Politicizing Dependency: When Politicians Find Religion…So They Say?

The politician who believes people on welfare cannot survive without the government

The politician who found religion…except when it involves a vote for the unborn

Presumptive Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate and current state Attorney General, Ken Cuccinelli, is under criticism from some Democratic leaders in the Virginia legislature for comments made by Cuccinelli in his soon to be released book “The New Fight for American Freedom.” Although Cuccinelli has been a target of Democrat criticism during his time as attorney general, his presumptive candidacy for governor has made him an official target of ‘guerilla tactical’ political warfare that has become synonymous with today’s Democrat Party.

The Controversial Statement

     In a brief excerpt of Cuccinelli’s book, he is critical of lawmakers who target those on dependency programs as a voter base. Cuccinelli cautions against promoting a society of dependency by stating “…once people are dependent, they feel as though they can’t afford to have programs taken away, no matter how inefficient, poorly run, or costly to the rest of society.”

     Although I believe it is extremely naïve to prematurely critique Cuccinelli’s book, I can state that there is a real concern over the inefficiency of the entitlement programs in today’s society. I am critical of any politician who ignores the reports of EBT cards being used at ATM machines in strip clubs[1], or ignoring growing concerns of welfare fraud occurring within their own communities. In short, more people are getting on the system then they are getting off the system of entitlement.[2]     

The Outrage

     As expected, the Democrat Party of Virginia has started waging a false war between Ken Cuccinelli and those on government assistance. Chairwoman of the state Democrat Party, Delegate Charniele Herring, D-Fairfax County, charged Cuccinelli with displaying “hatred towards those who need government programs to survive.[3]” Senate Democrat Caucus Chairman, A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, called Cuccinelli’s comments “an attack on faith.” McEachin further remarked that “the Bible has over 2,000 verses highlighting the poor.[4]”

Charniele Herring Proves Cuccinelli’s Point!

     Serving as the true form of Post-Hoc Propter-Hoc fallacies of Democrat-debate tactics, Ms. Herring basically takes the position of belief that suggests ‘because Cuccinelli criticizes the government’s ability to run welfare programs; therefore, Ken Cuccinelli “hates” those who are on welfare. As a Virginian, I always hope that my states’ legislature holds a higher moral ground on commonality of issues than other states; however, Ms. Herring’s audacity to suggest Cuccinelli hates a group of people, because he disagrees with the stability of the system those people are using, displays a common template amongst national liberal groups in recent years. 

     Indirectly, Delegate Herring’s attempt to rebuke Cuccinelli’s statements; in fact, reinforces the concerns Cuccinelli brings up in his book. If the purpose of government assistance, as Delegate Herring indicates, is a means of survival and not short-term economic assistance, then there is a strong argument to be made for concerns of incapability of independence by those who become dependent on the entitlement system as their source of survival. In my opinion, Delegate Herring’s statements on the issue have proven the factual point of politicians using the entitlement group as a political prop to ensure votes. The history of our nation has always held firm to the principled belief that ‘the people do not need the government to survive; instead, the government needs the people for its survival.’     

The Democrat Who Found Religion…Kind of, but Not Really!

     While Delegate Herring considered Cuccinelli’s statements ‘hate;’ Senator McEachin attempted to appeal to the people of faith in his rebuke of Cuccinelli’s comments. Senator McEachin claims of “over 2,000 verses” in the Bible pertaining to the poor, and calling Cuccinelli’s statements an “attack” is indeed eye catching.  

     To Senator McEachin’s credit, there are several verses in scripture that highlight and uphold the poor; however, not one verse in the Bible places the burden of caring for the poor in the hands of the government. Two questions to those who attempt to equate government entitlement as commandment from God: Did Jesus command the government to feed the five thousand, or did Jesus feed the five thousand? In the book of Mark, did Jesus command the rich man to sell his possession to give to the government for the poor, or did Jesus command the rich man to give his fortune to the poor directly?

     I find it blatantly hypocritical for Senator McEachin to call the comments of Attorney General Cuccinelli an “attack on faith” when the Senator’s voting record has displayed a legislative assault against the core values of life and marriage that has been established through the teachings of most faiths, especially Christianity. In 2010, Governor McDonnell proposed limiting state funds for abortion clinics; however, Donald McEachin ‘faithfully’ voted against the bill. In 2012, a bill that would require women to receive an ultra-sound before an abortion was taken before the Senate, and Senator McEachin ‘faithfully’ voted against the bill. I am skeptical as to whether or not Senator McEachin read any of the scriptures that values life inside the womb?

     In terms of marriage and family, Senator McEachin publically applauded the President’s endorsement of same sex marriage. McEachin has often likened the fight for gay marriage as a civil rights issue. Based on Senator McEachin’s support for every legislative measure that has been issued to push the cause for same sex acceptance since 2007, I am skeptical as to whether or not the senator was able to review several scriptures that outlined same sex relationships as a sin?

     In short, McEachin’s voting record has proven far more contradictory to the teachings of the Bible than any statement made by Cuccinelli. While I firmly contend that it is every true Christians desire to help the poor and needy, it is clear that the government does not serve as the moral determiner of what you or I should give to help those in hardship. In addition, if legislators such as Senator McEachin, believe that the government is responsible for executing the scriptural commandments given to God’s people, surely he would make sure that not one dime or endorsement should go to acts that are out of the will of God.

In Closing, the Reality

     The outrage against Cuccinelli’s statements from his unreleased book, in my opinion, is politically calculated based on his pending nomination as the Republican candidate in the gubernatorial race here in Virginia. Ignoring political records, the Democrat Party, in recent elections, have implemented a strategy of claiming the elections are between: Rich and Poor, Male and Female, Whites and Minority, Christian and Secular. I anticipate the next assault against Cuccinelli’s character will come from feminist groups, then minority groups, etc.

     There is a common understanding that welfare and entitlement fraud is rampant in American society, and that the problem must be addressed and corrected, and the fact that more people enter the programs then those who leave the program indicates a very inefficient system of assistance. If disagreement with an institution is attributed as hatred towards the institutionalized, then it is no wonder our nation is as divided as it is today. Lastly, if one believes that he or she has a legislative duty to follow God’s position on the poor, then he must also follow God’s position on marriage and the unborn.     

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the RSS feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader.