The current topic on every lawmaker's mind these days is the "stimulus" package. And why not? We're heading into a deepening recession and by God we have to do something, right? I mean, Government is the answer, isn't it? Government intervention worked to a "T" in the late 1920's and early 1930's, didn't it?
OR...
Maybe there's a reason that the Great Depression is only known as the Great Depression in the United States and merely the Depression throughout the rest of the world. Why is that, you may wonder? The answer is...yep, Government intervention. They Depression may very well have been Very Great, had it not been for World War II.
So why is it that no one seems to study history and see that during the Great Depression we did exactly what we are doing now? Then they threw everything and it's brother against the wall to see if it will stick...and that's what we are doing now. Then we had a crazy Republican President who seemed to abandon free market principles only to be followed by a progressive President who took that notion to a new level...and that's what we have now. Then, we were stuck with entitlement programs that changed the country and affect it to this day, and that's what we are going to get now.
Unless we make sure that doesn't happen.
The problem is, Nancy Pelosi has every congressman and congresswoman in lock-step with her agenda. Those who aren't in lock step have been warned. They will lose their monthly weekend trip home to fund raise, thereby risk losing their power. So every congress man and woman have succumb to the pressure to stay partisan.
Nearly every congressman, that is. But this week, despite my not voting for him, I am more proud of my congressman than one could imagine. For he, Congressman Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) was merely 1 of 11 Democratic congressmen that did not vote for this week's "stimulus" package that passed through Congress.
I'm not positive as to why just yet...but my suspicion is that he gets it. This is clearly not a stimulus bill, rather it was merely a spending bill.
$815 Billion...hoping to "create or retain" at best 4,000,000 jobs. Wee! Government is the answer! Only $203,000 to create or retain one single job. Truly money well spent.
Just some of the breakdown:
$90 Billion for Infrastructure that will take two years to begin construction and produce $0 in revenue.
$41 Billion to Local School District grants...money that will not be repaid...and will likely go to retain legal counsel because everyone and their brother tries to sue school districts for one reason or another.
$21 Billion to increase dependency on the Government....errr....I mean increase Pell Grants.
$6 Billion to modernize higher education. Excuse me?? If higher education is increasing in price twice as fast as any other increasing cost in this country, can't they take it upon themselves to modernize themselves??
$228 Billion to further increase dependency on Goverment....errrr...provide states with Medicaid and various unemployment benefits.
I'm sure you've all heard a few of the outrageous specifics, like millions for global warming research(isn't "the science already settled" there??), millions of STD research, and on and on.
Did you know at a quarter of the bill will go directly to state and local government to decide more specifically how to spend?? Great, more bureaucracy to wade through to get money spent.
But one man stood up and said NO (technically more than one man, but roll with me here). One man, only newly re-elected to his second term, stood against the newly elected, highly popular President. One man stood against the iron fist rule of the Speaker of the House. One man stood against his own party...looked past the pretty words and warm fuzzy feeling of Government intervention...and said NO(technically "nay"...again, roll with me). No to what is clearly a spending bill. No to a strategy that won't work for the individual, much less Government. No to a bill that clearly goes against the campaign promise of so many Democrats of PAYGO(Pay As You GO).
Thank you Congressman Ellsworth! I'm sure it wasn't easy to cast that vote. I'm sure you're on the outs with the party as I speak. It only makes me respect you more for voting your heart and what was best for the people of your district.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Fundamental Difference Between Liberals and Conservatives
That difference is personal responsibility. Liberals believe that government has the right to take money from you and that Government gets to decide who needs the money more than you. Conservatives believe that the individual has the right to keep their own money and make their own decisions on how to help those less fortunate. There are studies to prove that conservatives give signivicantly more all across all income levels without a Government mandate.
A study by University of Indiana found that across all income levels, those defined as very conservative give 4.5% of their income to charity, while those defined as very liberal give 1.2% of their income to charity.
Recently, during an important speech, our President said that Americans have duties to ourselves, the nation, and the world. While not specific, we can see what kind of personal responsibility to others our President believes in via his own charitable activities.
According to his tax returns, our President only gave as much as 1.4% of his income to charity before he was in the United States Senate. In 2002, he gave only 0.4% to charity. Only when he reached the United States Senate did his charitable donations begin to climb. In 2006, he gave 6.1% of his income. While certainly noble, one could contend that it was merely political posturing.
Our Vice President, who said giving more to the Government is a Patriotic Duty, fares much worse when his own personal responsibility is measured by giving without a Government Mandate. His percentage of charity versus income never reached more tha 0.3%, which is where it peaked in 2007 despite making a six-figure income for decades.
I'm not here to tell you what to do with your money. If you want to give some, great...if not, that's fine too. But don't you think that people who call for us to have more personal responsibility to the nation and the world would practice what they preach in their own personal lives?
A study by University of Indiana found that across all income levels, those defined as very conservative give 4.5% of their income to charity, while those defined as very liberal give 1.2% of their income to charity.
Recently, during an important speech, our President said that Americans have duties to ourselves, the nation, and the world. While not specific, we can see what kind of personal responsibility to others our President believes in via his own charitable activities.
According to his tax returns, our President only gave as much as 1.4% of his income to charity before he was in the United States Senate. In 2002, he gave only 0.4% to charity. Only when he reached the United States Senate did his charitable donations begin to climb. In 2006, he gave 6.1% of his income. While certainly noble, one could contend that it was merely political posturing.
Our Vice President, who said giving more to the Government is a Patriotic Duty, fares much worse when his own personal responsibility is measured by giving without a Government Mandate. His percentage of charity versus income never reached more tha 0.3%, which is where it peaked in 2007 despite making a six-figure income for decades.
I'm not here to tell you what to do with your money. If you want to give some, great...if not, that's fine too. But don't you think that people who call for us to have more personal responsibility to the nation and the world would practice what they preach in their own personal lives?
The Framework for Socialist America: Healthcare
There are many different things that we have allowed and will allow to happen in our country that will lead to it's downfall. Many simply don't think Socialism will come to America. My question is: Why? Why are you so dismissive of that possibility? No one thought our economy could collapse. It is...and in brilliant fashion. If this planet survives long enough, today's America will be used as the example of the downfall of an empire, just as Rome is our example. We refuse to listen to history, or we are simply too arrogant to think that history can happen to us.
Know this...no generation that has let it's nation succumb to socialism has lived to see socialism defeated in it's nation. This is because a government that is given power never relinquishes the power given. If we allow Socialism to take hold here, our grandkids will be lucky to live as freely as we did as children.
