Democrat Houck invokes Jesus Christ for pre-K and PBS
By JR Hoeft | Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011 | PolicyGenerally, when a public figure wants to go the religious-route the stereotype is that it’s a social conservative advocating for life (which, by the way, is awesome).
However, I never pegged Sen. Edd Houck (D-Spotsylvania) as an evangelizer.
I would be wrong.
Today, near the end of session, Senator Houck spoke on a point of personal privilege.
A witness tells me that Houck berated those who voted for the House budget, saying that they ignored Christ’s admonition in Mark’s gospel to “suffer the little children to come unto me” by cutting funding for the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI), public broadcasting, and for supporting school choice, etc. He also questioned whether those who support school choice, but not VPI, really care about education or the best interests of children.
Needless to say, this intentionally antagonistic rhetoric was responded to. In the case, by Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg):
Suffer the little children to… attend state-supported preschool? We see our share of debates on social and moral issues in the Senate, and it’s rare for members to make direct religious appeals on even the most charged of these, so you can imagine my surprise when Senator Edd Houck (D-Spotsylvania) invoked Christ’s words to condemn everyone who voted for the House budget on the grounds that it provides modest school choice support, and it reduces funding for Public Broadcasting and for Governor Tim Kaine’s signature Pre-K program.
My guess is that among those who will share my surprise will be his eight Democratic House colleagues who voted for the House budget – Kenny Alexander, Mamye BaCote, Bob Brink, Rosalyn Dance, Algie Howell, Johnny Joannou, Jim Scott, Lionell Spruill, and Onzlee Ware.
Oh well. We are in the final days of budget negotiations, so the rhetoric will probably continue to soar.
Personally, I love public broadcasting, but I had no idea of the religious connotations!
Less than 48 hours. I pray cooler heads prevail and we have “sine die.”
Tags:
Contribute for Conservatism!
Share this post
About the author
Conservative to the core; liberal with his opinion! J.R. has been involved in politics for over a decade and has worked on several campaigns in Hampton Roads. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Chesapeake and the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia. He is also the director of “Blogs United” in Virginia. E-mail J.R.. Follow J.R. on Twitter.
Comments
8 Responses to "Democrat Houck invokes Jesus Christ for pre-K and PBS"
The good Senator is free to give as much of his own money to as much public broadcasting as he would like.
Houck did something similar to this in 2007 running against Chris Yakabouski (Baptist). In a debate he quoted scripture to indicate he thought Yak would go to hell for supposedly lying about him.
Anyone who wants to help us depose this so-and-so, contact me.
HUGE supporter of PBS here … but Houck’s comment is just plain silly.
Christianity makes charity a personal, not a government responsibility. Didn’t Jesus mention something about rendering unto Caesar what is Caesar and to God what is God’s?
God requires us to act in love; He requires each of us to personally love Him and each other. He requires to express our love in our actions.
And what does the General Assembly require? Well, it certainly requires some of our money, but to provide us charity? True charity arises out of love. Do our legislators and bureaucrats love us or our money?
When a politician demands the “right” to spend the public’s money for “charitable” purposes, why should we believe his agenda has anything to do with either charity or Christianity? Isn’t it more likely he just wants to spend our money his way?
Cross posting this blurb from Virgina teachers union newsletter, FWIW:
Association Helps Elect Pro-Public School Candidates
“…Statewide, the biggest development was the Democratic takeover of the Senate for the first time in 12 years. As a result, Sen. Edd Houck (D) will become chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee and Sen. Chuck Colgan (D) is expected to be named chair of the Senate Finance Committee. The import of the leadership switch: both men have a history of supporting public education and working constructively with VEA …Houck, in fact, earned the prestigious VEA “Friend of Education” award earlier this year.” [http://www.veanea.org/vea-on-your-side/sea.html]
Hmmm … wonder how many teacher union PAC dollars came with that award????
I’ve seen plenty of “using scripture” for personal gain or argument in this life. Loving God and others is the litmus test.
“A witness tells me that Houck . . . .”
If you’re going to write about it, perhaps you ought to take the time to determine what Houck actually said. A statement on the floor of the Virginia Senate ought not to require an anonymous source and conjecture as I do believe the Senate Clerk still keeps the journal.
As for PBS, well, I’d rather my tax dollars went to that proven investment than to Governor McDonnell’s favorites: selected wine merchants, Hollywood directors and 19th century sailing ships.
Thanks J.R.!
Cross-Posting on RappahannockRepublic.com – HELP SUPPORT ANY CANDIDATE WHO OPPOSES EDD HOUCK regardless of party!
Leave your response
The comments section is for meaningful discussion. Readers are reminded to post comments that are germane to the article and write in a common language that steers clear of personal attacks and/or vulgarities.
Please take a moment to review our comment policy.