Bark N Bubbles

How can one be an American patriot and a Christian?

Jesus preached about caring for the weak and helping others
The American way is to care about your self and only you’re self.
A true Christian should be pro welfare country but America is a dog eat dog country

Unrestrained capitalism would seem to be antithetical to the essential spirit of Christianity: compassion, humility, and service with a bias toward the poor and outcast. Jesus stated that the love of money is the root of all evil and that it is extremely hard for a rich man to enter heaven. Jesus recognized capital as an effective tool for good but condemned it as an end in itself.

America and capitalism are not synonymous, despite what Wall Street would have us believe. America was believed to be exceptional because, unlike its European parents, it promoted the dignity and worth of the individual. Before that, the interests of the community were usually synonymous with the interests of the king. The American Revolution effectively established the right of the community to self-determination free of the control of dynasties, armies and wealth.

Naturally these old powers do not roll over and die. Money and intimidation constantly try to reasert themselves by reframing basic concepts. The dignity of the individual is transformed into the doctrine of rugged individualism and self-reliance, concepts that are most advantageous to those who already have the most resources. Goverment by the people is recast as an oppressive obstacle to self-assertion, forgetting the difference between democracy and autocracy.

By listening to these false arguments, most Americans are deluded into working against their own best interests. Thanks to those time-proven tools, fear and ignorance, the rich and powerful convince people that any attempt to address the institutional injustices of capitalism is an assault on their personal freedom. As people become more isolated, estranged and competitive with each other, any notion of community is systematically destroyed. It's everyone for themselves and devil take those who are too careless or "lazy" to not have marshalled the resources to care for themselves (even if they've never been allowed an opportunity to do so).

Increasingly, power flows to those who already have the money and the power, effectively re-establishing a class of latter-day nobles. The middle class disappears and the poor serve the pleasure of their masters, either as servants, prisoners or guards.

It doesn't have to end up that way. By applying true Christian principles, people can re-establish the idea of a common interest. But the opposition is powerful. It easily throws up bogus issues (baby-killing! special rights for homosexuals!) to divide and distract Christians from their deepest ideals. To overcome the flack requires systematic thought, something uncomfortably time-consuming and unfamiliar to the average citizen. It requires interpreting the "news" that mega-corporations control, fact-checking the speeches that corporate-controlled politicians deliver, finding an alternative, Christian voice and voting intelligently.

Patriotism means caring for and preserving what is noble about one's country. It is NOT blind obedience to the dictates and pronouncements of its leaders. Facile pseudo-patriots like to quote the phrase, "My country, right or wrong," but they distort its meaning. "My country" does NOT mean I accept its actions uncritically. It means I am responsible for it even when it errs.

Unfortunately, responsibility has always been a surprisingly hard sell to the most rabid individualists. Their "self-reliance" only applies until they get themselves in trouble. Then, for some unfathomable reason, the evil government owes them a bailout. How this same rule does not apply to those who never had a pile of money to start with is a great mystery. A true Christian patriot would get to the bottom of it and restore justice.

Radius Garden 203 Natural Radius Grip PRO Digging Fork $29.95 Dimensions: w 7.5", h 42.9". Stainless steel blade, extra large step, steel core shaft. Professional quality with a lifetime guarantee. Handle with 4 times the gripping surface....

Radius Garden 206 Natural Radius Grip PRO Edger $29.95 Dimensions: w 8.5", h 38.4". Stainless steel blade, extra large step, steel core shaft. Professional quality with a lifetime guarantee. Handle with 4 times the gripping surface....

Radius Garden Natural Radius Grip PRO Weeder 205 $29.44 Dimensions: w 7.5", h 42.5". Stainless steel blade, extra large step, steel core shaft. Professional quality with a lifetime guarantee. Handle with 4 times the gripping surface....

