Author: Kerby Anderson

Kerby Anderson
On this Christmas day, I think it would be good to reflect for just a moment on the Incarnation. God became man and took on human flesh. This is a great theological wonder and mystery.
Malcolm Muggeridge wrote this to describe the importance of the birth of Christ. “Thanks to the great mercy and marvel of the Incarnation, the cosmic scene is resolved into a human drama. A human drama in which God reached down to relate Himself to man and man reaches up to relate himself to God. Time looks into eternity and eternity into time, making now always and always now. Everything is transformed by this sublime drama of the Incarnation, God’s special parable for man in a fallen world.”
God reached down to us by sending the second person of the Trinity to earth to become part of the human drama and human dilemma. God stepped out of eternity into time to become part of the human community. What an incredible act of love and mercy.
God did not just come to dwell among us and comfort us. He came that He might raise us up through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Although we celebrate the birth of Christ today, we also look to the death and resurrection of Christ that we celebrate at Easter. Romans 5:8 proclaims: “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 1 Peter 2:24 says that Christ “bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed.”
On this Christmas day, we should pause to reflect on why Christ came to earth and what He did for us on the cross.

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Kerby Anderson
This is Christmas week, and so I thought we might reflect on the hymn, “O Holy Night” by John Dwight.

“O holy night! The stars are brightly shining. It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.”

Jesus came into the world to save us and so we feel valuable and our soul feels its worth. Perhaps the most quoted verse in the Bible is John 3:16. It tells us that Jesus came because “God so loved the world.” He came so that our souls would feel their worth to God.

This hymn also asks us to consider the fact that the King of kings was born as a human infant and placed in a manger. “The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger, In all our trials born to be our Friend. He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger. Behold your King, before Him lowly bend.”

Isn’t it amazing that there were some who were willing to worship him even while merely a babe in a manger? The hymn then talks about how we should respond to one another in humility.

“Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother, And in His name, all oppression shall cease.”

We no longer have slavery in this country, but many people are still enslaved to various forms of sin and need Jesus as their Savior. And we as believers are to model the humility that Jesus demonstrated when He stepped out of eternity into time and gave up His rights as God.

This is a message we not only need at Christmas, but every day.

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Kerby Anderson
During this Christmas week, I have taken the time to discuss the theology of some of the Christmas hymns and carols that we sing. Today I would like to talk about The First Noel. It is an English song dating back to the sixteenth century. Some people believe that the First Noel was French because of the French spelling of Noel, but it is actually an English song. The French word Noël does mean “Christmas” and it is relevant to the lyrics of the song. The First Noel was first published in 1833 when it appeared in the work, Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern.
The first line of the song suggests a December date for the birth of Christ: “The first Noel, the angels did say; Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.” Although many doubt that Jesus was born in December, there are some theologians (such as the author of the Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ) who believe that a December date is possible.
Whatever the case may be about the date of the birth of Jesus, the song continues: “Born is the King of Israel!” It reminds us that a king was born that night. Yet few understood the significance of a birth in Bethlehem.
Even the wise men from the East did not completely understand the significance of His birth, but they were guided to Him by a star. “For all to see there was a star; Shining in the east, beyond them far; And to the earth, it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night.”
The song goes on to say that “three wise men came from country far.” The Bible does not tell us how many wise men there were. We know there were three kinds of gifts (gold, frankincense, and myrrh).
What the Bible clearly teaches, however, is that Jesus was born and that He is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

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Kerby Anderson
The carol “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is an English translation of a Latin hymn that is sung during Advent and Christmas. The text goes back to at least the 18th century (and perhaps much earlier) while the music put to it goes back to the 15th century.
“O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel. That mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.”
Emmanuel means, “God with us.” Even before the coming of Christ, we see passages in the Old Testament that remind us that God was with Israel. In 1 Kings 8, we read, “Praise the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the wonderful promises he gave through his servant Moses. May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us or abandon us.” In Psalm 46, we read that, “The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.”
One of the most visible reminders of God’s presence was during the Exodus. God was with the Israelites as a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of smoke by day. His presence was with them in the Tabernacle and later the Temple in the Holy of Holies.
But the most important aspect of Emmanuel is found in the New Testament. John tells us in his gospel, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). This is the miracle of the Incarnation. God put on human flesh and came to Israel so that He might give His life for all of us. Paul writes to Timothy, “Here is the great mystery of our religion: Christ came as a human” (1 Timothy 3:16). This is what we celebrate at Christmas.

