Ok, I have to admit something here. As time moves on and I get older (crap, did I just admit to that?), I see myself more and more moving to the right fiscally. Now to stay bluntly and proudly honest here, I also have to admit that I'm still about as liberal as one can be about ALL the social issues of life. IE: drugs, sex, abortion, gay marriage, religion and everything else that is just flat out none of my personal business.
It just seems more and more logical that our government should run itself the same as us peons have to run our financial realities and lives. The glaring truth about having a successful financial personal system is quite simple really. You DO NOT spend more than you make. Now credit, (the devil in disguise) allows people to do just that. Instead of uttering those words that our grandfathers and fathers were so familiar with "Gee, that sounds nice but we can't afford it", the advent of credit made it possible to have most anything you want right now if you are willing to pay for it over a long period of time. Of course it cost a lot more with the rip-off interest they charge for the "service" but oh well, we want it NOW.
By the way, in the past that outrageous "interest" rate would be called blood money and would be against the law but somehow it became acceptable business practices in our modern world. We now call them "bankers and credit card companies" and pretend that they are just nice people trying to help us. The truth of our present debacle going on in the world now is they decided to go ahead and give anyone credit without even being able to make the payments at all. Now how criminal should that be in a sane society? Those politicians who changed the rules, bankers, loan officers and banks who did that should all be in prison right now to say the least. Maybe a daily caning should be added for good measure, with live video so we could all watch and enjoy.
The other truth that intelligent, thoughtful and careful folks do in their personal financial lives is to at least try at all times to have a "nest-egg" set aside in case of any unforeseen emergencies that inevitably comes along in life. A rainy day fund, we sometimes call it. I've heard politicians for years utter those concepts but their obviously only paying lip service to it to look good and get reelected by saying garbage they think we want to hear. I do know that the Governor of California has been trying to get the politicians to do this for years now without any results at all. Plainly they all are deaf or stupid, probably both and then some.
Some other truths about this subject is normal American's do care deeply about the less fortunate's problems but have to always face the realities of how much if any we can help others. For one thing most people can't afford to just "give" anyone money as they are trying to stay solvent themselves. The other truth is that's really not how you can best help people in need at all. The best way to help anyone is to show them how to help themselves. You've heard of the great wisdom: "Don't give people fish, teach them how to fish." That is the ONLY real way to help anyone, here in America or the rest of the world, for that matter.
So getting back to my original reason for this rant, I started out being influenced greatly from the sixties as the typical long haired Hippy, Musician, Liberal, kicked back weirdo and now shockingly find myself leaning farther and farther toward SOME of the attitudes of my right wing brethren. Unlike most of them I hear talk though, I still choose to see life as a half full cup of wine and have nothing but a positive outlook for us humans on this here planet called Earth. I do purposely choose to not be the typical Rush Limbutt "doom and gloom, anger and hate" right winger I so often hear talk.
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Saturday, January 31, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
A party of one
For some reason, I've taken note of something I've seen over and over through my life. As people pass through my awareness, some have stood out as unbelievably special. You see them on the news or read about them in the papers. If you're lucky, you have a couple right in your life, community, town or area you live in.
You always first hear about them because of some great and compassionate thing they are doing. You hear about some program to help youth who are going down the wrong path. You hear about some cool place or technique that helps drug addicts get off drugs. You hear about some place that is dedicated to spaying and neutering all animals so they don't die from starvation or at the pound because of overpopulation. There really is a place just like that right in my home town of Auburn California and of course the whole thing was started with the vision and drive of one women.
The truth is there are super special people all over the world doing great and wonderful things for the betterment of mankind, often times with very little financial or other help. One of the things that stands out about that for me is almost always, if it wasn't for that one special man or women, the great things they are accomplishing would not happen at all. It's one person who always is the creative, energetic, intelligent driving force behind what they do. Always!
Sure they usually have several helping souls. Almost without fail, these creative geniuses have this indescribable power that draws good people to their side, without knowing how they got so involved but are grateful to be part of these great programs. These genius's know how to get things done, no matter the odds. They don't talk crap, they get busy and make good things happen. No excuses. They just do.
The thought that has ran through my mind for years when I see these things is the potential these people have that could be used in much larger ways here. I know it sounds crazy but we as a society should try to get as many of these wonderful people together as often as possible somehow in one place and see if they have any ideas about the many huge problems we in America are having.
Sounds crazy huh? Ok, we have tried professional politicians. Rich people. Successful business people. Through the ages we even tried to let religion fix everything.
Well, I've only one thing to say.............How's that been workin out for ya?
So here's my grand idea for America, first and foremost. Because I'm an American, I think we should try and make ourselves prosperous, healthy and happy first. Then maybe we can help other deserving parts of the world. Never by giving them anything. Just teaching them to do it for themselves, just like we should.
So come on Bill Gates and all those other geniuses in the high tech world. All the other geniuses out there doing all these sometimes almost magical new things to help people and life. How about you putting your minds together for the welfare of mankind, starting right here in America. I know it's asking a lot from you. You're already busy with your magic but ya know what? The world needs you.
Right at the bottom of this posting is a "Comments" link. Click on it, follow the instructions and leave a comment about this post. You can use your name or make up one, by clicking in the circle beside "Name/URL". Or just leave your comment anonymously by clicking on the circle beside "Anonymous".
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Come on.......DO IT!
You always first hear about them because of some great and compassionate thing they are doing. You hear about some program to help youth who are going down the wrong path. You hear about some cool place or technique that helps drug addicts get off drugs. You hear about some place that is dedicated to spaying and neutering all animals so they don't die from starvation or at the pound because of overpopulation. There really is a place just like that right in my home town of Auburn California and of course the whole thing was started with the vision and drive of one women.
The truth is there are super special people all over the world doing great and wonderful things for the betterment of mankind, often times with very little financial or other help. One of the things that stands out about that for me is almost always, if it wasn't for that one special man or women, the great things they are accomplishing would not happen at all. It's one person who always is the creative, energetic, intelligent driving force behind what they do. Always!
Sure they usually have several helping souls. Almost without fail, these creative geniuses have this indescribable power that draws good people to their side, without knowing how they got so involved but are grateful to be part of these great programs. These genius's know how to get things done, no matter the odds. They don't talk crap, they get busy and make good things happen. No excuses. They just do.
The thought that has ran through my mind for years when I see these things is the potential these people have that could be used in much larger ways here. I know it sounds crazy but we as a society should try to get as many of these wonderful people together as often as possible somehow in one place and see if they have any ideas about the many huge problems we in America are having.
Sounds crazy huh? Ok, we have tried professional politicians. Rich people. Successful business people. Through the ages we even tried to let religion fix everything.
Well, I've only one thing to say.............How's that been workin out for ya?
So here's my grand idea for America, first and foremost. Because I'm an American, I think we should try and make ourselves prosperous, healthy and happy first. Then maybe we can help other deserving parts of the world. Never by giving them anything. Just teaching them to do it for themselves, just like we should.
So come on Bill Gates and all those other geniuses in the high tech world. All the other geniuses out there doing all these sometimes almost magical new things to help people and life. How about you putting your minds together for the welfare of mankind, starting right here in America. I know it's asking a lot from you. You're already busy with your magic but ya know what? The world needs you.
Right at the bottom of this posting is a "Comments" link. Click on it, follow the instructions and leave a comment about this post. You can use your name or make up one, by clicking in the circle beside "Name/URL". Or just leave your comment anonymously by clicking on the circle beside "Anonymous".
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Come on.......DO IT!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Reality Percentages
All throughout history, some folks have said over and over things like "The youth are going to hell in a hand basket".
I was reading the newspaper years ago and there was a great big long tirade about this very subject. The author was talking about how the young people of that day and time had lost all respect for their elders. How they were beyond redemption and hope and needed to be handled with an iron hand to relearn these things. It was quite a long piece and as I was reading it, I thought to myself that the author must be some politician or the other mouthing off to get people to vote for him, so he could be the one to force these wonderful changes on our wayward and misled youth, to make them good, contributing citizens again. Well, when I finally got to the end of the piece, guess who the author was? It was Adolph Hitler! Turns out that was one of the main themes of his political platform back then. He was saying that a lot of people and especially the youth were falling apart and losing their humanity. He was saying if the people elected him, he would whip all those discontents back in shape and save their way of life. Well we now know how well that worked out, don't we?
Years later, I found out that Socrates pretty much said the same thing about people in general and especially the youth way back in his time also. I pretty much discovered that some people, mainly politicians, ultra religious groups and others have been saying these things throughout the history of mankind. Of course they want you to join their agenda or affiliation and mainly give them money to solve this pressing issue.
One of the cool things about my business is I get to talk in depth with lots of very intelligent folks in all walks of life. I've learned that in general the theory that "most" people, young or older being bad or slowly going to hell in a hand basket has always been and is today bullshit. As proof, ask any teacher anywhere if most students are screwing off, not paying attention and generally causing nothing but problems and he/she will gladly tell you that it's just not true. He/She will tell you that it's true for a very small percentage of them only. They'll tell you that the vast majority of students are serious, caring, studious young people who are trying most of the time to do their best.
Look around you at everyone you personally know in your life. Look around at those you see in your normal workday and weekend. It's pretty easy to see that the percentage of bad/good people is probably on the line of something like 95% good and 5% bad. That means that 95% of people are hard working, caring, honest, compassionate folks who are generally happy with life and would be willing to help a neighbor, friend or even a stranger if the opportunity or need came about and they could. I'm going to step out on a limb here and say this is most likely true everywhere in the entire world, not just in America.
Now that leaves the reality of that other 5% percent who are truly bad. In the student world, those are the ones who are our future denizens of the juvenile justice system and eventually our prison system. The only other alternative for those types without some serious medical, psychiatric or social help would be death, one way or the other.
So, is this the reality you see in your life? Are most people you know pretty good folks?
Right at the bottom of this posting is a "Comments" link. Click on it, follow the instructions and leave a comment about this post. You can use your name or make up one, by clicking in the circle beside "Name/URL". Or just leave your comment anonymously by clicking on the circle beside "Anonymous".
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Come on.......DO IT!
I was reading the newspaper years ago and there was a great big long tirade about this very subject. The author was talking about how the young people of that day and time had lost all respect for their elders. How they were beyond redemption and hope and needed to be handled with an iron hand to relearn these things. It was quite a long piece and as I was reading it, I thought to myself that the author must be some politician or the other mouthing off to get people to vote for him, so he could be the one to force these wonderful changes on our wayward and misled youth, to make them good, contributing citizens again. Well, when I finally got to the end of the piece, guess who the author was? It was Adolph Hitler! Turns out that was one of the main themes of his political platform back then. He was saying that a lot of people and especially the youth were falling apart and losing their humanity. He was saying if the people elected him, he would whip all those discontents back in shape and save their way of life. Well we now know how well that worked out, don't we?
Years later, I found out that Socrates pretty much said the same thing about people in general and especially the youth way back in his time also. I pretty much discovered that some people, mainly politicians, ultra religious groups and others have been saying these things throughout the history of mankind. Of course they want you to join their agenda or affiliation and mainly give them money to solve this pressing issue.
One of the cool things about my business is I get to talk in depth with lots of very intelligent folks in all walks of life. I've learned that in general the theory that "most" people, young or older being bad or slowly going to hell in a hand basket has always been and is today bullshit. As proof, ask any teacher anywhere if most students are screwing off, not paying attention and generally causing nothing but problems and he/she will gladly tell you that it's just not true. He/She will tell you that it's true for a very small percentage of them only. They'll tell you that the vast majority of students are serious, caring, studious young people who are trying most of the time to do their best.
Look around you at everyone you personally know in your life. Look around at those you see in your normal workday and weekend. It's pretty easy to see that the percentage of bad/good people is probably on the line of something like 95% good and 5% bad. That means that 95% of people are hard working, caring, honest, compassionate folks who are generally happy with life and would be willing to help a neighbor, friend or even a stranger if the opportunity or need came about and they could. I'm going to step out on a limb here and say this is most likely true everywhere in the entire world, not just in America.
Now that leaves the reality of that other 5% percent who are truly bad. In the student world, those are the ones who are our future denizens of the juvenile justice system and eventually our prison system. The only other alternative for those types without some serious medical, psychiatric or social help would be death, one way or the other.
So, is this the reality you see in your life? Are most people you know pretty good folks?
Right at the bottom of this posting is a "Comments" link. Click on it, follow the instructions and leave a comment about this post. You can use your name or make up one, by clicking in the circle beside "Name/URL". Or just leave your comment anonymously by clicking on the circle beside "Anonymous".
