We well may be. I don't subscribe to the "ship 'em all back over the border!" that's all too commonly heard. People who've been here for decades, raised their children, worked productively, have roots in the community - anything that could have been done to control immigration should have been done back in the eighties. It's water under the bridge, part of our nation's history now. That's not to mean I condone the illegality of it, and I've heard legal immigrants express bitterness at how hard they worked to achieve citizenship and I can understand that too. And the cartel violence and political instability south of the border is another very big concern. Many who don't live in one of our border states have no idea what a serious problem the cartel incursions over our border onto U.S. land have become.
In so many ways today, one needs the wisdom of Solomon to even be able to formulate some sense of how to think about these really pressing problems.
I feel a real sympathy for the ranchers and owners of property on the border. They need protection, and the those making the dangerous trip illegally need to be mindful of property rights they may be violating. And the few that show a lack of respect by killing off someone's else's cattle or worse is not an acceptable way to start your new life in this country. Solomon would be challenged but I feel certain God would give him the wisdom needed.
Once again, God bless you and thank you for your intelligent, wise responses.
SObG
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Ephesians 2:9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. [NASB]
I feel a real sympathy for the ranchers and owners of property on the border. They need protection, and the those making the dangerous trip illegally need to be mindful of property rights they may be violating. And the few that show a lack of respect by killing off someone's else's cattle or worse is not an acceptable way to start your new life in this country. Solomon would be challenged but I feel certain God would give him the wisdom needed.
Once again, God bless you and thank you for your intelligent, wise responses.
SObG
I can't live up to that, SObG, I really struggle with wisdom these days. It's something for which I actively pray, but the more time goes on, the more second-guessing I do. My consolation is that there may be some growth/refining in process. I would welcome that grace.
You're right re: the ranchers, that's part of what I was thinking about wrt the border incursions. The huge appetite this country has for drugs has fueled the rise of these really dangerous cartels who run their own shadow government. It's a huge problem, one that's not being adequately addressed by any administration, prior or present.
I completely agree. And those who are for it, and want to use them should be perfectly capable of paying for them.
Exactly!
"The Bible is very clear, Christians aren't supposed to be busybodies, nor are they supposed to strive with any man who hasn't harmed him (Or someone else, by implication.)" RandPaulfor2016, May 10, 2013
I can't live up to that, SObG, I really struggle with wisdom these days. It's something for which I actively pray, but the more time goes on, the more second-guessing I do. My consolation is that there may be some growth/refining in process. I would welcome that grace.
You're right re: the ranchers, that's part of what I was thinking about wrt the border incursions. The huge appetite this country has for drugs has fueled the rise of these really dangerous cartels who run their own shadow government. It's a huge problem, one that's not being adequately addressed by any administration, prior or present.
Dr. Walter Williams, a conservative I greatly respect, when guest hosting the Rush Limbaugh Show several years ago pondered what are we really accomplishing with our war on drugs. At that time, he wasn't sure how he felt about it. He was studying all facets of the issue before he reached a conclusion. (Would that we all did that!) That it's been a failure is without doubt. Prohibition just encourages criminal activity. What people do in the privacy of their own homes, should that be the governments business? We know that illegal drugs funds terrorism, would legalization help or hurt?
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Ephesians 2:9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. [NASB]
Dr. Walter Williams, a conservative I greatly respect, when guest hosting the Rush Limbaugh Show several years ago pondered what are we really accomplishing with our war on drugs. At that time, he wasn't sure how he felt about it. He was studying all facets of the issue before he reached a conclusion. (Would that we all did that!) That it's been a failure is without doubt. Prohibition just encourages criminal activity. What people do in the privacy of their own homes, should that be the governments business? We know that illegal drugs funds terrorism, would legalization help or hurt?
Legalization of pot would likely mean billions of dollars generated in taxes for the government if it was taxed like alcohol or cigarettes. Maybe if it was legalized, cartel power would be diminished? I've read that roughly ten percent of the U.S. population has smoked pot in the past year, and that total U.S. usage is in the multiple tens of billions of dollars per year. I don't have a settled opinion on it myself, except that yes, I agree the war on drugs has been a failure.
Legalization of pot would likely mean billions of dollars generated in taxes for the government if it was taxed like alcohol or cigarettes. Maybe if it was legalized, cartel power would be diminished? I've read that roughly ten percent of the U.S. population has smoked pot in the past year, and that total U.S. usage is in the multiple tens of billions of dollars per year. I don't have a settled opinion on it myself, except that yes, I agree the war on drugs has been a failure.
That's certainly one of the arguments in favor of legalization. But do we have enough information to know the long term effects to our society? Is using European data on this matter reliable? If those questions are answered satisfactorily, where do we draw the line? What about prescription medications. Will I still need a doctor's prescription to get my blood pressure medicine? Minimum age requirements? This all needs to be thought through.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Ephesians 2:9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. [NASB]
That's certainly one of the arguments in favor of legalization. But do we have enough information to know the long term effects to our society? Is using European data on this matter reliable? If those questions are answered satisfactorily, where do we draw the line? What about prescription medications. Will I still need a doctor's prescription to get my blood pressure medicine? Minimum age requirements? This all needs to be thought through.
Long term effects...seems we've been affected for a long time already. Those that will use - will use whether legal or illegal. I think the only change in legal status would be wrt pot, don't you? In any event, it's not a subject that I've followed closely.
Long term effects...seems we've been affected for a long time already. Those that will use - will use whether legal or illegal. I think the only change in legal status would be wrt pot, don't you? In any event, it's not a subject that I've followed closely.
We've wandered somewhat from the OP, I think.
I don't mind, but we can stop here if you want. I usually avoid drug threads.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Ephesians 2:9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. [NASB]
Linear Mode
