Kacer’s Call
(May 19, 2009 California Special Election)

General Guidelines - How I approach Propositions (Do’s & Don’ts):

• Do: First read the Summary, Analysis, Actual Text, then the Arguments for and against
• Do: Ask yourself if this is a proper role of government
• Do: Ask yourself if this is the right thing to do, who it benefits, and the consequences
• Do: Determine what principles apply (Biblical, conservative, practical)
• Do: Apply common sense; come to tentative conclusion – find position of those I trust
• Don’t: Rely upon organizations by name only (many sound good but are deceptive)
• Don’t: Wait until the last day to do your research (spread it out over time)
• Don’t: Support government going into future debt (some rare exceptions)
• Don’t: Allow rare circumstances to overly influence you (“rare cases make bad law”)
• Don’t: Support anything that’s too complex to completely understand (obfuscation)

General Comments:

• The budget descriptions are typically convoluted and very difficult to understand
• The down-side implications of each measure are obscured and not highlighted
• The default vote when a measure is too complicated to understand should be “No”
• The “impartial” legislative analyst descriptions and titles are slanted supportive
• The lack of media coverage helps to minimize conservative turnout and fair treatments
• Lack of fiscal restraint and responsibility is the core issue. None of these measures addresses the basic problem; they only prolong and feed it.

Note: “(C)” following Proposition Number indicates a State Constitution change

Prop 1A (C): State Budget. Changes California Budget Process. Limits State Spending. Increases“Rainey Day” Budget Stabilization Fund – Oppose (No)
Concerns: Increasing Rainy Day fund and restrictions won’t guarantee proper use. Prosperous years have not helped us in these lean years. Extends temporary taxes; vehicle license fee; & income tax 1 to 2 years. Delays needed spending restraint and will eventually create pressure to retain the increases. Also, reduces child tax exemption.
Consider: Presumption on the future (James 4:13-14); Existing rainy day fund not effective; why increase with no real restraint on its use (Prov 6:6-8)? Fiscal irresponsibility breeds arrogance, injustice and all manner of evil (1 Tim 6:10; Eccl 5:10a)

Prop 1B (C): Education Funding. Payment Plan – Oppose (No)
Concerns: No argument against Prop 1B was filed. No education performance metrics are required to track effectiveness. No alternatives to formal public education are considered. Public schools don’t adequately support our values, teaching of national founding principles, protect parental rights, or ensure religious expression. Why protect this area above others? About 40% of General Fund goes to K-14 education
Consider: Primary education responsibility is with parents (Prov 22:6; Deut 6:6-9; Eph 6:4) not the state, particularly in area of morals, values, religious instruction, etc. Schools should not promote values contrary to traditional Judeo-Christian beliefs. Excellence in reading, writing, sciences and analytical thinking skills should prevail over social engineering and political cause recruitment. Prop 98 (‘88, modified ‘90) minimum
spending guarantees results in poor accountability to parents

Prop 1C (C): Lottery Modernization Act – Oppose (No)
Concerns: State desires to increase gambling to generate more revenue. Will increase incidence of addiction and need for greater gambling addiction treatment funding;. Borrows against future revenues; “securitization” (aka bond); a debt to be paid off later. Increases State dependence on a demonstrably destructive activity (personal health, family, society). Government entrapment of those least able to afford to gamble.
Consider: Improper role of government to sponsor destructive behavior (Rom 13:1-7). Should not endorse what can ruin lives and families through personal debt; related vices; encouraging the chasing of fantasies; exploiting the poor; in order to fund “good” institutions (education)(Rom 3:8). What good comes from gambling?

Prop 1D: Protects Children’s Services Funding. Helps Balance State Budget – Oppose (No)
Concerns: Re-allocates existing (excess) Prop 10 (’98) funds for children (“First 5 Program”) to General Fund to replace other legislature budgeted funds for under 5 programs. Existing Prop 10 surplus implies poor use of existing revenues to benefit families. Temporary raiding of fenced funds sets precedent to raid other fenced allocations approved by voters. Relieves pressure on legislature to balance budget by further
spending reductions/restraint.
Consider: Primary care for children are parents (Prov 22:6; Eph 6:4) not the State. Both pro and con advocates are only fighting over who controls funds to increase government control and education of families (long term: replaces parental authority and influence).

