| If I heard it once I've heard it a million times and | | | | has made miraculous progress in catching up to |
| this week was no exception. In fact, the words | | | | their male counterparts. They both seemed quite |
| have carelessly tumbled from my lips on many | | | | adept to the practice.Many elected officials go to |
| occasions, some of which have been perilously | | | | great lengths to keep their constituency from |
| near the conclusion of my sermons. Most | | | | knowing where they stand on the issues. They |
| preachers never conclude their sermons, they | | | | are seated on committees so they don't have to |
| just quit when they cannot indulge the | | | | reveal where they stand. They are good at sitting |
| congregation another minute longer.Someone once | | | | and pontificating but bad when it comes to |
| asked a famous preacher what it meant when he | | | | standing for anything, which makes them believe |
| said, "Now, in conclusion ..." He thought for a | | | | their constituency will fall for anything. And we |
| moment and then replied, "nothing."Preachers are | | | | usually do.The lawmakers of our day are great |
| not the only ones inflicted with this verbosity | | | | "change agents," to use a contemporary phrase. |
| virus. Watching a news broadcast lately, I heard a | | | | Their opinion on important issues changes with |
| politician tumble headlong into the same abyss; | | | | every new poll published. Unfortunately, or |
| "We're going to make some changes around | | | | fortunately, depending on your point of view, for |
| here," he proclaimed, "and that's my final word on | | | | our friendly politicians, opinion polls can be given |
| the subject."It doesn't really matter which politician | | | | every hour on the hour.And of course, the more |
| pontificated thusly, for all of them have said it at | | | | important the issue the more the politician |
| one time or another and usually it is never their | | | | reforms his opinion. A politician should have the |
| "final word" on any subject.Several things are | | | | cleanest mind in our country because they change |
| wrong with that statement.First, when a politician | | | | it so much. Unfortunately, the exchange is usually |
| uses the word "we're" he never means to include | | | | down.Perhaps the best final words any politician |
| himself. It's just a word he uses to confuse the | | | | could utter are, "I won't run again." Usually when a |
| subject at hand. Someone once made this | | | | politician says this, it means he's currently running |
| observation, "if all the politicians were laid end to | | | | from something or someone.Regrettably, the only |
| end I would not be surprised."Secondly, the only | | | | change that comes with a new election is the |
| change most politicians are interested in is the | | | | name on the office door of the public servant.The |
| change in my pocket. They have committees | | | | bolts and nuts of our political system can be boiled |
| devoted to figuring out how they can change the | | | | down to; the politicians bolt for or from any |
| change in my pocket to their pockets. The | | | | excuse and we are nuts for electing them to any |
| slickness to which they do this is most | | | | office.I sometimes get weary of all this |
| remarkable.Thirdly, there is no such thing as a | | | | superfluous change. It is true, the more things |
| "final word" among politicians. Every politician insists | | | | change the more they remain the same. What I |
| on having the last word on any subject even | | | | want to change never does and what I don't |
| though he knows nothing about the subject at | | | | want to change does.You can imagine what |
| hand.The entire political sorority has one brain, | | | | comfort I get from the Bible that never changes |
| which they share. The Democrats have the left | | | | despite the efforts of some people. Two verses |
| side, the Republicans have the right side and they | | | | are particularly comforting to me.One from the |
| have one intent; mouth in motion at all times. | | | | Old Testament: "For I am the Lord, I change not; |
| When a politician has nothing to say you can be | | | | therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." |
| sure he will say it most profusely.Every politician | | | | (Malachi 3:6 KJV.)One from the New Testament: |
| has two sides, before election and after election. | | | | "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, |
| What a politician says before being elected has | | | | and forever." (Hebrews 13:8 KJV.)When it comes |
| absolutely no relationship with what he or she will | | | | to final words, I want that word to come from |
| say after election. The only thing absolutely | | | | someone who will not capriciously change that |
| certain is the newly-elected politician will have a lot | | | | word and upset my life. I can always trust Jesus |
| to say, but not much.Once elected their only | | | | Christ to give me a word I can always count |
| strategy is to stay elected. They will do | | | | on.The Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the |
| everything and anything to get my vote. I vote | | | | Family of God Fellowship, 1471 Pine Road. He lives |
| they all be elec-tro-cuted. Nothing would be | | | | with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores. |
| cuter.One thing that can be said about the political | | | | Contact him by calling 687-4240. His e-mail |
| institution in our country, it is an equal opportunity | | | | address is . The church web site is" Reverend |
| liars club. Women have as much opportunity to | | | | James L. Snyder is an award winning author |
| join this truth-challenged extravaganza as the | | | | whose writings have appeared in more than |
| men.I don't know who makes better liars, men or | | | | eighty periodicals including GUIDEPOSTS. In Pursuit |
| women. The feminine side of this auspicious group | | | | of God: The Life of A. W. |