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Kerby Anderson
It is estimated that Charles Wesley wrote over 6500 hymns. Perhaps his best-known hymn is “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.” Over the years it has been edited slightly, but the meaning and theology remain as he wrote it more than two centuries ago.
It begins with a proclamation of the birth of Jesus: “Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.”
The hymn reminds us why Christ came to earth. Jesus came into the world to bring peace, but many who sing this song fail to realize that it was to bring peace between us and God. Wesley’s hymn reminds us that His birth was so that God and sinners could be reconciled. We are the sinners in this hymn, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). All we like sheep have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6). We have broken God’s commandments and need to be reconciled with God. This was done when Christ died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3).
This hymn by Charles Wesley goes on to describe who Jesus Christ is. “Christ by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold Him come, offspring of the Virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail the incarnate Deity, Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel.”
This is the wonder of the Incarnation. Jesus became the “offspring of the Virgin’s womb.” God became man and was “veiled in flesh” even though He was the “incarnate Deity.”
This Christmas week, let us all once again reflect upon the Incarnation. How wonderful yet mysterious that God would become man and dwell among us. And that He would be willing to die on a cross for our sins.

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Kerby Anderson
This is Christmas week, and I thought it might be worthwhile to spend a moment to reflect on the words to the hymn, “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” It was written in 1867 by Phillips Brooks (an Episcopal pastor from Philadelphia). He had been in Israel two years earlier and had celebrated Christmas in Bethlehem. He wrote this song to reflect on what the night of the birth of Jesus might have been like.
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
While the streets of our cities are quiet on Christmas day, most likely that day was just like any other day for the people in Bethlehem. But as evening came, the town grew quiet and something remarkable took place.
In the second verse the hymn says, “While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.” This is just like today. Our world goes about its business, usually oblivious to the spiritual realities around it.
Jesus came into the world quietly. Yes, there was the angelic announcement to the shepherds, but most other people were unaware of the fact that the most significant event in history was taking place. God became a man. But he was born in a stable and laid in a feeding trough. There was no pomp or circumstance as you would expect of a King.
Jesus came not only to live among us but to ultimately die for our sins. He took upon Himself the sins of the world (your sins and my sins) and paid the ultimate penalty that we deserved to pay so that we might have everlasting life.
During this Christmas week, I hope you will stop long enough to consider what happened in that little town of Bethlehem. But even more so, I hope you will think about what Jesus did for you on Calvary.

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Kerby Anderson
The attacks on Western civilization have been coming from liberals on university campuses for decades. Therefore, it was encouraging to see a liberal atheist remind us of the value of our civilization.
On his TV program, Bill Maher complained about “progressives and academics who refer to Israel as an outpost of Western civilization, like it’s a bad thing.” He then added: “Western civilization is what gave the world pretty much every liberal precept that liberals are supposed to adore. Individual liberty, scientific inquiry, rule of law, religious freedom, women’s rights, human rights, democracy, trial by jury, freedom of speech.”
I was encouraged to hear him say that, but I was concerned about some of the people he credited for these advances. I was not alone. Jerry Newcombe (D. James Kennedy Ministries) also expressed his concern in his column.
For example, Bill Maher gave credit to Rousseau, Voltaire, and Locke for giving the world the foundational principles for human rights. The first two did not. But don’t take my word for it, read Rousseau’s The Social Contract or Voltaire’s Candide, and you find their writings became the justification for the French Revolution.
But he was correct by mentioning John Locke, who is best known for his Second Treatise of Government. That book was influential to the founders of this country. He references the Bible in many places (some say 22 times, others say 121 times).
We should also add the writings of William Blackstone, Samuel Rutherford, and Baron de Montesquieu. But the most important book Bill Maher failed to mention was the Bible.
I give Bill Maher credit for defending Western civilization, even though he left out some important influences.

