Are you going to be energized or paralyzed this Election Day? I don't think there has ever been an election that will have the long term effect on America that this one will.
Let's go back in time to the beginning of this country and what our founding fathers were dealing with. To have a real perspective, let’s look at the memorable language of our Declaration of Independence. Below are the 110 words that ended the old order of British rule and set up and era where free peoples would govern themselves – America:
"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. That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new Government, laying its Foundations on such Principles and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to Them shall seem most like to effect their Safety and Happiness."
One thing both parties have agreed on is the need for change. What they cannot agree on is what that change should be and how to accomplish it. I feel the best answers can be found by returning to our country’s Constitutional principles. My interpretation confirms that without the freedom of Religion the government of a free people cannot be maintained. My interpretation confirms that without the freedom of Speech the government of a free people cannot be maintained. Further, a free people cannot survive under a Representative Republic (which is how our c is formed), unless they remain virtuous and morally strong. Finally the most promising method of securing a virtuous people is to elect virtuous leaders.
I know how my vote will be cast. I know that neither party has done a very good job of governing. I know that both parties have slipped and stumbled on issues such as national security, economics, welfare and illegal immigration. Someone once said, "The proper role of government is to protect equal rights NOT to provide equal things. We should have peace, commerce, and honest friendships with all Nations and entangling alliances with none."
I think that the core unit which determines the strength of any society is the family and that the burden of debt is destructive to human freedom. We are currently suffering from the mismanagement of government in many areas. This is not like the time in which the following words were penned, "When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another..." We’re no longer trying to separate from Britain; we are now fighting amongst ourselves. This is the time when one people must determine who among them can maintain good order and discipline, enforce existing laws, allow for freedom of speech and the free practice of religion, while allowing for strong national defense and a stable economy.
Now IS the time to vote your conscience, but as you vote on November 4th, think about what kind of America you want to see on the morning November 5th. Your vote can determine whether you will continue to be able to have debatable political dialog - or the Fairness Doctrine. Your vote can determine whether you will continue to enjoy the fruits of your own labors - or wealth distribution. Your vote can determine whether you will continue to live in the Land of the Free, protected in the Home of the Brave.
I don't want a President that within six months will be "tested" by hostile nations. I don't want a President that won't produce his birth certificate. I don't want a President that has continuing and long- term ties to domestic terrorists and a Preacher that damns America. I don't want a President that "does not want to appear to take sides" where America is concerned. I don’t want a President that voted against having English as America’s official language. I don’t want a President that wants to change the foundations and the intent of America’s constitution.
Honestly, I'm not enthused with either candidate, but one scares me to death. I want a President that has fought for this country and a Vice President that honors life. I am ready for the fence to be built. I am ready for our troops to come home, but only when the job done and have a victory for their efforts. I am ready to stop killing our unborn. I am ready to have ACORN prosecuted. I am ready for CEOs to face consequences for illegal and unethical behavior. I am ready to stop hearing about the North American Free Trade Union and replacing the dollar with the AMERO. I am ready for America to spend money on Americans, but of course this is only my opinion.
At a political rally I recently attended, there was a protestor there who was wearing the American flag as a scarf. I walked up to him and told him that wearing the American flag as a scarf was inappropriate. His partner said, "He can do anything he wants to with it!" I said, "You're right, a lot of good men and women died to give him that right." His partner said, "He can even wipe his butt on it if he wants to!" I said, "You're right, but I wouldn't do that in front of me!"
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
When The Cure Is Worse Than The Disease
As we count down the days to the election, I'm troubled by much of what I have seen and heard. I'm troubled more by what I haven't seen and haven't heard.
What I haven't seen or heard much about is America. I've heard a lot about the economy. I've heard a lot about governmental expansions, moving toward a one world bank, but haven't heard much about border security or illegal immigration.
I wonder if we will have a 2012 election. I came across a document put out by Islamic fascists that said by 2012 they will have control of America. You may be aware that the ancient Mayans forecast that the world will end in 2012. The first threat is real; the other a maybe.
