When You Care Enough To Send The Very Best.

  Well I gotta tell ya, I was truly touched when I heard that former President Jimmy Carter, called Kim Jong-Il's family and expressed his deepest condolences. I 'll tell you right now the fact that President Carter, called Kim Jong-Il's family,  makes me ill! Here is a former President, sending his condolences, to a family,  for the death of a man who has been responsible for the death of thousands of  his own people. I wonder if President Carter,  bothered to send his personal condolences to the thousands of  families missing one or more members because Kim Jong -Il ordered their demise. If  President Carter,  considers Kim Jong -Il,  to be his friend,  I believe I could find better friends. President Carter,  prides himself as a man who fights for human rights, He has done a lot of good  working with Habitat for Humanity. Can anybody tell me the last time anyone under a communist regime ever had any human rights? Just what is so humane about a a cruel Communist dictator like Kim Jong-Il,  killing  thousands of his own people? President Carter,  can't possibly be unaware of  this. Communism, is the reason we have a North  and South Korea, in the first place no one really won that coflict Korea,  just got divided in half  at the end of the Korean War which never really ended a cease fire was declared July 27,  1953,  the dividing line was the 38th parallel. South Korea, is free and protected from China and North Korea,  by US troops.Those of you who enjoyed MASH it was a great show but it did not deal very much with the actual history of this forgotten war. North Korea,  remains under the Communist rule.
  God will have to judge Kim Jong -Il  for as much as I might like to that right is his alone. They say you can learn a lot about a man when you find out who his friends are. All I can say is I think If  I were President Carter, I would choose better friends. A man is known by the company he keeps. I think President Carter,  the one time peanut farmer, should realize, that calling a man like Kim Jong-Il or his family, your friend,  is just plain nuts! as always my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

Enough With The Endless Game Of Chicken!

  I don't know about you, but I'm getting pretty sick and tired over the House, and the Senate, choosing to settle policy disagreements by playing endless games of chicken. Those of you who may not know how a game of chicken is played,  it usually involves two cars and  a cliff. the winner is the car that goes the longest without hitting the brakes and turnning or swerving at the last possible minute to avoid the cliff. Some who have played this game, never lived to brag about it!
  Right now,  the House,  and Senate,  are playing a game of political chicken with the federal payroll tax holiday. The Senate,  has left for the Christmas holiday content to offer only a two month fix to the payroll situation. The House, wants a full year so they don't have to deal with this issue again in two months. The House,  has threatened to not sign  the payroll tax exstension bill, in it's present form, and if they  don't and the Senate does not come back before the end of the year then every tax payer's paycheck will loose money and that prospect makes both political parties look bad, so each party is playing political chicken to see which party,  will give in and swerve, to avoid the political cliff. What both sides fail to realize is the American people and the nations economy are riding in the back of both cars,no matter who wins this particular game of political chicken, I still have to ask this question. What happens,  when both sides are playing chicken with the nation's economy and our national debt, and both sides politcal cars brakes fail and America's economy plunges off  the cliff of everlasting obscureity?
  When I consider the basic sense of wisdom that is sorely lacking it seems,  in Washington these days, I am remined of this quote from Galileo Galilei, who lived from 1564 to 1642. The quote, is as follows;"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who endowed us with sense and reason and intellect has intended us to forgo their use." I call for a return,  to reason,  an intellect,  in our government. Oh wait a minute, we are talking about those leaders in W ashington right? as always my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

Incompetence Is Color Blind.

  When you are born with a birth defect and as a result grow up to be someone that must cope with a handicap,  it doesn't take very long at all,  before you soon realize,  you are different from many others. I found as I was growing up , not only did I have to deal with the way I walked and all the things I could not do, I also had to deal with others perception of me,  and how I was treated because of  my handicap. My father,  gave me some great advice that I still live by. He said this "Son, it's no secret your different than some, and because of  your handicap you will be rejected or pitied by many.'You must live your life in such a way and turn that around. When I asked him how I could do this , he said this, Work harder than most at anything you do,  ask for no favors from any one while your doing it. Then, he said this,  "Should you find you need help don't be too proud to ask for it, but,  if  you don't need help prove it! I set out that day, to do just that. My first real job was a bag boy at a local grocery store. the hours were long and I had  to wear special shoes, but,  I never complained even when some of  my coworkers said 'Isn't it  nice,  they let people like him work here.' They weren't saying that at the end of the summer when the stores customers from all seven stores voted for me as the grocery  stores,  best bag boy  Because of   top rate  customer service. I received a big raise and a partial scholarship for college. Though I knew, there would always be those, who felt I won the prize because of my handicap I knew better and so did the stores top management.
  Today, I hear on the news that Attorney General Eric Holder, blames racism for the call by many in the House ninety six I believe, that suggest, Attorney  Holder should resign,  because of  the irresponsible way the gun  operation Fast and Furious was handled or not handled  as the case may be. Let me say this right now, as a person who has experienced discrimination at various times in my life, I despise racial discrimination on any level and there is no  excuse for it! I will also say this however,  no one should be allowed to remain in a job just because of their ethnic origin,  social class, or financial status,  Attorney Holder,  should be judged on the merits of his job performance alone his race or gender or personal faith and beliefs, should not be a factor in the decision  regarding if  he should resign or not. Should evidence find Attorney Holder,  to be incompetent in the the performance of  his job regarding the gun operation Fast and Furious than I would say this to Attorney Holder incompetence is color blind and one's race has nothing to do with that. as always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

Our Government Needs Permanant Solutions.

  I talked with my doctor today. I am disabled and on medicare he assured me that he as my doctor would never turn me a way. I told him I had heard that many doctors were retiring or refusing to take medicare patients because of the talks about the Government under President Obama's plan,  wants to cut 500 billion dollars from Medicare if the senate Democrats get there way. My doctor told me not to worry he felt confident the government would do something at least temporally.  I knew then that was the problem our government,  is always putting a band aid on our financial budget problems or at best, just kicking the can, further down the road in stead of really taking care of the problem. The Senate hasn't passed a full budget for two years so the debt ceiling keeps having to be raised and we all  know how much fun that is. The pay roll tax brake  has only been extended  till  February of 2012 then the Democrats in the Senate,  and the Republicans,  in the House,  will have to work out another deal for the pay roll tax brake to continue as well as a continuation of unemployment benefits. I find my self asking,  why couldn't both sides just get this done right the first time. While both sides play politics and fight for political advantage, millions of Americans are made to wait. Doesn't the government work for us? Why then do I often feel, that often,  the government is working against us and looking out not for us, but only for themselves.
  I came across this quote from George Washington, he is warning Americans even then,  not to let the government,  do too much for them lest the government,  become too powerful the quote is as follows: "Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is a force,  like fire, it is a dangerous servant, and a fearful master." His meaning seems clear the same government that serves the people  today, left unchecked, enslaves the people .tomorrow and then the people serve the government. I sometimes wonder just who is doing the serving today. Is government the servant of the people,  or have the American people become so dependant on the government, that now, in affect the people serve the government. I think Americana, is still having that debate. as always, my  friends, these words remain, just, some words, to think on.

What If Tim Tebow Helps Make God More Popular?

  Some of you who will read this are old enough to remember the tremendous uproar that was caused in the southern Bible belt When an article came out in an  American teen magazine called Datebook in August of 1966 where John Lennon, was quoted saying the Beatles,  had grown more popular than Jesus. Southern Christian conservatives, had a field  day with that remark and teens in the south burned the  Beatles  records by the thousands,  and only after John Lennon, apologised did the controversy,  die down.
  Today,  I heard on the news, that an article written in a paper called the Jewish Weekly, says,  that  Tim Tebow,  has made football more popular than God and that if  Denver,  wins the Super Bowl,  Christians,  will burn mosques and banish Muslim immigrants who wish to come to this country. There is no evidence of this  and that statement is very outrageous,  to say the least. Christians,  have defended the Holy land since the middle ages and King Richard The Lion Heart died defending the Jewish Holy Land in 1199. the United States,  has been a friend to Israel,  often,  when no other nation would, and in in World War II the Jews,  were almost completely wiped out and would have been if a lot of good Christian Americans,  had not won the war and defeated the mad man that was,  Adolph Hitler. Jewish Rabbi Josua Hammerman, should know these facts better than most , yet, he chooses to persecute a decent honest God fearing and God honoring athlete like Tim Tebow. Now, I ask you. Where is the outrage? John Lennon was almost forced to apologise to America, in 1966. I guess I'll have to wait for Rabbi Hammerman's apology for hammering Tim Tebow! I wonder if  Rabbi Hammerman, has ever considered that perhaps, Tim Tebow,  has  made Christianity, and God,  more popular, not that God has ever really needed  his own personal publicity agent. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words, to think on.

Good Old School Days? Forget It!

