Be grateful you're getting anything.

Is free stuff from the government a "right"?

Before anyone quotes the Bible about feeding the hungry, the Bible doesn't say people don't have personal responsibility or they should get more than enough needed.

Eat frugal like the rest of us do when times are tight.

Corky,

Forget your judgement of me.
I'm very much a Christian.

I'll remind you again.

In America, the First Amendment says Christians must not use Biblical scripture for making laws or justifying policy.

And neither can the unsaved who use the Bible as a weapon.

I'm not blind to the hunger that exists in the world. It's astounding how much wealth the rich hoard.

Then I remember that the US holds nearly twice the wealth that China does, and Russia's share is a dismal fraction.

If it has to be hoarded somewhere, I'd rather it be here than under tyranny.

I'd venture to guess running a country is tougher than we know finding the right balance helping American citizens without giving away the store and enriching your enemies.

I'll say it once more. Develop a grateful attitude, and learn to be content with what you have.

Corky,

Unfortunately, a lot of people today are starting to sound like Sally Brown, Charlie Brown's little sister in A Charlie Brown Christmas.

When Charlie asked her what she wanted for Christmas, Sally said:

"All I really want is what I have coming to me. All I want is my fair share."

Sally and Gordon Gekko ("Greed is Good") have summed up modern American values.

Corky,

If you were to be saved and become a Christian, you might make a powerful evangelist.

First, you'd have to see Christianity in its entirety and not select parts you support.

It's too bad you're only imitating someone saved.

You're almost only a prayer away. You have a good heart.

Christians should pray for you.

Lamp,

My mind is aware of many things.

You can't spend your life focusing on trees and ignore the forest.

I'm continually learning.

Lamp,

I don't revel in replies.

But I do have a perspective that tends to be my own, which can appear to be wandering.

Whether or not I'm contributing is up to the reader.

Truth,

And Lamp accuses ME of deflecting!

Corky,

"Paul the Apostle said that Gov is to provide for the common good of it's people."

I'd like your verse you are referring to. I believe you are interpreting something or taking some words out of context.

Paul said, "Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do."

I took it out of context and going to build a church where all members must be single.

After all Paul said it.

Corky,

Now...leaving the Bible thumping out of the thread, I do agree funds should have been found and I agree with the way it has been handled so far.

It would have been terrible for the Democrats to prevent all SNAP benefits like they are currently doing. They want to extend something that only passed because it had an expiration date. Now the Democrats are exploiting the system to get their way.

I still say live frugal and be grateful.

Corky,

Just as I suspected.

Even before Jesus, Jewish leaders interpreted scripture and enforced their own interpretations.

And that's been the practice ever since.

I'm not saying you're wrong, but when is 'enough' enough.

"For Good" has many meanings.

Converting new believers is also "For Good" and I would say is Paul's primary "purpose".

Corky,

Paul also wrote in a letter,

2 Thessalonians 3:10
"For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat."
We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.
Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat."

I was pointing out earlier you can't extract verses and build a church around it. Throughout the Bible we are commanded to be productive and not lazy.

Corky,

If you're going to be the preacher, here's part of the "entirety" I was referring to.

Christianity is not designed around being a government food program.

It's about personal responsibility.

Just like you are personally responsible for being saved.

Jesus is holding the door open for you, but it's on you to walk through it.

Christianity is, at its core, about personal accountability and the choices we make with the freedom God gives us.

Lamp,

I don't doubt there are hardship stories out there in the millions.

Being America and not legally a "Christian Nation", that makes this problem a secular issue separate from religion.

Democrates should stop thinking they are America's savior.

They should work with Trump and drop the arrogance.

Alex,

"There is no working with Trump. He's insane."

Sounds like I'm correct in my opinion.

They are stubborn and refusing to cooperate.

Lamp,

From AI,

"The claim "he kept the House adjourned because of the Epstein files" is allegation. The reporting shows a correlation (adjournment + delay of vote) and an accusation of motive, but not a definitive confirmation of motive from Johnson's side.

Johnson has publicly denied that motive and framed the decisions within broader procedural or political grounds. So while you're right to say it is being done and is slowing the vote, saying this is definitely why leaves out the speaker's explanation.

The vote isn't yet forced simply because the coalition for the petition isn't fully in place (though close), and procedural rules still apply. So the situation is dynamic."

What you say to AI?

Ill read it later. Need to help wife

Lamp,

People have always relied on different sources for information. AI is just the newest one. Why be pompous about it?

