with the broken cinder blocks of ignorance, greed, selfishness and self-righteousness. Becky is merely unwise enough to show the world that she hasn’t had an original thought, or paid any attention to the facts in….probably most of her life. These are the people who will cheer as the Russians take over our government.
Becky,
Trump is not going to win. You might be a fool, but all Republicans are not fools. John Bolton is a prime example.
Hey guys and gals. I for one welcome another view, especially this blog. Becky had the chutzpah to say her piece in a brief paragraph. Some of the rest of you, I swear, must be writing the next chapter for your own edition of Tolstoys War and Peace. Be brief. Be respectful. What Nancy Pelosi did last night was not cool. The Predident showed no class, either. But regulars on this blog can be better.
I’ve come up with a “secret weapon.” Naturally, I can’t disclose it right now.
Norris,
I’m not a regular, but I thought Nancy Pelosi did the right thing. Pacifism isn’t what we need right now. Maybe later.
Speaker Pelosi is under no obligation to applaud anyone who spouts out lies one by one, whatever the setting and whoever is lying. A lie is a lie, and as for respect for the presidency if not the president, Trump has destroyed our sense of presidency with his incessant lying and other anti-social acts. The precedents he is setting may take years to reverse if we are going to rescue the idea of the president as the standard bearer who stands for both our traditional and democratic values. Trump stands for neither. He lives in some parallel universe where facts, truth and law can be managed via alternative treatment to conform to his terminal narcissism.
Todd, excellent link. What tangled webs we weave , when first we practice to deceive. Iowa, had similar issues back in 2016, questionable counting.
It is rather funny, to see and hear all these Reactionary Republicans, accusing Pelosi of a lack of respect and decorum, in favor of the Trumpet, by tearing up his speech. When is last time the Trumpet showed the slightest amount of respect, decorum or dignity toward an opponent??
What the Trumpet Organization is doing, is not any different than when Big Pharma, and the Healthcare Insurance Companies use PACs and Super Pacs to slam Medicare 4 All, or Universal Healthcare.
. . .. and the rest of the Politico report is enough to turn your stomach.
Most everything about the POTUS and the GOP turns my stomach. 🙁
Gerald,
Ditto.
The major factor, in this tragedy, is that the male leadership within the Democratic Party is not as effective as Nancy Pelosi. Apologies to all for my long-standing feminist bias.
I read a great expos’e in the New York TImes today, outlining Deutsche Bank and it’s long history with Trump. It explains a lot about Trump, his affinity for Russia, his coziness with the Saudis, why he his hiding his tax returns, his push to loosen financial regulations, etc…
Bribery is easy to imaging with a past like this and he is setting a good example as leader of the Republican Party.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/04/magazine/deutsche-bank-trump.html
We’re not going to get anywhere until we deal with the “POLITICAL BLACKMAIL” surrounding the long-standing aid to The State of Israel. That’s why the Democratic leadership is so ineffective and results in an idiot like Donald Trump, seemingly, in control.
The Democratic Party motto should be: “In the Land of the Blind, the one-eyed man is king.”
Gerald,
I still think we would make an excellent prosecuting team.
Trump will win today. Tomorrow he can celebrate by opening up his “Bag of Worms.”
Todd, Mr. Smekens!
What a great find! My wife and I were talking about this the other day and we both said there must have been some sort of shenanigans going on. Not a good combination of an evil Messiah in power, and a bunch of knuckleheads chasing windmills at the behest of the wealthy.
Don’t take my word for it Todd, there is something else afoot here, you started the EYE ball rolling with your find, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There seems to be a plan, and it’s going to be interesting to find out how this all is supposed to conclude. Although, it all seems extremely convoluted, I think this is just part of what has been foretold millennia ago! I would suggest everyone strap in, and hopefully you’ve got your lifejackets with you, the rapids are approaching quickly and the Rocky Falls not far ahead of that.
Anyway, thanks a lot Todd!
Todd,
Thanks here too.
