Americans: Where are Your Priorities?

After six months of fundraising, the candidates for president in 2008 have already raised more than $265 million. No presidential money chase has ever started so quickly. By some predictions, the eventual nominees will need to raise $500 million apiece to compete--a record sum. To find out where all this money is coming from, explore the options to the left. The next campaign finance reports are due to the Federal Election Commission by October 15, covering July through September. (See Here)

It's funny that we can raise hundreds of millions - and billions - of dollars for the presidential elections, and cannot find the money to provide healthcare, defeat poverty, end homelessness or solve any of the other social ills plaguing this Country and the world at large. What would really be impressive is if these candidates would accept public funding for their election and turn over all of their private funding to community based organizations.

It begs the question: what are our priorities? Will we feed the hungry, care for the orphans, and shelter the homeless? Or, will we give our money to politicians so they can be elected and ignore the needs of the needy?

I - myself - have given to elections before, but I have to question whether I should be giving in the future. I am compelled to remind you of the words of our Lord:

"...the King will turn to those on the left and say, 'Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his demons! For I was hungry, and you didn't feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn't give me anything to drink. I was a stranger, and you didn't invite me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me no clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn't visit me.'" (Matt. 25:41-43)

We are the cursed ones, focused on supporting a political system that denies access to those who cannot afford to participate, while we ignore the needs of the needy. $265 million is an outrageous sum of money! We could have done much good with that money. Every homeless person in the Country could have at least one weeks worth of clothing and food for the week. We could have provided healthcare for countless numbers of the uninsured.

We must reset our priorities before it is too late! I'm keeping my eyes open. May the Lord keep the city, that my watching be not in vain.