There is a relatively new term that has been used as a defense against wrongdoing. It is the term "affluenza." It is loosely defined as, "The term 'affluenza' has also been used to refer to an inability to understand the consequences of one's actions because of financial privilege, notably in the case of Ethan Couch"(Wikipedia). Obviously, the whole concept is invalid. It is simply a novel way to escape accountability and /or excuse the rich or powerful and is both UNBIBLICAL and UNCONSTITUTIONAL. The Declaration of Independence states: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
The Bible is also very clear that all will be judged by God and the same standard will be used for every person, the teachings of Jesus. Notice, Jesus said all would be judged by His words, "He that rejecteth me, and recieveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:48). That the judgment is to be universal is clear from Acts 17:30 and other passages. From the very beginning of the Bible, individual responsibility is assumed and emphasized. The idea of "affluenza" is that some, because of money, influence, power, etc., are NOT responsible for their actions. President Bush and Obama have bugged the NATION and the WORLD through laws intended to thwart terrorism and no one is enraged! The Bible teaches that everyone will be responsible for his/her actions: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10). Our republic in which "all men" are free to seek their destiny is rapidly descending into the abyss of a third world country where money and power are the determining factors as to what we will eat, where we can go, what we can speak publicly, and on and on.
Even our First Amendment rights of speech, and practice of religion where it is stated that, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech..." is under attack! If our speech is not approved by the PC Police in Washington, we could be charged with a "hate' crime and jailed! We ostensibly have "free" speech as long as we do not offend the powerful: liberals, Muslims, homosexuals and trans-genders! If we are concerned about our daughters having to defend themselves from a male who may claim he is a female in a male body going into girls locker rooms and bathrooms, then we have to be re-educated by sensitivity training (brain-washing). Our Lord commands all Christians to preach the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20). How long will it be before our courts interpret that as offending Mohammed and Islam? Obama's minion, Loretta Lynch, the Attorney General, has already promised to prosecute those who defame Islam. The Bible clearly does not command Christians to behead, kill or torture by rape, etc., as is practiced by Muslims today as they kill or subjugate infidels, (Christians, Jews and others) who disagree with them!
Unless we go back to the intent of the Constitution based on Bible principles and Law rather than power or money, the United States of America is doomed.
Ed Rodgers, Forney, TX