The Bulletin Board:(Please SCROLL DOWN this page to find the article titled on this post in LARGE CAPITAL LETTERS. Thank you.)
PRAY FOR AMERICA: THANK GOD for His many blessings on America throughout it's history. May we then ask that AMERICA once again be a blessing TO GOD, by once again submitting to HIS will in our affairs - both personal and national - that He may truly "heal our land." (2 Chron. 7:14)
NOW THAT THE ELECTION IS OVER:1) Let's be praying that God showed us grace in giving us representatives who will sincerely work to DO NO HARM to us and future generations. Let's also be praying that should He have chosen to give us those who WILL do us harm, that He extends mercy to us now and for the years ahead. His will is now done as far as the results we have. Now it's up to us to be diligent to hold those elected accountable!, and 2) Let's be praying that the present lame-duck session in Congress will not be allowed to pass legislation that will do harm to our country as they can easily do. (See post #1051 - 'Return of the Zombie).
12/26 - URGENT PRAYER: The other day a Jordanian pilot's plan was shot down over Syria by ISIS terrorist fighters. They've shown pictures of the pilot obviously being beaten. (Remember, these are the savage Islamists who've already beheaded and otherwise executed countless people.) PRAY with me that the pilot (probably Muslim) will somehow receive dreams and visions from God that will lead him to turn from Islam and possibly turn to Christ. PRAY also for his tormentors to have dreams and visions from God to convict them of their evil and to turn from their violence.
U.S. Supreme Court has Reconvened: Let's be praying WHENEVER the Court is in session as their decisions can have impact on GENERATIONS to come. The fact that they may have an opportunity this session to actually vote on same-sex "marriage" where it has the same impact on this country that Roe v. Wade did should be motivating enough!
Of course, let's CONTINUE PRAYING FOR AN END TO THE EBOLA CRISIS IN WEST AFRICA AND THE HEALING OF ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INFECTED.
"Since Obama Took Office, the Federal Debt Has Increased by Almost 70 Percent" - Michael Sargent/ December 03, 2014 / http://dailysignal.com/2014/12/03/since-obama-took-office-federal-debt-increased-almost-70-percent/?utm_source=heritagefoundation&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=morningbell&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRoks6nJZKXonjHpfsX56eguXa%2B3lMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4FTsJmI%2BSLDwEYGJlv6SgFQrLBMa1ozrgOWxU%3D
The federal government hit a new milestone Friday: The total federal debt now tallies more than $18 trillion. Just six years ago when President Obama took office, total debt stood at $10.6 trillion, which means it now has increased by almost $8 trillion—roughly 70 percent—during his tenure as president.
The surge in total debt, which has hit 103 percent of gross domestic product, comes at a time when politicians are championing falling deficits and claiming them as evidence that government spending is under control.
Although deficits have been falling since 2009—when they were at record levels with a dearth of revenue to offset massive spending—they don’t tell the full story. This past year the government still spent $486 billion more than it took in. And the annual deficit is expected to reach trillion-dollar levels again within 10 years, further accelerating the growth of the national debt and interest payments required to service it.
Furthermore, spending that fuels the debt is not primarily caused by increases in discretionary spending such as defense, education and infrastructure, but rather by growth in mandatory programs such as entitlements.
The major entitlement programs, including Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, take up almost 50 percent of all federal spending and are only expected to increase in size as more Americans age and retire. Indeed, entitlements and net interest are projected to consume 100 percent of the government’s tax revenue by 2030.
The future growth in entitlements will exacerbate the nation’s debt problem. Larger government debt poses the threat of higher taxes in the future to pay interest on the debt, thus likely inflicting on younger Americans and future generations a greater tax burden and weaker economy.
It only took 407 days for the nation to go from $17 trillion to $18 trillion in debt.
But the negative effects do not only accrue in the long run. The U.S. is set to hit its debt limit in March, which means lawmakers must decide how to address the nation’s fiscal scenario.
When debating the issue, Congress should adopt a plan to rein in growing spending and debt before increasing the debt ceiling. What they absolutely should not do is “suspend” the limit again, which gives the government a blank check to build upon the $18 trillion we already owe with no limit in sight. As Heritage Fellow Romina Boccia observes, by enacting a debt limit suspension, “Congress effectively abdicates its constitutional power to control the borrowing of the federal government.”
