Dear Reality Alert/Election Forum Friend,

Here is our latest newsletter from a Christian worldview that’s filled with insights you won’t find elsewhere including an update on Proposition 8. Please forward this issue to your church friends and encourage them to subscribe FREE to Reality Alert.

In This Issue…

• Quiz: Whose quote is this? (Don’t scroll and cheat!)
• “Waste” by any other name, would it smell as sweet?
• Tax Increases #2 and #3: They’re spending your money
• California bonds downgraded: You pay higher taxes to pay off higher interest
• We’re broke, but activist Superior Court forces California to pay over $1 million!
• Christians, the church and homosexuality
• John MacArthur vs. Barry Lynn on Larry King Live
• President’s Faith Council—does it reflect you?
• Huckabee interviews a “religulous” Bill Maher
• For individual responsibility and passion for the hurting
• Under the radar! Is your city headed for a crisis?
• California parental notification defeat—outspent 11:1
• Mojave cross: Before the Supreme Court
• British government forces adoption centers to close
• High school coach can’t pray
• Proposition 8 update: Controversy continues to rage
• Cultural war: Foster kids and Christian music
• Religious liberty victory for San Diego firefighters
• Los Angeles City College student censorship
• First Amendment outrage: Pastor jailed
• India’s Christians still hiding in forests
• Sri Lanka close to enacting anti-conversion law

Quiz: Whose quote is this? (Don’t scroll and cheat!)

Government is the problem

“These United States are confronted with an economic affliction of great proportions. We suffer from the longest and one of the worst sustained inflations in our national history. It distorts our economic decisions, penalizes thrift, and crushes the struggling young and the fixed-income elderly alike. It threatens to shatter the lives of millions of our people.

“Idle industries have cast workers into unemployment, human misery and personal indignity. Those who do work are denied a fair return for their labor by a tax system which penalizes successful achievement and keeps us from maintaining full productivity.

“But great as our tax burden is, it has not kept pace with public spending. For decades we have piled deficit upon deficit, mortgaging our future and our children’s future for the temporary convenience of the present. To continue this long trend is to guarantee tremendous social, cultural, political, and economic upheavals.

“You and I, as individuals, can, by borrowing, live beyond our means, but for only a limited period of time. Why, then, should we think that collectively, as a nation, we’re not bound by that same limitation? We must act today in order to preserve tomorrow. And let there be no misunderstanding: We are going to begin to act, beginning today.

“The economic ills we suffer have come upon us over several decades. They will not go away in days, weeks, or months, but they will go away. They will go away because we as Americans have he capacity now, as we’ve had in the past, to do whatever needs to be done to preserve this last and greatest bastion of freedom.

“In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.”

Who is your guess?

A. President Barack Obama, 2009

B. President George W. Bush, 2008

C. President Ronald Reagan, 1981

D. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, 2009

E. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1936

Answer: C at his inauguration in January 1981

“Waste” by any other name, would it smell as sweet?

All of these taxpayer rip-offs are really adding up

The California state government’s waste boggles the mind. Here is a putrid example:

Governor Schwarzenegger created the California Performance Review with “the ultimate goal…to restructure, reorganize and reform state government to make it more responsive to the needs of its citizens and business community.”

Great idea, unless you ignore their suggestions…

The CPR recommends cutting 88 state boards and commissions that are unnecessary and inefficient. They meet once or twice a month and pay the political appointee over $100,000.

The aptly-named “waste board” (the Integrated Waste Management Board) is an example of a taxpayer rip-off to the tune of $2 million per year… It shouldn’t be hard to cut a committee whose name describes its worth!

But rather than taking his own committee’s advice in the midst of our budget deficit, the governor keeps appointing ex-politician friends to cozy jobs at our expense. For example, after Senator Carole Midgen lost reelection, the Governator appointed her to the waste board at $132,000. Nice consolation prize!

It’s time to cut waste, not increase taxes.

Tax Increases #2 and #3: They’re spending your money

Just how deep do they expect our pockets to be?

The Governor, liberal state legislatures and a handful of moderate Republicans want to now extend the tax increase and tax you more.

In the last Reality Alert Update, I provided a calculator to show you how much your tax increase will be, beginning April 1. Click here to see it.

