Dateline Sacramento (2/18/2010)
Dateline Sacramento
News with a View from the California Capitol
February 18, 2010
One Nation Under God
Monday, many Americans were off work and school – a three-day weekend capped by a national holiday. Originally celebrated as George Washington’s birthday, these days Presidents Day might be a ski day (or week, as many public schools have instituted) or even a day lost in the merchandizing of Valentine’s Day or other three-day weekend sales.
Washington’s Birthday, instituted by the United States Congress in 1880, was originally celebrated on February 22, Washington’s actual birthday. The 1971 Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved Washington’s birthday to the third Monday in February, ironically never to fall on his actual birthday again. During the 1980s, retailers’ pushed to re-name the holiday Presidents Day. While February 12, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, was never a federal holiday, several states adopted it as a state holiday. Several other states take advantage of the holiday to honor their homegrown presidents, as well, such as John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Calvin Coolidge, and John F. Kennedy in Massachusetts. (For interesting information on Presidents Day, read “Ten Things You May Not Know About Presidents Day.”
Our Founding Fathers’ Legacy
George Washington and other early founding fathers possessed character, integrity, and valor and the forethought to know that America’s godly heritage should be threatened at our own peril. In his 1796 Farewell Address, George Washington warned, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensible supports…in vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens…”
Benjamin Franklin, though often portrayed as the most secular or deistic of our founding fathers, reminded his fellow representatives at the 1787 Constitutional Convention of God’s great faithfulness to the nation during the Revolutionary War. He cautioned, “We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that ‘except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it.’ I firmly believe this; and I also believed that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel.” Franklin concluded with a request that “henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business….”
Both Washington and Franklin were instrumental in the founding of colleges and universities in an effort to nurture leaders, teach them about their country’s history and institutions, and encourage their successful participation in public affairs. Franklin founded the University of Pennsylvania. Washington’s legacy became Washington and Lee University. He also left part of his estate to found a national university that would help students “in acquiring knowledge in the principles of Politics and good Government.” While his vision never came to be, Congress did charter military academies like West Point and Annapolis.
Far From Our Founders’ Ideals
Colleges today fall far from the lofty ideals of Franklin and Washington. A new study, “The Shaping of the American Mind: The Diverging Influences of the College Degree & Civic Learning on American Beliefs,” found college students today are not only woefully ignorant of civics and history, but they are being indoctrinated with non-traditional public policy. The study tested a cross-section of Americans on 33 basic questions that included political literacy, American history, and economics. The average score was 49 percent, and college graduates scored an average of 57 percent.
Participants were also asked to respond to 39 social issues, and their answers were compared to results from a 2006-7 survey of college students on similar issues. While 24.6 percent of those with high-school educations believe homosexuals should be allowed to marry, 39.1 percent of college graduates do. While more than half (56.6 percent) of the respondents with a high-school education believe teachers should be allowed to lead prayer in public schools, only 39.4 percent of college graduates agreed. While almost three-quarters (74.2 percent) of those with only a high-school diploma agreed the Bible is the Word of God, the number dropped to 63.5 percent among the college educated. The gap on the issue of abortion was less striking. While 20.1 percent of those with a high-school degree supported abortion on demand, the percentage rose only slightly to 20.8 among those with a college degree.
Additionally, the study broke out the beliefs of college professors and found that most agreed that the Ten Commandments are irrelevant, that educators should instill more doubt – and reject certainty – in students, and that homeschool families neglect their community obligations.
Incredibly, The Heritage Foundation’s blog, The Foundry, reported earlier this month that North Carolina was considering changes to its high-school U.S. History curriculum to cover only events from 1877 forward – to teach only “what students feel connected to, ‘where they see the big idea and draw relationships between parts of our history and the present dy.’” Does that mean students don’t have a connection to our nation’s founding, to our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence? And how about Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg, and the abolition of slavery?
Our founders possessed a biblical worldview and believed that, for America to survive, its citizens must understand its founding principles. Most Americans still agree with that, but many of our colleges seem to disagree with the original goal of the American founders. How can one understand and think critically about public affairs if one does not know or understand the principles on which the nation was founded? How can one stand for basic liberties and freedom, if one lacks the knowledge of their historical roots? Those beginnings still inspire our nation and evoke patriotic fervor and pride in our country. What can you do?
· Guide the young people in your lives in selecting colleges and coursework that support America’s founding.
· Talk about current events and their public and historical impact with your family and peers.
· Advocate for more courses that teach founding documents and principles – in high school and college.
· Enter the debate online, or write an op-ed for your local newspaper.
· Read about our nation’s founding and founders.
