I wonder if people will ever ask "why aren't things getting better" instead of "give the government more power to help us". We need to change course from the things that don't work.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Distraction
I am somewhat speechless lately. I spewed the contents of my brain and it is slowly being refilled. I am also flabergasted by what I learn is going on, but not reported on. I want to point out one danger that is easy to fall into, but imperative that we don't.
Distraction.
It is easy to be distracted by a particular issue that is being touted by politicians and the media. For instance, the AIG bonuses that are being paid with seemingly taxpayer money. It is easy to grab hold of an issue that is being pushed my many outlets, but this distracts from the balance that we all must have.
We must address the popular issues, while at the same time addressing issues that are being taken through the back door, under the radar.
We must not take the words of our leaders and ignore their actions. We are being lied to everyday and we accept it because we do not evaluate the ACTIONS behind the words. Our leaders must be held accountable by every person in a non-violent and respectful way.
---
House bill 875 seeks to regulate "food production facilities". The rub here is that this has the potential to limit what people do, in their own gardens, on their own land. With bailouts going on, are you aware of this?
---
Our leaders seem to think that Universal Health care is necessary to bring down health care costs and increase availability to everyone. They think throwing money at the problem, rather than addressing the cause of the high costs, is the solution. Look at the socialized health care systems across the globe. With bailouts going on, are you aware of this?
---
Cap and Trade. Our leaders are pushing legislation that will tax all carbon emissions above a certain level. This will either push energy costs up, or increase our taxes so that the government can subsidize the energy companies. I think treating our environment with love and care is a great priority, but THE SCIENCE IS NOT SETTLED. Science, based on false assumptions must be challenged by everyone. With bailouts going on, are you aware of this?
---
With many liberal-leaning newspapers failing across the country. Legislators have proposed rules that would allow these entities to run as a non-profit. The whole idea behind non-profits is that they are not taxed because they do not support various political parties/organizations. Should we benefit those seeking to take away our freedom? With bailouts going on, are you aware of this?
Speaking of bonuses to people with taxpayer money. Should the government have the power to target specific citizens and take from them because they want to? Does two wrongs make a right? There are dangerous and un-precendented moves going on RIGHT NOW, and we must be aware and get involved.
Don't be distracted by the agendas of our politicians and media outlets. Create your own agenda, with balance, and learn about what is really going on. Entitlements create dependency. Business is not the enemy. Money is not the enemy. We are being told that the only way to fix our problems is to give more power to our leaders, giving away our freedom. The entire world looks to the USA as an example of freedom and wealth, it seems wrong to me that we are seeking to become more like the rest of the world. We must defend our constitution and our founding pricniples.
Have you contacted your elected leaders lately?
Distraction.
It is easy to be distracted by a particular issue that is being touted by politicians and the media. For instance, the AIG bonuses that are being paid with seemingly taxpayer money. It is easy to grab hold of an issue that is being pushed my many outlets, but this distracts from the balance that we all must have.
We must address the popular issues, while at the same time addressing issues that are being taken through the back door, under the radar.
We must not take the words of our leaders and ignore their actions. We are being lied to everyday and we accept it because we do not evaluate the ACTIONS behind the words. Our leaders must be held accountable by every person in a non-violent and respectful way.
---
House bill 875 seeks to regulate "food production facilities". The rub here is that this has the potential to limit what people do, in their own gardens, on their own land. With bailouts going on, are you aware of this?
---
Our leaders seem to think that Universal Health care is necessary to bring down health care costs and increase availability to everyone. They think throwing money at the problem, rather than addressing the cause of the high costs, is the solution. Look at the socialized health care systems across the globe. With bailouts going on, are you aware of this?
---
Cap and Trade. Our leaders are pushing legislation that will tax all carbon emissions above a certain level. This will either push energy costs up, or increase our taxes so that the government can subsidize the energy companies. I think treating our environment with love and care is a great priority, but THE SCIENCE IS NOT SETTLED. Science, based on false assumptions must be challenged by everyone. With bailouts going on, are you aware of this?
---
With many liberal-leaning newspapers failing across the country. Legislators have proposed rules that would allow these entities to run as a non-profit. The whole idea behind non-profits is that they are not taxed because they do not support various political parties/organizations. Should we benefit those seeking to take away our freedom? With bailouts going on, are you aware of this?
Speaking of bonuses to people with taxpayer money. Should the government have the power to target specific citizens and take from them because they want to? Does two wrongs make a right? There are dangerous and un-precendented moves going on RIGHT NOW, and we must be aware and get involved.
Don't be distracted by the agendas of our politicians and media outlets. Create your own agenda, with balance, and learn about what is really going on. Entitlements create dependency. Business is not the enemy. Money is not the enemy. We are being told that the only way to fix our problems is to give more power to our leaders, giving away our freedom. The entire world looks to the USA as an example of freedom and wealth, it seems wrong to me that we are seeking to become more like the rest of the world. We must defend our constitution and our founding pricniples.
Have you contacted your elected leaders lately?
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Pardon the Interruption
The sad part is that these words need to be directed at our own government as well. While "the last 8 years" led us crawling towards bankruptcy, our current leaders have stood up and began to run. I pray that some of them will see reason and speak out against those mortgaging our futures, and that we can return to the principles that created this great and prosperous nation.
This was from a speech on March 24, 2009.
This was from a speech on March 24, 2009.
Assignment
"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." -Thomas Jefferson
Assignment: Answer these questions. Hint: All the questions have an answer, whether or not you have chosen to answer them.
Assignment: Answer these questions. Hint: All the questions have an answer, whether or not you have chosen to answer them.
What is your God? (Where do your principles/values come from?)
What are the principles that you live by?
What are the principles that you live by?
Is it ever OK to break from your principles?
What do you believe is the role of government?
What determines the boundaries and role of the government?
Have you seen an instance where the government has overstepped its bounds?
What would precipitate the need for government to break from its boundaries?
If principles and values can be broken, why do they exist?
I believe we should make our beliefs known. Challenge each other, not to belittle or dull beliefs, but to hone them, make them understandable, and make them clear. We must not act blindly, and we must decide what reason exists, so that we can follow it to learn the truth.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
A New Era of Change...Cont.
I want to clarify what the last post means.
Our government, along with the central bank, is basically writing a check to themselves to pay for the government programs which our leaders have on their agenda.
They are printing debt. Can this ever be good?
Every person in the country will be responsible for this debt. Do you agree with this move? Would you rather suffer for a couple years, or change the face of our country by racking up more debt than can ever be paid back? What dreams do you have for your children?
Our government, along with the central bank, is basically writing a check to themselves to pay for the government programs which our leaders have on their agenda.
They are printing debt. Can this ever be good?
Every person in the country will be responsible for this debt. Do you agree with this move? Would you rather suffer for a couple years, or change the face of our country by racking up more debt than can ever be paid back? What dreams do you have for your children?