Western Civilization Read More

Kerby Anderson
Karol Markowicz calls it “America’s Great Rip-off.” What she is talking about is the rising tide of shoplifting in this country. Although it may be easy to dismiss shoplifting as insignificant, she reminds us that it hurts everyone. We pay for it economically with increased prices, and we pay for it culturally with a further decline and degradation in society’s standards.
How bad is the problem? Anyone with a little bit of discernment should question the latest statistics. A liberal group estimating the impact of shoplifting is minimal if you exclude New York City. But that same group found a whopping 64% increase in shoplifting in the city.
The same group reports San Francisco had a decline in shoplifting even though businesses are leaving that city. Target is closing three stores in the area, citing “theft and organized retail crime . . . threatening the safety of our team and guests, and contributing to unsustainable business performance.”
She also makes the same case that a state senator on my radio program recently made. Smaller crimes lead to bigger crimes. “A black market emerges for the stolen goods, violence becomes more likely when theft continues unchecked, and an atmosphere of danger permeates the areas where people are stealing and suffering no consequences.”
We are left, she concludes, with a “feeling of helplessness — that no one is in charge and rules don’t matter — leads directly to societal decay. When security isn’t an expectation, antisocial behavior increases.”
There are solutions, but those must first begin with law enforcement and a district attorney that will prosecute criminal behavior. This next election is an opportunity to replace those who won’t do their job.

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Kerby Anderson
For more than a decade, my radio program has had a millennial roundtable discussion to help the next generation learn to navigate the culture. One resource I recommend is the book, A Practical Guide to Culture, written by John Stonestreet and Brett Kunkle. The rowboat on the cover illustrates that the younger generations will have to navigate through choppy waters.
John has been on my radio program many times to talk about culture and share his experiences from Summit Ministries and the Chuck Colson Center. Both authors have ministered to thousands of students and their parents. They are facing a range of challenges from digital media to pornography to drugs to transgender issues.
They not only focus on the hot-button issues we hear about and read about every day, but they also focus on the undercurrents in the culture such as consumerism, materialism, addiction, the sexual revolution, and racial tension.
The younger generations face significant challenges, especially in an age with greater hostility toward Christianity. They also must do so in a digital world that moves much faster than in previous generations.
Another helpful aspect of the book is the attempt to answer or refute many of the cultural lies in our society. Technology helps spread these lies quickly. Christians will need biblical discernment to deal with so many lies that are assaulting biblical truth.
They say that young people can either celebrate, create, confront, co-opt, or correct cultural trends and habits. We must stand for biblical truth and correct cultural trends, but we also must do it with love and compassion. This book provides a model for all of us to follow.

Culture Read More

Kerby Anderson
The media tells us we are facing an epidemic of loneliness. Everyone is writing about loneliness, and I have done so as well. But we must reject one of the reasons sometimes given for loneliness in America. John Stossel quotes from articles and magazines that argue that capitalism is what makes us lonely.
In his new video interview with Johan Norberg, the historian explains, “There is no empirical data that actually shows that we feel lonelier now than we did in the past.” John Stossel pushes back that more people live alone now than in the past. Norberg responds, “What they never tell you in the reports, is that people who live alone and spend less time surrounded by other people are also happier with those relationships.”
What Norberg explains in the video and his new book is the “complete opposite of what people expect.” It turns out that loneliness is less in capitalist countries and much worse in socialist countries. This is not what you hear in the media. Instead, one socialist on YouTube argues that “Material incentives of capitalists isolate us from nature, each other and ourselves.”
But when we discussed this on my radio program, my guests countered by saying that in a free market, the way you attract buyers is by producing a product or a service that meets the needs of another person. “In the market economy, we do each other’s services constantly. That’s how we get richer,” adds Norberg. “No deal ever happens unless both parties think that they benefit.”
Capitalism doesn’t make you lonely or isolated. The free market requires you to consider another person’s wants and needs. Once again, we find another benefit of the free market system.

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Kerby Anderson
Thaddeus McCotter has a suggestion for you. Go to a search engine and ask it for the reasons for an impending climate apocalypse. It will list such things as the use of fossil fuels, agricultural practices, and much more. He says that is misleading because the seminal cause for this is YOU.
“Well, okay, maybe not you, specifically, but certainly enough people to make the world less burdened by the blight upon Mother Nature that is humanity. Fewer people mean fewer carbon emissions.” That is why his commentary has the title: “Save the Planet, Cull the Herd.”
That explains why abortion has been praised and pushed by climate activists as a “liberating right.” The Supreme Court ruled against Roe v. Wade, but the post-Dobbs world shows abortion proceeding along in most states.
It also explains why the American Medical Association might change its view on euthanasia. In the past, it described euthanasia as “fundamentally incompatible with the physician’s role as healer.” But attempts to alter that perspective are being proposed in government run healthcare in Europe.
One of my major professors in graduate school, I later discovered, was one of the co-founders of Zero Population Growth. Back when the organization started in 1968, the world’s population was 3.5 billion. Today the world’s population is 7.8 billion. If the founders thought the world was overpopulated 55 years ago, imagine what environmental activists today must now think.
If we have an overpopulation of deer, it is time to cull the herd and issue hunting licenses. Environment activists don’t want to issue hunting licenses, but they are eager to promote abortion and euthanasia. Remember that the next time you hear someone talking about an impending climate catastrophe.

