RSample.com https://rsample.com Politics and Theology from Reuel K. Sample Wed, 11 Nov 2020 16:55:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.23 Theology and Politics from Reuel K. Sample - Pastor, Navy Chaplain, Teacher and Business Owner. RSample.com clean episodic RSample.com reuelsample@act242.com reuelsample@act242.com (RSample.com) RSample.com RSample.com https://rsample.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/reuelsample-1800x1800.jpg https://rsample.com Strawberry Plains, TN The Clash of Probability and Possibility https://rsample.com/2020/11/11/the-clash-of-probability-and-possibility/ https://rsample.com/2020/11/11/the-clash-of-probability-and-possibility/#respond Wed, 11 Nov 2020 16:53:55 +0000 https://rsample.com/?p=579 Life’s decisions are based on the reality of probability. The unchallenged results of this election, however, slide into the fantasy realm of possibility. Continue reading →

The post The Clash of Probability and Possibility appeared first on RSample.com.

]]> https://rsample.com/2020/11/11/the-clash-of-probability-and-possibility/feed/ 0 Life’s decisions are based on the reality of probability. The unchallenged results of this election, however, slide into the fantasy realm of possibility. Continue reading →

It is very certain that, when it is not in our power to determine what is true, we ought to act according to what is most probable.
-René Descartes
Republicans are winning races across the country.  Those results are encouraging, but they also demonstrate that we are in the middle of a clash between possibility and probability. I would argue that most of our life’s decisions are based on the reality of probability.  When we examine the unchallenged results of this election, however, we will find that this country has slid into the fantasy realm of possibility.
A Typical Day Driven By Probability
Let us look at how a typical American named Mike goes through the day.  Mike works in construction and needs to be at work every day by 7 in the morning.  Although somewhat used to the early hour, Mike is still human and would love to grab some more sleep.  However, our construction worker realizes that if he misses work there is a high probability that he would be fired – so he rises to meet the new day.  He lives 30 miles from work and decides to drive (as he always does) because there is an extremely low probability that something will happen to him on the way.
Mike’s probability-driven decisions do not end there.  At work, he puts on a safety harness to go to the third floor that has not yet been finished.  He does so because the probability of a fall is high enough to warrant the device.  At lunch he wisely skips the food truck, knowing from experience the high probability of wrestling with indigestion.  He makes choices of tools and techniques based on the probability of success with each one.  He clocks out on time (knowing the probable circumstances of leaving too early) and drives home.  Once at his house, he must decide if he has to mow the lawn today – based on the probability of rain tomorrow.  Does he need to pay bills based upon the probable delivery date, or can he wait another day.  Mike finishes off his day by going to bed early, knowing the probable consequences of staying up too late on a work night.
At no time did Mike base his decisions on possibility.  As philosophers point out, everything is possible.  People of faith rest on the idea that in God nothing is impossible.  The problem with possibility is that it puts us in the realm of the infinite and unknown.  Probability allows us to take this infinite and craft it into reality.  Mike could state the case that there is a possibility that his driven and demanding boss would overlook his tardiness at work, promote him to supervisor as a result of his non-conformity, and throw a congratulatory dinner for his lack of effort.  Mike, though, is wise enough to know that this outcome is highly improbable – so he better get out of bed.
Probability Brings Possibility into the Realm of Reality
Our lives are directed and ruled by the measurement of probability against possibility.  Car insurance is based on how close the probability of the driver getting into an accident matches up with the possibility of such an occurrence.  House insurance looks at the probability and possibility of certain events, and decides the rate accordingly.  Life insurance bought at an early age is very inexpensive, because while the possibility of death is always present the probability is low enough to be an affordable risk to the underwriter. As age goes up, probability and possibility start matching and the rates increase.  In the end, probability always has a higher weight for consideration because, unlike the infinite realm of possibility, it helps us measure and predict reality.
At Dispute: Are These Results Probable – Not Possible
This clash of possibility and probability are at the forefront of this contested presidential election.  As ballots are “found”,]]> Reuel Sample 1 2 The Clash of Probability and Possibility clean 6:10 The Republic is (Still) Working https://rsample.com/2020/11/10/republic-still-working/ https://rsample.com/2020/11/10/republic-still-working/#respond Tue, 10 Nov 2020 15:39:13 +0000 http://rsample.com/?p=574 Our Founders knew that such problems could arise. Consequently, they put in processes that would slow down Democracy and let the cooling influences of a Republic take hold. Continue reading →

The post The Republic is (Still) Working appeared first on RSample.com.