I have strayed from the intent of my blog. I want to talk about my beliefs and philosophies, not complain about the current leaders. I have driven myself into a frenzy. I must calm down. There is real hope in the fact that I am in a position to let my light shine in the darkness. Power in the blood of Jesus.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." -James 1:2-4
These are the moments when we are truly tested. I will choose to persevere and work towards maturity and a completeness that is only possible through a loving creator. I just pray that our country realizes that we must return to the Christian principles that founded this country.
A New Era of Change
Here is a great explanation of an unprecedented move that the federal government and the federal treasury are making right now. There is NO long term benefit from any of the "bailout" money that has been created in the past year.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Why Freedom Matters
Social justice. Punishing greed. Shared sacrifice. Income redistribution.
These are the phrases/goals that our leaders are pursuing today. You don't have to look far to find someone saying "I will take more from you because you can afford it." These words represent the ideals and values that our leaders seem called to follow. It is their mission to accomplish these goals. Based on the philosophies and values of our founders, this means that the people have failed themselves. We have not held ourselves responsible and we seek others to do it for us.
I just got done dragging myself through "The Origin of Species" by Charles Darwin, but I will only touch on the subject now. It has been enlightening to read what has become the foundation of our evolutionary theory and immediately begin reading about how our founders believed that we must follow natures law as a guide to our countries law; however the natural law that our founders sought, was one prompted by a creator.
Our leaders, whom many believe that evolution guides our natural law, have decided amongst themselves what is right and what is wrong. President Obama declared in his inauguration address that we will "restore science to its rightful place." I don't think this means that we will fight to get Intelligent Design taught in the classroom. From all the talk that I have heard, this means we must truly separate faith and science. The two cannot co-exist, can they?
The natural trumps the supernatural, or so they say.
I propose that faith and science can ONLY exist together. Evolutionists for some reason bypass philosophy in their pursuit of knowledge and "fact." They fail to recognize that the origins they see, spit in the face of the natural law they think exists. Our lawmakers take these theories for granted, treat them as fact and create laws that directly undermine the system which allows them to create laws in the first place.
It requires no stretch of the imagination, based on Darwin's theory, to see that killing Jews and enslaving the primitive cultures of Africa were simply acts of natural selection, whereby one species simply kills off or enslaves the weaker varieties of that species. It may seem fanatical, but if you TRULY believe that evolution guides our natural law, these acts would require no remorse or explanation. Why is it then that we feel, deep down in our souls, that killing someone else is wrong? Why did we fight against the idea of slavery? Perhaps we believe there is a right and wrong, and that all men really were created equal.
When we are told to separate faith from science, we are being told to disregard our creators natural law. In fact, to disregard our creator. To blindly accept evolution as fact based on Darwin's theory would be to say that there is no God. If there were, their theory would be null and void. Darwin knew this, and said plainly that it seemed much more reasonable to him that species evolved over great lengths of time, rather than a divine being snapping his finger and creating life out of thin air.
This brings me to freedom. The natural law created by a godless world is dictating to us what is right and what is wrong. We have moved money and power into that void filled by God and determined that they are the only things that matter. Our founders knew this, they realized that the world would one day slip into the same flawed system that they were fleeing from, so they drafted a solution, outside of themselves, to maintain freedom as long as possible. Every law written into our books dictates to us what we can/cannot do and requires that we pay to maintain that law. Our laws have stepped outside of the framework laid before it and have become oppresive.
If this is true, we will be required to take what is given to us by man, rather than seek the great deeds we were created for by God. Not only will we envy the rich, but we will have no power to stop them. While life and liberty rule, as our founders intended, we are free to live and to attain the goals that we set for ourselves; when society rules, we can only live to be slaves to that society, with no understanding of what freedom is.
Social justice. Punishing greed. Shared sacrifice. Income redistribution.
These are the goals those with power and money want to preach, to increase the disparity between rich and poor, so that all can claim that the majority will benefit from their actions. It seems to me that the government is the only thing preventing prosperity for the 98% that they claim to benefit.
These are the phrases/goals that our leaders are pursuing today. You don't have to look far to find someone saying "I will take more from you because you can afford it." These words represent the ideals and values that our leaders seem called to follow. It is their mission to accomplish these goals. Based on the philosophies and values of our founders, this means that the people have failed themselves. We have not held ourselves responsible and we seek others to do it for us.
I just got done dragging myself through "The Origin of Species" by Charles Darwin, but I will only touch on the subject now. It has been enlightening to read what has become the foundation of our evolutionary theory and immediately begin reading about how our founders believed that we must follow natures law as a guide to our countries law; however the natural law that our founders sought, was one prompted by a creator.
Our leaders, whom many believe that evolution guides our natural law, have decided amongst themselves what is right and what is wrong. President Obama declared in his inauguration address that we will "restore science to its rightful place." I don't think this means that we will fight to get Intelligent Design taught in the classroom. From all the talk that I have heard, this means we must truly separate faith and science. The two cannot co-exist, can they?
The natural trumps the supernatural, or so they say.
I propose that faith and science can ONLY exist together. Evolutionists for some reason bypass philosophy in their pursuit of knowledge and "fact." They fail to recognize that the origins they see, spit in the face of the natural law they think exists. Our lawmakers take these theories for granted, treat them as fact and create laws that directly undermine the system which allows them to create laws in the first place.
It requires no stretch of the imagination, based on Darwin's theory, to see that killing Jews and enslaving the primitive cultures of Africa were simply acts of natural selection, whereby one species simply kills off or enslaves the weaker varieties of that species. It may seem fanatical, but if you TRULY believe that evolution guides our natural law, these acts would require no remorse or explanation. Why is it then that we feel, deep down in our souls, that killing someone else is wrong? Why did we fight against the idea of slavery? Perhaps we believe there is a right and wrong, and that all men really were created equal.
When we are told to separate faith from science, we are being told to disregard our creators natural law. In fact, to disregard our creator. To blindly accept evolution as fact based on Darwin's theory would be to say that there is no God. If there were, their theory would be null and void. Darwin knew this, and said plainly that it seemed much more reasonable to him that species evolved over great lengths of time, rather than a divine being snapping his finger and creating life out of thin air.
This brings me to freedom. The natural law created by a godless world is dictating to us what is right and what is wrong. We have moved money and power into that void filled by God and determined that they are the only things that matter. Our founders knew this, they realized that the world would one day slip into the same flawed system that they were fleeing from, so they drafted a solution, outside of themselves, to maintain freedom as long as possible. Every law written into our books dictates to us what we can/cannot do and requires that we pay to maintain that law. Our laws have stepped outside of the framework laid before it and have become oppresive.
If this is true, we will be required to take what is given to us by man, rather than seek the great deeds we were created for by God. Not only will we envy the rich, but we will have no power to stop them. While life and liberty rule, as our founders intended, we are free to live and to attain the goals that we set for ourselves; when society rules, we can only live to be slaves to that society, with no understanding of what freedom is.
Social justice. Punishing greed. Shared sacrifice. Income redistribution.