Cull the Herd Read More

Kerby Anderson
Many historians have written about the descent into barbarism. Novelist Mark Lewis reminds us that the “descent into barbarism is easy and fast; you only need to let yourself go.”
How does it happen? He suggests, “When it becomes socially acceptable to be a barbarian, as is increasingly the case in America, there will be more and more barbaric activity.” And he adds that it is often to the advantage of leaders to allow it to happen or even encourage it to happen. Once there is chaos, authoritarian leaders can justify increasing their power to manage the chaos.
Sadly, he observes, “Barbarism never elevates anyone.  It took Europe several centuries of the Dark Ages to get out of it.  We appear to be descending into it again, as law, religion, traditions, and social order no longer hold back the tide.” Government cannot stop this decadent slide.
Human reason, he adds, cannot not provide an answer nor a solution. Precisely because “human reason can never fathom the depths of the mind of God. And that is because every human has his own reason.”
He explains, “When one removes from a man that which separates him from the animals, when we teach man that he is nothing more than a glorified ape, we mustn’t be surprised when he acts like one, and when we take God out of man, we leave nothing but the animal.”
Pastors and Christian leaders have said for decades that it you teach children in the public schools that they are evolved animals, they will act like animals. If you take God and morality out of the culture, anarchy and immorality will result. The solution to this descent into barbarism is a revival and reformation.

Descent into Barbarism Read More

Kerby Anderson
Today is December 7 – a day that President Roosevelt said would be “a date which will live in infamy.” On that fateful morning of December 7, 1941, America was attacked without warning. More than 2,400 Americans died and 1,100 were wounded. Our country was changed forever.
This attack led us into war, and the citizens of America responded with courage and resolve. So it may be well to reflect on what took place and how we today must also rise to the occasion of an attack on America more than eight decades ago.
Today is known as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. It is a day when we honor the lives lost in that attack on Pearl Harbor and also honor the veterans of World War II. But it can also be a day in which we pay tribute to the men and women who are currently serving in the armed forces in an effort to promote freedom and justice around the world.
If you travel to Hawaii, you need to stop at the memorial in Pearl Harbor. The USS Arizona stands as a testimony to the 1,177 crew members who died as a result of the attack on December 7. I understand that more than 40 million people have visited that memorial and have therefore honored the heroic efforts of these sailors and marines. If you have been there, you know that it has become a sacred place as well as a reminder of what can happen when others (either a nation or terrorists) attack this nation.
In 1941, the enemies of the US were Japan and Germany. Today they are our friends. But we have new enemies, terrorists who want to destroy us and to destroy our way of life. We are protected from their evil intentions by those who serve in uniform.
So today, take a moment to reflect on your freedom that was bought with a price. And honor those who died for your freedoms and honor those who protect you today. December 7 is an important day, and I didn’t want it to pass without challenging you to consider its importance.

A Date of Infamy Read More

Kerby Anderson
Yesterday I discussed a Wall Street Journal article about a poll that revealed that most voters see the American dream slipping away. Only a third (36%) of voters said the American Dream holds true.
My focus yesterday was on the mindset that prevents young people from being successful. Why work hard if you are convinced the system is rigged against you? Perhaps the better way to look at it is to focus on the economic reality since the 1970s.
Go to a search engine and type the words “disconnect between productivity and work compensation.” You will see more than a dozen charts that show that productivity and wages were correlated and then sharply diverged in the 1970s. You can find other graphs that show that wages never increased when adjusted for inflation.
The reasons for this divergence are many: going off the gold standard in 1971, wage and price controls, dual incomes to qualify for home ownership, etc. You can debate some of the reasons, but you can’t argue with the result.
The builder generation (born before the end of WWII) generally was able to support a family with Dad working while Mom stayed home. They bought a house and were able to pay for their expenses. The boomer generation had a more difficult time making ends meet but still were able to own a home, sometimes by having a dual income.
Fast forward to families today where both parents are working and having a difficult time paying bills. As one couple in the Wall Street Journal article put it, “I’d be lying if I didn’t say that money is tight.” He then added “I feel we are a couple of paychecks away from being on the street.”
Over the last fifty years, the value of the dollar declined and the prices of everything went up. Wages didn’t keep up, and that’s another reason why people no longer believe in the American Dream.