Today's example of this slippery slope is healthcare. Universal Healthcare...what a great concept. Of course it would be great to provide healthcare to everyone in the nation. I mean, there are lots of nations that do it, right? France, Britain, Canada, etc. Ask some of the people in those nations what they think of their healthcare, and they'll even tell you that they like their system of healthcare. I know this, because a friend of mine had a job in England surveying people on this very subject.
Of course, all of these people are completely healthy or living with some sort of ailment. Most of these countries provide quite adequate, but not outstanding, healthcare for preventative and normal type of medical issues. But if someone needs some kind of surgery, most also have to wait months, possibly more than a year, to get the surgery done. And so, they are forced to cope with the pain until they are allowed the surgery. And the emergency rooms are nightmares in most of these nations. I'm sure you've heard of areas in England where there is sometimes a 24 hour wait just to be seen in an emergency room.
And then there's the philosophy behind nationalized healthcare. If someone is paying for your health care, they hold the power to tell you what qualifies you to receive health care. In England, people are being told they need to lose weight before they qualify for the national health care...but their options in the free market are limited because nationalized healthcare has squashed any desire for people to participate in the free market. In California, businesses can not sell anything with Trans Fat because it will affect it's citizens on it's state run health care. These businesses have little option aside from closing down altogether. Instead they pay more to produce products with zero Trans Fat and pass the increased cost onto consumers...throughout the nation, as opposed to just California where the regulation caused the increased cost to begin with. This is the anthesis of freedom and capitalism, and it feeds upon itself creating more and more bloating of the socialistic structure.
Do you think that a government paying for healthcare will stay out of a family's personal decision regarding birth control? No, they won't. They will mandate that any person on this Universal Healthcare, which will continue to grow while free market options shrink, will have to have birth control starting at an age they determine, which will almost certainly be even younger than 16. Do you really think that the government peeking into our lives and making family decisions is a good thing?? This is my family, damnit, I'll decide if and when I want my kids on birth control!
Will this create equality in health care?? Nope. Even in these countries where they currently use some form of socialistic health care, those with private health care take precedent over the government sponsered health care. Of course, as I previously stated, private health care will only increase in cost because the government run health care will squeeze out private companies, and the only people that can afford private health care will be the rich and powerful, such as politicians. Interesting how politicians won't have to live under the same rule they are creating...of course they don't now, so not much will change in that aspect.
Right now it's being sold as they will have the same health care as government officials. Do you really think that some schlub who hasn't had a job in 5 years will have access to the same health care as Nancy Pelosi???
Come on people...these progressives...they can't justify things logically...they prey on feelings of fear and insecurity and perceived equality. Before you let them fundamentally change our country, at least make them explain why $600 million dollars worth of Universal Healthcare programs are being snuck into a proposed stimulus bill! Why hide it and try to sneak it in if it's really the best thing for our country?? Pass Universal Healthcare on it's own merits, where logical people can stand up and make you logically explain why a government that runs the DMV or has 30% fraud in Medicare is better than the private system. Because that's the real kind of Universal Health care we will get...one laced with fraud and as much compentency as the Department of Motor Vehicles. Is that what this country deserves? Quite simply: No.
Know this...no generation that has let it's nation succumb to socialism has lived to see socialism defeated in it's nation. This is because a government that is given power never relinquishes the power given. If we allow Socialism to take hold here, our grandkids will be lucky to live as freely as we did as children.
Today's example of this slippery slope is healthcare. Universal Healthcare...what a great concept. Of course it would be great to provide healthcare to everyone in the nation. I mean, there are lots of nations that do it, right? France, Britain, Canada, etc. Ask some of the people in those nations what they think of their healthcare, and they'll even tell you that they like their system of healthcare. I know this, because a friend of mine had a job in England surveying people on this very subject.
Of course, all of these people are completely healthy or living with some sort of ailment. Most of these countries provide quite adequate, but not outstanding, healthcare for preventative and normal type of medical issues. But if someone needs some kind of surgery, most also have to wait months, possibly more than a year, to get the surgery done. And so, they are forced to cope with the pain until they are allowed the surgery. And the emergency rooms are nightmares in most of these nations. I'm sure you've heard of areas in England where there is sometimes a 24 hour wait just to be seen in an emergency room.
And then there's the philosophy behind nationalized healthcare. If someone is paying for your health care, they hold the power to tell you what qualifies you to receive health care. In England, people are being told they need to lose weight before they qualify for the national health care...but their options in the free market are limited because nationalized healthcare has squashed any desire for people to participate in the free market. In California, businesses can not sell anything with Trans Fat because it will affect it's citizens on it's state run health care. These businesses have little option aside from closing down altogether. Instead they pay more to produce products with zero Trans Fat and pass the increased cost onto consumers...throughout the nation, as opposed to just California where the regulation caused the increased cost to begin with. This is the anthesis of freedom and capitalism, and it feeds upon itself creating more and more bloating of the socialistic structure.
Do you think that a government paying for healthcare will stay out of a family's personal decision regarding birth control? No, they won't. They will mandate that any person on this Universal Healthcare, which will continue to grow while free market options shrink, will have to have birth control starting at an age they determine, which will almost certainly be even younger than 16. Do you really think that the government peeking into our lives and making family decisions is a good thing?? This is my family, damnit, I'll decide if and when I want my kids on birth control!
Will this create equality in health care?? Nope. Even in these countries where they currently use some form of socialistic health care, those with private health care take precedent over the government sponsered health care. Of course, as I previously stated, private health care will only increase in cost because the government run health care will squeeze out private companies, and the only people that can afford private health care will be the rich and powerful, such as politicians. Interesting how politicians won't have to live under the same rule they are creating...of course they don't now, so not much will change in that aspect.
Right now it's being sold as they will have the same health care as government officials. Do you really think that some schlub who hasn't had a job in 5 years will have access to the same health care as Nancy Pelosi???
Come on people...these progressives...they can't justify things logically...they prey on feelings of fear and insecurity and perceived equality. Before you let them fundamentally change our country, at least make them explain why $600 million dollars worth of Universal Healthcare programs are being snuck into a proposed stimulus bill! Why hide it and try to sneak it in if it's really the best thing for our country?? Pass Universal Healthcare on it's own merits, where logical people can stand up and make you logically explain why a government that runs the DMV or has 30% fraud in Medicare is better than the private system. Because that's the real kind of Universal Health care we will get...one laced with fraud and as much compentency as the Department of Motor Vehicles. Is that what this country deserves? Quite simply: No.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Trying To Work Through My Faith (Part 2)
It's been some time since I did part one of this walk to faith, so it's time I updated my thoughts. I left part one, in which I explained that I don't believe in sin, with the major question of why, then, did Jesus come to earth if it wasn't for our salvation.
