Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

For discussion of secret combinations (political, economic, spiritual, religious, etc.) (Ether 8:18-25.)
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jdawg1012
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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

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George Alabaster wrote:
jdawg1012 wrote:But no, the Doctrine of Christ is not to oppress the poor, but it's not to redistribute (involuntarily) to them either. People are supposed to give to the poor what God has given them, but not have it taken from someone to do so.
It's fascinating which behavior we feel should be legislated against (homosexual) and which should not (helping the poor).

G
Unless you are making a broad statement by saying "We," then you are confused, because I don't believe in legislating morality. I don't believe in condoning immorality, but government is supposed to be so tiny and insignificant in our lives, that it shouldn't ever have a say in all but the most heinous crimes against another person (rape, murder). I realize there are a large group of people falsely claiming to be conservatives (they say "So[cial] Cons" I say "Faux Cons"), that likes to play whack a mole with regulating behavior, but I'm not one of them.

The government has no role in either "helping the poor" or determining consenting sexual behavior (outside marriage contracts, ie. adultery--still a felony in some states--at the state level). Government is here to maintain legal order and help keep from infringement our inalienable rights of life, liberty and (OUR OWN) property, not regulate day to day behavior, individual finances or beliefs.

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Gad
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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

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It is an open book test. Here is the grading criteria:
 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.


 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.


 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
It seems clear to me what the priority is.

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jdawg1012
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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

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Gad wrote:It is an open book test. Here is the grading criteria:
 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.


 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.


 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
It seems clear to me what the priority is.
Yes, lets round out the rest of the chapter. If you think socialism is the answer (contrary to what the prophets have specifically said, there's the rest of the chapter you're quoting:
21 ¶Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

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Gad wrote:It is an open book test. Here is the grading criteria:
 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.


 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.


 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
It seems clear to me what the priority is.

Yes, And it should be done VOLUNTARILY not taken by mandated force by the gov't.

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Gad
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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

Post by Gad »

That is an interesting idea... and one that I held for years.

We have an example of a God sanctioned government in the laws laid out to govern Israel. Those laws included collections for the widows and poor, forced forgiveness of debt, laws regulating interest, and etc.

When you add in that Christ basically said that what Caesar does is Caesar's business, I just do not find a compelling case against providing food and healthcare to the poor.

The healthcare system in the US results in the deaths of 30-40k people each year that could otherwise be preventable. "Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me."

And yet, we feel it is ok to compel laws about homosexual behavior but not charitable ones? Hmm... open book test everyone.

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jdawg1012
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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

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MsEva wrote:
Gad wrote: Yes, And it should be done VOLUNTARILY not taken by mandated force by the gov't.

Here's what Marion G. Romney said in his talk, addressing the notion that the way God does things is anything like Socialism (IT'S NOT). It's lengthy, but It's one that I think anyone and everyone should read at least once:
Is Socialism the United Order?
by Marion G. Romney

What I am going to give you now is a statement I have prepared in answer to the question, “Is Socialism the United Order?” Some of you may have already heard it. This is the first time I have ever attempted to give a talk a second time. My excuse is that the Brethren have asked me to give this talk here tonight.

I suppose the best way to start a comparison of socialism and the United Order is with a definition of the terms. Webster defines socialism as:
Socialism defined

“A political and economic theory of social organization based on collective or governmental ownership and democratic management of the essential means for the production and distribution of goods; also, a policy or practice based on this theory.” (Webster’s New International Dictionary, 2nd ed. unabridged, 1951.)

George Bernard Shaw, the noted Fabian Socialist, said that:

“Socialism, reduced to its simplest legal and practical expression, means the complete discarding of the institution of private property by transforming it into public property and the division of the resultant income equally and indiscriminately among the entire population.” (Encyclopedia Britannica, 1946 ed., Vol. 20, p. 895.)

George Douglas Howard Cole, M.A. noted author and university reader in economics at Oxford, who treats socialism for the Encyclopedia Britannica, says that because of the shifting sense in which the word has been used, “a short and comprehensive definition is impossible. We can only say,” he concludes, “that Socialism is essentially a doctrine and a movement aiming at the collective organization of the community in the interest of the mass of the people by means of the common ownership and collective control of the means of production and exchange.” (Ibid., p. 888.)

Socialism arose “out of the economic division in society.” During the nineteenth century its growth was accelerated as a protest against “the appalling conditions prevailing in the workshops and factories and the unchristian spirit of the spreading industrial system.”
Communism, starting point

The “Communist Manifesto” drafted by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels for the Communist League in 1848 is generally regarded as the starting point of modern socialism. (Ibid., p. 890.)

