#651 (9/25) "6 Reasons Why the National Debt Keeps Rising,"

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS:

NEWS FLASH: "Syrian Rebels Execute Christian Villagers," - CBNNews.com, September 12, 2013; http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/September/Syrian-Rebels-Execute-Christian-Villagers/ -  Syrian rebel fighters apparently executed three Christians fleeing the fighting in Maaloula this week, Britain's Sky News reported. Hundreds of Christians held a funeral in Damascus for the men, who were cousins. Sky News reports the men were trying to escape the Christian town of Maaloula, which has been under attack by rebel troops. The men reportedly were killed by forces with the al Qaeda linked Jabha al-Nour. Mourners say two of the victims had their throats cut and another was shot. Most of the mourners are also refugees from Maaloula, one of the oldest Christian communities in the world. [PRAY for the Christians throughout Syria who face greater persecution should rebels, particularly Islamists along the line of the Muslim Brotherhood, end up in charge of the country.]

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST: "Syrian Christians Brace for Strike, Ask for Prayer," - by Gary Lane, August 31, http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/August/Syrian-Christians-Brace-for-Strike-Ask-for-Prayer/"As Syrians brace themselves for a possible U.S. military attack, many of the county's Christians are praying for divine intervention. They say military action against the Assad regime will only bring them greater hardship and suffering and they're asking Christians worldwide to pray that God intervenes to bring peace to their nation. They believe the collective prayers of Christians around the world could reverse an escalating conflict..."

[EGYPT - Continue to pray for the tense situation in Egypt and especially for the Christian believers who are being targeted with violence by Muslim Brotherhood members.]      

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST- Update on Kenneth Bae: "US Ready to Bargain with N. Korea for Bae's Release,"-  CBNNews.com,  Aug 14, 2013  http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/August/S-Ready-to-Bargain-with-N-Korea-for-Baes-Release/  - The United States is willing to engage North Korea to secure the release of imprisoned American Christian Kenneth Bae. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said the United States is "willing to consider a number of different options" to bring him home.In a video recently released by a North Korean newspaper, Bae requested the United States send a high-ranking official to North Korea to seek his pardon. It is unclear if he spoke of his own volition in the video. Bae, 45, was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for sharing his faith. He suffers health problems such as diabetes and is currently hospitalized.[PRAY for 1) God's healing of and presence with Pastor Bae, 2) His earliest release by the North Korean government, and 3) God's comfort for his family and friends.] 

UPDATE: 9/22 - "Wife: Saeed Has Led [over] 30 to Christ in Iran Prison" - CBNNews.com; http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/September/Wife-Saeed-Has-Led-30-to-Christ-in-Iran-Prison/
SEPT 19TH UPDATE: Pastor Saeed: 'Don't Make My Children Orphans' - CBNNews.com, September 19, 2013;  http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/September/Pastor-Saeed-Dont-Make-My-Children-Orphans/   Saeed Abedini, the American pastor imprisoned in Iran for his Christian faith, is pleading directly with Iran's president to not let his children become orphans. Saeed appealed to the new leader for his freedom in a letter he wrote from his prison cell. President Hassan Rouhani claims to be more moderate than his predecessor. "Considering the fact that I came to Iran to serve the orphans, please do not let them make my children orphans and my wife without a guardian," he wrote, according to the American Center for Law and Justice.

The ACLJ has launched a letter writing campaign to Iran's president on Pastor Saeed's behalf. You can join the initiative by sending a pre-written letter, or you can write your own words to the Iranian president at the Be Heard Project: Saeed Abedini.(http://beheardproject.com/saeed#write

UPDATE: Iran Rejects Saeed's Appeal, Family 'Devastated' , CBNNews.com, August 27, 2013   http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/August/Iran-Rejects-Saeeds-Appeal-Family-Devastated/ "By keeping the 8-year prison sentence in place, Pastor Saeed, now potentially faces additional beatings and abuse inside Evin Prison -- treatment that has significantly weakened him during his first year in prison,"....{

“Abandoned” For Christ" - Graham Calls On White House To Support Abedini - By Dr. Tom Askew, Aug.8,  http://www.presidentialprayerteam.com/opinion

"Behind the scenes, more than 600,000 people around the world have signed a petition sponsored by ACLJ in support of pastor Abedini. A concerted movement this past May brought together Christians from many nations to set aside Pentecost to pray for Abedini. On June 13, demonstrations were held at Iranian embassies in at least six countries to protest Abedini’s treatment. And, on July 29, Arizona Republican Representative Trent Franks spoke on the floor of the House to urge other Congressmen to join him in “adopting” Pastor Abedini through the bipartisan Defending Freedoms Project."

