Because Christians tend to pay almost exclusive attention to relatively few (albeit important) issues, they often ignore other important policies. The passions of Religious Right flair on issues of social morality and abortion, but they rarely think about issues of economic justice. The Scriptures, especially through prophets, give a more balanced picture. The interests of Religious Left are centered more tightly around fate of poor.

But their policy attentions in that realm are relatively narrow, focusing mostly on welfare and foreign aid. Pragmatism would seem to warrant discussion of a wider set of issues. Christian Libertarians are excited about voluntary displays of charity, but saddened that political shenanigans can so easily swamp efforts of ompassionate people.

All that said, care for poor and oppressed is not a strictly Christian exercise. And very few people-Christian or not-are informed about primary and secondary consequences of significant policy issues. Although Southeast Christian Church can be pleased and honored to pay part of Uncle Sam's tax bill for Sri Lankans, perhaps all of us should pay more attention to larger issues of trade protectionism and mechanics of economic justice.

The American economy: based in Wall Street, susceptible to rumors that can destroy nation, and cause untold grief to rest of world. The question could be asked: How long will rest of world go along with this type of thinking? Will other countries fall in line, behind America as they have for decades, counting on strong American economy to give them influence, guidance, and backing even as they see U.S. economy taking a tailspin? There are other power groups in world that remember Great Depression and possible games that caused it to occur. These same people remember "winners" and "losers," and how effects of economic stress effected their governments. As American financial picture weakens, these other power groups (and governments) are looking for better economic foundations to attach their economies to. As American economy worsens, Congress continues to spend money nation does not have. As American economy worsens, Congress goes out of its way to allow off-shore investments, tax-free incomes, and corporate protection for those who have a key to back offices through soft-money.

In end, it's about same old game that was being played in 1929, but this time, end-results can be much different. In early part of 1929 America had a stronger industrial base than it does today. Today, that is all gone. Combine that with country's deficit of trade, American economy could appear to be like a whirlpool of water, quickly going down a drain. Soon, sink will be empty, and there will be no reserves to build from as most investment monies have been used in Pacific Rim, in Europe, and in Asia.

The stakes are very high. The nation is on selling block as more money flows out of country. Europe has an economic plan. China and India are future big-time world players, to be sure, but America can only spend more money it doesn't have, nor will have, in tomorrows to come as it keeps reminding itself how great a nation it is as its people go jobless, hungry, and without purpose. American barely survived last economic depression. Only a world at war brought it fully out of depths of destruction. When economy is strong, everything is great, but when economy is broke, nothing works right. Flip switch on wall and lights do not turn on. Turn lever and water does not run. America may be only a few years away from when lights and water stop.

Until Next Time...Supersonic Squirrel away! Read more from SuperSonic Squirrel at http://www.miamitopics.com