The distinction between socialism, as represented by the various Socialist and Labour parties of Europe and the New World, and Communism, as represented by the Russians, is one of tactics and strategy rather than of objective. Communism is indeed only socialism pursued by revolutionary means and making its revolutionary method a canon of faith. Communists like other socialists, (1) believe in the collective control and ownership of the vital means of production and (2) seek to achieve through state action the coordinated control of the economic forces of society. They (the Communists) differ from other socialists in believing that this control can be secured, and its use in the interests of the workers ensured, only by revolutionary action leading to the dictatorship of the proletariat and the creation of a new proletarian state as the instrument of change. (Ibid.)
German Socialism

A major rift between so-called orthodox socialism and communist socialism occurred in 1875 when the German Social Democratic party set forth its objective of winning power by taking over control of the bourgeois state, rather than by overthrowing it. In effect, the German Social Democratic party became a parliamentary party, aiming at the assumption of political power by constitutional means.
Fabian Society

In the 1880′s a small group of intellectuals set up in England the Fabian Society, which has had a major influence on the development of modern orthodox socialism. Fabianism stands “for the evolutionary conception of socialism . . . endeavoring by progressive reforms and the nationalization of industries, to turn the existing state into a ‘welfare state.’” Somewhat on the order of the German Social Democrats Fabians aim “at permeating the existing parties with socialistic ideas [rather] than at creating a definitely socialistic party.” They appeal “to the electorate not as revolutionaries but as constitutional reformers seeking a peaceful transformation of the system.” (Ibid.)
Forms and policies of socialism

The differences in forms and policies of socialism occur principally in the manner in which they seek to implement their theories.

They all advocate:

(1) That private ownership of the vital means of production be abolished and that all such property “pass under some form of coordinated public control.”

(2) That the power of the state be used to achieve their aims.

(3) “That with a change in the control of industry will go a change in the motives which operate in the industrial system. . . .” (Ibid.)

So much now for the definition of socialism. I have given you these statements in the words of socialists and scholars, not my words, so they have had their hearing.
The United Order

Now as to the United Order, and here I will give the words of the Lord and not my words. The United Order the Lord’s program for eliminating the inequalities among men, is based upon the underlying concept that the earth and all things therein belong to the Lord and that men hold earthly possessions as stewards accountable to God.

On January 2, 1831, the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith that the Church was under obligation to care for the poor. (See D&C 38.) Later he said:

“I, the Lord, stretched out the heavens, and built the earth, . . .and all things therein are mine.

“And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine.

“But it must needs be done in mine own way. . . .” (D&C 104:14–16.)

Consecration and stewardship

On February 9, 1831, the Lord revealed to the Prophet what his way was. (See D&C 42.) In his way there were two cardinal principles: (1) consecration and (2) stewardship.

To enter the United Order, when it was being tried, one consecrated all his possessions to the Church by a “covenant and a deed which” could not “be broken.” (D&C 42:30.) That is, he completely divested himself of all of his property by conveying it to the Church.

Having thus voluntarily divested himself of title to all his property, the consecrator received from the Church a stewardship by a like conveyance. This stewardship could be more or less than his original consecration, the object being to make “every man equal according to his family, according to his circumstances and his wants and needs.” (D&C 51:3.)

This procedure preserved in every man the right to private ownership and management of his property. At his own option he could alienate it or keep and operate it and pass it on to his heirs.

The intent was, however, for him to so operate his property as to produce a living for himself and his dependents. So long as he remained in the order, he consecrated to the Church the surplus he produced above the needs and wants of his family. This surplus went into a storehouse from which stewardships were given to others and from which the needs of the poor were supplied.

These divine principles are very simple and easily understood. A comparison of them with the underlying principles of socialism reveal similarities and basic differences.
Comparisons and contrasts: Similarities

The following are similarities: Both

(1) deal with production and distribution of goods;

(2) aim to promote the well-being of men by eliminating their economic inequalities;

(3) envision the elimination of the selfish motives in our private capitalistic industrial system.
Differences

Now the differences:

(1) The cornerstone of the United Order is belief in God and acceptance of him as Lord of the earth and the author of the United Order.

Socialism, wholly materialistic, is founded in the wisdom of men and not of God. Although all socialists may not be atheists, none of them in theory or practice seek the Lord to establish his righteousness.

(2) The United Order is implemented by the voluntary free-will actions of men, evidenced by a consecration of all their property to the Church of God.

One time the Prophet Joseph Smith asked a question by the brethren about the inventories they were taking. His answer was to the effect, “You don’t need to be concerned about the inventories. Unless a man is willing to consecrate everything he has, he doesn’t come into the United Order.” (Documentary History of the Church, Vol. 7, pp. 412-13.) On the other hand, socialism is implemented by external force, the power of the state.

(3) In harmony with church belief, as set forth in the Doctrine and Covenants, “that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property” (D&C 134:2), the United Order is operated upon the principle of private ownership and individual management.
God-given agency preserved in United Order

Thus in both implementation and ownership and management of property, the United Order preserves to men their God-given agency, while socialism deprives them of it.

(4) The United Order is non-political.

Socialism is political, both in theory and practice. It is thus exposed to, and riddled by, the corruption that plagues and finally destroys all political governments that undertake to abridge man’s agency.

(5) A righteous people is a prerequisite to the United Order.

Socialism argues that it as a system will eliminate the evils of the profit motive.