To repeat your words: “Thanks to Trump and the new GOP, the dog whistles and winks have been tossed out in favor of brazen acts for all to witness, causing the house of cards to crash poetically to the ground. It’s all available to view – the ethical liberals are shocked while the right-wingers applaud in admiration.”
The Republican Party is gone and has a been replaced by the Trumpublican Party since Trump exercised a hostile takeover in 2015. Actually the GOP were trending in that direction anyway so the takeover didn’t have to overcome much hostility.
Their real platform is to buy and sell power and like all businesses their strategy is to make more money individually now regardless of the impact on any others ever. However because of the laws governing political parties and religions they are not regulated as are obvious businesses. It’s a sweet spot to be in.
The tradition in Europe for centuries was to identify such institutions as aristocracies but that label was short lived in America.
The selling of power is pretty straightforward and the buying is essentially branded marketing prowess untethered to truth. Tell the people whatever it is that they want to hear.
Unfortunately for freedom that relationship to truth is enabled by the traditional culture of sales and politics which has been to tell the truth because credibility is essential, just rarely the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
So as demonstrated by last night’s State of the Business speech truth was a casualty but people who would rather hear what confirms their cultural biases found the words exhilerating regardless of their credibility.
How big is the crowd who love being lied to compared to those who love freedom enough to be skeptical? We’ll know in a few months.
Norris,
1: Silence is deemed approval
2: the greater good should be the priority
3: Demonstrate you are invested
4: Point out and or enlighten facts and figures
5: embolden others to speak
6: refute bogus information
7: Do not agree with the un-agreeable
If you feel you can explain what is happening in 180 or 240 characters or less, go right ahead.
Personally, I don’t believe one can characterize a complete change in this government, along with the obvious conflagration of world governments and religion in general.
If you can explain why that is not good to someone who supports this epic Upheaval Or just wrong in general, knock yourself out, twitter is your stage!
John S.,
I don’t believe Norris is all wrong. However, the situation is such that “you can’t have your cake and eat it too.” TRUMP HAS TO BE STOPPED AT ALL COSTS, STARTING TOMORROW, OR WE CAN FORGET THE FUTURE” [Unless you’re a fucking Nazi like Trump].
Marv and Vernon,
Tolstoy’s War and Peace? In my opinion, a very boring book!
It would seem to me, the evangelical wing, would be Tolstoyan, except for the greed factor and the hypocritical apostasy, LOL!
See Norris, short and sweet!
Marv,
We are not entering, we are officially in the 4th Reich. It is going to be something to witness. If someone believes that what was witnessed last night is not right out of Hitler’s Reichstag speeches, one is ignorant of history! Of course, mortality, man’s limited lifespan, makes ignorance of history and ignorance of fact, dubious at best.
The current Messianic Fuhrer was a very intent student of the previous 3rd Reich Messianic Fuhrer. So one can’t say our current apostate Messiah is not a reader, he was an intense student of the rise of Nazi-ism and its self anointed Messianic King. The dismantling of government, the dismantling of the educational system, the destruction of Germany’s the social safety net that allowed the rulers to pick and choose life or death, and the demonization of the press (Lugenpresse), finding an ethnic and religious foil for contrast against himself, A preoccupation with the military, A preoccupation with arming certain sections of the population, and, not in the least, insane!
Because someone that has the venom and vitriol to speak truth to power in their effort to support a messianic mania, that they feel their freedom of speech rights can tamp down everyone else’s, that absolutely should not be supported!
John Sorg,
While I won’t be so arrogant as to make an assumption on your spiritual condition, I am well aware of my own. I am a sinner, saved by the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross.
I trust HIM alone for my redemption and salvation. “ For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works, lest no one should boast.”
I pray for our country and President Trump every day: that he would seek God’s
wisdom for our country. The president is a flawed man, just like all of us.
God called King David, who was a flawed king, as “a man after God’s own heart.”
Christ alone WILL judge.
“ And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into
the lake of fire” – Rev 20;15
For anyone who is still under the impression that Donald Trump is not a fucking Nazi because he supports Benjamin Netanyahu and has a Jewish son-in-law, then I suggest you read:
“The Transfer Agreement: The Dramatic Story of the Pact between the Third Reich and Jewish Palestine” by Edwin Black (Dialog Press, Washington, D.C., 1983).
