Without mentioning Trump or Democracy, why do you support Joe Biden for President.

[Brihaha]

Im not all knowing and understanding. I can only say what I see. I dont see voting or politics as God's way but actually leads us away from his way.

Boy Howdy, I can relate. The older I get the more I see how little I know haha. But is there something in this mortal realm that doesn't lead us toward our fleshly, sinful nature? Please don't say church because evidence is lacking today. It could be worse than politics from the little I've seen recently. Especially when they mix both together. I think I may be somewhat envious of the folks who do find a comfortable, honest church in which to worship. I'd love it if God would send a modern prophet to reveal if any church in America was worthy and divine. But I understand why He doesn't. It wouldn't make any difference.

We still must do our best with the limited tools in our arsenal while we meander on mortal earth. I personally wasn't built to sit idly onshore when the rest of society was trying to get the boat to float. I have positive attributes to contribute to making America a better place for my grandchildren to thrive. Sitting out would seem lazy and...slothful. You have offered much to ponder and I appreciate that. Not having a church myself, I have come to appreciate respectful fellowship with true believers. You seem sincere because I feel it in my heart. Peace

 

[AlightSeeker]

Boy Howdy, I can relate. The older I get the more I see how little I know haha. But is there something in this mortal realm that doesn't lead us toward our fleshly, sinful nature? Please don't say church because evidence is lacking today. It could be worse than politics from the little I've seen recently. Especially when they mix both together. I think I may be somewhat envious of the folks who do find a comfortable, honest church in which to worship. I'd love it if God would send a modern prophet to reveal if any church in America was worthy and divine. But I understand why He doesn't. It wouldn't make any difference.

We still must do our best with the limited tools in our arsenal while we meander on mortal earth. I personally wasn't built to sit idly onshore when the rest of society was trying to get the boat to float. I have positive attributes to contribute to making America a better place for my grandchildren to thrive. Sitting out would seem lazy and...slothful. You have offered much to ponder and I appreciate that. Not having a church myself, I have come to appreciate respectful fellowship with true believers. You seem sincere because I feel it in my heart. Peace

Maybe God will make you like a prophet. Not that you will hear God's voice necessarily but when he opens our eyes to things in scripture we feel like prophets. Maybe that prophet is inside you. The spirit of God that is. He's the prophet. Maybe he will show you what you want to see.

 

[Brihaha]

Maybe God will make you like a prophet. Not that you will hear God's voice necessarily but when he opens our eyes to things in scripture we feel like prophets. Maybe that prophet is inside you. The spirit of God that is. He's the prophet. Maybe he will show you what you want to see.

This absolutely happens since God bestowed me with more faith. I don't call it prophet, just understanding. Wisdom's counterpart. I feel the Holy Spirit, literally.

It took me 35 years to finally read the Bible after being baptized at fifteen. But even tho I started the work day at noon, He still promises I can earn the same reward. Salvation Hallelujah!

 

[The Barbarian]

I quit my politics because i saw what it did to us. I saw his commands. But I didn't always obey God in that. He was leading me out if it by his commands but when I saw that no one agreed with me, I went back to my politics. But praise the Lord he shined more light. I now see a clear path.

Do what God tells you. Not all of us can do that, but what He has in mind for you is what you should do.

 

[AlightSeeker]

Do what God tells you. Not all of us can do that, but what He has in mind for you is what you should do.

My brother, this is his will for us all.

 

[The Barbarian]

My brother, this is his will for us all.

To each of us, he gives a different vocation. Lucky you, knowing what that is.

 

[AlightSeeker]

To each of us, he gives a different vocation. Lucky you, knowing what that is.

Our vocation is to be disciples. And to be faithful to God's whole word. Our work is to believe in Jesus who God sent and our food is the whole word of God.

 

[Postvieww]

No I don't vote. That involves running the world which we are not commanded to do.. To the contrary he teaches us the opposite. We don't Lord over unbelievers. We don't even Lord over each other. God's word does master us however. God runs the world and doesn't need our help. You say you're not worshipping politicians or the world but what are we worshipping when we dont follow God's commands? I'm not accusing you but just want to to ask yourself. It's between you and God.

How can one be the salt of the earth if we don't avail ourselves of every opportunity to combat evil in the earth. Voting for leaders that at least have some morals about them does good.

It is every persons right to vote or not, but in my opinion doing nothing to curtail evil is the same as promoting it. We are told to pray for our leaders why not help select them when given that oportunity?

 

[AlightSeeker]

How can one be the salt of the earth if we don't avail ourselves of every opportunity to combat evil in the earth. Voting for leaders that at least have some morals about them does good.

It is every persons right to vote or not, but in my opinion doing nothing to curtail evil is the same as promoting it. We are told to pray for our leaders why not help select them when given that oportunity?

