"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?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
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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