An excerpt from Wikipedia:
“This book documents the agreement between Nazi Germany and an organization of German Zionists in 1933 to salvage some German Jewish assets and the voluntary emigration of German Jews to Palestine before the Third Reich implemented expulsion and then extermination. The Transfer Agreement rescued some 60,000 German Jews. A sweeping, worldwide economic boycott of Germany by Jews helped spur a deal between the Nazis and Zionists.”
“The book also documents the controversy within the Zionist movement and Jewish diaspora over the agreement, which Black shows “tore apart the Jewish world in the pre-World War II era”. In particular, it describes the conflict between, on one side, German Zionists and German-descended communal leaders in the US, who argued for the agreement, and, on the other side, the mainstream Eastern European-descended American Jewish Zionist leaders (such as the American Jewish Committee and Jewish War Veterans) who opposed the agreement and argued instead for a full boycott of Nazi Germany.”
Americans better awake before its too late like the last time.
Becky,
For your information: 60% of the Christian churches in Germany voted to be Nazified in the ’30s. The scriptures alone, with nothing else, can be a very dangerous thing, which the world, unfortunately, found out TOO LATE.
We’re now officially in a battle between a new form of Fascism and Democracy. The Democratic Party ALONE can do nothing to counteract the attack. There has to be a complementary platform to ward off the attack and bring back some semblance of equilibrium.
For example, there has never been a COUNTERVAILING FORCE against the Tea Party Movement. I have to laugh when I’m reminded that the press, at one time, actually supported the COFFEE PARTY as a deterrent.
Take a look at the movie “Fail-Safe” or the book by the same name by Professor Harvey Wheeler, who was my partner at The Political Epidemiology Institute, http://www.StrategicPower.org.
It’s the best example, I know of, for understanding the necessity for POLITICAL EQUILIBRIUM and how it was pulled it off, during a dire emergency.
Sheila,
“White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said recently that the Trump administration is “looking at” making changes to the global anti-bribery law.”
I’m still trying to figure out how can we understand and then deal with this horrible mess without making the anti-Semitism worse. That is what’s called a real challenge, if there ever was one.
To again quote Wayne Gretzky, the NHL hockey great:
I (better) skate to where the puck is gonna be, not where it has been (or the game will be over before it even begins).
Yes Trump believes in bribes and seeks to legalise them – an admission that he knows they are ILLEGAL.
I wish the House had sought an article of impeachment based on Trump’s attempt to bribe/extort Ukraine by withholding military aid until an announcement of a Biden investigation was made. Bribery is an explicit cause for impeachment in the Constitution. There’s no denying Trump did it. Trump confessed to it and thought his attempts to seal that deal on a phone call to Ukraine were “perfect” when he said he needed “a favor though”. The public understands what a bribe is, and more of the Senate would have ‘understood’ it too as a result.
How interesting, so you are of the once saved always saved?
Of what benefit is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but he does not have works? That faith cannot save him, can it? 15 If any brothers or sisters are lacking clothing* and enough food for the day, 16 yet one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but you do not give them what they need for their body, of what benefit is it? 17 So, too, faith by itself, without works, is dead.
18 Nevertheless, someone will say: “You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe that there is one God, do you? You are doing quite well. And yet the demons believe and shudder. 20 But do you care to know, O empty man, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father declared righteous by works after he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that his faith was active along with his works and his faith was perfected by his works, 23 and the scripture was fulfilled that says: “Abraham put faith in Jehovah, and it was counted to him as righteousness,” and he came to be called GOD’s friend.