  I will admit to you,   it's been a few years since my high school days. I will also tell you that I spent my high school years in a private Christian school. I am blessed to be able now, to send my daughter to a private Christian school as well. I have noticed,  that  state school  vouchers, are becoming more and more popular in state after state. I believe I may know the reason why.
  Recently, on the news I saw a report,  where a high school fight was captured on You Tube. I was somewhat  surprised,  when I saw one of the teachers,  just standing there,  with his hands in his pockets,  just watching the fight. I think the teacher could have and should have done something. He certainly could have done more than just stand there and watch. Perhaps,  he was afraid, that if  he had stepped in to try to break up the fight he could be sued by the parents for putting his hands on the students, a valid concern I suppose but,  if  a student should get beat to death,  while he stands there just watching,  he could and most certainly should be sued anyway!  Look,  at the recent news stories on high schools  that are  killing  students,  because of the practice of  hazing.
  There is something very wrong in this country,  when on one hand, students in a public high school,  can be suspended,  if  they stop and kneel to pray in a hallway,  to pay tribute to a great American,  like Tim Tebow, yet,  these same students,  could have had a fight in that  same hallway,  and for all the parents of those students know, the teachers may just stand there and watch,  while it gets captured forever on You Tube. You may be asking your self,  what happened to those good old school days? Well, in 1962 this country decided,  we didn't need God,  in any form or fashion in the public school system. Teachers,  certainly can't put there hands on a student in anyway so that old adage of  if you get a whipping at school your going to get one when you get home isn't in practice as much anymore. I will tell you it sure was in my parents home and I knew it and I  made it a point to stay out of trouble. Liberal organizations like the Parent Teachers Association and the teachers union in general, will tell you everyday about the great strides they are making in public education. When parents can't send their children to a public school and be absolutely sure,  they will come home in one piece well, let's just say, that's a far cry from the days when my parents went to school and frankly, I really don't think the public school system has progressed very far at all. The days of public schools being like school days, school days, dear old golden rule days are long gone, now,  it seems there may be no rules at all. as always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

The Race Is On!

  Well,  just like many of you,  I watched the last debate. I thought Newt Gingrich,  did very well considering he was hit from all sides. He handled the pressure well. Mitt Romney,  also did a good job, and he looked confident and relaxed, and very presidential. Ron Paul,  strikes me as a  president,  who would  want Americans,  to get by on their own because he doesn't want to do anything for anybody  he hardly wants to run the country at all and he certainly doesn't want America to be involved with any other countries I guess their on their own too. I sure hope America,  doesn't have another  terrorist attack if he's our next president. Michelle Bachmann, was out to tear Newt Gingrich,  a part she was certainly on the offensive and I must say, I found her very offensive, Tough is on the thing,  rude is another. Rick Perry,  gets an A for determination, and perseverance those are two qualities he has in common with football great Tim Tebow. Rick Perry better pray that some of  Tebow's magic rubs off on him, because I think that is what it will take for him to get the presidential nomination. John Huntsman, is too much like Preident Obama, for me. Rick Santorum, is perhaps the nicest of all the candidates but I'm afraid he is a nice guy who will finish last. Anyway, the talking is done now, so  let the voting begin. I personally think Newt Gingrich,  would be the best choice if  winning against President Obama,  is the goal, but I think Mitt Romney, will probably receive the Republican nomination in the end. That's okay, with me anything to avoid four more years of  President Obama's failed policies.
  The truth is, as a conservative Republican, I guess I 'll have to vote for whoever wins the Republican,  nomination. and any choice will have to be the right choice, even if  one choice is more right than another. Any Republican choice,  is still a  better choice,   than four more years of  President Obama, because that choice,  leaves America with no choice at all. As always, my friends, these words remain, just some words,  to think on.

The Ghost Of Christmas Past

  I will tell your right now I'm like a lot of you, I love the Christmas season. I have to admit however, lately these days I find my self longing for the the Christmas's of my past. I turn on my TV looking for those Christmas specials I grew up with, specials like It's a Wonderful life,  starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed from 1946 by the way,  that was Jimmy Stewart's first film after returning from his military service  in the United States Army during World War II. I like the musical version of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol starring Albert Finney. I love other specials from my child hood like The Little Drummer Boy from 1968 and Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer,  from 1964  and of course, How The Grinch Stole Christmas from1967. I have to tell you though, I don't find these specials as easy or as often as I once did.
  Now I see in the news,  that a Long Island Professor Dr Paul Friday,  has decided that the Christmas special Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer is not good for our children because it shows poor Rudolph being bullied by the other reindeer. Apparently, the good doctor,  doesn't remember that this story has a great ending. You would think Dr Friday, could find something a bit more important to do other than ruin a cherished Christmas tradition for many American children. I think there may be something else going here. These Christmas specials teach a moral lesson at the end of the story, as almost any one will tell you America over the last thirty years,  has become more liberal in thought, and more secular in nature. Liberals don't appreciate moral judgements of any kind unless they set them. As the years pass I have a feeling you will see less and less of the traditional Christmas specials,  you and I grew up with. I suppose that's just another part of the war on Christmas, I fear one day Christmas specials such as these will be like the ghost from Christmas past. as always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words to think on.

Political Poker

  The way politics is conducted reminds me of a Texas Hold'em poker game.  The American people pay the entrance fee to get into the game, the cost is the amount of money the American people contributed to get either a Republican, or a Democrat into office thus,  earning a seat at the table. The blinds,  or the cost to play each hand goes up with each hand. the pot, or  the money in the center of the table is various  percentages of political party control and power. The game  begins, the Republicans in the House open, with government budget cuts,  and a requirement,  that continued unemployment benefits,  be paid for. The Democrats,  see the continuation of unemployment benefits and finding a way to pay for them,  and raise the Republicans,  with a tax increase on the wealthy. The Republicans,   see the tax increase on the wealthy,  and raise the Democrats,  a raise in revenue by closing tax loopholes. The Democrats, see the Republicans revenue by the closing of tax loopholes, and raise the Republicans, a continuation of the pay role tax holiday. The Republicans, see the continuation of the payroll tax holiday, and raise the Democrats, with a Canadian pipeline to Texas as a condition for the continuation of the payroll holiday and a fix for the cut in doctors pay in medicare. Suddenly both players in our game go all in and both players threaten to let the government shut down.
  I don't know which poker player is the better or smarter player.  I don't know which of our players is bluffing, or has the better hand. I can't say how the game will turn out. I sure hope at least one of the players at our table knows when to hold'em and knows when to fold him because the pot  may be political  advantage  or power, but  the stakes, have never been higher,  because at stake is,  the economic future existence  of our county. the winner or looser will be the American people, and  they have placed all their bets on our political poker players. The players in our poker game the Republican, and the Democrats have all gone all in. I hope some one at our table,  plays  their  cards right other wise,  the American people are the losers and America as a nation, will fold. as always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

Is 2012 The End Of The World?

  About two years ago now, a movie came out starring  John Cusack, called , 2012. The film  tries to depict  what the end of the world could be like. I will say, I found it interesting,  the the film has an almost Noah's ark like  feeling to it since you had to be lucky enough to get a seat on this big enclosed barge like boat in order to make it to the new world to come. The film draws it's plot from the ancient Mayan prophecy that predicts that the world will come to an end on December 21, 2012 with the coming of  the worlds last winter solstice.
  Just between us, I think the world is  going  to go on past 2012. I think there are some other world  problems to consider however,  Right now, the United States is 15 trillion dollars in debt yet, in spite of this, we are being asked to bail out Greece, Italy, Spain, and who knows who else,  before it's all said and done. Why? because we always have, and we are the only country that can or would. That's right, this evil country called America, with it's evil economic system of  capitalism, that has made  this country  the greatest  economic power house the  world has ever known,  is being ask to save the world again. The Protesters on Wall Street, would do well to ask themselves just how long  the world would economically last, if  America, ever experiences a total economic melt down? I pray that day never comes, because if  it does,  it will be the end of the world as we know it. as always, my friends, these thoughts thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

Iowa Is Not A Sure Bet For Any One.