I've had my answer for a while in my mind, but wanted the time to think it through a little more and possibly research my reasoning.
It's interesting...that word reasoning. One typically doesn't think of reason in the same thought as religion and/or faith. But reasoning and intellect is exactly how Gnostic Christians practice their worship of God. In fact, Jesus followed Gnostic teaching dating back to when he studied with the Essenes.
I've only scratched the surface on Gnostic Christianity, but so far I'm in agreeance with most of their teachings. Most of what I've learned so far comes from, Sylvia Browne, an author and psychic that I read regularly, as much as "regularly" is for me. I've also checked the Gnostic Christianity website to verify some of what I've read.
The major disagreement that I find so far is that they believe Jesus was not the son of God, any more than we are are the sons and daughters of God. Gnostics tend to believe that Jesus merely was born more in tune with God. Sylvia Browne refers to Jesus as a Direct Report that thus far was the only person to have direct contact with God and could plainly hear the voice of God.
Without researching and validating my hypothesis, something Gnostics strongly follow, I believe that Jesus was God in the form of man. I'm certainly willing to amend my belief on that as I research more(which admittedly may be a long time...I do have to work and raise a family after all). This belief that Jesus was God could come from Bible teachings, though I only recently discovered that some Christians believe this, but possibly just because I can't conceptualize that Jesus was basically the same as you or I...just with more "powers". Also, there is a quote on the Gnostic website, "As we are, God once was. As God is, we will become." I don't know if this is scripture, but it seems to say that God was once a human, and likewise we will return to spirit form after our human life here on earth. It stands to reason that God would want to experience what it like for us while we are on Earth...to feel the pain, anger, joy, pain, and the plethora of other human obstacles that we must deal with here.
What I do believe, just as Gnostics teach, is that the reason for Jesus coming to earth was to teach us of an all-loving God, very different than the God of the Old Testament. This was His main message to the masses throughout and His life work, so to speak. Using some of the same reasoning that I used for disbelieving in the very concept of sin, it doesn't make sense to me that someone would need to die to protect a Father's children from Himself. A Father that loves us all unconditionally...an unconditional love that we can't even really conceptualize. How does it stand to reason that he'd deny us from His kingdom? Quite simply...it doesn't.
Some believe that Jesus didn't even die on the cross. Wouldn't that shatter everyone's world if it were true? Not if you don't believe that Jesus' purpose was to die for our "sins", but instead believe that He came to enlighten us to the omnipotent, unconditional love of God. If you believe His life's work was to teach us of God, then how and when he died is rather irrelevant.
So...to summarize thus far: Since God made us like Him, He provided us with the perfect knowledge that we will be with Him again. Unconditional love. The unconditional love we have for our own kids gives us the exact insight we need to understand that God could and would never deny us access to Him...that sin is a silly concept derived by people who wanted to use fear to control others. Yet Jesus was clearly important to His plan. But if it stands to reason that there is no "sin" they why did Jesus come to earth? Jesus didn't come to "wash us of our sins", His purpose had to have been what He taught: that we are loved unconditionally. In fact, love is His vision for how the world is to live. Unfortunately this message was lost in the hoopla that we needed to be "saved".
So now what? I could say that the next step was to study the apocolypse and Judgement Day. But I don't think that's in God's "Plan". In fact, I don't think God has a "plan" in the sense that He has things He wants to do. He knows what will happen, but it's not His job to control what will happen. Think about it...how cruel would it be to have a puppet master as our God? Someone that sits in Heaven deciding whose life to affect for the better or worse. That's cruelty. The unconditional love is that He is there for us...waiting when we arrive Home to tell him of what we "learned that day at school".
I'm just now realizing that there's so much more that I need to learn. It's clearly not enough that my Father loves me unconditionally and will welcome me with open arms when I'm done with this human body. Complacency is insulting...which is the last thing we'd want from anyone else, so why be complacent in my learning here on earth.
I've had my answer for a while in my mind, but wanted the time to think it through a little more and possibly research my reasoning.
It's interesting...that word reasoning. One typically doesn't think of reason in the same thought as religion and/or faith. But reasoning and intellect is exactly how Gnostic Christians practice their worship of God. In fact, Jesus followed Gnostic teaching dating back to when he studied with the Essenes.
I've only scratched the surface on Gnostic Christianity, but so far I'm in agreeance with most of their teachings. Most of what I've learned so far comes from, Sylvia Browne, an author and psychic that I read regularly, as much as "regularly" is for me. I've also checked the Gnostic Christianity website to verify some of what I've read.
The major disagreement that I find so far is that they believe Jesus was not the son of God, any more than we are are the sons and daughters of God. Gnostics tend to believe that Jesus merely was born more in tune with God. Sylvia Browne refers to Jesus as a Direct Report that thus far was the only person to have direct contact with God and could plainly hear the voice of God.
Without researching and validating my hypothesis, something Gnostics strongly follow, I believe that Jesus was God in the form of man. I'm certainly willing to amend my belief on that as I research more(which admittedly may be a long time...I do have to work and raise a family after all). This belief that Jesus was God could come from Bible teachings, though I only recently discovered that some Christians believe this, but possibly just because I can't conceptualize that Jesus was basically the same as you or I...just with more "powers". Also, there is a quote on the Gnostic website, "As we are, God once was. As God is, we will become." I don't know if this is scripture, but it seems to say that God was once a human, and likewise we will return to spirit form after our human life here on earth. It stands to reason that God would want to experience what it like for us while we are on Earth...to feel the pain, anger, joy, pain, and the plethora of other human obstacles that we must deal with here.
What I do believe, just as Gnostics teach, is that the reason for Jesus coming to earth was to teach us of an all-loving God, very different than the God of the Old Testament. This was His main message to the masses throughout and His life work, so to speak. Using some of the same reasoning that I used for disbelieving in the very concept of sin, it doesn't make sense to me that someone would need to die to protect a Father's children from Himself. A Father that loves us all unconditionally...an unconditional love that we can't even really conceptualize. How does it stand to reason that he'd deny us from His kingdom? Quite simply...it doesn't.
Some believe that Jesus didn't even die on the cross. Wouldn't that shatter everyone's world if it were true? Not if you don't believe that Jesus' purpose was to die for our "sins", but instead believe that He came to enlighten us to the omnipotent, unconditional love of God. If you believe His life's work was to teach us of God, then how and when he died is rather irrelevant.