American Dream and Wages Read More

Kerby Anderson
Just over a week ago, a poll published in the Wall Street Journal revealed that most voters see the American dream slipping away. Only a third (36%) of voters said the American Dream holds true compared to a majority (53%) of American voters who said that in 2012.
Derek Hunter argues in a recent column that “the American Dream is not dead; what is dead is most people’s idea of what that phrase means.” The poll defined the American Dream as “the proposition that anyone who works hard can get ahead, regardless of their background.”
He responds that the US is not like “Lake Wobegon, where everyone is above average.” Instead, the American Dream, he argues is a shot at success at any level. The US is still the land of opportunity, but that vision is marred by the left-wing educational complex.
“White kids are taught they’ve got all the advantages because of their skin color” and “young Black people are taught the country is racist.” But he argues that the true oppression in this country comes from so many people talking about oppression. You can’t tell young people to work hard and get ahead if they reject the American Dream and are convinced they can never succeed.
He says young people have “all been marinated in a culture of entitlement while denigrating the concept of earning.” Even “the concept of hard work is nearly dead, too – everyone wants to be Kim Kardashian now.” He is convinced that this pervasive sense of entitlement is true oppression.
There certainly are barriers to success and achievement, but you won’t ever be successful if you refuse to work hard and use your God-given talents, and if you start with the flawed assumption that the system is rigged against you.

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Kerby Anderson
Two weeks ago, I documented the rise in antisemitism on the left. Today, I will focus our attention on antisemitism on the right.
Before I do so, let’s acknowledge that dividing anti-Jewish hatred into left and right is neither fair nor accurate. In my previous commentary, I quoted a liberal who condemns the views of his fellow Democrats who are antisemitic. Conservative leaders also condemn the views of antisemitic groups.
Sarah Arnold reports: “Antisemitism is on the rise …and Hamas’s slaughter on the Jewish land has expedited its exposure. We all thought the days were over when Jewish people had to be afraid to leave their homes or openly worship at a synagogue.”
Instead, those who hate Jewish people have become emboldened to march in the streets. This time it was members of a Neo-Nazi group (known as Blood Tribe) that marched through the streets of Madison, Wisconsin. They wore red shirts, waved swastika flags, and gave salutes to Hitler.
They describe themselves as a group that “openly directs its vitriol at Jews, non-whites, and the LGBTQ community.” They even stopped in front of a synagogue to chant: “Israel is not our friend.”
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers lamented: “To see Neo-Nazis marching in our streets and neighborhoods and in the shadow of our State Capitol building spreading their disturbing, hateful messages is truly revolting.”
It is time for pastors and Christian leaders to speak out against such groups and individuals. God gave Abram and his descendants three promises in Genesis 12. Deuteronomy 14:2 calls Jews a chosen people. But even if you don’t believe the Jews are a chosen people, you should still treat the Jews with the same dignity as any other religious or ethnic group. This is a message we need to speak today.

Antisemitism on the Rise Read More

Kerby Anderson
As I mentioned yesterday, Americans are concerned about the direction of the country. They also believe the economy has become much worse in the last few years. The explanation from the White House is that the President’s message about Bidenomics isn’t getting through to the American people.
One economist has another suggestion. He argued that Americans have “demonstrably false views about the current economy.” Also, he mentioned the slight difference between how Republicans and Democrats view the economy. That might suggest there is a political element to the current dissatisfaction.
A Harris poll shows that two-thirds (68%) of respondents reported that it was difficult to be happy with the economic news. Only a slightly higher number of Republicans (69%) agreed with the statement compared to Democrats (68%).
Even more telling was the fact that nearly two-thirds of Americans (65%) believe the economy is worse than the media makes it out to be. Here is where you see some political differences. A higher percentage of Republicans (82%) believe the economy is worse than reported by the media than Democrats (49%). But it is telling that nearly half of all Democrats agree with that statement.
The administration and the media can point to the fact that unemployment is close to a 50-year low and economic growth is improving. But those economic figures don’t seem to be influencing Americans trying to make ends meet.
Earlier this year, Bankrate published its annual Emergency Fund Report. They found that two-thirds (68%) of Americans were worried they wouldn’t be able to cover their living expenses for just one month if they lost their primary source of income. More than half (57%) said they couldn’t afford a $1,000 emergency expense.
This is the economic reality for millions of Americans. That is why they don’t express confidence in our economy.

