Guest Article

How Dr. Dobson [And YOU] Can Take a Risk for True Greatness

by Dr. Richard A. Jones
(from American Vision)

I knew that a January 15, 2008 Focus on the Family (FOTF) radio program would be challenging as I listened to Dr. James Dobson and Rev. John MacArthur join forces. Their topic was the obvious fact of national moral decay with the culmination of the two-day series being the role played by the public schools in contributing to the decay. The failed schools defy common sense so I listened to see if their stress would be on what parents need to do about what public schools are doing to their children, or whether a sense of perplexed anguish would be the theme. Sadly, it was mainly, “How did they ever get this bad?”

MacArthur and Dobson did their best, but ultimately their joint anxiety had to have confused listening parents more than supplying inspiring guidance. The point FOTF was trying to make began, as it should have, with the diagnosis that ours is a nation beset by sin. MacArthur even went so far as to say that God has already abandoned us. At the end of day two, FOTF set about confirming his conclusion with a school story dramatizing that deteriorating public schools prove how much we really do deserve His abandonment.

I respect and agree with Rev. MacArthur about our society’s moral decline, nevertheless his remarks contained a half-sad, half-amusing inconsistency leading up to the school story I’ll present in a minute. Using Psalm 81:11–16, a great passage, he said we’ve reached a point where only prayers for revival can possibly help the U.S. which made me wonder, which is it to be, abandonment or revival? But even if revival is possible, will God’s response mean an extended season of righteousness and moral sanity, or can we, at best, hope only for a brief reprieve prior to the end-times chaos that MacArthur’s doubtful eschatology predicts? To me, his call for revival sounds more nearly like a dutiful cliché than something truly attainable. After all, he’s already told us that trying to “[reclaim] the culture is a pointless, futile exercise.” I’m convinced, he writes, that “we live in a post-Christian society—a civilization that exists under God’s judgment.” Perhaps he even believes that the sick public schools are proof positive of that judgment. I hope, however, that his pessimistic assessment will be resisted by AV readers. Instead, far-sighted parents must meet the school dilemma head on and put it to rest via the biblical obedience solution you’ll find at the end of this article.

As a climax for the two-day FOTF presentation, a recording was presented obtained during a student assembly at a Boulder, Colorado, high school last April 2007. The purpose in airing it was presumably to give more evidence of abandonment by God. The tape featured a visiting group from the morally sordid “Conference on World Affairs” organization. On tape their several representatives were pushing concepts so repugnant that FOTF asked the home radio audience to remove their little ones before listening. On it, 9th thru 12th graders asked the panel about sex, drugs, and alcohol; questions which were answered with a strong encouragement to “do it.” (“Responsibly,” of course, the COWA added.) Included were plenty of endorsements for homosexual sex as well.

Following the tape, Dr. Dobson’s program-closing response came as a shock given what he already knows about the anti-moral, anti-education, anti-Christian public school agenda of lunacy. His first words were that he “could have wept” at what he’d just heard. “Why do parents permit it?,” he cried. “Who is holding the schools responsible?” What? It’s not as though this kind of school depravity is anything new, having been the norm now for years, countrywide. Even Dobson himself has written lamenting about it. Not only that, he’s clearly suggested that homeschooling is the best education option.

But it’s what Dobson didn’t say that hurts; namely that the real solution to the public school disaster is for Christians to gird up their loins of obedience and simply remove their children from the schools. It’s late, but not too late. One wonders why Dr. Dobson misses this. After all he has Moses (Deut. 6:1–9) and the prophets (Ps. 1; Prov. 1:7, 13:20, 22:6; Is. 54:13; Jer. 10:2) and Luke 6:39–40 as a guide for FOTF parents. These passages explain why God wants the kids removed. Ironically, his FOTF ministry would actually become more blessed, including increased financial blessings, if he would cast fear aside and make a “holy risk” decision to be biblically obedient.

Conversely, Rev. Albert Mohler, president of Southern Seminary and respected national radio talk host has heeded Moses and the prophets. He’s listened, heard and responded and re-responded: “I believe now is the time for responsible Southern Baptists to develop an exit strategy from the public schools. This strategy would affirm the basic and ultimate responsibility of Christian parents to take charge of the education of their own children. The strategy also affirms the responsibility of churches to equip parents, support families, and offer alternatives.” He goes on to say, “I am convinced that Southern Baptists will find their way toward a common understanding of the public school challenge. The only question is when.” These are the words of a good and wise man.