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Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Bravery?
This is something I've thought about often through the years as I watched or read another story on the news about some gang or the other raising hell out in our country. Usually it's a story about a bunch of punks running around shooting guns, killing each other or killing innocent bystanders, who had nothing to do with it.
To make my thoughts clear on this subject, I would have to go back to when I was a teenager in high school. Back then, when someone had a problem with or just didn't like someone else, they would "call out" the other person to a fight, usually after school at some agreed upon location. After all the details of the fight were worked out, the rumor mill started and before the end of the day, half the school knew there was going to be fight and everyone that could, tried their best to show up to watch.
Here's how it would come out for everyone. The two combatants would come together and all the people who came to watch would form a huge circle completely surrounding them. The two fighters would approach each other face to face, take a good stance, put up their fists, dance around for a while and the whole thing would start as soon as one or the other thru the first punch. At that point, the whole crowd of onlookers would be yelling and screaming for one or the other.
Now lets get some very important things straight here. There were some plain as day, completely understood, unwritten rules involved in this whole planned affair. Fairness was everything. Only straight ahead fists were allowed. No kicking (this was before Karate), no hair pulling, no use of sticks, rocks, knives or ANY thing other than fists. The ONLY brave and honorable thing was to stand there face to face using only your fists to pound the opponent into submission. I have to proudly add here that if anyone did pick up a stick or anything, the whole crowd would not only start yelling, they would grab the stick and you and put a stop to the whole thing right then. Now the second the other guy fell to the ground, honorable people would stop and let the other person back up before continuing. The second one or the other gives up or says "I give" or lets it be known by one and all that they want to quit. IT'S A DONE DEAL! Game over, everyone walks away and the whole thing is finished.
The whole point of my little story here is back then these things were handled in a civilized and honorable way with both sides showing respect and bravery to each other. The purpose was not to kill or maim your opponent, it was just to prove you were brave and perhaps worthy of being a "man", in those times.
Now back to those punks in the news shooting each other and anyone else who get in there way. I'm announcing right now, right out loud and clear that all those punks are god damn chicken shits. They are like little baby pigs, pretending to be adults. They are too chicken shit to stand face to face with anyone. They sneak around shooting from moving cars or hide behind something to make their kill. They have no real guts at all. In fact, they are the scum of the earth and should be shot on sight by our law enforcement, who we have given the right to wipe out human infections.
Somehow we lost sight of what bravery, honor, respect and personal responsibility means in this new society we find ourselves in. I wonder if it's possible to somehow get that back in our children's realities before it's too late.
What do you think about all this? How do you define bravery, honor and respect? Is there a way you can think of to reach the youth with these truths and create change?
Right at the bottom of this posting is a "Comments" link. Click on it, follow the instructions and leave a comment about this post. You can use your name or make up one, by clicking in the circle beside "Name/URL". Or just leave your comment anonymously by clicking on the circle beside "Anonymous".
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Come on.......DO IT!
To make my thoughts clear on this subject, I would have to go back to when I was a teenager in high school. Back then, when someone had a problem with or just didn't like someone else, they would "call out" the other person to a fight, usually after school at some agreed upon location. After all the details of the fight were worked out, the rumor mill started and before the end of the day, half the school knew there was going to be fight and everyone that could, tried their best to show up to watch.
Here's how it would come out for everyone. The two combatants would come together and all the people who came to watch would form a huge circle completely surrounding them. The two fighters would approach each other face to face, take a good stance, put up their fists, dance around for a while and the whole thing would start as soon as one or the other thru the first punch. At that point, the whole crowd of onlookers would be yelling and screaming for one or the other.
Now lets get some very important things straight here. There were some plain as day, completely understood, unwritten rules involved in this whole planned affair. Fairness was everything. Only straight ahead fists were allowed. No kicking (this was before Karate), no hair pulling, no use of sticks, rocks, knives or ANY thing other than fists. The ONLY brave and honorable thing was to stand there face to face using only your fists to pound the opponent into submission. I have to proudly add here that if anyone did pick up a stick or anything, the whole crowd would not only start yelling, they would grab the stick and you and put a stop to the whole thing right then. Now the second the other guy fell to the ground, honorable people would stop and let the other person back up before continuing. The second one or the other gives up or says "I give" or lets it be known by one and all that they want to quit. IT'S A DONE DEAL! Game over, everyone walks away and the whole thing is finished.