I told it today it's been wrong four times this month and honestly, it's been slipping compared to a year ago.

Maybe version 5, or maybe it's just getting rushed from overuse.

Lamp,

Fyi...I may recall a verse and ask for full verse or I may recall something I read Paul said have AI find it.

Have you seen the Strong's Concordance?

I just asked it, "Where does Bible say a wise man seeks council"

Proverbs 11:14

NKJV:

Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

NLT:

Without wise leadership, a nation falls;
there is safety in having many advisers.

Lamp,

"How am I being pompous for saying in #53 that, "AI is still learning."

You're not.

"your current trolling alias seems to need AI to back up it's assertions is telling"

Pompous

Btw...

NKJ and NLB are my current preferred translations.

NKJ traditional rhythm of original but easier to understand. 9th grade reading level.

NLB natural modern English 6th grade reading level.

I bounce between the 2.

Lamp,

I just hope they end this budget mess soon so the media will stop acting like America's a third-world country.

And of course, only the Democrats care.

Maybe their new slogan should be, "No one cares more than us!" complete with a food-line photo op with all the usual democrats standing behind the tables, with ladles in hand, pouring soup.

Lamp,

"OK, my first question might be..."

Phewww... I was half-expecting you to ask why I read a Bible written at a sixth-grade reading level.

There are several versions out there, and I wouldn't presume to tell anyone which one to read...but...it really doesn't matter.

Just start reading one (though I'd personally avoid the King James). A great place to begin is with Paul's letters to the early churches in the New Testament where he addresses real issues.

We've all seen enough Jesus movies. I wouldn't start with The Gospels. We already know how it ends.

Historically, those churches that received Paul's letters copied them and shared them with other churches. He had a major influence on Christianity after he changed his name from Saul (who...cough ...cough...persecuted Christians).

That's how Christianity began to take form. Paul personally knew several of the Apostles who had traveled with Jesus, though he never met Jesus Himself.

Lamp,

I must have missed it.

Which version do you consider best for casual readers and not someone reading for study?

Lamp,

A discussion of the merits of each could likely be put in a single post.

I'm a casual reader. I have purchased many and is why I bought the "Trump" Bible. It could be called the "I'm proud to be an American" Bible since it contains the Constitution.

Anyway...I prefer ease of reading and if I read something that seems to be lacking (something I thought was included in the verse and is missing), I might take out English Standard or New American Standard and compare. New King James is really good for comparing. The closest to King James but actually readable.

Redial,

The floor is yours.

Start complaining.

Redial,

How did draw a line thru? Would you tell me what you put at then beg and end?

Redial,

If you need to spell it out, I understand since you would initiate the line.

Left bracket... Right bracket (I assume)

I found it.

I'm a programmer now

Lamp,

I looked into it, and apparently the translations tied to the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Mormons have some controversial parts.

That doesn't concern me. The versions I use are considered reliable.

When in doubt, I just compare them.

What would you like to add?

Lamp,

I talked about SNAP at first and the usual posters brought Christianity and Bible verses into the conversation.

Ask them why they bring scripture into threads.

And you're the one who brought in the added element of translations when you said I post a verse but don't say what translation it came from.

I think I've exhausted amything I might add. I do put the blame on Democrats for this budget fiasco.

Lamp,

I was right though, wasn't I?

It was Corky who first quoted scripture.

Take that up with him.

Danni,

I understand your point and your fears are justified. Politicians on both sides have promised plenty and delivered little.

Having said that, I watched Trump's 60 Minutes interview. When asked if Democrats would capitulate, his answer was basically, they'll have to unless they want the stalemate to continue.

He also said Obamacare isn't a good solution and needs fixing. I'm not sure how true that is, but one thing's clear.

If Democrats want to end this impasse, Trump isn't bluffing.

They're trying to extend something that originally passed only because it had an expiration date. Now they're holding the process hostage to get their way.

Your concerns are valid, Danni. But Trump's track record of doing what he says he'll do is solid. He wants to fix the Affordable Care Act, and the Democrats should back off the arrogance and let him do it.

He's the President and so far, he's managed to end wars and negotiate effectively with world leaders.

Let him do his job.

Dan,

"The trillions in tax giveaways were expiring too; Republicans had no problem at all extending what they wanted."

Trump made tax cuts permanent that actually benefited the middle class.

So why are you griping?

"He's helping the rich!"

So what? What's it to you?

Let the Republicans fix Obamacare, that's also been crushing the middle class for years.

"He's helping the middle class!"