]]> https://rsample.com/2020/11/10/republic-still-working/feed/ 0 Our Founders knew that such problems could arise. Consequently, they put in processes that would slow down Democracy and let the cooling influences of a Republic take hold. Continue reading → And does not tyranny spring from democracy…?
-Plato The Republic, Book VIII
Despite the devastation caused by the 17th Amendment, our Republic continues to function as it should – with checks and balances to the tyrannical tendencies of the masses and those who hunger for power. The 2020 elections are a clear example of the wisdom of our Founders to establish a Republic, and of their inherent distrust of democracy on a national level.

The voting process for President of the United States is not a national election – but a Federal one. What that means is that while having nationwide consequences, the elections themselves are at the state level. Each state chooses electors who will then actually vote for the president at the convening of the Electoral College. The formula for the number of electors is straight forward: the number of senators (2) plus the number of congressional districts based on the latest census. This process forces candidates for president to campaign in each state – not just focus on those with the highest populations.
It is important to note that only at this state of the process is the notion of Democracy – decision by popular vote – given any credence by the Constitution. The Founders knew that while the people had to give their voice, unchecked Democracy will always lead to tyranny. Hence, while democratic principles initiate the election process, they by no means determine them.
Elections must be certified by each state and sealed by the governor of that state. These certifications and seals are the first step in making Democracy accountable. This requirement is intended to make sure that every vote is legal and counted, and that election laws and policies are followed. The time delay between the day of the elections and time of certification allows for the ardor of campaign enthusiasm to wane and cooler heads to rise up to examine election results.
The results of the states themselves are not considered valid until accepted and confirmed by Congress. The state governors certify and seal the results of the elections. Those elections determine the direction of the electors in the Electoral College. Those electors then cast their votes. But the President of the United States is not elected until Congress certifies those votes. Electors do not meet until December 18, over a month from election day. Congress counts the votes on January 6th – two months after election day. Only at this point is the candidate considered “elected” and consequently installed into office on January 20th.
These time delays are designed to slow down Democracy’s often overzealousness. The Founder’s knew individuals may be quite intelligent, but masses of people often are easily deceived and swayed. Democracies demand immediate results, even if those results overlook the rule of law. Republics are slower to come to decisions because they take the time to make sure procedures and laws are followed.
The ultimate check on pure Democracy comes from the courts. While deemed the weakest branch of government (its budget comes from the legislative bodies at all levels), and whose membership is often determined by the Executive, the courts bring to the table the one thing that the other two branches cannot – complete distance from the voters. Once confirmed by a legislature, judges are in their positions for life. This lifelong appointment is to free them from the fickleness of democracy to make decisions based on the more stable rule of law – not the ever-changing desires of the masses. It is quite proper for the courts – whose members are not answerable to the people – to help mitigate issues that arise during the election process. While the ideological tendencies of judges and justices have always influenced their decisions, history also reflects numerous occasions when the decisions of courts have gone against political stances.
]]> Reuel Sample clean 5:09 Embracing Evil https://rsample.com/2020/11/04/embracing-evil/ https://rsample.com/2020/11/04/embracing-evil/#respond Wed, 04 Nov 2020 18:09:48 +0000 http://rsample.com/?p=568 One thing is very clear. We live in a country where fully half of the population supports evil. Continue reading →

The post Embracing Evil appeared first on RSample.com.

