Economy Will Be 'Number One Issue' in Midterms, NOT Abortion or Guns

 

In light of a draft opinion being leaked showing the U.S. Supreme Court is looking to overturn Roe v. Wade, and a string of mass shootings in recent weeks, some are hoping that abortion and guns will take the forefront in the upcoming November midterm elections, and that it will help Democrats. That's not looking to be the case, though. 

Don't just take our word for it. Democratic strategists James Carville and Kevin Walling spoke to Fox News Digital, as did Republican strategist Kellyanne Conway, and all agreed that the economy will be the main issue. They did all acknowledge that abortion and guns could play some role, especially in specific races. 

Carville's comments spoke to how they just historically aren't big issues:

Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville poured water on the idea that concern over guns would make a significant impact in the elections and pointed to the country's economic woes as the main indicator for how the midterms could go.

"Historically it hasn't been a dominant issue," he said, referencing the impact guns could have on election results, but noted it could have a specific effect on some Democratic voters concerned about other "cultural" issues like the environment and abortion.

Carville admitted that the outlook for Democrats in the midterms was "not going in a very good direction," but that they could potentially "cut their losses short" if voters did decide to turn out over fears that a Supreme court decision ending Roe v. Wade would lead to future decisions they might oppose.

...

Carville ultimately predicted Democrats' performance would depend on the economy, specifically pointing to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and income growth.

He argued "Democrats might do better" if those two indicators improved, but that for now it was "like watching two horses race back and forth."

When it comes to those "fears" from Carville about "future decisions they might oppose" mentioned above, Democratic leaders have indeed sought to gin up such sentiments. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has been among those warning that the Court could next overturn the rights to same-sex marriage or contraception.

Messaging strategies from pro-life groups at an RSC meeting that Townhall was invited to last month, and the leaked draft opinion itself from Justice Samuel Alito, make clear that the upcoming decision will only affect abortion. 

Although Walling is "bullish" on Democrats' chances, he still acknowledged the economy will be the top factor:

Democratic strategist and Fox News contributor Kevin Walling talked about the importance of issues like guns and abortion, but repeated the same argument made by Carville and Conway that voters' intentions would come down to the "bread and butter issues."

"It's still going to be inflation as the core focus, I think, of voters going to the polls," he said.

Walling stated that Roe v. Wade and guns could come into play in some races across the country where those issues stand out specifically for certain constituents, but that "it really is going to be the economy."

He added that "the million-dollar question" was which party would come out on top in November, but that he was "bullish" about Democrats' chances despite their economic challenges.

When it comes to the Republican perspective, Conway had strong words for Democratic strategies and the Biden administration:

"The big problem for this White House… and the Democratic Party, is they've created so many other problems that are competing with abortion or guns among voters, and it's going to be hard to put those aside," said former Trump administration adviser Kellyanne Conway, specifically mentioning high gas prices, supply chain issues, and the shortage of baby formula affecting families with newborns.

Conway argued that Democrats were trying to capitalize on issues like abortions and guns, two topics she discussed at length in her new memoir, "Here's the Deal," but that they were "competing with themselves for voters" because of their handling of the economic challenges affecting Americans.

She added that Democrats were making "significant miscalculations" by thinking that voters only cared about certain issues, but noted that the recent shooting tragedies and concern over Roe v. Wade could still drive more people to the polls.

When it comes to polling, what polls have been released since the draft was leaked and now the shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde, show that Americans are still concerned about the economy.

A poll from Reuters/Ipsos conducted May 31-June 1 with 1,005 adults shows that 27 percent say "Economy, unemployment, and jobs" is the most important problem facing the country today. Twelve percent chose "Crime or corruption."

A poll from The Economist/YouGov conducted May 28-May 31 with 1,500 adults shows that another plurality, at 15 percent, choose "Jobs and the economy" as the most important issue to them. Just 8 percent chose guns and just 7 percent chose abortion. 

