Some time ago, before the world was created, there were two exalted beings. Two persons who had already experienced an earthly existence and had overcome it and had received their eternal reward and had become celestial beings. Thus began the cycle of eternal existence in which we have a part. Our Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother lived on a world much as the one we live on. They had many of the same challenges we have. They overcame temptation just as we must do. They repented just as we must do. And if we do as they did, we will become just what they are now.
Our Heavenly Parents began generating their glory. Moses was told, “For behold, this is my work and my glory–to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” Moses 1:39 They began to conceive and produce spirit children. How many did they have? I don’t know. I do know they produced sufficient spirits to people this world with all the people who have lived here, who live here now, and who will live here until the end and more. We lived with our Heavenly Parents and were taught by them. We learned all of the things we needed to know before we came to this world.
While we lived as spirits in the pre-earth existence a grand conference was held. All of Heavenly Father’s children were in attendance. There were speakers who gave us instruction much as previous conferences we attended. This was to be a special conference, though, because we were to be given information that would affect all of us. Jehovah, the first spirit child born to our Heavenly Parents, spoke. He told us of an eternal plan. A plan that would offer us an opportunity to become celestial beings like our parents are. This plan would have some danger. We would have to prove ourselves worthy to receive celestial glory. We would be given the right to chose right and wrong; To set in motion our own path; to make our own destiny. Then if we made bad decisions and recognized them, we would be given the opportunity to repent and ask forgiveness. A Savior would be provided so that we could repent and change our destiny. Jehovah told us that a council of heavenly leadership had been held and that He had volunteered to be the savior for all mankind.
After Jehovah finished his presentation, Lucifer, one of the most chosen spirits, began to address us. He reported that he had volunteered to be the savior of mankind also. He had presented a plan to the leadership council that provided that all of Heavenly Father’s children could receive celestial blessings. He would create an environment that would compel us to do right and would not permit us choices. In return, he wanted Heavenly Father’s power and glory.
We were given the opportunity to vote as to which plan we wanted to follow. The results were that 2/3 of us wanted the plan presented by Jehovah. We knew this plan was the plan followed by our Heavenly Parents, and that it was a plan that had been in place for eternities. 1/3 of our brothers and sisters voted for Lucifer’s plan. After the vote was concluded, Lucifer and the spirits that voted for his plan rebelled against Heavenly Father. A great war broke out. How it was fought I don’t know. I do know that Michael, the Arch Angel, led the fight on the side of Heavenly Father’s plan. Lucifer, who’s name was changed to Satan, led the fight on the other side. Michael’s forces prevailed and at the command of Heavenly Father, cast Satan and his followers out of heaven. They were exiled to this world.(Revelation 11:7-9) They would be the catalyst that would permit us to make decisions based on right and wrong.
Peace was again established in Heaven, and the plan could go forward. Plans were laid to carry out the great plan of happiness. A world had to be created for us so that we could go forward. Our Heavenly Parents have physical bodies. We, as yet, were only bodies of spirit. In order for us to become as our Heavenly Parents we needed a place to gain physical bodies.
Heavenly Father directed Jehovah and Michael, among others, to go and create a world. We can read about this creation in Genesis, Moses, and Abraham. I don’t know how long it took to create this world. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t in 6 days. We are taught in the temple that there were 6 creative periods that Heavenly Father called days. I suspect that the periods were not of equal length of time. I’m not sure that time was even measured during the creative periods except that they called each period a day.
This earth was not created out of nothingness. There were materials unorganized available. These materials were used to make this earth. How was it done? I don’t know and I don’t think any of the greatest scientists have any idea either. I have an idea that it was done using natural physical laws, many of which we have no knowledge. We are told that it was done by God’s power delegated to Jehovah.
At any rate the world was completed and a garden planted eastward in Eden. It was a glorious garden. It was a paradise. Food grew spontaneously. It would support life. Heavenly Father and Jehovah saw that the creation was complete except there was no people yet on the earth.
President Harold B. Lee taught that our Heavenly Parents produced two physical children for this world, Adam and Eve. We know that the Arch Angel we knew as Michael in the pre-earth life, became known as Adam. He was given the honor because of his station in the pre-earth life. The spirit that became Eve was equal in spiritual stature to Adam and was given the honor of being the first daughter to inhabit a physical body. Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden and were given commandments by God.
1. Take care of the Garden of Eden.
2. Multiply and replenish the earth.
3. Don’t partake of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
4. Stay together.
In their current state, they were not yet mortal. They had physical bodies, but they were not yet mortal. So they could not have children. They were in a quandary. What should they do? They were commanded to multiply and replenish the earth, but they couldn’t unless they partook of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. The were taught what the consequences would be if they partook of the fruit.
What should they do? Satan helped them with their decision. Here’s a thought that each of us should consider. Satan will use truths to aim us at his goal post. Satan taught them that if they wanted to continue with their celestial journey, they must partake of the fruit and become mortal. He purposely didn’t mention that by so doing they would loose the spiritual connection with God that they had previously enjoyed.
Adam was resistant. He was pretty happy to live in the Garden of Eden with his sweetheart. Eve, however, could see beyond the moment. She understood that in order for them to progress they would have to choose mortality. Thus she partook of the fruit and encouraged Adam to do likewise.
The fall was understood. Adam and Eve understood the consequences. But they also knew the benefits. They were able to follow the higher law by transgressing the lesser law. As a result, mankind was permitted to follow. We came into this life because of the choice that Adam and Eve made.
We came to this world full of promise and thinking we could overcome anything thrown our direction. I believe our family ties were established in the pre-earth life and that we may have even chosen some of our own circumstances. I’m pretty sure we were, in a way, pretty delusional about how well we would do. I doubt we had any clue how hard it would be to always make right decisions. I don’t think we knew how much work it would be to control this physical body and its appetites. I suppose if we knew then what we know now, we’d have entered into this life with much more fear.
When we see a little baby, new from the pre-earth life, we can tell of its divine nature. Then when we understand that we are responsible to teach this little creature the difference of right and wrong, what consequences follow our decisions, and what we must do to earn eternal life, we find the responsibility very daunting. Some of us never learn and thus never teach our children those things that will get them back to our Heavenly Father. Some of us are afraid to teach our children for fear they won’t like us anymore. It is hard to be firm to our children if we think we have to be their friend. But let us think of the consequences of NOT teaching them correct principles. If we only depend on the church, or the schools to teach our children, we fail them, we fail our Heavenly Father, and we fail ourselves.
We must teach them of morality, What clothing is inappropriate to wear in public, What language is inappropriate, What attitudes are inappropriate, What actions are inappropriate. We must teach them of loyalty to our God, our Church, and our Country. We must teach them to follow the teachings of the prophets and even our own Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. We must teach them and ourselves to obey the commandments and guidance given to us by God through his prophets.
Then as we grow old and prepare ourselves to depart this life, we will find satisfaction in our lives. My father was still giving us guidance up until just a few days before he passed away. He was fulfilling his responsibilities as a father.
When we have passed through this mortal life and have done all we think we can, when we have repented of the bad decisions we have made, and when we have tried to mend whatever fences we’ve broken with those about us, we can rest easy. But our lives are not over. We just pass in to a different phase of our eternal existence.
When we leave this life, we pass into a Post-earth existence as spirits. If we have failed in this life we will go to a state of spirit prison. I believe this to be a state of mind more than an exact prison. We will be in darkness just as people who live in sin here live in darkness, not knowing the true light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
If we have done well we can enter into a state of paradise. While in the post-earth spirit existence we may be asked to work as missionaries to teach those who didn’t get a chance to enjoy the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We may be asked to serve in other capacities too. When we die, our lives are not over and we don’t just stop doing. We’ll still be concerned for our descendants. We’ll be able to become acquainted with our ancestors. We’ll be able to help those of our friends that we didn’t teach when we were living. We’ll still have things to accomplish.
When the right time comes, we will be judged by our actions according to the knowledge we have attained. We will be placed into an eternal existence that will most fit our circumstance. The Apostle Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 15:40-41:
40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory.
I believe we will receive the kingdom that will be most comfortable for us. I believe that is the mercy of our Father in Heaven. The hell will come when we remember our potential, but know our station. That we could have been celestial, but fell short.
If we do as our Heavenly Parents did, we will be able to build our own glory just as they did and are doing. We can begin to create worlds without number and to have children without number to people those worlds. This is our ultimate goal.
I testify to you that the principles I have taught you today are true. They have been similarly taught by prophets throughout the generations of this world. They have been understood by the Saints in each dispensation from Adam to Joseph Smith. They can be found in the writings of the prophets that we know as the Holy Scriptures.
God loves us. We are his children. He wants us to succeed, but he won’t compel us to do so. He only asks us to follow his commandments and teachings and in return he promises all he has to us.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Friday, December 14, 2012
Democrats Defining GOP?
Why is the Democrat party trying to define republicanism? Democrats have no idea what it is and are really not interested in finding out. In my not-so-humble opinion a simile might be a blind person attempting to describe a pretty vista. He has never seen it and thus can't describe it.
Democrats have never seen how a republic works and are uninterested in discovering how it might be helpful. Democrats appear to be interested in only one thing. Control of every part of every life in the country. They cannot abide personal liberties. The cannot permit decisions based on one's taste, talent, experience, and education. They won't investigate illegitimate science. They won't dig into disaster to find the root cause.
Republicans, on the other hand, (and I mean true republicans, not the politicans that call themselves Republicans), represent the people. They work to enforce the people's desires not their own personal desire for control. The people's interest is what they should be doing and they will hold the line against any effort to circumvent that interest.
Unfortunately, I don't see anyone in congress brave enough to be a leader of a republican nation. I hoped we'd see one in Paul Ryan, but I see he has walked back to the confines of a centrist. Rand Paul talks like a conservative and he acts like he would actually back republicanism, but he has yet to show his true colors, in my opinion.
What to do. Should we sit back and let the socialists take us over? I suspect there will be rebellion before too many years. Americans will not tolerate their liberties being withdrawn. I hope I don't live long enough to see the People's Republik of Amerika unfold.
Democrats have never seen how a republic works and are uninterested in discovering how it might be helpful. Democrats appear to be interested in only one thing. Control of every part of every life in the country. They cannot abide personal liberties. The cannot permit decisions based on one's taste, talent, experience, and education. They won't investigate illegitimate science. They won't dig into disaster to find the root cause.
Republicans, on the other hand, (and I mean true republicans, not the politicans that call themselves Republicans), represent the people. They work to enforce the people's desires not their own personal desire for control. The people's interest is what they should be doing and they will hold the line against any effort to circumvent that interest.
Unfortunately, I don't see anyone in congress brave enough to be a leader of a republican nation. I hoped we'd see one in Paul Ryan, but I see he has walked back to the confines of a centrist. Rand Paul talks like a conservative and he acts like he would actually back republicanism, but he has yet to show his true colors, in my opinion.
What to do. Should we sit back and let the socialists take us over? I suspect there will be rebellion before too many years. Americans will not tolerate their liberties being withdrawn. I hope I don't live long enough to see the People's Republik of Amerika unfold.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
The Politicrats in Washington Still Don't Get It!
So our nation is broke. We are in debt up to our eyebrows with no end in sight. Our elected representatives cannot bring themselves to the point of eliminating costs in order to unravel the mess. This is kind of like trying to untangle an extension cord. In order to put it right you have to start at one end and work to the other.
In the case of our government, rather than start to unravel the tangle, we're making it worse by increasing costs. My question is: How does that help? Obviously the people the Administration has hired have never met a budget. Oh Yeah...they haven't had a budget to meet. Congress doesn't want to publish one. Why does the House of Representatives not perform its constitutional duties and create and pass a budget and then let the Senate and President explain to us why they won't endorse it. Since a compromise does not seem to be in the cards, the House needs to just act unilaterally. If Mr. Boehner is not man enough to take care of business we'll need a new Speaker with courage and forcefulness.
I'll restate my suggestions:
Close the Department of Energy Denial. Dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that department.
Close the Department of mis-Education. Dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that department. Send the responsibility for education back to the local level where it belongs.
Sell ALL land now administered by the Bureau of Land Mis-Management, close the bureau and dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that department.
Sell ALL land now administered by the National Park Service to private entities who will run the parks and monuments at a profit. By so doing, the parks and monuments will be better maintained and will be more attractive and less dangerous to the public. Close the National Park Service and dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that service.
Close the Department of Transportation. Dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that department. The federal government long ago gave responsibilities to the states and there is no reason for it to exist now.
Close the National Health Service. Dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that service.
Close the Food and Drug Administration. Dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that Administration.
Close the FAA. Turn all responsibilities over to the American Airline Association who is funded by those who use the airways. Dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that administration.
Close the Department of Homeland inSecurity. It is a intrusive department that is not needed or wanted by the public. Move all law enforcement to the Department of Justice where it belongs. Dismiss any other employees, regulators, managers, bureaucrats, and any other person now attached to that department.
Reduce the Department of Agriculture. Obviously if the BLM, the Park Service, FDA, and other entities are reduced, the department won't need as many people.
Close the Environmental Protection Agency. They've regulated us out of business. They've strangled the free market. Dismiss all employees, managers, enforcement officers and agents, and any other person attached to that agency.
By attending to the above, the deficit is eliminated, taxes can remain low and there is plenty of money to take care of essential government programs.
In the case of our government, rather than start to unravel the tangle, we're making it worse by increasing costs. My question is: How does that help? Obviously the people the Administration has hired have never met a budget. Oh Yeah...they haven't had a budget to meet. Congress doesn't want to publish one. Why does the House of Representatives not perform its constitutional duties and create and pass a budget and then let the Senate and President explain to us why they won't endorse it. Since a compromise does not seem to be in the cards, the House needs to just act unilaterally. If Mr. Boehner is not man enough to take care of business we'll need a new Speaker with courage and forcefulness.
