Tag Archives: christianity

Casting Pearls Before Swine

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Although most of the American populace do not consider themselves Christian, most recognize the the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. The entire verse is “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you,” Matthew 7:6

I haven’t a clue why the words came to mind. To be sure, God could have reminded me of it. On the other hand, I just might have thought of it on my own. Regardless which way it was, God did know, even before my birth that I was going to think of it. To some degree, He just might want me to write about it. I am not saying he wants me to. However, apparently, He is going to allow me to express my thoughts on the subject.

Even if He has not told me to do it, I apparently have His permission, that is, if this gets published. He can do things like that you know. He can speak by giving me the words and He can speak by keeping me from writing the words. It is in His power.

Even so, and here is the strange part, He still gives me the choice of if I want or don’t want to write on it.

That is a sort of ultra short sermon on the theology of free will and predestination. Enough to confuse the most learned theologian, with a doctor’s degree.

At any rate, as I said, I was thinking about the verse. As in many cases, I believe that He is using His words of instruction for a multipurpose. The one most look at, the obvious one is that we should not speak His word before those who will likely treat is lightly, or worse, as if it is false.

This does prompt the question, if the guy is bad, should we never preach the word to him?

I don’t think that was the idea at all. To understand, we must look at the second meaning. To understand the second meaning, we must understand the way they looked at dogs and pigs. At that time, in that society, dogs and pigs were the worst unclean animals.

I suspect, He was talking of the pigs and dogs as much as the pearls. The pearls are highly prized. The dogs and pigs were good for nothings; bottom of the heap. It was His method of representing the worst of the worst of the human race. That is the bottom of the heap of humanity.

Now, let’s take a close look at the verse before, 7:5 which was about people who are judgmental. My guess, but do you suppose that when He is talking about the bottom of the heap, he just might be talking about those who were judgmental. Many times, Jesus spoke of two types of people, those who were sinners who sought salvation and healing, spiritually as well as physically. The others were those who were too good to need salvation. You see, the Pharisees were convinced that they didn’t need salvation. They were, by their standards without sin.

You see, he was targeting those who were “too good” to need salvation. It was they that were He was comparing with the dogs and the pigs.

To be sure, the most difficult people to lead to salvation are those who are too good to need it. Also, they are the ones who really need it the most. By Jesus’s own words, they are the dogs and the pigs. Moreover, he has warned us that if we should take care. If we try to speak the Good News to them, they just might turn on us and “rend” us, that is to say, destroy those trying to bring the Word to them.

You see, many of them have been vaccinated. They have received the vaccine of the false prophets so that they are now immune to the real word of God.

Righteous Judgement

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Knowing all I have done, all that I’ve said, and all that I’ve thought, the thought makes me shudder to think I would have to pay for it all. There are, believe it or not, some who would have more to pay for than I.

Apart from Jesus, I would have to face justice for all of it. Well, I am not alone. At some point, we all would have to face the justice of the Holy God.

Without Jesus, God would look at all we have done and all we have failed to do and pronounce judgment upon us. He would look on us and cast us all into hell. For some, the judgment would be a little less harsh. For others, a little more.

You see, God is perfectly just. When He finishes putting it all on the figurative scales of justice, everything must balance. It can’t be out in the slightest one way or the other. There is a word that would then represent our situation. That word is lost.

However, Jesus provided a way for us to avoid having to face that judgment. He has agreed to take on all that judgment, every bit of it for every person. Only He has the power to do that. If we pay any of the price, we must pay it all. If we ask Jesus to pay the price for it, he has willingly already on the cross.

However, you must ask him to save you. You must accept the gift of his salvation. You must agree to let him pay for every bit of it. You do not have the power to help even a little in your salvation.

That… is how it works, all or nothing. You must rely totally on faith in Him, or you are not satisfying His condition. Since He is paying the price for us, it only stands to reason that He can set the rules.

There is something of an unusual result from this. It mostly makes it impossible for us to tell if someone else is going to heaven. We do get a few hints. The Bible does seem to make it clear that some are eternally in punishment, such as Judas Iscariot, although it is also clear that even he could have been saved had he repented and believed. Among all those who ever walked the earth, his punishment is likely among the worst of all, as he was directly under the teachings of Jesus for three years.