But a reform-minded Congress should not wait until March to address the nation’s fiscal irresponsibility. It only took 407 days for the nation to go from $17 trillion to $18 trillion in debt. That should be a sign that Washington needs to fix its spending habits, which the incoming Congress should make a priority.
Some good opportunities to restart the conversation would be to eschew the broken budget process—which perpetuates spending on bad programs—and to enact entitlement reforms. $18 trillion and counting is already too much. Congress needs to act now so that future Americans won’t have to finance our generation’s decadent spending.
[bold and italics emphasis mine]
Michael Sargent is a research assistant at Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies at The Heritage Foundation.
PRAY FOR AMERICA: THANK GOD for His many blessings on America throughout it's history. May we then ask that AMERICA once again be a blessing TO GOD, by once again submitting to HIS will in our affairs - both personal and national - that He may truly "heal our land." (2 Chron. 7:14)
NOW THAT THE ELECTION IS OVER:1) Let's be praying that God showed us grace in giving us representatives who will sincerely work to DO NO HARM to us and future generations. Let's also be praying that should He have chosen to give us those who WILL do us harm, that He extends mercy to us now and for the years ahead. His will is now done as far as the results we have. Now it's up to us to be diligent to hold those elected accountable!, and 2) Let's be praying that the present lame-duck session in Congress will not be allowed to pass legislation that will do harm to our country as they can easily do. (See post #1051 - 'Return of the Zombie).
12/26 - URGENT PRAYER: The other day a Jordanian pilot's plan was shot down over Syria by ISIS terrorist fighters. They've shown pictures of the pilot obviously being beaten. (Remember, these are the savage Islamists who've already beheaded and otherwise executed countless people.) PRAY with me that the pilot (probably Muslim) will somehow receive dreams and visions from God that will lead him to turn from Islam and possibly turn to Christ. PRAY also for his tormentors to have dreams and visions from God to convict them of their evil and to turn from their violence.
WORLD-WDE PRAYER REQUESTS:
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST: Save Christian Mom Asia Bibi from Execution - A Christian mom has been sentenced to death in Pakistan for her faith. Asia Bibi was falsely accused of “blasphemy” – speaking against the prophet Muhammad. Now this wife and mother of five will hang for her Christian faith.She would be the first woman executed under Pakistan’s Shariah blasphemy law.This is the ultimate human rights violation. We’re mobilizing our international affiliate – the European Centre for Law and Justice – and its partner in Pakistan to stop this atrocity. Add your name to our letter to the government of Pakistan demanding Asia Bibi’s freedom.Go to http://aclj.org/persecuted-church/save-christian-mom-asia-bibi-from-execution; please add your signature to mine and over 35,000 others AND pray for Asia Bibi.
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST: Save Christian Mom Asia Bibi from Execution - A Christian mom has been sentenced to death in Pakistan for her faith. Asia Bibi was falsely accused of “blasphemy” – speaking against the prophet Muhammad. Now this wife and mother of five will hang for her Christian faith.She would be the first woman executed under Pakistan’s Shariah blasphemy law.This is the ultimate human rights violation. We’re mobilizing our international affiliate – the European Centre for Law and Justice – and its partner in Pakistan to stop this atrocity. Add your name to our letter to the government of Pakistan demanding Asia Bibi’s freedom.Go to http://aclj.org/persecuted-church/save-christian-mom-asia-bibi-from-execution; please add your signature to mine and over 35,000 others AND pray for Asia Bibi.
Friday, Sept. 26th - Two Year Anniversary of Pastor Saeed Abedini's Imprisonment in Iran! - [NOTE TODAY'S POST!]
We need to continue to pray for Pastor Saeed - that his health will improve and that he will be re-united with his wife and two young children who live in the United States. [If you have not yet, please sign the petition for his clemency- http://beheardproject.com/saeed#sign] For comfort and .\
"Not Everyone Happy with Religious Ambassador Pick," Caitlin Burke,July 29, 2014;
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/July/Obama-Taps-Rabbi-for-Religious-Freedom-Ambassador/ "..An estimated 76 percent of the world's population live in countries where religious freedom is restricted...