I'll restate my suggestions:
Close the Department of Energy Denial. Dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that department.
Close the Department of mis-Education. Dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that department. Send the responsibility for education back to the local level where it belongs.
Sell ALL land now administered by the Bureau of Land Mis-Management, close the bureau and dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that department.
Sell ALL land now administered by the National Park Service to private entities who will run the parks and monuments at a profit. By so doing, the parks and monuments will be better maintained and will be more attractive and less dangerous to the public. Close the National Park Service and dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that service.
Close the Department of Transportation. Dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that department. The federal government long ago gave responsibilities to the states and there is no reason for it to exist now.
Close the National Health Service. Dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that service.
Close the Food and Drug Administration. Dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that Administration.
Close the FAA. Turn all responsibilities over to the American Airline Association who is funded by those who use the airways. Dismiss all employees, regulators, managers, enforcement officers and any other person attached to that administration.
Close the Department of Homeland inSecurity. It is a intrusive department that is not needed or wanted by the public. Move all law enforcement to the Department of Justice where it belongs. Dismiss any other employees, regulators, managers, bureaucrats, and any other person now attached to that department.
Reduce the Department of Agriculture. Obviously if the BLM, the Park Service, FDA, and other entities are reduced, the department won't need as many people.
Close the Environmental Protection Agency. They've regulated us out of business. They've strangled the free market. Dismiss all employees, managers, enforcement officers and agents, and any other person attached to that agency.
By attending to the above, the deficit is eliminated, taxes can remain low and there is plenty of money to take care of essential government programs.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Warriors and How They Fight
I've stumbled upon a thought today that I've never had before. It was a moment of spiritual realization that spilled out during a moment of meditation this morning.
Our nation has many thousands of battle-ready warriors around the world who are ready to follow their leaders into war. These warriors are trained to fight physically against a foe similarly prepared to fight against them. In reserve, our nation has hundreds of thousands of battle-hardened and seasoned warriors that could be called upon and who would respond to the call.
Similarly, the Lord has nearly 60 thousand battle-ready stripling warriors, endowed with His power and authority, in the field with double that many who are preparing to serve. Similarly, there are hundreds of thousands of battle-hardened warriors who are willing to serve at a moment's notice and do so currently as home-guards. Who are these warriors? They are missionaries who are serving to battle ignorance, darkness and evil. They are young men and women who have been called by the Lord's prophet to teach His gospel. They are the young men and women who are preparing to serve. They are also the silver foxes who have served throughout their lives and are ready to teach what they have learned over the years. They are those who are home, strengthening and helping those who remain behind. They are those who administer the Church that contains the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Where the warriors of military might fight physically, the representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ are continually battling spiritual darkness and evil.
I am pleased to note that my princess bride and I will be joining the silver foxes who will teach what we've learned over more than 45 years of service. Though our bodies are not young and strong, our spirits are sturdy, our will is strong, our service is needed and we will respond.
It is interesting to me that a time of sacred and spiritual uplift is preceded by the most chaotic of times. And the more sacred and spiritual the uplift, the more chaos precedes it.
Please read 3 Nephi 1:4-13 as an example.
Today we have chaos predicted by prophets for generations. Will it lead up to the 2nd coming of the Lamb?
Our nation has many thousands of battle-ready warriors around the world who are ready to follow their leaders into war. These warriors are trained to fight physically against a foe similarly prepared to fight against them. In reserve, our nation has hundreds of thousands of battle-hardened and seasoned warriors that could be called upon and who would respond to the call.
Similarly, the Lord has nearly 60 thousand battle-ready stripling warriors, endowed with His power and authority, in the field with double that many who are preparing to serve. Similarly, there are hundreds of thousands of battle-hardened warriors who are willing to serve at a moment's notice and do so currently as home-guards. Who are these warriors? They are missionaries who are serving to battle ignorance, darkness and evil. They are young men and women who have been called by the Lord's prophet to teach His gospel. They are the young men and women who are preparing to serve. They are also the silver foxes who have served throughout their lives and are ready to teach what they have learned over the years. They are those who are home, strengthening and helping those who remain behind. They are those who administer the Church that contains the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Where the warriors of military might fight physically, the representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ are continually battling spiritual darkness and evil.
I am pleased to note that my princess bride and I will be joining the silver foxes who will teach what we've learned over more than 45 years of service. Though our bodies are not young and strong, our spirits are sturdy, our will is strong, our service is needed and we will respond.
It is interesting to me that a time of sacred and spiritual uplift is preceded by the most chaotic of times. And the more sacred and spiritual the uplift, the more chaos precedes it.
Please read 3 Nephi 1:4-13 as an example.
Today we have chaos predicted by prophets for generations. Will it lead up to the 2nd coming of the Lamb?
Thursday, December 6, 2012
So Separation of Church and State?
Because the current batch of liberals who have infested the White House and the Senate and who seem to have the majority in the Supreme Court, and because these statists insist that we maintain the fairy tale of separation of Church and State, I will expect the following:
The Supreme Court, its clerks, staff, security, and attendants will be on duty as usual during the week of December 24-28. Those who declare their belief in Jesus Christ publicly and in writing, and take the days off to celebrate their religion will not be intimidated, disciplined, or maligned in any way, but must take the days off without pay.
The White House, the President, the Cabinet, all of the advisors, czars, employees, Secret Service attendants, secretaries, and staff will be at their posts as usual during the week of December 24-28. Those who declare their belief in Jesus Christ publicly and in writing, and take the days off to celebrate their religion will not be intimidated, disciplined, or maligned in any way, but must take the days off without pay, and the offices must be open and staffed.
The Congress, clerks, staff, Capital Security, and all employees will be taking care of the people's business as usual, i.e. actually working instead of posturing during the week of December 24-28. Those who declare their belief in Jesus Christ publicly and in writing, and take the days off to celebrate their religion will not be intimidated, disciplined, or maligned in any way, but must take the days off without pay, and the offices must remain open and properly staffed.
The bureaus, departments, commissions, administrations, enforcement agencies, and any other government employees will be at their posts and offices open for business during the week of December 24-28. Those who declare their belief in Jesus Christ publicly and in writing, and take the days off to celebrate their religion will not be intimidated, disciplined, or maligned in any way, but must take the days off without pay, and the offices must remain open and properly staffed.
All state agencies, offices, bureaus, administrations, commissions, their staffs and employees will be at their posts and offices will be staffed as usual and open for business during the week of December 24-28. Those who declare their belief in Jesus Christ publicly and in writing, and take the days off to celebrate their religion will not be intimidated, disciplined, or maligned in any way, but must take the days off without pay, and the offices must remain open and properly staffed.
All city agencies, offices, bureaus, administrations, commissions, their respective staffs and employees will be at their posts and offices staffed as usual and open for business during the week of December 24-28. Those who declare their belief in Jesus Christ publicly and in writing, and take the days off to celebrate their religion will not be intimidated, disciplined, or maligned in any way, but must take the days off without pay, and the offices must remain open and properly staffed.
All state sponsored Schools, Colleges, Universities, training programs, etc will be open for business and their employees, administrators, managers, and teachers will be at their posts whether or not students attend. Students and staff who wish to be away from school practicing their religious beliefs will not be intimidated, disciplined, or maligned in any way, but the schools will be open and fully staffed.
All of this so that the leftist zealots cannot say that there is a bias for a certain religion. I don't want any of them to benefit from the Christian beliefs that are so dear to the rest of us.
That seems fair to me.
The Supreme Court, its clerks, staff, security, and attendants will be on duty as usual during the week of December 24-28. Those who declare their belief in Jesus Christ publicly and in writing, and take the days off to celebrate their religion will not be intimidated, disciplined, or maligned in any way, but must take the days off without pay.
The White House, the President, the Cabinet, all of the advisors, czars, employees, Secret Service attendants, secretaries, and staff will be at their posts as usual during the week of December 24-28. Those who declare their belief in Jesus Christ publicly and in writing, and take the days off to celebrate their religion will not be intimidated, disciplined, or maligned in any way, but must take the days off without pay, and the offices must be open and staffed.
The Congress, clerks, staff, Capital Security, and all employees will be taking care of the people's business as usual, i.e. actually working instead of posturing during the week of December 24-28. Those who declare their belief in Jesus Christ publicly and in writing, and take the days off to celebrate their religion will not be intimidated, disciplined, or maligned in any way, but must take the days off without pay, and the offices must remain open and properly staffed.
The bureaus, departments, commissions, administrations, enforcement agencies, and any other government employees will be at their posts and offices open for business during the week of December 24-28. Those who declare their belief in Jesus Christ publicly and in writing, and take the days off to celebrate their religion will not be intimidated, disciplined, or maligned in any way, but must take the days off without pay, and the offices must remain open and properly staffed.
All state agencies, offices, bureaus, administrations, commissions, their staffs and employees will be at their posts and offices will be staffed as usual and open for business during the week of December 24-28. Those who declare their belief in Jesus Christ publicly and in writing, and take the days off to celebrate their religion will not be intimidated, disciplined, or maligned in any way, but must take the days off without pay, and the offices must remain open and properly staffed.
All city agencies, offices, bureaus, administrations, commissions, their respective staffs and employees will be at their posts and offices staffed as usual and open for business during the week of December 24-28. Those who declare their belief in Jesus Christ publicly and in writing, and take the days off to celebrate their religion will not be intimidated, disciplined, or maligned in any way, but must take the days off without pay, and the offices must remain open and properly staffed.
All state sponsored Schools, Colleges, Universities, training programs, etc will be open for business and their employees, administrators, managers, and teachers will be at their posts whether or not students attend. Students and staff who wish to be away from school practicing their religious beliefs will not be intimidated, disciplined, or maligned in any way, but the schools will be open and fully staffed.
All of this so that the leftist zealots cannot say that there is a bias for a certain religion. I don't want any of them to benefit from the Christian beliefs that are so dear to the rest of us.
That seems fair to me.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Life is....and then isn't.
Yesterday I had the privilege of attending the funeral for one of the most influential people in my life. When I met him I was a skinny, painfully shy, backwoods, 19 year-old youngster. We met in his office in Montevideo, Uruguay. He was my Mission President and I had arrived in country mere moments before.
President Gardner H. Russell was a truly amazing man. He led hundreds of missionaries through some pretty troubling times. He was threatened by urban gorillas, the tupamaros, and yet continued in his daily routine. He was unflappable.
President Russell saw a potential in me that I did not see myself. He gave me confidence. He gave me support. Before I was 20 years old he called me to the position of Branch President and I continued in that calling until a few days before my 21st birthday. I served as Branch President in two different branches. The first was wildly successful and the second struggled.
In any case, at his funeral I saw a man I thought I recognized. I didn't know who he was but I held out my hand and said, "I should know you." He introduced himself as Mark Walton, who was my companion.in La Paz 41 years ago. We remembered our time together and we remembered President Russell.
Amazingly, though it has been 40 years since I last saw the Russell children, and I'm twice the man I was in those days, Jana recognized me as did Dorothy. I felt it a privilege to be personally notified of the funeral, and I was honored to be there.
Though we enter this life and then we leave it, there are some things of which I am certain. I've had a confirmation of my faith and these things are the foundations of it.
1. God lives. He is interested in our lives. He won't interfere unless we disturb his plan. He will help good people to become better, and he will permit bad people to indict themselves. He permits disasters to happen because they are tests of our faith and because it lets the wicked prove themselves.
2. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. He is my Lord, my Savior, my arbiter with the Father. He is my Master whom I willingly serve.
3. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored in its fullness by Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ using the means of modern prophets, namely, Joseph Smith, Jr, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Joseph F. Smith, Heber J. Grant, George Albert Smith, David O. McKay, Joseph Fielding Smith, Harold B. Lee, Spencer W. Kimball, Ezra Taft Benson, Howard W. Hunter, Gordon B. Hinckley and today Thomas S. Monson.
4. I know that my Princess bride and I have been sealed together for time and eternity. If the last nearly 40 years is any indication, we will enjoy the eternities together. I know that our children have also been sealed to us for time and eternity. I love each of my children.
5. I know that salvation is an individual project, but exaltation is a family project.
I hope each of my acquaintances will come to similar knowledge.
President Gardner H. Russell was a truly amazing man. He led hundreds of missionaries through some pretty troubling times. He was threatened by urban gorillas, the tupamaros, and yet continued in his daily routine. He was unflappable.
President Russell saw a potential in me that I did not see myself. He gave me confidence. He gave me support. Before I was 20 years old he called me to the position of Branch President and I continued in that calling until a few days before my 21st birthday. I served as Branch President in two different branches. The first was wildly successful and the second struggled.
In any case, at his funeral I saw a man I thought I recognized. I didn't know who he was but I held out my hand and said, "I should know you." He introduced himself as Mark Walton, who was my companion.in La Paz 41 years ago. We remembered our time together and we remembered President Russell.
Amazingly, though it has been 40 years since I last saw the Russell children, and I'm twice the man I was in those days, Jana recognized me as did Dorothy. I felt it a privilege to be personally notified of the funeral, and I was honored to be there.
Though we enter this life and then we leave it, there are some things of which I am certain. I've had a confirmation of my faith and these things are the foundations of it.
1. God lives. He is interested in our lives. He won't interfere unless we disturb his plan. He will help good people to become better, and he will permit bad people to indict themselves. He permits disasters to happen because they are tests of our faith and because it lets the wicked prove themselves.
2. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. He is my Lord, my Savior, my arbiter with the Father. He is my Master whom I willingly serve.
3. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored in its fullness by Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ using the means of modern prophets, namely, Joseph Smith, Jr, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Joseph F. Smith, Heber J. Grant, George Albert Smith, David O. McKay, Joseph Fielding Smith, Harold B. Lee, Spencer W. Kimball, Ezra Taft Benson, Howard W. Hunter, Gordon B. Hinckley and today Thomas S. Monson.