The whole point of my little story here is back then these things were handled in a civilized and honorable way with both sides showing respect and bravery to each other. The purpose was not to kill or maim your opponent, it was just to prove you were brave and perhaps worthy of being a "man", in those times.
Now back to those punks in the news shooting each other and anyone else who get in there way. I'm announcing right now, right out loud and clear that all those punks are god damn chicken shits. They are like little baby pigs, pretending to be adults. They are too chicken shit to stand face to face with anyone. They sneak around shooting from moving cars or hide behind something to make their kill. They have no real guts at all. In fact, they are the scum of the earth and should be shot on sight by our law enforcement, who we have given the right to wipe out human infections.
Somehow we lost sight of what bravery, honor, respect and personal responsibility means in this new society we find ourselves in. I wonder if it's possible to somehow get that back in our children's realities before it's too late.
What do you think about all this? How do you define bravery, honor and respect? Is there a way you can think of to reach the youth with these truths and create change?
Right at the bottom of this posting is a "Comments" link. Click on it, follow the instructions and leave a comment about this post. You can use your name or make up one, by clicking in the circle beside "Name/URL". Or just leave your comment anonymously by clicking on the circle beside "Anonymous".
I will receive an e-mail, OK it and then it will appear for others to view after they click on the comments link.
Come on.......DO IT!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
The News
After catching the morning Television News and National Public Radio on the way to work the other day, I made a decision I'm hoping to be able to follow up on. By the time I got to work, I was damn near depressed. Now normally, I'm a pretty glass half full, upbeat, positive type of person but as I'm sure is true for most normal people right now, it's pretty hard to remain true to my natural attitude, what with all the crap going on in the world right now presented on the news.
Speaking of that, I know that the news did not and does not directly cause the economic problems the world has going right now. The truth is though, the news by feeding the doomsday ideas so expertly and incessantly, is making and keeping everyone nervous about spending any money until things get better. The problem with that is our entire economic system is built on consumerism. Money being spent by everyone around the whole world is the grease that makes the economic machine go around. So even though it's not the cause, it is like a giant anchor dragging everything down. If we stop buying products, the companies have to lay off or fire employees. Then those employee's don't have the money to spend and the whole thing just starts to feed upon itself.
So, here's my grand plan. I'm going to give it my best shot to not watch or listen to ANY news for quite a while. I've wondered for years if everyone might just be a whole lot better off not watching the daily barrage of negative garbage they call "the news". I've heard their lame attempt at an explanation for the negativity time and time again. They say good news doesn't sell. They say the public grows bored with anything positive but bad news catches and holds their attention. So that's what we deserve and that's what they are going to give us. It's kind of a sad commentary on our real needs and desires huh?
You know, back in the past, before television and mass media, people got by just fine day by day without knowing anything at all about most of the rest of the world and it's many problems. I really wonder if someone living in a small town in America has any need at all to hear all the crime statistics and details in some large city such as New York. Does it do their lives any good at all to know those things? I doubt it.
So, I'll let you know how successful I am with my new resolution. I'm as bad as the next guy with turning on the box as soon as I walk in the door and usually it's the news that's on, so it really has became a habit for me as I'm sure it has for most folks.
Christ, maybe I'll actually use that time to pet the cats, talk to my wonderful wife, take the time and energy to make a great meal, relax with the new found peace and quiet without the blaring box. I know the few times we have lost our power, it was amazing to realise that life went on just fine and the piece and quiet was pretty cool.
Right at the bottom of this posting is a "Comments" link. Click on it, follow the instructions and leave a comment about this post. You can use your name or make up one, by clicking in the circle beside "Name/URL". Or just leave your comment anonymously by clicking on the circle beside "Anonymous".
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Speaking of that, I know that the news did not and does not directly cause the economic problems the world has going right now. The truth is though, the news by feeding the doomsday ideas so expertly and incessantly, is making and keeping everyone nervous about spending any money until things get better. The problem with that is our entire economic system is built on consumerism. Money being spent by everyone around the whole world is the grease that makes the economic machine go around. So even though it's not the cause, it is like a giant anchor dragging everything down. If we stop buying products, the companies have to lay off or fire employees. Then those employee's don't have the money to spend and the whole thing just starts to feed upon itself.