We have taken incredible steps to shore up or bail out companies that mismanaged their resources and created this financial mess. We've given more power to the politicians who along with these companies created the lack of oversight and back room deals that took our country to the brink of disaster. CEOs and lobbyists and crooked politicians that consciously or unconsciously made this mess now have the power to make it even worse. To me it seems we have put the foxes in control of the chicken house and expect them to take care of things - that just doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
I've talked to a lot of folks that blame the Democrats for the problem, all the way from President Carter through Clinton and up to House Speaker Pelosi, Barney Franks and the rest. I've talked to a lot of folks that put everything on Bush's front step. I've heard that it was the corrupt CEOs and corrupt politicians, yet the CEOs seemed to have skirted prosecution and the politicians are still in power. Change seems to be the buzz word for today and honestly I'm ready for a change. I've lost faith with most of the folks you and I have elected to represent us. I've lost faith with most of the news media. I've lost faith in some of the talk radio folks. The only things I have not lost faith in are the American people and the good Lord.
When I left home as a young adult to go to college, I made a decision. Never again in my life would I take Milk of Magnesia. Mother gave me MoM often as a child and I HATED IT WITH A PASSION, even though it was supposedly good for me. Her mother gave her and her sisters Castor Oil each Saturday just to insure they were regular. My mother no longer takes Castor Oil either. There are times when the cure is simply worse than the disease.
The "cure" of technology is an example of this. In my opinion we have too much of it. It makes us think we're smarter and better than those that came before us. We are losing our God given common sense. The reality is the golden age of philosophy was ancient Greece. Another reality is that human nature has not changed; we just have more gadgets to occupy us and make us feel better. They give us the illusion that we are smarter.
So who is looking out for our best interests? Most of our legally elected officials are no longer representing their constituents' best interests - they are representing their own. Neither major political party has put forth a presidential candidate that has a stated and documented primary goal of being the safety and sovereignty of this country. Our energy plan is still tied to oil - we have oil but can't get to it thanks to the environmentalists. We're giving money away as part of our foreign policy but not getting support back from our "friends. One good thing is coming from this turmoil - people are waking up and getting involved. Who knows, if we have enough time left, we might actually be able to get something accomplished for the long term.
The reality is that our borders are not in any better shape than they were in early September 2001. Airport security is more of a problem for American citizen passengers than it is for terrorists. The FBI and Homeland Security have both identified that we have Islamic terrorist in this country but can't say that because it is profiling!
We have Illegal Immigrants bankrupting our cities and states by stealing services that our own citizens can access. We can't call them Illegal as that might hurt their feelings. We have folks south of our southern border (and some in our own country) that believe Texas, California and the entire southwest still belongs to them - even though we paid for it and/or beat them in a war.
We've have spent more money supporting illegal freeloaders (medical care, criminal prosecutions, benefits that should be made only to U.S. citizens) than we have spent in both the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The current mayor of Houston, TX, Bill White (a city that spent over 34 million dollars for illegal health care in 2006) took a half million of tax payer dollars to build an air conditioned Worker's Center for illegals. The current Texas governor, Rick Perry, built his last re-election platform on "If Washington won't secure our borders, I will." Twenty-eight days after he was re-elected he threw it all out the window. That's when Pam and I decided it was time to move to Missouri.
Springfield talk show host Vincent David Jericho talks about his experiences as a citizen in Canada watching the Canadian government go Socialist. I am seeing very similar situations occurring now in this country and it scares the blue fire out of me.
I believe it was Thomas Jefferson that said, "You elect the kind of government you deserve." Today our election process is dominated by dollars and direction from folks I no longer believe are concerned about maintaining our national identity, values, traditions and sovereignty.
Therefore, I believe it is time to begin preparing for the 2012 election (provided the Islamic Fascists and the Mayans are wrong, we might be able to have one). It is time for you and me to put aside our differences and fight for this country. City folks and farmers, college students and burger flippers, truck drivers and house wives - we "deserve" better representation that what we are getting.
I don't have a problem with a "hand up" but I have a problem with a "hand out"! I don't have a problem with immigration but have a problem with ILLEGAL immigration. I don't have a problem with scientific research but have no interests in the mating habits of leaf monkeys. I don't have a problem with a free market economy but have a problem when the market is manipulated by folks that consider you and me too stupid to figure out what's going on.
I offer this quote from the Preamble of the Declaration of Independence, "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. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security..."
How many more years will we have to listen to fraud perpetrated by ACORN? I'm getting a little tired of that especially since half of their budget is funded by tax payer dollars.
How many more times will Washington, D.C. tell us they are turning off their switch boards, telephones and emails because we poor dumb citizens, "don't understand what is really going on and need to let us just do our jobs"?
There still exists potential for some surprises in the 2008 election. I for one believe that it's time for some alternatives to the status quo, and business as usual. The status quo is not working and you and I are getting the "business".