So...to summarize thus far: Since God made us like Him, He provided us with the perfect knowledge that we will be with Him again. Unconditional love. The unconditional love we have for our own kids gives us the exact insight we need to understand that God could and would never deny us access to Him...that sin is a silly concept derived by people who wanted to use fear to control others. Yet Jesus was clearly important to His plan. But if it stands to reason that there is no "sin" they why did Jesus come to earth? Jesus didn't come to "wash us of our sins", His purpose had to have been what He taught: that we are loved unconditionally. In fact, love is His vision for how the world is to live. Unfortunately this message was lost in the hoopla that we needed to be "saved".
So now what? I could say that the next step was to study the apocolypse and Judgement Day. But I don't think that's in God's "Plan". In fact, I don't think God has a "plan" in the sense that He has things He wants to do. He knows what will happen, but it's not His job to control what will happen. Think about it...how cruel would it be to have a puppet master as our God? Someone that sits in Heaven deciding whose life to affect for the better or worse. That's cruelty. The unconditional love is that He is there for us...waiting when we arrive Home to tell him of what we "learned that day at school".
I'm just now realizing that there's so much more that I need to learn. It's clearly not enough that my Father loves me unconditionally and will welcome me with open arms when I'm done with this human body. Complacency is insulting...which is the last thing we'd want from anyone else, so why be complacent in my learning here on earth.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Let Us Speak Plainly...
"...for I would lay rest the grace in my tongue and speak plainly. Days like these are far too rare to cheapen with heavy handed words."
I love this quote from A Knight's Tale. I know that "heavy handed words" are good sometimes, but far too often, people use them to make themselves look better, smarter, more of an expert. Sometimes they use "heavy handed words" to make you look less intelligent or to confuse you. And sometimes they use them to divert attention from the fact that what they are saying just makes no common sense.
I'm intelligent, yet somehow, at times, slow. That's when I have absolutely no patience for heavy handed words. I feel a full mix of reactions from the above list. I get frustrated because I feel less intelligent for not being able to follow what the other person is saying. Then I get put off when I think the person is trying to make themselves sound more intelligent than perhaps they are. And sometimes I realize that the person is using all this "fancy speak" to divert attention from the fact that what they are saying really doesn't make sense.
I ran the gambit recently, when trying to read Peggy Noonan's recent book, Patriotic Grace. I only got about a third of the way through this rather smallish book before I put it down. I was about to throw it across the room. I may pick it up again in the future, but I doubt it...and I will almost assuredly never crack another Peggy Noonan book again.
The final straw, for me, was a five-line, single-sentence paragraph with more commas in the sentence than "you knows" in a Caroline Kennedy interview.
I know that I never was much of a reader in my life, until recently. So I shouldn't expect to be able to pick up a book and speed read through complicated theories without missing a beat, but come on. Give a guy a break. I'm intelligent to grasp complicated issues...just speak plainly and use common sense.
I know I'm not perfect when I write. I have a vast tendency to overuse the "...". But I at least try to have my audience in mind when I write, and I try not to write the way I speak.
This is something Peggy Noonan clearly doesn't do in the book. She writes this book as I assume she speaks...you know, with qualifier thoughts, as though to add detail, unnecessary detail at that, in the middle of the broader context of the conversation she would be having, with say a colleague, of the political persuasion, at a fancy dinner.
That's the kicker, I think. When it's merely heavy handed words thrown in sentences, I can handle it. But when it additionally becomes excruciatingly detailed, or plagued with unnecessary descriptions, that's when I lose it.
If I can take your five line sentence and boil the exact same message down to two sentence, using your exact same words but merely taking out all the junk, that's when you're clearly overdoing it. You've automatically putting up a barrier to those whom you wish to receive your message.
This is a time of fear, toil, and perceived urgency. Beware those with heavy handed words and claims that things are much more complicated than they seem. They may very well be deceivers, and they mean to do no good.
I love this quote from A Knight's Tale. I know that "heavy handed words" are good sometimes, but far too often, people use them to make themselves look better, smarter, more of an expert. Sometimes they use "heavy handed words" to make you look less intelligent or to confuse you. And sometimes they use them to divert attention from the fact that what they are saying just makes no common sense.
I'm intelligent, yet somehow, at times, slow. That's when I have absolutely no patience for heavy handed words. I feel a full mix of reactions from the above list. I get frustrated because I feel less intelligent for not being able to follow what the other person is saying. Then I get put off when I think the person is trying to make themselves sound more intelligent than perhaps they are. And sometimes I realize that the person is using all this "fancy speak" to divert attention from the fact that what they are saying really doesn't make sense.
I ran the gambit recently, when trying to read Peggy Noonan's recent book, Patriotic Grace. I only got about a third of the way through this rather smallish book before I put it down. I was about to throw it across the room. I may pick it up again in the future, but I doubt it...and I will almost assuredly never crack another Peggy Noonan book again.
The final straw, for me, was a five-line, single-sentence paragraph with more commas in the sentence than "you knows" in a Caroline Kennedy interview.
I know that I never was much of a reader in my life, until recently. So I shouldn't expect to be able to pick up a book and speed read through complicated theories without missing a beat, but come on. Give a guy a break. I'm intelligent to grasp complicated issues...just speak plainly and use common sense.
I know I'm not perfect when I write. I have a vast tendency to overuse the "...". But I at least try to have my audience in mind when I write, and I try not to write the way I speak.
This is something Peggy Noonan clearly doesn't do in the book. She writes this book as I assume she speaks...you know, with qualifier thoughts, as though to add detail, unnecessary detail at that, in the middle of the broader context of the conversation she would be having, with say a colleague, of the political persuasion, at a fancy dinner.
That's the kicker, I think. When it's merely heavy handed words thrown in sentences, I can handle it. But when it additionally becomes excruciatingly detailed, or plagued with unnecessary descriptions, that's when I lose it.
If I can take your five line sentence and boil the exact same message down to two sentence, using your exact same words but merely taking out all the junk, that's when you're clearly overdoing it. You've automatically putting up a barrier to those whom you wish to receive your message.
This is a time of fear, toil, and perceived urgency. Beware those with heavy handed words and claims that things are much more complicated than they seem. They may very well be deceivers, and they mean to do no good.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Proud of George Bush and country...
I must admit that yesterday, I was questioning if all the pomp and circumstance surrounding Barack Obama was warranted. It was starting to feel, to me, as though the nation was annointing something more than the next President.
But that all melted away today. We witnessed a truly historic event that can only have happened in this great nation. Though I didn't vote for Barack Obama, I'm proud to say that he's our President. I hope and pray that he leads our country into continued greatness. And I'm proud to be part of this country which has come so far is a relatively short time.