So, here's my grand plan. I'm going to give it my best shot to not watch or listen to ANY news for quite a while. I've wondered for years if everyone might just be a whole lot better off not watching the daily barrage of negative garbage they call "the news". I've heard their lame attempt at an explanation for the negativity time and time again. They say good news doesn't sell. They say the public grows bored with anything positive but bad news catches and holds their attention. So that's what we deserve and that's what they are going to give us. It's kind of a sad commentary on our real needs and desires huh?
You know, back in the past, before television and mass media, people got by just fine day by day without knowing anything at all about most of the rest of the world and it's many problems. I really wonder if someone living in a small town in America has any need at all to hear all the crime statistics and details in some large city such as New York. Does it do their lives any good at all to know those things? I doubt it.
So, I'll let you know how successful I am with my new resolution. I'm as bad as the next guy with turning on the box as soon as I walk in the door and usually it's the news that's on, so it really has became a habit for me as I'm sure it has for most folks.
Christ, maybe I'll actually use that time to pet the cats, talk to my wonderful wife, take the time and energy to make a great meal, relax with the new found peace and quiet without the blaring box. I know the few times we have lost our power, it was amazing to realise that life went on just fine and the piece and quiet was pretty cool.
Right at the bottom of this posting is a "Comments" link. Click on it, follow the instructions and leave a comment about this post. You can use your name or make up one, by clicking in the circle beside "Name/URL". Or just leave your comment anonymously by clicking on the circle beside "Anonymous".
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Come on.......DO IT!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Government Giveaways
I'm been wanting to bring this up for years now but something I read in yesterday's paper finally knocked me off the fence. Again, I saw a little tiny mention, not more than a half an inch in size telling about the Unites States Government giving Mexico something like $135,000,000 dollars for something or the other. HOLY SHIT!!! What the hell are our idiots in the suits in Washington think they are doing? Didn't I see on the news that we are in the grips of the worst economic crisis since the great depression here in America and we're giving god damn MEXICO millions of dollars?
I've been knocked off my feet probably once or twice a month for years and years by these little tiny notices in the papers or television news talking about our stupid ass government giving away millions of dollars to every little crap country in the world. Not just the little ones either. Seems we are so rich that we can even give to Japan, Russia, China and all the big boys out there also.
Part of the insanity of it all is how unimportant and trivial they obviously consider these "gifts" that they don't even bother to try and make us understand why their doing it. I've heard the term "financial diplomacy" used often from our inapt leaders to give it some kind of legitimacy. Ok, lets see now.........If we can't have everyone in the whole world love us to death, then we'll just bribe them into being our friends huh? So, the next time our children won't do what their told, just give them $50.00 to do the right thing. There ya go. That'll teach them the ways of the world. Actually the other day on the news I saw that is exactly what some schools are doing. If you stay in school and get decent grades, they have a pay scale depending on how often you do and how high your grades are. My oh my, has life changed and left me in the dust?
Even in good economic times how about the United States taking care of it's own citizens first and foremost and THEN, IF we have extra money, maybe we could think about helping the truly needy in the rest of the world. In those good times, I mean taking care of the huge important issues we have right here in america, like health care for instance. Things that we sometimes think are too costly for the government to handle. Well, if we weren't giving away most of the pie, maybe we could afford to help our own people with their medical needs among other things.
So maybe it's time we get back to a little of the "us first" isolationism of the past. Like the whole health issue, you need to first be healthy yourself before you can do anyone else any good huh?
So, whatchathink folks? What do you think about our government giving huge money to other countries on a regular basis?
Tell us what you think.
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Come on.......DO IT!
I've been knocked off my feet probably once or twice a month for years and years by these little tiny notices in the papers or television news talking about our stupid ass government giving away millions of dollars to every little crap country in the world. Not just the little ones either. Seems we are so rich that we can even give to Japan, Russia, China and all the big boys out there also.