Prop 1E: Mental Health Services Funding. Temporary Reallocation. Helps Balance State Budget – Oppose (No)
Concerns: Re-allocates existing Prop 63 (’04) funds for mental health programs to General Fund to replace legislature allocated funds for mental health programs. Temporary raiding of fenced funds sets precedent to raid other fenced allocations approved by voters. Relieves pressure on legislature to balance budget by spending restraint.
Consider: Some valid government functions will be impacted if approved (law enforcement; county jail and State prison operations)(Rom 13:1-7). Continues involvement of government in addressing mental health issues with virtually no moral component other than criminal offenses. Government is poorly equipped for this, and should defer as often as possible to faith based organizations to address appropriately. Moral
accountability is a longer term problem outside the scope of this Prop. (Rom 3:23; James 4:1-10)

Prop 1F (C): Elected Official’s Salaries. Prevents Pay Increases During Budget Deficit Years – Oppose (No)
Concerns: Unequal punishment (innocent & guilty treated alike). Very little real impact. Does not withhold salary completely, only one year salary increases. “Feel good” Proposition with no guaranteed results or influence. Acts as a disincentive for those trying to restrain government spending and holding the line. Can force higher taxes (or fees) to provide a balanced (excessive) budget instead of fiscal restraint
Consider: Faithful worker is owed his wages (Matt 10:10; Rom 4:4; 1 Tim 5:18). Irresponsible legislators should be removed from office by voting, recall, or shamed to resign and not just fined (Prov 29:2)

We warmly welcome you the Christian Citizenship Council of San Diego website. Our mission is to: "Encourage and equip believers to apply biblical principles to all spheres of the culture around us, and to all of life.” (Matt 5:13-16; 16:18; 22:39; Jer 29:7)

Mission Statement:

• Encourage and equip believers to be actively engaged (James 2:14-17) in the public affairs of this nation, including local community, regional, state and national levels;
• Network with Churches, individual Christians, & others on issues of mutual concern, without violating our foundational beliefs or giving appearance of compromise;
• Support the creation and enforcement of righteous laws and the removal or nullification of ungodly ones (1 Tim 1:8-11);
• Encourage the election or appointment of the godly to public office through prayer (1 Tim 2:2), encouragement and active Christian involvement
• Encourage believers with information on victories the Lord provides (1 Thess 5:11; Heb 3:13);
• Identify existing, and/or publish, resource materials for wider use;
• Uphold the integrity and reputation of the Christian community at all times;
• Obey civil law concerning all activities

Next Meeting:

C3 North - Tuesday May 19, 2009. 11:30-1:00 at Escondido Marie Callendar's (515 West 13th Avenue in Library Room)

C3 South - Thursday May 28, 2009. 11:30-1:00 at San Diego Marie Callendar's (6950 Alvarado Road in Library Room)

Between the two meetings in January there were 12 different churches represented, with a lot of information and great ideas about church involvement discussed. I encourage as many of you as possible to attend and contribute to the lively discussions we have, as well as learn what’s going on in other churches and activist groups in the area.

Announcements: Activities or actions worth pursuing:

Now: California Constitution Article 1, Section 7.5 (Prop 8) - Prayer. Please continue in prayer that the California Supreme Court will uphold the vote of the people. At some point, the video of the proceedings of 5 March will be hosted at: www.calchannel.com

May 30th – Western Center for Law and Policy (Office in Escondido). An “Evening in Tuscany” for Friends of the WCLP to celebrate recent legal victories concerning faith, family and freedom. More details to follow. For information about WCLP go to: www.wclplaw.org

If you have an hour available: I strongly encourage each of you to select a California legislative bill (or bills!) to call your State representatives about. Go to: www.CaliforniaFamily.org and http://ca.cwfa.org for the most important bills to support or challenge.

Information - Presentation Offer:

If your church does not yet have a Christian Citizenship (or Salt and Light) Ministry established for the long haul, this is a great time to begin one. I'm available to help provide materials, advice, examples, presentations, etc. to ministry leaders desiring to establish one that is Christ-honoring, balanced, legal, and under the spiritual authority God has placed in your church.

General Interest (My Book reading in March:

Economic Facts and Fallacies; by Thomas Sowell (2008) (221 pgs; excellent source references). This is an excellent book that instructs the reader on both general and specific economic fallacies and the deceptive use of data/statistics that drive policies, perceptions, and attitudes. Sowell does a masterful job of using factual information and reasoning to address a surprisingly large number of urban, male-female, academic, income, racial and third world economic fallacies that have had massive impacts upon us all. This is an easy, well documented, and important read.