The historic tax hike is taking money out of your pocket and putting it into the hands of a bloated, special interest driven bureaucracy (spending is up 40% in just 5 years!).

Surprise. We now find out it is not enough. The deficit that needs to be covered is now going to be another $8 billion.

The solution is to cut the runaway spending spree back at least to 2003 levels, adjusting for inflation. This should be minimum, just the start of trimming waste, duplication and unnecessary programs.

The liberal politicians spent a total of $78 million in the 2002–2003 state budget fiscal year. The state spent a total of $105 million in 2007–2008.

This is how they planned to shrink the bureaucracy?

Just look at the number of employees. Over 50,000 new state employees have been hired since the 2003 recall that was promised to shrink the bureaucracy. That’s about 40 new employees added at your expense to the government payroll every day.

The special interests and liberals—whose solution to every problem is bigger government and more control over our lives—have driven the state into bankruptcy.

Every year for the past 10 years, spending levels have grown…and now we are the highest-taxed state in the nation and the most unfriendly to businesses.

Even worse, the tax increase is a band-aid…and it’s not working. It does not solve the problem of overspending.

Raising taxes will hurt businesses, slow any possible economic recovery, kill job creation and increase unemployment. And it will drive out existing business and stop new out of state business from locating in California.

So you are now faced with 2 new tax issues:

1. The May ballot where you can extend or phase out the new tax increase. (More to come in the next Update issue.)
2. The state must now begin to think of taxing you more…or cut spending.

What do you think? Email me at craig@electionforum.org.

Who is to blame for the tax hikes?

1. First, the Governor who originally campaigned against any tax increase, supported cutting spending and opposed the special interests. He broke his word.
2. All 24 state senate Democrats and 51 assembly Democrats, including Senator Corona in Orange County, who promised not to vote for a tax increase.
3. The following Republicans broke their word and voted for the tax increase:
   • Senator Abel Maldonado
   • Senator Dave Cogdill
   • Senator Roy Ashburn
   • Assemblyman Mike Villnes
   • Assemblyman Roger Niello
   • Assemblyman Anthony Adams

Incidentally, we trusted Adams. He promised during the election that he would not vote for a tax increase…and he broke his word. We endorsed him, to our deep regret.

We encourage every Christian to help defeat these antibusiness, antifamily politicians.

California bonds downgraded: You pay higher taxes to pay off higher interest

Lowest credit rating of all 50 states

California voters approved “Economic Recovery Bonds” back in 2004. Because of the state’s fiscal irresponsibility, the $8.7 billion bond rating has been downgraded.

• S&P lowered ratings by two notches from AA to A+.
• Fitch and Moody’s ratings were also lowered.

Lower ratings mean higher interest rates that you’ll be paying for these bonds.

Getting your money’s worth?

We’re broke, but activist Superior Court forces California to pay over $1 million!

Eliminates residency requirement for pregnant women

Another liberal Superior Court Judge, Patrick Mahoney, has struck down a state law he doesn’t like, resulting in well over $1 million a year in extra taxes.

The law, which was passed in 1991, requires low-income women to live in California for 6 months to qualify for state-funded pregnancy and post-delivery care. Judge Mahoney did away with the residency requirement.

Just last year, Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed another bill that would have eliminated the 6-month rule because of the great cost to taxpayers.

Many pregnant women moved to California for these benefits.

Christians, the church and homosexuality

There are two choices…

Every church must either accept homosexuality or accept God’s word on homosexuality.

Here is an interesting video clip with J.I. Packer I thought you’d find interesting.

Click here to see the video:

Thoughts? Email me at craig@electionforum.org.

John MacArthur vs. Barry Lynn on Larry King Live

Guess who’s not seeing Christianity clearly?

Barry Lynn, Executive Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, is infamous for suing the United States to remove “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance, along with a long list of other anti-Christian legal challenges.

His statements on Larry King Live exemplify the utter disregard of liberal churches for the authority of Scripture.

“Many of us do not have a literal belief in the words of the not-God-written-and-produced but man-produced Holy Bible for Christians….Many of us, particularly in more liberal Protestant denominations, believe God is still speaking…and some people believe that God doesn’t speak and never did speak.”