4. I know that my Princess bride and I have been sealed together for time and eternity. If the last nearly 40 years is any indication, we will enjoy the eternities together. I know that our children have also been sealed to us for time and eternity. I love each of my children.
5. I know that salvation is an individual project, but exaltation is a family project.
I hope each of my acquaintances will come to similar knowledge.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Political Parties Have Changed
I admit it. While I was growing up, my parents were died-in-the-wool democrats. I grew up thinking the Democrat party was what I should believe in. I liked JFK. LBJ didn't interest me much. He was a little too liberal for me then. But when the Democrat party placed abortion in its platform it lost me. The party moved where I would not go so I abandoned the Democrat party and attached myself to the Republican party. I was pretty comfortable there until George W. Bush was elected.
I began to see that the Republican party was beginning to drift to the position the Democrat party used to be and the Democrat party was becoming more socialist minded than republic minded. I determined to call the two parties, the Demican party and the Repubicrat party. I began to look for a 3rd party to which I could attach myself.
I looked at the Libertarian Party. Unfortunately their platform is a little goofy. They have planks that I cannot sustain such as decreminalizing drugs. They had a plank regarding religion that I couldn't sustain either and there are other segments that I can't support.
I looked at the Constitution Party too. There are many things that I like in the Constitution Party. Their planks regarding family, God, and individual are pleasing. However the Constitution Party has its warts too.
So now, what to do is the question. Over the past few years I've thought perhaps I could stay attached to the Republican party and work from within to move it to the right. However, I believe the leaders of the Republican party are too happy with their perceived power to ever permit the party to move to real conservatism.
I've worried that there will need to be a revolution to right this listing ship. I don't want to see an actual war, but I do want to see a political remake to return this nation to it's founding documents, to throw off the cycle of tax and spend, to return independence to the individual and family, to return the family as the basic unit of political power.
I'll bet I'll never see it happen. There are too many drones in our society. There are too many takers and not enough producers. We've let the entrepreneurial spirit escape us. We, as a people, no longer have the unquenchable desire to excell. I mourn the loss.
I began to see that the Republican party was beginning to drift to the position the Democrat party used to be and the Democrat party was becoming more socialist minded than republic minded. I determined to call the two parties, the Demican party and the Repubicrat party. I began to look for a 3rd party to which I could attach myself.
I looked at the Libertarian Party. Unfortunately their platform is a little goofy. They have planks that I cannot sustain such as decreminalizing drugs. They had a plank regarding religion that I couldn't sustain either and there are other segments that I can't support.
I looked at the Constitution Party too. There are many things that I like in the Constitution Party. Their planks regarding family, God, and individual are pleasing. However the Constitution Party has its warts too.
So now, what to do is the question. Over the past few years I've thought perhaps I could stay attached to the Republican party and work from within to move it to the right. However, I believe the leaders of the Republican party are too happy with their perceived power to ever permit the party to move to real conservatism.
I've worried that there will need to be a revolution to right this listing ship. I don't want to see an actual war, but I do want to see a political remake to return this nation to it's founding documents, to throw off the cycle of tax and spend, to return independence to the individual and family, to return the family as the basic unit of political power.
I'll bet I'll never see it happen. There are too many drones in our society. There are too many takers and not enough producers. We've let the entrepreneurial spirit escape us. We, as a people, no longer have the unquenchable desire to excell. I mourn the loss.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Disappointed, but vindicated.
I am pretty disappointed with the outcome of the national elections held last week. I'd be the first to admit that I hoped that it would turn out differently, but I didn't really expect it. As I have said many times over the past year, Mr. Romney, in my humble opinion, is a closet progressive. He pretty much admitted it during the last "debate" where he agreed with most of the things Mr. Obama said.
What happened?
Again in my most humble opinion, a wanna-be conservative doesn't stand a chance. A campaign can never be won on a sliding rule or on changing stances. Mr. Obama didn't win because he's such a great president, but rather because the conservative did an about face and returned to his centrist past.
A staunch conservative would have won. A candidate that will stand up and be counted to do the following will activate the conservative base, wake up the silent majority, and will definitely win. It is only when there isn't much obvious difference between the candidates that the challenger will fail.
1. Don't use advisors from the past.
2. Check in with the Tea Party activists. They have good ideas.
3. Remember the Title of Liberty, which is: "In Memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives and our children". Proclaim it loudly and proudly.
4. Stick to the founding documents. They are not fodder to be destroyed.
5. Remember that the family unit is the basic unit of society. It should not be destroyed in the name of progressive liberal politics.
6. Our nation was created by inspired men. It should be led by inspired men. Don't promote evil individuals for public office.
7. Consult leaders of religion, particularly Christian leaders of religion.
8. Disregard any deviations from righteous principles.
9. DO NOT spend useless time destroying others. Present your case in your own terms and learn to speak without notes or teleprompter.
10. Be honest. It's easier to remember the truth than it is to remember which fairy tale you told last time.
11. Don't tell us what you think we want to hear. Tell us how you will govern. Tell us how you think. Don't give us "buyer beware" tactics.
What happened?
Again in my most humble opinion, a wanna-be conservative doesn't stand a chance. A campaign can never be won on a sliding rule or on changing stances. Mr. Obama didn't win because he's such a great president, but rather because the conservative did an about face and returned to his centrist past.
A staunch conservative would have won. A candidate that will stand up and be counted to do the following will activate the conservative base, wake up the silent majority, and will definitely win. It is only when there isn't much obvious difference between the candidates that the challenger will fail.
1. Don't use advisors from the past.
2. Check in with the Tea Party activists. They have good ideas.
3. Remember the Title of Liberty, which is: "In Memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives and our children". Proclaim it loudly and proudly.
4. Stick to the founding documents. They are not fodder to be destroyed.
5. Remember that the family unit is the basic unit of society. It should not be destroyed in the name of progressive liberal politics.
6. Our nation was created by inspired men. It should be led by inspired men. Don't promote evil individuals for public office.
7. Consult leaders of religion, particularly Christian leaders of religion.
8. Disregard any deviations from righteous principles.
9. DO NOT spend useless time destroying others. Present your case in your own terms and learn to speak without notes or teleprompter.
10. Be honest. It's easier to remember the truth than it is to remember which fairy tale you told last time.
11. Don't tell us what you think we want to hear. Tell us how you will govern. Tell us how you think. Don't give us "buyer beware" tactics.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
I'm A Little Heavy of Heart
I hope that you'll forgive me for a personal note today.
Most of you know that I'm a family man. I have a fairly large family, and I love each of my children and their respective companions. It disappoints me that I apparently have not shared my feelings sufficiently with my children. Here is the reason for my statement:
This past weekend we had an unplanned family event. Our Air Force son and his wife came to visit from a long distance unannounced. We were pleased to see them and to enjoy them for a family birthday party honoring him and his twin brother. We contacted each of our children that live close by and let them know we were planning family events for the weekend while we were able to watch LDS General Conference. Each of my children that live close by came with spouse in tow to honor the birthday celebration of of my youngest two except one son and his wife. I am pretty disappointed that neither he nor she responded to any communication, and didn't at least honor us with a note declining to come. They just plain ignored the event all together. What topped the whole thing was a facebook note telling how much fun was had playing football on Sunday.
I thought I had taught my children to enjoy each other and honor each other's special days. I now must admit my failure. Failure as a father to teach my children is one of the most horrible thought I an imagine.
I've struggled over the past three days how to approach my failure and how to express my disappointment without being too condemning. I admit that I am still having trouble with it. Perhaps some of you can help me come to grips with this awful situation.
Most of you know that I'm a family man. I have a fairly large family, and I love each of my children and their respective companions. It disappoints me that I apparently have not shared my feelings sufficiently with my children. Here is the reason for my statement:
This past weekend we had an unplanned family event. Our Air Force son and his wife came to visit from a long distance unannounced. We were pleased to see them and to enjoy them for a family birthday party honoring him and his twin brother. We contacted each of our children that live close by and let them know we were planning family events for the weekend while we were able to watch LDS General Conference. Each of my children that live close by came with spouse in tow to honor the birthday celebration of of my youngest two except one son and his wife. I am pretty disappointed that neither he nor she responded to any communication, and didn't at least honor us with a note declining to come. They just plain ignored the event all together. What topped the whole thing was a facebook note telling how much fun was had playing football on Sunday.
I thought I had taught my children to enjoy each other and honor each other's special days. I now must admit my failure. Failure as a father to teach my children is one of the most horrible thought I an imagine.
I've struggled over the past three days how to approach my failure and how to express my disappointment without being too condemning. I admit that I am still having trouble with it. Perhaps some of you can help me come to grips with this awful situation.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
The 47% from my point of view
From my point of view the 47% are made up of local, state, and federal government employees, welfare recipients, and government appointees at all levels including all three branches of government. The problem with the concept of the 47% is perception.
Let's take an example of a local city parks employee who makes $38,000/year. The associated payroll costs are about 40%, so actual cost to the city is about $53,200/year not including the vehicle and government issued supplies. This $53,200.00 is money paid into the city's coffers in the form of taxes. It may have been received through grants from state or federal government, but it all comes back to taxes. The employee returns about 17% to local, state, and federal taxes including income tax, fica, medicare taxes, etc. or about $9044.00. Therefore the employee actually reduces tax income from governments by $44,156.00.
While I don't advocate reducing these employees, it is important to see that they don't "pay" taxes. Instead they "receive" taxes. It doesn't feel that way to the employee, but the reality is that they pay a negative tax as shown above.
The same scenario applies to any government employee, appointee, and welfare recipient. Retirees are not the same because most of them paid into a phantom retirement program for years and years because the government told us it would pay for our retirement. I saw a report last week that indicated that if a person who had worked 40 years had put the same amount of money into an investment account as was paid into Social Security either by the employee or by the employer, even if there was no interest earned on the account, average payout would be over $30,000/year at retirement. And government could not have raided Social Security monies that were supposed to be in a secure account. That being the case, we can safely call what the federal government has foisted on us fraud. This is the ultimate ponzi scheme and we, the people, fell for it.
So those government employees who rely on government paychecks surely will vote for those who will guarantee their continued employment. Surely I would. It is just a matter of survival particularly if government is the only employer that will hire us.
However, there are some who can see this picture and will vote for the health of our nation instead of continued decay.
Let's take an example of a local city parks employee who makes $38,000/year. The associated payroll costs are about 40%, so actual cost to the city is about $53,200/year not including the vehicle and government issued supplies. This $53,200.00 is money paid into the city's coffers in the form of taxes. It may have been received through grants from state or federal government, but it all comes back to taxes. The employee returns about 17% to local, state, and federal taxes including income tax, fica, medicare taxes, etc. or about $9044.00. Therefore the employee actually reduces tax income from governments by $44,156.00.
While I don't advocate reducing these employees, it is important to see that they don't "pay" taxes. Instead they "receive" taxes. It doesn't feel that way to the employee, but the reality is that they pay a negative tax as shown above.
The same scenario applies to any government employee, appointee, and welfare recipient. Retirees are not the same because most of them paid into a phantom retirement program for years and years because the government told us it would pay for our retirement. I saw a report last week that indicated that if a person who had worked 40 years had put the same amount of money into an investment account as was paid into Social Security either by the employee or by the employer, even if there was no interest earned on the account, average payout would be over $30,000/year at retirement. And government could not have raided Social Security monies that were supposed to be in a secure account. That being the case, we can safely call what the federal government has foisted on us fraud. This is the ultimate ponzi scheme and we, the people, fell for it.
So those government employees who rely on government paychecks surely will vote for those who will guarantee their continued employment. Surely I would. It is just a matter of survival particularly if government is the only employer that will hire us.
However, there are some who can see this picture and will vote for the health of our nation instead of continued decay.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Mr. Obama Abdicates His Official Duties
Mr. Obama wants to be re-elected so badly he is willing to abdicate his official responsibilities. Only he isn't abdicating to the Vice President, but rather to the Secretary of State. During the U.N. General Assembly, leaders of nations gather to help one another understand each nations fears, internal struggles, and failings. Mr. Obama had no time for such frivolity. After all he is interested in jobs. More specifically, he is interested in keeping the job he has. So instead of actually doing what we hired him to do, he abdicates his responsibilities to Mrs. Clinton. He met with no foreign leaders, he wasted no time in leaving New York to get back on the campaign trail.
If I had an employee that spent as much time brown nosing to keep his job as Mr. Obama does, he'd be fired in an instant. He has no time to do the work for which he was hired. Instead he vacations, golfs, parties, and sleeps when he should be taking care of his job. I guess this is the "hope and change" he advertized. No president of which I know previous to this lazy bum has been so negligent of his responsibilities.
After all, It is everyone else's fault that things have gone badly. He's hired a bevy of czars, advisors, and aides that are supposed to do all of this for him. It seems to me that his opinion is that he doesn't have to do anything. That's what he hired all these people to do. Mr. Obama talks the talk, but does NOT walk the walk. He doesn't understand organizational structure. For a constitutional professor, he doesn't understand the constitution. He thumbs his nose at the citizens of the United States and I believe he thinks this is all a huge game being played.
It's time for a little "hope and change" away from the Islamic law and extreme hate which Mr. Obama appears to embrace. Let's fire him in November.
If I had an employee that spent as much time brown nosing to keep his job as Mr. Obama does, he'd be fired in an instant. He has no time to do the work for which he was hired. Instead he vacations, golfs, parties, and sleeps when he should be taking care of his job. I guess this is the "hope and change" he advertized. No president of which I know previous to this lazy bum has been so negligent of his responsibilities.
After all, It is everyone else's fault that things have gone badly. He's hired a bevy of czars, advisors, and aides that are supposed to do all of this for him. It seems to me that his opinion is that he doesn't have to do anything. That's what he hired all these people to do. Mr. Obama talks the talk, but does NOT walk the walk. He doesn't understand organizational structure. For a constitutional professor, he doesn't understand the constitution. He thumbs his nose at the citizens of the United States and I believe he thinks this is all a huge game being played.
