[Danish]

Have you ever wondered what God has to say about financial debt? A few may know that our bankruptcy laws are loosely based on a biblical law, that of debt forgiveness every seventh year. Just imagine for a moment if our country implemented this law. No more 30 year mortgages to end up paying 3 times it's original purchase price. Banks would no longer be in the business of making insane amounts of money from interest and people would be freed of the burden of loans that last a lifetime.

Couple this law with the right to own land outright, land that cannot be taken away because of unpaid taxes or for any other reason, it is kept in the family to be passed down for generations. In the bible a person was allowed to rent their land out or to even sell it but at the end of 50 years the land was to be returned to the original family. God gave portions of the land to each tribe of Israel and they in turn were to portion out their lot to each family, according to their size and need. There would be no need for loans for landless people to be able to have a home because everyone would have land. A person having land was a very important part of being a natural born citizen of Israel.

If a family has land on which they can build a home and produce sustainance then they have a much better chance of not becoming destitute. Of course circumstances happen and bad judgment is a human given leading us into poverty and indebtedness, God's way would put a limit on how long that lasted by having the year of debt forgiveness every 7th year and a return of the family homestead in the 50th year.

Just a thought to contemplate, not that it would ever happen in man's world today.

[Amadeus]

But... without alot of help from God even our new president-elect, assuming that he wanted to, would not have the power to implement such a plan. Fortunately, we have a Hope that extends beyond this present world and society.

[khigg]

Danish, Amen! I would love to live in an economy like that. God's way is the best way, but we live in a land of man's law and not God's. We could fix the economy if government would get out of the way. Lower all taxes, end regulations on business, and stop helping lazy people. That would fix the economy.

[Danish]

Originally Posted by khigg

Danish, Amen! I would love to live in an economy like that. God's way is the best way, but we live in a land of man's law and not God's. We could fix the economy if government would get out of the way. Lower all taxes, end regulations on business, and stop helping lazy people. That would fix the economy.

Exactly khigg, lazy people were not fed in the Israelite nation (a man who won't work won't eat) but a person willing to work was allowed to glean the fields for food and maybe a little to sell. The widow and orpahns and those unable to work were taken care of by an additional tithe of the "increase" every 3rd year of the 7. The only other "tax" was God's tithe and that was sufficient to run His government. We have so much land in this country that is government owned that we would have plenty of space to give to every family and keep the National Parks, teaching everyone to respect the land and not pollute it, it's a great thing to think of even though it won't come during man's rule.

Yes it is sad but true Amadeus, that it would never happen with our government today which is why God's kingdom will be so wonderful when Christ establishes it on earth when He returns.

Originally Posted by khigg

Danish, Amen! I would love to live in an economy like that. God's way is the best way, but we live in a land of man's law and not God's. We could fix the economy if government would get out of the way. Lower all taxes, end regulations on business, and stop helping lazy people. That would fix the economy.

I agree with you except for your statement regarding what you refer to as 'Lazy People'

I believe there are some who are as you say 'Lazy People'

BUT there are also those of us who deserve the help we recieve from the federal Government, and we are certainly NOT lazy people.

Many persons throughout the United States find themselves totally disabled either because of physical handicaps, or mental limitations which resulted from injuries or birth defects that were caused by events not of our own making.

Having been raised on a farm, I learned the value of hard work and I worked hard from the time I was 8 years old up until 1987 when I crushed the lower 4 discs in my back.

I have been on disability since that time because I am unable to work because of the injuries that I sustained to my back.

I'm not lazy, just disabled, there is a big difference, lazy people should not receive help, they should work, but those of us who are worthy of the help the federal government gives should be helped.

I believe the very best way to at least mend some of this nations economic woes is to take away some of the 'Billion Dollar' perks and special incentives our Governmenrt officials have voted for themselves.

Start from the President and work all the way down to the lowest Government official, decrease their anual salaries by 10% take away all of their priviledged incentives, no free housing, no free gas, no limosines to ride in, make them drive their own cars to work everyday, no free meals.

Make every Government official from the President on down pay out of his, or her pocket for everything they get.

We have too so why shouldn't they have too?

Hope the things I have said haven't offended you!

God Bless!

Michael

[Danish]

Of course no offense is taken, I figured you missed the part where I said

The widow and orpahns and those unable to work were taken care of by an additional tithe of the "increase" every 3rd year of the 7.