These are the goals those with power and money want to preach, to increase the disparity between rich and poor, so that all can claim that the majority will benefit from their actions. It seems to me that the government is the only thing preventing prosperity for the 98% that they claim to benefit.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Fly like an Eagle
I must highlight this quote again.
"Socialism, like the ancient ideas from which it springs, confuses the distinction between government and society. As a result of this, every time we object to a thing being done by government, the socialists conclude that we object to its being done at all." -Frederic Bastiat, ca. 1837
It seems like everytime someone disagrees my conservative position (which is pretty conservative), they assume that I don't care about the people around me, the poor and the sick, that conservatives are only greedy racists who look out for nothing but their own interests. I saw Cher saying something like this a few weeks ago. That is not a sample of the country, but what she said offended me. This couldn't be further from the truth.
The truth is that a conservative might want to do the exact same thing as a liberal, but they differ greatly on how social aid should be given, and who should give it. I am called by my God to give my tithe (10%) and offerings to the poor and needy. I take it as a personal responsibility to fulfill this command, not to demand money from those around me to do the same thing.
In "The 5000 Year Leap", one section describes how our founders modeled the government after an eagle with three heads. I want you to read the book and learn about all the components of the eagle and what it stands for, but the meaning of the wings were very profound to me. These are things which should be crammed into our heads as small children.
The "left wing" represented the portion of government which looked at the country and gauged what social concerns needed to be addressed to support the people and improve the country. The "right wing" represented the portion of government that was supposed to evaluate the ideas of the left wing and decide 1) if the government/people can afford it, and 2) does it interfere with the basic rights of the people (life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness). I have always wondered why people were classified as right or left winged, now I know. When the wings of the eagle are balanced, the country will soar higher and become greater than any other country in the world. If the wings become unbalanced, the country would turn and crash to the ground.
These words and ideas came straight from our founders hundreds of years ago, not me. They knew what problems governments have had in the past, and they found a way to overcome them through our constitution.
As I learn about what our government was intended to be, I see the eagle veering off course...changing into something else. Our government has TAKEN SIDES, pitting republican against democrat. Many of our politicians are far too concerned with their own power, hoping to show that they can guide a society in a better way than anyone before them. Our leaders are much to focused on pleasing each other, rather than in pleasing those who vote for them. Our media is failing to show the whole truth.
Political parties are of no concern to me. All of our leaders should at least work towards, and understand the limits and duties of government. From my view, Republicans and Democrats alike have been fighting to show that they are concerned more about thier social agendas that the left wing was intended to review. I don't see any right wing anywhere. Can we really afford this? What are the true costs? What basic rights are being violated?
Do we really understand the foundation of our country and the principles it was built upon? Are we rolling our eyes when people say that we must return to our founding principles, while at the same time not knowing what those principles are? Perhaps we are all just like teens with an attitude, who know better than our parents, because they didn't go through the same thing. Maybe we should listen to our [founding] father(s)?
If you missed my last post, go out and buy (and read) "The 5000 Year Leap".
"Socialism, like the ancient ideas from which it springs, confuses the distinction between government and society. As a result of this, every time we object to a thing being done by government, the socialists conclude that we object to its being done at all." -Frederic Bastiat, ca. 1837
It seems like everytime someone disagrees my conservative position (which is pretty conservative), they assume that I don't care about the people around me, the poor and the sick, that conservatives are only greedy racists who look out for nothing but their own interests. I saw Cher saying something like this a few weeks ago. That is not a sample of the country, but what she said offended me. This couldn't be further from the truth.
The truth is that a conservative might want to do the exact same thing as a liberal, but they differ greatly on how social aid should be given, and who should give it. I am called by my God to give my tithe (10%) and offerings to the poor and needy. I take it as a personal responsibility to fulfill this command, not to demand money from those around me to do the same thing.
In "The 5000 Year Leap", one section describes how our founders modeled the government after an eagle with three heads. I want you to read the book and learn about all the components of the eagle and what it stands for, but the meaning of the wings were very profound to me. These are things which should be crammed into our heads as small children.
The "left wing" represented the portion of government which looked at the country and gauged what social concerns needed to be addressed to support the people and improve the country. The "right wing" represented the portion of government that was supposed to evaluate the ideas of the left wing and decide 1) if the government/people can afford it, and 2) does it interfere with the basic rights of the people (life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness). I have always wondered why people were classified as right or left winged, now I know. When the wings of the eagle are balanced, the country will soar higher and become greater than any other country in the world. If the wings become unbalanced, the country would turn and crash to the ground.
These words and ideas came straight from our founders hundreds of years ago, not me. They knew what problems governments have had in the past, and they found a way to overcome them through our constitution.
As I learn about what our government was intended to be, I see the eagle veering off course...changing into something else. Our government has TAKEN SIDES, pitting republican against democrat. Many of our politicians are far too concerned with their own power, hoping to show that they can guide a society in a better way than anyone before them. Our leaders are much to focused on pleasing each other, rather than in pleasing those who vote for them. Our media is failing to show the whole truth.
Political parties are of no concern to me. All of our leaders should at least work towards, and understand the limits and duties of government. From my view, Republicans and Democrats alike have been fighting to show that they are concerned more about thier social agendas that the left wing was intended to review. I don't see any right wing anywhere. Can we really afford this? What are the true costs? What basic rights are being violated?
Do we really understand the foundation of our country and the principles it was built upon? Are we rolling our eyes when people say that we must return to our founding principles, while at the same time not knowing what those principles are? Perhaps we are all just like teens with an attitude, who know better than our parents, because they didn't go through the same thing. Maybe we should listen to our [founding] father(s)?
If you missed my last post, go out and buy (and read) "The 5000 Year Leap".
Monday, March 16, 2009
5000 Year Leap
I started a book called "The 5000 Year Leap" this weekend. I am only ~30 pages in, and I have seen the future. 3 pages in I told Jaime that we need to buy this book because I wanted to highlight parts of it. This book displays the principles that the founders used to form the constitution. It shows the issues that the founders faced and how they constructed the constitution to avoid the extremes of Tyranny and Anarchy.
I am ignorant about a lot of things, but learning about our history has been one of the most enlightening things in my life. Seeing parts of how America operated from 1607 to 1787 (180 years, from settling to ratification of the constitution) is quite interesting. One might assume that 180 years of slave labor and dubious free land acquisition would lead to great wealth. It didn't, in our history. The early days of the United States almost fell into anarchy because the law was too weak; people took matters into their own hands. It wasn't until the constitution was written and enacted that the country really began to prosper. It wasn't until the government was properly controlled, and a balanced law was in place that free markets began to work, which created the wealth that we know.
If you haven't read it already, get "The 5000 Year Leap", by W. Cleon Skousen and read it immediately. I don't think our schools teach this stuff anymore. My kids will read it.
