Godonomics?

Lots of stuff happening out there. But nothing of concern about Tiger. Okay, he's golfing again, fine. Next story. Seriously, media people, move along! Nothing to see here! Car wreck's over!

And the health care reform bill is about to pass in spite of everything. Oops, did I say health care reform bill? Sorry, I meant to say the insurance coverage reform bill, because that's what it is. And Republicans, who are in favor of all the tax-and-spend economics in the world whenever there's a Republican in the White House, have united to absolutely oppose this bill as if their lives depended upon it -- as opposed to the rest of our lives, which actually do. All to prevent our trophy-President from obtaining anything even loosely resembling the teeniest victory. Let's be clear: this drop in the bucket, this band-aid to cover a gunshot wound, this too-little and too-late piece of shit bill is nowhere near what we need to straighten out the problem of health care in this nation. We all know it. But, alas, it's all we've got. So we need to take this tiny morsel and eat it while we can, because, frankly, we're starving.

But know this: We'll have to do this health care reform all over again -- and very, very soon! We will have no choice when, not if, the insurance companies get our DNA profiles. I've called it, I've predicted it, and you all know I'm right. The three things you can count on in life are death, taxes, and the public option for health care.

Oh, and just to get this off my chest: With so many people out of work, we need entrepreneurs to start up new businesses and start hiring people. Shame that they can't because they can't afford the health coverage. If only there were a public option, they could start up their businesses much easier! And here's the bottom line: public option is economic stimulus. Period. Fight public option, America stays out of work. Back public option, and America gets employed. Yes, it's really that simple.

And now for something completely different: A rant on something that left me speechless earlier today, and believe me, that takes some doing! I received an e-mail from Kent Hovind's ministry, DrDino.com, which had some interesting content. Yes, I do put myself on the e-mail lists of goofy creationists, and yes, Kent Hovind's ministry is still going, in spite of Kent still being in prison -- his son Eric is keeping the wheels from entirely falling off altogether. But the e-mail featured a new product available through Hovind's ministry, called (and I'm not making this up), Godonomics! It's a six-part DVD which outlines how God wants us to manage finances responsibly. It includes chapters on "helping vs. enabling the needy, when to save vs. when to spend, the joy of generosity, the value of a work ethic, and much more." (Available now for just $19.95! Oh, precious irony!) The video is hosted by Chad Hovind. (Yes, there's a relation. Eric's kid brother.)

What's gotten my attention about this is the timing of it. By no means is it new for preachers to talk about responsible use of money. But the current economic crisis has affected everyone, and it's been felt by churches more than one might expect. In spite of prosperity preachers yammering on about how God will "open the floodgates" of financial success for those who faithfully give their tithes (funny how that benefits the preacher first, isn't it?), the reality is that when one is faced with giving up either prescriptions or groceries this month, the tithe is often the first thing to go (followed closely by cable TV). So it should really come as no surprise that now, finally, we're seeing an organized effort at getting the Lord's faithful to stop spending money on wasteful things like fast food so that they can make sure to put their money where it belongs -- in the offering plate. And it should also come as no surprise that the early chapters of this video focus on how it's God's will for his children to be prosperous. After all, we can't have Christians thinking that it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, can we?

So, with the rich now entering the kingdom, Hovind's kids have come up with a new way to get richer during a time of economic depression. Who knows, they might even get a few of their suckers to spend a little less of their money after they've wasted it one last time on their product. Then again, Tim LaHaye may come up with yet one more apocalyptic novel, and they'll end up wasting cash again.

Here's an economic reform plan: All Christians who wish to give tithes to the Lord, instead of giving to some fatcat preacher, give that 10% instead to your local hospital's indigent-care fund. "For as much as you've done it to the least of these, you have done it unto me," quoth Jesus in the scriptures. It's biblical! It would mean that televangelists and the gasbag religious lobbyists on Capital Hill would go broke, but GOOD! They should go broke! I'll bet we could pay for everyone to get free healthcare this way! Hell, I'm an atheist, and I'd even give 10% for that! Now, that's what I call "Godonomics!"

On second thought, nah, that would make too much sense!

Eric

P.S. How come it's a Kingdom of Heaven? What's wrong with a Republic of Heaven?