September 14, 2016 – Words of Wisdom
*Marcus Tullius Cicero (Roman philosopher)

Cicero, philosopher, politician, lawyer, orator, and constitutionalist, wrote this in 43 BCE about his time…hmmmm…that seems convenient, but let’s deal with that later…..

1. The poor, work and work.
2. The rich, exploit the poor.
3. The soldier, protects both.
4. The taxpayer, pays for all three.
5. The wanderer, rests for all four.
6. The drunk, drinks for all five.
7. The banker, robs all six.
8. The lawyer, misleads all seven.
9. The doctor, bills all eight.
10. The undertaker, buries all nine.
11. The politician lives happily on account of all ten.

“He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’” Luke 12:41-44

To the writing of Cicero (see comment * below), I would add this pithy addition: “The pastor preaches salvation to all.”

*Cicero did not actually write the above quote, but I liked it so much that I wanted to include it. Actually it was posted to an Occupy Wall Street-related forum in 2012. So much for a Roman era philosopher saying something pertinent to today – that is what made the debunkers suspicious. The point of the list is to say that politicians care only about their own situation, including wealth and privilege, and so does not really care about others. I have been living in Pennsylvania for 53 years. For 53 years I have been an observer of the political situation in Pennsylvania. And as I have determined, there is always some scandal going on – either with accepting bribes, inappropriate influence peddling, leaking grand jury information, and the famous (or should I say infamous) Bud Dwyer self-execution on live television, and these are just a tip of the iceberg. Here are snippets of some of the worst in PA:

* Manu Mine Scandal with the Turnpike Commission of the 1950’s. Turnpike President and Commissioner were convicted
* State Republican Representative Tom Druce left the scene of an accident where he killed a man in 2000. Pleaded guilty.
* Former Attorney General Ernie Preate – mail fraud for failing to report campaign contributions from video poker operators. Convicted in 1995.
*State Treasurer Bud Dwyer – bribery charges. Killed himself in 1987 on live TV.
*23 Democratic and Republican officials convicted of using public resources for campaigns, including Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Veon in 2010.
* Seven legislators and top party officials including 34 officials in PennDot were convicted or involved in scandals during the administration of Gov. Milton Shapp from 1971 – 1979.
* The Capitol graft scandal of 1907 – 1908. The cost of the new capitol’s furnishings were greatly inflated from $9 to $13 million leading five people to be convicted including the architect, Joseph Huston.

This list does not even include this year’s scandal involving Kathleen Kane, former Attorney General who has been indicted for leaking grand jury information in an attempt to invoke a vendetta on attorney Frank Fina.

John was clear in his words toward the religious and politically elite of his time –
And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages….I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Luke 3:10-16

We need to keep our politicians honest and hold them responsible for their actions and inactions. So, we need to pray for them, as much as we pray for our pastors and bishops in the church. That, in and of itself should keep us praying.

Pastor Dave