I am ignorant about a lot of things, but learning about our history has been one of the most enlightening things in my life. Seeing parts of how America operated from 1607 to 1787 (180 years, from settling to ratification of the constitution) is quite interesting. One might assume that 180 years of slave labor and dubious free land acquisition would lead to great wealth. It didn't, in our history. The early days of the United States almost fell into anarchy because the law was too weak; people took matters into their own hands. It wasn't until the constitution was written and enacted that the country really began to prosper. It wasn't until the government was properly controlled, and a balanced law was in place that free markets began to work, which created the wealth that we know.
If you haven't read it already, get "The 5000 Year Leap", by W. Cleon Skousen and read it immediately. I don't think our schools teach this stuff anymore. My kids will read it.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Capitalism
You may have heard the word 'Capitalism'. This word has defined our country and set us apart for over 200 years. CAPITALISM created the wealth, the freedom and the opportunity that exists in this country today. What is it?
According to Random House Dictionary, capitalism is "an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, esp. as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth." Capitalism is synonymous with the words "free market."
This means that individuals, or corporations (separate entities run by groups of individuals) decide what to make, how to make it, and how much to charge for it. These same individuals and corporations also have the option to buy or not buy goods and services from other companies. Within this model, prices are controlled purely by supply and demand. In the most basic sense, prices will rise and fall based on the suppliers ability to produce at a certain cost and buyers ability to buy at a certain cost. Everyone has experienced supply and demand.
- You demand food.
- A grocery store has set out food that they have been able to produce at a cost lower than they think they can sell it for.
- You go to the grocery store and select food.
- The grocery store tells you the price of the food.
- If the price is high, you find other food that will suit your needs.
- If the price is low, you buy lot of that item because it's a great value.
- Whatever the price, the grocer has set it so that they will make some amount of money on the purchase.
Seems like a good system. If you see problems with this system, let's discuss them.
The problem with capitalism is that it leaves individuals and corporations with the power. One person or company who supplies a product controls, to some extent, the people that demand that product. This would force the person demanding a product to either find another supplier, or create their own supply by making the product themselves. Now we can see that evil people and corrupt corporations are controlling everything, only concerned with their own benefit. In most cases (minus the evil and corrupt part) this is true, businesses exist to make a profit and increase value for the owners. Also, you could technically say that supply and demand is also at work in other systems that have more government intervention, but in those systems, the market is not the only factor in supplying and demanding goods, I am simply highlighting how it might work within capitalism.
In steps the government to save the day.
Don't forget, businesses also create jobs and provide benefits to employees. Any successful business will have added value to anyone purchasing products or services from them as well, for if they had not added value to their products, no one would have purchased them. It is the circle of life.
[CR]Will capitalism be different?
[TG]I think capitalism will be different, and the financial system will be dramatically different. It’s already dramatically different. Again, if you look at the scale of adjustment and restructuring in the financial system, it’s already happened.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003949930Capitalism will be different?
So far we have seen the government become part owners of some banks, car companies and insurance companies. Is capitalism really different? Can we just change the definition of capitalism, or should we find another word that defines what is going on?
Without spreading fear and conspiracy, would you consider with me what is really going on?
Socialism: Any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy.
Is abandoning the system that created the most prosperous nation of our age a good thing? Is poverty for all better than poverty for some? Our past leaders failed to acknowledge the direction we were headed, our current leaders think it is a good thing, that is the change we were promised. We all need to be aware of what is going on and why. We all need to decide where we go and how we get there. Our government must be reminded that they are for the people and BY the people, not for themselves or their own ideals.
According to Random House Dictionary, capitalism is "an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, esp. as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth." Capitalism is synonymous with the words "free market."
This means that individuals, or corporations (separate entities run by groups of individuals) decide what to make, how to make it, and how much to charge for it. These same individuals and corporations also have the option to buy or not buy goods and services from other companies. Within this model, prices are controlled purely by supply and demand. In the most basic sense, prices will rise and fall based on the suppliers ability to produce at a certain cost and buyers ability to buy at a certain cost. Everyone has experienced supply and demand.
- You demand food.
- A grocery store has set out food that they have been able to produce at a cost lower than they think they can sell it for.
- You go to the grocery store and select food.
- The grocery store tells you the price of the food.
- If the price is high, you find other food that will suit your needs.
- If the price is low, you buy lot of that item because it's a great value.
- Whatever the price, the grocer has set it so that they will make some amount of money on the purchase.
Seems like a good system. If you see problems with this system, let's discuss them.
The problem with capitalism is that it leaves individuals and corporations with the power. One person or company who supplies a product controls, to some extent, the people that demand that product. This would force the person demanding a product to either find another supplier, or create their own supply by making the product themselves. Now we can see that evil people and corrupt corporations are controlling everything, only concerned with their own benefit. In most cases (minus the evil and corrupt part) this is true, businesses exist to make a profit and increase value for the owners. Also, you could technically say that supply and demand is also at work in other systems that have more government intervention, but in those systems, the market is not the only factor in supplying and demanding goods, I am simply highlighting how it might work within capitalism.
In steps the government to save the day.
Don't forget, businesses also create jobs and provide benefits to employees. Any successful business will have added value to anyone purchasing products or services from them as well, for if they had not added value to their products, no one would have purchased them. It is the circle of life.
I have written about some of these topics before, but I feel compelled to write further and clarify more about how I see things working, and to defend the system that has created the greatest country of our age. Thanks Laura for prompting this post.
Take for instance the mortgage industry. Apparently this thing has failed lately, so it's in the news. Within capitalism, mortgages should work like everything else. Lenders provide large sums of money up front to borrower, in return for smaller sums of money paid back to the lender including an agreed upon interest rate over several years. If lenders don't have money to lend, they don't lend it, if it is determined (by the lender or borrower) that the borrower cannot pay back the loan, the deal is off. This should work fine. Risk is assumed by the lender (for fear they won't get their money back), and the borrower (for fear that if they don't pay, the lender will take something back of equal value and ruin their "credit", or the ability to borrow money from another lender).
Our wise and knowledgeable government decided in 1938 that it wasn't fair. Everyone should be able to get large sums of money for things like houses, even if they might not be able to pay back their loans. So the government created something called Fannie Mae. Fannie Mae says to the lenders, "go ahead and give more loans out to the higher risk borrowers (low income families), we will subsidize your losses if they occur." So lenders start lending, borrowers start borrowing. A NEW SUPPLY of money has been discovered. But where does this money come from? Since more money is available, the demand for housing increases. If you have been paying attention to how supply and demand works, when everyone is demanding something, the suppliers can get away with higher prices. So, guess what, housing prices climbed. This has been happening for decades.
The mortgage industry is one example. Similar examples can be found in every area of the economy that the government touches. There is no regard for where the money comes from, and the "tax and spend" mentality will continue to inflate prices and create a false economy that cannot last.
Why can't it last?
In the case of mortgages we see that everything went pretty well for a while. People bought houses, paid for them, values kept increasing because of the good supply of money. Then one day, when there were more houses than families who needed them, and when the seemingly infinite supply of money backing these risky loans showed signs of weakness, everything collapsed. The free market began to push back on the inflated prices. People realized that the prices were too high, so they stopped paying the high prices. Home values fell; people couldn't sell their home for anywhere near what they paid, that is where we are now.