With Russian war ships and bombers visiting Venezuela, with Chavez now being set up as an arms manufacturer for the Russians, with China purchasing dock space along our coasts, with Iran and North Korea playing with nukes, with England establishing Sheria (Islamic) law, with the European Union experiencing an economic meltdown (and they don't have Fannie May and Freddie Mac over there).
The reality is that we have more folks waiting for America to fall than are trying to catch us.
What I haven't seen or heard much about is America. I've heard a lot about the economy. I've heard a lot about governmental expansions, moving toward a one world bank, but haven't heard much about border security or illegal immigration.
I wonder if we will have a 2012 election. I came across a document put out by Islamic fascists that said by 2012 they will have control of America. You may be aware that the ancient Mayans forecast that the world will end in 2012. The first threat is real; the other a maybe.
We have taken incredible steps to shore up or bail out companies that mismanaged their resources and created this financial mess. We've given more power to the politicians who along with these companies created the lack of oversight and back room deals that took our country to the brink of disaster. CEOs and lobbyists and crooked politicians that consciously or unconsciously made this mess now have the power to make it even worse. To me it seems we have put the foxes in control of the chicken house and expect them to take care of things - that just doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
I've talked to a lot of folks that blame the Democrats for the problem, all the way from President Carter through Clinton and up to House Speaker Pelosi, Barney Franks and the rest. I've talked to a lot of folks that put everything on Bush's front step. I've heard that it was the corrupt CEOs and corrupt politicians, yet the CEOs seemed to have skirted prosecution and the politicians are still in power. Change seems to be the buzz word for today and honestly I'm ready for a change. I've lost faith with most of the folks you and I have elected to represent us. I've lost faith with most of the news media. I've lost faith in some of the talk radio folks. The only things I have not lost faith in are the American people and the good Lord.
When I left home as a young adult to go to college, I made a decision. Never again in my life would I take Milk of Magnesia. Mother gave me MoM often as a child and I HATED IT WITH A PASSION, even though it was supposedly good for me. Her mother gave her and her sisters Castor Oil each Saturday just to insure they were regular. My mother no longer takes Castor Oil either. There are times when the cure is simply worse than the disease.
The "cure" of technology is an example of this. In my opinion we have too much of it. It makes us think we're smarter and better than those that came before us. We are losing our God given common sense. The reality is the golden age of philosophy was ancient Greece. Another reality is that human nature has not changed; we just have more gadgets to occupy us and make us feel better. They give us the illusion that we are smarter.
So who is looking out for our best interests? Most of our legally elected officials are no longer representing their constituents' best interests - they are representing their own. Neither major political party has put forth a presidential candidate that has a stated and documented primary goal of being the safety and sovereignty of this country. Our energy plan is still tied to oil - we have oil but can't get to it thanks to the environmentalists. We're giving money away as part of our foreign policy but not getting support back from our "friends. One good thing is coming from this turmoil - people are waking up and getting involved. Who knows, if we have enough time left, we might actually be able to get something accomplished for the long term.
The reality is that our borders are not in any better shape than they were in early September 2001. Airport security is more of a problem for American citizen passengers than it is for terrorists. The FBI and Homeland Security have both identified that we have Islamic terrorist in this country but can't say that because it is profiling!
We have Illegal Immigrants bankrupting our cities and states by stealing services that our own citizens can access. We can't call them Illegal as that might hurt their feelings. We have folks south of our southern border (and some in our own country) that believe Texas, California and the entire southwest still belongs to them - even though we paid for it and/or beat them in a war.
We've have spent more money supporting illegal freeloaders (medical care, criminal prosecutions, benefits that should be made only to U.S. citizens) than we have spent in both the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The current mayor of Houston, TX, Bill White (a city that spent over 34 million dollars for illegal health care in 2006) took a half million of tax payer dollars to build an air conditioned Worker's Center for illegals. The current Texas governor, Rick Perry, built his last re-election platform on "If Washington won't secure our borders, I will." Twenty-eight days after he was re-elected he threw it all out the window. That's when Pam and I decided it was time to move to Missouri.
Springfield talk show host Vincent David Jericho talks about his experiences as a citizen in Canada watching the Canadian government go Socialist. I am seeing very similar situations occurring now in this country and it scares the blue fire out of me.
I believe it was Thomas Jefferson that said, "You elect the kind of government you deserve." Today our election process is dominated by dollars and direction from folks I no longer believe are concerned about maintaining our national identity, values, traditions and sovereignty.