This two-minute clip between Dr. John MacArthur and Lynn on Larry King Live gives you a glimpse into Lynn’s distorted view of Scripture and Christianity.

Click here to see the video:

President’s Faith Council—does it reflect you?

What’s missing from these objectives?

President Obama established the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, a group of religious leaders to advise on faith-based initiatives.

That’s a good thing, right? Or is it…

The Office’s 15 members ostensibly represent a wide array of religious views: secular nonprofits, Judaic, Catholic, Protestant and Evangelical.

Liberal Evangelicals are well represented by the likes of Jim Wallis of Sojourners magazine, while the nominal “conservative” Evangelical on the team, Joel Hunter, appears to have an agenda closer to his liberal colleagues.

Click the photo for Hunter’s interview by the Christian Broadcasting Network.

Huckabee interviews a “religulous” Bill Maher

Famous atheist calls religion a “neurological disorder”

Click the photo to watch an interesting exchange between Mike Huckabee and Bill Maher. It’s about 10 minutes.

“I don’t know why more people don’t give themselves a break. You don’t have to worship something. There are enough problems in the world.”—Bill Maher

What do you think? Email me at craig@electionforum.org.

For individual responsibility and passion for the hurting

Reaching out to those in need is a Christian duty and delight

At the National Pastors Convention, I heard Shane Claiborne speak. I was already familiar with his book Irresistible Revolution. My wife had read it and was deeply moved. One of my kids was moved to reach out to the homeless because of it.

Click here to order from ChristianBook.com.

Shane speaks with passion that is infectious. In his talk, he makes a few key points.

We often cry out to God: “Why don’t you do something?” And God says “I did…so you do something.” God wants to change the world with us.

When the church of Jesus Christ acts boldly in love and compassion—without government, guilt or coercion—the result looks a lot like the early Church.

For example, 400 Christians joined together to form Christian Healthcare Ministries to help cover their community’s medical bills. The group is now up to 20,000 believers. So far, $450 million dollars’ worth of bills have been paid.

Pure and undefiled
religion before God
and the Father is this:
to visit orphans and widows
in their trouble,
and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
—James 1:27

As Christians, we need to reach out individually and collectively to the poor, the widows and the orphans. To see this in practice right here in the City of Angels, look no further than the Dream Center downtown.

As believers hit the streets with any of the Dream Center’s many outreach ministries among the poorest of L.A., kids and adults are coming to the Lord and the love of Christ shines brightly in a community desperate for the hope that only the Gospel can bring.

Young Evangelicals like Shane want to help the hurting in our world. Is your church passionate with vision and purpose?

Under the radar! Is your city headed for a crisis?

More investment losses may be added to the taxpayers’ tab

The City of Vallejo filed for bankruptcy last year. Is your city next?

Many cities have overextended themselves with frivolous spending, growing bureaucracy and overly generous government union contracts. And the taxpayer is left holding the bag.

Now, under the radar, another city crisis is brewing!

California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) is now letting cities in California know that their investment fund for 1.6 million workers lost about 25% (close to $300 billion) due to stock losses and highly leveraged and irresponsible real estate speculation.

Taxpayers may have to cover these losses for city employees’ guaranteed government benefits.

If your city is in trouble, email me at craig@electionforum.org.

California parental notification defeat—
outspent 11:1

Millions were spent to defeat Proposition 4

The November initiative known as Sarah’s Law, Proposition 4 (click here for information) would have prohibited abortion for unemancipated minors until 48 hours after the physician notifies the minor’s parent, legal guardian or, if parental abuse has been reported, an alternate adult family member.

Opponents of Proposition 4 spent $8 million. The top contributors include:

• Planned Parenthood, $4,485,000
• California Teachers Association, $450,000
• California Family Health Council, $80,000
• ACLU, $60,000

Other opponents include:

• California Nurses Association
• California Medial Association
• National Organization of Women
• California Democratic Party

Mojave cross: Before the Supreme Court

Veteran memorial in jeopardy

Please pray for the upcoming Supreme Court decision on this historic cross.

Longtime readers will remember the cross was erected in 1934 by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) to honor fallen soldiers. Because the cross is on public property, a few people and the ACLU objected.