It does make me wonder how such a thing can happen. It also illustrates that we all have the freedom of choice. Jesus never made anyone accept or reject Him.

Which brings me to another point. Everyone makes their decision for themselves. God has told us of His preference. He wants us all to be saved. However, He has decided to leave the decision in our hands.

So, when those of us going to heaven arrive there, we will be surprised in two ways. Some people whom we figure will be a shoo-in, won’t be there. Some whom we figure would never make it there, will be there.

The fact is, it’s not how good we are but whether we have put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone. I suspect many who consider themselves clergy may not make it. Anyone who teaches and believes that salvation must be earned, we can pretty much assume they won’t be there, regardless of what church they belong to.

It’s not that I am pronouncing judgment; he’s admitting to me that he believes a lie and refuses to accept the word in the Bible.

Still, I’m not going to judge them. God will do that. As I say, God will settle it all in the end.

How-some-ever, if you hear anyone try to tell you that you need to do anything more than accept Jesus as your savior for salvation, do not listen to anything they say. Well, you can believe the time they tell you, but you might want to be suspicious of that.

Can You Lose Eternal Life?

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It is a question that has been argued down through the centuries. Some say this. Some say that. As for me, I believe it can be answered with one simple question and again reinforced with a second.

If you are in danger of losing your eternal life, then was it ever truly eternal life? If you lose eternal life, can you again regain it? If so, how many times can this be repeated?

In my book, eternal life is eternal, by definition. Those who don’t have eternal life, never had it.

Eternal life is a gift given to us by God. By definition, gifts are not earned but can only be received. If you work for a gift, then what you get, cannot be a gift but a reward.

More important, earning eternal life is not in our power. To say that it is, is an attempt to negate the need for the gift. With his death and resurrection, he has paid for our eternal life. How can anyone add to that? Why would anyone turn down such a valuable gift.

Yet, people try to earn salvation. Every day, people turn their backs on the gift. So instead of the gift of eternal life, they receive the punishment of eternal death.

Then & Now

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I was listening to a preacher one time. By the way, it is a good idea to listen to good spirit filled preachers. It is possible to learn things; things that can really help you.

At any rate, he was explaining the reason reason the Romans rejected Christianity. His explanation did make sense. I also suspect, with his education, he knew what he was talking about.

At any rate, you ever notice the Romans had no problems accepting the Greek gods. To them, the way they figured it, the more the merrier. I’m not sure anyone knows how many gods the Romans had. They had one for this and the one for that. If a person wanted to add a god, no problem. You could add your own god and your own religion and no one would complain.

The difference with Christianity was John 14: 6: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me.” It is a quote by Jesus Himself.

You see that made Christianity different and exclusive. If a person believed in Christianity, he could no longer believe in his gods. Well, in a way, I suppose he might but for one thing. If he tries to believe in both, the above statement by Jesus requires the denouncing of all other gods or he does not believe not believe Jesus.

The Romans didn’t like that. I mean everyone was getting along really well and then Jesus comes along and tells us that if you are going to accept Jesus as your savior, you must deny all the rest.

Believe it or not, some people actually had investments in the other gods. They sold idols and I am sure that they took offerings to them. Moreover, they had their customs, some of which encouraged some very horrible rituals. Strange as it may seem, some actually offered their children as sacrifices.

So it was, if a person was to become a Christian, they had to give that all up. Moreover, those that did not accept Christianity were looked on by the Christians as godless and lost. They were always going around seeking people to convert to this new faith. It was bothersome, you see. One minute you are carrying this nice conversation with an acquaintance and then, of all things, they were talking about you being a sinner and being in danger of hell forever.

That is basically what the preacher said, though I did add a little. You can imagine how this irritated the Romans. Think about it. Sort of the way that Christian neighbor keeps trying to get you to accept Jesus as your savior. I mean, it is a bummer trying to come up with all these excuses as to why you just can’t go to church with him.

The way it was back then, is sort of the way it is now. It’s sort of why people don’t like us Christians acting like Christians.

