We're Screwed Unless We Get Our Heads Out ...

Okay ... so there are some folks out there, and maybe you're one of them, that thinks Beck is off his rocker. But riddle me this Batman ... what if he's right? Let me rephrase that ... what if he's right about only half of his rants? Let's go one step further ... what if he's right about only a few things? You know, the man isn't without his evidence. He's been warning us, even before Obama was elected that if elected, a socialist, tyrannical agenda would follow and that Obama would wage war against capitalism. Well, please tell me where Beck is wrong in that regard. Please offer me your evidence. Seems to me that the evidence leans toward the right-wing alarmist, Glenn Beck. He has been offering empirical evidence for months. Here are just the latest additions to the mounting mountain of evidence of the march toward something other than the American way of life.
http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/43578/
http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/43580/
http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/43564/
We've empowered the most corrupt and anti-American group of politicians in our Nation's history. Some of us tried very hard to warn our friends and neighbors of the coming travesty, but were called all kinds of names and summarily dismissed as radicals. Hmmm ... how's that hope and change working out for you?

Stimulus Money ROI

Here are some AZ stats ... direct from http://www.recovery.gov/Pages/home.aspx.... you can go check it out yourself and do the math like I did.

Stimulus money received by the State of Arizona
$1,302,400,000
Jobs created
$6889

Cost per job
$189,055

Now ... someone send me an application, because I'd surely like to have one of those 6 figure jobs.

Redistribute Wealth?

"It sounds like a noble idea to re-distribute wealth, but an understanding of the true source of wealth should forever dismiss that notion." Russell Williams -2010

One of the benefits of living 50+ years is the ability to apply the concept of hindsight to future decisions. Ostensibly, the older we get, the fewer mistakes we make in decision making. I would say that for most people, this adage is true. I just wish it was true for nations as well ... particularly this nation where I live, the United States.

Let me posit some questions to you, the reader.

Question 1. Which do you trust more to make decisions about where you spend your money, a government entity or you? My answer is YOU. You will always act more responsibly than a government entity, because you will naturally make decisions based on your self interest. Most of the taxation applied to our regular activities and financial interests goes to support "programs" designed, in some fashion, to take care of you or your neighbors. I submit that if we were more responsible and more moral, government would necessarily have to down-size.

Question 2. Who is more qualified to form your child's value system, you or a government entity? My answer is YOU. You should be the single most important person in forming your child's value system, because your natural inclination is to act in your own self interest. Surrendering this responsibility to the public school system is both irresponsible and immoral. The government is not required or inclined to pass on your values to the students attending their schools. But believe me ... there is a value system being transferred from the school to you children, and it probably isn't one you respect, or approve.

Question 3. Who has more power over your daily life, big business or the government? My answer is GOVERNMENT. As a matter of practice, how often do you voluntarily take money out of your paycheck and give it to a government entity? That's right ... you don't do it voluntarily, it is mandated by law, and my guess is that you wouldn't do it otherwise. Why? Because income/money dictates your standard of living. When was the last time a business extracted money from your paycheck without your consent? As a matter of practice, big business, with very few exceptions, can only affect your life with your consent. There are few people that can, with a straight face, declare big business has more influence over our lives than government. Yes, I have encountered these people.

Question 4. Which of the following is better qualified to ensure your success as an individual, you or the government? I hope I've made my point with this question. But if you are one that believes in the virtue of an ever expanding and paternal government; one that is responsible for "taking care" of us, no amount of reasoning or logic will prevail upon your affective dominated thinking. But for the sake of trying ... the government doesn't give a rip about your success, so how is it better qualified to ensure it. The Constitution was designed to keep government out of the way of your success not ot interfere with it.

Question 5. So where does all that money go that we pay in taxes? My answer: It is distributed to a multitude of government, non-profit, and even some for-profit organizations ... ostensibly to make our lives better. The problem is that the more money the government extracts from your pocket, the more power they have over your life. In effect we exchange freedom for a sense of security, we exchange choice for convenience, and we deny our God -given right to pursue a destiny worthy of our talents, gifts and efforts.

