Jonathan at Sixteen

On November 3, Jonathan turned sixteen. The last year and a half has been a time of great growth for Jonathan--physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well. Those who know and talk with him quickly learn that one subject that he is most passionate about is politics. In fact, at a recent parent-teacher conference, Jonathan's history teacher told me he sees him with a PhD in history or political science someday.

This year, Jonathan decided to put his interests to work (and he was also told by his parents that he was required to take up an extracurricular project) and has become the political analyst for his school newspaper. He's kind of a mix of Alex from Family Ties, Rush Limbaugh, and Sean Hannity. I'm working on introducing him to the writing flair of Peggy Noonan, but for now, he has a style all his own.

Since it was his birthday, Jonathan has agreed to be my birthday guest blogger. Here is his own recent article, reprinted from the West Michigan Lutheran Mustang News, entitled "You Lie!" (By the way, Jonathan was born on election day 1993; we're wondering if that might have something to do with his interest in politics now.)

You Lie!
by Jonathan Selden
Mustang News Analysis

As many of you remember, during a speech given by President Obama to a joint session of Congress, Representative Joe Wilson (from South Carolina) made his opinion of the president's policies outlined in the speech clear to everyone in the room. When President Obama was trying to put down several claims conservatives have made about the reform bill, he aptly brought up the situation of illegal immigration and reform. The president boldly stated that it was not true that illegal immigrants would be eligible for health care. Joe Wilson shouted out, "You lie," spurring some boos and a glare from the president.

Was this behavior acceptable? No, it was not. Was it deserving of punishment? It probably was. The Democrats pressured Joe Wilson to apologize for what he did. The South Carolina representative willingly did so. The House of Representatives then voted on a gesture of disapproval of Joe Wilson's reactions.

What was the truth value of Joe Wilson's statements? What was the truth value of President Obama? In reality, both sides were truthful, and both sides were wrong. The president's remarks were, in a sense, truthful in saying that the current bill does not allow illegal aliens to participate in the government-run program . . . Therefore, Joe Wilson was wrong to say the president lied.

However, . . . the language [in the bill] doesn't exactly forbid aliens from partaking in the plan.; illegal aliens just can't get federal help to participate.Congress struck down a measure proposed by Republicans that would require proof of citizenship to be able to have access to the government-run plan . . . Suddenly, . . . Joe Wilson's comment doesn't seem so bitterly partisan . . . It is correct in a sense that the statements made by President Obama were misleading . . .

When we all come of the age to be eligible to vote, it is important to question the honesty of each candidate. Even if there is no election, keeping the government honest is something that should be the responsibility of the governed, or risk letting the government for and by the people become a government for and by the governors.