There is one more thing that is the same. Those that die without Jesus as their savior, will spend eternity in hell. It is kind of why we Christians become so bothersome. We are only trying to provide you with some very important information. It just might save you.

One more thing that is the same now as then. Jesus is the only way to salvation. It is perfectly exclusive and there is no other way. If your faith is in another religion of any kind, it will do you no good. You call yourself Catholic or Baptist, it won’t help you. You must accept Jesus as your savior.

The tragedy is that there will be many “good men” who don’t make it to heaven. Being good does not help you at all. No one, but no one is good enough to go to heaven. If we could be good enough, Jesus would not have needed to go to the Cross. If you say you are good enough you don’t need salvation, you are calling Jesus a liar. That in itself will be enough to send you to hell.

What’s in a Name?

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I happened to land on station where a Church of Christ preacher was trying to convince us that The Church of Christ is the only true church. He said it is only logical as it is named The Church of Christ. Better for him to teach about Jesus and salvation than to take such pride in his church. I mean, he has the attention of people for 15 to 20 minutes. Is it more important to speak on the Church of Christ or about Christ and salvation in that short time.

I listened to him for a while. I found it rather interesting the mental gymnastics he was going through to prove his point. The thing is, it had no standings. There is nowhere in the Bible that says that only the church named, Church of Christ is the real church. On the contrary. In the one place where people were trying to do anything like that, Paul scolded them. He said that some were saying that they they only believed Jesus, and some only Peter. (I Cor. 1:12…)

The only real important thing was what they taught. If they taught the word of God accurately, then they were part of the church of Christ. For years, the Catholics tried to claim they were the only Church. Today, there are still some that believe it. The hitch is that many of the things they teach are not biblical.

The way I judge a Church is very simple. If they teach the word of God accurately; if the church, especially the leadership practices what they preach, then I will give that church at least part of my approval. However, to give it my full approval, I have to see evidence that the Holy Spirit is moving in the church. If the Spirit of God approves of the church, who am I to say any different.

How do I know if the Holy Spirit is moving in the Church? It’s easy. If you have seen the Holy Spirit move in a church, you’d never again ask that question.

How-some-ever, here are some hints. The Holy Spirit always points to Jesus. It is part of his mission. If the preacher tries to claim the glory, he is not working under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. If he says, his church is the only church, it is time to get highly suspicious. I believe there are likely 4 or 5 major denominations are valid representatives of God, though there may be more.

I am Southern Baptist. However, I have listened to several Presbyterian preachers that I respect very much. I have heard some non-denominational preachers too that I believe teach the word accurately. I have heard a few, not many, Lutheran preachers who knew of what they spoke. And, yes I have heard a few Church of Christ preachers who I respected. Strange as it may seem, I have even heard a few Catholic preachers who seemed to have it right.

The thing this. We really need to be careful about who we say are not of Jesus Christ. If the church is teaching good sound doctrine and the Holy Spirit is on them, maybe we should just hold our tongue.

If they are teaching unbiblical doctrine, yeah, then it is open season on them. However, take care. Before you open your mouth, open the Bible and make sure of your position.

Finally, one more thing. I have noticed that preachers of different faiths do have discussions with each other from time to time. This, believe it or not, without throwing bookends at each other. The good thing about that, each preacher will go away better for it. They will both understand the Bible better after when their ideology is challenged.

Two Flags?

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I have said more than once, a person is really only has an allegiance to one flag. That creep that used that car as a weapon in New Orleans had an allegiance to one flag and what it represented. For some reason he decided to act on that allegiance at that time in that place.

My best guess is, someone gave him the order and he obeyed. My best guess is that there are a lot more men in this country who owe their allegiance to other flags, to other countries. It’s time to brace ourselves. My best guess is there will be more… for which we can thank Old Joe. He invited them in by the thousands. My best guess is that that character that set that bomb in Los Vegas got his marching orders too. My best guess is that his allegiance is to some other country too. Old Joe made the decision. We will be the ones to pay the price.

Who Cares?

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If I may, I would like to subtitle this Ignorance and Apathy.