The Solution. Abandon the free market. The government is the only entity that can stop the crisis. Right? According to many of our leaders, intervention is the only way out. They argue that we must fight to keep the prices inflated.
Does is matter that the government is the reason for the inflated prices in the first place? Shouldn't we stick to our guns and let the prices fall to where the market says they should be?
Are we being setup for a bigger collapse later?
Charlie Rose interviewed Tim Geithner, President Obama's Treasury Secretary. Here's a snippet:[CR]Will capitalism be different?
[TG]I think capitalism will be different, and the financial system will be dramatically different. It’s already dramatically different. Again, if you look at the scale of adjustment and restructuring in the financial system, it’s already happened.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003949930Capitalism will be different?
So far we have seen the government become part owners of some banks, car companies and insurance companies. Is capitalism really different? Can we just change the definition of capitalism, or should we find another word that defines what is going on?
Without spreading fear and conspiracy, would you consider with me what is really going on?
Socialism: Any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy.
Is abandoning the system that created the most prosperous nation of our age a good thing? Is poverty for all better than poverty for some? Our past leaders failed to acknowledge the direction we were headed, our current leaders think it is a good thing, that is the change we were promised. We all need to be aware of what is going on and why. We all need to decide where we go and how we get there. Our government must be reminded that they are for the people and BY the people, not for themselves or their own ideals.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Bribery
"For the love of money is the root of all evil." - 1 Timothy 6:10
This is a popular verse and often repeated when talking about greed and what humans really worship. The key word in the verse is always the same: Love. The LOVE of money is the root of all evil. Unless you are truly in love with money, you probably won't argue this point much. It is easy to see within Christianity, that loving money means that you aren't loving God. I think within most circles, people would agree that greed does not promote positive values and promotes selfishness instead. I bring this up because it seems like our culture forces us to love money.
Everyone works for money, it is a necessity in some respects, but how far should this go? We are rewarded at our jobs with more money. Colleges try to find jobs that pay well for their graduates. We work in jobs we hate so we can earn more money. We settle disagreements and lawsuits with money. We require money to be entertained. The best jobs pay the most money. Market up = good, market down = bad. The necessity of money has left no room to value anything else. Haven't we all heard that "everything has a price." I realize now that this is a sad state of affairs if everything has a price and nothing is priceless. What about our lives and liberties? How much is it worth to you to pursue a life that makes you happy? AT what cost would you sell your happiness?
I would propose that if money is how we measure success, than we will be sorely disappointed in the end. Would it be unfair to say that the poor sell their pursuit of happiness for whatever they can gain from doing nothing? If you can make more on welfare than you can working in a job, why work? What is the point?
Ask a kid what he/she wants to do when they grow up. What is the answer? Is it janitor, construction worker, or farmer? Does the dream job involve long hours and back-breaking work? Some might, but they are probably the minority. We have forgotten that there is nothing wrong with hard, physical labor. Rather, we pass these jobs off to the un-educated, or the illegals in the country and then complain that there are no jobs available. No, we can't find a job that pays the amount of money we want. But will it ever be enough? I am this way, and I'm assuming that at least one other person in the world is like me, that's why I say 'we'.
I see many people, and leaders, with a liberal agenda arguing that money is not everything and that housing the homeless and feeding the sick is the more worthy goal. I agree. Yet they require taking money from others to accomplish their goal.
The leaders of our cities, counties, states and federal government are elected each year based on how much they can get away with taking from others and giving to those who elect them. Principles don't have political weight. Politicians sell themselves to gain power. They bribe us with promises and claims of our own well-being. We accept that the government is here to take care of us and we vote that way.
Do you like taking bribes?
I'm not talking about democrats or republicans, I'm talking about politicians. We need to evaluate our leaders. Figure out what their agenda is. At what cost will you sell your freedom? Healthcare? Housing? Social Security? Have you weighed all the costs of the entitlements that you receive?
This is a popular verse and often repeated when talking about greed and what humans really worship. The key word in the verse is always the same: Love. The LOVE of money is the root of all evil. Unless you are truly in love with money, you probably won't argue this point much. It is easy to see within Christianity, that loving money means that you aren't loving God. I think within most circles, people would agree that greed does not promote positive values and promotes selfishness instead. I bring this up because it seems like our culture forces us to love money.
Everyone works for money, it is a necessity in some respects, but how far should this go? We are rewarded at our jobs with more money. Colleges try to find jobs that pay well for their graduates. We work in jobs we hate so we can earn more money. We settle disagreements and lawsuits with money. We require money to be entertained. The best jobs pay the most money. Market up = good, market down = bad. The necessity of money has left no room to value anything else. Haven't we all heard that "everything has a price." I realize now that this is a sad state of affairs if everything has a price and nothing is priceless. What about our lives and liberties? How much is it worth to you to pursue a life that makes you happy? AT what cost would you sell your happiness?
I would propose that if money is how we measure success, than we will be sorely disappointed in the end. Would it be unfair to say that the poor sell their pursuit of happiness for whatever they can gain from doing nothing? If you can make more on welfare than you can working in a job, why work? What is the point?
Ask a kid what he/she wants to do when they grow up. What is the answer? Is it janitor, construction worker, or farmer? Does the dream job involve long hours and back-breaking work? Some might, but they are probably the minority. We have forgotten that there is nothing wrong with hard, physical labor. Rather, we pass these jobs off to the un-educated, or the illegals in the country and then complain that there are no jobs available. No, we can't find a job that pays the amount of money we want. But will it ever be enough? I am this way, and I'm assuming that at least one other person in the world is like me, that's why I say 'we'.
I see many people, and leaders, with a liberal agenda arguing that money is not everything and that housing the homeless and feeding the sick is the more worthy goal. I agree. Yet they require taking money from others to accomplish their goal.
The leaders of our cities, counties, states and federal government are elected each year based on how much they can get away with taking from others and giving to those who elect them. Principles don't have political weight. Politicians sell themselves to gain power. They bribe us with promises and claims of our own well-being. We accept that the government is here to take care of us and we vote that way.
Do you like taking bribes?
I'm not talking about democrats or republicans, I'm talking about politicians. We need to evaluate our leaders. Figure out what their agenda is. At what cost will you sell your freedom? Healthcare? Housing? Social Security? Have you weighed all the costs of the entitlements that you receive?
Friday, March 6, 2009
Selfishness
"To cure a world perishing from selfishness, we are asked to destroy the self." - Ayn Rand, from The Fountainhead.
Agree, or disagree? Is selfishness the cause for decline in our society? When a civilization rises to great heights, is it selfishness that brings it down? I sense an interesting dichotomy within the conservative and progressive movements. The contradiction boils down to our philosophy. In our instant gratification, Hollywood driven society, philosophy is a forgotten art. Liberal, Conservative, Democrat and Republican, we need to examine, understand, and learn to defend our personal philosophies.