A deep dive poll from FiveThirtyEight released last month, which I analyzed at the time, shows inflation being the major issue Americans care about most. Pew and Gallup polls show the same. 

The upcoming midterm elections are now just a little over five months, where Republicans are predicted to win back control, especially in the U.S. House of Representatives. Last week, Cook Political Report had updated its predictions to favor Republicans even more heavily.

What the Bible Says About Music

 

Thanks for joining our discussion of what the Bible says about music. In some respects, this study is a continuation of Vol. 114: "What the Bible says about praising God."  Similarly, again I was "called" to write about this musical topic, exactly how I described in Vol. 114, when on the big screen at church, a passage from Psalm 46 was displayed with the full verse that reads:

"God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises" (Psalm 47:5-6).  

And so we must – because the moment I began writing this study, a simple thought penetrated my brain: When we sing in church, we are singing to God. We are actively praising Him as if He is standing before us. I don't know about you, but I didn’t think that way until this personal revelation. Going forward I always will, and believe I was supposed to share that musical message with you.

That said, let's review some passages, mostly in Old Testament where music is mentioned much more frequently than in the New Testament.

In the beginning, as written in Genesis chapters 1 and 2, God created everything in heaven and on earth, proclaiming it "was good."  Although it is not explicitly mentioned in Genesis, He also created music and inspired humankind to invent instruments with sounds to praise Him. Here is the first reference: 

"His brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes" (Genesis 4:21). (If interested, Jubal's genealogy starts in Genesis 4:17.)

I found only one other Genesis passage that mentions music: 

" 'Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn't you tell me, so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of timbrels and harps?' " (Genesis 31:27). (For context, the soap-opera-worthy family drama between Laban and Jacob is recorded in Genesis chapters 29 – 31.)

Notice that music then (as now) was used for human celebrations in addition to praising God. And if you are unfamiliar with "timbrels": "Similar to a frame-drum or a modern tambourine, timbrels were the primary percussion instrument of the ancient Israelites and were used for celebrations."

In Exodus, the second Old Testament book, there was no mention of music until the Israelites miraculously escaped Egyptian bondage — still observed as the Passover holiday. Immediately, Moses and his people celebrated their freedom in Exodus chapter 15, subtitled the "Song of Moses and Miriam," beginning:

"Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: 'I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea' " (Exodus 15:1).

Revisit Vol. 114 to review the influential praise verses in the Song of Moses 15:1-18, repeated in Psalm 118:14: and Isaiah 12:1-2.  But, with respect to the topic of music, Moses and Aaron’s sister Miriam was the song and dance leader after the Israelites walked through the sea onto dry land, described again in Exodus 15:19 and:

"Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron's sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. Miriam sang to them: 'Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.' "

Now we turn to David who, more than any biblical character, was associated with music and could be considered the Bible's first rock star. David was initially recruited into King Saul's court due to his talent for harp-playing. But, that was part of God's greater plan for David to ascend to the throne as king.

To make a long story short:

"Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him" (1 Samuel 16:14). So, Saul's loyal advisors suggested a harp (or lyre) should “ ‘play when the evil spirit from God comes upon you and you will feel better ’ ” (1 Samuel 16:16).

Let’s pause for an explanation of “an evil spirit from the Lord.” I was perplexed, but the footnote in my NIV Study Bible said in part, “evil spirits are subject to God’s control and operate only within divinely determined boundaries.” And that explains why:

“Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him” (1 Samuel 16:23).

As Saul slowly descended into madness, he became more dependent on, yet jealous of, David’s many talents. However, the critical point is how the Holy Spirit was present in music then and now. Of course, we also know that music can have a soothing, peaceful influence on the mind and body, but this was the first time such an effect was recognized in the Bible and sanctioned by God. Indeed, the opposite is true with evil vibes in music that can foster sinful behaviors. 

This being a “quick” Bible study, we will breeze through Psalms (praises) because they are all songs of praise and worship, and some cry out for the Lord’s help. Again, refer to Vol. 114. Here are a few that highlight music: 

“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth” (Psalm 96:1).