Economic Views Read More

Kerby Anderson
As the year of 2023 is winding down and we are heading into the election season of 2024, one thing is certain: most Americans are concerned about our nation’s future. An ABC News/Ipsos survey found that more than 75 percent of Americans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction.
Some commentators looking at that poll even wonder why the remaining 25 percent aren’t also concerned about America’s direction. Consumers are paying more for gas, food, and energy. Mortgage rates are higher than when President Biden took office. War has broken out in two major areas of the world, while military threats loom in other parts of the world.
Yesterday, I talked about the cost and concerns about the border and immigration. The only group that seems to be benefitting from our open border are the cartels. One headline recently announced, “Smuggling migrants to the US is a booming business.” Another story explained that cartels are “specializing in logistics, transportation, surveillance, and more, resulting in revenues up to $13 billion.”
The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll asked registered voters, “How concerned are you about the situation at the border?” They found that 82 percent were concerned (with 47 percent very concerned and an additional 35 percent somewhat concerned).
The response from the current administration has been that their message about the economy and the border isn’t getting through. But the facts about our current direction seem to be getting through to most Americans. They feel the rising costs of goods and services. And they suspect that allowing more than 6 million illegal aliens into this country cannot be good for them or the country.
It will be hard to make the case next year during election season that “steady as she goes” is the best policy for this nation.

Country’s Direction Read More

Kerby Anderson
What is the annual cost of immigration to American taxpayers? The US House Committee on Homeland Security has calculated the cost, and we are in for significant “sticker shock.” Their new report reveals that taxpayers are losing nearly a half trillion dollars to the border crisis.
The staggering amount taxpayers lose to funding illegal aliens comes from nearly every sector of society. We pay more for healthcare, education, and housing to individuals and families here in this country illegally. We also must bear the brunt of extra costs for law enforcement.
In case you are wondering, only a small fraction of those costs is ever recouped from taxes paid by illegal aliens. The rest of those costs are what we must pay. In the past, many mayors of sanctuary cities have argued these costs are insignificant when we consider the benefit, we enjoy from migrants coming to this country. You might ask the mayors of New York City and Chicago if they still feel that way.
When I discussed this latest report on my radio program, one guest suggested that the government figure was probably low. That seems likely when you add to the millions who have illegally crossed the border another 1.7 million “gotaways” who escaped federal custody. We can assume some of them are involved in drugs and human trafficking. A few might even be terrorists, who deliberated avoided capture.
A second guest also reminded us that millions of illegals harm Americans in another way. They are competing for jobs with US citizens and thus keeping wages low and making it harder for some to get jobs.
Every poll I have seen shows voters consider border security and immigration to be one of their top issues. Wait until they find out how much it costs? This will certainly be an election issue.

Cost of Immigration Read More

Kerby Anderson
Earlier this month, Jim Geraghty wondered if the killing of Paul Kessler would start a national conversation. You probably don’t even understand his question, which is an illustration of the fact that the media usually determines what event should spark a national conversation.
Paul Kessler is the 69-year-old Jewish man who died of a head injury at an event in Thousand Oaks, California. The Los Angeles Times reported the incident that occurred when pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian protestors were in the street. The editors could have reported it as the first time a Jewish death occurred at a time of rising antisemitism. Instead, it was just a story of a clash in a suburb outside of Los Angeles.
Jim Geraghty reminds us that “this wasn’t random violence. Paul Kessler went to a demonstration seeking to exercise his God-given, constitutionally protected rights to assemble and speak, and somebody on the other side felt entitled to knock him around and ended up killing him. This should horrify and outrage us.”
In the past, we have seen the media take a local incident and turn it into a national story followed by calls for a national conversation on a controversial social issue. A mass shooting, an anti-gay comment, racist graffiti, and a threat to an abortion clinic are local stories that became national stories because the media decided to use the incident to spark a national conversation. “If newsrooms wanted to make the name Paul Kessler famous, they could. He could be depicted as a martyr to free speech and the First Amendment.”
Once again this is a reminder that we should use discernment when watching the news and reading news stories. The media elite still work to determine what is important enough for a national conversation.

National Conversation Read More