The humanitarian, "One who is devoted to the promotion of human welfare and the advancement of social reforms; a philanthropist." The humanitarian looks to increase rights for those that cannot increase them alone, they seek to serve the downtrodden, the helpless, the poor. I believe there is no more noble a goal. In Matthew 25, Jesus said "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." For a humanitarian, a christian, and those seeking to serve, these values are of the utmost importance. They require a selflessness that is admirable and noble. From my humble view of the world, I believe that these very motives, when lying at the foundation of ones beliefs, drive the liberal, democratic agenda that has taken root in our country.
I respect these views. Actually, who wouldn't? Hopefully, I have captured a piece of the genuine passion that many in this country have for other people. This is not to say that more conservative minded people cannot share these views; it is to say that I believe, for the democratic humanitarian, these views seem to lie at the foundation, upon which all other values are built. This, in and of itself, is commendable, good and decent.
We must decide whether the means justifies the end, or if the end justifies the means.
I can only speak for myself here. This is what is observed from my perspective, which is assuming that most people are fair minded and want to do something good in the world, to be less selfish. I think most people have heard the one rule, that rules all other rules. The golden rule.
Treat others as you would treat yourself.
From my conservative perspective, I believe that the path many liberals take undermines the very values they fight for, and ultimately undermines their selfless goals. For me, the foundation of our country is built on Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These to me, guide the humanitarian principles that I too seek to propagate; only I advance these causes through my own means, not through the means of others. The liberal agenda has stepped on our liberties, to promote (at seemingly un-ending cost) their values of "fairness" and "equal rights." REDISTRIBUTION. Their convictions become greater than the law. Eventually the law is forgotten.
Through the control and redistribution of rights, liberties, wealth, and opportunity, the liberal agenda is destroying the the possibility for progress, destroying the only means by which it can be progressed. The desire for power becomes the motive of the leaders who campaign on the issues of the heart, feeding off of the passions of those who truly want to do good.
Through some experience on missions trips, contact with the poor, and discussion with people in similar circumstances, it has become clear to me that people in the lower-class, who regularly rely on others to survive, can only exercise selfishness. Giving of themselves is not an option, for it would mean pain, destruction and death. Survival, at some point, relies on someone thinking of themselves. Subsequently, the ability to move forward, out of dependence, and into a position of sustainability and service is not possible.
Similarly, the liberal progressive agenda requires the wealthy, self-sufficient, sustainable, and hardest working to give less of themselves by eliminating all avenues of service through social programs. These programs REQUIRE the government to TAKE more from the upper and middle class, forcing the entire society to focus only on the self.
"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." -2 Corinthians 9:7
By taking from the people, our government takes away our ability to give and to enjoy the command that God has given us. Giving becomes a total act of compulsion as our resources are taken and distributed as another person sees fit, rather than where our hearts may desire.
Our founders knew that these christian conservative values must be relied on for the country to succeed. They understood that if life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness was taken away, to be replaced by government run programs that inspire dependence and degradation, the country would fail.
We must understand the principles that have allowed success for all, and return to them. We must reject the principles that lead to decline and ultimately slavery. Please meditate on this last quote. I believe it clarifies a great confusion between the liberals and conservatives of our time.
"Socialism, like the ancient ideas from which it springs, confuses the distinction between government and society. As a result of this, every time we object to a thing being done by government, the socialists conclude that we object to its being done at all." -Frederic Bastiat, ca. 1837
Conservatism does not desire the rich to rule over the poor, it desires that men be free to pursue the things that make them happy, of which it is assumed that giving to others will be a joyful experience.
Agree, or disagree? Is selfishness the cause for decline in our society? When a civilization rises to great heights, is it selfishness that brings it down? I sense an interesting dichotomy within the conservative and progressive movements. The contradiction boils down to our philosophy. In our instant gratification, Hollywood driven society, philosophy is a forgotten art. Liberal, Conservative, Democrat and Republican, we need to examine, understand, and learn to defend our personal philosophies.
The humanitarian, "One who is devoted to the promotion of human welfare and the advancement of social reforms; a philanthropist." The humanitarian looks to increase rights for those that cannot increase them alone, they seek to serve the downtrodden, the helpless, the poor. I believe there is no more noble a goal. In Matthew 25, Jesus said "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." For a humanitarian, a christian, and those seeking to serve, these values are of the utmost importance. They require a selflessness that is admirable and noble. From my humble view of the world, I believe that these very motives, when lying at the foundation of ones beliefs, drive the liberal, democratic agenda that has taken root in our country.
I respect these views. Actually, who wouldn't? Hopefully, I have captured a piece of the genuine passion that many in this country have for other people. This is not to say that more conservative minded people cannot share these views; it is to say that I believe, for the democratic humanitarian, these views seem to lie at the foundation, upon which all other values are built. This, in and of itself, is commendable, good and decent.
We must decide whether the means justifies the end, or if the end justifies the means.
I can only speak for myself here. This is what is observed from my perspective, which is assuming that most people are fair minded and want to do something good in the world, to be less selfish. I think most people have heard the one rule, that rules all other rules. The golden rule.
Treat others as you would treat yourself.
From my conservative perspective, I believe that the path many liberals take undermines the very values they fight for, and ultimately undermines their selfless goals. For me, the foundation of our country is built on Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These to me, guide the humanitarian principles that I too seek to propagate; only I advance these causes through my own means, not through the means of others. The liberal agenda has stepped on our liberties, to promote (at seemingly un-ending cost) their values of "fairness" and "equal rights." REDISTRIBUTION. Their convictions become greater than the law. Eventually the law is forgotten.
Through the control and redistribution of rights, liberties, wealth, and opportunity, the liberal agenda is destroying the the possibility for progress, destroying the only means by which it can be progressed. The desire for power becomes the motive of the leaders who campaign on the issues of the heart, feeding off of the passions of those who truly want to do good.
Through some experience on missions trips, contact with the poor, and discussion with people in similar circumstances, it has become clear to me that people in the lower-class, who regularly rely on others to survive, can only exercise selfishness. Giving of themselves is not an option, for it would mean pain, destruction and death. Survival, at some point, relies on someone thinking of themselves. Subsequently, the ability to move forward, out of dependence, and into a position of sustainability and service is not possible.
Similarly, the liberal progressive agenda requires the wealthy, self-sufficient, sustainable, and hardest working to give less of themselves by eliminating all avenues of service through social programs. These programs REQUIRE the government to TAKE more from the upper and middle class, forcing the entire society to focus only on the self.
"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." -2 Corinthians 9:7
By taking from the people, our government takes away our ability to give and to enjoy the command that God has given us. Giving becomes a total act of compulsion as our resources are taken and distributed as another person sees fit, rather than where our hearts may desire.
Our founders knew that these christian conservative values must be relied on for the country to succeed. They understood that if life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness was taken away, to be replaced by government run programs that inspire dependence and degradation, the country would fail.
We must understand the principles that have allowed success for all, and return to them. We must reject the principles that lead to decline and ultimately slavery. Please meditate on this last quote. I believe it clarifies a great confusion between the liberals and conservatives of our time.
