Jane Chastain : Politically Direct

“Select capable men from all the people – men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain – and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.”

– Exodus 18:21

“You brood of vipers!” Those harsh words were those of Jesus as he ran the money changers out of the temple. They were robbing the people and making a mockery out of their sacrifices.

Over 2,000 years later, we have our own brood of vipers. They’re in Washington. They aren’t simple opportunists who showed up to prey on the sacrificial tax contributions of hardworking Americans. We sent them there to mind the store as our representatives. Read the rest of this entry »

Greased pig races used to be quite common. Little piglets were selected for these events and they were next to impossible to catch. Just when you thought you had one in your grasp, it would slip through your fingers and run into the bushes. Instead of a race, it became a game of hide-and-seek.

That’s what has been going on in Washington. During the month of August, there was a search for a couple of pigs in bushes – the two-legged kind, who line up at the public trough and gobble large amounts of tax dollars faster than you can say “government waste.” Last week, they were captured (identified), and now a couple of others are on the loose. This is hide-and-seek coupled with musical chairs. Read the rest of this entry »

He brings you expensive, frivolous presents. He whispers sweet nothings in your ear and writes you long letters sharing his innermost concerns. He is hardworking, attractive, articulate and charming. The perfect partner or so it would seem. Every so often, he gets down on his knees and pledges his devotion to you and all that you hold dear. He is a model of virtue and integrity. He is your congressman.

Now, you discover that he has been cheating on you. For most, this has been a long marriage. You might forgive just one little fling, perhaps two … but not this! Read the rest of this entry »