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;” (Psalm 98:4). 

In the New Testament, the book of Revelation has several musical references:

“And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation’ ” (Revelation 5:9).

For more music-related verses, click here.

Today, we learned that music in the Bible is to communicate, praise, and glorify the Lord. Therefore, sing His music loud and proud, as if He were standing in front of you (because He is).

Border Patrol Agents Stopped the Uvalde Shooter. Democrats Now Want to Investigate Their Actions.

 

It has become increasingly evident that members of the Border Patrol, specifically those on the elite BORTAC team, defied orders from Uvalde police and breached the classroom the shooter was in at Robb Elementary School in order to stop the attack.

The local police appeared to believe the situation had turned from an active shooter to a “barricaded” subject despite 9-1-1 calls being made by children who were trapped inside the classroom with the shooter. If not for the Border Patrol agents, the shooter could have claimed more lives. Now, House Democrats on the Homeland Security Committee want to investigate the agents’ role in killing the shooter.

“We commend the law enforcement personnel who responded to the shooting and acted to help save students and teachers and prevent further loss of life. At the same time, this tragedy raises questions about what authorities and responsibilities DHS personnel have in such situations, what agreements are in place related to the Department’s law enforcement personnel providing support State and local law enforcement agencies, and whether the Department intends to bolster its school security efforts…” members of the committee wrote in a letter to DHS. 

House Democrats intend to hold a hearing to determine exactly what legal authority Border Patrol/ICE agents had to have gotten involved in (and stopped) the Uvalde shooting and potential future incidents

At the same time, Homeland Dems “commend” federal agents for saving the day pic.twitter.com/9xVZtBdWKo— Anna Giaritelli (@Anna_Giaritelli) June 2, 2022

Border Patrol agents and other immigration authorities have a strong presence in Uvalde since the town is only an hour away from the U.S.-Mexico border. Law enforcement personnel from the state of Texas has also increased in the wake of the ongoing crisis at the southern border.

New Polling Shows Americans Support Armed Teachers

 

Earlier this week White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre said President Joe Biden does not support proposals to harden schools in the aftermath of the Robb Elementary School massacre in Uvalde, Texas. 

“I know there’s been conversation about hardening schools; that is not something that he believes in.  He believes that we should be able to give teachers the resources to be able to do the job that they’re meant to do at schools,” Jean-Pierre said earlier this week.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says proposals that deal with “hardening schools…is not something that” President Biden “believes in” b/c “the problem is with guns” in America. pic.twitter.com/l19Mo0Yw3h— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) May 31, 2022

But new polling from The Economist and YouGov shows most Americans favor administrators and teachers being armed if they so choose. More than 50 percent of respondents said they favor or somewhat favor the concept. Republicans and Independents support arming administrators and teachers while Democrats strongly oppose the measure.

The results are similar to another YouGov survey taken in 2018.

WOW. Media scoffs at Trump idea of having trained teachers armed. But new Economist/YouGov poll shows broad public support.
Stationing armed guards at all schools: 59% favor 28% oppose. Even Dems favor by 45% to 40%https://t.co/5hNMHmo3UA…#NRA#2A— Grover Norquist (@GroverNorquist) February 23, 2018

President Joe Biden will give a primetime address Thursday night advocating for the curtailing of Second Amendment rights. Once his remarks are over, he will head to Delaware for a long weekend at the beach.

Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation museum opening

 Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation (VOC) is an educational, research, and human rights nonprofit devoted to commemorating the more than 1 billion victims of communism around the world and to pursuing the freedom of those still living under totalitarian regimes. VOC was authorized by a unanimous act of Congress signed by President Bill Clinton in 1993. In 2007, the VOC Memorial on Capitol Hill was dedicated by President George W. Bush. VOC’s mission is to educate this generation and future generations about the ideology, history, and legacy of communism. ​