It's time for a little "hope and change" away from the Islamic law and extreme hate which Mr. Obama appears to embrace. Let's fire him in November.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Obama Apologizes Again! But not to the American People.
So Mr. Obama apologized again. This time to the U.N. for the musings of a single individual regarding Islam and Mohammed.
When was there a demand that the Supreme Leader of Iran to apologize for the remarks made about Jesus? Where was the outrage? When was the demand that Mr. Ahmadinijab apologize for his remarks regarding Israel? Or are we just to say to ourselves "Only Christians and Jews are permitted to be offended"? This is a shining example of how tolerant Islamic peoples aren't, and how intolerant Mr. Obama is towards Christians.
How can a genuine Christian vote for intolerance of this nature. I wonder why there isn't an outcry for the intolerance regarding the Mormon Christian faith. I wonder why only Islam is permitted to be outraged.
Interesting isn't it?
Mr. Obama, GET OFF YOUR SORRY BUTT and go to work for AMERICA and not Islam! Stop the partying, vacationing, golfing, and sleeping late and at least pretend you really want to be president of the Greatest Nation the world has ever known.
As for Harry Reid.....I've wondered how he can be a member of the Mormon Church and make statements he has made about Mr. Romney. Honesty is a virtue of utmost importance in the Church. While I can't judge him personally, I can judge his actions, statements, and record. I am baffled!
Mr. Reid: Shut up if you can't be at least honest in your dealings with your fellow man. You should be ashamed. Telling Bold Faced lies is not a virtue. It seems to be the symptoms of a pathological liar. Nevada needs to recall you.
When was there a demand that the Supreme Leader of Iran to apologize for the remarks made about Jesus? Where was the outrage? When was the demand that Mr. Ahmadinijab apologize for his remarks regarding Israel? Or are we just to say to ourselves "Only Christians and Jews are permitted to be offended"? This is a shining example of how tolerant Islamic peoples aren't, and how intolerant Mr. Obama is towards Christians.
How can a genuine Christian vote for intolerance of this nature. I wonder why there isn't an outcry for the intolerance regarding the Mormon Christian faith. I wonder why only Islam is permitted to be outraged.
Interesting isn't it?
Mr. Obama, GET OFF YOUR SORRY BUTT and go to work for AMERICA and not Islam! Stop the partying, vacationing, golfing, and sleeping late and at least pretend you really want to be president of the Greatest Nation the world has ever known.
As for Harry Reid.....I've wondered how he can be a member of the Mormon Church and make statements he has made about Mr. Romney. Honesty is a virtue of utmost importance in the Church. While I can't judge him personally, I can judge his actions, statements, and record. I am baffled!
Mr. Reid: Shut up if you can't be at least honest in your dealings with your fellow man. You should be ashamed. Telling Bold Faced lies is not a virtue. It seems to be the symptoms of a pathological liar. Nevada needs to recall you.
Monday, September 24, 2012
The Ayatollah Barry Soetoro (Obama) Should Apologize to AMERICA!
Mr. Obama should be apologizing to the American people for the lack of protection he provides for his own foreign service staff. Instead he apologizes to the Muslim Brotherhood and anyone else who might be "offended" for our people being killed in their nations by their citizens.
I cannot believe he has such disdain for America! He apparently hates our nation so much he is willing to suborn himself and us to radical Islam.
I believe our president should be firm in letting the world know that nations who attack our Embassies, Consulates, and staff should stand ready to defend themselves because they have committed an act of war. If they cannot control their own people, perhaps they need the United States Marines and Army Rangers to take care of that for them. And let's not feminize the rules of engagement either. Either they stand with us or we can bury them where they fall. We should NEVER, NEVER be intimated by uneducated, 4th century knuckle dragging, psychotic Islamists.
So the Islamic Middle East wants the UN to declare it illegal to criticize or make fun of Islam and Mohammed. But it is ok to criticize, make fun of, and threaten followers of Jehova, Christ, or any other religion. Such intolerance should not be justified in any degree. If/when the Christian nations have had enough of this nonsense there will be the holy war spoken of in the bible. The world should already know how it turns out. If not, the Bible was written in vain.
MR. OBAMA: Apologize to the American People immediately and get your butt to work. Stop partying, playing golf, and sleeping in and GET TO WORKING for the American People and not for the Islamic nations.
I cannot believe he has such disdain for America! He apparently hates our nation so much he is willing to suborn himself and us to radical Islam.
I believe our president should be firm in letting the world know that nations who attack our Embassies, Consulates, and staff should stand ready to defend themselves because they have committed an act of war. If they cannot control their own people, perhaps they need the United States Marines and Army Rangers to take care of that for them. And let's not feminize the rules of engagement either. Either they stand with us or we can bury them where they fall. We should NEVER, NEVER be intimated by uneducated, 4th century knuckle dragging, psychotic Islamists.
So the Islamic Middle East wants the UN to declare it illegal to criticize or make fun of Islam and Mohammed. But it is ok to criticize, make fun of, and threaten followers of Jehova, Christ, or any other religion. Such intolerance should not be justified in any degree. If/when the Christian nations have had enough of this nonsense there will be the holy war spoken of in the bible. The world should already know how it turns out. If not, the Bible was written in vain.
MR. OBAMA: Apologize to the American People immediately and get your butt to work. Stop partying, playing golf, and sleeping in and GET TO WORKING for the American People and not for the Islamic nations.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Democrats Want to Remove God?
I read an article this morning that the Guiding Committee for the Democrat National Convention wants the delegates to vote to take all reference to God out of the Democrat Platform.
OH MY GOODNESS. Can they be serious? I wonder what ignorant member of the human family thought that up?
I have long preached, here and elsewhere, that this nation was founded by inspired men. Whether or not they belonged to a "church" they all had belief in our Eternal Father in Heaven. I know, as do many in our nation, that the documents they drafted, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States, were inspired. Even as they debated, argued, and fought for their individual desires for this new nation they were led to documents that made up the foundation for the greatest nation the world has ever seen.
God has been protective of our nation over these many years. We have failed only when we have neglected promptings given through the Holy Spirit. When our leaders led our nation faithfully, honestly, and prayerfully our nation has had success. When our leaders stray and do NOT do so, we falter.
We MUST get back on our knees, ask forgiveness for our sins and return to our founding values. A day's work for a day's pay, plan for the future, blood is thicker than "friendship", families are our basic unit.... If we fail it is because WE moved away from our Creator, not because of political, economic, or international turmoil.
To borrow a phrase....WAKE UP AMERICA!
OH MY GOODNESS. Can they be serious? I wonder what ignorant member of the human family thought that up?
I have long preached, here and elsewhere, that this nation was founded by inspired men. Whether or not they belonged to a "church" they all had belief in our Eternal Father in Heaven. I know, as do many in our nation, that the documents they drafted, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States, were inspired. Even as they debated, argued, and fought for their individual desires for this new nation they were led to documents that made up the foundation for the greatest nation the world has ever seen.
God has been protective of our nation over these many years. We have failed only when we have neglected promptings given through the Holy Spirit. When our leaders led our nation faithfully, honestly, and prayerfully our nation has had success. When our leaders stray and do NOT do so, we falter.
We MUST get back on our knees, ask forgiveness for our sins and return to our founding values. A day's work for a day's pay, plan for the future, blood is thicker than "friendship", families are our basic unit.... If we fail it is because WE moved away from our Creator, not because of political, economic, or international turmoil.
To borrow a phrase....WAKE UP AMERICA!
Monday, September 3, 2012
Life is unpredictable
I had such great plans!
My plan was to jump in a truck in St. George Friday afternoon, deliver a load in Denver on Saturday and pick up a new load, drive back to Grand Junction, swap trucks, and be back home sometime on Sunday. It was a great plan....but I never made it past Grand Junction on the eastbound leg.
I started feeling bad Friday night so I stopped on top of the hill near Ferron, UT and spent the night. I woke up with a gigantic headache and some severe pain in my chest. I made my way to Green River and stopped there for a few minutes to clear the cobwebs and then went on to Grand Junction. I had an errand to run in Grand Junction. The chain law is in effect in Colorado starting on Sept 1, and I didn't think to get chains before I left St. George, so I had to buy some in Grand Junction. The chains come in 5 bags that weigh over 50 lbs each. After I loaded these onto the truck I was exhausted. I doubted I could even climb back up into the truck. So my symptoms now are: severe headache, severe pain in the center of my chest, loss of strength in my legs and arms, and shortness of breath. Oh boy. I began to worry. I sat in the truck hoping things would settle down and I could continue. I sat that way for over half an hour and then sent a message to dispatch saying I was not doing well and wanted to go to the hospital.
I called 911 and asked for paramedics. Within moments the Grand Junction fire department was there helping me. The ambulance was there shortly after. I was still not doing very well. Had profuse sweating added to the mix. Then they hauled me to St. Mary's Hospital. The emergency room staff worked on me non-stop for several hours. They did CT scan of my heart and lungs to be sure there was no blood clots showing. They drew enough blood to keep a vampire satisfied and determined that it most likely was not a heart attack, but they didn't know what was really going on. I was admitted, and was sent to the Coronary unit. While they didn't think it was a heart attack, they couldn't rule out a heart problem. They found out that I had pretty high white blood cell count so they knew I had an infection of some kind, but they couldn't figure out what was the cause.
When it was obvious I wouldn't be driving the truck any further, dispatch sent a team to recover the truck and load. Those two drivers were pleasant and helpful to me including bringing me some of my clothing and other thing out of the truck I had been driving.
Sunday, we spent the whole day trying to figure out what was going on with me. The vampires went to work at 5am and continued all day sucking my blood. I was connected up to a heart monitor, oxygen, two IV drips and enough wiring to take care of the space shuttle. I was sent for chest x-rays and learned there was a "spot" on my lungs. I had begun to cough during the night, so the doctor wondered if perhaps I was enjoying a bout of pnumonia. As the day progressed and as the medicines began to take effect, my chest pain reduced somewhat. The headache never abated.
The waiting game continues......
My plan was to jump in a truck in St. George Friday afternoon, deliver a load in Denver on Saturday and pick up a new load, drive back to Grand Junction, swap trucks, and be back home sometime on Sunday. It was a great plan....but I never made it past Grand Junction on the eastbound leg.
I started feeling bad Friday night so I stopped on top of the hill near Ferron, UT and spent the night. I woke up with a gigantic headache and some severe pain in my chest. I made my way to Green River and stopped there for a few minutes to clear the cobwebs and then went on to Grand Junction. I had an errand to run in Grand Junction. The chain law is in effect in Colorado starting on Sept 1, and I didn't think to get chains before I left St. George, so I had to buy some in Grand Junction. The chains come in 5 bags that weigh over 50 lbs each. After I loaded these onto the truck I was exhausted. I doubted I could even climb back up into the truck. So my symptoms now are: severe headache, severe pain in the center of my chest, loss of strength in my legs and arms, and shortness of breath. Oh boy. I began to worry. I sat in the truck hoping things would settle down and I could continue. I sat that way for over half an hour and then sent a message to dispatch saying I was not doing well and wanted to go to the hospital.
I called 911 and asked for paramedics. Within moments the Grand Junction fire department was there helping me. The ambulance was there shortly after. I was still not doing very well. Had profuse sweating added to the mix. Then they hauled me to St. Mary's Hospital. The emergency room staff worked on me non-stop for several hours. They did CT scan of my heart and lungs to be sure there was no blood clots showing. They drew enough blood to keep a vampire satisfied and determined that it most likely was not a heart attack, but they didn't know what was really going on. I was admitted, and was sent to the Coronary unit. While they didn't think it was a heart attack, they couldn't rule out a heart problem. They found out that I had pretty high white blood cell count so they knew I had an infection of some kind, but they couldn't figure out what was the cause.
When it was obvious I wouldn't be driving the truck any further, dispatch sent a team to recover the truck and load. Those two drivers were pleasant and helpful to me including bringing me some of my clothing and other thing out of the truck I had been driving.
Sunday, we spent the whole day trying to figure out what was going on with me. The vampires went to work at 5am and continued all day sucking my blood. I was connected up to a heart monitor, oxygen, two IV drips and enough wiring to take care of the space shuttle. I was sent for chest x-rays and learned there was a "spot" on my lungs. I had begun to cough during the night, so the doctor wondered if perhaps I was enjoying a bout of pnumonia. As the day progressed and as the medicines began to take effect, my chest pain reduced somewhat. The headache never abated.
The waiting game continues......
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Government is the Antithesis to Religion
The Church has taught me all my life that when one is in temporal, i.e. physical, financial, emotional, straights one should first seek to elevate themselves. We were taught to be self sufficient as much as possible. We were taught, in my family, that family sticks together to assist its members. Should family be unable to help, then assistance should be sought from church or community. Government should be the last gasp, not the first stop.
This morning I came across an article describing a plea from the Department of Human Services. It issued a plea for individuals and families to get more help from the government because "only 15% of our citizens are asking for help from the Government, and over 25% seek help from family."
I can't believe my eyes. I had to read it twice to understand just what they were trying to say. In essence the article indicates that these bureaucrats want to supplant family support with government intrusion. The family unit is already under attack and now the government wants to destroy it completely.
My opinion is that government needs to step back and let families take care of their members. Church congregations should take care of their members. After all said and done, clergy is better equipped than bureaucrats to understand individuals' needs and they can better mete out what is needed instead of what glories the government is wont to distribute. Families and clergy approach their deity where bureaucrats are not able to do so. Families and clergy understand individual circumstances. Families and clergy can help circumvent the spiritual trap that the dole offers.
In short....government needs to butt out.