  Like many of you I have seen sound bites from the last Republican Presidential debate. There were no real new revelations, I must say I was impressed with Speaker Newt Gingrich. As one might expect, all the other candidates declared war on Speaker Gingrich simply because he is the current front runner for the Republican Presidential nomination. Although Newt Gingrich,  is far from a perfect man, I have to admit, I was impressed at the Speakers ability to deflect or defuse much of the attacks lunched against him. The Speaker was able to do this because he is not running from his past mistakes instead he has admitted his mistakes and  has  ask the American people to forgive him and give him another chance to try to really help  our country. I hope he keeps his promise to stay positive, and not go negative, so far, I think it's working for him. I wish to make one thing very clear however, the prize of  Iowa is not a sure thing for any of the candidates including speaker Gingrich. All of the candidates would do well to remember that many of the folks will live in Iowa,  are conservative evangelicals,  with very strong family values. Many of the people in Iowa,  are hard working folks who are doing all they can just to get by.
  Governor Mitt Romney,  has a better organization in Iowa,  than speaker Gingrich, and he has much more money. The worst thing Mitt Romney, could have  done,   was to bet Governor Rick Perry,  10, 000 on anything for any reason. We have enough problems with class warfare in this country. The last thing Governor Romney needed to do was demonstrate to the hard working  people of  Iowa,  just how rich he was by the size of the bet he was able to make with governor Perry.  Congresswoman  Michelle  Bachmann, is from Iowa,  and remember she won Iowa's straw poll. Congressman Ron Paul,  has a very strong organization and he may still surprise the other candidates. Let's just say,  If  I were Speaker Gingrich, or Governor Romney, or any of  the other candidates,  for that matter I,d be very careful when it comes to betting on the final  Republican  Presidential out come in Iowa. The out come in Iowa, is by no means, a sure bet for any of the candidates who are running .This Presidential race, may still have many surprises be fore it's over in fact, I'd bet on it! as always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

America's Last Christmas

  One of my favorite places to  eat if we're talking about fast food has to be McDonald's. Do you remember when the sign would tell you just how many Big Mac's had been sold? The sign would say for example over 20 billion sold, and a few years later it would  read over a hundred billion  sold   Finally, McDonald's just had to have their sign read billions and billions sold because frankly, they just couldn't keep count anymore
  Well that's kind of the way I think America's national debt has become. Here is what I mean.  Remember how impressed Americans used to be when something cost a million dollars? I realize that is still a lot of money, in fact, it's more money then the average person will ever see. The fact is though, we have billionaire's in this county and  more and more of them are popping up in this country everyday. Now in America, when we hear that something cost a million dollars, most Americans, barely  pause to think about it. Remember the first time you heard that our government had spent several billions of dollars on one thing or another? When we first heard it, we were shocked or maybe even impressed, that our government could spend that kind of money. These days, America, spends  450 billion dollars a  day just to pay the daily interest on our national  debt. and a billion dollars seems like almost nothing. America's debt reached One trillion dollars around 1981 or so and America was in shock at first but now thirty years later America is fifteen trillion dollars in debt.  I have heard if you could stack 1000 dollar bills, on top of each other when your stack was 67 miles high you would have one trillion dollars let's do some more math if one trillion is 1000 dollar bills stack 67 miles high that means that 15 trillion dollars  is 67 miles times 15  or a tack of  1000 dollar bills 1005 miles high. Guess what? Now,  the government,  has introduced a new money denomination  and that new money denomination is  quadrillion but not to worry, by time America has to use this money denomination to describe the national debt , America as a country will no longer exist.
  Why did I title this blog America's last Christmas? I did it to take this point , The government for too long now has played the roll of this nation's economic Santa Clause, and if we as Americans don't tell the leaders in our government that they need to stop playing Santa Clause, and make the economic sacrificial government spending cuts that must be made for America's economic survival, then one day we as a nation will be so deep in debt the dollar will crash. America will have no more money for anything, no defense, no welfare , no social security, no food stamps, no unemployment benefits, nothing! America at that point will celebrate her last Christmas, and then just maybe Americans will remember that this country, just like the real meaning of Christmas, has never really been about what we can get out of our country but rather what each one of us is willing to stand and work together and sacrifice to give back to our country. after all, it is still, more blessed to give than to receive. as always my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

Conservatives Don't Remain Neutral.

  I hear some comments lately,  from conservative Republicans, that really troubles me. Though I understand conservatives want to pick the best conservative candidate that they can I'm afraid some conservatives, may stay home on election day  because no matter what candidate they had  to choose from,  the candidate wasn't conservative enough for them. Some conservatives,  don't like Newt Gingrich,  because he has taken some less than totally conservative positions in the past, still other conservatives, won't vote for Newt Gingrich,  because of  his personal  past,  and the various circumstances surrounding his three marriages. Mitt Romney, doesn't please evangelical conservatives  because they think his Mormon faith is a cult and thus goes against what they believe. Some Conservatives,  would not vote for Michelle Bachmann,  simply because she is a woman. I don't know what that has to do with being conservative,  and frankly,  I think if you as a conservative,  would not vote for Michelle Bachmann,  just because she happens to be a woman, that's called sexism, and conservative or not,  your a jerk! Some conservatives say, Newt Gingrich,  has too many personal problems too much  baggage from too many marriages, these same conservatives were more than willing to vote for Herman Cain,   who at the very least, is guilty of having poor judgement he certainly should not have a lot of close women friends especially the kind of  women friends his wife was not aware of until the scandal broke.
  Look,  here is the basic point I am trying to make if  as a conservative,  you stay home on election day because you can't find for whatever reason, a candidate who is the perfect conservative for you, then if enough conservatives,  do the same thing, then President Obama, gets reelected, and  this country,  is economically and socially doomed, but,   you will have the comfort of  knowing you stayed true to your totally pure conservatism, and therefore,  stayed home on election day and helped assure a Presidential reelection, for President Obama,  Don't worry, President Obama, won't care how, or why he got  reelected just that he got reelected,  and he'll have the conservatives, who stayed  home because they could not find a perfect conservative candidate to thank for it.
  Let my use this example,  to drive my point home. My daughter,  is studying electricity in school. how is this for an example, if  as a conservative,  you stay home, and don't vote on election day, because you couldn't find a candidate that who was  the perfect conservative for you,  then you,  are neutral and all though you may be  positive,  your doing the right thing, if  too many conservatives don't vote that will have a very negative effect on this country, and the only people who will then  get a real charge out of this decision are the Democrats, for the only current event,  that will take place,  is the guaranteed,  reelection of President Obama, and if that happens again, I think the economic shock to this county will be permanent and devastating. as always my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words, to think on.

Our Government Is Ran With Steve Martin Efficiency

Do your remember watching comedian Steve Martin around 1978 on Saturday Night Live? He had this great routine,  someone would ask him a question and if he didn't have an answer, he would simply say, I forgot! Well, that was really funny back then, but lets try and apply this routine  to various leaders in our government today. Let's begin,  Governor Corzine, what happened  to the  one point two million dollars of  transferred funds at MF Global? 'Well, sir to tell you the truth, I simply don't know what happened because I FORGOT!  Let's try another one. Attorney General Holder,  when did you first hear about the Guns operation? Fast and Furious? 'I can't be expected to know about every investigation going on in my office and and regarding when I first heard a bout operation Fast and Furious I FORGOT! Wow! This is fun, lets ask some else a question. Steven Chu, can you tell the American people where 235 million dollars in a  guaranteed  government went and why the Solar company went bankrupt, and when did you become aware of Sollynda's serious financial condition?' I don't really know when I was made aware of  Solyndra's financial problems because I FORGOT!
  Hey maybe, I should try this, maybe next month I won't make my house payment, or my credit  card payments or utility bills and then when  they call me about a month later and ask why I didn't make my payments, I can say, I simply don't know what came over me but I FORGOT! I'm sure,  they will understand right? As always my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

My Fair Share

We hear a lot of  talk these days from President Obama,  and heaven knows he loves to talk. His latest lecture to the American people is that the rich must pay their fair share. The President fails to mention that the American taxpayers, are already paying there fair share. Let's see, the American taxpayer coughed up 535 million dollars for the solar company Solyndra, and then it went bankrupt. The President has had this country on some type of unemployment for going on three years now. He is now begging Congress, to extend unemployment benefits for another year.The President took 887 billion dollar in taxpayer stimulus money in 2009 and promised the American   people that the nations unemployment rate would  not go above eight percent.  The unemployment rate stayed at nine percent or better for a 122 weeks in a row that's why last week when the unemployment rate finally went down to eight point sis percent, I suppose the President, thought he could now afford to go on a two and a half week vacation in Hawaii. which is also paid by  American tax payer.The country of Greece and most of  Europe, is begging the United States to bail them out and some have suggested, that the United States may pony up as much as two trillion dollars, which if done, will  no doubt be borrowed from China if this type  of deal goes through  and our President wants the rich to pay their fair share? I wonder where the President thinks money  for small  business investment comes from?
  I think that the American people may feel that they are already paying their fair share, I know I do just this morning,  I found out my county assessor, had increased the value of  the lot of  land my house sits on to three times what it was from last year that should do wonders for my wallet when I have to pay my new property taxes. I also took my daughter to the dentist and he told my wife in about two to three years our daughter will need braces that will cost around five thousand dollars. the next time someone from our local Democratic head quarters calls and ask if I'd like to make a contribution to help reelect President Obama,  I think I'll just say no first because I'm a Republican Reagan conservative,  so you shouldn't have called me in the first place, and secondly, no because,  I'm already paying my fair share and I don't want to pay anymore. I just bet a great deal of the American people feel the same way. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

And Your Poinsettia Is?