Whether you liked President Bush or not, whether you agreed with him or not, he never used the office of President as a partisan platform. He endured more hatred than any other President in our nation's history, yet he never waivered from his personal convictions, whether the public agreed with them or not. One such conviction was to not be partisan and another was to conduct a transfer of power that was much smoother and kinder than the one he received.
Again, whether you liked him or not, for the sake of President Barack Obama, you should be thankful that in this time of potential great peril, we had a outgoing President who refused to be partisan and conducted a transfer of power with grace and gratitude. There's a lot on President Obama's plate. I hope that he's ready and that the smooth transition helps him hit the ground running.
Thank you for your service President Bush. President Obama, I may disagree with your policies in the future, but I'll always be hoping for your success. May you continue to do your country proud, as you very clearly have up to this point.
But that all melted away today. We witnessed a truly historic event that can only have happened in this great nation. Though I didn't vote for Barack Obama, I'm proud to say that he's our President. I hope and pray that he leads our country into continued greatness. And I'm proud to be part of this country which has come so far is a relatively short time.
Whether you liked President Bush or not, whether you agreed with him or not, he never used the office of President as a partisan platform. He endured more hatred than any other President in our nation's history, yet he never waivered from his personal convictions, whether the public agreed with them or not. One such conviction was to not be partisan and another was to conduct a transfer of power that was much smoother and kinder than the one he received.
Again, whether you liked him or not, for the sake of President Barack Obama, you should be thankful that in this time of potential great peril, we had a outgoing President who refused to be partisan and conducted a transfer of power with grace and gratitude. There's a lot on President Obama's plate. I hope that he's ready and that the smooth transition helps him hit the ground running.
Thank you for your service President Bush. President Obama, I may disagree with your policies in the future, but I'll always be hoping for your success. May you continue to do your country proud, as you very clearly have up to this point.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Will There Be A MLK Bruhaha?
There's bound to be, right? I mean, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a reverend. He was driven by faith, and spoke of it often in public. And yet, there's a National Holiday in tribute to him. There are pictures, monuments, posters alike displayed at state capitol buildings across the nation.
I'm certain that Atheists will be out in mass today, protesting the government sponsership of organized religion as displayed through Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., signage brandishing his name and image, and the Federal Holiday in his name. Aren't you?
No?
Hmmm. How interesting. How ironic. How transparent.
I'm certain that Atheists will be out in mass today, protesting the government sponsership of organized religion as displayed through Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., signage brandishing his name and image, and the Federal Holiday in his name. Aren't you?
No?
Hmmm. How interesting. How ironic. How transparent.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Hockey Dads - Wake Up
Before I share my observation and subsequent advice, please know that contrary to what some would believe, the term Hockey Moms, or in this case Hockey Dads, is not some subliminal code language indicating racism. Hockey anything, Moms-Dads-Uncles-Brothers, you name it, is just that. Hockey Moms. The more important of the two words is, of course, Mom, or Dad, or Sister, or whatever. The sport is only relevant to a specific point of reference and should be assumed to be reasonably substituted for whatever sport is more relateable to you. For instance, if you don't have a kid that plays hockey, but instead plays soccer, in the broadest scope that most people speak in terms of, a Soccer Dad is the same as a Hockey Dad, which would be the same as a Baseball Dad or a Volleyball Dad...and so on and so forth.
Of course if you feel the need to typecast, label, characterize and/or brand said terms in specific categories of race, class, and geography, by all means go ahead. Don't let me stop you from further breaking down any and all common links between fellow man.
I digress.
Back to Hockey Dads. Hockey...because the Dads that I observed last week were parents of kids participating in the sport of Hockey, however all sports are inclusive in this discussion. It is the "Dad" part that's mostly important here.
Dads, if you find yourself conversing with a group of fellow dads into the wee hours of the morning about how the coach should put which kid in what position, particularly when the conversation is aided with the use of alcohol, please know this doesn't reflect well upon yourself, your child, or the rest of the kids in the group.
It's sad really. Not only are you pathetically living your life through that of your child, but you're commiserating with a bunch of guys that are doing the same, thereby multiplying the sadness factor exponentially.
Add to that, the usage of alcohol, and it only highlights the fact that you are incapable of bonding with the fellow dads through normal means and are only comfortable expressing your feelings, thoughts, or ideas, with the help of a veil of a drink that will eventually lead to feelings of resentment from the child that you are proudly boasting of to a bunch of fellow drunk Hockey Dads.
So instead of contributing to breakdown of society, how about this Hockey Dads...how about you go bed early, forgo forcing the fuming night auditor to clean up all your beer cans and bottles, and just wake up early with your kid and bond...teach...learn. Practice with them some in the morning, if that's what the child wants...go over strategies...teach them to win and lose gracefully. For the love of God, teach them to be a proud, respectful, and gracious human being...through example. What say you, Hockey Dads??
In the interest of full disclosure, if you hadn't made the connection yet, I am the said fuming night auditor, forced to sit and listen to the drivel that spews from drunk "Hockey" Dad's mouths, cleaning up piles of beer cans and bottles from inconsiderate people at four o'clock in the morning.
Additionally, my Dad would have likely been one of these dads...though my sport would have been baseball. But had I lived with my Dad after the divorce, I would have likely been forced to be one of the kids with one of those Dads. Actually, there's very little doubt in my mind that would have been the case...but I'll leave a wee bit of an opening, just in case.
Aside from the fact that I don't drink alcohol at all, I vow not to be one of "those dads" as my kids grow up. I doubt I'll be the kind of parent that lives vicariously through my kids anyway, but if any of my kids choose sports, you can bet I'll be in the room with them, bonding, strategizing, and teaching my kids...or even taking their mind off the big game. Whatever it is my kids need, they shall have...and I can assure you...they don't need their father up until three or four in the morning...drinking...proverbially pounding his chest as he tries to show up the other parents with his knowledge of all thing sports.
So wake up Hockey Dads...try to be the family leader...not the leader of the drunk Hockey Dads.
Of course if you feel the need to typecast, label, characterize and/or brand said terms in specific categories of race, class, and geography, by all means go ahead. Don't let me stop you from further breaking down any and all common links between fellow man.
I digress.
Back to Hockey Dads. Hockey...because the Dads that I observed last week were parents of kids participating in the sport of Hockey, however all sports are inclusive in this discussion. It is the "Dad" part that's mostly important here.
Dads, if you find yourself conversing with a group of fellow dads into the wee hours of the morning about how the coach should put which kid in what position, particularly when the conversation is aided with the use of alcohol, please know this doesn't reflect well upon yourself, your child, or the rest of the kids in the group.
