North Dakota Congressman Kevin Cremer posted this passage from 2 Thessalonians 3:10 to his Facebook page as justification for cutting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The comments that immediately started piling up were not kind to the congressman. They exposed Cremer for being wrong on so many levels that within 48 hours he deleted his Facebook page. The nuclear option was the only viable solution.
How wrong is congressman Cremer? Let me count the ways.
1) Don't use bible quotes to justify your political actions.
Despite your preference or predilection we do not live in a Christian theocracy.
2) Don't use bible quotes if you don't understand the context of the quote.
Congressman, in 2nd Thessalonians, Paul is chastising those who have stopped working in anticipation of the rapture.
3) Don't use bible quotes when the quote contradicts the teachings of Christ.
This is Paul speaking in 2nd Thessalonians, has the congressman never read Christ's Sermon On the Mount? Is he a Christian or a Paulite?
4) Don't use a quote unless you understand the full implications.
I guess it's just too much to expect a congressman to know any political history. He could start with a Wikipedia article. Is this really where Congressman Cremer wants to go? Alert the presses, Bernie Sanders is no longer the only Socialist in congress -- though I doubt Bernie would be too thrilled at the prospect.
5) Don't bring up the phrase "willing to work" when you're a congressman.
The House of Representatives is in session how many days this year? 126.
6) Especially don't bring up the phrase "willing to work" when you're a *Republican* congressman.
42 votes to repeal the Affordable care Act. 42! I guess if at first you don't succeed, then try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try again. Not working.
7) Don't mischaracterize the SNAP program.
... able-bodied adults between 16 and 60 must register for work, accept suitable employment, and take part in an employment and training program to which they are referred by the local office.
8) Don't mischaracterize the recipients of SNAP
Most of the poor in the U.S. are working poor. They work more hours than a congressman, they just earn a lot less money.
9) Don't mischaracterize the unemployed.
Most of them *want* to work. And regarding the long-term unemployed, half of them did nothing wrong other than work for companies that had to fire people during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.
I'm sure there are more, but I've tired of the subject. The comments in these articles will probably add a few to the list.
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