I’m praying for a true, permanent revival that may last hundreds or thousands of years before Christ returns. But, I’m also praying for another good man, Dr. Dobson, to halt FOTF silence regarding the only solution to the offense of the public schools that there is—removal of the children. I’m also praying he’ll use the biblical knowledge he knows to be true to move and inspire parents to the position a patient but demanding God requires of them. And, I pray that many of you will join with him in making this commitment your own.

email: dickjones1517 at sbcglobal dot net

T-A-N-S-T-A-A-F-L

The following article was written by Gary DeMar of American Vision Ministries. Orignally published online here.

The first rule of economics is TANSTAAFL: There Ain’t No Such Thing as a Free Lunch.1 While something might appear to be free (e.g., education, healthcare, etc.), there is always a cost to someone. Ignore this law, and all economic hell breaks loose. Of course, politicians believe they can ignore and even break any law because they consider themselves to be gods. They believe they can create economic prosperity ex nihilo, “out of nothing,” simply by legislating it. Most Americans don’t care about these economic realities any more than the politicians who propose them because they are the first-in beneficiaries.

When Social Security was implemented, the maximum amount any one person paid into the system was $60 per year—a total of two percent from employee and employer of a maximum $3000 per year. Today, the percentage is 12.4% on $97,500 per year because TANSTAAFL is coming due. Those who are receiving these benefits are not concerned because someone else is paying for them. Economic realities and ethics be damned. Yes, ethics. For example, families who are sending their children to the “free public schools” are using the money of their neighbors to pay for their children’s education. They assume since they elected people to do this it is morally acceptable. We’ve grown accustomed to this type of logic.

Consider Social Security. The Social Security Administration estimates that those born in 1877 (and retiring in 1942) got an average of 36.5 percent real rate of return on their Social Security contributions, while those born in 1950 (me) will receive on average a 2.2 percent return. Those born in 1975 will get 1.8 percent return. It’s even worse for future workers. The government should have seen this coming when Ida Fuller received her first Social Security check. She paid $22 into the program and received more than $20,000 in retirement benefits.2

In 1935, there were 45 people paying into SS for every one person receiving benefits. Today, that ratio is about three to one.3 Is it any wonder the SS has been described as the “world biggest chain letter”?

“The World’s Biggest Chain Letter—Unless You’re the Government”: Social Security is a pay-as-you-go retirement program. Those paying in now are paying those receiving benefits now. Social Security works like a chain letter. Some people have described SS as a “Ponzi scheme,” named after Charles Ponzi, a con artist who bilked people of a lot of money. How did he do it? He would tell people that he would pay them a huge return on their investment within a few months. Then he would take their money and pay off the previous investors. It worked great for the first ones to (unknowingly) get in on the scheme. Ponzi then used his early “investors” as testimonials to attract new “investors.” After a time, the number of investors ran out, and so did Ponzi with their money. Ponzi had worked the “pyramid scheme”: the people at the top (those who get in early) receive the benefits that are being paid in from those at the bottom (those getting in late). The following appeared in Parade Magazine (March 28, 1976): “Social Security is a wonderful plan. People say it’s going bankrupt. Don’t believe them. It works. I know. My uncle reached 65 and he sent in the appropriate forms. In a week he received a wonderful letter: “Dear Mr. Gold. Welcome to the Social Security System. Attached is a list of ten names. Just send $100 to each name on the list and retype up a new list with your name at the bottom. But remember, don’t break the chain!’”4

If a private insurance company operated this way, the directors would be arrested, tried, and sent to prison for a long time. Democrat fundraiser Norman Hsu was charged with a “massive Ponzi scheme.”5 One of the biggest beneficiaries of his contributions is Hillary Clinton. It’s Clinton who is proposing that every newborn should receive $5000. Other politicians are pushing for some form of “universal heath care.” Who will pay for this? The same people who are paying into Social Security to keep the Ponzi scheme alive—the most productive members of society. You and I know them as “the rich” who are already paying the majority of taxes. Hsu couldn’t keep the scam going because he couldn’t force people to keep contributing. Politicians can by the force of law.

Just because politicians can create economic programs does not mean they will work. Putting people in power so they can take money from your neighbors and give it to someone else does not make it right, whether they are Republicans or Democrats.

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1 The phrase has been attributed to science fiction writer Robert A. Heinlein in his 1966 novel The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. Two of Heinlein’s best known science fiction works are A Stranger in a Strange Land (1961) and Starship Troopers (1959). Heinlein’s political philosophy was anti-socialist (“correct morals arise from knowing what man is—not what do-gooders and well-meaning old Aunt Nellies would like him to be.”) and anti-communist (“All the work one cares to add will not turn a mud pie into an apple tart.”).