It's a trap. None of them do good because they all lead the people away from Gods command. Some may look better than others but thats how satan works. He gets you to accept a little darkness because it leads you astray. Those politicians are for the Godless not the Godly. Don't you see their idolatry? Who is Paul talking to? The church. We take his grace in vain when we follow these politicians who lead us astray. We fellowship with idolatry and darkness. You think you can pick the lesser of two evil but in God there is no darkness at all. No darkness at all. We will not have fellowship with him without holiness. But politics is not holiness. Its the opposite. Do not withhold your love from the truth here. Please study this scripture. Revelation says the same thing.

2 Corinthians 6:6 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.

2 For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.”[a]

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

Paul’s Hardships
3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

Warning Against Idolatry
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”[c]

17 Therefore,

“Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”[d]

18 And,

“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”[e]

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.



Paul’s Joy Over the Church’s Repentance
2 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. 4 I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.

​

 

[Always in His Presence]

Well, there are four posters who could do it.

Props to you.

 

[Merrill]

Fair enough. Reasonable people can disagree on matters of policy.
There are at least a couple more 'high profile' items that's likley fall into similar territory, ie Wages/Minumum Wage and Income Inequality where the GOP policy has been to "provide downward pressure on wages" and the results have been disastorous for working people. Another would be the Environment, where few in the GOP give two shakes of a cat's tail about clean air and water when there's money to be extracted..
anyway.. I digress

I agree with some of your points about the Democrats, including healthcare

but you are very wrong when it comes to economic matters. The states with the worst income inequality are blue states, and the states with the worst, regressive taxation, are Democrat. Here in Illinois, we have the highest overall tax-burden, adjusted for inflation, in the country. Poor people pays 10%+ in sales taxes, even for food. Companies are fleeing blue states and setting up shop in red.

Biden's profligate spending (not all him--congress to blame as well), and things like student loan "forgiveness" harm the middle and lower taxes by generating inflation, and draining government coffers. No doctor or lawyer in New York should be getting his loans forgiven with tax dollars taken from factory workers and service-sector employees in Nebraska.

And then there is the matter of radical identity politics, Neo-Marxist nonsense, etc. among Democrats. The party isn't liberal anymore--it is full-on leftist.

Now the GOP has its own issues, especially with the warmongering.

We need a third party

 

[AlightSeeker]

Politics are contrary to God in every way. Flee that or you will be a slave of satan. I used to love politics but I started seeing how wrong it was.

 

[The Barbarian]

but you are very wrong when it comes to economic matters. The states with the worst income inequality are blue states

Hmmm. States with the worst income inequalities:

1. New York
2. DC
3. Connecticut
4. Louisiana
5. Mississippi
6. California
7. Florida
8. Massachusetts
9. Illinois
10. Georgia

List of U.S. states and territories by income inequality - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

and the states with the worst, regressive taxation, are Democrat.

Well, let's take a look... The ten worst are:

1. Washington
2. Texas
3. Florida
4. South Dakota
5. Nevada
6. Tennessee
7. Pennsylvania
8. Illinois
9. Oklahoma
10. Wyoming

Who Pays? State-by-State Data

ITEP Tax Inequality Index Click on your state for details. [show-map mapID=whopays6 mapDataStart=2 spreadsheet=1QQyxgYSqfuDGoOQom26DDEXRbvNAMlA4rV_OH__BooY type=whopays2024 width=100%] Forty-four states’ tax systems…

itep.org

Not quite what you assumed.

Biden's profligate spending (not all him--congress to blame as well), and things like student loan "forgiveness" harm the middle and lower taxes by generating inflation, and draining government coffers.

Historically, do democrats or republicans tend to reduce deficits or raise them? Do the math.

And then there is the matter of radical identity politics, Neo-Marxist nonsense, etc. among Democrats.

Ah, QAnon. Sorry, thought you were talking about reality.

Now the GOP has its own issues, especially with the warmongering.

Racist pandering, insurrection, inability to govern, etc.

We need a third party

Ironically, that's how the republican party began. Now, it's the problem.

 

[probinson]

Hmmm. States with the worst income inequalities:

1. New York
2. DC
3. Connecticut
4. Louisiana
5. Mississippi
6. California
7. Florida
8. Massachusetts
9. Illinois
10. Georgia

List of U.S. states and territories by income inequality - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Thanks for the data proving Merrill's point.

The top 3 states with the worst income inequalities are Democratic as are 60% of the top 10.

 

[The Barbarian]

Thanks for the data proving Merrill's point.

The top 3 states with the worst income inequalities are Democratic as are 60% of the top 10.

Just pointing out that four of the top ten worst states for income inequality are red states. As close to even as you can get without being even. Thanks for putting a sharper point on that fact.

But Merrill's assumptions ignore more telling data. Among the top ten states in real personal income, there is one red state (Utah at no. 10) Among the bottom ten states in real personal income there is one blue state (New Mexico). Now, the large number of wealthy people in some blue states, will skew the income equality data. But other than envy, is there any reason to be concerned about that, seeing as those states have much higher average personal income than red states?

