Each time I travel to Washington, D.C., I make it a point to visit the Lincoln and the Jefferson memorials; they are my favorite places in our nation?s capital. Each memorial causes me to think of great men, who exercised power in the service of high ideals and who knew how to use power for the good of others. But, as the columnist David Brooks argues, recent memorials in our nation?s capital have avoided memorializing the topics of strength and power in leadership. These recent, terribly unfortunate memorials in Washington reflect a significant shift in cultural values?and that shift has not been positive. Let me explain.

The United States was founded on the principles of both religious and political liberty. These precious principles were enshrined in the Bill of Rights, especially the First Amendment. As a nation that has championed these rights throughout its history and indeed the world, in terms of protecting these rights, our nation is changing. Rights and personal liberties are now defined as personal autonomy, something never envisioned by our Founders. Permit me to offer several thoughts.

Since the fall, physical violence against fellow human beings has been a given (see Genesis 4). There is probably no greater evidence of human rebellion against God?s moral law than the premeditated killing of humans. War, state terrorism and premeditated murder have characterized human history. But the causation of violence against humans is difficult. It is correct to argue that all human violence is due to sin but that does not solve much nor, for most, does it satisfy as an explanation; nor does it bring much comfort.

As President Obama makes the case that he should be re-elected as president, one of his significant failures may haunt him come November?his failure as a friend of Israel. Historically, since 1948, the United States has been the most important friend of Israel. Indeed, one could argue that since 1948 had America not supported Israel, it would have been destroyed. In chronological order, in this Perspective, I want to chart the failure of President Obama?s first term as a friend of Israel.

Not too long ago, many in the educational community ignored the evidence?but no longer: Boys are falling behind?catastrophically in many categories. That boys (and eventually men) are not keeping up with girls (and women) is not a positive culturally development. A number of years ago, the historian, Ann Douglas, wrote the important book, The Feminization of American Culture, which documented the developments that have ?feminized? our culture. Consider two important developments, both reflections of the cultural turmoil resulting from the confusion over sexual roles:

What was once unthinkable becomes debatable and gradually becomes acceptable. That process is now active in America producing a culture of accommodation to ideas and practices hostile to the ethical absolutes rooted deeply in Scripture. There is no more perfect example of this culture of accommodation than same-sex marriage.

Since the administration of Dwight D. Eisenhower, both Republicans and Democrats have accepted the basic model of the New Deal Welfare State. Many Republicans under Eisenhower sought to unravel the welfare state programs begun during the New Deal, especially Social Security, but Eisenhower made the decision to keep the basic model of a moderate welfare state. Under President George W. Bush, the Republicans continued to basically support the moderate welfare state, especially with his addition of the prescription drug program to Medicare as a benefit.

The 2012 presidential election campaign should be about the role of the US government in our economy. In this edition of Issues, I want to focus on a brief history of that role and then detail the present role of the US government.

Occasionally on Issues in Perspective, I summarize, as an update, the situation in the Middle East, especially as it relates to Israel. With the so-called ?Arab Spring,? the continued threat of nuclear weapons in Iran, the growing carnage in Syria and the uncertainty of Egypt, with which Israel has a thirty-year-old treaty, Israel remains an oasis of democracy, stability and prosperity in the Middle East. In addition, God has an unconditional covenant relationship with the Jewish people and He promised to bring His people back to their land. I believe He is doing just that today. Therefore, it is quite important that we as Christians keep our eye on the Middle East, especially Israel. Several observations of recent developments that directly impact the Jewish people and the nation-state of Israel:

Europe is in crisis. Greece, Spain and Italy are on the edge financially as they struggle with enormous debt, unsustainable obligations to government pensions and health care expenses and commitments to the euro that are currently impossible for them to fulfill. Furthermore, the governments of Europe are experiencing political upheaval because voters are turning against austerity and frugality. Within the United States, similar debates are occurring. The US debt is out of control and the US government, let alone many state and locals governments, simply cannot meet obligations to its citizens and employees. How should we think about this?