2 Gary North, Government By Emergency (Ft. Worth, TX: American Bureau of Economic Research, 1983), 8.

3 James M. Pethokoukis, “Boomer Burden,” U.S. News & World Report (January 17, 2005), 46.

4 Quoted in North, Government by Emergency, 4–5.

5 “Fundraiser Hsu charged with pyramid scheme” (September 20, 2007)

Getting the Point Across to Republicans 101

As a Conservative Christian voter, I have to admit that the Republican Party sure knew how to pull my strings for the past decade. I don't look to the Government as some sort of savior, nor do I believe the Republican party is "Christian", but I have voted Republican almost exclusively since I was 18 years old. Lately, it seems like they've dropped the ball on just about all the issues that I think are important.

Quite frankly, I believe they forsook the values of those who got them elected and they paid for it in the last election cycle by losing the House and Senate to the Democrats. If the Republicans don't get their act together, they will pay even more dearly by losing the White House in '08.


Being the disgruntled Republican that I am, I decided to cut off the RNC from the few dollars they've normally crooked out of me each year. They have responded to that with a constant barrage of letters reminding me that they are the Party of Ronald Reagan, begging me for money, and passionately telling me how important my membership in the RNC really is... (As if the fate of the Free World depends on my membership and $25.00! Yeah, right!!)


I have tried to get them to see that they aren't getting anymore of my stinky little Federal Reserve notes and that I no longer wish to communicate with them. Yet, like those heretical Prosperity Preachers on TBN, they continue to harass me with letters that promise me the world -but for a small fee.

One of the greatest examples of Republican failure (outside of abortion) has been on illegal immigration. Last year the INS and Georgia officials did a sting operation in our area (which I believe was simply a stunt to help get our Governor reelected). I kid you not, during that sting operation, 90% of the Mexican population in our area vanished!! Prior to that operation, I thought 1 in 10 were illegal, but as it turned out, about 9 out of 10 were illegal! The illegals that did not get caught in the sting either hid in the woods or fled to points unknown until "la Migra" left town.



While I was glad they finally did something, I couldn't help but be angry that the government let things get that bad before they did something. From the looks of the banner I found on the GOP website, I think the Republicans have some more sinister plans for all these illegals: grant them amnesty, fast track them to citizenship, and then trick them into voting Republican!


Because I am such a philanthropist and a die hard Republican at heart, today I could no longer turn a deaf ear to their pleas for my hard earned cash. Therefore I responded by sending them some BIG MONEY! Hopefully when the "money" arrives they'll get the point:

Roswell, Flying Saucers, and Cold War Weapons Programs

Last night on Larry King, they were discussing the Roswell incident and UFOs.

First of all, I must confess that my wife and I have seen a "UFO" in the night sky on several occasions. It performed maneuvers in the air that looked to be impossible for a conventional aircraft, and then streaked out of sight. I'm not saying it was something from another world, but it was something flying in the sky that I could not identify...

Seeing as though Hunter Army Airfield is to my east and Robbins Air Force base is to my west, I believe that whatever it was, it was probably something that belongs to the United States Government and not to the Klingon High Command!

Folks, I hate to spoil the fun, but the probability of an extra-terrestrial life form finding something so interesting about our planet that it felt compelled to traverse the vast expanse of space to pay us a visit (even from the nearest star to our solar system) is laughable at best.

Here's the deal: the US government has duped the public into looking to the stars to explain weird lights in the sky when, in actuality, what has been seen is nothing more than super secret military aircraft being tested. I am of the opinion that the whole Roswell incident -right down to all the "insiders" who frequently come forward to tell about the conspiracy to cover up the existence of UFOs- is part of an elaborate (and highly successful) PSYOPS mission to cover up secret U.S. weapons projects.


Remember the F-117 nighthawk? The aircraft was designed in the 1970s, first flew in 1981, yet very few people knew a thing about it until Operation Desert Storm in 1991! How many times do you reckon it was mislabeled as a "UFO" by some alien crazed civilian? (What do you think people thought when they saw the B-2 Spirit?!!)

Do you want to see proof of REAL flying saucers??

Here it is!

Here's some more!

Here's a real life "Klingon Bird of Prey!"

The x-45 has probably been called a "UFO" a few times as well!

Yes, flying saucers and "UFOs" exist, but they belong to the U.S. Air Force. If you believe the government is covering up evidence of UFOs and extraterrestrials, you've been duped, and that's exactly what they've wanted all along...

(photos from wikipedia)