  Just when you thought the secular battle over Christmas could  not be anymore insane, now I see and hear on the news that now,  some school district in California,  is now telling teachers not to have Santa Clause or the traditional Christmas flower  the Poinsettia,  displayed in any fashion in their classroom. The school feels that they can't in anyway show any affiliation to any one religion. Santa Clause,  is religious I guess because  of  the Roman Catholic connection to Saint Nicolas.  Born on March 15, 270 AD and died December 6, 343 AD. The Catholic Church made  Nicolas of Tolentino a Saint in 1466 AD and he is of course the basis for Santa Clause of  today. I guess if you really want to stretch things I can see some religious connection there. I think the School is as usual,  going overboard on this issue
  When I researched the Poinsettia,  I find it had a secular origin. dating all the way back to the  Aztecs who first used the red flower to make a red die that was used,  as one of the worlds first antipyretics  or fever reducers. The Poinsettia flower,  was first brought to the United States in 1825 by Joel Robers Poinsett. He was then, Minister to Mexico. The flower,  was  named after him. The Catholic Church,  is responsible for the flowers religious meaning. The flower is red representing the blood sacrifice of Christ and it is shaped like a star so it reminds the Catholic church of the star of Bethlehem. so the school district says it can't be a decoration in their school. Wow! who knew a red flower could have such power!
  Look this who politically correct madness really makes my blood boil!  For goodness sake,  it's only a flower. Let me pedal,  these  following thoughts to you. I think you may find them  rather stemulating, and  yes, I meant to spell it that way! The teachers, in that California school,  must not have very many important things to worry about so I guess this idea, took root, and sprang up!  I guess I better nip these flower jokes in the bud. I just want to say in closing whoever had a problem with Poinsettias being used as a Christmas decoration in that California school district as far as I am concerned is a blooming idiot! As Always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

America Is Still The Land Of The Second Chance

  Like most of us, I've made some mistakes in my life.I am able to say,  I've never done anything that would be considered illegal but I certainly have done things in my life that I wish I hadn't and have lived long enough to regret many of my mistakes and learn from them. One of the things I love most about America is that most of the American people are very forgiving. America is the land of second chances.
  I heard on the news yesterday that former Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, now says,  she has some dirt on former House speaker Newt Gingrich. information she acquired when Speak Gingrich was under investigation for House ethics violations. These  same violations  forced the Speaker to resign on November 5, 1998  just three days after being elected for an eleventh term.Speaker Gingrich payed a 300, 000 dollar fine and that along with his resignation saved the Speaker from further proceedings.
  Now Newt Gingrich is back as a  Republican Presidential nominee all he's asking for is for the American people to give him a second chance. One thing I do know is I don't need any lectures from Nancy Pelosi on House ethics. Remember how she was going to drain the political swamp of all corruption? Well while she was busy draining the corrupt political swamp,  former House Charmin of the Ways and Means Committee Charlie Rangel, was found swimming in it.  Charlie Rangel,  was convicted on eleven out thirteen counts brought against him. for various corrupt tax practices and yet he was not pressured to resign as former Speaker Gingrich had been.
  Former President, Bill Clinton,  was impeached by the House,  for his all to public affair in the Oval Office with White House intern,  Monica Lewinsky. The Senate thought however,  that the President's conduct in his personal life did not mean he wasn't a good President  looks like President Clinton,  got his second chance.
  Look,  even if you don't like Newt Gingrich,  the man has paid his dues and Americans always like people who learn from their mistakes and make a comeback and I think Newt Gingrich has learned from his mistakes and deserves a second chance and I just have a feeling that the American people, just might be willing, to give it to him. As always my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

Is There Still Quality And Pride In America?

  I love living in America,  and I'm proud to be an American. I'll tell you right now I will never apologize for loving my country,  and taking a certain pride in being an American. There are some things that trouble me  now here in America. I sometimes, have to ask my self  what has happened to making things with pride and quality in America? Here is what I mean, there was a time not too long ago when, if  you bought a car in America,  it was a top quality vehicle and it was made here. out of top grade materials and you didn't have to spend an arm and a leg to buy it either. Today it seems,  that even if you buy an  American made car often times it still doesn't measure up in terms of over all quality and value.  Henry Ford produced the first  model A Ford in June of 1903 at a total cost of 360 dollars. Ford,  is best known  for the model T Ford which he first produced on August 12, 1908 at a total cost of 575 dollars. He used to say, that his cars may break down but they will never break because he personally supervised the production of  his cars. He is the father of the mass production assembly line which  lowered the cost of a car so everyone could own one. I guess Ford really did have a better idea. Today if you buy a car it cost a lot more than 560 dollars and it isn't long before parts begin to wear out then you have to buy replacement parts which is not always easy if the car is made in Germany or Japan. People today often prefer foreign cars  because they last longer. As I see it car factories can't produce real cars of quality because in America you have to pay union contacts and the cost of  most union labor is at least twice as much as the cost to produce the same car in Germany or Japan. How ironic that the United states soundly defeated both Germany and Japan and we still have US troops in both countries and yet today both countries produce better basic cars often at a lower price than we can here in the US. All I know is,  my dad drove a 1961 Chevrolet Impala,  from 1961 to 1985 and in all that time he changed the brakes once a year and changed the tires every three years and got a tune up twice a year and changed the oil every four months and  it ran great. Those were the days! My grandmother used to have hand made furniture from the 1800's that you could still use today. Why? because there was a time in this country,  when made in America,  meant made to last. Sometimes, I think If  I see made in China, one more time on anything, I may become physically ill. People used to make things by hand,  and they knew the quality of their work would  also determine their reputation and thus determine how long  they stayed in business. Remember when Zenith used to say, the quality goes in,   before the the name goes on? Now too often it seems,  the name goes on, because nobody knows what's going on, and quality has got nothing to do with it.
  Another thing  that troubles me,  is this politically correct idea to call yourself by your ethnic heritage be fore you say American. I am of English decent but I don't call myself an English American. Don't get me wrong I think it's great to know ones own  heritage and I love studying history. I know we have African Americans and Irish Americans Jewish Americans and every other ethnicity you could name speaking just for myself  however,  what  ever else I am, I am an American,  first. I think being an American, is still,  one of the greatest privileges on earth. Is there still pride and quality in America? Yes, because all we have to do as Americans,  is put a little pride,  and quality,  in ourselves. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words,  to think on.

A New Way To Spell Respect

  Aretha Franklin, is considered by many, to be the Queen of Soul her signature song Respect still makes people stand and cheer when they hear it.. Without question,  it is song she will be remembered  for.I would like to suggest to you however, a new way to spell respect. A dear friend of mine who is older  and much wiser then I will ever be shared with me some of  her thoughts on respect, and now , I would like to present a new way to spell respect.. The first letter R will stand for responsibility. One of the ways we know a person is an adult is when one has , the ability to accept responsibility for one's own actions. I find this ability to be strangely lacking in our government today. President Obama loves to take credit for his successes like  getting Osama bin Laden, but blames the Republicans or former President Bush for his failure to deal with  nations present economic problems.Attorney General Eric Holder,  takes no responsibly for the failed guns operation Fast and Furious which led the the death of  boarder patrolman,  Brian Terry.  My dad always said it takes a real man to admit, when you are wrong. Now, let's let the second letter in respect, E  stand for equality when your dealing with both people and situations. Why is it, a liberal, can say say certain things in the media but   if a conservative says the same things,  they often  get  politically destroyed for it? Muhammad Ali, used to give all his praise as a Muslim,  to the prophet  Elijah Muhammad, each time he would win a fight, yet Tim Tebow, is often dismissed as an over zealous idiot just because as a Christian,  he chooses to praise Jesus Christ,  when he makes a touch down or wins a football game. Where is the equality or religious tolerance in this type of thinking? Doesn't our nations pledge to the flag say, one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all? These words would seemed to suggest that all people of  faith should be treated with equal respect. I suppose  to most liberals, some,  are more equal,  than others Let's let the third letter in respect  S stand for Serving without selfishness. Our government,  is supposed to be,  elected by  and , work to serve and carry out  the will of  we,  the American people, all to often however, the only thing our leaders in  government seem interested in doing, is working to push their own political agenda's and the only thing they may do is appear to be interested in helping a a cause or a particular group of people if  in doing so,  it will give a person or  a political party,  some type of political advantage when it comes time to have the next election. How I hope one day,  to know someone in politics, who would put the needs of our nation before their own personal  political ambitions. That type of person in today's politics is an endangered species! Let's let the letter P in respect stand for being polite to all, in  both our public and personal lives. here is what I mean. Why can't our political leaders politely agree to disagree with some one in a debate and seek to win their political points on their  merit alone?  What good is it  if  our leaders  in politics  say  they are men and women of  faith and family values, yet when they run for office you see them slander and smear and often falsely attack  another political opponent. Speaking just for myself,  I don't want to vote for anyone just be cause,  they were better at mud slinging then their political opponent was. I don't want to vote for a conservative just because,  they say they are  a conservative. I want to vote for a person who can respect the the views and opinions of everyone even if they may not agree with them. Let my also say this, common courtesy seems to be a lost art in this country and profanity is not funny I don't care what the various comedians may say dirty,  is not funny it's just dirty and if  a person can only understand and get a laugh using four letter words perhaps they  should develop a better  vocabulary. trust me we have a lot more words in our English language that have a great deal of meaning I will tell you however,  they often have more than four letters  but those words will be worth learning and can potentially make someone a better person. The second E in respect stands for equity and fairness for all in every financial standing. I don't think most working Americans mind helping someone,  who's down on their luck and out of work with food stamps or unemployment benefits as long as those benefits don't become a permanent choice for someone who could work if they they were willing to do  anything. Remember before their was government welfare their were churches that looked after the needs of others and even the Bible says,  if you are healthy and able to work,  then, you should work and if you don't work you don't  eat. The protesters who were  occupying Wall Street could learn a lesson from this type of work ethic. The C in the word respect can stand for civic duty it carries  a long with it the idea of giving something back to your country and thus meet each others needs for example if you know a family where a boy has no father maybe you could be a big brother. maybe you know someone who could use a little home repair if your gifted using tools maybe you could help them out. and not every thing we may do for others,  should necessarily involve whether we get paid or not sometimes,  a thankful and grateful  heart,  should be all that's required. Finally,  their is the last letter in the word respect T and this stands for truth spoken with tact will help to foster trust. here is what I mean  I can assure you,  someone will be more inclined to trust you if you use tact as you speak the truth. Truth,  should serve to help some one not totally destroy some one. here is a quick example if you know  some one who has a weight problem don't tell them how fat they are tell them you care about  them enough to help them  find a healthy diet  so they can live a better life. Believe me,  they are ready know how fat they are because others often have already told them,  and they have mirrors,  and they fight to squeeze into to their clothes every day. Saying someone is fat may be true but if  it is also true that all people have worth then seek to  find a way  to speak the truth about a persons weight,  with tact,  and sensitivity,  and kindness and then when you speak the truth to that person about others issues they will value your opinion  because you have earned their trust.
  Well I hope you like how my friend and I now spell respect, if you decide to spell it the same way I promise you it will change your life and the lives of countless others. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words, to think on.