Saeed’s response…and yours - Through his family living in Iran, Pastor Abedini has been made aware of these efforts on his behalf, and is grateful. “I heard that the persecution, my arrest and imprisonment has united churches from different denominations, from different cities and countries. That the churches have united together in prayer to put one request (my freedom) on one day (Pentecost) before God,” he wrote in a letter.

The story of Saeed Abedini, the jihad against Syrian Christians, the attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt, and the ongoing desecration of churches in Nigeria and India should cause every American to reflect on the blessings of freedom still enjoyed in this nation.

PRAY: - For comfort and peace for Saeed’s wife and children here in the U.S.

- For a strong witness and testimony from Pastor Abedini in the prison where God has placed him

- For Christians around the world who are being persecuted for their faith in Christ

- BOLDly (Beside Our Leaders Daily) for leadership from the White House and State Department in defending the freedoms of Abedini and other Americans

Go to SaveSaeed.org to sign a petition over 600,000 others asking for his immediate release.

---------------------------------------------------------------
"6 Reasons Why the National Debt Keeps Rising," - by Josh Shepherd On September 23, 2013

Out-of-control spending by Congress and the Obama Administration has once again maxed out the latest debt limit—a nearly $17 trillion burden that harms job growth [1], gives special interests a pass, and lowers American families’ personal income. Inspired by Dave Ramsey’s recent post “6 Reasons People Stay in Debt,” [2] we compiled six reasons why Members of Congress, the Obama Administration, and others in Washington avoid the path to financial stability [3] in favor of big spending…

Share this graphic on Facebook [4]

1. They want to keep up appearances.

The truth is, ever-growing entitlement programs drive ever-greater government spending. Everyone knows it. Some leaders in both parties have even worked together on first-step solutions agreeable to both sides [5]. Yet rather than risk Warren Buffett’s taxpayer-funded benefits decreasing [6], politicians pretend America’s national budget can handle all the extensive promises they’ve made over the past several decades.

2. They are unwilling to sacrifice even wasteful spending.

Like a recent guest on “Hannity [7],” some in Washington will defend even the most ridiculous spending. Yet Congress could eliminate billions in spending tomorrow. Heritage expert Patrick Louis Knudsen, who spent two decades working on the House Budget Committee, recently went line-by-line through the federal budget to find $42 billion in unnecessary, poorly run, and duplicative federal government programs [8].

3. They fear changing “business as usual” in Washington.

Politicians are masters at playing the game. Because Americans are waking up to the fiscal crisis we are in, today policymakers in both parties use any number of legislative “back doors” to increase the debt ceiling—without looking like they did. CNN reports [9]: Since it’s a politically tough vote, they occasionally devise clever ways to tacitly approve increases without ever having to publicly record a “yes” vote.

For example, as part of the deal to resolve the 2011 debt ceiling war [10], Congress approved a plan that let President Obama raise the debt limit three times unless both the House and Senate passed a “joint resolution of disapproval.” Such a measure never materialized. And even if it had, the president could have vetoed it.

4. They’re addicted to stuff.

Policymakers in Washington enjoy a good haircut, lavish conference vacations, and even renovating their bathrooms [11]… all at our expense. How does so [12] much [13] wasteful [14] spending [15] get into the federal budget? Follow the money. When government keeps doling out so much to so many, it’s inevitable that Washington’s 10,000+ registered lobbyists [16] get in on the bureaucrats’ action—while helping along a few re-election campaigns in the process.

5. They don’t know how to see long-term.

Word has it that the 2013 deficit will be lower than previous years [17]. Let’s not break out the confetti just yet. This short-term change is due in part to massive tax increases signed into law by President Obama [18]. Moreover, this year’s $642 billion deficit adds to the already massive national debt. Nearing $17 trillion, the debt is depressing job growth [19] and opportunity for American families.

6. They lack the courage to lead on spending reform.

Clearly there are real proposals on the table to get the budget under control. Heritage offers Saving the American Dream [20], a budget framework that wisely resets spending levels back to historical norms. Even with recent legislative action on defunding Obamacare [21], it is unclear whether Congress will ultimately follow through and fully defund this unfair, unworkable, unaffordable law before its massive new entitlements go into effect.