"Socialism, like the ancient ideas from which it springs, confuses the distinction between government and society. As a result of this, every time we object to a thing being done by government, the socialists conclude that we object to its being done at all." -Frederic Bastiat, ca. 1837
Conservatism does not desire the rich to rule over the poor, it desires that men be free to pursue the things that make them happy, of which it is assumed that giving to others will be a joyful experience.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Sustainable
Sustainability is big these days, but what is it really. I don't think there is one definition that encompasses all aspects of sustainability, but here is the short of it. I work with architects, I hear the word sustainable everyday. Green roofs, green jobs, green drinks, these are the words being thrown around.
"All human situations have their inconveniences. We feel those of the present but neither see nor feel those of the future; and hence we often make troublesome changes without amendment, and frequently for the worse." - Benjamin Franklin
Sustainability means that a building, structure, or piece of land is resource neutral. This resource neutral area harnesses its power from a renewable source like the sun, wind, or heat from the earth; it will utilize the land around the sustainable area to use and re-use rainwater; all requiring minimal processing the resources required by the occupants of the building.
Buildings may not be totally sustainable, but all around us, architects, contractors and builders are improving the efficiency of the areas around them to become more sustainable. I love this. I am working towards a sustainable home. My wife and I will be putting in a rain barrel to help water our garden, and we have already been utilizing our Geo-Thermal HVAC system. I believe that I have the responsibility to take good care of the earth that God has given us and I also see a long-term economic value that is added through sustainable, green, initiatives.
I want to propose a new kind of sustainability. Economic sustainability.
Actually, the best parts of environmental sustainability are that they promote economic sustainability, but the finances of our country are on a path to failure. When will that failure come?
I believe that to achieve financial sustainability, I must be able to use less than I acquire. If WE are going to sustain anything, WE must be able to use less than we obtain. If improvement means that we lessen our dependance on resources out of our control, then we must work to depend on less. Isn't it ironic that our government is preaching and pushing environmentally sustainable projects onto us, while at the same time they refuse...REFUSE...to create an economically sustainable plan.
If our environment is being threatened by using resources that are running out quickly, how can using money we don't have, take out loans we can't pay, and expect our financial situation to improve?
How long can it last? I don't know the answer to that question, but I can guarantee you that it CANNOT last forever. The time for passing the agendas of the elected must come to an end. Our leaders must be held accountable. Contact them, ask them to explain every action they are taking. They answer to you. You need to know if you agree or disagree with each of your elected officials. This is not a task for a political party or ideal, this is a task for everyone. When standing around the water cooler, or sitting at the dinner table, we must discuss the issues that matter. The irresponsibility of our government matters.
"All human situations have their inconveniences. We feel those of the present but neither see nor feel those of the future; and hence we often make troublesome changes without amendment, and frequently for the worse." - Benjamin Franklin
Sustainability means that a building, structure, or piece of land is resource neutral. This resource neutral area harnesses its power from a renewable source like the sun, wind, or heat from the earth; it will utilize the land around the sustainable area to use and re-use rainwater; all requiring minimal processing the resources required by the occupants of the building.
Buildings may not be totally sustainable, but all around us, architects, contractors and builders are improving the efficiency of the areas around them to become more sustainable. I love this. I am working towards a sustainable home. My wife and I will be putting in a rain barrel to help water our garden, and we have already been utilizing our Geo-Thermal HVAC system. I believe that I have the responsibility to take good care of the earth that God has given us and I also see a long-term economic value that is added through sustainable, green, initiatives.
I want to propose a new kind of sustainability. Economic sustainability.
Actually, the best parts of environmental sustainability are that they promote economic sustainability, but the finances of our country are on a path to failure. When will that failure come?
I believe that to achieve financial sustainability, I must be able to use less than I acquire. If WE are going to sustain anything, WE must be able to use less than we obtain. If improvement means that we lessen our dependance on resources out of our control, then we must work to depend on less. Isn't it ironic that our government is preaching and pushing environmentally sustainable projects onto us, while at the same time they refuse...REFUSE...to create an economically sustainable plan.
If our environment is being threatened by using resources that are running out quickly, how can using money we don't have, take out loans we can't pay, and expect our financial situation to improve?
How long can it last? I don't know the answer to that question, but I can guarantee you that it CANNOT last forever. The time for passing the agendas of the elected must come to an end. Our leaders must be held accountable. Contact them, ask them to explain every action they are taking. They answer to you. You need to know if you agree or disagree with each of your elected officials. This is not a task for a political party or ideal, this is a task for everyone. When standing around the water cooler, or sitting at the dinner table, we must discuss the issues that matter. The irresponsibility of our government matters.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Dear Bio-Hazard
AP News Story, March 4: MIAMI - An abortion clinic owner is accused of delivering a live baby during a botched procedure and then throwing the infant away.
Belkis Gonzalez, 42, was arrested Tuesday and charged with practicing medicine without a license and tampering with evidence, both felonies, said Ed Griffith, a spokesman for the Miami-Dade State Attorney's office. If found guilty, Gonzalez would face at least a year in prison and up to 15 years.
The teenage mother, Sycloria Williams, has filed a lawsuit alleging that Gonzalez knocked the infant off the chair where she had given birth, and then scooped the baby, placenta and afterbirth into a red plastic bio-hazard bag, and threw it out......
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/sfl-bn-0304miami-doctor,0,900628.story
Children, you are not bio-hazard.
Belkis Gonzalez, 42, was arrested Tuesday and charged with practicing medicine without a license and tampering with evidence, both felonies, said Ed Griffith, a spokesman for the Miami-Dade State Attorney's office. If found guilty, Gonzalez would face at least a year in prison and up to 15 years.
The teenage mother, Sycloria Williams, has filed a lawsuit alleging that Gonzalez knocked the infant off the chair where she had given birth, and then scooped the baby, placenta and afterbirth into a red plastic bio-hazard bag, and threw it out......
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/sfl-bn-0304miami-doctor,0,900628.story
---------------------------------------------
This makes me sick and brings me to tears. I want to pass my thoughts, feelings and beliefs to my children and grandchildren through my writings. While we still live in a society when these events are not covered up, I want to write this down as a reminder of the atrocities that existed during my time.
Children, you are not bio-hazard.
I don't understand at all, how people can say that a baby in the womb is not alive, not human. Soemone explain this to me. Some supporters of abortion might say that this practice should not be allowed; I would propose that every abortion is just as bad, only we don't have SEE the result.
Ignorance is bliss.
Sorry for my tangent, I wasn't planning on bringing up abortion at this point, but the article prompted me. I am always ready for some healthy discussion though. Did anyone else notice that there was no mention of murder here? All becuase the baby was not wanted. Babies have been recorded to live after just 23 weeks in the womb, this baby was 23 weeks along. Hmmm.