Plan B

  By now you have no doubt seen the news and you know that Herman Cain is now a former Republican candidate for President. As I  watched the news I thought to my self, how sad it is that a man who had once shown so much political promise must now step aside and basically,  cheer from the sidelines for whoever does finally,  receive the Republican nomination for President. I ask my self one question. Where did Herman Cain  go wrong?  Herman Cain may,  be guilty of nothing more than poor judgement.. I confess to you however I am surprised that a man so full of self determination, a man who has ran  several businesses, a man who has  had  the love and support of  a good wife who was there by his side and helped him survive  stage four colon cancer could be so weak in personal judgement. Here is what I mean, I was surprised when I heard on the news, that Mrs. Cain knew nothing about Ginger White even though Herman Cain says he was just a friend to her and helped her financially from time to time over the years. Even if you believe Herman Cain did nothing of a sexual nature with Miss White, I still have to wonder why does a married man have a woman who is a friend of  his who he has given  financial help to many times over a thirteen year period if we are to believe anything Miss White,  has said, and in all that time never mention it to his wife? What's up with that?
  Look, I've been married for  twelve years now. I do not claim to know everything about what makes for a good marriage. I do know this however, when your married to someone if there is anything you have not told your spouse for what ever reason, then I have to say,  "Houston, we have a problem. I can only speak for myself  but, I can tell you, my wife knows all of my friends both male and female and you better believe, if  I was inclined to give any amount of money to any of of my friends, for any reason, I know my wife well enough to know, she would want to know about it especially if it was a woman. Now, your going to tell me that a man like Herman Cain,  can be married to  the same  woman for forty three years and yet, not know her well enough  to know,  that it would be more than a good idea,  for her to be consulted , before he decides to hand out money to some woman Mrs. Cain did not even  know about?  I have to wonder what was Herman Cain thinking? Maybe that is the answer to my question for he obviously wasn't thinking, so I am left to conclude,  even a very smart man in business can still make  serious errors  in personal  judgement. I then am  left  to wonder if  he would have exercised such poor judgment if  he  would have become President
  Finally,  let me say this to all who are either in or are  about to enter  into  a married relationship, When you get married your spouse is to be your closest and dearest friend on this earth and beyond that, they only other friend you need is the one we have in Jesus. Herman Cain should have remembered that. When I think of the great things Herman Cain might have been able to do for the country, these words from Shakespeare come to mind, " Of all the words, of  tongue or pen, the saddest are these,  it might have been."  As always my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words to think on.

In One Ear And Out The Other.

  My Daughter is at an age, where she ask an abundance of questions, about all kinds of things. A few days ago, she asked me  to explain an expression she had heard at school. The expression, was in one ear, and out the other. When my daughter ask me what that expression meant, I was so tempted to say, that it meant the same thing as the expression, like water off a duck's back. I didn't  however,  because I knew she had not heard that expression yet and therefore, using a similar expression wouldn't really answer her question fully, and completely, like she wanted it to be and besides, if  I had used the expression, like water off a duck's back to answer her question well, let's just say, I didn't want to teach  her a fowl expression ! Seriously though, I told her,  that in one ear, and out the other, meant hearing some one speak words, with out paying any real attention, to what is actually being said. My daughter then asked me for an example, so I told her well, it's kind of  like when your mommy, and I call you to the  dinner table,  or ask you to get started on your home work but your too busy,  watching one of your favorite TV shows  no matter how many  times  we tell you,  some how,  you just don't seem to hear what your mommy and I are saying at those particular times. When I gave her those examples she then knew exactly, what the expression, in one ear and out the other meant.
  I could have given my daughter an even better examples  to explain the expression in one ear and out the other, I could have just told her Well it's a lot like back in 2009  when seventy percent of the American people didn't want President Obama,  to push through a 787 billion dollar stimulus package to bail out the banks who were about to go under because they were stuck with too many mortgage loans that people couldn't pay because the housing market had  collapsed. The American people spoke, but  President Obama,  ignored the wishes of  most of  the American  people,  and pushed the stimulus package through Congress anyway.  How about when, Seventy percent of the American people didn't want Obama care it was  2074 pages long and no one even read the bill or knew much about it. Most of the American people wanted the President, to slow down and really compose a better well thought out health care re form bill, but again the wishes of most of  the American people may have been spoken, but President Obama, did not take heed to the vice of the American people. Most, of the American people, really wanted President Obama, to show some true leadership, and work with the super committee, to bring down the nation's debt but once  again, President Obama,  did not hearken to the will of most,  of the American people,  and the super committee failed.
  I guess, that is why, I now,  find it very difficult,  to trust the President. I know the President,  loves to hear himself talk,  and he often talks a lot but lately,  he just doesn't seem to say much. I guess, that's why when I hear the President,  speaking,  on just about anything these days, Dare I say it? His words go in one ear, and out the other. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

Where Are The Peace Makers?

  My daughter is a constant amazement to me. One minute, she's nine playing with her Barbie dolls the next minute,  she's twenty solving social problems like a world diplomat. Last night,  she was talking on the phone to one of  her friends and she was explaining to her that she was  her friend and then my daughter said she was also a friend of  another one of their classmates classmates friend that they both had in school. My daughter keep telling her friend on the phone that she would not choose between them she said she liked them both equally and she wanted to stay in the middle. Realizing, that's not the word she wanted to use,  she asked me what was a better word to use I suggested,  the word neutral. She then told her friend, 'In an effort to keep peace between all three of us I choose to remain neutral.' I then remembered something  my daughter's second grade teacher once told her mother and I, her teacher said our daughter had a real gift when came to working with others she said our daughter was a natural peace maker and would make a wonderful diplomat. I remember thinking to myself,  what a wonderful gift to possess, then I wondered why no one in any branch of our government seems to have that gift.
  The truth is often, the only peace our government seems to be interested in is which branch of of the government is going to get the biggest piece of  political  pie in what ever deal they might be trying to work out to gain the best political advantage.The recent failure of the super committee certainly demonstrates this point all to well and while I understand their are certain compromises, as a conservative,  I can't be prepared to make, that should not mean that the art of meaningful compromise is lost altogether. When you think about it, There may be liberals and conservatives Republicans, and Democrats but at the end of the day, we're all Americans, just like we were all Americans right after the tragedy that was nine eleven. Just once I'd like to see our  Congress get together,  and agree to really work together,  for the good of the American people, and not just for the good of the next election. Where are the peace makers in our government?  Truly, blessed are the peace makers,  for they shall inherit the earth. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

The Price Of Taking A Stand

  There's an old saying that was made into a popular country song a few years ago. The saying, goes something like this, you've  got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything. I believe there  is some basic truth in those words, but I would also submit to you,  that before you decide to take a stand,  make sure the stand  you take is worth the price you will have to pay for taking it, because,  there will be one. Here is what I mean,  no one outside of Alaska,  had  basically heard of  former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, until she was chosen to be Arizona Senator John Mccain's running mate in 2008.Governor Palin, then made the greatest political mistake you can make in the world of politics, she dared to open her mouth and say how she truly felt about the dire economic condition of this country because of reckless spending by the Government. Then she did the one thing that liberals hate most, she dared to be a conservative women with family values. Most of all, she dared to say, she had certain moral values and a solid Christian up bringing. Liberals,  have stopped at nothing to politically destroy her. Like most of us, Governor Palin is not  a   perfect  person, but she dares to take  a stand often times not only,  at her own personal expense, but also, at  the expense,  of  her family. She dares to make a difference,  and I admire that aspect of  her character. Wisconsin Republican Governor, Scott Walker has dared to make a difference and balance Wisconsin's state budget by asking unions to pay for a percentage of their  health insurance benefits and stop the often overspending union practice of collective bargaining this in turn has incensed union leaders and now an all out effort is being waged by the ticked off union leaders to collect enough signatures and force Governor Scott walker out of office through a state recall. Governor Walker dared to make a difference but it may cost him his job.
  There are other examples I could give and this principal doesn't just apply to politics and politicians, When I say I am a person who follows the principals of  basic Christianity, fair or not, certain assumptions are made and certain conduct is expected. Let me ask you something. What good does it do to believe in anything if what you say you believe has no obvious effect on the way you live? A person can often study the Bible, but living your life by biblical principals well, that's another matter. The hardest thing I've had to realize in my life is this, sometimes taking a stand may often mean, you stand alone. You know what? that's alright with me. Finally, should decide, to take a stand, I have only one thing to say, be sure the stand your taking,   is worth,  the price  you'll have to pay. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

The Cain Train Runs Out Of Steam.

