Tennessee--It Is Time To Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

Please do not take this post the wrong way.  I have immense sympathy for everyone in the Nashville area who has been affected by the floods, and some of our family and close friends fall into that category.  The entire city is devistated and it will take an endless amount of money, work and support to return to normal.  However, when hypocracy slaps me in the face I can't help but speak up.


I'm sure the majority of Tennesseans are "conservative," and many likely sympathize with the so-called Tea Party Movement.  Some individuals I know for a fact that are "Tea Partiers," who oppose federal intervention and programs ("hand outs") and who tout the power of the private sector and free-market to solve all social ills have expressed outrage over the fact that Tennessee has been "ignored."  Either by the federal government or the national media.  The case against the national media is a much easier one to make.  But those wailing and moaning about the lack of federal support are the ones that are really getting up in my craw right now.


Either you mean what you say, and believe what you claim to believe or you don't.  And if you don't that makes you a hypocrite.  So far, Nashville has done a bang-up job taking care of this problem on our own.  Like the blog at Section 303 (Nashville Predators fans) today pointed out, there was no looting or crime spree that followed this flood.  Just an outpouring of support.  I went with Kirby today to his sister's neighborhood, which was badly flooded this weekend.  Her entire block was lined with cars and people doing what needed to be done and helping each other out.  No one was running down the street stealing things or shooting people.  And no one was sitting around asking where FEMA was.  She lives in a very nice neighborhood, and most people don't come to be able to afford such a nice home sitting around their whole lives waiting for someone to help them out.  That's just a fact.  I'm not saying that all poor people are lazy, and that all wealthier people are go-getters, but the fact reamins that the large majority of middle and upper-middle class people in America got to be that way because they worked hard.  Sure, they might have been born into a family that was well-off which gave them an advantage from the start.  But they could have ended up homeless, just like anyone else, if they had taken life's opportunities for granted and not worked hard to make a good life for themselves and their families.

But my main point remains the same.  You cannot decry the federal government intervening in situations, spending levels through the roof, etc... then turn around and beg and cry when you need "help."  You just can't.  Today is the day to decide where you stand.  If you walk the walk instead of just talking the talk and you want to volunteer, contact people you know or local churches or other groups.  DO NOT, and I repeat do not, go through Hands on Nashville.  That is the group that will be collecting and distributing federal money once they decide what to give Nashville, and the number of volunteers registered with HON will contribute to that total.  Where do you think that money will come from?  From our national debt, that's where.

Now, I hate to politicize a disaster, especially one in my own back yard.  But it will be done regardless of what I say and type here.  Do you not think Democrats will point out the hypocracy come the election this year.  If you think they are too sensitive to do something like that, think again.  They will say and do whatever it takes to destroy their opposition, and that includes exploiting a tradegy.  So, why not turn this disaster into one of the biggest political statements of all time--against federal intervention and funding by showing how its done without it!?  To date we've done a dandy job.  People are spreading the word and getting out to help.  Today Lowes came by and handed out cases of bottles water to the people working in my sister-in-law's neighborhood.  Harris Teeter is also giving out free water.  Despite Home Depot gouging people for "assembly," the local business community is stepping up to the plate.  So many people have contacted us to see how they can help.  If you can physically help, do.  If you want to donate, go buy Home Depot and Lowes and Wal Mart and Target, etc... gift cards and hand them out to people who need them.  Donate used items to the shelters and local churches.  Loan your shop vac to a neighbor.  Watch a pet.  Whatever.  Just do it and stop waiting and whining about the federal government ignoring Tennessee.

If you are not a Tea Partier and don't agree with those beliefs--if you think the federal government has a role in situations like this--and have always, consistently felt that way this message is not for you.  Most people, no matter their political leanings, don't ever take their thoughts and beliefs to their logical conclusion.  If there's one thing I can thank Dr. Hall from Belmont for its making me think through all of my beliefs to the most extreme end and seeing if I still like where they took me.  Liberals often don't think through what extreme tolerance leads to.  Or banning smoking, fatty foods or salt.  Both sides are guilty of this.  Consevatives and Tea Party supporters must now think through to the extreme end of their beliefs--to have a disaster in their own lives and whether or not they want federal assistance.  To rebuild on our own, or not.  I'm not saying who's right or who's wrong.  I know some people have no where else to turn and am not faulting them for taking federal aid.  But if they take federal aid, and have to this point been against it, they MUST change their views from here on out.  Period.

Sometimes standing up for our beliefs causes great hardship and sacrifice, and that lesson was first taught to us by Christ.  If your belief is such that it is worth having, it is worth having at any and all costs.  If it isn't worth having at the cost you are facing then that is fine.  It is a test of how strongly you believe something versus how easy it is to take a position when what you are advocating for has no direct bearing on your life.  Now is the time to decide.