Eons ago, a little exaggerated, I asked a programmer if he could teach me a little bit about Algol, a high level, structured programing language. He became thoughtful. He said that it would be difficult to do that. He said that in order to learn one part of the language, I would have to learn another part first. In order to understand that part, I would have to learn the other part first. It seems, in order to learn it, I would have to learn it all at once.

Since that day, I have been trained and I am very proficient at it. As I look back over what the programmer said, he was right. If I were to teach the language, I would have to teach it kind of all at once. I sort of guess that is why not too many people use Algol for programming. On the other hand, it is a very powerful language. I have heard that some people can almost write the whole body of the program in one line. Well, I must admit I am not that good but I can see how others could.

So. Here I am, I’ve written two big paragraphs and neither is about my subject matter. The reason is this. The subject is somewhat like Algol. I am having difficulty knowing where to start. There are 3 different places I need to start first. In order for me to start at point 1, I need to say some things about 2 and 3. In order to start at point 3, I need to say some things about 1 and 2. The word ‘conundrum’ does come to mind.

Let’s start with what you know, the little story where the old professor tells one of his students, “The problem with this world is that the youth is ignorant and apathetic.”

The young student shrugs and replies, “I don’t know and I don’t care.”

Okay. Ha, ha. Funny. I suspect you’ve heard it before. I’ve heard it a few times too. I do hope you liked it if it was the first time you heard it.

As with most of us conservatives, I have been trying to categorize democrats. I don’t know. It would seem that most fall into one of three categories. 1] The ignorant. 2] The Apathetic. 3] Both.

There are those that believed Old Joe was not feeble. There are those who didn’t care. Then there were those that didn’t know and didn’t care.

I suppose my categorizations might not be totally right. There might be those who might say, “Who cares?” There are those who do take that attitude, you know.

You look at the border. Some see the the rush of aliens across and don’t care. Some don’t believe there is a danger from the aliens. Some are completely oblivious to all the danger it causes.

This is of course, in spite of all the rapes and human trafficking that is going on. This in spite of the abuse of children that is happening. They turn their heads and pretend they know not of it.

When Old Joe gave the order begin the retreat in Afghanistan, some didn’t care about the deaths that resulted and the deserting of American citizens and friends left behind to fend for themselves.

We know that our women’s rights group care about women, but in this case, they pulled their heads in like the proverbial turtle and kept their noisy yaps zipped. This of course resulted in the torture and death of women that we liberated, befriended and educated. You can make up your mind. Were they unaware or were they apathetic. Or, on the other hand, could it be because the leadership of the dems told them to hold their complaints.

The dems complain, very loudly I might say, that Trump is apathetic to the poor aliens that are just seeking a better life. In truth, they were the ones apathetic to those that were killed or raped on the way to the US. Was it that they were ignorant to the criminal elements making their fortunes off of the pain and suffering of the aliens.

Could it be that the dems are completely ignorant to the death from the drugs made by the Chinese and distributed by the cartels. or is that they just don’t care.

When Obama pulled our forces out of Iraq, over a million were killed. Most if those tortured and killed called themselves Christian. Then when the dems were told, they said, “I don’t care!” Well, I guess some said, “I don’t believe it,” even though it was in the news for days. Now, that is apathy.

Before they start complaining about Trump being apathetic, I think it is about time to take a good look at the deaths and suffering in their own history. It’s time they look around and see what they are doing. It is time for them to stop being drastically apathetic.

It is time for them to stop saying, “I don’t care.”

Recognizing False Prophets

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I wish there was some way of easily recognizing false prophets, you know, like a requirement where a shirt with the label, “FALSE PROPHET,” on their shirts. Unfortunately, it is not that easy.

Nonetheless, there are some things we can do that make it somewhat simpler. May I write a quick word on history here, perhaps something you already know.

From about 300 AD and for centuries after, the Catholic Church taught that the common man should not read the Bible. There reason sounds logical. They said the Bible was to complex and difficult to read. II Timothy 2:15 says “Study the Word to show yourself approved.”