The United Order exalts the poor and humbles the rich. In the process both are sanctified. The poor, released from the bondage and humiliating limitations of poverty, are enabled as free men to rise to their full potential, both temporally and spiritually. The rich, by consecration and by imparting of their surplus for the benefit of the poor, not by constraint but willingly as an act of free will, evidence that charity for their fellowmen characterized by Mormon as “the pure love of Christ.” (Moro. 7:47.)
Socialism not United Order

No, brethren, socialism is not the United Order. However, notwithstanding my abhorrence of it, I am persuaded that socialism is the wave of the present and of the foreseeable future. It has already taken over or is contending for control in most nations.

“At the end of the year [1964] parties affiliated with the [Socialist] International were in control of the governments of Great Britain, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Israel, and the Malagasy Republic. They had representatives in coalition cabinets in Austria, Belgium, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, and Switzerland, constituted the chief opposition in France, India, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand and West Germany; and were significant political forces in numerous other countries. Many parties dominant in governments in Africa, Asia, and Latin America announced that their aim was a socialist society.” (Encyclopedia Britannica, 1965 Book of the Year, p. 736.)

United States has adopted much socialism

We here in the United States, in converting our government into a social welfare state, have ourselves adopted much of socialism. Specifically, we have to an alarming degree adopted the use of the power of the state in the control and distribution of the fruits of industry. We are on notice according to the words of the President, that we are going much further, for he is quoted as saying:

“We’re going to take all the money we think is unnecessarily being spent and take it from the ‘haves’ and give it to the ‘have nots.’” (1964 Congressional Record, p. 6142, Remarks of the President to a Group of Leaders of Organizations of Senior Citizens in the Fish Room, March 24, 1964.)

Socialism takes: United Order gives

That is the spirit of socialism: We’re going to take. The spirit of the United Order is: We’re going to give.

We have also gone a long way on the road to public ownership and management of the vital means of production. In both of these areas the free agency of Americans has been greatly abridged. Some argue that we have voluntarily surrendered this power to government. Be this as it may, the fact remains that the loss of freedom with the consent of the enslaved, or even at their request, is nonetheless slavery.

As to the fruits of socialism, we all have our own opinions. I myself have watched its growth in our own country and observed it in operation in many other lands. But I have yet to see or hear of its freeing the hearts of men of selfishness and greed or of its bringing peace, plenty, or freedom. These things it will never bring, nor will it do away with idleness and promote “industry, thrift and self-respect,” for it is founded, in theory and in practice, on force, the principle of the evil one.

As to the fruits of the United Order I suggest you read Moses 7:16–18 and 4 Nephi 2:-3, 15-16. If we had time we could review the history, what little we know, of Zion in the days of Enoch and about what happened among the Nephites under those principles of the United Order in the first two centuries following the time of the Savior.

What can we do?

Now what can we do about it?

As I recently reminded my wife of the moratorium on the United Order, which the Lord placed in 1834 (D&C 105:34), that socialism is taking over in the nations and that its expressed aims will surely fail, she spiritedly put to me the question: “Well, then, what would you suggest, that we just sit on our hands in despair and do nothing?” Perhaps similar questions have occurred to you. The answer is, “No, by no means!” We have much to do, and fortunately for us the Lord has definitely prescribed the course we should follow with respect to socialism and the United Order.
Constitution God-inspired

He has told us that in preparation for the restoration of the gospel, he himself established the Constitution of the United States, and he has plainly told us why he established it. I hope I can get this point over to you. He said he established the Constitution to preserve to men their free agency, because the whole gospel of Jesus Christ presupposes man’s untrammeled exercise of free agency. Man is in the earth to be tested. The issue as to whether he succeeds or fails will be determined by how he uses his agency. His whole future, through all eternity, is at stake. Abridge man’s agency, and the whole purpose of his mortality is thwarted. Without it, the Lord says, there is no existence. (See D&C 93:30.) The Lord so valued our agency that he designed and dictated “the laws and constitution” required to guarantee it. This he explained in the revelation in which he instructed the Prophet Joseph Smith to appeal for help,
Just and holy principles

“According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles;

“That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment.

“And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose. . . .” (D&C 101:77–78, 80.)

Sustain Constitutional law

Previously he had said:

“And now, verily I say unto you concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that my people should observe to do all things whatsoever I command them.

“And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind and is justifiable before me.

“Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land [the test of its constitutionality in the words of the Lord here is whether it preserves man's agency];

“And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this cometh of evil.

“I, the Lord God, make you free therefore ye are free indeed; and the law [that is, constitutional law] also maketh you free.

“Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn.

“Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil.” (D&C 98:4–10.)

These scriptures declare the Constitution to be a divine document. They tell us that “according to just and holy principles,” the Constitution and the law of the land which supports the “principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before” God; that, “as pertaining to [the] law of man whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil.” They remind us that the Lord has made us free and that laws that are constitutional will also make us free.
“When the wicked rule, the people mourn”

Right at this point, almost as if he were warning us against what is happening today, the Lord said: “Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn.” Then, that we might know with certainty what we should do about it, he concluded: “Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold. . . .”