  Well here we go again. That was Republican Presidential hopeful Herman Cain's latest reaction to the new allegation against him. Just when it looked like Herman Cain might be able to forge a come back in his Presidential campaign, another woman named Ginger White has now come forward, and says, that she and Herman Cain had an on again off again affair, for thirteen years. Herman Cain says, he had a friendship with her but at no time was their relationship any kind of a sexual relationship. I have to admit however, in this case,  Miss White,  does have text and phone messages at some what unusual hours and while that alone doesn't make Herman Cain necessarily guilty of anything, I have to admit, it doesn't look good and this new allegation will most likely end Herman Cains bid for the White House.
  The truth is, at this point,  it almost, doesn't matter,  if  this latest allegation is true or not when you add all the other instances of  improper conduct as alleged, by four other women, enough doubt has been created that I think Herman Cain will ever be considered as a serious Presidential candidate. As a result, he won't receive the Republican nomination for President.Republicans, are always held to a higher  standard, because they are perceived as the party of  moral family values. therefore it was very important for Herman Cain as a conservative Republican, to avoid even the appearance of sexual misconduct or infidelity something apparently, Herman Cain, has failed to do.
  The Liberal Democrats, unlike the Republicans,  do not cling to any type of traditional family values or standards, they can more easily afford to be more Politically indiscreet. The Press now admits, they were well aware, of  John F Kennedy's affair with Hollywood screen goddess, Marilyn Monroe. The President was  very popular however, so the press just looked the other way. Former President, Bill Clinton, had  no less than three,  sexual accusations made against him both before and during his  Presidency. First, while he was running for President, in 1992, the Gennifer Flowers,  story broke. Remember, how Presidential candidate and Mrs. Clinton, went on Sixty Minutes and Hilary Clinton said,  she wasn't standing by her man, like Tammy Wynette? That's just exactly, what she was doing, and no doubt it went a long way in saving Bill Clntons Presidential campaign. During President Clinton's second term, two more women, come forward with charges of sexual misconduct, against President Clinton. Kathleen Willey said,  she was groped by President Clinton, and Paula Jones, also stated that President Clinton,had mde improper sexual advances towards her. Finally, while serving as President in the White House, Bill Clinton, carried on several  sexual encounters, with a twentytwo year old White House intern named, Monica Lewinski. and although this conduct did force President Clinton to be impeached by the House in 1998 there were not enough votes in the Deocratically controled Senate,  to carry out the full impeachment process Thus, President Clinton, was able to finish out his Presidency. Today, President Clinton's less than discreet past seems all but forgotten, Herman Cain, may be completly innocent, although I believe he may,  be guilty at the very least, of showing poor  judgement. The problem is , the seeds of  doubt  have now  been firmly planted in the minds of  the voting public at large. I'm afraid the Cain train has come to the end of the line. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

So Much For The Magic Of Christmas

  What has happened to the joy of the Christmas Season? I mean, think about it. To begin with,  you can't hardly say Merry Christmas anymore. Now it seems,  you risk your very life,  if you dare,  go shopping on the day of or after,  Thanksgiving,  which most retailers now  refer to as,  black Friday. That seems to be the perfect name for it. Consider these examples, at a Wal Mart store in Alabama, a man had to be tasered by police because he was causing other shoppers to feel threatened,  in North Carolina, a man was charged and arrested  for starting a fight that turned into an all out brawl, and gun shots were fired,  in Arizona, a grand father was knocked unconscious because he was trying to protect his grand son who got caught in the middle of a  fight between some freaked out shoppers. At a Walmart in Los Angeles, , a woman was pepper sprayed,  because she tried to assault the police who were trying to subdue her and calm her down.
  So much for peace on earth and good will towards men.This is what  happens,  when getting the gift becomes more important,  than the the real reason for the season. We give gifts at Christmas time to honor the birth of Christ,  who was God's son  and was himself,  freely given to the world to save mankind from the sin which separated man kind from God and his love. Alas, Christmas has gone from getting gifts to give, to  just getting something,  before someone else does. Do you remember that terrible  tragedy at a Wal Mart in Long Island New York on November 28, 2008? What a travesty, that a Wal Mart employee, had to be trampled to death,  because too many people were all trying to get through the door at the same time so they could be the first to get a great deal on a big screen TV. I hope the person who got that big screen TV really enjoys it it only cost a human life.
  At this normally,  joyous time of year I would hope,  and pray,  that all who give gifts will remember why gifts are given in the first place. This is America though, and if you want to go out and shop and act like a total jerk,  and end up being charged with assault, then you may be pepper sprayed. After all, tis,  the season,  or seasoning,  as the case may be.  As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

Words Said Too Often, Often, Lose Their Meaning.

  Have you ever noticed how society in general,  often repeats certain phases so much that they almost lose their meaning? Here is what I mean. How often do you see someone in passing, and when they say, "Hey how's it going? You almost like a reflex respond fine even if your really not. I know I have often done this. I do it because the  person who asked,  doesn't usually  have the time to hear how I really am, and I don't really have the time to tell them. The truth is many times, if your like me, you often feel that people are just asking you how you are just to be polite to have something to say as a way of greeting when they see you in passing but not many,  you meet, really care how you may truly be  feeling so it's easier, to just answer  and say  fine, and go one your way. Thus,  the question of  how you are doing and your answer,  are basically,  just polite words that may be said but have no real meaning.
  President Obama has been called a very inspiring speaker and I must admit during his campaign in 2008, he certainly appeared to be a great orator. I have noticed that like many Presidents before him, President Obama, often concludes his speeches with the phase God bless America. I admit to you however, I often ask myself if  he truly means it. Talking about God is easy but really knowing the God your talking about  well, that's something else.
  A  story is told a bout a small farm town who was challenged by a surrounding big city district to a speaking contest. The winner would receive a prize based on what the other had to offer if  the farm town won,  the city promised to expand no further and they promised to reduce certain  taxes the the farmers always had to pay when they went into the city. On the other hand,  if  the farm town lost the speaking contest then they would agree to give up a predetermined amount of  their land and the the surrounding city district  would be allowed to expand and certain taxes would be raised to pay for the expansion. The city leaders felt sure they would win. The  city district leaders  selected the twenty third Psalm this would be the   passage that would be delivered the city thought that was very gracious because they thought most farmers would not be familiar with more famous speeches given in history. The judges were equally selected there were seven three from the city district, and  three from the farming community and one judge from another city was there to cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie.The people of the farming community could not afford to hire a professional orator so they had their church's preacher who was also a farmer  deliver their version of the twenty third Psalm. On the day day of the contest the city leaders elected to go first,  and the orator they hired did a masterful job delivering his rendition of the twenty third Psalm and indeed when he finished,  what followed,  was thunderous applause. Next, it was the farming community's turn the old farmer and country preacher started slowly and quoted the twenty third  Psalm from memory,  but he did it in such a way that it seemed like he was just talking to the listeners and they in turn felt like they were hearing a private conversation between the old country preacher and the Lord.When the preacher and fellow farmer fished his rendition of the twenty third Psalm there was no thunderous applause because  everyone who had heard the preacher speak were too busy,  wiping tears from their eyes. Suddenly,  all seven judges stood to their feet and each proclaimed the preacher was the winner of the contest. The city leaders screamed that's unfair! We had a professional,  who clearly did a better job,  so why does the preacher win? The seventh judge answered simply,  the orator,  knows the twenty third  Psalm,  but the country preacher, he knows the Shepard  and his words,  while he quoted the twenty third Psalm had  real meaning.
  Words must continue to have meaning or they be come empty because those who hear them know  they mean nothing. as always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words, to think on.

That's My Kind Of Job!

