Stranded on the Road: Good Citizens, Savvy Businessmen, & a Thieving State

By Shane Kastler

Last week as our family traveled in my old van from Louisiana to Oklahoma on vacation, we broke down.  Several times.  This isn't the first time I've been stranded on the side of the road; back in the “pre-cell phone” days I frequently hoofed it to the next farm house when my jalopy would spring a leak or throw a rod.  Once, my wife and I broke down on our way home from Kansas City for Christmas.  It was scary.  The sun was going down, the temps were plummeting, we were in the middle of nowhere, and we began walking on the highway.  And, oh yea, she was 6 months pregnant at the time.  Amazingly, a man who was listening to a sermon on his car's cassette player (that's how long ago it was), stopped and gave us a ride to the next truck stop.  He said he never did things like that; but felt compelled this one time.  He was afraid I was going to kill him.  I feared the same from him but was cold enough and desperate enough to take the chance.  God provided our help and we called family to come  pick us up.  This time was similar in some ways, yet also different.

            This time it was the heat of the summer in south Texas.  We overheated and had to pull off where I had a mechanic check it out.  A new thermostat didn't fix it.  So the water pump and radiator were added.  Fixed it!.....for about 100 miles then it overheated again, even worse than before.  Had to have it towed to a dealership where a mechanic offered a massive quote to fix it, or one of his salesman would be glad to take the van off my hands for free and set me up with a new one (that I can't afford).  I passed on that "honey  of a deal."  While stranded, I relied on a very nice school teacher who worked at the school where I broke down, to take my wife and kids to the next town to find a hotel.  I relied on my mother-in-law to drive down from Oklahoma with a rental van to get us home; after the only local rental place was "out of vehicles for the next week."  (How do they stay in business?)  I paid a tow truck driver to take me and my van to the same town.  I relied on the nice lady, and the driver, and two mechanics and have been offered services from a salesman or two.  We paid for a hotel room and eventually made it to our destination the next day.  I had to rely on a lot of people.  Not once was I ever required to rely upon the government.

I believe there is a moral to my tale of woe.  When catastrophe strikes, be it national or personal, the near universal knee-jerk reaction is to look to government for all the solutions.  If I had sat by the road waiting for a government “fix” I would probably still be waiting.  Good citizens helped.  Savvy business men offered services for which I gladly paid.  And salesman offered services which I kindly declined.  For now.  I will tow my van home next week and then figure out what I will do.  This is how a “civilization” is supposed to work.  This, in a nutshell, is an example of free market capitalism at work.  It's no one's fault that I broke down.  These things just happen.  I'm meticulous about checking my fluids and air pressure.  Nevertheless machines sometimes break.  The solution has nil to do with the government.  It's my job to manage and solve my crisis by using whatever resources ( including people) God might send my way.  Government could help with crises but they typically don't.  They usually add to the pain and make matters worse.  For example, if I buy a new car in Louisiana I will be required to pay the sales tax of 9 percent (plus other fees for tag, registration, and insurance).  If I buy the car in another state I'll be required pay taxes in that state, plus Louisiana.  The only factor the government plays into my trial is to greatly exacerbate the financial woes of an already unexpectedly strained wallet.  Such is life in these United States.  Citizens helping each other.  Some getting paid, some not.  A stranded motorist figuring out the best solution to his problem.  And the government sitting back, licking their chops, and waiting for a slice of the financial pie that they don't deserve.  Maybe I'll just buy a horse and a chuck wagon instead.  Oh bye the way, is there a tax on that?

Shane Kastler is Pastor at the Heritage Baptist Church, Lake Charles, LA and Co-Host; "Church & State" KELB Radio, 100.5 FM. He blogs at The Narrow Road.

Independence Day: Are We Simply Celebrating a Different Slave Driver?

By Shane Kastler

When you consider the original idea of “Independence Day” it is much different from what we usually see today. It used to be about celebrating freedom from the government tyranny of Britain. We would remember the founders of old and hear the stories of how they risked their very lives and property fighting for a new found freedom and the ability to live how they pleased apart from government intrusion. Idealistic? Certainly. Were some of the hero stories just propaganda? Undoubtedly. But some were also true, and inspiring nonetheless.

Independence Day today has become something different. Ron Paul recently made the statement: “The idea of opposing — by force if necessary — a tyrannical government has been turned into a celebration of tyrannical government itself.” This seems so ironic; and yet true. Much of the celebration involves accolades toward a government that, in many ways, is just as oppressive as the 18^th century British crown. In many ways its MUCH MORE intrusive as it uses the technology of our day to spy on us and listen to our every conversation; watching our every move. Do you think you live in the land of the free? Think again. Certainly there are worse places to be; but America is not the cauldron of liberty that many like to think it is. If the government requires you to obtain their permission by paying for a license before you can catch a fish. You're not living in a free country. Likewise on thousands of other nit-picking fees, taxes, and regulations you and I live under.

So as you celebrate this year, give some serious thought about what it is you are celebrating. The State apparatus has programmed you since birth to bow the knee at their seemingly benevolent shrine. You've been forced to attend their schools and pledge allegiance to a piece of “national” cloth (kind of creepy when you think about it). And you can count on being ostracized if you take a pass on either of those. The State intimidates with threat of seizing your freedom and property and takes by force a certain percentage of your income. Furthermore they control the money supply and reserve the right to have no competition with their monetary policies. If you cry foul, your neighbors might deem you “unpatriotic” and your government might haul you to a government cage (or worse). You're completely at their mercy......Now light some Roman candles and celebrate your freedom!!!