It's sad really. Not only are you pathetically living your life through that of your child, but you're commiserating with a bunch of guys that are doing the same, thereby multiplying the sadness factor exponentially.
Add to that, the usage of alcohol, and it only highlights the fact that you are incapable of bonding with the fellow dads through normal means and are only comfortable expressing your feelings, thoughts, or ideas, with the help of a veil of a drink that will eventually lead to feelings of resentment from the child that you are proudly boasting of to a bunch of fellow drunk Hockey Dads.
So instead of contributing to breakdown of society, how about this Hockey Dads...how about you go bed early, forgo forcing the fuming night auditor to clean up all your beer cans and bottles, and just wake up early with your kid and bond...teach...learn. Practice with them some in the morning, if that's what the child wants...go over strategies...teach them to win and lose gracefully. For the love of God, teach them to be a proud, respectful, and gracious human being...through example. What say you, Hockey Dads??
In the interest of full disclosure, if you hadn't made the connection yet, I am the said fuming night auditor, forced to sit and listen to the drivel that spews from drunk "Hockey" Dad's mouths, cleaning up piles of beer cans and bottles from inconsiderate people at four o'clock in the morning.
Additionally, my Dad would have likely been one of these dads...though my sport would have been baseball. But had I lived with my Dad after the divorce, I would have likely been forced to be one of the kids with one of those Dads. Actually, there's very little doubt in my mind that would have been the case...but I'll leave a wee bit of an opening, just in case.
Aside from the fact that I don't drink alcohol at all, I vow not to be one of "those dads" as my kids grow up. I doubt I'll be the kind of parent that lives vicariously through my kids anyway, but if any of my kids choose sports, you can bet I'll be in the room with them, bonding, strategizing, and teaching my kids...or even taking their mind off the big game. Whatever it is my kids need, they shall have...and I can assure you...they don't need their father up until three or four in the morning...drinking...proverbially pounding his chest as he tries to show up the other parents with his knowledge of all thing sports.
So wake up Hockey Dads...try to be the family leader...not the leader of the drunk Hockey Dads.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Let's Be Serious About Global Warming
It's time we started asking questions, using common sense, and researched for ourselves for a bit, rather go solely on the word of a man who has a stake in the viability of global warming.
I stated, quite sarcastically, just before Thanksgiving that the war on man-made global warming was over. What made it sarcastic, at least in my own mind, is that I was thanking Al Gore for all his efforts to help us evade this disaster. What was and is quite honest, however, is that the globe has cooled in 2008. In fact, as noted in this article in IBD, we haven't been in a warming period since 1998. Unfortunately for the liberals, they won't be able to put their global warming at the feet of President Bush, for the earth is cooler now than when he took office.
So why is this? Why, in this age of supercharged human CO2 emissions, has the earth been cooling? The referenced article explains why, which coincides with many accounts from astrophysicists such as Dr. Willie Soon, Nir Shaiv, Henrik Svensmark, just to name a few. But let's get to that part in a minute, and let's speak about the so-called major culprit in Al Gore's version of global warming.
So if carbon dioxide, emitted by humans, is responsible for global warming currently, what is responsible for the earth coming out of an ice age eons ago? As far as I know, there wasn't a vast industrial empire back then that was responsible for creating SUVs, burning coal to heat homes, and the like, thus sending an ice age into retreat.
But there was...oceans! You know...those silly things that cover 70% of the earth's surface? Did you know that oceans emit water vapor to the equivalent of over 180 Billion tons of CO2 into the atmosphere each year? How much CO2 tonnage is attributed to human activity? 6 billion tons. For those counting at home, that's roughly 3.3% of oceanic contribution. Water vapor far and away dwarfs CO2 emissions in regards of greenhouse gasses to the tune of anywhere from 70% - 95% (depending on which source you believe) of all greenhouse gasses.
On top of that, see this article to see how the oceans consume CO2 in part of natures life cycle of CO2. As CO2 emissions increase, oceans work harder, i.e. they get colder and CO2 consuming plankton increase, to offset the increase of CO2 emissions.
So if the oceans produce the vast majority of greenhouse gasses as well as work hard to take care of CO2 emissions...then what other explaination(s) are there for ice ages retreating, or overall warming and cooling of the planet (and ironically other planets in the same percentage as Earth)? Why that big bright yellow ball that lights and warms our world daily, of course.
I know...you're resisting that nagging voice in the back of your head that's telling you, "it can't be that simple." It's ok, let common sense come out and play with the rest of the thoughts. But you're right...it may not be that simple...but my goodness, can't it explain the majority of the earth's warming and cooling? Or does the sun, emitting vast amounts of heat and energy by which we probably can't fathom, have no effect at all? It's ok to admit it...the meekly common sense can play witht he big boys any day of the week.
Of course none of this means we have no responsibility to live a clean life and polute this beautiful gift of Earth as little as possible. But as a free people...our government doesn't have the right to force us to act in this manner. That's what they want to, and will, do with things like carbon taxes, mandatory mecury-filled(read bad for the environment) florescent lightbulbs, and a host of other ideas in the pipeline.
The bottom line is, we need to all do our due diligence, or all of our due rights and liberties given to us by our forefathers and the Constitution will be snatched away from us by those that want power.
I'll leave you with this model. I have no idea if this is what Al Gore used or not...but from my perspective...temperature is a leading indicator here, not CO2. That makes perfect sense in the context of oceans and the sun explaination of global warming. The sun gives off more energy and heats up...the global temperature rises and oceans warm...thus consuming less CO2 and raising the CO2 level in the atmosphere.
I stated, quite sarcastically, just before Thanksgiving that the war on man-made global warming was over. What made it sarcastic, at least in my own mind, is that I was thanking Al Gore for all his efforts to help us evade this disaster. What was and is quite honest, however, is that the globe has cooled in 2008. In fact, as noted in this article in IBD, we haven't been in a warming period since 1998. Unfortunately for the liberals, they won't be able to put their global warming at the feet of President Bush, for the earth is cooler now than when he took office.
So why is this? Why, in this age of supercharged human CO2 emissions, has the earth been cooling? The referenced article explains why, which coincides with many accounts from astrophysicists such as Dr. Willie Soon, Nir Shaiv, Henrik Svensmark, just to name a few. But let's get to that part in a minute, and let's speak about the so-called major culprit in Al Gore's version of global warming.
So if carbon dioxide, emitted by humans, is responsible for global warming currently, what is responsible for the earth coming out of an ice age eons ago? As far as I know, there wasn't a vast industrial empire back then that was responsible for creating SUVs, burning coal to heat homes, and the like, thus sending an ice age into retreat.
