Greetings from all of us here at Family Talk. These have been exciting days for us as our new broadcast lifted off the launch pad on May 3rd and roared into orbit. As you may know, we started this new ministry on what used to be called “a wing and a prayer.” Especially a prayer. Our hope was that we would begin airing our radio program on 200 stations, but even that seemed almost beyond reach. By the end of that first day, however, Family Talk had aired on more than 600 outlets! It was the largest launch in Christian radio history!
Since then, listeners have been calling their local stations to ask about this new broadcast, and the response from prime radio stations has been nothing short of amazing. Now after the first month on the air, the number is more than 700. We are grateful to station managers who helped make this possible, and especially to the Lord for His evident blessing.
Nevertheless, we are in the vulnerable early stages of this new venture, and we would appreciate your help in securing a toehold. The ministry is still close to square one. Consider:
Before closing, let me address a matter that is of major concern to us here at Family Talk. It reflects the policies of our federal government that are increasingly hostile to families and are contradictory to biblical moral principles. One dramatic example involves the new Health Care legislation, which will require citizens to pay for publicly funded abortions.1
Once it takes effect in 2013, Americans will be forced to be a party to the killing of babies, regardless of their personal beliefs. Those of us who cannot, and will not, comply with this provision will have only three choices: pay horrendous fines, go to prison, or leave the country. Who would have believed a time would come when people of conscience would be required to violate their deeply held convictions? Not even Conscientious Objectors during times of war are required to fight. But now, such a violation of beliefs is ensconced in the law. Your right not to do something evil will soon be violated.
The American people were promised that it would not happen. You may recall that President Obama addressed a joint session of Congress on September 9, 2009, during which he urged passage of the pending health care bill. He assured Members on that night, and I quote, “Under our plan, no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions, and federal conscience laws will remain in place." The fact is, as we now know, the President was not telling the truth. Public funding of abortion was included in the law, to be paid for by American Taxpayers. The presidential executive order restricting funding for abortions, issued after the Health Care bill was signed into law, is meaningless.2
Here’s another example of a federal policy that is antagonistic to families and to people with strong moral convictions. I mentioned above that married couples are struggling mightily in this “down” economy. Nevertheless, it is clear that taxes on middle class families will soon go sky high. President Obama promised repeatedly that no tax payer making under $250,000 would pay a dime in additional taxes. It was, again, simply not true. President George W. Bush’s tax reductions are scheduled to expire on January 1, 2011.3 Even the infamous “marriage penalty tax” will be re-instituted, whereby husbands and wives will be in a higher tax bracket than people who are cohabiting. And note this: the child tax credit would be halved from $1,000 to $500. It is a shocking and outrageous governmental policy.4
This “penalty” will fall on dedicated moms and dads who are pouring their lives into the next generation of Americans. They are fixing lunches for their children, helping with homework, binding up skinned knees, offering bedtime prayers, and trying to earn a living for their families. Yet there are very few people in official Washington who seem to understand the connection between strong families and the nation’s welfare. Lobbying groups invest billions of dollars to influence legislation and assure the election of their candidates. But where are the “friends of the family” who are willing to fight for the defense of marriage and parenthood? A few organizations, such as the Family Research Council and Gary Bauer’s American Values, are carrying the load. Our federal government couldn’t care less, and is, in fact, making things worse.
Time and space limitations permit me only to mention another regrettable piece of legislation that passed in the House of Representatives on May 27, 2010. It would eliminate the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy for all branches of the military. The four senior officers of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines, have said “Don’t do this.”5 It threatens to affect morale, recruitment, retention, and the effectiveness of those who are risking their lives to protect this great nation. Yet, the attitude by liberals in Congress appears to be, “This is our window of opportunity,” and they are plunging ahead at breakneck speed. President Obama has promised to sign the legislation.6 Why does that surprise us?
On these issues and many others, Family Talk will be on the front lines of the battle to preserve the family. It is difficult now for us to engage fully because of the limitations of a 501(c)(3) organization. Nevertheless, we will do everything permitted by the IRS. We hope soon to have more freedom to defend families and help preserve the Judeo-Christian system of values. Your assistance in making Family Talk a strong and effective ministry will pay dividends in days to come. That is our passionate commitment.
Thanks for being part of the small cadre that is standing with us at this early stage of the ministry. We are excited. We are motivated. And we are working hard. Please do pray for us as we press ahead.
Once again, you can reach us at (877) 732-6825. All of the programs we have aired since May 3rd are available as podcasts, at oneplace.com, at iTunes, and on CD by request. These are the topics we have addressed:
You may know that my new book, Bringing Up Girls, has been on the New York Times list of best-selling books for weeks. You can obtain a copy from Family Talk for a suggested donation of $26. If you would like to have a personally autographed copy, ascribed by me in your name, we suggest an amount of $150. As I said in my previous letter, “Is the book worth it? No. But if you would like to help us get our ministry started, this would be a good way to do it.”
God’s blessings to you,
James C. Dobson, Ph.D
President, Family Talk
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