I know this is a sensitive thing to those who do need help but would rather be working. I had to have help for a few years when my daughter was a baby and I had a difficult time accepting it. I will probably need help again in a short time due to physical problems but I would rather work. On the other hand I know people who were perfectly capable of working but still received assistance from the govt. I know they were capable because they continued to labor hard but under the table. Only those who are fully capable but unwilling to work would not be assisted as Paul said.

My stepfather has been on SSI for almost 20 years but he is very physically limited. He has a handicap thing to hang on the mirror but refused to use it until a few years ago when he just had to. I love him very much and admire his self respect. I also know others who should be receiving assistance because of mental disabilities but they are denied. We could certainly do better in taking care of those in need. It really bothers me to see the elderly living in squalor and children forced to grow up in violent and drug filled neighborhoods because their parent or parents can't afford to live in a better place.

I don't believe in capping a person's income or taxing the rich more than anyone else but a 10% tithe of all would be sufficient if it is used in the manner that God has ordained. In Exodus the Israelites were asked to donate for the building of the tabernacle and they gave so much they had to be told to stop!

[Watchman]

I am with Danish on this one -- 10% maximum income tax. However, I take it a bit further by defining 'income' as that which one is left with. If one spends all of their money that they earned, and can document the same, that individual has no 'income' from which to pay tax. One should only pay 10% on that which remains in savings each year.

The whole concept that gov't should get one's money first, before one has fulfilled their own responisbilities, needs, and desires, is completely warped [and unconstitutional as well].

There should be no 'sales tax' as the gov't has done nothing whatsoever to generate a fee from a private transaction.

There should be no 'property tax' whatsoever. At the signing of the Constitution of the U.S., only land owners had the right to vote, and subsequently footed the bill for the Federal government. When non-landowners received the right to vote, the right to tax property owners should have also been eliminated.

The ability for gov't to tax property, in essence, renders every property owner as a 'renter' of sorts. If one does not agree with the assessments gov't places on one's property, one has no legal recourse. The gov't will simply seize one's land and sell it. This, de facto, makes the gov't the owner of all land.

There should be no 'state income tax' as it is completely unconstitutional for States to tax income [10th Amendment].

Of course, 'City taxation' of businesses is also entirely unconsititutional as well.

In lieu of repeal of the 16th Amendment, one's total taxation should be capped at 10% of income.

Originally Posted by Watchman

I am with Danish on this one -- 10% maximum income tax. However, I take it a bit further by defining 'income' as that which one is left with. If one spends all of their money that they earned, and can document the same, that individual has no 'income' from which to pay tax. One should only pay 10% on that which remains in savings each year.

The whole concept that gov't should get one's money first, before one has fulfilled their own responisbilities, needs, and desires, is completely warped [and unconstitutional as well].

There should be no 'sales tax' as the gov't has done nothing whatsoever to generate a fee from a private transaction.

There should be no 'property tax' whatsoever. At the signing of the Constitution of the U.S., only land owners had the right to vote, and subsequently footed the bill for the Federal government. When non-landowners received the right to vote, the right to tax property owners should have also been eliminated.

The ability for gov't to tax property, in essence, renders every property owner as a 'renter' of sorts. If one does not agree with the assessments gov't places on one's property, one has no legal recourse. The gov't will simply seize one's land and sell it. This, de facto, makes the gov't the owner of all land.

There should be no 'state income tax' as it is completely unconstitutional for States to tax income [10th Amendment].

Of course, 'City taxation' of businesses is also entirely unconsititutional as well.

In lieu of repeal of the 16th Amendment, one's total taxation should be capped at 10% of income.

Now Watchman THESE are things that you and I CAN agree on!

But I also believe there should be some very deep cuts in the salaries and priviledges of our Government officials (National, State, County, and City) as well, which would go very far to heal this nations present ecominic woes.

God Bless!

Michael

[khigg]

PentecostalE

I was not refering to those who could not help themselves. You must admit that the government is supporting way to many that could change their situation but will not. The system is set up where you have to depend on them and not on self reliance. Paul was right, if you don't work you don't eat. That should be a government policy.

[Amadeus]

The only way to fix our economy or our government or our society is for everyone to first love God with all of their being and second to love their neighbour as themselves.

As retired employee of the Social Security Administration I know that at this point nothing else will work. Compassion is not the best foot forward of politics.

Is my solution impossible? Well I can only start with me...[Even success with me would be impossible, unless I enlist the help of the One for which nothing is impossible!]