But there was...oceans! You know...those silly things that cover 70% of the earth's surface? Did you know that oceans emit water vapor to the equivalent of over 180 Billion tons of CO2 into the atmosphere each year? How much CO2 tonnage is attributed to human activity? 6 billion tons. For those counting at home, that's roughly 3.3% of oceanic contribution. Water vapor far and away dwarfs CO2 emissions in regards of greenhouse gasses to the tune of anywhere from 70% - 95% (depending on which source you believe) of all greenhouse gasses.
On top of that, see this article to see how the oceans consume CO2 in part of natures life cycle of CO2. As CO2 emissions increase, oceans work harder, i.e. they get colder and CO2 consuming plankton increase, to offset the increase of CO2 emissions.
So if the oceans produce the vast majority of greenhouse gasses as well as work hard to take care of CO2 emissions...then what other explaination(s) are there for ice ages retreating, or overall warming and cooling of the planet (and ironically other planets in the same percentage as Earth)? Why that big bright yellow ball that lights and warms our world daily, of course.
I know...you're resisting that nagging voice in the back of your head that's telling you, "it can't be that simple." It's ok, let common sense come out and play with the rest of the thoughts. But you're right...it may not be that simple...but my goodness, can't it explain the majority of the earth's warming and cooling? Or does the sun, emitting vast amounts of heat and energy by which we probably can't fathom, have no effect at all? It's ok to admit it...the meekly common sense can play witht he big boys any day of the week.
Of course none of this means we have no responsibility to live a clean life and polute this beautiful gift of Earth as little as possible. But as a free people...our government doesn't have the right to force us to act in this manner. That's what they want to, and will, do with things like carbon taxes, mandatory mecury-filled(read bad for the environment) florescent lightbulbs, and a host of other ideas in the pipeline.
The bottom line is, we need to all do our due diligence, or all of our due rights and liberties given to us by our forefathers and the Constitution will be snatched away from us by those that want power.
I'll leave you with this model. I have no idea if this is what Al Gore used or not...but from my perspective...temperature is a leading indicator here, not CO2. That makes perfect sense in the context of oceans and the sun explaination of global warming. The sun gives off more energy and heats up...the global temperature rises and oceans warm...thus consuming less CO2 and raising the CO2 level in the atmosphere.
Monday, December 29, 2008
We Still Have Hope...
This is a story that I heard the other day on Glenn Beck's show. It is a story written by Dr. John Rossi.
"Once upon a time there was a very happy couple. Their names were Freedom and Capitalism. They married and had many wonderful children. Their names were Independence, Self-worth, Hard work, Dignity, Charity, Faith and Hope.
They all lived happily for many years and the children respected their parents and loved them both very much. But Freedom and Capitalism, later, had several naughty children, very naughty. They weren't so respectful and never appreciated their parents. Their names were Wealth envy, Environmentalism, Animal rights activism, Racism, Feminism, and Ultra liberalism.
These evil children blamed their parents for everything and hated their parents', Freedom and Capitalism. In fact, these unappreciative children began to hate their parents since they didn't realize their parents gave them everything they had and didn't realize that they wouldn't even exist without their parents. They hated their parents so much, they began to plot with their neighbors to kill their parents and to keep their home.
Their neighbors' names were Socialism and Communism, who on the outside were a very lovely couple; but inside they were very, very ugly. They and their children, whose names were Despair, Poverty, Hopelessness, Suffering, and Repression had been welcomed into every neighborhood they had lived in, but then thrown out after years of suffering and the loss of many lives.
So late one night in total darkness, because Socialism and Communism did everything in darkness and the way from the light of the truth, while everyone was asleep, Wealth envy, Environmentalism, Feminism, Animal rights, egged on by their younger obnoxious brother, Hollywood, disguised Socialism and Communism and let them into the house of Freedom and Capitalism. It wasn't hard, for the two parents, Freedom and Capitalism, always left their gates and their door open for everyone.
Wealth envy led the way because he knew the house oh, so well. The evil children led Socialism and Communism throughout the house, one room at a time. And one at a time they killed Hard work, then Dignity, then Independence, Self-worth, Charity and Faith.
They finally found the room of Freedom and Capitalism and killed them as well. It wasn't hard to do, since freedom and capitalism always left their door unlocked and open for everyone. Only Hope survived. Hope survived hiding in the closet. She ran out during the ensuing celebration.
After Socialism and Communism moved in, things went well for a while but then they decided they didn't like Freedom and Capitalism's evil children either. They wanted their own children to have the rooms in their new house. So late one night in total darkness, because socialism and communism did everything in darkness and away from the light of the truth, they sent their children to kill Freedom and Capitalism's remaining evil children.
Poverty and Suffering killed Environmentalism and Animal rights first, for they were so hungry, they had to kill all the animals for food and the trees for their wood. And besides, why should animals have rights if people don't? Hopelessness killed Liberalism, the retarded brother of Communism. Then Poverty, Suffering, and Repression killed Feminism, the retarded sister of Liberalism. And Hollywood, the young obnoxious son of Freedom and Capitalism, was also killed. Finally, Wealth envy, who led the attack on his parents, died at the hands of Poverty since there was nothing left to envy.
So Socialism and Communism and their children, Poverty, Despair, Hopelessness, Suffering, and Repression lived in the once beautiful home of Freedom and Capitalism, which was now in great disrepair and they all lived sadly ever after.
All that was left of the family of Freedom and Capitalism was Hope, who was quietly hiding in the woods."
Not a bad little sorry from a doctor who woke up in the middle of the night to write this. I think Dr. Rossi plans on making some sort of children's book out of this story. I hope he cleans up some of the verbiage and story incongruencies around the "retarded brother and sister" parts. I understand wanting to link them together, but it doesn't make sense in the story at all, and the word retarded is really unnecessary...a better word could be found.
But for me, the overarching plot hits home. Unfortunately Freedom and Capitalism, as we have known them, are taking their last breaths. Unwarranted wire taps, nanny state issues, bailouts, nationalized industries and the like is seeing to that.
Socialism is setting in...unless Barack Obama can stop it. Unfortunately he ran on socialistic ideas, such as nationalized health care and government sponsored energy, on his way to being elected. I worry that if worse comes to worse, Communism will take hold, unless America falls before then, before Hope will take over and restore Freedom and Capitalism to their rightful place in this country.
"Once upon a time there was a very happy couple. Their names were Freedom and Capitalism. They married and had many wonderful children. Their names were Independence, Self-worth, Hard work, Dignity, Charity, Faith and Hope.