What Really Matters
“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” -Mt 22:37-40
It is easy to become agitated, bitter, and pessimistic. I can feel it as I learn about what is going on around me. I want to remain clear and remember what really matters. In all I do, I desire that these two commands remain at the foundation of my thought. Regardless of the negativity around me, my honor, heart and contentment should remain.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Bait and Switch
Ah the promises of politics. Sit back, relax, your government will take care of all your needs. We will help and encourage entrepreneurship, businesses small and large, take care of all the poor, the sick, the homeless. We will pay off every ones mortgage. I recall people from both parties in recent times preaching this message.
The message we hear now is the same as above; don't worry, have hope. The government is the ONLY entity that can fix our problems, our health care, our infrastructure, our society. Yes we can, yes we will. The recession that we are in is so bad that the government is the only entity capable of providing the stimulus to get us back on track.
GOVERNMENT SALESMAN: Step right up, come on in, we have your recession fix right inside, all for the low price of $3,600,000,000,000 (trillion). Come and see the miracle that will make your life what it should be, you deserve to win.
(I step into the store, the salesman continues)
The display for our government fix is right over here in aisle 3. Unfortunately, we are all out of economic stimulus at the moment, but if I may suggest these social programs that will work equally as well. If you can't afford the 3.6 trillion dollars, we would be happy to finance that for you and your grandchildren. What's that? You aren't interested. Not to worry, the rest of the country voted to have you pay anyway. It's OK, we'll take care of you.
LIARS.
Bait and Switch, the old sales tactic of displaying one product and then leading the customer to another. That is what is happening to every citizen of this country right now. We are hearing everything we want to hear, seeing solutions that should work, but they aren't being pursued. Our country is measuring one problem and trying to fix another. Apparently the problem in this country is the failing economy; at least that's what everyone talks about. It's a shame that our government is fixing all our social problems in the name of the economy. I have no confidence in words any longer.
I have written (via website forms) my local senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) a few times expressing my thoughts on the economy. After a few days, the automated response is the same. Something like "something must be done" and "for every $1 we spend on infrastructure, we get $1.56 in return." All bait. Then I look at the stimulus and at the next budget. There it is, the switch.
I was excited when I heard President Obama announce his rules about lobbyists working in his administration. Then I found out he had already hired ex-lobbyists. Bait us with words, switch their meaning. Where has our honor gone? Are our agendas so important that we must do anything to have them implemented?
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
Regardless of our political and social leanings. We need to demand honesty. WE are the watchdogs, and we must pay attention. Can we trust the media? Are we looking at the facts ourselves, or are we too busy to care what others are deciding on our behalf?
Gearge W. Bush led this country through some tough times, with a certain amount of success. I believe that he wanted liberty and freedom for everyone. Had I been writing this blog in September though, I would have posted a video of myself screaming at the TV when Bush said we MUST give $700,000,000,000 to the failing banks. I don't know what he was thinking. In the last few months of his presidency, I think Bush stopped listening to the people. He said himself that his free market principles had failed and that he must act. According to the big media outlets, conservatism failed. The problems of the last eight years however, were that conservatism never got a chance. I wish I had been paying more attention.
Do we care about the means to the end, or only the end? Is this bait and switch acceptable?
Our country and our leaders have answers that they know will work. Their own advisors, their constituents and leaders around the country have confirmed that these solutions will work; but these solutions don't support their own agenda. If we continue to ignore the path to real recovery, we will cease to have the chance.
The message we hear now is the same as above; don't worry, have hope. The government is the ONLY entity that can fix our problems, our health care, our infrastructure, our society. Yes we can, yes we will. The recession that we are in is so bad that the government is the only entity capable of providing the stimulus to get us back on track.
GOVERNMENT SALESMAN: Step right up, come on in, we have your recession fix right inside, all for the low price of $3,600,000,000,000 (trillion). Come and see the miracle that will make your life what it should be, you deserve to win.
(I step into the store, the salesman continues)
The display for our government fix is right over here in aisle 3. Unfortunately, we are all out of economic stimulus at the moment, but if I may suggest these social programs that will work equally as well. If you can't afford the 3.6 trillion dollars, we would be happy to finance that for you and your grandchildren. What's that? You aren't interested. Not to worry, the rest of the country voted to have you pay anyway. It's OK, we'll take care of you.
LIARS.
Bait and Switch, the old sales tactic of displaying one product and then leading the customer to another. That is what is happening to every citizen of this country right now. We are hearing everything we want to hear, seeing solutions that should work, but they aren't being pursued. Our country is measuring one problem and trying to fix another. Apparently the problem in this country is the failing economy; at least that's what everyone talks about. It's a shame that our government is fixing all our social problems in the name of the economy. I have no confidence in words any longer.
I have written (via website forms) my local senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) a few times expressing my thoughts on the economy. After a few days, the automated response is the same. Something like "something must be done" and "for every $1 we spend on infrastructure, we get $1.56 in return." All bait. Then I look at the stimulus and at the next budget. There it is, the switch.
I was excited when I heard President Obama announce his rules about lobbyists working in his administration. Then I found out he had already hired ex-lobbyists. Bait us with words, switch their meaning. Where has our honor gone? Are our agendas so important that we must do anything to have them implemented?
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
Regardless of our political and social leanings. We need to demand honesty. WE are the watchdogs, and we must pay attention. Can we trust the media? Are we looking at the facts ourselves, or are we too busy to care what others are deciding on our behalf?
Gearge W. Bush led this country through some tough times, with a certain amount of success. I believe that he wanted liberty and freedom for everyone. Had I been writing this blog in September though, I would have posted a video of myself screaming at the TV when Bush said we MUST give $700,000,000,000 to the failing banks. I don't know what he was thinking. In the last few months of his presidency, I think Bush stopped listening to the people. He said himself that his free market principles had failed and that he must act. According to the big media outlets, conservatism failed. The problems of the last eight years however, were that conservatism never got a chance. I wish I had been paying more attention.
Do we care about the means to the end, or only the end? Is this bait and switch acceptable?
Our country and our leaders have answers that they know will work. Their own advisors, their constituents and leaders around the country have confirmed that these solutions will work; but these solutions don't support their own agenda. If we continue to ignore the path to real recovery, we will cease to have the chance.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Update to Educate
I don't want to promote a specific political ideal, as I said in a previous post, I don't realy like the IDEA of politics. Although I will share why conservative principles will allow everyone to prosper. In that spirit, I will periodically use this blog to allow you to educate yourself about what is going on.
Here is a link to the budget that was proposed by President Obama.
A_New_Era_of_Responsibility2.pdf
Look it over. It is long, but there are good bullets at the top of each section that give you an idea of what the section says. Some of the information at the beginning is also good. We need to be aware of what is going on, to decide for ourselves where our resources are going. After looking this over, let your local congressman what you think.
Here is a link to the budget that was proposed by President Obama.
A_New_Era_of_Responsibility2.pdf
Look it over. It is long, but there are good bullets at the top of each section that give you an idea of what the section says. Some of the information at the beginning is also good. We need to be aware of what is going on, to decide for ourselves where our resources are going. After looking this over, let your local congressman what you think.
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