This is one of the primary way of finding a false profit, or at least a false teacher. They will discourage you, even forbid you to read the Bible. This, of course, is completely opposite to the above package and it cannot be argued, at all. The teaching by the Catholic Church was clearly wrong. Anytime that anyone or any organization says something different, or as in this case, opposite, they are teachings are false and the Bible specifically says not to believe them, at all.

Then, of course, if you don’t read the Bible, how do you know this? I mean, don’t take my word for it. Please read it yourself. I don’t ever, ever want you to take my word for anything Biblical. For this reason, I will try to cite the chapter and verse so you can actually read it from your Bible.

At any rate, going back to the history lesson. In 1440, the printing press was invented, which was a major problem for the Catholic Church. The fact is, they were teaching many things that were contrary to the Bible, some very major.

This was revealed by another big event in history. This time, it came from a Catholic Priest by the name of Martin Luther. So much was the Catholic Church, that is by the pope, they tried to have him killed.

These two things alone, broke the hold on the people that church had on most of the people in Europe. They were teaching that people could buy the souls of ancestors out of purgatory and into heaven. Not so. The word purgatory does not even occur in the Bible. With the Bible being in print, people were discovering it and that the church told the lie in an effort to bolster the treasures of the church, and by church, at this time I mean Catholic Church.

Moreover, Martin Luther started quoting the Bible for one and all, causing the protestant revolution. To be sure, there were churches other than Catholic before Martin Luther, but they generally had to hide. Because the Catholic Church tried to destroy them.

Now, people were going all over Europe saying things like, “By faith you are saved, not of yourselves, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2 8-9). Moreover, people were reading it for themselves from the Bible. They could see it for themselves and they Catholic Church’s lock on being the sole interpreter of the Bible fell to pieces.

What I have said hear, in a round about way, if the person or organization teaches something to contrary of the Bible, he is a false prophet, or at least a false teacher.

Now, how do you know if what they say, agrees with what is in the Bible? That’s easy. Read the Bible. Learn it forward, backward and inside out. That way, the instant someone says something that is contrary to the Bible, you’ll know.

You might ask, are there false teachers? Guess what. Don’t take my word for it. Look it up in your own copy of the Bible. You can look it up in the concordance. Or… if you like, just look up false prophet on the internet. You will find dozens of verses and they will be quoted in maybe 4 or 5 translations.

By the way, if you do look it up on the internet, there is no reason for me to go farther. You can easily read for days on what the internet has to say about it.

Nonetheless, might I suggest, start reading the Bible. I did and I read very slow and I hate reading. None the less I read it 8 times, not to brag but to show, if I can, you can and you should. You should read it, if for no other reason than knowing who is teaching the truth and who is trying to distribute a lie.

Oh. By the way. I gave up believing what the Catholics are teaching a long, long time ago.

Not Appropriate

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When a man stands behind a pulpit and preaches the word of God, he should be careful to teach the truth according to the Bible. As I was going through channels a couple of days ago, I heard a person who claimed to be teaching the Bible who implied that eating meat was Biblically wrong. He was very proud of himself that he had been a vegetarian for all these many years and he is healthier because of it.

Fact is, if he wishes to preach not to eat meat, he should be careful to say that it is his personal feelings. It is not Biblical. Throughout the Old and the New testament eating Meat is directed. Indeed, it is required in the first Passover. Jesus cooked fish for the disciples. Indeed, it is part of the requirements of the rituals of the Temple.

I do understand the concepts of not eating meat. Many are are healthier when they don’t eat meat. Most of us do eat too much meat leading to many health problems. However, just because a vegetarian is healthy, it does not mean that he owes it completely to his diet. Moreover, we have not one bit of proof that he might not be healthier if he had ate some meat.

The thing is, if a person wants to preach not eating meat, they ought not try to say it is biblical, because it’s not. When you try to make the Bible say things it doesn’t, it undermines the truth that you do preach. The one speaking should precede it with something saying it is personal opinions based on facts outside the Bible.

Understand, I am not saying that it is wrong to teach eating only fruits and vegetables. It’s up to you. I am just saying it should not be taught as Biblical.