· See the Intercollegiate Studies Institute American Civil Literacy Program, which authored this study, for more resources and ideas.
New Poll Finds Americans Increasingly Opposed to Assisted Suicide
A new poll recently highlighted in LifeNews.com finds Americans are divided on the idea of legalizing euthanasia, but the opposition to the practice is growing.
The new survey from Angus Reid Public Opinion, a Canada-based polling firm, asked 1,001 Americans, “Generally speaking, do you support or oppose legalizing euthanasia in the United States?”Although the term “euthanasia” was used in the question rather than the term “assisted suicide,” which generally draws a stronger negative reaction, the results reveal some interesting opinions:
- Only 42% support legalizing euthanasia in the United States.
- 65% of those polled believe parents who assist a terminally ill son or daughter to die should be legally punished.
- 63% think people who help a person to commit suicide should be prosecuted.
Opinions were slightly different among Democrats, Independents and Republicans. While almost half of Democrats (47%) andIndependents (also 47%) support legalizingeuthanasia in the U.S., a slim majority of Republicans(51%) are against it.
The level of support for legalizing euthanasia is down from the August 2009 poll Angus Reid conducted. That survey found 45% of respondents in favor compared to 42% in this latest study.
Angus Reid also asked if legalizing euthanasia “would send the message that the lives of the sick or disabled are of less value.” Respondents split 44-44 percent with 12 percent saying they are uncertain.
“I am constantly reading comments that basically state that we cannot win the assisted suicide battle. I am convinced that we can push-back and stop the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide,” stated Alex Schadenberg, the head of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition in an interview with LifeNews.com.
“We need to take these types of poll results to heart and tell others that legalizing euthanasia gives a physician the right to directly and intentionally cause your death and legalizing assisted suicide gives a physician the right to be directly and intentionally involved with causing your death,” he said.
“I find that most people really don't like the idea of giving someone else the right to cause their death,” Schadenberg concluded.
Assisted suicide is not a new idea in the state of California or its Legislature. Proponents have been pushing this agenda for years. Although Oregon, Washington, and Montana have allowed assisted suicide, a broad and diverse pro-life coalition that includes California Family Council has been successful in defeating physician-assisted suicide each time it has been introduced in California.
CFC’s Sacramento-based legislative team will continue to keep you informed, as we remain vigilant in protecting the most vulnerable among us from harm. You can stay up to date on this and other issues affecting California’s families by logging on to www.californiafamily.org.
State Legislature Once Again Demonstrates its Dysfunction
"I am for a government rigorously frugal & simple, applying all possible savings of the public revenue to the discharge of the national debt; and not for a multiplication of officers & salaries merely to make partisans, & for increasing by every device, the public debt, on the principle of it’s being a public blessing.” ~ Thomas Jefferson, 1816
Jefferson’s foresight warned of a government that would grow beyond its prescribed purposes. His words warned of dangers of government debt to the public good. Not coincidentally, California is once again faced with numerous fiscal and societal challenges. After closing a $60 billion deficit in 2009, the state now faces an estimated $20 billion deficit in 2010, a 12.4% unemployment rate, continued water management issues, impoverished school districts and crowded prisons. Regardless of all these challenges, California legislators continue to place partisan politics and special interest before the needs of the people of California.
The failure of the State Assembly to confirm Senator Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria), Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s nominee to fill the vacant Lieutenant Governor’s position, illustrates how partisanship has contributed to the Legislatures’ dysfunction. Maldonado, a moderate Central Coast Republican who regularly votes with the Democrat majority, drew stiff opposition to his nomination from Democrat lawmakers. As political columnist Dan Walters notes, “Governor Schwarzenegger and Democrat leaders are [now potentially] locked in a political, semantic and ultimately legal duel over something that should have taken about five minutes – confirming Republican Senator Abel Maldonado to serve 10 months in a completely meaningless office of lieutenant governor.”
In spite of the Assembly’s failure to confirm Senator Maldonado, Governor Schwarzenegger initially threatened to move forward with Maldonado’s installation. In an e-mail statement, Schwarzenegger’s legal affairs secretary stated, “Today’s [Thursday’s] Assembly vote is not a 'refusal' to confirm, there is neither a confirmation nor a refusal to confirm by that chamber and, under the text of the Constitution, the nominee would take office.”
Governor Schwarzenegger called the Assembly’s actions “hyper partisanship at its worst.” However, the governor decided to withdraw and resubmit Maldonado’s nomination. According to Schwarzenegger, he resubmitted Maldonado’s name for nomination “in an effort to avoid wasting time and energy on litigation that should be spent passing a jobs package.”
