How can I sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? ~ Psalm 137:4
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By James V. Ferguson, MD (contributor to the Tennessee Conservative) –
As the culture/civil war for the soul of America rages, I often ask myself, will there ever be an end to this strife, this division, this war? Just like the Psalmist, I feel like I’m living in a foreign land.
Recently, I had the opportunity to discuss the upcoming election with a young professional woman. She is married and has two children. Of the many perspectives we shared, the one that struck me was her comment that her life is so busy with work and family that she does not have time to read the news and search for the truth.
I understand this because when I was working and raising a family, I didn’t have time to focus on politics, the country and the world. It takes time and effort to sift through the news and search for truth, which is often elusive. When I was younger I didn’t have time to follow my own axiom: “Read widely, consider carefully and sift everything through your own observations and common sense.”
Perhaps I now have too much time for research and reflection. The American poet Walt Whitman once penned, “The world is too much with us.” And this battle for the soul of America is certainly taking a toll on me. Wars do that; even culture wars.
It was miserable at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania in December 1776 where the Continental army was encamped. Cold, privation and sickness were taking a heavy toll on General Washington’s forces. To combat the discouragement, Thomas Paine scratched his immortal words on a drum head. “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country.” I will not shrink from my duty and will continue to call out the great evil damaging our country.
I was a pretty good doctor, but I learned to seek the advice of other doctors because facts and knowledge are sometimes not enough. Wisdom is the appropriate use of knowledge and I often called upon the wisdom of more experienced physicians to help me care for my patients. And I learned that it is often wise to seek the perspective of “seasoned citizens” whom you trust. Three thousand years ago the Proverbist had the same perspective (Proverbs 3:5).
Like the Founders of our country, I believe in the lessons of history. In the historical book of 1 Kings 12 the young king Rehoboam, son of Solomon, makes the decision to reject the advice of experienced elders and instead follow the advice of his young radical friends. This led to increasing strife which soon split the country into a northern and a southern kingdom. The analogy to the radicals running the Biden White House, rampaging on college campuses and protesting outside the Democrat Convention is striking.
Incidentally, I recently learned that only in America do we say “1st Kings” or “1st Corinthians.” The rest of the world refers to these Biblical books as “One Kings” or “One Corinthians.” Do you remember the brouhaha some years ago after President Trump used the term “One Corinthians”? He was scorned, but his phrasing was correct. It’s funny that Trump is so often proven correct.
Metaphorically, our country is sick and facing a huge operation on November 5 which will determine a chance for life or certain death. If we listen to the radicals in charge of the Democrat party or their shock troops in the streets and vote for Kamala, the patient will not survive.
If you want higher taxes, floods of illegals, less freedom and bigger government, vote for Harris and her trillion dollar price-control policy (Kamala-nomics) which even the Washington Post and CNN labeled as disastrous. If you want lower taxes, safety, smaller government and individual freedom, vote for President Trump. It’s truly that simple, folks.
As we talked, the young professional seemed to be focused on personality rather than policy regarding the presidential election. She mentioned the conversation of Trump with Billy Bush of Access Hollywood which was surreptitiously recorded and given to the Washington Post in 2005. It wasn’t until 2016 that it was reported by the NY Times, when it could be most damaging to Trump.
I offer no excuses for the disgusting conversation, but it should shock no one that men can be crass. In fact, without women, men would be savages. We can be especially crude in “locker room” braggadocio. Admittedly, I’ve told crude jokes, but I won’t ask for a show of similarly guilty hands.
I did not tell the young professional about Kamala’s affair with the married Willy Brown. Nor did I mention that Doug Emhoff impregnated the nanny of his children. We are all sinners and grace is available to all.
This election should be about policy rather than personality. The policy records of President Trump and Kamala Harris are obvious. President Trump has a proven record; Harris’ record is a disaster. I don’t plan to have Donald Trump over for supper, but I’d like him to be America’s CEO because he is a proven manager/leader.
The first amendment to our Constitution guarantees freedom of the press. Unfortunately, the American press has violated that trust and are now undependable sources of truth. The border czar mismanaged the border and the media covered for her. The media said the George Floyd riots were “mostly peaceful.” Democrat VP candidate Walz let Minneapolis burn while Harris raised money for the rioters. Harris and the decrepit Biden tell us the economy is recovering, but as we buy gas and food we know that is a lie. Last week the Harris/Biden Administration was forced to revise the 2024 jobs report down by 818,000. All year they lied about the number of jobs created.
We are in for a stormy ride this fall. The radical NY judge Merchan may try to put Trump in jail after his Star Chamber trial. And if Trump wins re-election be prepared for riots by the unhinged Democrat base and for Democrat pols to resist certifying Trump’s re-election.
I urge you to vote early and “bank your vote” because I predict problems on election day. And it is my hope that you will share this letter with others, especially young voters.
*Adapted from an article that recently appeared in the Knoxville Focus. Printed here by permission from the Author.
About the Author: Jim is a native of Knoxville, practicing Internal Medicine for more than 40 years, prior to retiring in 2020. Along with learning to become a “gentleman farmer,” he has written essays for the conservative weekly Knoxville Focus since 2007.