Again, so what? They're the ones who've taken the hits, while everyone else gets handouts.

Let Trump do what Trump does.

He's a charging bull.

Step back and let him run.

Corky,

"He has no replacement plan!"

Really?

He had four years in office and four more years to plan.

Day one of his 2nd term, he hit the ground running.

You honestly think he spent all that time doing nothing?

He's not about to reveal his hand to the naysayers.

Danni,

Please don't make the issue with Obamacare sound racial.

It's not.

Laura,

Really?

You think I sold my soul?

I personally wouldn't even joke like that, lest my own soul be attacked.

Dan,

Trump's smarter than you.

Dan,

"No he didn't"

2017 not permanent
2025 permanent

Dan,

"Are you in favor of borrowing an extra $3-$5 trillion to extend the tax cuts to the world's wealthiest?"

Not my concern.

If you read my posts on global wealth by countries, you'd understand my answer.

Then again, maybe not.

Laura,

My soul has already been promised to someone else.

Dan,

"I've asked two dozen times; you never seem to be able to address the question"

And I've asked you, who is Christ?

In order for Trump to be the anti-Christ, there must be a Christ.

Who is Christ?

You answer my question first.

I need to know where is the Christ, Trump is supposedly opposing.

We can continue this back and forth another couple of dozen times.

Who do you believe is Christ?

Dan,

"You linked to sunsetting tax cuts, dumfuq. Thanks for proving my point.
And the SALT increase? That's not for the middle-class; it's for the upper-upper middle class.
"No tax on tips", "No tax on overtime", and "No tax on SS" ALL EXPIRE before Trump leaves office. And Trump removed ALL Biden's energy credits, which INCREASES the taxes on the middle class
And that waitress who makes $25K a year? She'll save $20 a week. Meanwhile, the average billionaire will save $1 million a week.
Only morons think 80% going to the world's wealthiest 1% is a good deal for the American middle class."

I asked AI for help on this one.

You're conflating a lot of things that don't belong in the same paragraph.

First, "sunsetting" doesn't mean ending immediately " it means scheduled to end years from now unless Congress renews them. The 2025 bill did extend the Trump-era middle-class tax cuts and doubled the standard deduction permanently. That's not opinion " it's in the text of the law.

Second, SALT caps don't punish the middle class; they cap deductions used mostly in high-income, high-tax states. The "upper-upper middle class" you mentioned aren't waitresses " they're people with $20K property tax bills.

Third, "no tax on tips, overtime, or Social Security" are separate policy proposals being phased in over time " not short-term gimmicks. The earliest expirations happen after 2028, not "before Trump leaves office."

Fourth, as for billionaires " they always gain more in absolute dollars because they pay more in absolute dollars. The relevant question is who gets the percentage relief, and the middle class got more of it proportionally than the top 1%.

Finally, if you're going to accuse people of being "morons," at least get the math right. The TCJA and its extensions increased take-home pay for the middle 60% of earners " that's verifiable across CBO, BLS, and Treasury data.

Facts don't vanish because you dislike the man who signed them.

Sounds like AI has you figured out.

Snoofy,

If you were married and filing joint returns with Middle Class wages, you would most definitely know the answer to your own question.

Speak,

"what did christ teach? And how does that relate to the leaders that you support?"

Matthew 22:17"21 (NKJV)

"Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"
But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?
Show Me the tax money."
So they brought Him a denarius.
And He said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?"
They said to Him, "Caesar's."
And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.".

Jesus acknowledged secular authority and told us to meet our civic obligations and not just taxes, but lawful obedience.

He didn't say "obey only the leaders you like." He said to respect legitimate authority while still giving God what belongs to God.

Snoofy,

"Was it lawfully obedient when Jesus upset the tables of the money changers?
You're a tool."

They were defiling the Lord's house, conducting business in a holy place.

Snoofy,

Why not take a break from posting?

You're not thinking straight.

Time to carry boxes from the attic for my wife.

Now I'm retirded, I have a new boss.

I don't mind. She loves me.

Corky,

"When JC attacked the Jewish Leaders, who ran the Gov and the Temple, by calling them everything but White Men; hypocrites, snakes, and the contents of caskets"

Jesus called them hypocrites, so they had Him killed.

I'd guess Jesus calling them hypocrites hit them hard.

But you're not Jesus so who are you to declare who is hypocrite?

Bye all.

Corky,

Trump is a worldly man, no doubt.

The issue is SNAP and the budget, not Trump's salvation.

That's between him and God.

monitor is off...