Patriot Pet Turken Sticks Dog Treat, 6 oz Chicken and Turkey $3.65 All products made in the usa. Portion of the proceeds donated to support our troops. Made with real american turkey and american chicken. Resealable stand-up poach packaging. American Turkey, American Chicken, Wheat Flour, Sugar, Chicken Meal, Dextrose, V This Turken Sticks Dog Treat is one of many top quality items in our Dog Bones, Chews and Treats department....

Patriot Pet Bacon n Cheese Dog Treat Sticks 6 oz $3.65 Dogs crave these combination treat sticks made in the USA. Sizzling bacon with the taste of fresh cheese - your dog will love these and you will love the support that Patriot Pet gives to our troops. 6 oz...

Miller Forge Dog Nail Clipper $16.99 Dog nail clipper

Four Paws Pet Products Dental Wipes Dog $5.99 Dental wipes dog

Purina Dog Chow 44.1lb $29.19 Purina Dog ChowPurina Dog Chow Dog Food Complete & Balanced Dog Food Dry is 100% complete & balanced for a long, healthy life for your pet. The carefully selected, high quality ingredients in Purina Dog Chow Dog Food Complete & Balanced provide 100% of the essential nutrients your dog needs to help stay happy, healthy and satisfied throughout his long, healthy life. NOTE: Free shipping does not apply to this product

Purina Dog Chow 20lb $14.79 Purina Dog ChowPurina Dog Chow Dog Food Complete & Balanced Dog Food Dry is 100% complete & balanced for a long, healthy life for your pet. The carefully selected, high quality ingredients in Purina Dog Chow Dog Food Complete & Balanced provide 100% of the essential nutrients your dog needs to help stay happy, healthy and satisfied throughout his long, healthy life. NOTE: Free shipping does not apply to this product

Purina Dog Chow 34lb $24.69 Purina Dog ChowPurina Dog Chow Dog Food Complete & Balanced Dog Food Dry is 100% complete & balanced for a long, healthy life for your pet. The carefully selected, high quality ingredients in Purina Dog Chow Dog Food Complete & Balanced provide 100% of the essential nutrients your dog needs to help stay happy, healthy and satisfied throughout his long, healthy life. NOTE: Free shipping does not apply to this product

	Officially Licensed by the NFL - New England Patriots Dog Football Jersey - Small Sale Price: $18.95
	Sport your favorite pooch in his/her New England Patriots game day jersey. Don't leave him/her out. Decorated in the USA.

	Officially Licensed by the NFL - New England Patriots Dog Football Jersey - X-Large (XL) Sale Price: $18.95
	Sit and watch your favorite team - the New England Patriots - with your best friend in his/her Patriots game day jersey. These high-quality jerseys come complete with embroidered sleeve patch. Decorated in the USA.

	Officially Licensed by the NFL - New England Patriots Dog Football Jersey - Large Sale Price: $34.99
	Watch Out Tom Brady! Here comes super pooch in his/her game day jersey! Enjoy the game with your best friend in his/her official New England Patriots team jersey. Decorated in the USA.

	New England Patriots Adjustable Pet Dog Collar (Small) List Price: $11.00 Sale Price: $5.49 Used From: $7.99
	Officially licensed by NFL. Team color fully adjustable 5/8" poly web collar adjusts from 10" to 14". Easy snap on/off side-release buckle.

	Officially Licensed by the NFL- New England Patriots Dog Collar - Large Sale Price: $15.99
	Your dog can cheer on the home team on the field or off with this Officially Licensed by the NFL Dog Collar for the New England Patriots!

New England Patriots Dog Football Jersey Bandana M/L Sale Price: $11.49

New England Patriots pet bandana - size medium/large. This great-looking bandana is made of a football jersey-like material and decorated in team colors/logos - much nicer than your average bandana! Perfect and inexpensive way to have your pet show its favorite team! Made of a breathable, micro-mesh polyester, it features a sewn in loop pocket (which measures about 17" long) so you can slide over a collar - no tying necessary...