]]> https://rsample.com/2020/11/04/embracing-evil/feed/ 0 Stop Blaming the Politicians https://rsample.com/2019/02/11/stop-blaming-politicians/ https://rsample.com/2019/02/11/stop-blaming-politicians/#respond Mon, 11 Feb 2019 14:34:13 +0000 http://rsample.com/?p=563 The politicians are not the problem. The carefully crafted Constitution of the United States is not the problem. Lobbyists, Democrats, Republicans, and bureaucrats are not the problem. Nor are they the solution. Continue reading →

The post Stop Blaming the Politicians appeared first on RSample.com.

]]> https://rsample.com/2019/02/11/stop-blaming-politicians/feed/ 0 Breaking the Silence https://rsample.com/2019/02/07/breaking-the-silence/ https://rsample.com/2019/02/07/breaking-the-silence/#respond Thu, 07 Feb 2019 22:56:33 +0000 http://rsample.com/?p=547 The reason is partly because of a small case of writer’s block. That empty white page is daunting – and often bullies me to go do something else. Anything else. But mostly I have been absent because, quite frankly, I have been overwhelmed by the sheer madness that has gripped our Republic for the last two years. Where do I begin? Continue reading →

The post Breaking the Silence appeared first on RSample.com.

]]> https://rsample.com/2019/02/07/breaking-the-silence/feed/ 0 Culture Warrior or Disciple-Maker? https://rsample.com/2017/11/22/culture-warrior-or-disciple-maker/ https://rsample.com/2017/11/22/culture-warrior-or-disciple-maker/#respond Wed, 22 Nov 2017 13:23:45 +0000 http://rsample.com/?p=541 Culture Warriors wake up every day to go to battle – taking on society and those who stand in the way. Changing culture often requires breaking a few eggs – no matter how innocent. Continue reading →

The post Culture Warrior or Disciple-Maker? appeared first on RSample.com.

]]> https://rsample.com/2017/11/22/culture-warrior-or-disciple-maker/feed/ 0 A Challenge to Pray https://rsample.com/2017/03/14/a-challenge-to-pray/ https://rsample.com/2017/03/14/a-challenge-to-pray/#respond Tue, 14 Mar 2017 13:56:35 +0000 http://rsample.com/?p=532 Of course it is not easy to pray so dilligently, so fervantly FOR a man that you might not like. President Trump might be the anathema of every political view you might hold. Continue reading →

The post A Challenge to Pray appeared first on RSample.com.

]]> https://rsample.com/2017/03/14/a-challenge-to-pray/feed/ 0 Facebook and Me – The Year To Come https://rsample.com/2017/02/06/facebook-and-me-the-year-to-come/ https://rsample.com/2017/02/06/facebook-and-me-the-year-to-come/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2017 23:33:56 +0000 http://rsample.com/?p=523 My family and friends are too important to me for the kind of treatment seen lately on Facebook. I am not ready, however, to give up seeing them grow, sharing in their heartbreaks, rejoicing in their celebrations, and sharing my own story. Continue reading →

The post Facebook and Me – The Year To Come appeared first on RSample.com.

]]> https://rsample.com/2017/02/06/facebook-and-me-the-year-to-come/feed/ 1 Dear GOP https://rsample.com/2017/01/06/dear-gop/ https://rsample.com/2017/01/06/dear-gop/#respond Fri, 06 Jan 2017 16:46:50 +0000 http://rsample.com/?p=512 Good luck, O Grand Ole Party. Please do not waste this chance that has been given to you to govern. Do it effectively, do it smartly, do it as Republicans. But just do it. Continue reading →

The post Dear GOP appeared first on RSample.com.

]]> https://rsample.com/2017/01/06/dear-gop/feed/ 0 Et Tu CWA? https://rsample.com/2015/08/28/et-tu-cwa/ https://rsample.com/2015/08/28/et-tu-cwa/#respond Fri, 28 Aug 2015 13:15:00 +0000 http://rsample.com/?p=504 Dear Ms. Nance: Yesterday I posted on my blog an open letter to Ms. Terry O’Neil of the National Organization of Women (NOW). In the letter I questioned why her organization had not mentioned the pending involuntary separation of SGT … Continue reading →

The post Et Tu CWA? appeared first on RSample.com.

]]> https://rsample.com/2015/08/28/et-tu-cwa/feed/ 0