Focusing on the confirmation theatrics, rather than on a “jobs package” or the deficit-ridden state budget, explains why polls indicate voters’ displeasure with their elected officials. Similarly, the Legislatures’ inaction to the state’s fiscal issues also demonstrates their systemic paralysis. As the governor’s 8th special session of the 2009-10 legislative year nears its end, legislators will hastily attempt to approve measures addressing California deficit and immediate cash flow problems. However, will the proposed measures be bipartisan? Not surprisingly – No! Despite introducing more than 100 bills aimed at reducing the deficit and creating jobs, the only measures currently moving through the process are Democrat-sponsored bills. Republican-sponsored bills have not been heard in committee and will die without consideration when the special session ends on February 22, 2010.
In the meantime, the Democrat-controlled Senate Budget Committee – on strict party-line votes with Republicans in opposition – approved several budget measures that would reduce the deficit. One measure would increase business taxes by limiting a business’s ability to write off losses. These business tax increases would generate approximately $655 million in new revenue.
A second bill approved by the committee aims to institute a 4.8% surcharge on residential and commercial property insurance, which would raise another $200 million in new state revenue.
The Senate Budget Committee-approved bills are designed to specifically raise taxes requiring only a simple majority vote, excluding Republicans. Similar to the Assembly’s partisan actions in the Maldonado confirmation, the behavior of the Senate will undermine cooperative efforts needed to effectively govern California. Solving California’s fiscal problems, particularly during these dire fiscal times, requires our elected leaders to work together.
Actions by the Democrat majority continue to display an arrogant hubris by their refusal to acknowledge the need for legislators to work together to protect California families. Since legislators returned to Sacramento after the recess, actions have “helped fuel the perception that California’s statehouse is stuck in never-ending dysfunction.” Regrettably, all Californians are paying the price for this reality.
Local Links
SAN FRANCISCO – Once again, same-sex “marriage” proponents continue their efforts to force the re-definition on California’s citizens. Last Friday, homosexual couples showed up at San Francisco’s City Hall demanding marriage licenses. Their actions have become an annual Valentine’s Day event. Read more in the San Francisco Chronicle.
FRESNO – After Proposition 8 passed in 2008, same-sex “marriage” proponents have targeted several regions where voters overwhelmingly supported the initiative, including Fresno. Last Saturday, members of Equality California continued their door-to-door efforts to change voters’ opinions. Read more at CBS47.tv.
SAN FERNANDO – Religious expression and speech is on trial in another California court. Alliance Defense Fund attorneys have filed suit against Los Angeles County officials who prevented a citizen from passing out Christian literature and speaking to passers-by on a public sidewalk outside a courthouse. Read more at Onenewsnow.com.
PICO RIVERA – After being appointed mayor, Gregory Salcido has attempted to exclude religious expression from city council hearings. He began by removing the Bible from the council chamber dais, followed by canceling previously scheduled prayer. Read more in the Whittier Daily News.
Coming Events
“True-U – A Fusion of Fact and Faith” Coming to Fresno on Saturday, February 27th.
Recent studies show that nearly 70% of teens walk away from their faith during the college years. Why? What’s happening? How can we help them?
You’re invited to attend a free and informative three-hour event, “True-U a Fusion of Fact and Faith” presented by California Family Council and hosted by Northeast Assembly of God Church in Fresno. Come and hear from college students, experience content from the True-U DVD series, and find out how we can help students be prepared for the challenges they will face in college. Refreshments will be served.
Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase the True-U DVD series “Does God Exist?” at a specially discounted price good only on February 27th at this event.
Click here to register. Walk-ups welcome. Pre-registration requested.
Saturday, February 27, 2010 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Host Church: Northeast Assembly of God Church
4386 North Chestnut Avenue
Fresno, CA 93726-2999)
4386 North Chestnut Avenue
Fresno, CA 93726-2999)
Truth Project Opportunities
RIVERSIDE – California Family Council continues to expand its offerings of the acclaimed Truth Project group leader training seminars. Training in biblical worldview is a prerequisite to living out authentic Christianity in today’s postmodern culture, with its subjective claims of truth.
Saturday, May 1, 2010 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Host Church: Big Valley Grace Community Church
4040 Tully Road
Modesto, CA 95356 (San Joaquin Valley)
Saturday, June 5, 2010 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Host Church: Big Valley Grace Community Church
4040 Tully Road
Modesto, CA 95356 (San Joaquin Valley)
For more information on attending or hosting a seminar, call the California Family Council at 951.354.8362 and ask for Trudy. Register online for seminars at: www.californiafamily.org.
