Slouching toward Socialism

John McCain made it a point in a recent campaign speech to alert the nation to the growing socialism in South America. As President he said he would pay more attention to South America to slow that growing trend.

I would agree that that is important. Socialist countries do not grow economically, they regress in many ways, perhaps the most being human dignity.

But Senator McCain might look in his own backyard and see the growing socialism in our OWN backyard.

Several cities have banned trans fats! Our health care system is headed to socialism basically because of government action that makes it inevitable that there be more intervention.

We have a Social Security system that cannot sustain itself. Medicare the same way. Now we add a prescription benefit will add to the problem.

Government should do things for the people that they cannot do themselves. Health care was once something that we could do for ourselves. Not anymore, thanks to government action.

If all the evidence shows that socialism does not work... why are we heading that way? Perhaps it is the addiction to the idea that we will get something for nothin'! But we know that will not be the case, but we like and want it anyway!

Slouching.... No, maybe we are up and running towards Socialism!

Turn Down the Volume

On CNN Wolf Blitzer has a program that tries to deal with the political world in a serious way, called the Situation Room. But not this particular day.

He had Donald Trump on and he was spouting off about President Bush being the worst president in our history, he went from one fragmented sentence to another, broken argument to another broken argument… no facts, no evidence, no “here is why he beats out President So and So for the title”

Why would he have Trump on? Good question! I think the answer is that in this media climate every program needs a louder and louder voice, someone who will say outrageous things topped by something even more outrageous! Trump and Rosie O’Donnell are prime examples. Is there any reason for you or I, or anybody to listen to Donald and Rosie? I think not.

The problem to get an audience they think they need a louder and louder noice and someone that will say something more and more outrageous. A quiet rational argument no longer has many homes on the media.

So as we go thru this long political season it is time to turn down the volume…. No, perhaps it is time to turn off the TV and radio for a time and come back with the shouting is over.

My Brother Died. My Friend is Dying. Two Bitter Sweet Services

I have attended services for two people close to me; a healing service (based on James 5:14 – 16, for my friend Clay and a memorial service for my brother Bobby.

Bobby died a couple years ago and my sister put together a wonderful memorial service. He had a large apartment and the first part of the service was held in the apartment complex meeting room. The whole thing was very nice; not too many people, but each of them had a real personal connection to my brother.

Several people spoke of personal remembrances, including me. I talked about the many health problems Bobby had faced without complaints.

I remembered as kids we fought! After all, we were brothers and we fought quite regularly…. “Outside!” my mother would command! “If you are going to do that, go outside!” I remember being chased by my much bigger brother and slyly pulling a chair in his way to aid my escape. Many chairs were pulled in Bobby’s way in life, but he pursued life with vengeance.

After the service in the meeting room we retired to his apartment. He had said that the most wonderful sound in life is the popping of a champagne cork. We popped a few, and the enjoyment of the moment continued!

Recently I attended a bittersweet service for my friend, my mentor, Clay. Clay has dispensed guidance to me for years, both in my business life, my spiritual life and just how to live life. He continues to do so today.

Recently our pastor, Rev. Rockness led a healing service for Clay with a few family and friends. It was bitter because we know that the prognosis for Clay is not great, but sweet because I know the outcome for Clay.

Healing? Maybe. We do not know God’s plans. We do not know what healing he may dispense. Sometimes he calms our storms, sometimes he calms us to withstand the storms. But after viewing Clay’s life for almost thirty years, I know the final outcome.

The bitter part of my brother’s memorial service? All during that wonderful service a cold rock of fear was there, for I am not assured of the final outcome for my brother.

So continue to pray for Clay. The Bible says, “and the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well (James 5:15) and “…The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.“ (James 5: 16)

And remember the bitter part of a loved one leaving without assurance of the “outcome”...And act!

That's Not Nice

Peggy Noonan had a wonderful column in the Wall Street Journal about the level of political discourse currently under the title “That’s Not Nice”.

Here are some quotes:

“One of the clearest statements ever about the implied limits of legitimate political discourse was made by the imprisoned Socrates in his first dialogue with Crito, when he said, "That's not nice." Actually, it was your grandmother who said "That's not nice." She's the one who probably taught you the wince. It is her wisdom, encapsulated in those three simple words, that is missing from the current debate.”

“But all of broken-windows theory comes down to what Grandma always knew and said: "Fix the window or they'll think no one cares! When people think no one cares, they do whatever they want." There was not a single grandmother in America circa 1750-2007 who didn't know this. But no one wants to quote Grandma. She's so yesterday. And her simple teachings have been superseded by more exotic forms of instruction.”

“Fifty years ago no one speaking at a respected political gathering would say, would even think of saying that Adlai Stevenson is a faggot. Nor would Arthur Godfrey or Jack Paar have declared on their television shows that we'd be better off if Eisenhower died. Is our discourse deteriorating? Yes, it is.”

“We should forbid less and demand more. We should exert less pressure from without and encourage more discipline from within. We should ask people to be dignified, hope they'll be generous, expect them to be fair. When they're not, we should correct them. But

we shouldn’t beat them to a pulp. Because that’s not nice.”

The left and right first of all thought if they raised their voice a little louder…

When that did not work, the talked over each other…

When that did not work the resorted to words…. Lied! Duped us! Faggot! “We would be better off if he were dead!

Notice… None of those talk about ideas, none is an argument; in fact, it is the antithesis of an argument! When you hear nasty words it indicates that the talker is out of ideas and is out of the argument.

Not just the talk show people are into this… the leaders of the Democratic and Republican Party are into it! You have to hand it to the President… he may not have done the thing we think he ought, but he has never resorted to words that our grandmothers would say; “That’s not nice!”

SOME THOUGHTS ON PICKING A PRESIDENT and WHO WE WILL GET!

What should we look for in a candidate for the President of the United States?

He or she is going to run the biggest business in the world... We might look for someone who has successfully run a large business.

He is going to select department heads that will run very large operations. We might look for someone who has hired people, fired people and motivated people.

He is going to be dealing with people around the world. We might look for someone who has traveled extensively.

He is going to make decisions that impact millions of people both here and around the world. We might consider someone that has a vision of the future.


We will get:

The one that promises the most,
The one that does best on television
The one that has the best quip that will be in the news the nest hour.
The one that hires the best advisors
The one the looks the best on TV
The one that does not challenge anyone, least of all the voters