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WEEKLY NEWS SUMMARY - AUGUST 21, 2024
In this week's Intersect, read about:
Harris Campaign Grocery Price Control Proposal Could Cause Shortages
“Vice President Kamala Harris’s new proposal to prevent “price-gouging” in the food industry is drawing criticism from some economists who say it is an election-year stunt meant to address her vulnerability on the topic of inflation — one that, if implemented, would backfire and cause shortages. In its first major economic policy rollout, the Harris campaign announced Thursday that in order to target food inflation at the grocery store, Harris would try to enact the ‘first-ever federal ban on corporate price-gouging.’” read more at the Washington Examiner
THINK.
- What’s wrong with price controls? Economist David Bahnsen explained, “Essentially, price controls are an attempt to remove the market from setting prices, buyers and sellers, and impose a disinterested third party, obviously a politician in setting and controlling prices.” He continued, “The criticism of price controls from left and right economists over the years is that they don't work. That price controls disincentivize production of new product, which is itself the solution to high prices.”
- While Harris’s price-control proposal is so radical that even mainstream media outlets have criticized it, two other economic proposals of hers are the same or similar to policies already supported by the Trump campaign: increasing the child tax credit and eliminating taxes on tips.
- We can’t expect either campaign to fix all our economic problems, but we can and should use wisdom to evaluate their policies. What are the consequences of their proposals? What do they incentivize? Do they consider human nature–that we are created in God’s image and fallen in sin? Do their policies only sound helpful, or would they truly help?
PRAY.
Lord, help me to heed Your word and “receive instruction in wise dealing” (Proverbs 1:3a). May our leaders also look to You for wisdom. Thank You for the abundance You’ve given us through economic freedom. Help me to seek Your kingdom first with the resources You’ve given me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
ACT.
If you want to dive deeper into a biblical view of free enterprise, check out, Money, Greed, and God - The Christian Case for Free Enterprise by Jay Richards. This book will help you evaluate common political views and claims about economics and Christian duty.
Planned Parenthood Providing Free Vasectomies and Abortion Pills During DNC
“Planned Parenthood is gearing up to give out more than party favors during the Democratic National Convention this week. The Planned Parenthood Great Rivers shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, that its mobile health clinic will be parked in the city’s West Loop — mere minutes from the DNC’s venue, the United Center — to provide ‘FREE vasectomies & medication abortion’ on Monday and Tuesday.” read more at The Hill
THINK.
- At the kickoff of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on Monday, Planned Parenthood placed emphasis on the Democratic Party’s reproductive policy. According to the Democratic Party Platform, a Harris-Walz administration will “[restore] the reproductive rights Trump ripped away” by working with Congress to make Roe v. Wade the “law of the land,” expand contraceptive access, reinstate Medicare and Medicaid covered abortions, and so much more.
- Vice President and presidential hopeful Kamala Harris is expected to take the stage on Thursday night. For many Americans, this will be their first opportunity to hear her policy positions and her vision for America’s future. Will she support men participating in women’s sports? Will she support or stifle religious freedom? Will she close and secure our nation’s borders? What will a Harris presidency look like? On Thursday night, Americans will listen for answers.
- With so much on the line this year, it is easy to become overwhelmed and fearful for America’s future. But amid the uncertainty, let us not forget to pray for America, her people, and her leaders. As 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” No matter what, we are called to THINK biblically, PRAY unceasingly, and ACT faithfully.
PRAY.
Lord, we ask that You restore America to her biblical foundation, redeem her people, and give wisdom to her leaders. Please give me the courage and conviction to do what I can to steer America back to You. Amen.
ACT.
We are engaged in more than a policy battle right now. We are fighting a battle of worldviews—the biblical worldview versus the secular, relativistic worldview. In My Faith Votes’ new video series, Think Biblically, Dr. Albert Mohler dissects the topic of worldview from a biblical perspective. Sign up for Think Biblically here and watch today.
Supreme Court Upholds Injunctions Blocking Biden-Harris Admin’s Transgender Title IX Rewrite
“The Supreme Court on Friday upheld two lower courts’ temporary injunctions blocking President Joe Biden’s rule applying federal civil rights law to transgender issues in education, including school bathrooms and women’s sports.” read more at the Daily Signal
THINK.