This morning I came across an article describing a plea from the Department of Human Services. It issued a plea for individuals and families to get more help from the government because "only 15% of our citizens are asking for help from the Government, and over 25% seek help from family."
I can't believe my eyes. I had to read it twice to understand just what they were trying to say. In essence the article indicates that these bureaucrats want to supplant family support with government intrusion. The family unit is already under attack and now the government wants to destroy it completely.
My opinion is that government needs to step back and let families take care of their members. Church congregations should take care of their members. After all said and done, clergy is better equipped than bureaucrats to understand individuals' needs and they can better mete out what is needed instead of what glories the government is wont to distribute. Families and clergy approach their deity where bureaucrats are not able to do so. Families and clergy understand individual circumstances. Families and clergy can help circumvent the spiritual trap that the dole offers.
In short....government needs to butt out.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
History is Bound to Repeat Itself
The definition of insanity is: doing a thing, over and over, exactly the same way and expecting a different result.
Our congress still doesn't get it. Those of us with a very small voice seem to understand, but those who seek fame and fortune in the halls of congress do not. We cannot continue to run our affairs in the same way and expect a different result. I think the federal government should take a page out of the book of Scranton, PA and reduce the salaries of federal civilian employees until the budget is balanced. Included in these reductions should be the President, members of Congress, their employees, aids, czars, members of the cabinet, and any other non-defense public employee.
Indeed Scranton has returned it's employees to full pay, but not until there was enough money in its accounts to do so.
Our congress still doesn't get it. Those of us with a very small voice seem to understand, but those who seek fame and fortune in the halls of congress do not. We cannot continue to run our affairs in the same way and expect a different result. I think the federal government should take a page out of the book of Scranton, PA and reduce the salaries of federal civilian employees until the budget is balanced. Included in these reductions should be the President, members of Congress, their employees, aids, czars, members of the cabinet, and any other non-defense public employee.
Indeed Scranton has returned it's employees to full pay, but not until there was enough money in its accounts to do so.
The Political Climate
I have taken a little hiatus from writing over the past few weeks. It isn't because I don't have an opinion of the goings-on, but rather so I could gather my thoughts more completely.
The Ayatollah Barry Obama (Soetero) is really outdoing himself. His administration is in such disarray that even he doesn't know how bad it is. He is taking advise from those who have little information and who seek none at the same time. His dis-connect from the "little people" is more profound than ever. I've been watching the polls that have been telling us that he leads Mr. Romney by so many points, but then I see that they over-sample democrats sometimes as much as 2-1.
After taking into account the oversampling and re-figuring the actual balance, I believe Mr. Romney will win in a landslide victory nearly as strong as Ronald Reagan's. Here is the problem: Mr. Obama only gets told what he wants to hear. He is only asked what he wants to be asked. He only tells what his perception of what we want to hear. I believe his distance from me to be extreme. He can't believe the little people can think for themselves. We are, in his mind, unable to make decisions for ourselves. We are too stupid to know how to raise our children. We need to be told what food to prepare for our children and how to prepare it. We are unable to determine our children's needs.
What a buffoon!
The Ayatollah Barry Obama (Soetero) is really outdoing himself. His administration is in such disarray that even he doesn't know how bad it is. He is taking advise from those who have little information and who seek none at the same time. His dis-connect from the "little people" is more profound than ever. I've been watching the polls that have been telling us that he leads Mr. Romney by so many points, but then I see that they over-sample democrats sometimes as much as 2-1.
After taking into account the oversampling and re-figuring the actual balance, I believe Mr. Romney will win in a landslide victory nearly as strong as Ronald Reagan's. Here is the problem: Mr. Obama only gets told what he wants to hear. He is only asked what he wants to be asked. He only tells what his perception of what we want to hear. I believe his distance from me to be extreme. He can't believe the little people can think for themselves. We are, in his mind, unable to make decisions for ourselves. We are too stupid to know how to raise our children. We need to be told what food to prepare for our children and how to prepare it. We are unable to determine our children's needs.
What a buffoon!
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Fame is a Fickle Friend
Isn't it interesting how fickle fame can be? One minute you are on top of your game, people love you, you have all the correct answers to problems presented, and it seems that everything you touch goes well.
And THEN....disaster strikes. With one swipe of Lady Fame's hand everything collapses. Have you ever wondered why that happens? Why is it that a person can be so well liked, so smart, so well presented, and then in just a moment....nobody wants him/her around. Nobody wants to hear anything said about him/her or what his/her opinion might be on any subject.
Look at a few examples:
Sarah Palin was the Conservative Dream. Everyone loved Sarah. (I still do, but I look through the fog of misinformation.) Now she couldn't buy support from anyone that matters.
John Edwards was a candidate for President of the United States. Now a pariah. He couldn't get the time of day from anyone in politics.
Jimmy Carter was President of the United States. Now nobody wants his opinion. Nobody cares what he thinks.
Dan Quayle was Vice President of the United States. Who?.. you say?? Now nobody hears from him at all.
And now the worst example of all: The Ayatollah Barry Obama, President of the People's Democratic Republik of Amerika, anti-christian, anti-family, anti-culture, anti-national security, anti-2nd amendment, and anti-nearly everything I hold dear. His fame is fading more rapidly than any of the above. I wonder why that is.
Perhaps you readers could help me understand.
And THEN....disaster strikes. With one swipe of Lady Fame's hand everything collapses. Have you ever wondered why that happens? Why is it that a person can be so well liked, so smart, so well presented, and then in just a moment....nobody wants him/her around. Nobody wants to hear anything said about him/her or what his/her opinion might be on any subject.
Look at a few examples:
Sarah Palin was the Conservative Dream. Everyone loved Sarah. (I still do, but I look through the fog of misinformation.) Now she couldn't buy support from anyone that matters.
John Edwards was a candidate for President of the United States. Now a pariah. He couldn't get the time of day from anyone in politics.
Jimmy Carter was President of the United States. Now nobody wants his opinion. Nobody cares what he thinks.
Dan Quayle was Vice President of the United States. Who?.. you say?? Now nobody hears from him at all.
And now the worst example of all: The Ayatollah Barry Obama, President of the People's Democratic Republik of Amerika, anti-christian, anti-family, anti-culture, anti-national security, anti-2nd amendment, and anti-nearly everything I hold dear. His fame is fading more rapidly than any of the above. I wonder why that is.
Perhaps you readers could help me understand.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Mr. Obama's Sleight of Hand
Do you know how a magician works? He diverts attention away from where the action really is so that he can appear to affect magic when in reality all he is really doing is hiding the truth for a bit. Some of his viewers are completely taken in. Some of them are curious as to how he did it so they can do likewise. And some of them are entertained, but not believing.
So it is with Mr. Obama. Some of the ignorant are completely taken in by his sleight of hand. Some are curious and want to find out the details of how he did it so they can do likewise. And some of us are not taken in and don't believe the "magic" as presented.
I don't believe gold can be spun out of lead. Lead is heavy. It might just be a little similar to gold by its weight, and if it was hidden inside a bag or crate, some might be convinced it is gold. If it was covered with a little gold leaf, it would also appear to be gold as well as be heavy. But someone who understands the difference knows it cannot be gold because its properties are not right and the leaf does not cover scratches and scrapes.
Some of us see that what Mr. Obama offered us 4 years ago was not gold, but instead it was lead painted to appear to be gold. It looks pretty, but oh so dangerous. It is capable of killing the unwary. Caution is called for and handling carefully. Mr. Obama flings the lead around openly hoping nobody will notice it isn't gold.
It is not even close to gold, however. It is deadly. The proposals that Mr. Obama have made in the past, and that he is making now, are subtly leading this nation down the path to destruction. He first spent money not available and thus devalued our currency. Then he sent social deviants into our streets to cause hate and discontentment amongst our youth. Now he is promoting additional deviancy by advocating gay marriage and by so doing has insulted a vast majority of the citizenry. Will they still vote for him? Yes, some will. Why? Because he makes promises that sound sooooo gooood. They show gold on the outside, but when you scratch the surface you see plainly they're made of deadly lead.
Some will vote for Mr. Obama because even though they know he sells gold painted lead, they like how pretty it is.
And then there are those of us who know lead and know exactly how deadly it is.
When will we learn that looks are deceiving.
So it is with Mr. Obama. Some of the ignorant are completely taken in by his sleight of hand. Some are curious and want to find out the details of how he did it so they can do likewise. And some of us are not taken in and don't believe the "magic" as presented.
I don't believe gold can be spun out of lead. Lead is heavy. It might just be a little similar to gold by its weight, and if it was hidden inside a bag or crate, some might be convinced it is gold. If it was covered with a little gold leaf, it would also appear to be gold as well as be heavy. But someone who understands the difference knows it cannot be gold because its properties are not right and the leaf does not cover scratches and scrapes.
Some of us see that what Mr. Obama offered us 4 years ago was not gold, but instead it was lead painted to appear to be gold. It looks pretty, but oh so dangerous. It is capable of killing the unwary. Caution is called for and handling carefully. Mr. Obama flings the lead around openly hoping nobody will notice it isn't gold.
It is not even close to gold, however. It is deadly. The proposals that Mr. Obama have made in the past, and that he is making now, are subtly leading this nation down the path to destruction. He first spent money not available and thus devalued our currency. Then he sent social deviants into our streets to cause hate and discontentment amongst our youth. Now he is promoting additional deviancy by advocating gay marriage and by so doing has insulted a vast majority of the citizenry. Will they still vote for him? Yes, some will. Why? Because he makes promises that sound sooooo gooood. They show gold on the outside, but when you scratch the surface you see plainly they're made of deadly lead.
Some will vote for Mr. Obama because even though they know he sells gold painted lead, they like how pretty it is.
And then there are those of us who know lead and know exactly how deadly it is.
When will we learn that looks are deceiving.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
The Wrong Track
I'm an old railroad man. In my railroad career I worked as a Switchman, Brakeman, Locomotive Engineer, Yardmaster, Trainmaster and finally as Assistant Superintendent-Operating. I think I know tracks somewhat, and I know how easy it is to get on the wrong track by just moving two pieces of steel just 4 inches.
It appears that the Grand Ayatollah Barry Obama has moved the switch and is attempting to get us to enter the wrong track. He would like us to believe he is a Christian, but he negates the thought in everything I see him doing. Just a few days ago he said he supports same-sex marriage. By so doing he indicates his willingness to deny the scriptures, the prophets, and God Himself who plainly told his prophets that homosexual activities are an abomination to him. I am interested in Mr. Obama's motivation. By supporting same-sex marriage he ostracizes Muslim, Hindu, Jew and Christian, among others, alike. That statement is a clear multi-purpose anti-religion and anti-social statement. How in the world can he justify it? Perhaps it is the homosexual population that is pulling on his puppet strings?
Into how much more evil can Mr. Obama lead our nation? We are becoming more and more like Sodom and Gomorrah and less and less like the Promised Land.
The Lord promised, through his prophets, that if the peoples of the American continents would stay faithful, they would continue to live in the promised land, but if they (we) deny His power and His glory and deny His gospel, kill his prophets and His people He would sweep them off of the face of the continent.
I say, better not to test fate. We need to get back on the right track. We need to exercise faith, get on our knees and pray to our Heavenly Father. We need to read and study the Word of God. We need to heed the counsel of today's prophets. We need to repent and plead for forgiveness.
We need to teach our youth to do likewise. The alternative is too terrible.
It appears that the Grand Ayatollah Barry Obama has moved the switch and is attempting to get us to enter the wrong track. He would like us to believe he is a Christian, but he negates the thought in everything I see him doing. Just a few days ago he said he supports same-sex marriage. By so doing he indicates his willingness to deny the scriptures, the prophets, and God Himself who plainly told his prophets that homosexual activities are an abomination to him. I am interested in Mr. Obama's motivation. By supporting same-sex marriage he ostracizes Muslim, Hindu, Jew and Christian, among others, alike. That statement is a clear multi-purpose anti-religion and anti-social statement. How in the world can he justify it? Perhaps it is the homosexual population that is pulling on his puppet strings?
Into how much more evil can Mr. Obama lead our nation? We are becoming more and more like Sodom and Gomorrah and less and less like the Promised Land.
The Lord promised, through his prophets, that if the peoples of the American continents would stay faithful, they would continue to live in the promised land, but if they (we) deny His power and His glory and deny His gospel, kill his prophets and His people He would sweep them off of the face of the continent.
I say, better not to test fate. We need to get back on the right track. We need to exercise faith, get on our knees and pray to our Heavenly Father. We need to read and study the Word of God. We need to heed the counsel of today's prophets. We need to repent and plead for forgiveness.
We need to teach our youth to do likewise. The alternative is too terrible.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
39 Years of Marital Bliss
Today I need to express my love for my Princess Bride.
39 years ago today she looked at me across the alter and said "Yes" to the question of being my wife, lover, confidant, companion, housekeeper and friend. And in just a few days she will experience her 60th birthday.
Over the years we've been poverty stricken, fairly well-to-do, and all points between. Today we live modestly on a very modest wage. At the end of the school year she will leave her employment and again be a stay-at-home mother, grandmother, and wife.
She has been a stalwart support to me over the years when I was much gone from home and she had to deal with the children, home, schools, and bills alone. I would drift by occasionally and say hello, sleep for 6 hours and leave again.
When we were first married I had in mind to enjoy 4 children. She had other thoughts and we wound up with 7 natural children. Along the way I semi-adopted two more. We love each of them. We are grateful for their talents. Even our children that refused to take music lessons are musically inclined and are doing something to develop that talent. Three of them play the piano, one plays the trumpet, one plays the trombone, one plays the sax (good son that he is), one plays the guitar, and one plays the stereo. One left this earth a little early so didn't get much chance to develop her musical talent. Each of them learned to love music because of their mother.
