A State Representative Reacts to “The Family As Government”

I read with interest Dr. Rushdoony’s June, 1996, editorial entitled “The Family As Government.” In this editorial, he contends that, under Biblical law, “. . . the basic powers in a society are almost entirely given into the hands of family,” and he proceed to outline several ways in which this is true. As representative of the Vallecito area in the California State Legislature, I offer you the following point-by-point response to these bold assertions:

Christian Education

The basic way in which Rush indicates that Biblical law empowers the family with society’s basic powers is in the control of children. As I approach the end of my terminated career as a California State Legislator, it is my observation that, not only has God blessed our own six children with having been consistently home-educated, but that some of the most meaningful legislative experiences I have had have centered on quiet intervention to preserve home educators’ liberties in California at many junctures, and to preserve the integrity of the family and its safety from direct statist intervention. In a somewhat miraculous set of circumstances, I witnessed the signing into law of a hard-fought bill that I authored in 1995 known as AB 1355, which for the first time in California law allows the holding of juvenile court social workers civilly liable when they maliciously bear false witness in child removal proceedings.

Taxation

Second and third, Rush states that control over property and inheritance is control over the future, citing the state’s usurping of a family right via burdensome taxation. I am pleased to report that, in my years in the Legislature, God has kept me from ever voting for a tax increase, or supporting another insidious pressure to tax families generationally, known as long-term bond financing of expenses that civil government should either pay for in the current period, or avoid altogether as inappropriate.

Family Control

Fourth, Rush indicates that “... education is again control over the future and is a family power....” It has been my pleasure to support both home-based and other locally- founded educational efforts that are closely related to family life in favor of the nearly-universally accepted alternative which we know as ceaseless empowerment of the juggernaut state education machine.

Biblical Alternatives to Statism

Fifth, Rush asserts that charity and obedience to God’s tithe are family powers to be practiced. What a pleasure it has been to attempt and encourage proper behaviors in these key areas in lieu of legislatively supporting the poor substitutes of the welfare state mentality.

So much of my own world view as a family man and as a civil governor has been shaped by R. J. Rushdoony, and by others, like David Chilton, who write and teach consistently in support of God’s law-word. I have cited a few of the above legislative experiences not to trumpet my own limited accomplishments, but to thank God for his grace in my life that has enabled me to be a small but meaningful force for His Kingdom in and through civil government. Rush was instrumental in equipping me to be so. Although uncertain as to what my future career holds, I have undoubtedly been greatly enriched by being able to serve in this capacity, and to do so as Rush helped prepare me to do. For that I am thankful, indeed.

Rush concluded his editorial by stating that “... a new reformation is under way,” and that “Many forces are involved in it.” It is my hope that people everywhere will pray for God to prepare men to govern civilly who are committed to God’s laws of governing in all walks of life— the first and foremost area being that of the family. Seeing the multiplied overgrowth of civil government reduced to godly bounds and the family’s governing structure once again bolstered will most certainly be fruits of just such a formation taking place. Thank you, Rush, for all of your work in helping bring it about.