Therefore, I believe it is time to begin preparing for the 2012 election (provided the Islamic Fascists and the Mayans are wrong, we might be able to have one). It is time for you and me to put aside our differences and fight for this country. City folks and farmers, college students and burger flippers, truck drivers and house wives - we "deserve" better representation that what we are getting.
I don't have a problem with a "hand up" but I have a problem with a "hand out"! I don't have a problem with immigration but have a problem with ILLEGAL immigration. I don't have a problem with scientific research but have no interests in the mating habits of leaf monkeys. I don't have a problem with a free market economy but have a problem when the market is manipulated by folks that consider you and me too stupid to figure out what's going on.
I offer this quote from the Preamble of the Declaration of Independence, "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. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security..."
How many more years will we have to listen to fraud perpetrated by ACORN? I'm getting a little tired of that especially since half of their budget is funded by tax payer dollars.
How many more times will Washington, D.C. tell us they are turning off their switch boards, telephones and emails because we poor dumb citizens, "don't understand what is really going on and need to let us just do our jobs"?
There still exists potential for some surprises in the 2008 election. I for one believe that it's time for some alternatives to the status quo, and business as usual. The status quo is not working and you and I are getting the "business".
With Russian war ships and bombers visiting Venezuela, with Chavez now being set up as an arms manufacturer for the Russians, with China purchasing dock space along our coasts, with Iran and North Korea playing with nukes, with England establishing Sheria (Islamic) law, with the European Union experiencing an economic meltdown (and they don't have Fannie May and Freddie Mac over there).
The reality is that we have more folks waiting for America to fall than are trying to catch us.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
A Lesson in Economics and Politics
Abraham Lincoln once said, "You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot build character and courage by taking away men's initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves."
I know what you are thinking. Lincoln lived a long time ago and he didn't have to deal with the stresses we have in today's government. Horse pucky! The truth is the truth! Our local Nazarene Church recently had these words on its sign, "People can't change the truth but the truth can change people."
I have come to believe that many of our politicians, CEOs and bankers don't live in the same world you and I do. They consider themselves above the laws that bind us. They consider themselves immune to investigation and prosecution. They violated what I call the Rule of Eaton; it says simply "Never, ever, ever believe your own B.S. It is vitally important that others believe it but when you believe it, you are headed for a fall."
Folks, this is not rocket science or brain surgery! If the rules don't apply to everyone you don't have rules - you have suggestions. If you regulations don't apply to everyone you don't have regulations - you have instructions. If you laws don't apply to everyone, you don't have laws - you have anarchy. This is one of the most basic laws is the law of survival of the fittest, also known as "only the strong will survive".
Mankind suffers from many problems, two of them being greed and special interest. When these conditions infect politicians, bankers and CEO's the infections become cancerous. Now I know we have some good politicians, I know some personally. I know we have good CEOs, I've met some. I know we have some good bankers, I've used them.
I'm talking about the bad ones that have created this economic mess, they are the cancers. Currently, we are not imposing "chemotherapy and radiation" on the tumors (the bad politicians, CEOs and bankers); instead we are attacking healthy tissue and feeding the tumors. Or in simpler terms, we are rewarding bad management, lousy judgment and forcing the rest of us to pay for someone else's mistakes and criminal activity.
"The maintenance of good order and discipline..." is a phrase most of us have heard. It is applicable to the military, school administrators, prison officials, sports teams, businesses and corporations, and any other organized human activity; excepting apparently - politicians.
Anderson's Rule of Large Numbers states: "Eighty-five percent of your people will do the best job the first time. Ten percent require more assistance, training or direction. Three percent will contend with directions and cause problems, but when they get 'it' they become your elite. They have the courage to fight the status quo. The last two percent have already decided not to be successful; they don't want it and will not allow you to help them. Get rid of them and do it publicly! The success of a company, a military organization, a school system or a government depends on judgment to separate the three percent and the two percent and act accordingly."
I have an answer to a question people are asking, but aren't getting straight answers. How did we get in this economic mess? Answer - go back to the Carter administration then fast forward to the Savings and Loans debacle under President Clinton - that is where the deregulation and eventual collapse started. I won't bore you with the details, just go read about it for yourself and you'll see what I mean.
"You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich" (Abraham Lincoln). Progress takes investments and capital. It is the "rich and evil capitalist companies" that pay the majority of taxes. They are the ones that provide medicine, services, products and even the gasoline we need. I say, let the good ones prosper and the bad ones fail! That is the free market and that is the only way oversight can be managed.