  Well Christmas is well on the way, the stores are all buzzing with crazy people trying to get those special deals you can only get if you camp out in some department store parking lot at least two days before anyone else gets there. Once your inside, if  you can get your special priced electronic toy without getting trampled to death or if  you don't trample someone yourself,  I guess you can survive and make it through Christmas. I must say however, Christmas must be a terrible time to be out of work unless you got laid off from the recently bankrupt solar company called Solyndra. Did you hear the great news? Well let me tell you! it seems that our government has once again,  asked American taxpayers to step up and in the spirit of giving, I guess, pony up something called a Trade Adjustment Assistance package for the 1100 workers at Solyndra. What it amounts to is 14.3 million dollars. That means that every person who got laid of at Solyndra will receive 13000 dollars a piece, all courtesy, of  the  American taxpayer.I guess the former employees at Solyndra are going to have themselves, a Merry little Christmas. The government seems to feel, that the laid off workers need this money for their personal expenses and new job training.
  Let me, get this straight.first, the government ask the American taxpayers, to guarantee a loan from the government for 535 million dollars. The Solyndra solar  company  then fails  in their attempt to compete with China because China is able to produce solar panels faster and cheaper than Solynda can. The company then goes bankrupt. The American taxpayer then,  is asked to give each one  of the former Solyndra employees 13000 dollars a piece for their personal expenses, and new job training. Wow! that's my kind of job!  I have to ask all of the American tax payers however, aren't you glad not every laid off person in America, has a job like that? I suppose it's a good thing they don't  at least, not yet! As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

I Want It Now.

  I heard a joke one time that seems to sum up much of America's philosophy today. A person was praying to God, asking for patience the prayer went something like this God I want patience, and I want it right now! I think a lack of patience has been a problem for many Americans for some time now. Here is what I mean. President Obama decided,  all Americans,  should have health care. Did he patiently,  wait until a thoughtful and affordable bill could be put together? No,  the President wanted to pass His health care bill as quickly as possible while he had his sixty votes in the Senate and could avoid a filibuster. The President got his wish but the American people may now,  pay the price for it. for now many are now waiting for businesses to hire employees but most of them won't because they want to wait to see what the cost of the new health care law will do  to their business. President Obama, wanted America to invest in new sources of energy, and he wanted to do it now. The Government,  invested  535 million dollars in  a solar company named Solyndra. Solyndra,  was unable to match solar panel production with China so Solyndra,  went bankrupt. I guess America's  taxpayer's will now, forever wait, to be paid back by the government. President Obama sought instant economic relief for Americans so in 2009 he rushed through an 887 billion dollar economic stimulus package once again in a bill few if any in government took time to read. Now, almost three years later unemployment is still nine point one percent and 15 to 18 million Americans are out of work hoping to keep their  homes as they wait for things to get better. The government decided that everyone deserved and should have a home now  so, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, told banks  to give home loans,  to just about anyone and not even wait to see if  the people who were asking for the home loans could safely afford to pay them back. Now, many Americans have lost both their jobs and their homes and again,  they are forced to wait for the times to get better.
  Now, President Obama says, we can't wait Congress,  must pass his jobs bill now. The bill,  is in reality, just another economic stimulus package. The bill most likely, hasn't been  and won't be read and if passed will most certainly, add to America's now, 15 trillion dollar debt. This seems rather curious to me. President Obama seems to think,  that the nation's national debt is the one thing that can wait. This is most certainly,  demonstrated by the recent  failure of the super committee. I believe however,  that the nations debt is the one thing that must be dealt with and the time to do that is now, as always, my friends these thoughts remain just some words to think on.

The Choice

  On this Thanksgiving Day, I realize, I have so much to be grateful for. a few days a ago my daughter, ask me a question which I will admit to you, I found very difficult to answer. What was her question? She simply asked me , "Daddy, why do people place their parents in nursing homes"? I told her many people are unable to take care of their parents, in the way that they need to be cared for and often,  there is no one to watch their parents because everyone is busy working so the nursing home is a place where older folks who need extra can get. and then the families of these people, can come for a visit and  look in on them to check and see if they are being cared for properly and make sure they're okay.  Thinking that my answer would satisfy my daughter,I turned  to continue working on my computer. My daughter  came back later and said ,"Daddy, I heard many of the nursing homes don't really do a good job taking care of peoples parents, is that because they don't know them? Yes, I said, then she said doesn't anyone love them anymore yes I said but there children are busy and it's hard to find time to see them all the time, then she said,  "Is that why they fell so lonely and forgotten"? I told my daughter, "Yes, honey I'm sure that's why. My daughter then said to me, "Don't worry daddy, I love you and mommy so much you can live with me forever." I had to leave the room then, because I didn't want my daughter to see me weep.
  The truth is,  this type of heart wrenching choice, has to be made far too often in our American society today. I am also concerned with certain aspects of  President Obama's health care law. The idea that a group of strangers on some board can decide, if  you should live or die based on whether you or your medical insurance can afford to pay for the medicines or procedures to treat you, and if they decide that the treatments are too expensive,  then they just give you medicine too make you comfortable  and then I guess wherever you are at that point, you then decide,  how and where you want to be when you pass a way.
  Speaking for my self, I hope the Supreme Court finds President Obama's health care law unconstitutional. Personally, I don't think the government should force anyone, to purchase health care and I definitely, don't want the government telling me by my health and financial circumstances how when or where I should pass away. that is a choice that should be left in the hands of my loving family and I and the God we worship and believe in.As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

It's All About The Bucks!

  I was talking on the phone last night to a friend of mine. He is an old friend  from my college days in Lynchburg Virginia. We we talking about, different presidents  in U S history. My friend reminded  me that President Harry S. Truman said" The buck stops here." and then I said, 'President Truman was certainly a lot different than President Obama, he just passes the buck" I believe this really sums up much of  President Obama's Presidency at least to this point anyway.
  I think I can make this point by simply,  reviewing certain key points in  Obama's first three years as President. Do you remembered how he handled the  drawing up the health care bill? The president left the details of the health care bill to Then,  Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader,  Harry Reid. We all know,  what a fine job they did! Nancy Pelosi,  understood the health care bill so well that she told  Americans,' We have to pass the bill to know what's it it.' How could anyone know what was in the bill when it was  more than clear,  no one had taken the time to read the bill. well the health care bill became law and the American people still,  to this day,  don't really know whats in the health care law. What about the debate on the debt ceiling? President Obama, only got involved at the last moment, and then blamed the House Republicans, when the Democrats in the Senate were upset with President because he was forced to extend the Bush tax cuts for two years instead of  letting  them expire at the end of 2010 the President, agreed with this,  in order to get an increase on the debt ceiling. Then there is the smashing success of the so called,  super committee that was nothing more than a super failure. The President was once again, missing in action I guess,  presidential leadership,  is not the Presidents strongest suit.
  President Obama,  unlike President Truman, apparently, doesn't care where the buck stops, as long as he can pass it but if President Obama can't pass the buck heaven know, he sure likes to spend it! As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

What's Left To Be Thankful For?

  Well let's see, America is fifteen trillion dollars in debt, unemployment still stands at nine point one percent, the super committee was a super failure, the Republicans and the Democrats seemed determined to remain hopelessly dead locked at least till the next election, our nations credit rating is on the verge of  being down graded again Greece is on the verge of total collapse the stock market is a roller coaster at best, and if all that weren't enough,  Iran, is just months away from being a major nuclear threat and after the holidays, President Obama says,  those Americans who are working will have less money in their  paychecks because Congress won't pass his American jobs Act bill..  At this point some may ask, what's left to be thankful for at this time of thanksgiving?
  I realize times are hard for many right now, but let's see, if there are still things to be grateful for in America..Well, if your unemployed right now, be grateful for food stamps and unemployment benefits some in America,  have had unemployment benefits for three years now due to many extensions. I promise you, there are people in many third world countries not only don't have a job, but they've never heard of unemployment benefits or food stamps many, in the poorest countries are just hoping to find enough to eat. There are still many churches in this country who have food pantries to help the needy. Despite all the talk of hard times the department stores,  are still full of early bird Christmas shoppers who in just a few days on black Friday,  which is commonly referred to as the day after Thanksgiving, people will nearly kill each other in order to get the best deal or the latest big screen television, or some other electronic wonder. I still see many restaurant parking lots that are over crowded with cars and often many people still have to wait to be seated. Most Americans, will sit down on Thanksgiving Day and eat more food in one meal than many in Africa or Haiti will eat in a month or more all while watching football in safe comfortable houses and even if your house is going through foreclosure you can still apply for low income housing.
  The truth is for all  the problems many are experiencing in America, America is still the greatest place on earth to live and speaking just for my self, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Enjoy your turkey on Thanksgiving Day. I'm sure if your like me,  you'll gobble it down. always by grateful and thankful for the many blessings we as Americans are able to enjoy everyday, remember we as Americans, have experienced blessing that many in other countries can only dream about. As always my friends these thoughts remain just some words to think on.

Can One Person Really Make A Difference?