We can change our current course, support a budget based on real Constitutional priorities, and set free the unlimited genius of Americans to create jobs, wealth, and prosperity. Find out how you can spread the word >> [22]

[bold and italics emphasis mainly mine]
--------------------------------------------------------------------.
Article printed from The Foundry: Conservative Policy News Blog from The Heritage Foundation: http://blog.heritage.org; URL to article: http://blog.heritage.org/2013/09/23/morning-bell-6-reasons-why-the-national-debt-keeps-rising/

URLs in this post:
[1] $17 trillion burden that harms job growth: http://blog.heritage.org/2013/06/17/morning-bell-17-reasons-the-17-trillion-debt-is-still-a-big-deal
[2] “6 Reasons People Stay in Debt,”: http://www.daveramsey.com/blog/6-reasons-people-stay-in-debt
[3] path to financial stability: http://savingthedream.org/how-it-affects-you
[4] Image: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773991719481&set=pb.21375324480.-2207520000.1379711812
[5] first-step solutions agreeable to both sides: http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2012/11/six-bipartisan-entitlement-reforms-to-solve-the-real-fiscal-crisis-only-presidential-leadership-is-needed
[6] Warren Buffett’s taxpayer-funded benefits decreasing: http://blog.heritage.org/2011/12/07/congress-should-stop-subsidizing-warren-buffett’s-health-care-not-increase-his-taxes
[7] recent guest on “Hannity: http://blog.heritage.org/2013/08/21/meet-the-one-person-willing-to-defend-the-most-ridiculous-examples-of-government-spending
[8] $42 billion in unnecessary, poorly run, and duplicative federal government programs: http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2013/08/tight-budget-congress-can-save-42-billion-by-eliminating-bad-government-programs
[9] CNN reports: http://money.cnn.com/2013/09/12/news/economy/debt-ceiling
[10] 2011 debt ceiling war: http://blog.heritage.org/2011/11/22/super-failure-no-spending-cuts-and-the-debt-keeps-rising/
[11] good haircut, lavish conference vacations, and even renovating their bathrooms: http://publicnoticelearn.org/quiz/get-smart-about-dumb-spending
[12] so: http://blog.heritage.org/2013/06/12/20-completely-unjustified-programs-in-the-house-farm-bill
[13] much: http://blog.heritage.org/2013/09/06/whats-another-45-million-at-the-doe
[14] wasteful: http://blog.heritage.org/2013/08/20/morning-bell-15-pictures-of-ridiculous-government-spending-guaranteed-to-make-you-mad
[15] spending: http://spendopedia.org/wiki/Special:AllPages
[16] Washington’s 10,000+ registered lobbyists: http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/index.php
[17] 2013 deficit will be lower than previous years: http://blog.heritage.org/2013/07/10/hurrah-too-soon-white-house-budget-revision-shows-759-billion-deficit-in-2013/
[18] massive tax increases signed into law by President Obama: http://blog.heritage.org/2013/01/08/tax-changes-2013
[19] depressing job growth: http://www.heritage.org/research/commentary/2013/2/debt-is-a-real-drag-in-any-season
[20] Saving the American Dream: http://www.savingthedream.org/about-the-plan
[21] recent legislative action on defunding Obamacare: http://blog.heritage.org/2013/09/20/house-of-representatives-listens-to-the-american-people-on-obamacare/
[22] Find out how you can spread the word >>: http://obamacare.heritage.org/
[23] Heritage Libertad: http://www.libertad.org/
[24] Learn more about the terrorist group that attacked a mall: http://blog.heritage.org/2013/09/22/qa-on-kenya-terrorist-attack-and-al-shabaab/
[25] a form of free speech: http://mashable.com/2013/09/18/facebook-like-protected-speech/
[26] abortion is still important: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2013-09-20-EU-Vatican-Pope/id-ec5a0e6c566b4b10859cf06e8c2b1ea7
[27] third term: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/10327000/Angela-Merkel-wins-historic-third-term-in-German-elections.html
[28] a child reading too many books: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/new-york-librarian-fired-speaking-child-read-article-1.1460319
[29] choosing to pay the penalty: http://money.cnn.com/2013/09/20/news/economy/obamacare-penalty/index.html

Copyright © 2011 The Heritage Foundation. All rights reserved.