Revisiting the CEO Principle

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I can’t remember how long ago it was, but many years ago, I posted what I call the CEO principle. Some might actually remember it. I suspect most have not read it. For that reason, I will briefly review it.

You know when you go to the store and buy that gizmo wrapped in that really wonderful bubble wrap. When you get home, you go to work in the effort to remove the blister wrap. I’ve got to believe that they spent a lot of time and money engineering how to enclose those wonderful gizmos in that wrap. Invariably, one thing you must remember, never use a knife to remove the wrap. First, it is not very effective. Second, you might actually hurt yourself. I have no idea how much validity there is to it but I have heard of people cutting off a finger while trying to break into the things.

I really doubt that, but I can believe that some have cut themselves pretty good. So, if you are going to use a knife, be sure to have plenty of bandages. It might also be a good idea to have someone around to apply the bandages. Make sure whoever it is, is not so squeamish.

Now, what does this all have to do with my CEO principle? Simple. If the CEO of the company that makes those wonderful gizmos actually used the product, off the shelf, they would not be wrapped as they are.

I get it. I know why they do it that way. There are thieves out there that will steal the gizmos by the dozens. The blister wrap is something of an antitheft system, to make sure that the product is complete when you get it home.

The principle not only applies to the way that it is wrapped, but also how they are made. Did you ever try to put one of those pieces of furniture together with those “Easy instructions?” Yep. You know exactly what I mean, that is, unless you are one of those who can afford to have the furniture delivered completely assimbled.

My electric lawn more almost escaped the CEO principle. It is real nice and works good. Not only that, it is easy to use. However, I almost have to use a prybar to remove the charged battery from the charger. No way does the CEO have to do that. He has someone else do it. Well, that is not totally fair. I bought it 5 years ago. They might have fixed it by now, though I hold out little hope. The battery slides in and out of the mower easy. Why not the charger?

I’m sure by now, you get the idea. There is no purpose to go on, though I could for a long time. The reason that I am revisiting the post is that I realize it also applies to the government. Let’s face it. When Obama had that Obama care thing written up, he knew he would not ever need to use it. He knew his family would never need it, very likely to the 3rd and 4th generation. He knew that, when he or his family needs to see a doctor, they will be able to go to the doctor he wants to and he will not have to go on the internet and sign up for one of the plans. He will never have to pay a doctor, lab or hospital bill, EVER.

However, It does not stop there. All those idiots that call themselves democrats and voted for Obama care knew they would never have to deal with it as we do. I know that because the bill was originally written so that they would have all have to go through the same stuff. Then, suddenly, before it was passed, they found out and that was changed. So, it would appear that what is good for us is not good enough for them or theirs.

That is to say, they need not concern themselves with most of the stuff they force down our throats. Is there anyone out there that actually believes that the senators and representatives ever had to put up with all the stuff we did during the pandemic? Do you believe their kids have to take the shots before they can go to school? It is sort of the way things are done in government. The laws are intended for us, not them.

It does go beyond that. Nowadays, the laws do not apply to the dems, only the republicans. Moreover, they have lots of help from the media. There is not one law that they and their minions can’t break. On the other hand, if a republican walks within a mile of the Capitol building, he is picked up and thrown in prison. Then, by the way, he is denied a lawyer or speedy trial. Many of those that were imprisoned four years ago remain imprisoned, uncharged and without lawyers.

Worse yet, a republican need not do anything wrong to feel the sting of the dems and their media. If a man being nominated for a cabinet post is targeted, they simply dream up something from decades ago, so as to make it difficult to disprove. Never mind, true or not. He is indicted by the press and that is more than enough.

One thing I know about the CEO principle. Private or government, complaints are useless. I know. I tried. I don’t think I was the only one either. And… by the way… in case you haven’t noticed, I am still complaining, for what little good it does.

Consider, how the Keating five got off Scott free, though they were all guilty of banking corruption. They were never even charged. Google it, Keating Five scandal. Four dems and Senator John McCain were caught with their hands in the proverbial cookie jar and they all should have gone to prison. Instead, they did away with Savings and Loan system, forcing us to go to banks for our loans.

Moreover, if they had all been Republicans, they would have all gone to jail.