Don't get me wrong; we have much to be thankful for as Americans. But the current federal government has done much more to chip away at your liberty rather than protect it. Past administrations have done the same. While the founders were far from perfect, we should celebrate those who opposed the crown. Personally, I also celebrate my Confederate ancestors who likewise fought to the death against an invading hostile army of aggression from the North. We easily forget, historically speaking, often times the fight for freedom has involved fighting AGAINST the United States rathter than FOR it. Ask Robert E. Lee, or some of the Cherokee Indians, or many natives of Hawaii (other than Obama). I live in a state (Louisiana) that sought freedom from the United States in 1861 and was told they could not have it. And if they tried to obtain it they would be killed......And many died. While America celebrates the “leader” most responsible for putting them to death, by gracing your $5 dollar bill with his picture.  And Republicans and Democrats slobber over him as equally delusional sycophants. So light that bottle rocket and celebrate your freedom!

I truly am thankful for those who gave their lives for liberty; and I truly mourn those who were forced to give their lives for something less than that. I admire those who stand against bullies, even standing unto death. Sadly, many times throughout history the bully has been America. Today, even against her own citizens, the bully is America.

Let us celebrate true liberty. And in our celebration, let us long for it to come back to us. Let us long for it to expand to such an extent we could truly call it liberty. If that happens in our lifetime (btw, don't hold your breath) then we'll truly have something to celebrate. Living in a place where we're free to do as we please, when we please, how we please --- as long as we don't infringe upon the same pleasures of our neighbors. True liberty will be celebrated this week by a nation full of people that do not really possess it. Ironic. Sad. Yet true. Let us pray these things change....and soon.

Shane Kastler is Pastor at the Heritage Baptist Church, Lake Charles, LA and Co-Host; "Church & State" KELB Radio, 100.5 FM. He blogs at The Narrow Road.

Hobby Lobby, Obamacare, & Attacks on Liberty: Your Rights Don't Come From a Court!

By Shane Kastler

In one sense, the recent Supreme Court decision regarding Hobby Lobby was encouraging. The Court decision stated that corporations such as Hobby Lobby could not be forced to provide services or products that they have religious objections to, as a part of a government mandated health plan. This decision would seem so obvious to any proponent of liberty that it almost defies logic that anyone might oppose it. Why on earth would any rational person think their employer should be required by law to pay for their sex products? Whether it be contraception or abortion services, these are clearly matters that many

Why Doesn't Obama Demand a "Minimum Wage" for "Voluntary" Tax Collectors?

By Shane Kastler

The arguments that are typically put forth for a government enforced “minimum wage” involve supposed precepts of “fairness.” Barack Obama and others have argued for the fact that people should be able to “make enough money to pay their bills” if they work a full time job.  The free market arguments against his line of reasoning are too many to mention here.  With that said, there are numerous solutions to help people “pay their bills” if that's what he's really interested in.  For one, Obama could

Obama Hypocritically Calls For “Soul Searching” on Gun Control

By Shane Kastler

It's truly a sad occasion anytime an innocent person's life is taken. Regardless of whether the murder weapon is a gun, or a knife, or a club, or anything else man can devise – it's the murder itself that is tragic. Even a modicum of common sense will tell you that laws restricting citizens from owning guns does nothing but lead to more murders. Because such laws do nothing but empower the bad guys; and attempt to disarm the good guys. A mass public murderer has yet to ever turn around and go back home when he see's a sign that says “Gun Free Zone.” Only a complete moron would ever think he would. The President, of course, doesn't see it this way.

Anytime a shooting occurs, Obama seizes the opportunity to

Snowden Acts Like a Man – John Kerry Acts Like a Thug

By Shane Kastler

Edward Snowden appeared calm, articulate, and mature. John Kerry on the other hand acted like a spoiled, rich kid – a schoolyard bully questioning the “manhood” of Snowden who he insulted by calling him a coward since he won't immediately come home to face charges. In another sophomoric, juvenile bit of mud slinging Kerry called him stupid. What the jack jawed pompous millionaire government hack doesn't seem to realize is that

Mark Cuban is Both Right & Wrong Regarding Race

By Shane Kastler

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban recognizes the slippery slope the NBA is on with it's lifetime ban of Clippers owner Donald Sterling for his perceived “racist” comments. Cuban said as much in an interview when he confessed that: “We're all prejudiced in one way or the other.” He went on to use the example of a young, black male in a hoodie and a young, white male with a shaved head and tattoos. Cuban admitted that he would tend to avoid both such people if he could, stating that this is a form of bigotry based solely on how they look. Would Cuban be wrong to make such judgments of people? I say

D'Souza Pleads Guilty To a Non-Crime

By Shane Kastler

When Dinesh D'Souza released his critically acclaimed documentary 2016 Obama's America, it was a given that the president wasn't going to like it. The film presented a view that Obama, due to his upbringing, has no real desire to see prosperity in America. And indeed wishes to weaken America in every conceivable way. Regardless of whether or not you agree with D'Souza's thesis, he has a right to state his opinion. And Obama has a right to disagree with it. So do you. The most frightening result of the entire affair would be if

Pope Francis Uses Bizarre Example of Zaccheus To Justify Socialism

By Shane Kastler

In Pope Francis' recent attempts to justify the “legitimate redistribution of economic benefits” he uses a somewhat bizarre example from the New Testament teachings of Christ: the story of Zaccheus (Luke 19:1-10). The reason I call it bizarre is because,

Football Player Sent to Re-Education Camp For Dissenting View

By Shane Kastler

The opinion police are at it again, this time from the NFL regarding their new prized homosexual linebacker Michael Sam. On Saturday, he became the first “openly gay” player drafted by the NFL when he was taken in the last round by the St. Louis Rams. While the knee-jerk reaction to his draft day slide to the 7th round was to blame the “prejudice” of NFL teams, no thought was ever given to the fact that