I understand the need for government. So did the framers of the Constitution. But they would be appalled at the current state of governmental affairs in America. They would not recognize it a system that followed the principles of the original Constitution. Somewhere, somehow, a lot of people got the idea that the government is suppose to "take care of us." That's not what the Constitution says, and it's not the precept upon which America became a super-power. The precept that made America great is that in freedom people prosper. That a moral and responsible people will usurp the encroachment of tyranny. That government is established to protect and serve, not act as parent or potentate.

The source of wealth is self determination. And self determination is only realized when the individual can act upon moral and responsible endeavors, free from the hand of a restrictive government, and free from the fear that the fruit of his labors will be confiscated, in whole or in part, for the purpose of redistribution.

As I look at the priorities, actions and words of the current administration, I wonder if our President received his eduction in America. I wonder if his value system was formed in an American home. I wonder if he understands the power and wisdom of the Constitution. I wonder if he has any respect or regard for the hundreds of thousands of Americans who died in defense of and the advancement of individual freedom. I wonder if he, and his friends in congress, have even the slightest ability to apply national hindsight to their decision-making. I wonder if they value the legacy of the many Americans that fought so long and hard to ensure the success of future generations. Pin me down and make me answer, and I would have t say NO to all the above. I have never witnessed a more blatant attack on our way of life and our Constitution than I have witnessed in the last 18 months. I am deeply concerned.

Let me admonish you who hold the opinion that a growing government is good. Riddle me this Batman ... just how much government do you want in your life? How much freedom are you willing to surrender to be "taken care of" by your government? Then tell me ... will your children forgive you for leaving them a legacy of debt, despair, and complacency?

"It sounds like a noble idea to re-distribute wealth, but an understanding of the true source of wealth should forever dismiss that notion." Russell Williams -2010

Just want to be clear here ...

CNN mention Sherrod Tuesday 63 times to Fox’s 39 times. Sherrod was fired before any video of her NAACP appearance aired.

Who Are They Watching?

I had never heard of Glenn Beck until about a year ago when one of my Facebook friends posted a video of him talking about the deficit. The video was an excerpt from one of his daily television programs. What Beck said in the video made sense. What he said was grounded in fact. What he said, by all measurable criteria, was the truth. So, I started watching his program. From my estimation, he's still getting it right. He has a phone sitting on the set, solely for the use of the White House to call to set him straight, if and when he's wrong. The White House has never called ...which leads me to believe one of three things: 1) Glenn is getting it right. 2) They don't care when he's wrong. 3) They don't watch.

Given the recent debacle surrounding Shirley Sherrod, I'm leaning toward choice number 1. Now, for those who are mis-informed about the Shirley Sherrod affair, let me help you understand that Ms. Sherrod was fired before any of her NAACP video aired on the Fox News Channel, and Glenn did not air it at all.

Whatever opinion you may hold concerning Glenn Beck, his prominence in the marketplace points to his relevance. Relevant because he regularly brings facts into focus, perspective to contemporary concerns, and candor regarding controversial issues.

Quotes .. that you've never heard. Part 2

Responsibility: Self discipline in the key aspects of life:

• Time – The individual chooses to honor the time constraints of others.
• Career – The individual chooses to involve himself in endeavors that support and edify the larger society.
• Resources – The individual chooses prudent and worthwhile expenditure of funds.
• Society – The individual chooses to embrace relationships that edify and secure a legacy of law, order, and good will.
• Property - The individual chooses to honor the ownership of property; his/her own as well as others
  

Quotes .. that you've never heard. Part 1

Freedom: The means of self determination. Self determination is important for it is the path to prosperity. A loss of freedom is anything that hinders the individual from realizing prosperity.

Prosperity: The concept of success that is best defined in individual terms. It is highly subjective and will differ from person to person, but ... In a general sense, prosperity can be realized when the following areas are unencumbered by statute, regulation, or taxation.

• Time – The individual chooses how it is occupied.

• Labor – The individual chooses what endeavors to pursue.

• Resources – The individual chooses where, when and how the fruits of his/her labor is distributed.

• Society – The individual chooses what relationships to embrace and which ones to reject.
  

• Property - The owner of property can choose how it is used.
  

Encroach upon any of these and freedom is diminished as well the opportunity for prosperity, in whatever terms one defines it.