I have no idea how she did so well. I asked our children to write letters to their mothers expressing their love and respect to her. They have done well. Each one has expressed their feelings in a way that brings tears to my eyes. She has been the rudder that has kept our family headed in the right direction.
I admire my Princess Bride. When I saw her the first time 45 years ago, I knew she was someone I should get to know. However, we didn't live in the same town and I kinda lost sight of her for a few years. Just over 39 years ago I knew I couldn't live without her. I'm grateful that she agreed. I love her, I admire her, she lights up the room for me when she come in, she is the balance that keeps me upright.
I wish every man could have wife and relationship as perfect as I have.
39 years ago today she looked at me across the alter and said "Yes" to the question of being my wife, lover, confidant, companion, housekeeper and friend. And in just a few days she will experience her 60th birthday.
Over the years we've been poverty stricken, fairly well-to-do, and all points between. Today we live modestly on a very modest wage. At the end of the school year she will leave her employment and again be a stay-at-home mother, grandmother, and wife.
She has been a stalwart support to me over the years when I was much gone from home and she had to deal with the children, home, schools, and bills alone. I would drift by occasionally and say hello, sleep for 6 hours and leave again.
When we were first married I had in mind to enjoy 4 children. She had other thoughts and we wound up with 7 natural children. Along the way I semi-adopted two more. We love each of them. We are grateful for their talents. Even our children that refused to take music lessons are musically inclined and are doing something to develop that talent. Three of them play the piano, one plays the trumpet, one plays the trombone, one plays the sax (good son that he is), one plays the guitar, and one plays the stereo. One left this earth a little early so didn't get much chance to develop her musical talent. Each of them learned to love music because of their mother.
I have no idea how she did so well. I asked our children to write letters to their mothers expressing their love and respect to her. They have done well. Each one has expressed their feelings in a way that brings tears to my eyes. She has been the rudder that has kept our family headed in the right direction.
I admire my Princess Bride. When I saw her the first time 45 years ago, I knew she was someone I should get to know. However, we didn't live in the same town and I kinda lost sight of her for a few years. Just over 39 years ago I knew I couldn't live without her. I'm grateful that she agreed. I love her, I admire her, she lights up the room for me when she come in, she is the balance that keeps me upright.
I wish every man could have wife and relationship as perfect as I have.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
The "Middle Class" is Disappearing?
According to the liberal left the middle class is shrinking and will eventually disappear. News reporters say this is the reason the Ayatolla Barry Obama wants to tax the so-called wealthy heavier and eliminate taxes on the ever growing "poor".
After some review of the reasons the "middle class" is shrinking, I believe I have some answers. It will take a little review of the way things used to be.
I remember when it was possible that an ambitious young person could decide on a profession and go do it. There was little fuss. If he did well, he got more business. If he did poorly, he got little business. It was a cause and effect. Today if a young person wants to enter a profession, he must go for some government required education for that profession and spend megabucks to get it done. Then he must tender a hefty bribe to the appropriate governmental agency in order to obtain a "license" to practice whatever service he wants to perform. And if he wants to construct a building to contain his business he must pay and pay and pay before he ever even purchases the materials and labor to effect its construction.
The expense of beginning a business is extreme because of regulations, fees and taxes that few individuals are interested or able to enjoy what imagination and drive they may have. Additionally if the business selected is not on the "approved" list and the governmental agency has not classified it for licensure, then the business may not be permitted to open in some areas. State and local governments have learned that they can extract more and more money from business by increasing "impact fees", License fees, property improvement rules, employment taxes, required employment benefits, higher energy costs, and other fees and taxes. And because of oppressive environmental rules, often an expensive "environmental impact study" must be completed. No wonder few people want to risk valuable and scarce resources to enter into a high risk proposition. And don't get in the way of environmentalists who do not approve? They file lawsuits just to make it untenable for an unapproved business to open.
So these light entrepeneurs don't take the risk and instead plod along in their mundane jobs that they may or may not even like. The reason? Lower risk and lower pay, but steady income. They expend their innovative spirit on behalf of employers who aren't able to reward their imagination and energy.
The bottom line is this: The middle class will disappear because of excessive taxation, regulation, and intimidation. In order for the middle class to survive government will have to get out of the way and let it happen by relaxing regulation, reducing energy costs, stopping the intimidation, lowering taxation on self-employed and small business, and enjoying the benefits. By so doing welfare rolls will diminish, unemployement will reduce, GDP will rise, crime will reduce, and the economy will expand.
My expectation is that it will never happen. National, State, County and local politicians are addicted to the power they perceive themselves to have. Neither Democrats or Republicans have the courage to affect the changes necessary.
After some review of the reasons the "middle class" is shrinking, I believe I have some answers. It will take a little review of the way things used to be.
I remember when it was possible that an ambitious young person could decide on a profession and go do it. There was little fuss. If he did well, he got more business. If he did poorly, he got little business. It was a cause and effect. Today if a young person wants to enter a profession, he must go for some government required education for that profession and spend megabucks to get it done. Then he must tender a hefty bribe to the appropriate governmental agency in order to obtain a "license" to practice whatever service he wants to perform. And if he wants to construct a building to contain his business he must pay and pay and pay before he ever even purchases the materials and labor to effect its construction.
The expense of beginning a business is extreme because of regulations, fees and taxes that few individuals are interested or able to enjoy what imagination and drive they may have. Additionally if the business selected is not on the "approved" list and the governmental agency has not classified it for licensure, then the business may not be permitted to open in some areas. State and local governments have learned that they can extract more and more money from business by increasing "impact fees", License fees, property improvement rules, employment taxes, required employment benefits, higher energy costs, and other fees and taxes. And because of oppressive environmental rules, often an expensive "environmental impact study" must be completed. No wonder few people want to risk valuable and scarce resources to enter into a high risk proposition. And don't get in the way of environmentalists who do not approve? They file lawsuits just to make it untenable for an unapproved business to open.
So these light entrepeneurs don't take the risk and instead plod along in their mundane jobs that they may or may not even like. The reason? Lower risk and lower pay, but steady income. They expend their innovative spirit on behalf of employers who aren't able to reward their imagination and energy.
The bottom line is this: The middle class will disappear because of excessive taxation, regulation, and intimidation. In order for the middle class to survive government will have to get out of the way and let it happen by relaxing regulation, reducing energy costs, stopping the intimidation, lowering taxation on self-employed and small business, and enjoying the benefits. By so doing welfare rolls will diminish, unemployement will reduce, GDP will rise, crime will reduce, and the economy will expand.
My expectation is that it will never happen. National, State, County and local politicians are addicted to the power they perceive themselves to have. Neither Democrats or Republicans have the courage to affect the changes necessary.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Shortage of Truck Drivers?
Yesterday I read an article reporting a shortage of truck drivers in the United States. I disagree. There are plenty of qualified, licensed truck drivers. They don't want to drive! Why, you might ask? Let me see if I can help you to understand.
Truck drivers are in one of the highest regulated industries. They are mandated as to when they must work, how they must work, how often they must "rest", how many hours they may work per week and they must furnish law enforcement the means to incriminate themselves. The 5th amendment does not apply to truck drivers.
They are told they cannot rest when they are tired, but must rest when the government says they are tired. They may not drive when they are not tired, but rather when the government says they are not tired. The work rules change every few months so they must keep abreast of government actions. They must have permits for various loads. They must recertify their qualifications every two years. They must submit to medical qualification in order to provide their families a living wage.
Just last month new regulations came into effect that will potentially cut drivers' wages by over 15% when cost of living is increasing. Line haul drivers are expected to be away from home for 1-3 weeks at a time, but are prohibited from driving more than 11 hours per day. That way they can sleep 7-8 hours per day and be bored out of their mind for 4-5 hours per day.
Team drivers, meaning 2 drivers on a truck, still cannot manage their time in order to work efficiently. They must still take 10 hours off after each shift of 10-11 hours. I know of few drivers that can efficiently sleep in a moving truck for 8-10 hours. It used to be that a team could work to their best advantage. Most of them would work in 4-5 hour shifts. Sleep was sufficient, driving time was not overbearing, and best of all, the drivers were always alert. Today's new rules do not permit efficient and safe operation. They are that a driver must take a 30 min break by the end of 8 hours, but can't exchange drivers until the end of 10 hours in order to make a team operation work.
Drivers are tired of having to adapt their lives to government issued nonsensical rules, so they are exiting the industry for greener pastures all thanks to over regulation.
Many other professions are suffering similar exits. Local, State, and Federal governments are regulating business and industry right out of business because the people do not want to be fettered with unreasonable, incoherent rules written in unintelligible language that do not make an ounce of sense and cannot be understood by reasonable non-lawyers. Added to the mix are law enforcement officers that also do not understand the rules and often do not even read them, but who make determinations of how the rules ought to be enforced.
After all we live in 1930's Nazi Germany, I guess. Or at least it feels that way.
Truck drivers are in one of the highest regulated industries. They are mandated as to when they must work, how they must work, how often they must "rest", how many hours they may work per week and they must furnish law enforcement the means to incriminate themselves. The 5th amendment does not apply to truck drivers.
They are told they cannot rest when they are tired, but must rest when the government says they are tired. They may not drive when they are not tired, but rather when the government says they are not tired. The work rules change every few months so they must keep abreast of government actions. They must have permits for various loads. They must recertify their qualifications every two years. They must submit to medical qualification in order to provide their families a living wage.
Just last month new regulations came into effect that will potentially cut drivers' wages by over 15% when cost of living is increasing. Line haul drivers are expected to be away from home for 1-3 weeks at a time, but are prohibited from driving more than 11 hours per day. That way they can sleep 7-8 hours per day and be bored out of their mind for 4-5 hours per day.
Team drivers, meaning 2 drivers on a truck, still cannot manage their time in order to work efficiently. They must still take 10 hours off after each shift of 10-11 hours. I know of few drivers that can efficiently sleep in a moving truck for 8-10 hours. It used to be that a team could work to their best advantage. Most of them would work in 4-5 hour shifts. Sleep was sufficient, driving time was not overbearing, and best of all, the drivers were always alert. Today's new rules do not permit efficient and safe operation. They are that a driver must take a 30 min break by the end of 8 hours, but can't exchange drivers until the end of 10 hours in order to make a team operation work.
Drivers are tired of having to adapt their lives to government issued nonsensical rules, so they are exiting the industry for greener pastures all thanks to over regulation.
Many other professions are suffering similar exits. Local, State, and Federal governments are regulating business and industry right out of business because the people do not want to be fettered with unreasonable, incoherent rules written in unintelligible language that do not make an ounce of sense and cannot be understood by reasonable non-lawyers. Added to the mix are law enforcement officers that also do not understand the rules and often do not even read them, but who make determinations of how the rules ought to be enforced.
After all we live in 1930's Nazi Germany, I guess. Or at least it feels that way.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
The Holiest Holiday
Tomorrow we celebrate the holiest day the world has ever known. We will celebrate the resurrection of the Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth, or Jesus the Christ. The world largely does not understand the importance of the events surrounding the rising of my Lord and Master. He suffered the complete withdrawal of the Spirit of God in order to experience ALL of the pain, anguish, sins, misdeeds, disease, and evil the world has ever known or ever will ever know. He was not anxious to do it, but He did it willingly because there was no other way to offer salvation and exaltation to His own brothers and sisters, you and I and everyone that ever has/does/will live on this world or any of the other worlds Heavenly Father has created through his Son.
What an enormous sacrifice! It is hard to understand just how this event worked to cleanse all of us of sin if we are willing to repent. It isn't hard to understand, though, that He loves His brothers and sisters enough to do vicarious work for us. We are offered the opportunity to do vicarious work for our own ancestors and their families. We have only to prepare and do.
For myself, I love knowing that the great Jehovah presented himself as a little child who grew up knowing what his future would bring. I love knowing that He did it to fulfill all righteousness and to offer us the opportunity to do likewise. I love knowing that He broke the bands of death and now resurrection or salvation is available to all of us. It is a free gift He has given to us. I love knowing that He has shown us the avenue of earning our position in the post-death existence by living righteously, extending service to our fellow men, and doing work for others that they cannot do for themselves.
I love knowing that Heavenly Father and his Son, Jehova/Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are interested in us individually and personally. I love knowing that the Father and the Son are physical personages and that we are created expressly in their image and likeness.
I love knowing that Jesus Christ has called a Prophet to whom he communicates currently. I know that Prophet to be Russell M. Nelson. I hope each of you will come to the same understanding and knowledge that I have.
What an enormous sacrifice! It is hard to understand just how this event worked to cleanse all of us of sin if we are willing to repent. It isn't hard to understand, though, that He loves His brothers and sisters enough to do vicarious work for us. We are offered the opportunity to do vicarious work for our own ancestors and their families. We have only to prepare and do.
For myself, I love knowing that the great Jehovah presented himself as a little child who grew up knowing what his future would bring. I love knowing that He did it to fulfill all righteousness and to offer us the opportunity to do likewise. I love knowing that He broke the bands of death and now resurrection or salvation is available to all of us. It is a free gift He has given to us. I love knowing that He has shown us the avenue of earning our position in the post-death existence by living righteously, extending service to our fellow men, and doing work for others that they cannot do for themselves.
I love knowing that Heavenly Father and his Son, Jehova/Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are interested in us individually and personally. I love knowing that the Father and the Son are physical personages and that we are created expressly in their image and likeness.
I love knowing that Jesus Christ has called a Prophet to whom he communicates currently. I know that Prophet to be Russell M. Nelson. I hope each of you will come to the same understanding and knowledge that I have.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Spike Lee says he is sorry?
How do you unsay a lie? How do you undo the damage done because you are too racist to check your facts? How do you unterrorize an elderly couple who fear for their lives because of a STUPID, UNREASONABLE, UNEDUCATED LIE?
I still say Spike Lee should be prosecuted for enciting to riot, Civil Rights violations, and conspiracy to commit a hate crime.