List of U.S. states and territories by income - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Merrill]

Hmmm. States with the worst income inequalities:

1. New York
2. DC
3. Connecticut
4. Louisiana
5. Mississippi
6. California
7. Florida
8. Massachusetts
9. Illinois
10. Georgia

List of U.S. states and territories by income inequality - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Well, let's take a look... The ten worst are:

1. Washington
2. Texas
3. Florida
4. South Dakota
5. Nevada
6. Tennessee
7. Pennsylvania
8. Illinois
9. Oklahoma
10. Wyoming

Who Pays? State-by-State Data

ITEP Tax Inequality Index Click on your state for details. [show-map mapID=whopays6 mapDataStart=2 spreadsheet=1QQyxgYSqfuDGoOQom26DDEXRbvNAMlA4rV_OH__BooY type=whopays2024 width=100%] Forty-four states’ tax systems…

itep.org

Not quite what you assumed.

Historically, do democrats or republicans tend to reduce deficits or raise them? Do the math.


Ah, QAnon. Sorry, thought you were talking about reality.

Racist pandering, insurrection, inability to govern, etc.

Ironically, that's how the republican party began. Now, it's the problem.

yeah, top 3 states are blue in terms of income inequality, which is what I said.

Now onto this idea that Washington state has worse taxation than Illinois. Let's start with property taxes, which are more than double in IL vs. Washington

Washington state exempts food from taxation. Illinois taxes food.

The two highest sales taxes for cities in the US are Chicago and Tacoma, WA which clock in at 10.25% and 10.3%, and Washington doesn't have an income tax. IL has a flat 3.95% income tax on everyone. So there is no way the statistics you reported on regressive taxes is correct. Likewise, Texas has high property taxes, but they are not as high as IL, and it doesn't have a state income tax.

Only New Jersey is in the same ballpark as far as regressive taxation goes in the US.

Bill Clinton did well with the budget. Obama and Biden have been terrible. So was Trump.

I am not arguing that one party is better for the budget, because both have been bad.

 

[The Barbarian]

Only New Jersey is in the same ballpark as far as regressive taxation goes in the US.

Well, let's take a look... The ten worst are:

1. Washington
2. Texas
3. Florida
4. South Dakota
5. Nevada
6. Tennessee
7. Pennsylvania
8. Illinois
9. Oklahoma
10. Wyoming

Who Pays? State-by-State Data

ITEP Tax Inequality Index Click on your state for details. [show-map mapID=whopays6 mapDataStart=2 spreadsheet=1QQyxgYSqfuDGoOQom26DDEXRbvNAMlA4rV_OH__BooY type=whopays2024 width=100%] Forty-four states’ tax systems…

itep.org

The ten least regressive tax states are, from least to most:

1. California
2. DC
3. Vermont
4. Delaware
5. Minnesota
6. New Jersey
7. Maine
8. New York
9. Montana
10. Maryland

List of U.S. states and territories by income - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Which is pretty much what you'd expect for states run by democrats/republicans. Reflects their relative philosophies.

 

[probinson]

Just pointing out that four of the top ten worst states for income inequality are red states.

Don't forget that the top 3 states for income inequality are all Democratic. Can't get much clearer than that.

 

[The Barbarian]

Don't forget that the top 3 states for income inequality are all Democratic. Can't get much clearer than that.

But as you just learned, the top ten states for real personal income are all blue states.

List of U.S. states and territories by income - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Can't get much clearer than that. Now, I know that conservatives are jealous of anyone making more money than they do, so those blue state billionaires infuriate them. But still, the fact that most people in blue states make more real income than most people in red states, is a better index of affluence, isn't it?

Even if one is jealous of people who are rich. But it does seem odd that at the same time, you seem to favor red states for having more regressive taxation. This just seems inconsistent, to say the least.

 

[Merrill]

But as you just learned, the top ten states for real personal income are all blue states.

List of U.S. states and territories by income - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Can't get much clearer than that. Now, I know that conservatives are jealous of anyone making more money than they do, so those blue state billionaires infuriate them. But still, the fact that most people in blue states make more real income than most people in red states, is a better index of affluence, isn't it?

Even if one is jealous of people who are rich. But it does seem odd that at the same time, you seem to favor red states for having more regressive taxation. This just seems inconsistent, to say the least.

The northern states industrialized well before the southern, and are wealthier as a result.

But there are red states that are now ascendant in terms of economic growth and opportunity, such as Texas, Florida, etc.

And I am not sure about this whole "conservatives being jealous about people making more money" --sure seems to me that the blue states, with their estate taxes, inheritance taxes, and high business taxes, are the ones wanting to take money from people who earned it, and give it to someone else.

And a number of those billionaires you speak of are quickly moving to red states, such as Ken Griffin

Why billionaire Ken Griffin is moving Citadel's HQ to Miami from Chicago: riots, an employee stabbed, and the attempted hijacking of his own car

Citadel founder Ken Griffin said that he recently moved to Florida with his family and has plans to build a new office tower in Miami's business hub.

www.businessinsider.com

I guess they got tired of Democrats not enforcing the law, letting criminals run wild, and taxing productive members of society, when they weren't arguing for abortion up until birth and kiddie drag shows