Two years ago, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the memorial, calling it a “governmental endorsement of religion.” The 9th Circuit Court is the most overturned court in the nation.

British government forces adoption centers to close

Christian agencies struggle to make a decision

The Equality Act covers England, Wales and Scotland. It bans discrimination against homosexuals in terms of access to goods and services…including adoption agencies.

The law makes no allowance for religious organizations to object on doctrinal grounds, effectively forcing many adoption centers to choose either to go against their deeply held beliefs or to be shut down by the government for noncompliance with the Equality Act.

The law went into effect in April 2007, but gives religious organizations 21 months to adjust.

So far, one Roman Catholic agency has been forced to close by failing to comply with the law, two are fighting for more time and three are deciding what to do.

However, five have agreed to place adoptions with homosexual couples.

What do you think? Should these five have given in? Email me at craig@electionforum.org.

High school coach can’t pray

Kids lead prayer, coach can’t support them

The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from a New Jersey high school football coach who wants to bow his head and kneel during prayers led by his players. Coach Marcus Borden was ordered not to pray with his team—and the Supreme Court agreed he could not express his religious beliefs with the kids.

Here is a short video:

Proposition 8 update: Controversy continues to rage

A closer look at who stands on each side of the issue

The California Supreme Court Decision is coming. In the next couple of months we will have a ruling from the California Supreme Court on the Proposition 8 vote.

Will the judges again overturn the vote of the people, based on their own liberal ideology? Or will they rule on the side of democracy?

I’ve talked to legal experts and read a number of legal observations on the oral arguments that were made before the court.

Most are cautiously positive the court will uphold Prop 8, but will allow the 18,000 homosexual marriages made since their last ruling to remain valid.

Encouraging news is two justices who previously voted to overturn Proposition 22 may have a different stance this time around: Their attitudes and lines of questioning suggest that they intend to uphold Proposition 8.

Now is the time for churches and Christian groups to pray for all seven judges as they make their ruling. Please add it to your personal prayer list, too.

Teachers and Prop 8. As you may know, the California Teachers Association (CTA) spent $1.25 million of members’ dues to oppose Proposition 8.

But a review of individual donor records for teachers, aides and counselors reveals their true beliefs…

• $210,000 was donated to support “no”
• $450,000 was donated to support “yes”

“Yes on 8” received more than double the support from teachers.

A reader acts: Morality and conscience. Here is a great letter from one of our readers, Joe. If you are a member of a union, including the CTA, the California Nurses Association or any other, you might want to do the same thing.

“Hi Craig:

“I belong to SEIU where I work and found out by accident they had donated $500,000 to defeat Prop 8. I have since exercised my right to have my dues donated to a local, nonprofit, non-political charity.

“I made it very clear to them that I refuse to support their agenda against Prop 8 either voluntarily or involuntarily. I was very unhappy that this was done without notifying the general population of the union. I don't think they would have been able to do it if they had.”

—Joe

Money and organization to overturn Prop 8. The ACLU, SEIU, CNA and other unions and groups are conducting pro-homosexual marriage boot camps called “Camp Courage.”

The purpose is to train activists in “the practical hands-on skills to organize in their communities to restore marriage equality for same-sex couples to California.”

The idea is to go door-to-door and discuss with friends and coworkers why homosexual marriage is necessary as a massive community organizing effort.

As I have said before, this is the time for every Christian to be able to defend marriage out of love…

…And more important, to be witnesses to the homosexual community and their supporters about God’s love and hope, which can set anyone free from any sin, including homosexuality.

Cultural war: Foster kids and Christian music

Outrageous penalty for social service worker

A group home counselor was suspended for six weeks following a beach field trip. On the trip, four kids came across “surf jam” at the Huntington Beach pier.

For about 10 minutes, the kids heard Christian music from Switchfoot, “exposing children to unapproved religious activities.”

Religious liberty victory for San Diego firefighters

Exercising their right to uphold personal morality

In a past issue we reported the San Diego firefighters who were forced, against their will, to participate in the 2007 “Pride” parade.

The four firefighters won their jury trial. The city has changed its policy to allow for moral objections for future parades.

Los Angeles City College student censorship

Christian beliefs ridiculed in the classroom

In a speech class, Los Angeles City College student Jonathan Lopez chose to talk about his Christian faith and traditional marriage.

In the middle of his presentation, his professor interrupted him, called him a “fascist bastard” in front of the class and refused to allow him to finish.

Asked about his grade, he was told to “ask God what your grade is.” To see a short video clip about this incident, click here.

First Amendment outrage: Pastor jailed

Victory needed to protect freedom of speech

In a previous issue we discussed Rev. Walter Hoye in Oakland. Pastor Hoye’s ministry and calling has been to encourage those considering abortion to explore the alternatives and consequences.

He regularly—and peacefully—distributed literature in front of an abortion clinic and held a sign that read, “Jesus loves you and your baby. Let us help.”

Arrested for violating a new city ordinance to stop abortion protests, Rev. Hoye became a criminal.

Now he has been sentenced to 30 days in a county jail and a fine. The judge tried to give him probation if he agreed to stay 1,000 feet away from any clinic. He refused. The judge became so angry, he sent Rev. Hoye to jail immediately, regardless of an appeal.

Pray for him, the appeal and the larger issue of free speech.

What do you think? Should he have agreed to stay away and not gone to jail? Did he do the right thing? Email me at craig@electionforum.org.

India’s Christians still hiding in forests

Pray for peace and an end to persecution

Militant Hindus in northeastern India have killed or beaten hundreds of Christians and burned over 5,000 houses and churches in the last 6 months.

Even today, your prayers for these besieged saints are desperately needed as hundreds of Christians still hide in the forest and more than 8,000 live in state-run relief camps. Many are reluctant to return home after the attacks.

Please pray for help for these persecuted Christians and that the Gospel will explode in this region.

Sri Lanka close to enacting anti-conversion law

U.S. congressmen speak out against human rights violation

The Sri Lankan ambassador to the United Sates, Jaliya Wickramasuriya, received a letter signed by 15 U.S. congressmen, asking that Sri Lanka shelve proposed legislation outlawing religious conversion. The letter was organized by Rep. Todd Akin (R-Missouri).

“The right to worship as dictated by one’s conscience is a basic fundamental human right, and one that is the foundation of any truly free society,” said Rep. Akin.

Pray that this law is stopped in its tracks and the Sri Lankan government changes its decision.

Action Items

Prayers and Support for 5 Important Topics

1. Write to your local and state representatives and tell them to stop wasting your hard-earned tax dollars. Pray that our leaders may be blessed with sound decision-making and that they will stop wasting our resources.
2. Pray for Christians and innocent people all over the world who are the victims of persecution, brutality and war.
3. Pray for veterans and armed forces…and that the courts will allow their memorial crosses to remain untouched.
4. Pray for organizations founded on religious values (such as the Christian adoption agencies in Britain) and for Christians everywhere, that they may see the end of poor treatment by the justice system.
5. Forward this email to a Christian friend.

That’s it for this week’s issue of Reality Alert. I hope that you’ll stay tuned for my next issue, as I have so much more exciting information to share with you.

Craig A. Huey

Rejoice always, Pray without ceasing. In everything, give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
(I Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Email: craig@electionforum.org
Phone: 310-212-5727
Click here to visit the Election Forum website.

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Craig Huey
For values, growth and liberty

Craig Huey is the coordinator and speaker for the California Election Forum. Mr. Huey is an author, public speaker, entrepreneur and owner of two successful businesses.

Worldwide, he has given over 1,000 talks and seminars.

He has led Bible studies at Calvary Chapel and Rolling Hills Covenant Church. He has been heard on KBRT, KKLA and KWVE numerous times.

Mr. Huey has also been written about or quoted in Christianity Today and more than a dozen publications and newspapers.

Mr. Huey has spoken at hundreds of church meetings about the elections and Christians in politics.

Reader Feedback

Public education vs. Christianity: What readers say

Here are some of the letters we received in response to our last issue.

Homeschooling benefits vs. public schools

“I am a mother of 4 boys and 1 girl, ages 13, 10, 8, 3 and 1. My husband and I made the decision to begin homeschooling our children this past September.