24 You see that a man is to be declared righteous by works and not by faith alone. 25 In the same manner, was not Raʹhab the prostitute also declared righteous by works after she received the messengers hospitably and sent them out by another way? 26 Indeed, just as the body without spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. (James 2:14-26)
And Becky hears a little context for one of your quotes, in Romans 3:27-31 which reads; Where, then, is the boasting? There is no place for it. Through what law? That of works? No indeed, but through the law of faith. 28 For we consider that a man is declared righteous by faith apart from works of law. 29 Or is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also the God of people of the nations? Yes, also of people of the nations. 30 Since God is one, he will declare circumcised people righteous as a result of faith and uncircumcised people righteous by means of their faith. 31 Do we, then, abolish law by means of our faith? Not at all! On the contrary, we uphold law.
Also Becky, this actually goes in conjunction with the Scripture in Romans, at Galatians 2:15-21 which reads “We who are Jews by birth, and not sinners from the nations, 16 recognize that a man is declared righteous, not by works of law, but only through faith in Jesus Christ. So we have put our faith in Christ Jesus, so that we may be declared righteous by faith in Christ and not by works of law, for no one will be declared righteous by works of law. 17 Now if we have also been found sinners while seeking to be declared righteous by means of Christ, is Christ then sin’s minister? Certainly not! 18 If the very things that I once tore down I build up again, I demonstrate that I am a transgressor. 19 For through law I died toward law so that I might become alive toward God. 20 I am nailed to the stake along with Christ It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who is living in union with me. Indeed, the life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and handed himself over for me. 21 I do not reject the undeserved kindness of God, for if righteousness is through law, Christ actually died for nothing.
Acts 13:39 reads; ” and that from all the things from which you could not be declared guiltless by means of the Law of Moses, everyone who believes is declared guiltless by means of this one.”
Romans 5:17 reads; ” For if by the trespass of the one man death ruled as king through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of the undeserved kindness and of the free gift of righteousness rule as kings in life through the one person, Jesus Christ!”
1 Corinthians 6:11 reads; ” And yet that is what some of you were. But you have been washed clean; you have been sanctified; you have been declared righteous in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and with the spirit of our God.”
So the context here is, will these folks, the Pharisees, Sadducees, and those resistant to Christ, be saved by the Mosaic law? The answer is as plain as day, NO!
And, if those early Christians were once saved always saved, why did the apostle Paul exhort to them at Philippians 2:12 which reads; ” Consequently, my beloved ones, just as you have always obeyed, not only during my presence but now much more readily during my absence, keep working out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Obviously there salvation could be revoked if they did not keep working on that very salvation!
And also Becky, this was mentioned in my previous comment, but it fits well with this response, Hebrews 10:26, 27 which reads ” for if we practice sin willfully after having received the accurate knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins left, 27 but there is a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a burning indignation that is going to consume those in opposition.”
If you are not doing the work of Christ, it doesn’t matter what you believe, and to hitch your horse to that antithetical post, proves that you don’t believe in Christ’s law, a person cannot slave for 2 masters. If you slave for Christ, those are works, if you slave for someone other than Christ those are also works, and you are judged on those works and not by faith alone. Because of one had faith, they would not be associating with, or supporting someone completely antithetical to Christ and his law.
You don’t need any further insults or mockery of your sensibilities, BUT the forever-impeached DJT will attend the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, and C-SPAN will have coverage. That’s right…the Prayer Breakfast! Oy! We can hope some of the message will rub off on him. He needs it! We all do!
John,
I have a Bible that I read, a wonderful church where I attend, various preachers I listen to and respect, who preach, teach and live out the Word of God.
I graduated from evangelical Christian college and accepted Christ as my Savior at a young age. So, I’m not really interested in your biblical analysis, but thanks for the long expository.
I’m still a sinner, saved only by the grace of God.
Good works are a manifestation of our salvation, but good works alone – saves no one.
“ Our righteousnesses are as filthy rags”
Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Mitt voted with his conviction. The only R to do so. He will pay such a price, for which I am so sorry. As with Adam Schiff, his life will be threatened. That’s where we are these last four years. C’mon over, Mitt! We Dems have a big tent with room for you!
I hope this wonderful blog doesn’t turn into a biblical debate. I want to say that I loved Nancy Pelosi’s comment on Trump’s lie filled address was to rip his speech in two. I saw it as a metaphor for what Trump and his minions are doing to our constitution.