- Earlier this year, the Department of Education created new rules so that K–12 schools, colleges, and universities that receive any federal funding would have to allow boys who identify as girls to use female bathrooms, locker rooms, and housing, and play on girls’ sports teams. Thanks to the Supreme Court, that ruling is temporarily stopped in the states that sued the Biden administration: Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, and Idaho.
- A recent poll found that 58% of Americans oppose gender transition procedures — such as puberty blockers, hormone drugs, and surgeries — for children under 18. However, the same poll found that fewer Americans are opposed to social transitioning “accommodations” that would include school policies like those in the Department of Education’s rules.
- From the legal fight to protect children to this survey of Americans’ opinions, it’s clear that both our laws and our culture desperately need more Christian influence. Culture and law influence each other, and both are influenced by our votes. Is your vote influenced by God’s truth and a love for your neighbors? Or is it mainly influenced by prevailing laws and opinions?
PRAY.
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14) That’s a good prayer for this new school year…and as we draw closer to the election! Pray for the Lord to help the Body of Christ walk in obedience to Him.
ACT.
Here’s another way to influence culture–make it known that your faith affects your vote! Visit the My Faith Votes Store and start a conversation with our exclusive products while supporting the movement to equip and motivate Christians to vote!
Mass. Gov. Maura Healey Signs Bill Stripping 'Mother,' 'Father' From State Parentage Law
“Last week, Massachusetts’ Democrat Gov. Maura Healey signed House Bill 4970 into law. The bill, passed unanimously by both houses of the Massachusetts General Court, removes gender-specific language from the state’s parentage laws in an effort to accommodate children born to same-sex couples, unmarried or trans-identified parents, and children born as a result of procedures such as in-vitro fertilization or surrogacy. It is slated to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.” read more at the Christian Post
THINK.
- By replacing all references to men and women, mothers and fathers, and he or she, the new law is marketed as accommodating, but it is anything but. By making these seemingly small changes, the Massachusetts legislature and governor are slowly cutting parents out of the equation. In just a few more “baby steps”, parents will be completely obsolete, with minor children in complete control of their own futures—before their bodies and brains are even fully developed.
- Instead of encouraging the family structure that has proven to provide better stability and success for millions of children across the globe, many elected officials, along with state and federal agencies, are now encouraging the destruction of that structure. They encourage broken families which, in many cases, negatively impact children’s emotional and physical well-being. They attempt to advertise their destructive policies as “accommodating”, but statistics often reveal that what is accommodating to the feelings of some is irreversibly damaging to the physical and emotional health of most.
- God—the One who created marriage and family—never shies away from using the terms mother and father in His Word (see Ephesians 6, Exodus 20:12, Colossians 3:21, Proverbs 23:22, etc.), and we must follow His example. While we acknowledge the realities of living in a broken world, we cannot fail to champion and highlight God’s design for family, which is a married mother and father living in one home with their sons and/or daughters. With obedience to God’s plan, and His created order, comes blessing.
PRAY.
Pray for the restoration of the traditional family in America. Ask God to raise up elected officials who will boldly defend His design for marriage, motherhood, and fatherhood.
ACT.
Election Day is just over two months away, and if we truly want to see America return to the biblical principles upon which she was founded, we must show up to the polls. If you are committed to voting biblically this November 5th, pledge to vote here, and encourage your friends and family to do the same. United, we can turn the tide.
My Faith Votes— is a ministry that motivates, equips, and activates Christians in America to vote in every election, transforming our communities and influencing our nation with biblical truth. An estimated 25 million Christians who are registered to vote, fail to vote in presidential elections. My Faith Votes is on a mission to change this statistic by helping Christians act on their faith and vote in every election. When we pray unceasingly for our nation, think biblically about the issues, and vote consistently in every election the impact of Christians taking action from the local to the state and federal level will be unprecedented.
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May our actions line up with Biblical truth and may every Christian in America take their civic responsibility to vote in every election, I pray in Jesus name.