“We came to this decision after seeking much wisdom and guidance from God, asking veteran homeschoolers many questions, attending homeschooling info meetings, and simply seeing the evidence of maturity, faith and innocence found in most homeschooled kids.

“During a homeschooling meeting I heard it stated that there are 4 basic things a person must know by the time they reach 18:

1) How to relate to God

2) How to relate to others

3) How to handle money

4) How to learn

“None of these areas are taught in school, much less mentioned. God is glaringly omitted. Kids only relate with their age group (usually picking up bad habits from other kids).

“Managing money in regards to saving, tithing, donating, spending, keeping a checkbook, investing, how to buy a car or home, the dangers of credit cards etc…is never taught as a class and should be every year a child is in school in my opinion. Learning is not taught, only dependence on a teacher.

“My children and I are 6 months into our first year of homeschooling and we are enjoying every bit of it. My kids love being at home with me, seeing how life is really lived. They get their school work done, learn how to manage a home, help take care of their younger brother and baby sister, look for grocery items on sale in order to stick to a budget while shopping, cook meals and most importantly they are learning to love God as my husband and I now have the time to truly train them up in the way they should go.

“Their grandmother, who was an art major, is teaching them Art History and includes art lessons every 2 weeks. Their grandfather will be starting a financial class for them this semester. It’s nice to see family get involved and see my children actually looking up to me, my husband and other family members who they trust. They are not looking up to a peer group who has taken our place in their hearts.

“Our stress has gone down so significantly. I am no longer rushing them through breakfast and out of the house to drop them off at school, pick them up after a long day for them and myself (I always felt they got the worst of me at 3 p.m.), hurry through homework in order to get to sports practices on time, then rush to pick them up from practice or games in order to eat dinner…only to have a short time to instill life lessons at the family dinner table.

“We are truly living a full life together and I’m so grateful for the freedom to be able to have my children learning at home with me.

“A person may need a teaching credential to manage a classroom of 30 kids they don’t know, but a mother knows her children better than anyone else. A mother begins teaching her children at conception, why does she have to hand them over to ‘professionals’ once they are age 5?

“Thank you for including this subject in your website.”

—Ali

Government in schools

“I have two boys in public school in LAUSD, grades K and 5. They were homeschooled for 2 years and in private Lutheran school as well in the past.

“Definitely agree homeschooling is ideal if your home setup is ideal, but ours was not. We have no other kids their age in the neighborhood and no Christian homeschooling friends within a 20–30 minute drive. My kids were too lonely and we were inside too much because we live in an apartment and we don’t have a yard for them to go run around a bit and burn off steam.

“But, allowing them to be in public school requires ‘decontamination’ each day. [There are] so many kids from homes with no discipline and no God. I have to say that I have not had a problem ever with what is being taught.

“What’s sad though is that many kids they meet in sports and other activities that actually go to our church are also from families with no discipline and the absence of Christ in their daily lives.

“It’s not really a government school issue, it’s a heart issue. Even in our church, for many people their faith is not real; church is just somewhere they check into for a few hours on Sunday and check out.

“So I look at government schools as a potential hindrance and/or threat to my children’s spiritual upbringing, and yes, I would prefer to homeschool if our circumstances were different.

“But the main thing is that we realize it’s our responsibility to live out our faith and raise our children in Christ as best we can take our individual circumstances into consideration.

“School is only a drop in the bucket compared to everything else that competes for our children’s time and attention; we need to be aware that sometimes their so-called Christian friends and Christian friends’ parents are a much great threat to their faith than public school.”

—Tara

Pull children out of schools

“My boys are grown, but I strongly support the idea of Christians pulling their children out of public schools at least until the government, NEA and local school districts restate a respect for God, Christianity, the Ten Commandments and focus on Reading, Writing and Arithmetic instead of social engineering.

“God bless you and God Bless America.”

—Glen

Fleeing California: Readers weigh in

In a previous issue, we discussed Californians fleeing from high taxes. Here are a few responses:

Moving for retirement

“Lord willing, I will be retiring in about 5 years and I am seriously considering moving out of California at that time. I’m wondering at this point if I will be able to afford to live in California on a reduced retirement income.”