In its context this instruction, according to my interpretation, can only mean that we should seek diligently for and support men to represent us in government who are “wise” enough to understand freedom—as provided for in the Constitution and as implemented in the United Order—and who are honest enough and good enough to fight to preserve it.

“. . . under no other government in the world could the Church have been established,” said President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., and he continued:

“. . . if we are to live as a Church, and progress, and have the right to worship as we are worshipping here today, we must have the great guarantees that are set up by our Constitution. There is no other way in which we can secure these guarantees.” (Conference Report, October 1942, pp. 58-59.)

Now, not forgetting our duty to eschew socialism and support the just and holy principles of the Constitution, as directed by the Lord, I shall conclude these remarks with a few comments concerning what we should do about the United Order.
What to do about United Order

The final words of the Lord in suspending the order were: “And let those commandments which I have given concerning Zion and her law be executed and fulfilled, after her redemption.” (D&C 105:34.)

Further implementation of the order must therefore await the redemption of Zion. Here Zion means Jackson County, Missouri. When Zion is redeemed, as it most certainly shall be, it will be redeemed under a government and by a people strictly observing those “just and holy principles” of the Constitution that accord to men their God-given moral agency, including the right to private property. If, in the meantime, socialism takes over in America, it will have to be displaced, if need be, by the power of God, because the United Order can never function under socialism or “the welfare state,” for the good and sufficient reason that the principles upon which socialism and the United Order are conceived and operated are inimical.

In the meantime, while we await the redemption of Zion and the earth and the establishment of the United Order, we as bearers of the priesthood should live strictly by the principles of the United Order insofar as they are embodied in present church practices, such as the fast offering, tithing, and the welfare activities. Through these practices we could as individuals, if we were of a mind to do so, implement in our own lives all the basic principles of the United Order.

As you will recall, the principles underlying the United Order are consecration and stewardships and then the contribution of surpluses into the bishop’s storehouse. When the law of tithing was instituted four years after the United Order experiment was suspended, the Lord required the people to put “all their surplus property . . . into the hands of the bishop” (D&C 119:1); thereafter they were to “pay one-tenth of all their interest annually. . . .” (D&C 119:4.) This law, still in force, implements to a degree at least the United Order principle of stewardships, for it leaves in the hands of each person the ownership and management of the property from which he produces the needs of himself and family. Furthermore to use again the words of President Clark:

“. . . in lieu of residues and surpluses which were accumulated and built up under the United Order, we, today, have our fast offerings, our Welfare donations, and our tithing all of which may be devoted to the care of the poor, as well as for the carrying on of the activities and business of the Church.”

What prohibits us from giving as much in fast offerings as we would have given in surpluses under the United Order? Nothing but our own limitations.

Furthermore, we had under the United Order a bishop’s storehouse in which were collected the materials from which to supply the needs and the wants of the poor. We have a bishop’s storehouse under the Welfare Plan, used for the same purpose. . . .

“We have now under the Welfare Plan all over the Church, . . . land projects . . . farmed for the benefit of the poor. . . .

“Thus . . . in many of its great essentials, we have, [in] the Welfare Plan . . . the broad essentials of the United Order. Furthermore, having in mind the assistance which is being given from time to time . . . to help set people up in business or in farming, we have a plan which is not essentially unlike that which was in the United Order when the poor were given portions from the common fund.”

It is thus apparent that when the principles of tithing and the fast are properly observed and the Welfare Plan gets fully developed and wholly into operation, “we shall not be so very far from carrying out the great fundamentals of the United Order.” (Conference Report, October 1942, pp. 51-58.)

The only limitation on you and me is within ourselves.
A Prayer:

And now in line with these remarks for three things I pray:

(1) That the Lord will somehow quicken our understanding of the differences between socialism and the United Order and give us a vivid awareness of the awful portent of those differences.

(2) That we will develop the understanding, the desire, and the courage born of the Spirit, to eschew socialism and to support and sustain, in the manner revealed and as interpreted by the Lord, those just and holy principles embodied in the Constitution of the United States for the protection of all flesh, in the exercise of their God-given agency.

(3) That through faithful observance of the principles of tithing, the fast, and the welfare program, we will prepare ourselves to redeem Zion and ultimately live the United Order, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Gad
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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

Post by Gad »

Not gonna read it... too busy at work. Honestly, I don't expect to convince anyone here. I used to believe this and it took a severe "compelling to be humble" for the Lord to teach me this missing virtue.

The fact remains it is an open book test.

King Benjamin said that you should not suffer the beggar to perish... that the ONLY excuse for not giving is that you did not have enough yourself to give. Now, why do you think Mormon, who saw the specific errors his readers would make would include that out of all that he could have included?

I know personally how God works. There is enough evil in the Republican party and the Democratic party to condemn them both. In this case, the Republicans are much too cavalier with the "weightier matters of the law" in allowing the beggars to perish.

If you think you are going to show up in heaven claiming to prophesy in the Lord's name and in His name done many wonderful works while you have allowed the beggars in your society to perish, then in I invite you to read the criteria again. It is an open book test.

