Democrat Senators essentially ridiculed the faith of Sen. Jason Schultz (R-Schlesewig) during funnel week over his efforts to tighten Iowa’s public assistance programs.
It started after a subcommittee earlier in the week. After the subcommittee, Sen. Claire Celsi (D-West Des Moines) took off her ‘Senator’ hat and quickly entered into activist mode.
It started with a couple of Bible verses the pro-abortion, anti-religious liberty legislator found.
“There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.”
“Give generously to (the poor) and do so without a grudging heart, then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.”
It seems an appropriate time to point something out to Sen. Celsi. It’s something that is critically important in the Democrat Party these days — usage of pronouns.
Note that first verse…”therefore I command YOU to be openhanded toward YOUR fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in YOUR land.”
It does not read “therefore I command your government.” It says you. Same thing with the second verse — you, not your government.
Now, that aside, Celsi’s next tweet was completely uncalled for.
“This is Senator Jason Schultz, who sends me a Bible study email on my Senate email and holds that Bible study on government property. Apparently, he hasn’t read the Bible.”
Then, during Thursday’s committee, Sen. Bill Dotzler took a turn.
“Sen. Schultz, I know the type of person you are, you’re a good person,” said Dotzler (D-Waterloo). “You have Bible study programs and I see that all the time. And yet I can’t connect your base of what type of person you are and what these programs do. So, the only thing I can think about is the Party that you’re in is pandering to the voters who have a total misunderstanding about food stamps and what it means to families. And they’re going to vote against Bill Dotzler, who is going to vote against this bill because I do understand.”
It is really sad and, quite frankly, disgusting to see alleged elected leaders from Iowa communities attacking someone’s faith simply because of a policy disagreement.
I’m not going to get into a theological throwdown with someone like Celsi, who most days shows serious contempt for Christian beliefs. But, just for some added perspective, perhaps reminding her the Bible also says if anyone would not work, neither should they eat is within reason.
According to Schultz, he leads on these issues of welfare reform to help find ways to inspire and encourage people to move up rather than stay where they are. There is nothing to suggest those aren’t his true, honest intentions.
While Dotzler and Celsi represent deep blue districts, their colleagues in the Iowa Senate still deserve respect. Even the Republican ones.
Should the Democrats ever wonder why they’re the minority Party in the Iowa Senate, I’d suggest bookmarking this article.
I’d also suggest if they’re really worried about Sen. Schultz and his faith and how he applies it to policy, it sounds like he’s invited them to a Bible study. Perhaps they should take him up on the offer sometime.
Who knows, they may just learn something after all.