  I was talking to my uncle recently, I was telling him how I felt about  certain things going on in our government today and suddenly,  he said, "I don't worry about anything because,  I've heard it all before, and both the Democrats and the Republicans will promise change just to get elected and then once they get into office, both parties,  will basically ignore,  the will of the American people,  and do basically, do what they want to do anyway.' The sad truth is,  I think to a great existent  my uncle is right. Many people seem to feel this way, and I can understand why many in America today, are  rather indifferent at the idea of any real change. At this very moment, the so called super committee, is in a hopeless dead lock because the Republicans, want to cut taxes, and  the Democrats,  want to raise raise them, and it seems it's been that way,  since the birth of this nation or at least as long as there have been Republicans and Democrats.
  I am not surprised then when people ask, why should I care what happens in this country after all,  what difference does it really make? Well some  may not agree with me, but I would like to offer an answer to that question. First,  we must define difference. When President Obama, was elected he made a huge difference. He expanded the national debt by some three and a half trillion dollars a trillion, is a number with twelve zeros behind it. I wanted to give you some perspective on just how much money one trillion dollars really is. Now, all you have to do is realize,  that  President Obama,  has spent more money in the first three years of  his Presidency then America's first forty one Presidents did combined. This means in history, you could go from President  George Washington, to President George Bush the elder, and add up all the money America spent for 216 years and you still would not have spent as much money has President Obama has in just three years. I have to admit that quite a difference to make in America but I don't think it is a positive beneficial difference.
  Secondly, how does one make a positive difference? I will tell you now, it won't be easy because the kind of change I'm referring to will be painful to make it will involve a certain amount of sacrifice and sacrifice has become something of a lost art in America. except in the case of  the poorest of us in America but even those who are seemingly below the poverty line often have computers cell phones and two cars in their garage. Let me ask you would you be willing to sell your second car and put that money into a savings account? Would you be willing for a while to eat two meals a day instead of three and take the money you save,  and put it into your savings? and these a just small sacrifices  but Americans must be willing to make some. Finally, I would say  this,  it is always easier to curse the darkness rather than light a candle and even if one person's individual efforts don't make an apparent difference in the short run, that doesn't mean it won't in the long run. to those of you who think that  you have sought political change for too long now with no results think of the future generations who will live after you. what kind of America would you have grown up in if your great grandparents would have felt the way you do now? Speaking just for myself, I would rather speak  out when I can stay informed about things which will effect the country I live in. I would rather live my whole life trying to make a difference and fail,  than reach a point in my life where I thought I has now earned the right to no longer even try.. Sometimes,  the best way to a difference is just to  decide to make one.  I hope this blog,  I write will offer hope,  and inspiration  to all who may read it  to continue to strive to make a positive difference in my county if only for the sake of  those who will come after me. I will never retire from patriotism,  and political awareness and involvement.  To me, striving to make a difference is the essence of what makes America so great. As always my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words to think on.

No One Is Above The Law. Oh Really?

  I've been seeing and hearing a lot about, Peter Schweizer's new book,  Throw Them All Out on the news lately. As I understand it, Peter Scheizer's book,  shows documented proof,  that many of our well known  politicians including, Speaker of the House, John Boehner, and the former,  Speaker of the House,  Nancy Pelosi, as well as Democratic Senator,  John Kerry,  were able to have access to certain inside  information on certain stocks,  that you  and I,  as regular citizens,  with no political connections, would not be able to have. The book seems to suggest, that these and other well known politicians, were able to buy or sell off stocks  at specific times based, on information obtained,  through various committee meetings on the financial  condition of  certain companies on the stock market.
  Mr. Schweizer,  seems to stop short at suggesting, anyone did anything illegal. His point seems to be,  that although what these politicians did,  may not have been illegal because of certain political loopholes,  that seems to make politicians exempt from the normal rules on stocks and trading in general, these political loopholes give those in government, an  unfair advantage,  that a regular citizen would not have  and in fact,  if a regular citizen,  were to secure some of this same information, and were caught by the federal Securities and  Exchange Commission,  they could possibly,  go to prison,  for insider trading. Mr. Schweizer, seems to think,  this seems unfair, and  if his facts,  are accurate and are to be believed, I would tend to agree.
  Consider this, I am not, a particular fan of  Martha Stewart, but I know, there are a good number of women who are. Martha Stewart,  went to prision in 2004 she was convited  of  lying about, the details, of certain stocks she sold, and served  five months in prison  and five more months under  house arrest,  where she was monitored with an electronic ankle braclet  and even after that part, of  her sentence  was over, she was still, on some type of probation, for a year. The truth may be, that  Martha Stewart was guilty of nothing more then doing what many of our politicians do quite often.
  I submit  to you, when  I consider the present level of  political coruption in our nation's government, the title of  Peter Schweizer;s book seems more than appropriate. I do believe,   that no one,  should  be above the law. Thomas Jefferson, expressed it this way,  in the following quote, "Tyranny, is defined as, that which is legal for the government, but illegal, for the citizenry All Americans, are supposed, to be guaranteed  equal justice under the law. I  guess some,  are more equal, than others. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

Waiting For A Perfect Person In Politics? Enjoy Your Wait.

  Like many of you, I am listening, to all the political debates I can, and trying to catch every soundbite to see if I can learn anything new about each candidate who is running for the Republican nomination for President. I have noticed something lately,  in the area of politics that deeply concerns me. There seems to be,  this notion in politics that suggest, that if  one  can't find a perfect candidate, then perhaps one should not,  vote for anyone. To those of you,  who may feel that way, I would submit to you, if your waiting to find a perfect candidate to vote for in the world of politics today, I would have to say to you,  enjoy your wait! I don't think you'll be voting for anyone,  anywhere, anytime soon.
  To me, it is a wonder that anyone,  would even want to enter,  the political arena. Why would I say that you ask?  Here's why, the moment,  that someone announces, that they are running for something, those, who would run against that person, will stop at nothing to dig up dirt on that  person, and use it  against them. So, if  you enter politics,  know this, everything you ever said , did,  or in some cases, even thought, practically,  from the moment you drew your first breath will be gone over with a fine tooth comb and if  there is any area of your life where you may have missed the mark so to speak, that weakness or that mistake, will be exposed and used against you.
  Look, being a person of good character, with a good name, and an honest reputation, is to be both desired and commended in politics or in any, area for that matter. I would suggest to you however, that being a person of good character, doesn't necessarily mean you've never done a bad or at least, an   unwise thing,  in your life. As you  consider some ones character don't ask has this person led a perfect life? The question should be, has this person learned from  their  mistakes,  and made the changes necessary to earn your trust. I would  submit to you if you feel the answer to that question is yes than give the candidate running the benefit of being a good person who has learned from their mistakes and go a head and vote for them. After all, let him without sin,  cast the first stone. As always my friends these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

So, Americans are too lazy, Really?

  You might have seen in the news recently, it seems President Obama, thinks America, or rather, Americans, have grow a bit lazy. you might also remember about a month ago, President Obama said he thought America as a nation, had grown a little soft meaning,  we as Americans, just don't work as hard as we once did, and therefore we can't compete,  with China or Japan, or Germany, or one of the  other more civilized nations in Europe. As a matter of fact, Republican Presidential candidate, Governor,  Rick Perry,  has an campaign add asking Americans,basically, if we like the fact that President Obama, considers America,  a nation,  that is full of  lazy people. Governor Perry, doesn't seem to agree with President Obama's,  assessment of America's work ethic.and for the record, neither do I.
  I feel the time has come, as an American, who lives in,  and loves this country,  to point a few things out, to President Obama, right now, the Congress, has a nine percent approval rating, the Senate hasn't passed a budget in over 930 days, And just today I hear the House,  failed to pass a bill that would have put an amendment in the Constitution to balance the federal budget. And President Obama wants to call Americans lazy excuse me? President Obama, has already taken more trips,  and vacations,  and played more Gulf, and basketball in his first three years at the White House then President George Bush did in his entire Presidency. Remember that all expense paid trip to Spain That First Lady Michelle Obama took back in August of 2010 ? The  entire trip complete with full secret Service security was all paid for by  American taxpayers, and Americans are lazy,  and want to live too  well,  or too  easy excuse me? Attorney General Eric Holder, botches up a serious government gun running operation like Fast and Furious, and gets rewarded with an  an all expense paid trip to the Caribbean, for five days,  on the American taxpayers dime all in the name of  Law enforcement, and Americans are lazy excuse me? President Obama's  Secretary of Energy,  Steven Chu,  guarantees a 535 million dollar loan,  all backed by the American taxpayer, to the  Solyndra solar company then,  the company goes bankrupt and the American taxpayer is left holding the bag, and you want to call Americans , lazy Mr. President, excuse me?
  I don't think Americans,  need any more  lectures, from the President, about how lazy they are right now,  President Obama's personal pals,are protesting on Wall Street Yes many of them are lazy but remember,  President Obama,  understands, their frustrations, and their hardships so I guess it's okay, if the want to be lazy, and instead of using their energy,  to look for a job, instead they use drugs sexually assault women, and do other lewd acts in public yet, these are the people President Obama wants to support, but he calls most of the rest of Americans lazy? Give me a break! Mr. President, if their are certain Americans who have grown lazy it's because your liberal government hand out policies have helped to make them that way. As far as Americans getting soft is concerned, I think the only thing getting  soft is,  President Obama's head! as always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.