—Joe

Fed up and leaving

“I love your down to earth e-letters. Thanks for taking the time to keep us informed without all the smoke and mirrors of the journalists and the politicians’ spin.

“My wife, two recently adopted kids and I are seriously looking for another county and state to move to. Between [Los Angeles Mayor] Villaraigosa and our state politicians, we're fed up. Keep us in your prayers as we search for a new home.”

—Richard

Saving $16,000/year in CO

“Yes, I agree CA has ridiculous taxes. I had decided to move my businesses to CO a few months ago because of the high taxes and high cost of living here. I can save myself over $1,000 in state taxes each year and lead the same lifestyle on $15,000 less per year, in a much bigger apt. They've made it impossible for people like me. It’s OK...I don't like the heat anyways.

“Thanks for keeping us updated.”

—Virginia

Already gone

“Hi Craig!

“Unfortunately, we have already left. We lost our jobs and were unable to find anything. So we ended up coming back to Colorado where I am presently working but my husband is still looking for work. We are, at ages 51 and 65, living with my parents having lost everything…”

—Becki,
Finding Joy in the Journey!

Quote of the month

“People do not ask for socialism because they know that socialism will improve their conditions, and they do not reject capitalism because they know that it is a system prejudicial to their interest. They are socialists because they believe that socialism will improve their conditions, and they hate capitalism because they are blinded by envy and ignorance.”

—Economist Ludwig von Mises

eHarmony hurts Christian liberty

In a previous update, we discussed how eHarmony needlessly caved in to a lawsuit demanding they include homosexual dating. (Click here to read it.)

Here is one reader’s response:

“Hi Craig, I had sent this message to eHarmony after reading your last newsletter and this is the reply that I received (below). Needless to say, the reply is very vague and skirts the issue. They apparently had also blocked the customer service email for a number of days and I had to use one of their internal email channels to get through. Sad, but they obviously don't want to make it easy for us to voice our opinion.

“Thanks for all your hard work with this and other issues affecting Christians today.”

—Elmer

Reply from eHarmony

Dear Elmer,

Thank you for your inquiry and the opportunity to address your comment. We realize that many people have strong views on both sides of this issue, and we respect everyone’s opinion. We have always been in favor of committed relationships over casual relationships, and we look forward to providing services that can help all singles find a partner for a successful, long-term relationship.

For more information about the settlement, please visit: www.eharmony.com/njfaq.

Sincerely,
eHarmony Office of the President

Readers respond to Joel Osteen

Click here to watch his conversation with Larry King.

“Joel Osteen has an extremely positive and constructive way of presenting Christianity and encouraging people to make the right choices in life.”

—Rodger

Reflection

“Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and mysterious things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.”

—Daniel 2:20–22

Schoolteacher’s sex change: Readers say…

In a previous issue, we told you about the California teacher who underwent a sex change, and the students’ parents were not told. Here is what readers had to say.

Should notify

“Considering that I was married to and divorced a man who has had a sex change operation and know that these men don't live in the real world, I certainly would want to know if my children were being taught by someone who went through this. This isn't about physical problems—this is an emotional and mental problem.”

—Candace

Rights of parents violated

“This person with a sex change has taken the First Amendment’s protections too far. What about the rights of parents to be protected from free expression that violates the mental and emotional stability of their kids? Since when should the public school institution ‘teach’ that a person's sexual expressions and confusions are OK to teach to innocent children? Taxpayer dollars are being used to advance a cause that is against morality and conscience! And then values and morality and prayer are forbidden to be taught, which would at least give balance to these ‘ideas.’

“This should be viewed as a gross cover-up and appealed to the courts. Yes, parental rights were violated and the Vacaville parents have every right to protest and demand that the teacher not be allowed to continue employment there.”

—Gwen

Solution

“First of all, thank you for your e-mails! They were tremendously helpful to my family before the last elections, and we appreciate the fact that you share your work at no charge.

“Secondly, my 18-year-old daughter has the following solution to the HIPAA dilemma: Though it is true that HIPAA does prevent the school from sharing medical information, it only prevents the school from doing so without the teacher's consent. My daughter feels that the school should have made the teacher's employment for the new year contingent upon her (his?) consent to disclose his new identity…”

Gratefully,
—Pat

Let parents decide

“I am tired of the new privacy laws. If a teacher chooses to have a sex change, so be it. Every decision we all make, we will have to deal with the affects.

