On this one, Rush is wrong.

I love Rush. He is brilliant, entertaining and funny.

But with Operation Chaos, he has gotten it all wrong.

Voting is a divine gift. It is not a constitutional right. It is much, much more than that.

America set out to live the ideal that "all men are created equal." We were "created." That's right - we are all made by a Creator in His image. We are made equal, and we are made free. It is government, or other humans, who oppress us or set us in bondage. We are created free in the image of God.

Moreover, America set out to live the ideals that we are endowed "by our Creator" with "certain inalienable rights," like "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Those inalienable rights come from God. Again, we are created free.

So, if our rights come from God, that means they do not come from the government, or even from the Constitution. The Constitution merely protects what God has given.

Moreover, our government only gets its authority to govern from the consent of the governed (that's us, The People). John Locke first set out this idea, the Founding Fathers built on Locke's thought, and Lincoln etched it in our memories with the idea of government "of the people, by the people, for the people."

The government has no authority on its own. It receives its authority from us. How? When we vote.

When we vote, we exercise our divine freedom, our right to govern ourselves. When we vote, we give our consent to those who will govern over us.

These are God-given, noble goals. They are what we were created for. Created by God. We do not exist for the government; rather it is vice-versa.

And here is where Rush gets it wrong. To use that divine gift of voting as a weapon is to misuse the divine gift. We do just that when we cross-over, pose as something we are not, and vote for someone who is our last choice with the intent to do harm. It is wrong whether Republicans or Democrats do it. Wrong because it appeals to our basest instincts rather than our highest ideals. Wrong because its first goal is to do harm. Wrong because it takes a divine gift (voting) and treats it like a disposable diaper (soiled and to be thrown away without regard). We Americans are a better, nobler people than this.

Thus, Operation Chaos (Rush's brilliant political scheme) bastardizes the vote. The plan demeans, devalues, and debases the divine gift. Rather than standing FOR something, the voter merely deceives others in hopes of doing harm. It reduces the duty and privilege of the citizenry to the level of base warfare.

Millions in Myanmar would do anything to be able to cast a vote FOR someone other than the oppressive ruling junta who lets millions suffer needlessly from a cyclone whose effects could be remedied. The suffering yearn to vote, to exercise the divine gift of freedom, self-governance, and consent. In the meantime, many here in America (still the shining hope of the world) "chaotically" misuse the divine gift of voting rather than cherishing it as the rare blessing that it is.

What a great show we had last Sunday. I particularly liked the hour on mothers. I do not think we can ever really repay our mothers. Then again, not sure that they would want us to. And that may be the point.

But I asked you to call with the most meaningful ways to try to repay our mothers. And you had some excellent ideas. So I share a few of those as a way to remind you to live into Mother's Day well this week.

To make your mother's day more meaningful, here are my three favorite caller quotes from the show. I think they are useful and hope you will too.

"I did not realize how much work it was to be a mother until I became a mother...one night at 1am when I was exhausted from taking care of my kids, I sat down and wrote her a 5-page letter thanking her for all she had done...and to this day she carries it in her purse everywhere."
-Kat

"Most mothers spend most of their time investing in their children...the best way to show you appreciate them is to live in a way so that they know they didn't spend all that time in vain."
-Steve

"Don't forget she changed your diapers. Go and do whatever you can for her."
-Wanda

If you know me, you know that one of my largest motivating passions is to help kids that have been forgotten or lost in the world.

And today presents an urgent opportunity.

The cyclone in Myanmar has killed an estimated 50,000 people. Countless thousands are now homeless and without food. Many of these are children. Sadly, they live in a country where the government is military-driven and ill-equipped to provide the kinds of relief and compassion that is desperately needed.

We can feel helpless or we can try to help these children. One way to help is to give through Catholic Relief Services. They are on the scene and at work providing help and hope to the desperate. You can help a child by going to this site to give:

https://secure2.convio.net/crs/site/Donation2?df_id=1660&1660.donation=form1

Christian faith is marked by its compassion for the hurting and the lost. In fact, Jesus said our judgment will ride on how we respond to the broken and the desperate (Mt. 25.31-46). May God use our meager efforts to bring relief and mercy to hurting children.

On Sunday, I shared the Wife's Bill of Rights, a list originally penned by Jill Adler. However, it has some gaffes and gaps. So my wife and I, and some of Sunday's callers are making some changes below.

Thus, here are the 10 amendments in the Wife's Bill of Rights (New and Improved):

Jill Adler with Help from the Allen Hunt Show team and listeners

Preamble:
We, the wives of America, love being married to the husbands of America. We know we have our faults, but with our ever-morphing roles these days, there's a lot of pressure on us to be superhuman. We care for our families, manage the home, keep ourselves attractive, and even bring home our shares of the bacon. We know we sometimes lash out, but we really do want to "live happily ever after" with you. Our mutual acknowledgement of these amendments can go a long way toward achieving that.