Why would you even risk it? Nowhere in the canon does he condemn people to His left hand for making a mistake in being too generous. And yet, here he clearly says that how you treat the least in your life and society is what matters.

Why not error on the side of caution? When given a choice to that will help the poor or leave them without help, why not choose to help?

Why would you swallow the huge funding for armies and navies that oppress and destroy and yet balk at the "gnat" funding help for the poor? How are you going to justify those choices when He stand before you? Isn't it clear what the criteria is? Didn't Mormon warn us of this error using the words of a righteous king?

EDIT: I probably should just unsubscribe from this thread.

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jdawg1012
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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

Post by jdawg1012 »

Gad wrote:Not gonna read it... too busy at work. Honestly, I don't expect to convince anyone here. I used to believe this and it took a severe "compelling to be humble" for the Lord to teach me this missing virtue.

The fact remains it is an open book test.

King Benjamin said that you should not suffer the beggar to perish... that the ONLY excuse for not giving is that you did not have enough yourself to give. Now, why do you think Mormon, who saw the specific errors his readers would make would include that out of all that he could have included?

I know personally how God works. There is enough evil in the Republican party and the Democratic party to condemn them both. In this case, the Republicans are much too cavalier with the "weightier matters of the law" in allowing the beggars to perish.

If you think you are going to show up in heaven claiming to prophesy in the Lord's name and in His name done many wonderful works while you have allowed the beggars in your society to perish, then in I invite you to read the criteria again. It is an open book test.

Why would you even risk it? Nowhere in the canon does he condemn people to His left hand for making a mistake in being too generous. And yet, here he clearly says that how you treat the least in your life and society is what matters.

Why not error on the side of caution? When given a choice to that will help the poor or leave them without help, why not choose to help?

Why would you swallow the huge funding armies and navies that oppress and destroy and yet balk at the "gnat" funding help for the poor? How are you going to justify those choices when He stand before you? Isn't it clear what the criteria is? Didn't Mormon warn us of this using the words of a righteous king?

EDIT: I probably should just unsubscribe from this thread.
Not that King Benjamin was the KING of the land, and COUNSELED people to give to the beggar. An admonishment rather than theft. As king, he simply could have taxed them however he pleased, like say, the Lamanites. But as a righteous king, he afforded them their agency (As the talk I just posted prescribes.)

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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

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SAINT: Sorry, Lord, I just cared for the poor and sick so much that every time I was faced with a choice to help them I voted for that choice... even when it meant voting for taxes that would not be voluntary charity for some.
(Of course to pass those votes required the will of the majority of the people, so most agreed with me, but there were some that would not).
I just could not face the thought that one of my choices would prolong the suffering of others... I'll just go over here to the left, because clearly that is where I belong since I forced others to give by my choices.
LORD: Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. I gave everything willingly for others. Your choice was taking from me that which I willing gave. Come on my right hand.
---
LORD: I was hungered and you fed me not.
PHARISAINT: But Lord, we can't tax people to feed the poor and take care of the sick! That would be forcing them to be charitable. I would never force you Lord.
LORD: What about all those taxes you voted for to fund armies?
PHARISAINT: That is different, we need a strong defense!
LORD: Oh really, I offered to fight your battles for you, if you would but trust in my arm and not the arm of the flesh.



I really should just go. I know exactly how deluded people are since I had the same delusion. Do you honestly think that the Lord would rather have people go hungry and naked? Our government is us. Look at the budget and tell me what that says about what we value. It reveals what we as a people choose. If the majority chooses wickedness then we are ripe.

Like I said earlier, the Israelites had a government where the Lord commanded compulsory donations to the poor and sick. Do you think that the compulsion excuse is going to fly? Sure voluntarily choosing is a higher law, but the Lord felt that compulsory giving was an appropriate lower law for those who could not bear the higher one. In our country any law that passes is done by the majority. So we could have a majority choosing a higher road with a minority living a lower one.

None of this is any of ours anyway. It is all His and He has set forth the criteria.

You keep deflecting the plain words of the scriptural passage. You are imagining that he is deciding who is on His right and Left hand by a criteria different from His own words. You think He cares so much about not forcing others to give some of their taxes for the poor. But His own words say He does not care about taxes. Render under Caesar what is his. In our country the government is ours. We get to decide what our priorities are.

He is clear. You shall not let the beggar perish by your choice save you do not have anything to give. Our government is just the collective choices we have made. ("We the people"). We choose to build armies and navies and ignore the poor and sick. We are a wicked generation that cares more for the arm of the flesh than the hungry and sick.

I never hear Republicans complaining about taxes for building up armies and navies. It is only and always when it comes to taking care of others that they start complaining. They swallow the camel and strain at the gnat and imagine themselves a God that approves.

EDIT: I really should just go. The Democrats have their own problems, but you are deluded if you think a platform that favors compelling taxes for armies and navies over the poor is Christlike.

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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

Post by Thomas »

Well said Gad. I must admit, I agree with you. We think it's ok to compell our neighbors to fund wars, the arts, highways and the like but think it's only wrong to compel giving to the poor. If we are going to give to someone, I vote for the poor.

