About God And Government
God In Discussion
A few years ago, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that 'God' has no place in the Pledge of Allegiance. More recently, anti-Christian activists have made significant headway in their effort to take Christ out of Christmas, even convincing people to replace the Christmas tree with the religion-neutral 'holiday tree.'
Closer to home, in Canyon County, a vocal handful of people even protested a little tiny cross on the county seal, even though the seal provides an accurate illustration that is entirely representative of the community. Opponents of Christianity and faith in general are working overtime to sell their incorrect notion that our sacred freedom of religion means our country is supposed to be free from religion.
Some people say it is wrong for me to speak in defense of the importance of Christianity's role in our country's founding and it continuing significance to the life of our nation. They think it is wrong for me to say that Christian values and Christian principles have guided America from its inception and will continue to serve our country in the future.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion and to the freedom to express it. But I am not embarrassed by my conviction that Christian beliefs have been essential to our country's well-being, and those of you who agree with me have no reason to be ashamed, either.
I'm also a disappointed that my comments in support of Christianity and religious freedom have been taken out of context as insulting people of other faiths. People on my staff have diverse faiths, as do people throughout Idaho.
It is sad when desperate politicians pull statements out of context to score political points and degrade public discourse by doing so. I have taken a solemn oath to defend the rights of my constituents of all faiths so that they will remain free to practice their respective religions in this country.
But by my oath I did not give up my freedom of speech that allows me to express my belief in the importance of Christian faith to our nation's heritage and future. I believe very strongly that Christianity has made and continues to make our country strong and that the God of the Bible has blessed our country and offers us His divine protection. Others may argue just as strenuously that their particular religion - be it Hinduism or Buddhism, Islam or Vodooism - makes this country great, and they are free to do so. I won't agree with that assessment, but I will defend their right to practice their faith and share their opinion publicly. Freedom of speech and freedom of religion are pillars of our constitutional government.
None of this distracts me from working to reform Congress and get our government back to basics: Low taxes, a powerful national defense, a limited role for Uncle Sam in the lives of our fellow citizens and a well-functioning immigration policy. Reforming Congress will go a long way toward getting our nation back on track. But no amount of reform will help unless we remember and adhere to the principles that started our country and made it great. Those principles - human dignity, justice and liberty - are rooted in Judeo-Christian teaching. To disregard that teaching is to undermine the very foundations of our liberty, which we only do to our great peril.
William T. 'Bill' Sali, represents Idaho's First Congressional District
Update By Congressman Bill Sali [10 Oct 2007]
Recently, a new Reuters/Zogby poll reported that just 11 percent of Americans believe Congress is doing a good job. This actually is a decrease from the previous poll that showed Congress' approval rating at 14 percent. The fact that Congress� approval isn�t lower is a testament to the graciousness of the American public. After all, that's probably an overly generous approval rating for a Congress that just isn't doing its job.
Some of us are doing what we can to change the way Congress does business, and I believe the desire to do something to fix this institution is growing.
I have introduced a measure co-sponsored by 28 of my colleagues to allow any Member of the House of Representatives to stand up and require separate votes on separate measures in a single bill. Congress needs more transparency. Members of Congress should be held accountable for the positions they take on issues. Bills with multiple and diverse topics do not provide you, the citizen and taxpayer, the ability to know where your representative stands on the individual issues.
I have also introduced a proposal to make legislative changes more accessible. H. Res. 619 would make it easier for everyone to see how legislation affects you, your families and your businesses and has been introduced with 14 cosponsors. If you've ever looked at a bill in Congress, you know the bill itself is without context. To know what�s being proposed, you have to read the legislation in one hand, and in the other hand have a copy of the current U.S. Code. Only then can you really know how the law is being changed and how those changes will affect you. With my proposal, the words, phrases and sections of U.S. Code being added or deleted would be clearly shown in the context of the Code itself.
Finally, I have signed a petition to force Congress to address earmark reform. This would guarantee that all earmarks are publicly disclosed and may be challenged and debated on the floor of the House of Representatives. I firmly believe that the spending of taxpayer dollars should be done in the light of day, under the scrutiny of the public eye. The public is tired of wasteful spending and secret, targeted spending projects requested by individual Members behind closed doors, and so am I. This isn't about Democrats versus Republicans. This is about restoring transparency and accountability to an institution that has lost the confidence of the American people.
Under House rules, if the petition receives 217 signatures, a vote on the resolution must be scheduled. If the resolution passes, the House would operate under rules requiring greater transparency and public disclosure of earmarks contained in bills.
These bills and others I'm working on will help restore confidence in Congress, and I hope to be able to tell you more in the weeks ahead.
As always, it is important to me that I hear from you. You are encouraged to write me at www.sali.house.gov. Click on 'contact' and 'Email Bill.'