Amendment I
We have the right to dislike your buddies.
We know it's important for you to have your guy friends, but you should know by now that we're not turned on by your stories of the good old days at college, your sexual exploits, or which relief pitcher the Red Sox should trade. Disappear for a while and be boys—it's OK, go chug beer and high-five—but please don't expect us to be happy when your friends come over and put their feet on our coffee tables or leave their beer cans on the floor.

Amendment II
We have the right to experience PMS in all its glory.
Either give us our space or accept the consequences. We know it's unfair, but some of us just can't rein it in. You knew that before you married us. We may shout, cry, belittle, act irrationally. It lasts a few days each month, so please deal with it. Or even better: Bring home dinner, clear the dishes, and give us a big hug. Best of all, just give us chocolate and leave us alone.

Amendment III
We have the right to demand you finish a household job.
We're not your mothers, and we loathe having to act like them. If you wash the dishes, do them all and clean the sink, too. Don't just bag the trash, take it outside to the bin. If you start a load of laundry, put it in the dryer and fold it too. We don't like nagging any more than you like hearing it. You do have the right to have a friend sub for you as handy man. Just get it fixed!

Amendment IV
We have the right to affirming words. "Please." "Thank you." "I love you." "I appreciate you." You get the picture. We love you and need to HEAR that you care about us.

Amendment V
We have the right to keep our secrets.
Not marriage-ending ones, just small secrets we choose to hide from others. If we don't want to speak our age or share our true hair color or reveal the cheesy TV shows we watch in private, it's not your place to reveal them to our friends, your business partners, or your ex-girlfriends/wives. We're not asking you to lie for us, but we would appreciate your discretion.

Amendment VI
We have the right to a partner in raising children. Parenting is not an individual sport. You play a role here too, a role beyond conception. Playing with the kids, teaching them to read, coaching their teams. You are needed and we need some help.

Amendment VII
We have the right to keep and bear tons of girly bathroom products.
You have your tools; so do we. These items are expensive and to be used sparingly. It brings no joy to see our $15 bath bar shrunk down to the size of a quarter after two passes on your chest and legs.

Amendment VIII
We have the right to speak to our girlfriends every day.
About whatever we want, whenever we want. Please don't eavesdrop or criticize. We know you're not that interested in gossip or psycho-analytical interpretations of why some people do what they do, so we turn to our like-minded female friends for instant gratification. Yes, we do talk about you—a lot. It helps us work through issues. This keeps us happy, sane and, usually, off your case.

Amendment IX
We have the right to some time alone. We work hard too, whether we are stay at home moms or working moms. Laundry never ends, kids are always with us. Find creative ways to give us 15 or 30 minutes every now and then to sit with a cup of tea or to take an uninterrupted bubble bath. We are not asking for much - just a little time to ourselves now and then.

Amendment X
We have the right to foreplay.
A fine bottle of wine, soft music, deep looks into each other's eyes, compliments, holding hands, cuddling—these are all forms of foreplay, and we insist on them. Please don't reach for our crotch or breasts and expect us to melt into a porn kitten. It didn't work when we met, it most certainly doesn't work now. Sure, we women are strong and independent, and appreciate an inspired quickie when the moment strikes, but we also have an inner soft spot the size of Texas that needs squeezing and cherishing. We appreciate you more when you think about how it feels to us rather than how it feels to you. And, as a very frustrated Frances in Oklahoma said, "remember, sex is a two way street."

On Saturday night's show, we discussed the young atheist who is suing the military, an officer, and the Secretary of Defense.

One caller and I disagreed about the evangelical influences in the military. Off the top of my head, I said I remembered that about 50% of the American population self-identifies as an evangelical Christian, so we could assume a rough similarity within the military.

According to George Barna's research (barna.org), the figure is actually 40%, lower than I remembered and higher than the caller suggested.

Either way, it is important that the facts be straight. So there it is!

Good conversations this weekend. We are having fun!

The next blog will give the Wife's Bill of Rights that I mentioned last night on the show - with my edits and my wife's suggestions as well as some from last night's callers.

The note arrived in the mail on Monday. And it hit me like a freight train. My good friend, and a man with a darn fine mind, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. He is in his 60's.

Not long ago, a news report shared that Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's husband had been institutionalized with Alzheimer's. In his new home, he had found a new girlfriend and no longer recognized Justice O'Connor or their children. She had had a number of years to watch his decline, so the justice was accepting the news with grace and dignity. We all know Alzheimer's is a tragic disease - but it is tragic both for those who have it and for those who love them.

As a pastor, I watched many families lose a loved one or dear friend slowly over time. Helplessly watching as the person faded away in tiny increments each day or week.