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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

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A Pharisaint translation of Matthew:

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye never imposed an involuntary tax so that I could have meat (but you didn't mind involuntary taxes for other things): I was thirsty, and ye never imposed on another so that I could have drink (though what the majority votes for isn't an imposition in a democracy by definition, because you consent to be governed by the will of the people): I was a stranger, and ye made sure that I was deported swiftly back where I came from:

36 Naked, and ye left me naked unless I joined the army then you were cool with having government funded clothing for me at the price of my blood: I was sick, and ye denied me doctor visits unless it was an emergency and then only until I was stabilized and sent packing with bills I could never pay: I was in prison, and ye came unto me to give me a job at cents per hour so that the private companies that ran the prison could make a profit.

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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

Post by jdawg1012 »

Gad wrote:SAINT: Sorry, Lord, I just cared for the poor and sick so much that every time I was faced with a choice to help them I voted for that choice... even when it meant voting for taxes that would not be voluntary charity for some.
(Of course to pass those votes required the will of the majority of the people, so most agreed with me, but there were some that would not).
I just could not face the thought that one of my choices would prolong the suffering of others... I'll just go over here to the left, because clearly that is where I belong since I forced others to give by my choices.
LORD: Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. I gave everything willingly for others. Your choice was taking from me that which I willing gave. Come on my right hand.
---
LORD: I was hungered and you fed me not.
PHARISAINT: But Lord, we can't tax people to feed the poor and take care of the sick! That would be forcing them to be charitable. I would never force you Lord.
LORD: What about all those taxes you voted for to fund armies?
PHARISAINT: That is different, we need a strong defense!
LORD: Oh really, I offered to fight your battles for you, if you would but trust in my arm and not the arm of the flesh.



I really should just go. I know exactly how deluded people are since I had the same delusion. Do you honestly think that the Lord would rather have people go hungry and naked? Our government is us. Look at the budget and tell me what that says about what we value. It reveals what we as a people choose. If the majority chooses wickedness then we are ripe.

Like I said earlier, the Israelites had a government where the Lord commanded compulsory donations to the poor and sick. Do you think that the compulsion excuse is going to fly? Sure voluntarily choosing is a higher law, but the Lord felt that compulsory giving was an appropriate lower law for those who could not bear the higher one. In our country any law that passes is done by the majority. So we could have a majority choosing a higher road with a minority living a lower one.

None of this is any of ours anyway. It is all His and He has set forth the criteria.

You keep deflecting the plain words of the scriptural passage. You are imagining that he is deciding who is on His right and Left hand by a criteria different from His own words. You think He cares so much about not forcing others to give some of their taxes for the poor. But His own words say He does not care about taxes. Render under Caesar what is his. In our country the government is ours. We get to decide what our priorities are.

He is clear. You shall not let the beggar perish by your choice save you do not have anything to give. Our government is just the collective choices we have made. ("We the people"). We choose to build armies and navies and ignore the poor and sick. We are a wicked generation that cares more for the arm of the flesh than the hungry and sick.

I never hear Republicans complaining about taxes for building up armies and navies. It is only and always when it comes to taking care of others that they start complaining. They swallow the camel and strain at the gnat and imagine themselves a God that approves.

EDIT: I really should just go. The Democrats have their own problems, but you are deluded if you think a platform that favors compelling taxes for armies and navies over the poor is Christlike.
I didn't bother reading the entirety of your diatribe. A general authority has already addressed the socialist talking points you're attempting to make (many actually, but I just provided an entire article that you decided you didn't have time to read, but oddly had time for the diatribe).

In the United States, in accordance to the Constitution, NOTHING prohibits a person from the godly method of donation to the poor. Compulsory taxation for causes that you wish to implement are NOT acceptable before the Lord. In fact, Satan advocated forcible adherence to God's laws. Without agency and stewardship, the purpose of mortality is frustrated. The Lord doesn't authorize you to tax people to care for the poor and neither does the Constitution. The bastardization of the Constitution for that affect was refuted by the Supreme court in the 1800's. What you're saying is unequivocally wrong, and you need look no further than the Conference talk given by apostle, mere inches above this post for the entire explanation why. The words of the prophets are scripture, and you are free to reject them, but not misinterpret them to sit on your own immoral high horse.

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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

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P.S. I'm not a Republican, so you can direct that babble elsewhere.

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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

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By definition, what the majority votes for isn't an imposition in a democracy, because you consent to be governed by the will of the people.

If the will of the people was to take care of the people, it would not be negating their agency. They have used that agency to vote for taking care of their own.

I know the word of the Lord regarding this because I have heard His own voice regarding it.

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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

Post by EmmaLee »

Words have meaning. The United States is not a democracy. At least, it was not founded as such. Its Constitution, Bill of Rights, etc... are all written for a constitutional republic, FWIW. A democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what's for dinner.

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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

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Gad wrote:By definition, what the majority votes for isn't an imposition in a democracy, because you consent to be governed by the will of the people.

If the will of the people was to take care of the people, it would not be negating their agency.

I know the word of the Lord regarding this because I have heard His own voice regarding it.
By definition, what the majority votes for isn't an imposition in a democracy, because you consent to be governed by the will of the people.
Good thing we don't live in a democracy, even though evil men and woman are trying to rid us of our Republic. P.S. I'd like to see that definition.
If the will of the people was to take care of the people, it would not be negating their agency.
It would be negating the Agency of everyone who disagreed.
I know the word of the Lord regarding this because I have heard His own voice regarding it.
Sadly, it's directly in conflict with the teachings of the Church as given by the General Authorities, and the scriptures, which call upon one voluntary acts, not compulsion. I'll stick with the scriptures and the General Authorities blessed to interpret them, thank you very much. The words given by Elder Romney are plain, and direct. I won't take someone else's convoluted interpretation in place of divine revelation. I absolutely reject your authority to pronounce that the Prophets are wrong, based upon your personal "revelation," sarcastic deriding parlance aside, and use it as fact.

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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

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Stella Solaris wrote:Words have meaning. The United States is not a democracy. At least, it was not founded as such. Its Constitution, Bill of Rights, etc... are all written for a constitutional republic, FWIW. A democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what's for dinner.
Ok.

By definition, what the majority of representatives votes for isn't an imposition in a republic, because you consent to be governed by the will of the people through their representatives.

If the will of those representatives was to take care of the people, it would not be negating their agency. They have used that agency to vote for taking care of their own.

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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

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jdawg1012 wrote: Sadly, it's directly in conflict with the teachings of the Church as given by the General Authorities, and the scriptures, which call upon one voluntary acts, not compulsion. I'll stick with the scriptures and the General Authorities blessed to interpret them, thank you very much. The words given by Elder Romney are plain, and direct. I won't take someone else's convoluted interpretation in place of divine revelation. I absolutely reject your authority to pronounce that the Prophets are wrong, based upon your personal "revelation," sarcastic deriding parlance aside, and use it as fact.
So instead you reject the plain meaning that Christ Himself spoke.

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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

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Gad wrote:
Stella Solaris wrote:Words have meaning. The United States is not a democracy. At least, it was not founded as such. Its Constitution, Bill of Rights, etc... are all written for a constitutional republic, FWIW. A democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what's for dinner.
Ok.

By definition, what the majority of representatives votes for isn't an imposition in a republic, because you consent to be governed by the will of the people through their representatives.

If the will of those representatives was to take care of the people, it would not be negating their agency. They have used that agency to vote for taking care of their own.
Whoopsie, wrong again. We live in a CONSTITUTIONAL Republic, and it is in violation of the Constitution, which is also a plain and simple document to be read. The fact that it has been thrashed and bastardized over a few hundred years doesn't mean that that's the way it was setup, and in fact, such charity has already been ruled unconstitutional by courts in the past (Ie. before we slid down the slippery socialist slope).

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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

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Gad wrote:
jdawg1012 wrote: Sadly, it's directly in conflict with the teachings of the Church as given by the General Authorities, and the scriptures, which call upon one voluntary acts, not compulsion. I'll stick with the scriptures and the General Authorities blessed to interpret them, thank you very much. The words given by Elder Romney are plain, and direct. I won't take someone else's convoluted interpretation in place of divine revelation. I absolutely reject your authority to pronounce that the Prophets are wrong, based upon your personal "revelation," sarcastic deriding parlance aside, and use it as fact.
So instead you reject the plain meaning that Christ Himself spoke.
I'd be overwhelmed with shock that I may just die if you could find a single scriptural reference that says it's Godly to tax people to pay for charity. In plain words please. Your personal journal reference doesn't count, btw.

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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

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jdawg1012 wrote:
Gad wrote:
Stella Solaris wrote:Words have meaning. The United States is not a democracy. At least, it was not founded as such. Its Constitution, Bill of Rights, etc... are all written for a constitutional republic, FWIW. A democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what's for dinner.
Ok.

By definition, what the majority of representatives votes for isn't an imposition in a republic, because you consent to be governed by the will of the people through their representatives.

If the will of those representatives was to take care of the people, it would not be negating their agency. They have used that agency to vote for taking care of their own.
Whoopsie, wrong again. We live in a CONSTITUTIONAL Republic, and it is in violation of the Constitution, which is also a plain and simple document to be read. The fact that it has been thrashed and bastardized over a few hundred years doesn't mean that that's the way it was setup, and in fact, such charity has already been ruled unconstitutional by courts in the past (Ie. before we slid down the slippery socialist slope).
The constitution reserves the power to the states under the original system. If the states representatives voted for such things it would be constitutional.