SIGN A PETITION TO THE UN FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHRISTIANS :" The church in Syria has shone brightly for 2,000 years. But today violence and persecution threatens its survival. Thanks to an incredible response, Open Doors is helping 8,000 families in Syria survive each month. We believe the signatures and prayers of 500,000 people will encourage the UN to act and protect the rights and lives of all Syrians, especially the vulnerable Christian community." Go to: http://lp.opendoorsusa.org/emails/nov-13-action/save-syria.html?utm_source=action&utm_medium=email&utm_content=button&utm_campaign=november
Of course, let's CONTINUE PRAYING FOR AN END TO THE EBOLA CRISIS IN WEST AFRICA AND THE HEALING OF ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INFECTED.
PRAY FOR THE CRISIS HAPPENING NOW IN IRAQ (see post #907) Pray that allied forces will be able to drive the group ISIS back (see post #964)
/PRAYER ALERT- UKRAINE: As the Lord leads, please pray:
*For God to suppress President Putin’s ambitions to "restore" the Soviet empire.
*For the people of Ukrainen [esp. for the church 'to be THE church'] as they wait to see if the Russian troops will advance.
*About President Obama and to use wisdom in crafting our foreign policy, and wisdom for his advisers.
Continue to Pray for 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.]
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"Since Obama Took Office, the Federal Debt Has Increased by Almost 70 Percent" - Michael Sargent/ December 03, 2014 / http://dailysignal.com/2014/12/03/since-obama-took-office-federal-debt-increased-almost-70-percent/?utm_source=heritagefoundation&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=morningbell&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRoks6nJZKXonjHpfsX56eguXa%2B3lMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4FTsJmI%2BSLDwEYGJlv6SgFQrLBMa1ozrgOWxU%3D
The federal government hit a new milestone Friday: The total federal debt now tallies more than $18 trillion. Just six years ago when President Obama took office, total debt stood at $10.6 trillion, which means it now has increased by almost $8 trillion—roughly 70 percent—during his tenure as president.
The surge in total debt, which has hit 103 percent of gross domestic product, comes at a time when politicians are championing falling deficits and claiming them as evidence that government spending is under control.
Although deficits have been falling since 2009—when they were at record levels with a dearth of revenue to offset massive spending—they don’t tell the full story. This past year the government still spent $486 billion more than it took in. And the annual deficit is expected to reach trillion-dollar levels again within 10 years, further accelerating the growth of the national debt and interest payments required to service it.
Furthermore, spending that fuels the debt is not primarily caused by increases in discretionary spending such as defense, education and infrastructure, but rather by growth in mandatory programs such as entitlements.
The major entitlement programs, including Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, take up almost 50 percent of all federal spending and are only expected to increase in size as more Americans age and retire. Indeed, entitlements and net interest are projected to consume 100 percent of the government’s tax revenue by 2030.
The future growth in entitlements will exacerbate the nation’s debt problem. Larger government debt poses the threat of higher taxes in the future to pay interest on the debt, thus likely inflicting on younger Americans and future generations a greater tax burden and weaker economy.
It only took 407 days for the nation to go from $17 trillion to $18 trillion in debt.
But the negative effects do not only accrue in the long run. The U.S. is set to hit its debt limit in March, which means lawmakers must decide how to address the nation’s fiscal scenario.
When debating the issue, Congress should adopt a plan to rein in growing spending and debt before increasing the debt ceiling. What they absolutely should not do is “suspend” the limit again, which gives the government a blank check to build upon the $18 trillion we already owe with no limit in sight. As Heritage Fellow Romina Boccia observes, by enacting a debt limit suspension, “Congress effectively abdicates its constitutional power to control the borrowing of the federal government.”
But a reform-minded Congress should not wait until March to address the nation’s fiscal irresponsibility. It only took 407 days for the nation to go from $17 trillion to $18 trillion in debt. That should be a sign that Washington needs to fix its spending habits, which the incoming Congress should make a priority.
Some good opportunities to restart the conversation would be to eschew the broken budget process—which perpetuates spending on bad programs—and to enact entitlement reforms. $18 trillion and counting is already too much. Congress needs to act now so that future Americans won’t have to finance our generation’s decadent spending.
[bold and italics emphasis mine]
Michael Sargent is a research assistant at Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies at The Heritage Foundation.