Part of the insanity of it all is how unimportant and trivial they obviously consider these "gifts" that they don't even bother to try and make us understand why their doing it. I've heard the term "financial diplomacy" used often from our inapt leaders to give it some kind of legitimacy. Ok, lets see now.........If we can't have everyone in the whole world love us to death, then we'll just bribe them into being our friends huh? So, the next time our children won't do what their told, just give them $50.00 to do the right thing. There ya go. That'll teach them the ways of the world. Actually the other day on the news I saw that is exactly what some schools are doing. If you stay in school and get decent grades, they have a pay scale depending on how often you do and how high your grades are. My oh my, has life changed and left me in the dust?
Even in good economic times how about the United States taking care of it's own citizens first and foremost and THEN, IF we have extra money, maybe we could think about helping the truly needy in the rest of the world. In those good times, I mean taking care of the huge important issues we have right here in america, like health care for instance. Things that we sometimes think are too costly for the government to handle. Well, if we weren't giving away most of the pie, maybe we could afford to help our own people with their medical needs among other things.
So maybe it's time we get back to a little of the "us first" isolationism of the past. Like the whole health issue, you need to first be healthy yourself before you can do anyone else any good huh?
So, whatchathink folks? What do you think about our government giving huge money to other countries on a regular basis?
Tell us what you think.
Right at the bottom of this posting is a "Comments" link. Click on it, follow the instructions and leave a comment about that post. To can use your name or make up one, by clicking in the circle beside "Name/URL". Or just leave your comment anonymously by clicking on the circle beside "Anonymous".
I will receive an e-mail, ok it and then it will appear for others to view after they click on the comments link.
Come on.......DO IT!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Regular Folks
People sometimes ask me where I get all the bull#$% I write in here. Good question. In my business I am forever amazed at the intelligence of the average Joe or Jane who comes in. Naturally the talk of the shop is whatever is happening in the world at that time.
Everyone usually has some kind of opinion on most any subject. The wild part is no matter how complex, convoluted and deep the problem of the day is, the average regular person usually has some kind of super simple, logical, easy to understand and implement solution. It blows my mind how often this is true. I ask myself how come our politicians, powers that be, educated, learned and certified people out there with huge important diplomas on their walls don't seem to know shit. These are the very people who should be bringing up these super important issues and presenting concrete ideas and solutions on these things for us peons.
It really makes one wonder who might be better able to run our country. Our present system relies on anyone with a suit and tie, who has gone to universities and lays claim to great knowledge. Well as Dr. Phil would say "How's that workin out for ya?"
I've thought after listening to regular folks for years and years that quite possibly the best person to run our country might just be someone as simple as " Joe the Farmer (and his wife of course). Now good old Joe knows how to handle the realities of a working farm. He has to make super important decisions everyday that effect whether the farm makes a living this month or year in order to stay in business for the long run.
Lets take a few examples to help make my point.
How about the subject of "crime and punishment"?.
Old Joe has a favorite dog he just loves and is quite possibly his best friend up to this point. Now all of the sudden Joe's special buddy starts chasing and maiming or even killing Joe's prize money making sheep. Well, Joe has a huge quandary now, doesn't he? Using the "farmer" logical thinking, he has only one choice if the farm is to continue making a profit, so he can feed his family and keep the farm going.
The last thing in the world Joe wants to do is put the dog down but he has no choice. It's the dog or everything else he loves. So with a tear in his eye and a heavy heart, he makes a special place up on the hill for the dog and he does his duty.
How about "helping the poor"?
Some new people come to the area of Joe's farm and they are about as poor and run down as can be. Does he offer to take supplies, food and equipment from his farm, give it to them and continue to give to the poor family, so they can have a life there? No, he contacts them and offers to teach them how to live off the land and helps them make whatever they need to get by for themselves. In the end, he is one hell of a good neighbor, a good man and has helped the new people make their own new life with a great pride of accomplishment.
How about "credit"?
Unfortunately, Joe's tractor breaks down. Does he run into town to the local bank and beg the banker for a loan to get the parts to fix his tractor as soon as possible? No, he has other choices, which take longer but don't require him to borrow at all. The first logical choice is to start saving the money and with time be able to pay for the parts himself. Another way would be to sell some of the products he produces on the farm to get the money or trades labor with other farmers or any number of other ways he can and will think of. The last thing in the world old Joe would want would be to "owe" anyone anything.
I think you get the point by now. Old Joe and his wife are just normal folks, just like you and I by the way, who think with logic (remember that odd concept) and use good common sense (another one of those odd concepts) in their decisions and try at all times to make due with what they have or can produce. As long as they can keep the overeducated suits away from their children, their children have a more than fair chance at happiness also.
