The Bahnsen Viewpoint

Hank Paulson, TARP, and an Economy on the Brink

DLB — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:03:05 +0000

Many of my readers know that I am: (a) Reading every single book that comes out on the economic crisis of 2008, and (b) Reviewing every single credible book that comes out about the crisis of 2008, and (c) Writing my own book about the economic crisis of 2008 - one that I want to [...]

It’s Not as Bad as You Think

DLB — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:43:46 +0000

My ongoing series reviewing the major books written on the economic crisis of 2008 has hit an important stride. Some pivotal books on the subject have been released, or are nearing release, and I think more of the mechanical causes of the crisis are finally being discussed. Former Treasury Secretary, Hank Paulson, has [...]

Workaholism as Remedy, not Disease

DLB — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:13:46 +0000

I have been passionate about a theology of work and vocation for my entire adult life. Being raised with Calvininian/Kuyperian instincts, I think I know where this comes from ideologically. But deeper than that I think it is a pathological issue for me and largely reflects a deeper existential consideration. I think [...]

The Sleight of Hand the Ron Paul Loonies are Trying to Pull on You

DLB — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:45:02 +0000

Since my title is as inflammatory as it is allow me to clarify right up front: I do not think all Ron Paul supporters are loonies; I just happen to be referring to the ones who are loonies in this article. And unfortunately, there are more than many of us want to believe. [...]

The One Great Lesson about People Who Will Never Like You

DLB — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:55:34 +0000

I noticed the following quote in Doug Wilson’s recent Top 10 Observations about Sarah Palin: “She clearly does not care at all that the people who will never like her don’t like her. This is the essential lesson that fully 95% of all modern conservatives of all stripes — political, theological, social, whatever — never learn.” The [...]

John Edwards’ Affair is But a Small Token of his Dirtbagness

DLB — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 06:10:30 +0000

To think that this guy was 100,000 votes in Ohio from being yours and mine Vice President. The former Senator of the great state of North Carolina, John Edwards, has re-defined what it means to suffer a public implosion, inciting more rage and angst in people who have paid attention to this story than [...]

Heroic Ideas, Heroic Men: The Supply-Side Has Never Looked so Right

DLB — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:39:02 +0000

One can argue that history is essentially the study of heroes and villains. Heroism and villainry are often personified in the forms of living, breathing people like Winston Churchill (hero) or Adolf Hitler (villain). Malignant evil can also be embodied in a school of thought (Marxism) just as heroic virtue can be portrayed through [...]

A Boring, Offensive, and Unimpressive Speech: For Chris Matthews, a B+

DLB — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:22:53 +0000

I wish I could spend more time on the great Messiah’s State of the Union debacle, but time is short, and I have so little to say that will edify my readers that I ought to move quickly. It is not enjoyable to watch this train wreck of a Presidency; I still love America [...]

It’s the Morality, Stupid!

DLB — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:41:25 +0000

James Carville told Bill Clinton in 1992 that they were going to win the election if they adequately communicated this thesis to the American people: “It’s the economy, stupid.” He was right then, and in any election we ever have in this country where the economy feels vulnerable that will be true again. [...]

A Lesson for Democrats in Massachusetts, and One in D.C.

DLB — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:57:03 +0000

Earlier this year the SNL comedian Al Franken was sworn in as a Senator in the state of Minnesota. The reason he defeated Norm Coleman is because he cheated, and cheated eggresiously. The only reason it was ever close was because Norm Coleman was part of a Republican party that was being justifiably [...]