Monday, May 30, 2011

It depends on your point of view

I guess much depends on your paradigm.  From where I stand I an see much to improve.  I like Paul Ryan's government reduction plan, but a the same time I see value in protecting our nation's poor and disabled.

Here are some things I consider worth discussion.

1.  Return welfare to the churches where it belongs.  The churches are better qualified to administer aid to individuals and familes.  They know the people and their circumstances. 

2.  Government is, by definition, non-producing.  In fact it is definately a resource pig, sucking up all available resources if it is left to do so.  This pig needs harvesting for the better of the nation.  Both the Republicrats and the Demicans have helped to fatten the pig, and now it is time to enjoy the barbeque.    I've said before and I'll say again; the following departments need to be abolished:  Energy, Transportation, Labor, Education, Homeland Security,    Each of these department spend its time discouraging philanthropy, terrorizing businesses and individuals, and causing governmental hatred.  Just think how much money could be saved by government and business by eliminating the departments cited above.

3.   Return education to the local level where it belongs.  The local people know best how to handle their respective children.  The federal government has no reason to be involved in local education.  Each mandate that federal regulators put onto local school districts costs money they don't have and don't want to spend.  We have school administrators doing nothing but keping watch on federal regulators so they won't be found in non-compliance.

4.  Increase tariffs on Chinese goods.  I have much trouble finding goods made in America.  I can't believe nobody in America makes Padlocks, or scissors, or staplers or any number of things.  I'm willing to pay a little more to get goods "made in America".  We need to produce and purchase only goods "Made in America".

Enough said for the moment.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Mothers' Day: A day to honor mothers everywhere

Mixed with all the political turmoil; mixed with all the terrorism; mixed with all the factions at war; mixed with those of us that live in relative peace; mothers are still giving birth to children.  In my mind there is no greater calling than that of Mother. 

Years ago, when families were strong basic units, mothers were the strength of the home.  They taught the children respect, duty, honor, and honesty along with cleanliness, responsibility and worship.  Mothers taught children to read.  They prepared the children to enter school. They were the primary teachers for their children.  Mothers and Fathers took their children to church to learn of God.  I long for a return of those days.

Today's mothers have a much harder life.  Many women must work outside the home and take care of their children at the same time.  I long for a return to the days of the past when families were able to send Father out to work to sustain the family, and Mother could stay home and nurture the children.  Families would be stronger, communities would be stronger, crime would likely be decreased.  Television's influence on the children could be diminished. 

Hollywood's characterization of the family has caused the current generation to view the family with a false paradigm.  Governments seem to view parents as "optional", even promoting the idea of single parenting.  Governments seem to foster the idea of killing unborn children as a way to keep illegitimate children from being born instead of fostering the idea that children are precious and when a child is born he/she has the right to a two parent family.  Children thrive better when there are two parents involved in a family.   Additionally, studies have found that families with more than one child thrive even more.  The idea that small families are better cared for is a myth.  Large families instill a responsibility in children that they will take with them into their adult lives.

I was privileged to enjoy a family where our father taught us how to work and how to use tools.  He was an educated man, but he didn't stop with what learning he received in the University.  He was self taught in many areas and taught his children to do the same.  Our mother was also self educated.  She was strong enough to keep her children in line.  I remember being irritated by her lengthy "preachings" when we did something wrong.  I was loath to do wrong because I knew there would be a "preaching" if  I was found out.  The preaching was sometimes more painful than the alternative whipping.  My mother worried about me even when I was an adult.  I imagine she still worries about me even though she passed away several years ago. 

This post is to honor mothers everywhere, but especially my mother and the mother of my children, my queen, my sweetheart, my lover, my wife.