Been flying today so missed the all time record outpouring of comments. Holy Mackeral! I am on board for flight to Tel Aviv. Not an empty seat. I am already in Israel and we have not departed! Having read all the posts, thank you Song for the Book of John, I am reminded there were five Jews who saved the world. Abraham said it was all about power. Moses said no, it is about the law. Then Jesus came along and said it is about love. OMG then there was Freud. Wouldn’t you know he said it was about sex. Einstein. My dear Einstein. Shrugged his shoulders waived a hand in dismissal and exclaimed, eehhh, it’s all relative.
Three quick observations
1) Trump really was concerned and upset about corruption in Ukraine – because he couldn’t hand out bribes like he wanted to do (thank you whistle blower, whoever you are).
2) Trump’s contempt of Congress was not just political/legal, but also personal in a protocol/etiquette/common decency manner. He insults and refused to shake the hand of the person who invited him into her house, so to speak.
3) I have been on The Internet since Usenet days – we always were taught not to feed the people who troll us – just saying. At best those conversations are what the late Professor Kaplan labelled a duologue – two people talking past each other.
Dianne Patrick: Point well taken! To no avail, I suggested that at least one should get his/her own blog and just have at it! Nothing changed.
Becky,
The parable of the prodigal son and the parable of the vineyard workers were extremely similar. They both pointed out how religious hierarchy felt privileged and superior to those who were newer in faith. And Christ through his parables also pointed out that he was welcoming them with open arms, whether they left and came back, or whether they were unlettered and poor. They were all treated the same by Christ.
Everyone is a sinner, because everyone was born under the original sin of Adam, hence everyone is imperfect and sacrifice is required , blood sacrifice, and the eventual ransom sacrifice of Christ! According to God’s law given to the nation of Israel, in order for a person who had sinned against God or against his fellowman to have his sins forgiven, he first had to rectify the wrong as the Law prescribed and then, in most cases, present a blood offering to Jehovah. (Leviticus 5:5–6:7) Hence, the principle stated by Paul: “Yes, nearly all things are cleansed with blood according to the Law, and unless blood is poured out no forgiveness takes place.” (Hebrews 9:22)
Actually, though, the blood of animal sacrifices could not take away sins and give the individual a perfectly clean conscience. (Hebrews 10:1-4; 9:9, 13, 14) By contrast, the foretold new covenant made possible true forgiveness, based on Jesus Christ’s ransom sacrifice. (Jeremiah 31:33, 34; Matthew 26:28; 1st Corinthians 11:25; Ephesians 1:7) Even while on earth, Jesus, by healing a paralytic, demonstrated that he had authority to forgive sins. ( Matthew 9:2-7)
Forgiving others for personal offenses, regardless of the number of times involved, is a Christian requirement. (Luke 17:3, 4; Ephesians 4:32; Col 3:13) God’s forgiveness is not extended toward those who refuse to forgive others. (Matthew 6:14, 15) However, even when serious wrongdoing leads to expulsion of “the wicked man” from the Christian congregation, that person may in due time be accorded forgiveness if he proves that he is truly repentant. At that time all in the congregation can confirm their love for him. (1st Corinthians 5:13; 2nd Corinthians 2:6-11) However, Christians are not required to forgive those who practice malicious, willful sin with no repentance. Such become God’s enemies (Hebrews 10:26-31; Psalms 139:21 22)
The man of lawlessness, commits is lawlessness against God the Universal Sovereign. This “man” is guilty of treason. He is called “the son of destruction,” as was Judas Iscariot, the traitor who betrayed the Lord Jesus Christ and who was instrumental in bringing about his death. The man of lawlessness sets himself up over God, and because he is a hypocrite, and a false teacher claiming to be Christian, he sits down at the temple of God.
2nd Thessalonians 2:4 reads; ” He stands in opposition and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits down in the temple of God, publicly showing himself to be a god.”
Does that sound familiar? You went to a religious college, you should know the drill, like was quoted before, you cannot slave for 2 masters.