"You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong" (Abraham Lincoln). You can't improve a business by punishing it for being successful.
"You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift" (Abraham Lincoln). You can only spend so long and THEN YOU ARE OUT OF MONEY! You and I understand that - somehow our politicians don't. That's because they don't have to work for the money they spend - we do!
"You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down" (Abraham Lincoln). When this occurs you see jobs go away forever lost to technology, eliminated all together or sent to foreign shores never to return.
"You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred" (Abraham Lincoln). Do I even need to comment on this? Then I will. I want our young people to see what opportunity is available to them in America. Seeing people that model success, who drive nice cars and prosper, will provide a "goal" for our young people to strive for and thereby making the "American Dream" something they want to seek. What a vanilla world it would be if everyone drove a Dodge pickup and wore blue jeans like I do.
Here is a reality - not everyone is going to be a super star. Not everybody has that ability, but even a super star has to be part of a team. A "team" is made up of people ALL trying to be the best they can be. Dr. King once said, "If you are a street sweeper, be the best street sweeper you can be!"
"You cannot build character and courage by taking away men's initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves" (Abraham Lincoln). These two are irrevocably tied together. Charity has become an addiction for many. Why work if someone is going to give you everything. Why strive for excellence when mediocrity is an accepted social standard. Progress is only accomplished through striving against the norm. Excellence is only achieved by hard work and sacrifice.
Now to give you some perspective on "human nature" and the political theater we are subject to today. "Respect for religion must be reestablished. Public debt should be reduced. The arrogance of public officials must be curtailed. Assistance to foreign lands must be stopped or we shall bankrupt ourselves. The people should be forced to work and not depend on government for subsistence." - Cicero, 60 B.C.
I know what you are thinking. Lincoln lived a long time ago and he didn't have to deal with the stresses we have in today's government. Horse pucky! The truth is the truth! Our local Nazarene Church recently had these words on its sign, "People can't change the truth but the truth can change people."
I have come to believe that many of our politicians, CEOs and bankers don't live in the same world you and I do. They consider themselves above the laws that bind us. They consider themselves immune to investigation and prosecution. They violated what I call the Rule of Eaton; it says simply "Never, ever, ever believe your own B.S. It is vitally important that others believe it but when you believe it, you are headed for a fall."
Folks, this is not rocket science or brain surgery! If the rules don't apply to everyone you don't have rules - you have suggestions. If you regulations don't apply to everyone you don't have regulations - you have instructions. If you laws don't apply to everyone, you don't have laws - you have anarchy. This is one of the most basic laws is the law of survival of the fittest, also known as "only the strong will survive".
Mankind suffers from many problems, two of them being greed and special interest. When these conditions infect politicians, bankers and CEO's the infections become cancerous. Now I know we have some good politicians, I know some personally. I know we have good CEOs, I've met some. I know we have some good bankers, I've used them.
I'm talking about the bad ones that have created this economic mess, they are the cancers. Currently, we are not imposing "chemotherapy and radiation" on the tumors (the bad politicians, CEOs and bankers); instead we are attacking healthy tissue and feeding the tumors. Or in simpler terms, we are rewarding bad management, lousy judgment and forcing the rest of us to pay for someone else's mistakes and criminal activity.
"The maintenance of good order and discipline..." is a phrase most of us have heard. It is applicable to the military, school administrators, prison officials, sports teams, businesses and corporations, and any other organized human activity; excepting apparently - politicians.
Anderson's Rule of Large Numbers states: "Eighty-five percent of your people will do the best job the first time. Ten percent require more assistance, training or direction. Three percent will contend with directions and cause problems, but when they get 'it' they become your elite. They have the courage to fight the status quo. The last two percent have already decided not to be successful; they don't want it and will not allow you to help them. Get rid of them and do it publicly! The success of a company, a military organization, a school system or a government depends on judgment to separate the three percent and the two percent and act accordingly."
I have an answer to a question people are asking, but aren't getting straight answers. How did we get in this economic mess? Answer - go back to the Carter administration then fast forward to the Savings and Loans debacle under President Clinton - that is where the deregulation and eventual collapse started. I won't bore you with the details, just go read about it for yourself and you'll see what I mean.
"You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich" (Abraham Lincoln). Progress takes investments and capital. It is the "rich and evil capitalist companies" that pay the majority of taxes. They are the ones that provide medicine, services, products and even the gasoline we need. I say, let the good ones prosper and the bad ones fail! That is the free market and that is the only way oversight can be managed.