Noble Savages – Exposing the Worldview of Pornographers and Their War Against Christian Civilization; by R. J. Rushdoony (1976)(148 pgs). This is not a comfortable read for those that are easily (or otherwise) offended by descriptions of depravity and sexual corruption. Though an older writing, it establishes the clear link between the debased humanistic worldview and extreme depravity of the life and writings of the Marquis de Sade and the many different ways sexual perversion, violence and self indulgence have permeated our society in an attempt to destroy God’s moral truths. This destructive nature has only gotten more aggressive and open since 1978.

My Recent Good News Etc.:

“Deadly Naiveté”

When first elected, no one is qualified to occupy the most unique office in the world, the Presidency of the United States. It commands a military arsenal capable of destroying the world as we know it. It presides over the largest, richest, most complex and dominant economy ever conceived by man. The President is heir to over 400 years of colony and nation building heritage that painfully fused together a country built on: Biblical justice, fear of God, limited government, freedom of conscience, personal responsibility, and a common Judeo-Christian moral foundation. The President exercises more influence on national affairs, policy and direction than any other person alive, and communicates to the world what we are and who we are as a people. The President leads us in times of crisis, and points the way in an uncertain future. The President makes history, is made by history, and can impact the world for good or evil. No one is fully equal to this challenge, and no one will be without mistakes.

By grasping the enormity of this position, we can better understand the implications of our 44th President’s first months in office. Unfortunately, in this short time, President Obama has demonstrated a level of inexperience and naiveté that is both alarming and dangerous. For example: the nomination of tax evaders for cabinet positions calls into question integrity and double standards; the Stimulus Bill dramatically increases government power in venues it’s demonstrably incompetent and probably unconstitutional; pushing for nationalized health care that will result in medical rationing and de facto euthanasia; the enormous increase in national debt which weakens the economy, cripples generations of competitive innovation, and massively increases punitive taxing of economic success; totally unrestrained abortion with threatened legal action against medical practitioners refusing to support it (e.g. Freedom of Choice Act) and harvesting of embryos for pseudo-science, all of which show a heartless contempt for both life (Psalm 139:14) and the Giver of life (John 10:10). These, as well as President Obama’s irrational hatred of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, illustrate a moral compass unaffected by facts, reason, conscience, or Judeo-Christian values and morals.

In the international arena, President Obama has consistently shown a naiveté towards foreign relations that borders on sophomoric. To believe that nations committed to destroying the West’s way of life will negotiate in good faith is historically irresponsible and deadly for untold millions of people. The well known phrase “Peace through strength” is uniquely applicable to the United States, the one country willing to use military might not to conquer, but to destroy degrading tyrannies no other nation would dare take on. President Obama’s desire to unilaterally draw down our military while restraining ourselves to agreements that rogue nations only sign to despise us, shows a value system and worldview more akin to a college professor unacquainted with true evil, than one schooled in reality. This idealistic mentality is not just misguided; it’s placing our entire nation at risk through gullibility and inexperience.

Though President Obama is bright and contemplative, his decisions to date are immature, dangerous, and a threat to what’s left of our moral strength and national sovereignty. The “I won, you lost” attitude towards any opposition displays a condescending air that misunderstands human nature, Biblical morals, and the limited role government has in a free society (Rom 13:1-7). Given these missteps, one of two things will occur – either he’ll grow wiser from making mistakes and correct the foolish direction that he’s headed or he’ll become more politically adept on a path openly hostile to the Biblical worldview we hold dear.

The fiscal, moral and defense policies President Obama is pursuing are not minor corrections on our national course, they’re foundational changes based on a worldview fatal to people and nations, and which give license for government to become a formidable force for evil. Though his heart is in the hands of God (Prov 21:1), the Lord calls us to be the nation’s conscience for righteousness, truth and wisdom. We must work with all our might to hold the President and all elected officials accountable. We must continue to express public outcry when the President is wrong, and express thanks when he’s right. We must pray diligently for those that are serving us (1 Tim 2:1-2), and work together as the body of Christ for the common good. The winds of change are upon us, and our faith and convictions will be quickly tested in the days ahead. Therefore, pray also for change and purifying in the Christian community, that revival will be rekindled in our land, and that righteousness will be once more proclaimed loudly and clearly while there is still time.

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Board of Directors:
Frank Kacer (Elder: Grace Bible Church, Escondido)
Dean Broyles (Marantha Chapel, San Diego)
Don Polese (Elder: Solana Beach Presbyterian Church, Solana Beach)
Bill Trask (Skyline Wesleyan Church, La Mesa)

Contact Information:
Frank Kacer
frankkacer@hotmail.com
Executive Director of Christian Citizenship Council (C3) of San Diego
C3 is a 501(c)3 organization
www.christiancitizenshipcouncil.org