I still say Spike Lee should be prosecuted for enciting to riot, Civil Rights violations, and conspiracy to commit a hate crime.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Why are they not all jailed for inciting to riot, conspiracy, etc.
I wonder why Spike Lee and others have not been jailed for inciting to riot, conspiracy to commit bodily harm, and hate crimes. If a white person had published an address and advised his "friends" to go do harm to the people at that address, he would be jailed forever. However, because it is Spike Lee, I'll bet the Political Correctness folks will not bat an eyelash.
He has affected an act of domestic terrorism and should be prosecuted as should those others, the so-called Reverend Jesse Jackson, Louis Farakkhan, etc. Why does our government give these goons a pass?
It turns out that Treyvon Martin WAS a criminal with a fairly long rap sheet for his age. So why are these people exalting him? It appears to me that there is a conspiracy to incite to riot at the least excuse, and they'll make an excuse up if they can't find a good cause.
I wonder if the White House had anything to do with stirring this little party up just like it did with the "Occupy" nuts.
It seems to me that Jesse Jackson, Louis Farakkhan, Spike Lee, Maxine Waters, Marcus Davonne Higgins, and other black racists who participated ought to be prosecuted in the fullest extent for 1) Civil Rights violations, 2) inciting to riot, 3) conspiracy, and 4) Hate crimes.
He has affected an act of domestic terrorism and should be prosecuted as should those others, the so-called Reverend Jesse Jackson, Louis Farakkhan, etc. Why does our government give these goons a pass?
It turns out that Treyvon Martin WAS a criminal with a fairly long rap sheet for his age. So why are these people exalting him? It appears to me that there is a conspiracy to incite to riot at the least excuse, and they'll make an excuse up if they can't find a good cause.
I wonder if the White House had anything to do with stirring this little party up just like it did with the "Occupy" nuts.
It seems to me that Jesse Jackson, Louis Farakkhan, Spike Lee, Maxine Waters, Marcus Davonne Higgins, and other black racists who participated ought to be prosecuted in the fullest extent for 1) Civil Rights violations, 2) inciting to riot, 3) conspiracy, and 4) Hate crimes.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Loving Life; Wondering why living isn't permitted.
I love my life. I enjoy my profession. I appreciate the blessings that are mine. I am anxious to hear the Prophet's voice again. I rejoice in the ability to make choices......oops.....that isn't permitted any more.
We are not permitted to make sack lunches for our children any more because we're too stupid to make lunches that are wholesome and good for our children. We aren't permitted to grow our own food in our own garden and eat what we grow because we're too stupid to grow government approved crops that are harvested too soon and have little natural nourishment. We are not permitted to grind our own wheat because we might not get enough government required "additives" in it. We are not allowed to milk our own cows and drink the milk we obtain. Obviously all these things are way too healthy and do not fit into the office bound, brain dead, bureaucratic, mush for brains regulators' opinion of what they deem to be "nutritious".
The food police are invading our very lives. I expect that we'll one day see a required menu that every family must follow or face civil and criminal penalties.
We are not permitted to build our homes out of the materials we determine to be best. We are not even permitted to draw our own plans without paying someone to bless them. We are not allowed to fly our flag in our own yard without a permit. We are not given permission to sell our no-longer-needed items without a permit and paying yet another tax. We are not permitted to exploit the minerals of our own property. We are not allowed to capture rain water that falls on our own property. We are not even allowed to erect a fence surrounding our property without bribing the local governing agency.
We are not permitted to travel by airplane, train, bus or even personal automobile without permission of the government. We must permit our persons be viewed by the perverts hired by the so-called Transportation Security Agency".
We may not practice our religion because it will "offend" someone. We may not pray to our Heavenly Father in public places. We may not express our religious belief in public because there might be someone that doesn't believe in God. We cannot have moral objections to government sanctioned murder. The pursuit of happiness is now denied us because it may offend someone. Life no longer is sacred. Liberty is being denied us.
And may I note....I don't live in 1930's Germany, but I live in the United States of America.
I wonder where the nation I used to know is hiding. I wonder how long it will be before the Christian and Jewish citizens of our nation will rise up and demand our rights back. Our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian ethics and morals. We believed in the 10 commandments. Many of our schools taught reading from the Bible and most people had bibles in their homes and they kept their family records there. We should demand our right to practice our religion in private and in public. Isn't it ironic that Muslim people are permitted to practice their religion and are even given public financed places to practice it. But Christians are not given that freedom.
Now we are taught that murdering defenseless babies is permitted. We are told that our old folks are expendable. We hear that certain illness should be ignored and those victims should be just "given a pill". Our government has determined that only it is intelligent enough to decide what medicines, procedures, treatments are permitted.
I anxiously await the uprising. I hope i live to see it. I hope it begins with the election of 2012, but I'm not holding my breath. There is too much graft in government. There are too many Gadianton Robbers in all three branches of local, state and federal government, and I don't see anyone that can take the place of Captain Moroni to clean house.
We are not permitted to make sack lunches for our children any more because we're too stupid to make lunches that are wholesome and good for our children. We aren't permitted to grow our own food in our own garden and eat what we grow because we're too stupid to grow government approved crops that are harvested too soon and have little natural nourishment. We are not permitted to grind our own wheat because we might not get enough government required "additives" in it. We are not allowed to milk our own cows and drink the milk we obtain. Obviously all these things are way too healthy and do not fit into the office bound, brain dead, bureaucratic, mush for brains regulators' opinion of what they deem to be "nutritious".
The food police are invading our very lives. I expect that we'll one day see a required menu that every family must follow or face civil and criminal penalties.
We are not permitted to build our homes out of the materials we determine to be best. We are not even permitted to draw our own plans without paying someone to bless them. We are not allowed to fly our flag in our own yard without a permit. We are not given permission to sell our no-longer-needed items without a permit and paying yet another tax. We are not permitted to exploit the minerals of our own property. We are not allowed to capture rain water that falls on our own property. We are not even allowed to erect a fence surrounding our property without bribing the local governing agency.
We are not permitted to travel by airplane, train, bus or even personal automobile without permission of the government. We must permit our persons be viewed by the perverts hired by the so-called Transportation Security Agency".
We may not practice our religion because it will "offend" someone. We may not pray to our Heavenly Father in public places. We may not express our religious belief in public because there might be someone that doesn't believe in God. We cannot have moral objections to government sanctioned murder. The pursuit of happiness is now denied us because it may offend someone. Life no longer is sacred. Liberty is being denied us.
And may I note....I don't live in 1930's Germany, but I live in the United States of America.
I wonder where the nation I used to know is hiding. I wonder how long it will be before the Christian and Jewish citizens of our nation will rise up and demand our rights back. Our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian ethics and morals. We believed in the 10 commandments. Many of our schools taught reading from the Bible and most people had bibles in their homes and they kept their family records there. We should demand our right to practice our religion in private and in public. Isn't it ironic that Muslim people are permitted to practice their religion and are even given public financed places to practice it. But Christians are not given that freedom.
Now we are taught that murdering defenseless babies is permitted. We are told that our old folks are expendable. We hear that certain illness should be ignored and those victims should be just "given a pill". Our government has determined that only it is intelligent enough to decide what medicines, procedures, treatments are permitted.
I anxiously await the uprising. I hope i live to see it. I hope it begins with the election of 2012, but I'm not holding my breath. There is too much graft in government. There are too many Gadianton Robbers in all three branches of local, state and federal government, and I don't see anyone that can take the place of Captain Moroni to clean house.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Will these Paper Tough guys never get enough?
So we interfered in Iraq. We interfered in Libya. We interfered in Egypt. We are about to interfere in Syria. I agree with a man I used to know long ago.
When our government feels the urge to change the regime of another country, our President should call out the leader of that other country to a one on one duel. I'd bet a nickle we'd stay out of many conflicts. As long as these paper tigers can get others to fight the wars they dream up, we'll be entering into every little squabble that comes along.
When will these knuckle heads understand that the United States of America can no longer afford to play policeman to the world? We have not the means to arm millions of extremists that will eventually use those same arms against our own people. We no longer have the ability to send our sons and daughters out to be slaughtered by those we think are our allies, but are instead in league with our enemies.
We haven't learned the lesson that Iraq and Afganistan taught us. When you can't tell who the enemy is we should either do "scorched earth" or get out. Afganistan is a moral war, but we aren't fighting a war. We are instead playing politics because we might hurt someones feelings. I say...."our feelings were hurt pretty badly when over 3000 of our people were killed in the twin towers". And these extremist peoples in Iraq, Afganistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Iran, CHEERED! But WE can't fight to win a war because we might hurt someone else's tender feelings. And then we have the Ayatollah in Chief going around lamenting that we didn't have more of our people killed on September 11, 2001, or at least it appears that way. I think he believes that if more of our people were killed our enemies would be kinder to us. He apologizes to them, bows to them, tries to appease them. And they laugh up their collective sleeve.
We need to get out of the fights that are none of our affair, and get IN to those that ARE. Get IN to WIN and no apologies. Let our very professional warriors do what they do and get out of the way.
It will never happen until we get someone in the White House that understands this is the greatest nation on the face of the planet and will remain so if we simply protect ourselves and get out of the bully business. That someone is not the Ayatollah Barry Obama.
When our government feels the urge to change the regime of another country, our President should call out the leader of that other country to a one on one duel. I'd bet a nickle we'd stay out of many conflicts. As long as these paper tigers can get others to fight the wars they dream up, we'll be entering into every little squabble that comes along.
When will these knuckle heads understand that the United States of America can no longer afford to play policeman to the world? We have not the means to arm millions of extremists that will eventually use those same arms against our own people. We no longer have the ability to send our sons and daughters out to be slaughtered by those we think are our allies, but are instead in league with our enemies.
We haven't learned the lesson that Iraq and Afganistan taught us. When you can't tell who the enemy is we should either do "scorched earth" or get out. Afganistan is a moral war, but we aren't fighting a war. We are instead playing politics because we might hurt someones feelings. I say...."our feelings were hurt pretty badly when over 3000 of our people were killed in the twin towers". And these extremist peoples in Iraq, Afganistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Iran, CHEERED! But WE can't fight to win a war because we might hurt someone else's tender feelings. And then we have the Ayatollah in Chief going around lamenting that we didn't have more of our people killed on September 11, 2001, or at least it appears that way. I think he believes that if more of our people were killed our enemies would be kinder to us. He apologizes to them, bows to them, tries to appease them. And they laugh up their collective sleeve.
We need to get out of the fights that are none of our affair, and get IN to those that ARE. Get IN to WIN and no apologies. Let our very professional warriors do what they do and get out of the way.
It will never happen until we get someone in the White House that understands this is the greatest nation on the face of the planet and will remain so if we simply protect ourselves and get out of the bully business. That someone is not the Ayatollah Barry Obama.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Election cycles should be changed
20 debates, 24 months of electioneering, ignorant political commentators, very biased national media, hate speak to no end, churches openly advocating this candidate or that candidate; I wonder how much worse it can get.
I think national election rules should be instituted as follows:
No primary can be held before June 1 of the year elections are being held. No candidate may file or commence campaigns before April 1 of the year elections are being held. Political conventions must be held in August of the year elections are being held.
Robocalls, phone campaigning, email campaigning, social media campaigning should be outlawed.
Negative ads should not be permitted. If a candidate can't get elected on what HE/SHE stands for, he/she has no business campaigning.
Just think. All the campaigning and associated media garbage condensed into 7 months instead of a continual barrage of whining, insulting, mud slinging, and irritating ads, mailings, phone calls, etc.
I think national election rules should be instituted as follows:
No primary can be held before June 1 of the year elections are being held. No candidate may file or commence campaigns before April 1 of the year elections are being held. Political conventions must be held in August of the year elections are being held.
Robocalls, phone campaigning, email campaigning, social media campaigning should be outlawed.
Negative ads should not be permitted. If a candidate can't get elected on what HE/SHE stands for, he/she has no business campaigning.
Just think. All the campaigning and associated media garbage condensed into 7 months instead of a continual barrage of whining, insulting, mud slinging, and irritating ads, mailings, phone calls, etc.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
The Fair Share?
I read, this morning, that the bottom 50% of wage earners in the USA pay no taxes at all. It is no wonder that we have such discontent. We have raised, and are now raising, a whole generation of "citizens" that have no connection to that great nation that was built by our forebears. In my opinion, only those who substantially participate in government can feel ownership in it. By helping to fund the operation of our government even those of modest means can feel that they have a stake in the way government is run.
Just imagine a Senator, Congressman, Governor, or President who hears from a citizen comlaining about this or that. He looks in the tax roles and finds that this citizen pays no taxes and therefore has no stake in how the money is spent. He feels no need to respond.
Similarly, a citizen who pays no taxes is also not concerned about how much tax money is wasted. I've inteviewed many who indicate, "I don't care; it's not my money".
I have always said every citizen needs to participate in helping to fund government, even if it is only .01%. By so doing patriotism, citizen morale, and citizen participation in the political process will improve.
While I think we collectively pay too much in taxes, I believe each citizen should pay something.
Just imagine a Senator, Congressman, Governor, or President who hears from a citizen comlaining about this or that. He looks in the tax roles and finds that this citizen pays no taxes and therefore has no stake in how the money is spent. He feels no need to respond.
Similarly, a citizen who pays no taxes is also not concerned about how much tax money is wasted. I've inteviewed many who indicate, "I don't care; it's not my money".
I have always said every citizen needs to participate in helping to fund government, even if it is only .01%. By so doing patriotism, citizen morale, and citizen participation in the political process will improve.
While I think we collectively pay too much in taxes, I believe each citizen should pay something.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Wars and Rumors of War
Here we go again sticking our noses in where they do not belong. First Libya, then Egypt, and now Syria and then later on Iran. When does it end? When will the world stop depending on the USA to be the world's policeman? And when will the world help pay for the work the USA does in doing so?
