Sunday, May 2, 2021
To: Friends & Supporters
From: Gary Bauer
As you know, my wife, Carol, prepares a monthly prayer alert. I hope you will share Carol's thoughts with your friends and fellow worshipers. Thank you for taking an interest in her monthly devotion. --Gary
We are now officially more than 100 days into the new administration . . . and nearly six months from Election Day 2020. We have had time to let it settle in, take stock, and make an honest evaluation of where we are.
In many ways, it seems America has been the victim of a bait-and-switch. Calls for unity and healing have gone unheeded and unfulfilled. Meanwhile, there seems to be a cultural crusade impacting every facet of our lives.
If the left has its way, three and four-year olds will spend their days in government-run programs, churches and Christian schools will be told who they can and cannot hire and racial divisions will be stoked.
Is this the America you want for your children and grandchildren?
Difficult as it is, let's start from where we find ourselves right now. We are more than 18 months from the next mid-term election in November 2022. That is the next time that voters across the country will have an opportunity to vote for all members of the U.S. House of Representatives and 34 senators.
That may seem like an eternity, but there's a lot we can do on a more personal and local level before then to set the table for this nationwide election.
Have you noticed that politics has crept into nearly every aspect of our lives from sports, television and soft drinks to school boards, curriculum and book publishing? This was not our choice.
In fact, tens of millions of Americans would love to have areas of their everyday lives that were free of politics and political correctness. But we are where we are. If we don't acknowledge that the cultural battlefield has expanded, we will regret it.
And so, I encourage each of you to find a way to impact the national conversation where you are right now. Do not wait for the mid-term elections.
If our voices are not heard now, we will find there are fewer and fewer places where we can speak and have an impact. Here are some ideas:
- Form a Citizenship Ministry at your church to facilitate voter registration and education ahead of the next election. Get the word out on voter registration requirements, deadlines, early voting opportunities, Election Day hours and voting locations. Provide voter guides so congregants can compare political stances.
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Make your pastors aware of the so-called "Equality Act" (HR 5) and its potential impact on churches and Christian schools. (See the Heritage Foundation report "HR 5 is no Act of Equality").
- Look at your child's curriculum through the lens of your own education. If you are disturbed by what you find then band together with like-minded parents and approach your local school board with your concerns. Strength comes in numbers. Be strong, be fact-based and do not be intimidated. Groups are forming all over the country to resist the inclusion of critical race theory in all aspects of learning. Even math instruction is being changed in the name of "equity." Find out what is happening in your local school district and take a stand.
- If what you find is too disturbing, then consider Christian education, home schooling or supplementing your child's curriculum at home.
- Use Gary's "End of Day" report to keep yourself and those in your circle of influence informed. Forward it to others.
- Think of ways to express appreciation to law enforcement who serve and protect us. Police departments across the country are experiencing alarming levels of retirements, coupled with low levels of new recruiting. It is no wonder. This is a dangerous trend for police departments, which are losing seasoned officers who are not being replaced. We are headed into a summer with troubling potential. Look for ways to thank those on the Thin Blue Line.
- The coming months will be marked by Memorial Day, Flag Day and the Fourth of July. Take time to talk to your children and grandchildren about the meaning of these uniquely American holidays. It is doubtful they are learning about them at school. Help them understand the privilege of growing up in the United States. Bring meaning to the holidays beyond barbeques, flags and fireworks.
These are my quick thoughts. I encourage you to be motivated to develop your own. There is much to be done and the time is now!
Finally, I beg you not to be intimidated by the cancel culture we see all around us. Have you noticed that the other side no longer wishes to debate issues but to shut opposing viewpoints out of public conversation? They do not have the numbers on their side but they do have the shrill voices and a big megaphone.
Did you hear about the efforts of 14% of the employees of the book publisher Simon and Schuster urging the company not to publish former Vice President Mike Pence's two upcoming books? It has generated an incredible amount of press.
So, 14% of the employees of a book publishing company are trying to silence a former vice president!
Our voices must not be silenced. By looking for opportunities to speak out and have an impact we can change the direction of the country starting in our families, neighborhoods, churches, communities and states.
Lord, it has been a challenging several months. It is easy to feel helpless and hopeless and "hide in our pews." And yet, here we are, created by You and planted in a difficult and challenging time in history. We have been given so much and thus much is expected of us.
God, give us strength to rise to the occasion. Open our eyes to see where we can make a difference and then act. Prod us to support and encourage those who are on the front lines fighting for the values we share. Remind us of our responsibility to pass on our heritage to the next generations.
You have entrusted so much to us. Walk alongside us as we rise to this generational challenge to ensure that this nation remains a living example of free speech and religious liberty. Thank you, Lord.