By the way, old Joe and his wife are quite happy with their life, which is pretty darn hard at times. You know what though? They have no problem getting a good nights sleep without all the tension, worry and strain most people have to live with in our self caused complicated, complex lives.
What other ways could old Joe handle everyday problems? Do you have common sense ideas?
Lets hear them.
Right at the bottom of this posting is a "Comments" link. Click on it, follow the instructions and leave a comment about that post. To can use your name or make up one, by clicking in the circle beside "Name/URL". Or just leave your comment anonymously by clicking on the circle beside "Anonymous".
I will receive an e-mail, ok it and then it will appear for others to view after they click on the comments link.
Come on.......DO IT!
Everyone usually has some kind of opinion on most any subject. The wild part is no matter how complex, convoluted and deep the problem of the day is, the average regular person usually has some kind of super simple, logical, easy to understand and implement solution. It blows my mind how often this is true. I ask myself how come our politicians, powers that be, educated, learned and certified people out there with huge important diplomas on their walls don't seem to know shit. These are the very people who should be bringing up these super important issues and presenting concrete ideas and solutions on these things for us peons.
It really makes one wonder who might be better able to run our country. Our present system relies on anyone with a suit and tie, who has gone to universities and lays claim to great knowledge. Well as Dr. Phil would say "How's that workin out for ya?"
I've thought after listening to regular folks for years and years that quite possibly the best person to run our country might just be someone as simple as " Joe the Farmer (and his wife of course). Now good old Joe knows how to handle the realities of a working farm. He has to make super important decisions everyday that effect whether the farm makes a living this month or year in order to stay in business for the long run.
Lets take a few examples to help make my point.
How about the subject of "crime and punishment"?.
Old Joe has a favorite dog he just loves and is quite possibly his best friend up to this point. Now all of the sudden Joe's special buddy starts chasing and maiming or even killing Joe's prize money making sheep. Well, Joe has a huge quandary now, doesn't he? Using the "farmer" logical thinking, he has only one choice if the farm is to continue making a profit, so he can feed his family and keep the farm going.
The last thing in the world Joe wants to do is put the dog down but he has no choice. It's the dog or everything else he loves. So with a tear in his eye and a heavy heart, he makes a special place up on the hill for the dog and he does his duty.
How about "helping the poor"?
Some new people come to the area of Joe's farm and they are about as poor and run down as can be. Does he offer to take supplies, food and equipment from his farm, give it to them and continue to give to the poor family, so they can have a life there? No, he contacts them and offers to teach them how to live off the land and helps them make whatever they need to get by for themselves. In the end, he is one hell of a good neighbor, a good man and has helped the new people make their own new life with a great pride of accomplishment.
How about "credit"?
Unfortunately, Joe's tractor breaks down. Does he run into town to the local bank and beg the banker for a loan to get the parts to fix his tractor as soon as possible? No, he has other choices, which take longer but don't require him to borrow at all. The first logical choice is to start saving the money and with time be able to pay for the parts himself. Another way would be to sell some of the products he produces on the farm to get the money or trades labor with other farmers or any number of other ways he can and will think of. The last thing in the world old Joe would want would be to "owe" anyone anything.
I think you get the point by now. Old Joe and his wife are just normal folks, just like you and I by the way, who think with logic (remember that odd concept) and use good common sense (another one of those odd concepts) in their decisions and try at all times to make due with what they have or can produce. As long as they can keep the overeducated suits away from their children, their children have a more than fair chance at happiness also.
By the way, old Joe and his wife are quite happy with their life, which is pretty darn hard at times. You know what though? They have no problem getting a good nights sleep without all the tension, worry and strain most people have to live with in our self caused complicated, complex lives.
What other ways could old Joe handle everyday problems? Do you have common sense ideas?
Lets hear them.
Right at the bottom of this posting is a "Comments" link. Click on it, follow the instructions and leave a comment about that post. To can use your name or make up one, by clicking in the circle beside "Name/URL". Or just leave your comment anonymously by clicking on the circle beside "Anonymous".
I will receive an e-mail, ok it and then it will appear for others to view after they click on the comments link.
Come on.......DO IT!
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