"You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong" (Abraham Lincoln). You can't improve a business by punishing it for being successful.
"You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift" (Abraham Lincoln). You can only spend so long and THEN YOU ARE OUT OF MONEY! You and I understand that - somehow our politicians don't. That's because they don't have to work for the money they spend - we do!
"You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down" (Abraham Lincoln). When this occurs you see jobs go away forever lost to technology, eliminated all together or sent to foreign shores never to return.
"You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred" (Abraham Lincoln). Do I even need to comment on this? Then I will. I want our young people to see what opportunity is available to them in America. Seeing people that model success, who drive nice cars and prosper, will provide a "goal" for our young people to strive for and thereby making the "American Dream" something they want to seek. What a vanilla world it would be if everyone drove a Dodge pickup and wore blue jeans like I do.
Here is a reality - not everyone is going to be a super star. Not everybody has that ability, but even a super star has to be part of a team. A "team" is made up of people ALL trying to be the best they can be. Dr. King once said, "If you are a street sweeper, be the best street sweeper you can be!"
"You cannot build character and courage by taking away men's initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves" (Abraham Lincoln). These two are irrevocably tied together. Charity has become an addiction for many. Why work if someone is going to give you everything. Why strive for excellence when mediocrity is an accepted social standard. Progress is only accomplished through striving against the norm. Excellence is only achieved by hard work and sacrifice.
Now to give you some perspective on "human nature" and the political theater we are subject to today. "Respect for religion must be reestablished. Public debt should be reduced. The arrogance of public officials must be curtailed. Assistance to foreign lands must be stopped or we shall bankrupt ourselves. The people should be forced to work and not depend on government for subsistence." - Cicero, 60 B.C.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Life is Hard; it is Harder if You're Stupid!
"Life is hard; it is harder if you're stupid!" - John Wayne
I got a call from a reader last week, Terry Blankenship. He was as asking my thoughts on something he had read about Barack Obama not being able to get a security clearance. There has been a lot of controversy on this subject but mostly on talk radio shows and blogs; however it has hardly been addressed by the main stream media.
There are several levels of security classification in this country, the three best known are: classified, secret and top secret. Each level would allow an individual to sensitive information based on two things- 1) the level of security clearance and 2) the "need to know". Certainly, the President of the United States requires access to national and international secrets and information.
There have been several allegations made concerning Mr. Obama. I say allegations because there has NOT been a small army of lawyers and investigators sent out to confirm or deny them. Nor have there been any investigative reporters that I can find that have addressed these allegations, seems that kind of activity is reserved only for those opposing Mr. Obama. After extensive research, I've determined the allegations concerning Obama's personal and business activities include:
1. Obama has been in the middle of two international Communist networks – one in Hawaii and one in Chicago.
2. The Hawaii network included Communists Frank Marshall Davis, who was Obama’s personal mentor; actor/singer Paul Robeson; and labor leader Harry Bridges. The network was judged a security threat to the United States and the subject of a congressional hearing on the “Scope of Soviet Activity in the United States.”
3. Obama covered up the true identity of Frank Marshall Davis in his book, Dreams From My Father.
4. The Hawaii Communist network was organized directly by and from Moscow.
5. The Chicago network included identified Communists and Socialists, was committed to a Communist victory in the Vietnam War, and took instructions from the Communist Castro regime in Cuba.
6. In addition to Communist terrorists Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn, who were members of the Communist terrorist Weather Underground, the Chicago network includes many veterans of the Communist Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) who now proclaim themselves “Progressives for Obama.”
7. Bill Ayers, who helped launch Obama’s political career, has traveled to Venezuela on several occasions and is an enthusiastic backer of the brand of Communism being practiced and promoted by Hugo Chavez.
8. It appears that Obama actually worked for Ayers in a Chicago educational reform program that dispensed millions of dollars of grants.
9. One of the leaders of “Progressives for Obama” is former SDS leader Tom Hayden, who wrote a letter to a Communist Vietnamese official during the Vietnam War hoping for a “victory” over the U.S.
10. The SDS openly promoted Communism, the regimes in Hanoi and Havana, and condemned alleged U.S. “imperialism.”
11. The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), a group that included a convicted espionage agent for Communist East Germany, backed and promoted Obama’s political career.
12. Illinois State Senator Alice Palmer, who picked Obama as her successor, has a record of involvement in Communist front activities.
