Politics is usually a bad topic for blogs, but I want to share with you my recent experience with my Senator and why Christians should be very careful to instruct their politicians regardless of their political party. Assuming that “X” party is a Christian party (with the “X” differing, depending on denomination, race, culture, etc.) is a dangerous way to vote. Assuming that “X” anything is automatically Christian is a dangerous principle, in general.

First, I’ll introduce the Bible verse that focused my thoughts on this. Then, I’ll get a bit “techy.” Stick with me though, because it all comes back together

Nahum 3:16 (NIV)
You have increased the number of your merchants till they are more than the stars of the sky, but like locusts they strip the land an then fly away.

Net Neutrality

I mentioned before that I work in Internet Marketing and watch many issues related to the Internet. I have seen how the Internet has benefited the world in spreading the Gospel, making markets more efficient, and generally just saving people time. I count this as a true blessing from God. Just looking at the web stats of nations where people have visited this one tiny blog gives me an infinitely small view of how it we can use it to impact the world for Christ.

There is legislation out regarding Net Neutrality which caught my attention. The gist of the package is that the Republican party wants to turn over the Internet in America to the telecommunications companies, ostensibly to pay for improvements to the Internet’s core technology.

What we’re talking about is privatization. Now, I know that government tends to screw up everything it touches, but privatization for the Internet as the Republican party is saying puts the extremely valuable resource of the Internet, in the hands of a select few companies who had the best lobbyists.

For a look into the future, look at our cell phone situation. Our government has limited the power to a select few companies. Have you gone to a foreign country and seen what they have going on with their mobile phones? You can do anything on those things! There is so much content available its crazy. However, the US is lagging behind because we gave the control over to a select few companies. This situation could be compared to the old “bell” days where you had to get your landline phone from the phone company. What did the phones look like? They were all the same. We didn’t start getting innovation until their control was broken up.

Where is the accountability?

If my Senator screws up, I vote him out. If a private company who controls the Internet screws up… I buy stock in the company until I have enough votes to get them out? What do the non-millionaires do to get justice?

Sounds like my neighbors and I voted in a guy who supports a royal class based on money instead of bloodlines. It doesn’t certainly sound like any democracy I’ve learned about in school.

The proof of many American’s concerns about Net Neutrality is already coming to pass. One major American telecommunications company has already proposed placing tolls on traffic from other ISPs (who you connect through the Internet with). That will jack up costs for the Internet and limit who can access.

Tolls and fees to visit particular websites will absolutely kill the creativity that has made the Internet such a dynamic tool. The United States leads the world in Internet technologies because the power has been given to the people to use their creative juices.

The argument that the Internet doesn’t pay for itself doesn’t wash, either. In fact, it is very shortsighted. The government gets their money in the form of increased income taxes. The value in the Internet is from what is created, not the access fees they will generate.

Freedom comes when power is given to many, not a few. We’ve seen that in the history of the Christian church as well.

How My Rant Relates to Christians Who Aren’t Web Dorks

Coming back to the Bible verse:

Nahum 3:16 (NIV)
You have increased the number of your merchants till they are more than the stars of the sky, but like locusts they strip the land an then fly away.

This passage was about Ninevah, which repeatedly did wicked things in the sight of the Lord. We read in the book of Jonah about one intervention from God where he tried to save them.

I see a similarity between this characteristic of Ninevah and the United States. Entrepreneurship and innovation is one of the great strengths this nation still has. We encourage new businesses until they are more than the stars of the sky. Why? Innovation. However, our trust can not fall with businesses and the people that run them.

Why does the Republican party so readily lend support to business interests? Let’s ignore the possibility of bribes playing a role, and give them the benefit of the doubt. They believe that government can not be trusted.

True, but can companies? The first thing we I learned in business school is that the primary mission of a company is to provide maximum profits for its stakeholders. Granted, Christian businesspeople are supposed to be working for the Lord, but are we seeing that in business today? Something like 85% of America says they are Christians. Maybe we are, but are we seeing the fruits of God’s transformation on 85% of people’s hearts?

Why You Should Weigh these Words

I hope you consider these concerns. I am a businessperson and an entrepreneur. From a fleshly standpoint, I would want all the power the government turned over to me. However, I know where my allegiances could, and do lie at times. I do not always make God’s best decisions. In business where the government gives total power, there is no check or balance. In government, there is ultimate accountability to the people.

Applying God’s Word to our Ballots

This rant isn’t meant to sway your vote on any issue. My heart is for Net Neutrality. God lays other things on your heart. That is the beauty of how he has created us. Different gifts to different people.

My point is to get your brain working. We’re all busy people, and it is so much easier around election time to vote a party platform. However, God has blessed us enormously with being able to vote. I need to take that more seriously, and I hope all of you do as well.

Regardless of what the people in your church or its leaders say around election time, test it against God’s word and find the balance. God’s word and character is black and white, but a person’s words and character is gray. A thousand people may tell you that “X” person supports the word, but try the following:

• Test their platform against God’s word.
• Does it really support God’s word in the Bible?
• If so, does it support it from the perspective of the Pharisees (the law) or the way Jesus fulfilled God’s word?

If this is your first time on the blog, I rarely get political. This was just on my heart this morning.

Thanks for dropping by - have a blessed day!

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