Weekly Editorials

For millennia humans have dreamed about establishing paradise here on earth; a utopia, if you will. Great nations and empires have risen with that idea in mind. The ruins of those empires and the misery left behind of what was once the picture of greatness are now the testimony of their utter failure.

 

The 20th Century allowed us to witness the promises of those who said they could establish an earthly paradise through Marxism-Leninism and Nazism, two opposing ideologies with a common goal. Their idea of utopia not only led millions into untold misery but also caused the death of more than 100 million.

 

Why people still don’t get it or refuse to believe that the aspirations of paradise that Marxism-Leninism offered are in full swing in China, North Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Cuba and other nations, is beyond me. China’s vision is clearly to dominate the world by implementing its “marvelous paradise” of misery, death and oppression. Believe it or not!

 

This is not to say that the western world is not guilty of also promising to establish a social paradise. Especially during presidential elections one need only hear the speeches of how candidates promise to create lasting and superior prosperity to that of previous administrations. However, the real problem does not lie in the promises of the candidates but in the people who hear them and actually believe them. The mental blindness of most people causes them to only want to hear more promises of paradise; they totally bypass the fact that civil government has never generated prosperity.

 

If the government doesn’t create prosperity, then who does? The answer to that question is, people do!

 

If we would pay close attention to the plan politicians put forth in their speeches to create this paradise, at least they hope for it in our minds, we could see the faults and disqualify them for mental blindness, lack of wisdom, having read too many books on utopia and believed all that Hollywood has dished out.

 

Politicians know perfectly well that people want to have health care, food, housing, social security, national security, education and many other basic needs provided for them. In their speeches they (politicians) seem to prey on these needs to appeal for votes; they proceed to say that once they are in power their economic plan will meet those needs. What is that economy plan? Without a doubt it is to increase taxes and determine the limit of prosperity people can generate for themselves. This is delightful to their listeners without realizing they are witnessing the implementation of the Marxist economic philosophy which affirms:

 

 

What we should seriously ask ourselves is how this is possible? How can people believe that this socialist economical proposal is attainable and sustainable?

 

 

William J. Boetcker (1873-1962) was born in Germany and later came to live in the United States. He was ordained as a Presbyterian minister and was known as a conservative politician. He is remembered for a brochure he wrote, ‘The Ten Cannots’ :

 

 

 

It’s very evident this declaration is not in step with today’s politicians who promise a much desired paradise to the nation. What is clear in Jefferson’s declaration is that government should remove its hand where it is causing harm. He is saying that the energy and ingenious in people should be set free to produce according to everyone’s talents and abilities.

 

To a degree, it’s understandable that people who do not believe the Christian faith do believe politician’s promises because they are ignorant of the biblical worldview. But, it is quite another thing for Christians to believe the false promises, because it is a direct offense to our Lord and Savior. Jesus declared that the kingdom of God had arrived and He demonstrated it with signs and wonders; reminding Israel as well as other nations, that in order to receive the progress and prosperity we so desire we must obey the statutes established by God; there is no other way.