13. Obama campaign strategist David Axelrod, as well as Obama himself, have not explained why Ayers, Dohrn, then-State Senator Alice Palmer, and Dr. Quentin Young came together at the Ayers/Dohrn home to launch Obama’s political career.
14. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, a client of Axelrod, issued a controversial and misleading statement defending Obama’s relationship with Communist terrorist Bill Ayers.
I have questioned my contacts that deal with or have dealt with security clearances and the consensus of opinion is that if you or I were applying for a security clearance with these allegations, and if those allegations were shown to be true - our clearance would be denied. I wonder what the truth is, and I wonder why it is not being addressed - whatever it is. One thing I can guarantee you is that if he is elected, he will be privy to all of our nation's security measures and plans. Hmmm.
I was talking to my neighbor Arthur the other day and we were discussing how to figure out what the truth is in all of this political theater. Arthur is a great neighbor and a pretty smart fella, but like me he was finding it difficult to navigate within all of the truths and half truths, the information and misinformation - not to mention the disinformation.
I was reminded of something my wife told me one time. "Don't believe your eyes - your eyes can go blind. Don't believe your ears - your ears can go deaf. Don't believe your brain - your brain can become confused. Don't believe your heart - your heart will lie to you. Believe your belly - if your gut is comfortable with a decision - it's probably the right one."
I grew up recognizing that I didn't know all of the answers but I truly believed there was someone in charge that did. I don't any more. Or if they do know the answers they don't have the integrity and courage to do the right thing.
During classes I teach on leadership and management, I always start with a question - "Can you shoot your own dog?" Note, I did not say "Do you want to..." - I asked can you?
I love dogs; I have three - Jack, Gibson and Annie. Jack is a Rhodesian ridgeback and Lab mix. Gibson is an Australian Sheppard we named after Mel. Annie is also a Sheppard and we're hoping for puppies this year. They are spoiled rotten and live the life of Riley!
I have a responsibility as their owner. I keep their shots up, feed them regularly and keep them from being a nuisance. It would break my heart if something happened to any of them, but part of my responsibility is to keep them from suffering. It's not for my neighbors to do, should it be necessary to put one down - it would be my decision. Should that ever become necessary, I would hope there was a vet that could help make the terrible decision easier on my pet. If not it IS my responsibility to lovingly end that dog's suffering.
Hard decisions are just that - HARD. They're uncomfortable. They can be gut wrenching, but none of that means they should not be done.
That is what is hurting our economy and our government now; our leaders are looking for quick fixes and the easy way out. They want to manage problems not problem solve. That just doesn't sound like common sense.
I wonder what ever happened to Common Sense. I admit to borrowing the intent of the following from an email I received. Common sense was a compilation of valuable lessons like knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm and that life isn't always fair. Common sense understood simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children are in charge).
Unfortunately, it has been replaced by overbearing regulations and the zero tolerance mentality. Things like the report of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; or teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch or the teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student just don't make common sense.
I think it began when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves failed to do in disciplining their own unruly children. We lost more ground when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a student, but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
It has continued to the point that the Ten Commandments became contraband; some churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. It progressed to the point that you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
I think we better get back to basics America, while we still can - if we still can.
I got a call from a reader last week, Terry Blankenship. He was as asking my thoughts on something he had read about Barack Obama not being able to get a security clearance. There has been a lot of controversy on this subject but mostly on talk radio shows and blogs; however it has hardly been addressed by the main stream media.
There are several levels of security classification in this country, the three best known are: classified, secret and top secret. Each level would allow an individual to sensitive information based on two things- 1) the level of security clearance and 2) the "need to know". Certainly, the President of the United States requires access to national and international secrets and information.
There have been several allegations made concerning Mr. Obama. I say allegations because there has NOT been a small army of lawyers and investigators sent out to confirm or deny them. Nor have there been any investigative reporters that I can find that have addressed these allegations, seems that kind of activity is reserved only for those opposing Mr. Obama. After extensive research, I've determined the allegations concerning Obama's personal and business activities include:
1. Obama has been in the middle of two international Communist networks – one in Hawaii and one in Chicago.
2. The Hawaii network included Communists Frank Marshall Davis, who was Obama’s personal mentor; actor/singer Paul Robeson; and labor leader Harry Bridges. The network was judged a security threat to the United States and the subject of a congressional hearing on the “Scope of Soviet Activity in the United States.”