I give thanks for the people who are doing hard work and research to find the root causes and/or cures for this awful disease. And I give thanks for my good friend, whom I love very much. He has shaped my life in remarkable ways for 20 years. And he continues to do so in a new way.

On the show two weeks ago, I shared again why I think the war against al Qaeda and Islamic supremacists is morally justifiable. Too few Americans realize what a very real and serious threat we are facing. Many of the callers reflected the view that we have acted inappropriately.

A new column in Forbes sums it up well. Check it out for yourself at http://www.forbes.com/columnists/forbes/2008/0505/027.html. Paul Johnson says what too few Americans are willing to say. President Bush has been an excellent leader. Plain and simple. Has he been perfect? Of course not. Has the war been flawlessly executed with perfect intelligence? Of course not.

But Bush has been brilliant in switching the battleground from AMerican turf to the "death-dealers' territory." We have suffered no more treachery on our own soil and among our own civilian population. There have been NO more terrorist attacks here while it is clear that such attacks remain a key goal of Islamic supremacists.

This tactic of switching the battleground means that the number of Muslim extremists who have been killed is probably in the hundreds of thousands. They have come from all over the world to fight there, and each of these was capable of inflicting serious damage and destruction on the West (whether in Europe or in America). Bush has saved countless lives and annihilation in the West.

Finally, Bush has stood firm and tall. In the face of withering criticism from many fronts, Bush has been steadfast, putting the long-term needs of freedom ahead of his own well-being or political reputation. That is what excellent, heroic leaders do.

I join Paul Johnson in giving thanks for President Bush's valor and pray that America will be blessed with a successor who is willing to stand with equal courage against the greatest threat we face as a people.

I continue to hold myself accountable in public regarding my 6 resolutions for 2008. The resolutions and a first accounting have already been given. By occasionally updating on this blog, I hold myself accountable so that I work as hard as possible to accomplish all 6 this year.

So here's the progress:

1) Weight - Slowing progress but still progress! I have lost 11 of the 20 pounds that I am trying to lose this year. Lots of exercise and better nutrition have made a world of difference in how I feel.

2) Book - My wife and I have now gotten started on this project. We have generated a first outline and sketching out of the book on helpful ways to cultivate faith in your children.

3) 20th anniversary - The plans are set! Resolution accomplished!

4) 50th - Still in the beginning phases of planning to help my in-laws celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. They are a huge blessing, so I want to help the family make this a banner event. Much work still to do - need to turn up the pace on this one.

5) College - Daughter 2 continues to refine her list of 5 colleges she is most interested in. The list changes weekly, and we are having fun with it. A summer visit to campuses will follow.

6) 100 affiliates for the Allen Hunt Show. Actually, the team's goal is 75 while my personal goal is 100. Our team is now fully assembled. We are working hard and have grown past 20 affiliates as of this weekend.

So much response from last night's show (if you missed it, listen to it in the archive/podcast/MP3 here on the site), that I am posting the 7 questions every couple should ask and discuss before getting married.

Do you like to save MONEY?

How much HOUSEWORK do you want to do?

Describe the kind of SEX life you hope for?

Who will be our FRIENDS and social network after we are married?

Tell me about your family and what kind of IN-LAWS you think they will be?

How many KIDS do you hope to have and how much time do you want to spend with them?

Share your FAITH with me

Don called me today. Our paths have not crossed in several years. It was good to hear from him. His call began my day well. What Don shared reminded me of the mysterious nature of God's immense grace.

Don was at his church not long ago when a fellow named Peter shared his faith journey with the folks gathered there. Peter had been in and out of jail and was living in his car in a Wal-Mart parking lot, listening to, of all things, the Allen Hunt Show. Peter called in to the show where we were discussing the cities ranked as those meanest to the homeless. Peter shared on air his experience of what it is actually like to have no place. No place to retire to at the end of the day. No place to keep one's cherished possessions. No place to depend on for water and shelter. No place at all.

We tried to help Peter, and had no clue what happened after our conversation. We linked him with some folks who could help and prayed that Peter would take the steps to receive that help. Turns out, he did.

Peter had recently gotten out of jail, had a severe substance abuse problem, and was living in his car. Through our connecting him, Peter landed with a ministry that provides housing and job placement assistance as well as detox and counseling, aimed directly at men and women getting out of jail or prison. Peter accepted the help of Good Samaritan ministries.

Now, 9 or 12 months later, Peter has accepted Jesus Christ into his life. Peter is working. Peter is clean and sober. And, best of all, Peter has a place.

And through an odd coincidence of God's grace, Peter was a guest speaker in a church I have never been to, and shared his faith journey with a group of men that included my friend, Don, with whom I have not spoken in several years. Peter mentioned that the journey began in that car, listening to our show. Don simply had to call and share that marvelous news of God's grace.

God is good. One of the old Hebrew ways of naming God seems most appropriate here: He is the Place.