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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

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jdawg1012 wrote:
Gad wrote:
jdawg1012 wrote: Sadly, it's directly in conflict with the teachings of the Church as given by the General Authorities, and the scriptures, which call upon one voluntary acts, not compulsion. I'll stick with the scriptures and the General Authorities blessed to interpret them, thank you very much. The words given by Elder Romney are plain, and direct. I won't take someone else's convoluted interpretation in place of divine revelation. I absolutely reject your authority to pronounce that the Prophets are wrong, based upon your personal "revelation," sarcastic deriding parlance aside, and use it as fact.
So instead you reject the plain meaning that Christ Himself spoke.
I'd be overwhelmed with shock that I may just die if you could find a single scriptural reference that says it's Godly to tax people to pay for charity. In plain words please. Your personal journal reference doesn't count, btw.
It is Godly to take care of the poor. Does He state that He cares how that is done? In the OT He commanded Israel's government to do so. In the NT He says that is a lower law and that it is better if we volunteer. In the Book of Mormon he says we cannot suffer they should perish and the only excuse is we do not have enough to give ourselves, but that we should say in our hearts that we would give if we could.

Well, what if we as a people volunteered to take care of the poor? In a constitutional republic what form would that volunteering take?

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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

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Gad wrote:It is Godly to take care of the poor. Does He state that He cares how that is done? In the OT He commanded Israel's government to do so. In the NT He says that is a lower law and that it is better if we volunteer. In the Book of Mormon he says we cannot suffer they should perish and the only excuse is we do not have enough to give ourselves, but that we should say in our hearts that we would give if we could.

Well, what if we as a people volunteered to take care of the poor? In a constitutional republic what form would that volunteering take?
I never said it wasn't Godly to care for the poor, I echoed the General Authorities in stating that stealing the stewardship from some (taxing) to give (false) "charity" to others (Socialism) is ungodly.
Well, what if we as a people volunteered to take care of the poor? In a constitutional republic what form would that volunteering take?
I imagine that the "form" it would take, is the same as it does now. People donate dollars and hours of service to many organizations from churches to the Red Cross, to Secret Santa, ad infinitum in order to volunteer.

The fact is that no matter how sincere one is, no matter how noble a cause, it is NEVER right to forcibly steal one's stewardship to give to another. It denies their agency, and refutes the purpose of this life: to learn to become Godly through SELF sacrifice and refinement.

If you think that Matthew somehow denotes that Christ is saying that we're all being taxed to pay for socialism, and that that's God's plan (flying in the face of scripture, doctrine, and General Conference Addresses--see:"scripture"), then no one would be told "Ye never knew me" because they'd have all been forced to give at the threat of a government gun. That sounds remarkably similar to Satan's plan, because it exactly was his stated plan. Nothing in your logic or reasoning on this topic makes sense, because it's simply, and patently false.

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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

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jdawg1012 wrote:
Gad wrote:
jdawg1012 wrote: Sadly, it's directly in conflict with the teachings of the Church as given by the General Authorities, and the scriptures, which call upon one voluntary acts, not compulsion. I'll stick with the scriptures and the General Authorities blessed to interpret them, thank you very much. The words given by Elder Romney are plain, and direct. I won't take someone else's convoluted interpretation in place of divine revelation. I absolutely reject your authority to pronounce that the Prophets are wrong, based upon your personal "revelation," sarcastic deriding parlance aside, and use it as fact.
So instead you reject the plain meaning that Christ Himself spoke.
I'd be overwhelmed with shock that I may just die if you could find a single scriptural reference that says it's Godly to tax people to pay for charity. In plain words please. Your personal journal reference doesn't count, btw.
I leave the following as my last thought; I will stay subscribed long enough for your last thought.

Book of Deuteronomy (from Greek Δευτερονόμιον, Deuteronomion, "second law" of Israel)
Deut 14:28 ¶At the end of three years thou shalt [notice the "shall" non-optional language here] bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:

29 And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.


Who does this mandatory-under-the-law-of-the-land tithe (or as we'd call it tax), go to? Those without land, the non-citizen, the orphan, and the widow. Who gave this law? How does this Lawgiver feel about laws that include mandatory "tithes" that are given to the poor?

EDIT- Also, I apologize for the contention I have caused here.

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Re: Why it's so important for the Democrats to raise taxes

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Gad wrote:Who does this mandatory-under-the-law-of-the-land tithe (or as we'd call it tax), go to? Those without land, the non-citizen, the orphan, and the widow. Who gave this law? How does this Lawgiver feel about laws that include mandatory "tithes" that are given to the poor?

EDIT- Also, I apologize for the contention I have caused here.
That's a very simple subject. In the church we have tithing too, and it also is a commandment. No one gets put into jail for not paying their tithing, and although a command, it is entirely optional. Using ancient Israel is about a poor an example as you can use as comparison. Israel was a theocracy, and no one was forced to live its customs. God gives us all kinds of laws, but no one is forced to obey them. That was exactly my point. He affords us our moral agency, the Government does not. The Constitutional Republic set up by God did, in fact. Centuries later, it's as corrupt as many other governments that have gone this way were, prior to their being thrown down.

As James Madison said: "". . . democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security, or the rights of property; and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths." -- James Madison

(Communism and Socialism are the same in principle. Communism is merely a socialistic democracy achieved by violent revolution. A democratic socialist state is one of the most evil imaginable, and invariably destroy themselves turn into totalitarian regimes--the worst imaginable--which is then scattered.)

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