“There should be no reason but to let parents know so they can make a choice whether their child will fit with the new change of a teacher.”

—Regina

Very sad

“Yes, I believe the parents should have been notified. That's very sad that a teacher did that and the children are now bombarded with another message from someone they automatically respect that this is a perfectly moral choice which makes a person happier.

“The children are too young to grasp the complex issues surrounding this decision and it is not as easy as explaining to a child the woman chose to be a man. She will always be a woman who has mutilated herself and needs to stay on hormones in order to look male.

“Children cannot understand the health concerns associated with long-term hormone use or the health issues and inconveniences that will face the patient the rest of her life.

“The children are led to believe the person is changed when she is not, she can still have babies unless she had her uterus and ovaries out. The cell structure and DNA of the teacher still is female. The children can’t understand this. It is unfair to spring this on children when they go to school to learn.

“Sadly, I am very familiar with the heartbreak and confusion that the ‘gender confused’ leave in their wake. I married and had children with a man who later revealed he always wanted to be a woman and that he was leaving me to make that dream come true. Earth shattering for me, my kids, my parents, his parents, his brother and sister and all of our friends!

“In today's politically correct atmosphere nobody looks at the mental effects the hormones and the confusion and life adjustments themselves have on the patient. Instead this choice is embraced in order not to appear bigoted.

“The studies are in (John Hopkins Report) that the patients still have the same problems they had before surgery. The aftermath of such surgeries is painful and gross with life long issues for the patient afterwards.

“I don't think young children should have to try to process this as it has too many mature elements to it. At the same time, they will just accept this as a morally acceptable choice b/c a role model did it. This is an unfair assault on their moral development as children. It is unfair that a parent will have to explain this to their child because they were exposed without the parent's knowledge.”

—Tracy

More readers write in…

“Super” Bowl?

“I did take notice of the offensive commercials during Super Bowl—and I slept through most of it! I was even more enraged knowing the prolife commercial had been turned down. I am planning sending them another email.”

—Karen

Balancing the budget

“Craig,

“1. Thanks for the input on education.

“2. Thanks for the input on government spending.

“We MUST dump the Federal Reserve System. (Click here to read more about this.)

“Craig, I acquiesce to the idea that if the Congress had the will to balance the budget—then we may NOT need to dump the Fed.”

—Herb

Letter to the president from a reader

“This is something very quick and easy to do and will prayerfully make an impact.

“In keeping with the powerful image of the red LIFE tape, an empty red envelope will send a message to Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over the issue of abortion. It will be quiet, but clear.

“Here is what to do: Get a red envelope. (You can buy them at Kinko’s or party supply stores.) On the front, address it to:

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500

“On the back, write the following message:

This envelope represents one child who died in abortion.

It is empty because the life was unable to offer anything to the world.

Responsibility begins with conception.

“Put it in the mail and send it. (Some have set a [“due date”] of March 31.) Then forward this email to anyone who you think would send an envelope.

“Maybe God will use this to change the heart of the President!”

Thank you so much,
—Patty

Next Election Forum: Will your church participate?

The next Election Forums will be in April and May of 2010 for the June Primary. Up for office will be the California Supreme Court (including the architect of overthrowing Proposition 22), the Governor and state officers, senator, congressmen and local races. There will also be important propositions on the ballot.

If your church is interested in holding an Election Forum, contact me for details. Email me at craig@electionforum.org to set up a call, or call me directly at 310-212-5727.

On recalling judges

Thank you to all of the readers who have shared their opinions with Reality Alert. Email me your thoughts anytime at craig@electionforum.org.

Great idea to try a recall

“Hi Craig,

“I think that would be a great idea to try to recall judges who write law from the bench! Go for it! Thank you for all your hard work staying on top of these issues for us.”

God bless you,
—Robin

Focus on the 2010 election

“I don't think a recall election for the Supreme Court judges would work and it would be expensive to gather signatures and actively campaign. I know that two of the justices are up for election in 2010, so we should focus on getting information out to the conservative community to oppose them.”

—Rich

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