Beyond Intent

After sitting in traffic for an hour and a half the other day, I am trying to figure out what the the upside is to sitting in a car for that long. I recall a conversation with my Grandpa Myers several years before he died about how people today have short attentions spans and require instant gratification. His idea was that when the country was founded, and even well into the 20th century, working men and women (more of which were farmers, cowboys, hunters, and labourers) had time to think and to develop personal philosophies about the issues that faced them and their country. Today we receive so much information that we are overloaded, and, in many cases forced to take quick action without truly thinking about the consequences.

I remind myself that sitting in the car is my time to think, to contemplate, and in many cases listen...to the radio. Ever 3 or 4 days I'll turn on Sean Hannity on my drive home. Last week a caller said something to the affect that 'Christians cannot be conservative because Jesus would have promoted the idea that we should give what we have to the poor.' I have heard remarks about this same subject before, and know people that ask themselves "what would Jesus do?" in regards to political and societal issues. In my opinion these people have been blinded by their good intentions to see that what they are supporting doesn't work that well.

Intent does not equal results.

The liberal portion of this country seems to be blindly guided by their intentions. This might sounds good to some, but is this "intent blindness" really moving us forward, progressing our communities and society? It sounds great to say "everyone should have access to affordable health care"; how can leaders who intend to care for every ones needs be wrong?

If we look at the results of the bureaucratic systems that these intentions create, we will see waste, fraud and abuse in EVERY case. If we truly examine the products that these "good intentions" have created, we would see that the systems don't work.

Among the throngs of frustrated Americans who are becoming frustrated at the increasing slavery being brought upon them through higher taxes, more rules and regulations and more debt that the public is responsible for; we often hear the question "what can I do?"

I have been thinking about what we can do for a while now, and I keep coming back to one answer. Educate yourselves and vote. This won't satisfy those of you who want instant gratification, but with a little patience and thought, this country can come together and find real solutions to the problems that we face.

To educate yourself, pick a topic; pick any government run system and see if it really is working effectively. I learned a couple weeks ago that in Washington D.C., it costs taxpayers over $3500 per month to house the homeless. Think about your mortgage payment and tell me how this number compares. If someone gave you $3500 every month, how many homeless people could you house?

When the government starts doling out money, the good intentions start getting clouded. When government money is on the table, there is no incentive to be thrifty or to NOT spend what someone has given you. When people are spending money that is not their own; if it's available, the cost of the service doesn't matter, thrift doesn't exist....costs inevitably go higher.

If you want to change the country, go beyond intent and start looking at results. Educate yourselves and be prepared to discuss the finer points of small government with everyone you meet. When you are ready to defend your views, the situation will find you. Our task is to be ready when the time comes, embrace the moments when life might be trying to remind you to sit and think for a while.