3. Obama covered up the true identity of Frank Marshall Davis in his book, Dreams From My Father.
4. The Hawaii Communist network was organized directly by and from Moscow.
5. The Chicago network included identified Communists and Socialists, was committed to a Communist victory in the Vietnam War, and took instructions from the Communist Castro regime in Cuba.
6. In addition to Communist terrorists Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn, who were members of the Communist terrorist Weather Underground, the Chicago network includes many veterans of the Communist Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) who now proclaim themselves “Progressives for Obama.”
7. Bill Ayers, who helped launch Obama’s political career, has traveled to Venezuela on several occasions and is an enthusiastic backer of the brand of Communism being practiced and promoted by Hugo Chavez.
8. It appears that Obama actually worked for Ayers in a Chicago educational reform program that dispensed millions of dollars of grants.
9. One of the leaders of “Progressives for Obama” is former SDS leader Tom Hayden, who wrote a letter to a Communist Vietnamese official during the Vietnam War hoping for a “victory” over the U.S.
10. The SDS openly promoted Communism, the regimes in Hanoi and Havana, and condemned alleged U.S. “imperialism.”
11. The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), a group that included a convicted espionage agent for Communist East Germany, backed and promoted Obama’s political career.
12. Illinois State Senator Alice Palmer, who picked Obama as her successor, has a record of involvement in Communist front activities.
13. Obama campaign strategist David Axelrod, as well as Obama himself, have not explained why Ayers, Dohrn, then-State Senator Alice Palmer, and Dr. Quentin Young came together at the Ayers/Dohrn home to launch Obama’s political career.
14. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, a client of Axelrod, issued a controversial and misleading statement defending Obama’s relationship with Communist terrorist Bill Ayers.
I have questioned my contacts that deal with or have dealt with security clearances and the consensus of opinion is that if you or I were applying for a security clearance with these allegations, and if those allegations were shown to be true - our clearance would be denied. I wonder what the truth is, and I wonder why it is not being addressed - whatever it is. One thing I can guarantee you is that if he is elected, he will be privy to all of our nation's security measures and plans. Hmmm.
I was talking to my neighbor Arthur the other day and we were discussing how to figure out what the truth is in all of this political theater. Arthur is a great neighbor and a pretty smart fella, but like me he was finding it difficult to navigate within all of the truths and half truths, the information and misinformation - not to mention the disinformation.
I was reminded of something my wife told me one time. "Don't believe your eyes - your eyes can go blind. Don't believe your ears - your ears can go deaf. Don't believe your brain - your brain can become confused. Don't believe your heart - your heart will lie to you. Believe your belly - if your gut is comfortable with a decision - it's probably the right one."
I grew up recognizing that I didn't know all of the answers but I truly believed there was someone in charge that did. I don't any more. Or if they do know the answers they don't have the integrity and courage to do the right thing.
During classes I teach on leadership and management, I always start with a question - "Can you shoot your own dog?" Note, I did not say "Do you want to..." - I asked can you?
I love dogs; I have three - Jack, Gibson and Annie. Jack is a Rhodesian ridgeback and Lab mix. Gibson is an Australian Sheppard we named after Mel. Annie is also a Sheppard and we're hoping for puppies this year. They are spoiled rotten and live the life of Riley!
I have a responsibility as their owner. I keep their shots up, feed them regularly and keep them from being a nuisance. It would break my heart if something happened to any of them, but part of my responsibility is to keep them from suffering. It's not for my neighbors to do, should it be necessary to put one down - it would be my decision. Should that ever become necessary, I would hope there was a vet that could help make the terrible decision easier on my pet. If not it IS my responsibility to lovingly end that dog's suffering.
Hard decisions are just that - HARD. They're uncomfortable. They can be gut wrenching, but none of that means they should not be done.
That is what is hurting our economy and our government now; our leaders are looking for quick fixes and the easy way out. They want to manage problems not problem solve. That just doesn't sound like common sense.
I wonder what ever happened to Common Sense. I admit to borrowing the intent of the following from an email I received. Common sense was a compilation of valuable lessons like knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm and that life isn't always fair. Common sense understood simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children are in charge).
Unfortunately, it has been replaced by overbearing regulations and the zero tolerance mentality. Things like the report of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; or teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch or the teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student just don't make common sense.
I think it began when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves failed to do in disciplining their own unruly children. We lost more ground when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a student, but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
It has continued to the point that the Ten Commandments became contraband; some churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. It progressed to the point that you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
I think we better get back to basics America, while we still can - if we still can.
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