When we went to Iraq, the liberal crazies said we were going for the oil. Where did it go? Certainly not to the USA. We've spent billions of dollars there and have not even been given gratitude, much less recompense.
We spent, and are still spending, millions of dollars in Libya. For what purpose? And now the Islamic Brotherhood will take over. It is an aggressive anti-American organization. Our national leaders seem pretty pleased with themselves to let anti-American despots rule nations.
Our war in Afganistan is a legal war, but we don't fight it. Instead we play at it, trying to create good will out of extreme hate. I said from the beginning, we should invite the good world citizens out of Afganistan and then turn it into a sea of glass. Then these terrorists will understand that we indeed mean what we say. We don't need to be pernicious about it, just set our collective jaw and get down to business. I just can't stand the political correctness of our current noodle spined leaders. We need to kill the evil in order for the good to prosper.
And now Egypt. Egypt's new Islamic Brotherhood leaders are trying to blackmail the USA. And we are likely to capitulate. WHY? They don't like us, the will never like us. But, we'll continue to try to buy their friendship. It won't work. It never has worked. We spend money we don't have, giving money to those who will not appreciate it, to help those who will never see it.
Now we'll send in "advisors" to help the Syrian rebels. I say KEEP OUT! We have no business there. We have no national interest there. There is no national threat there.
What about Iran? We do have a national interest there because Iran is a self-proclaimed and vocal sponsor of terrorism against civilized nations. They publicly advocate the destruction of Israel and the United States. We have treated the populace in Iran badly in the past when citizens wanted to overthrow the current Islamic despotic government. We gave promises and then left them flat. We need to stop messing around and do what we already know needs to be done. Defend ourselves against these loud mouth despots aggressively, decisively, and immediately.
I guess this is just the natural progression of things. We spent millions of dollars defending Europe during two world wars. The people of Europe are not grateful. They would still rather our people not interact with them. We see that every time we visit. We never asked anything in return for liberating Europe except a place to bury our dead. However, we don't even get that much from these middle east countries.
We are the stepchildren of the world, whom the world despises, and whom the world would rather not exist except when it needs help. The people of the USA are the most generous people in the world. We donate liberally each time a natural disaster happens. Our churches and charities are the first to assist. And we do it without guile. We ask nothing in return except perhaps a kind smile now and then. I know of no other nation that does as much.
When we went to Iraq, the liberal crazies said we were going for the oil. Where did it go? Certainly not to the USA. We've spent billions of dollars there and have not even been given gratitude, much less recompense.
We spent, and are still spending, millions of dollars in Libya. For what purpose? And now the Islamic Brotherhood will take over. It is an aggressive anti-American organization. Our national leaders seem pretty pleased with themselves to let anti-American despots rule nations.
Our war in Afganistan is a legal war, but we don't fight it. Instead we play at it, trying to create good will out of extreme hate. I said from the beginning, we should invite the good world citizens out of Afganistan and then turn it into a sea of glass. Then these terrorists will understand that we indeed mean what we say. We don't need to be pernicious about it, just set our collective jaw and get down to business. I just can't stand the political correctness of our current noodle spined leaders. We need to kill the evil in order for the good to prosper.
And now Egypt. Egypt's new Islamic Brotherhood leaders are trying to blackmail the USA. And we are likely to capitulate. WHY? They don't like us, the will never like us. But, we'll continue to try to buy their friendship. It won't work. It never has worked. We spend money we don't have, giving money to those who will not appreciate it, to help those who will never see it.
Now we'll send in "advisors" to help the Syrian rebels. I say KEEP OUT! We have no business there. We have no national interest there. There is no national threat there.
What about Iran? We do have a national interest there because Iran is a self-proclaimed and vocal sponsor of terrorism against civilized nations. They publicly advocate the destruction of Israel and the United States. We have treated the populace in Iran badly in the past when citizens wanted to overthrow the current Islamic despotic government. We gave promises and then left them flat. We need to stop messing around and do what we already know needs to be done. Defend ourselves against these loud mouth despots aggressively, decisively, and immediately.
I guess this is just the natural progression of things. We spent millions of dollars defending Europe during two world wars. The people of Europe are not grateful. They would still rather our people not interact with them. We see that every time we visit. We never asked anything in return for liberating Europe except a place to bury our dead. However, we don't even get that much from these middle east countries.
We are the stepchildren of the world, whom the world despises, and whom the world would rather not exist except when it needs help. The people of the USA are the most generous people in the world. We donate liberally each time a natural disaster happens. Our churches and charities are the first to assist. And we do it without guile. We ask nothing in return except perhaps a kind smile now and then. I know of no other nation that does as much.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Politics tires me out
I wonder when the election cycle will begin for the 2016 elections. Thinking it should have started last year. That way we can have non-stop bickering, fighting, contentious, litigious, and hating. Whew! How do they get that much energy. I could not do it, and I'm tired of hearing it now.
I wish the candidates would just ignore each other's prattle and just tell us what they stand for, what they will do to institute change, and then let us decide what stance we will endorse.
Just think. The yellow journalists would have little to say. Perhaps they could report real news instead of make it up as they go along. My own belief is that today's so-called journalists create the news. They spend so much time interviewing each other they don't have time to go find out what is happening around them that might be good to report. PBS is famous for interviewing each other and calling each other "specialists" on this subject or that subject.
I long for times past when we were civil to each other, less selfish, more tolerant, less offended, more helpful, less mean and just good neighbors. We need to discard the boorish behavior that seems to pervade our personalities these days.
I wish the candidates would just ignore each other's prattle and just tell us what they stand for, what they will do to institute change, and then let us decide what stance we will endorse.
Just think. The yellow journalists would have little to say. Perhaps they could report real news instead of make it up as they go along. My own belief is that today's so-called journalists create the news. They spend so much time interviewing each other they don't have time to go find out what is happening around them that might be good to report. PBS is famous for interviewing each other and calling each other "specialists" on this subject or that subject.
I long for times past when we were civil to each other, less selfish, more tolerant, less offended, more helpful, less mean and just good neighbors. We need to discard the boorish behavior that seems to pervade our personalities these days.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Valentine's Day 2012
Today is the 39th Valentine's Day we've enjoyed together. My princess bride and I are enjoying it and I hope my readers are also. I'd like to deviate from my normal rant today and I hope you'll forgive me for waxing personal.
Princess and I began dating in January 1973. I believe it was in February she invited me to come to her house "to count pennies" to see if she had enough to pay for her to take me to a "girls ask boys" dance. Little did I know that she had scoured her siblings and parents (and perhaps the neighborhood, for all I know) so that she had just enough pennies. Little 'ol naive me was impressed that she would take me, much less break her piggy bank to pay for it.
It was a nice time and we've had many nice times since. We've invited and received 7 children into our family through the years. I wouldn't trade any of them. While some of their decisions aren't what I would make, they are generally pretty good people and I love them all along with their respective spouses.
We've enjoyed good times; times of laughter and joy. And we've endured some sad times, like when our 2nd daughter died in an auto wreck. We've enjoyed times of great strength and times of extreme weakness, like when Princess was confined to a wheel chair for a few months before giving birth to twins or when I was bedridden for a time recovering from a severe blood clot in my leg.
We've enjoyed camping with our children, taking tours of the Grand Canyon and other wonders. We've laughed and played and enjoyed our family..
These times and events have all given us strength. Even the sad times have brought us closer together and our love has grown ever stronger. I wondered, 39 years ago, how I could ever love my princess bride more than I did then. Now I wonder at how little I knew then.
I love her, I honor her, and I worship the ground she walks on. I love her talents. She makes everyone around her feel better. I know she loves me, but sometimes I wonder why. I've been a pretty big burden sometimes.
Thank you for letting me express myself here.
Princess and I began dating in January 1973. I believe it was in February she invited me to come to her house "to count pennies" to see if she had enough to pay for her to take me to a "girls ask boys" dance. Little did I know that she had scoured her siblings and parents (and perhaps the neighborhood, for all I know) so that she had just enough pennies. Little 'ol naive me was impressed that she would take me, much less break her piggy bank to pay for it.
It was a nice time and we've had many nice times since. We've invited and received 7 children into our family through the years. I wouldn't trade any of them. While some of their decisions aren't what I would make, they are generally pretty good people and I love them all along with their respective spouses.
We've enjoyed good times; times of laughter and joy. And we've endured some sad times, like when our 2nd daughter died in an auto wreck. We've enjoyed times of great strength and times of extreme weakness, like when Princess was confined to a wheel chair for a few months before giving birth to twins or when I was bedridden for a time recovering from a severe blood clot in my leg.
We've enjoyed camping with our children, taking tours of the Grand Canyon and other wonders. We've laughed and played and enjoyed our family..
These times and events have all given us strength. Even the sad times have brought us closer together and our love has grown ever stronger. I wondered, 39 years ago, how I could ever love my princess bride more than I did then. Now I wonder at how little I knew then.
I love her, I honor her, and I worship the ground she walks on. I love her talents. She makes everyone around her feel better. I know she loves me, but sometimes I wonder why. I've been a pretty big burden sometimes.
Thank you for letting me express myself here.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Today's pet peeves.
1. Whew! With all the spin touting the greatness of the Ayatollah Barry Obama, my emotions are all a dither. He is reported to be such a great public speaker that every sane American should be jealous. I see it differently. If it wasn't for for tele-prompters he couldn't even form a complete sentence as he has proven over and over. As far as reading....I have a 6th grade granddaughter that can read aloud better than can Mr. Obama. There are many people who can read without giving it away. Mr. Obama isn't one of them.
One of the best at reading a speech was Ronald Reagan. Listening on the radio, one could not tell he was reading. One ALWAYS knows Mr. Obama is reading. ;
2. I hear the conservative talk shows commenting that Ronald Reagan was the ultimate conservative. However, my memory recorded it a little differently. It was Ronald Regan that gave amnesty to over 3.5 million illegal aliens. It was Ronald Regan that elected to move Social Security funds to the General Fund in order to brace up US Government finances, taking away the "insurance" every American thought they would have for their retirement. While every president since then has also done so, this is the real reason Social Security will fail. Had those monies been kept separate, the fund would have been fine.
I don't consider these acts to be acts of conservatism. Government rules, restrictions, limits on liberty, and domestic spying have increased every year since I can remember. While Mr. Obama didn't start them, he and the lower gov't imams have certainly increased them to skyrocketing momentum.
We need to give Mr. Obama a ticket out of the White House, but what will we get in return? Can we put in a congress and president that will return us to our constitutional government and close the rest of the agencies, departments, bureaus, and offices? I am very pessimistic on this score.
On the other hand we cannot allow the liberals to continue to make a 3rd world nation out of the USA. We are an extremely blessed by our creator. Our constitution was divinely inspired. If we continue to drift away from recognizing the hand of God, we will fail. Prophets have warned us over and over and we have scorned them just as the prophets of ancient Israel were scorned. We will inherit the same fate if we do not return to our Christian-Judeo heritage.
One of the best at reading a speech was Ronald Reagan. Listening on the radio, one could not tell he was reading. One ALWAYS knows Mr. Obama is reading. ;
2. I hear the conservative talk shows commenting that Ronald Reagan was the ultimate conservative. However, my memory recorded it a little differently. It was Ronald Regan that gave amnesty to over 3.5 million illegal aliens. It was Ronald Regan that elected to move Social Security funds to the General Fund in order to brace up US Government finances, taking away the "insurance" every American thought they would have for their retirement. While every president since then has also done so, this is the real reason Social Security will fail. Had those monies been kept separate, the fund would have been fine.
I don't consider these acts to be acts of conservatism. Government rules, restrictions, limits on liberty, and domestic spying have increased every year since I can remember. While Mr. Obama didn't start them, he and the lower gov't imams have certainly increased them to skyrocketing momentum.
We need to give Mr. Obama a ticket out of the White House, but what will we get in return? Can we put in a congress and president that will return us to our constitutional government and close the rest of the agencies, departments, bureaus, and offices? I am very pessimistic on this score.
On the other hand we cannot allow the liberals to continue to make a 3rd world nation out of the USA. We are an extremely blessed by our creator. Our constitution was divinely inspired. If we continue to drift away from recognizing the hand of God, we will fail. Prophets have warned us over and over and we have scorned them just as the prophets of ancient Israel were scorned. We will inherit the same fate if we do not return to our Christian-Judeo heritage.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Faced with two choices. The devil or the deep blue sea.
Oh boy...what a time to be a conservative. The only real conservative left is Mr. Santorum. And now I have to rconsider my thoughts for Herman Cain and Sarah Palin. Why, oh why, would they endorse a morally corrupt and political opportunist candidate like Newt? I have lost a lot of respect for the two of them. I had great hopes for Mr. Cain, and hoped for Ms. Palin would come forward. Now I'm sorry I supported the two of them.
While I have problems with Mr. Romney, and won't vote for Mr. Paul, I find myself wondering why Paul Ryan didn't offer himself up. Perhaps he needs to be drafted at the convention.
I'd consider it of great value, if the delegates to the convention just sidestepped the current candidates and drafted a real conservative. I'm tired of having to hold my nose to vote.
My ideal candidate:
1. enforces the constitution
2. protects our borders
3. cuts government to its constitutional limits
4. endorses freedom of religion and not freedom from religion.
5. protects the institution of the family.
While I have problems with Mr. Romney, and won't vote for Mr. Paul, I find myself wondering why Paul Ryan didn't offer himself up. Perhaps he needs to be drafted at the convention.
I'd consider it of great value, if the delegates to the convention just sidestepped the current candidates and drafted a real conservative. I'm tired of having to hold my nose to vote.
My ideal candidate:
1. enforces the constitution
2. protects our borders
3. cuts government to its constitutional limits
4. endorses freedom of religion and not freedom from religion.
5. protects the institution of the family.
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