They all lived happily for many years and the children respected their parents and loved them both very much. But Freedom and Capitalism, later, had several naughty children, very naughty. They weren't so respectful and never appreciated their parents. Their names were Wealth envy, Environmentalism, Animal rights activism, Racism, Feminism, and Ultra liberalism.
These evil children blamed their parents for everything and hated their parents', Freedom and Capitalism. In fact, these unappreciative children began to hate their parents since they didn't realize their parents gave them everything they had and didn't realize that they wouldn't even exist without their parents. They hated their parents so much, they began to plot with their neighbors to kill their parents and to keep their home.
Their neighbors' names were Socialism and Communism, who on the outside were a very lovely couple; but inside they were very, very ugly. They and their children, whose names were Despair, Poverty, Hopelessness, Suffering, and Repression had been welcomed into every neighborhood they had lived in, but then thrown out after years of suffering and the loss of many lives.
So late one night in total darkness, because Socialism and Communism did everything in darkness and the way from the light of the truth, while everyone was asleep, Wealth envy, Environmentalism, Feminism, Animal rights, egged on by their younger obnoxious brother, Hollywood, disguised Socialism and Communism and let them into the house of Freedom and Capitalism. It wasn't hard, for the two parents, Freedom and Capitalism, always left their gates and their door open for everyone.
Wealth envy led the way because he knew the house oh, so well. The evil children led Socialism and Communism throughout the house, one room at a time. And one at a time they killed Hard work, then Dignity, then Independence, Self-worth, Charity and Faith.
They finally found the room of Freedom and Capitalism and killed them as well. It wasn't hard to do, since freedom and capitalism always left their door unlocked and open for everyone. Only Hope survived. Hope survived hiding in the closet. She ran out during the ensuing celebration.
After Socialism and Communism moved in, things went well for a while but then they decided they didn't like Freedom and Capitalism's evil children either. They wanted their own children to have the rooms in their new house. So late one night in total darkness, because socialism and communism did everything in darkness and away from the light of the truth, they sent their children to kill Freedom and Capitalism's remaining evil children.
Poverty and Suffering killed Environmentalism and Animal rights first, for they were so hungry, they had to kill all the animals for food and the trees for their wood. And besides, why should animals have rights if people don't? Hopelessness killed Liberalism, the retarded brother of Communism. Then Poverty, Suffering, and Repression killed Feminism, the retarded sister of Liberalism. And Hollywood, the young obnoxious son of Freedom and Capitalism, was also killed. Finally, Wealth envy, who led the attack on his parents, died at the hands of Poverty since there was nothing left to envy.
So Socialism and Communism and their children, Poverty, Despair, Hopelessness, Suffering, and Repression lived in the once beautiful home of Freedom and Capitalism, which was now in great disrepair and they all lived sadly ever after.
All that was left of the family of Freedom and Capitalism was Hope, who was quietly hiding in the woods."
Not a bad little sorry from a doctor who woke up in the middle of the night to write this. I think Dr. Rossi plans on making some sort of children's book out of this story. I hope he cleans up some of the verbiage and story incongruencies around the "retarded brother and sister" parts. I understand wanting to link them together, but it doesn't make sense in the story at all, and the word retarded is really unnecessary...a better word could be found.
But for me, the overarching plot hits home. Unfortunately Freedom and Capitalism, as we have known them, are taking their last breaths. Unwarranted wire taps, nanny state issues, bailouts, nationalized industries and the like is seeing to that.
Socialism is setting in...unless Barack Obama can stop it. Unfortunately he ran on socialistic ideas, such as nationalized health care and government sponsored energy, on his way to being elected. I worry that if worse comes to worse, Communism will take hold, unless America falls before then, before Hope will take over and restore Freedom and Capitalism to their rightful place in this country.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
What economic talking heads aren't seeing...or just not saying.
Coming out of this weekend, you may hear some news reports saying that retail sales increased to save the year for many retailers. The people that will be telling you this are either ignorant, or they are hiding the truth...that we are in a deflationary period. What follows deflationary periods?? Typically hyper-inflation. Yikes.
Sorry to be a downer over this holiday weekend, but I think our economy is hanging on by a thread...and no one is saying a darn thing about it. Of course, I'm not an ecnomist myself, but I am a common sense guy, and my common sense alarms have been going off for a while now.
So what is deflation, and why aren't people talking about it? Deflation is when prices decline in relation to wages. This may sound like a good thing, and perhaps sporadically, or in cases when prices were artificially inflated, it is. But when prices are dropping in bulk or across a spectrum, it isn't.
Think about it. We want the value of our house, e.g. house prices, to rise...wage earnings rise...the inflation that is built into our economy rises. Everything in our economy rises, except during corrections such as a recession, or when idiots mismanage/over-manage a recession, a depression.
These after Christmas sales aren't about retailers being kind and wanting to give shoppers a deal out of the kindness of their hearts. They need to sell product. They can't sell it at regular price...so they have to reduce the price, via a sale. When sales of regular, non-holiday items are in the area of half off, that's beyond your typical sale. That's a price reduction without calling it that. Retailers are having to reduce the prices just to get shoppers to come out to buy things. They call it a sale for marketing purposes...but if items were only 10 - 15% off, most people wouldn't waste their times this time of year in this economy.
How do you get out of a deflationary period before retailers just start closing their stores because they can't make a profit on such deep mark-downs? Well, the federal reserve typically increases the money supply, creating inflation, to get prices to rise again. Well, unless you've been in a stupor for the past year, you know that the federal reserve has already pumped a couple trillion dollars into the economy, with guarantees of up to 7.6 trillion in the future. Uhhh...that's some massive money supply there already. They are printing money like it's going out of style with these promises...because I assure you, the federal reserve doesn't have trillions of dollars sitting around in a vault somewhere.
So if the federal reserve realizes that they are in a deflationary period and tries to introduce more money into they supply...that could create hyperinflation. Hyperinflation, by definition, is out of control. That leads to those $10 candy bar prices I was talking about over Thanksgiving because hyperinflation begins to greatly devalue money.
If you think back 10 years ago...what was the general cost? The two examples I have on the top of my head is McDonald's hotcakes and gas. The age range I'm thinking of is roughly 14 years ago, but both of those things cost at least half of what they cost now. That's inflation. That's roughly 7% inflation, which is solidly more than what the government tells the public the inflation rate is...but I digress. Think of what "out of control" inflation will do? It could double prices in the range of a couple of years, rather than 7 years or more. Wages can't and won't keep up with that kind of inflation...hence a horrible economic situation occurs. Depression.
I hope to God that it won't come to that. But I think that's the path we're headed. Don't let the economic talking heads tell you that everything is rosy without specifically saying how we will or have gotten there. Some economist on NBC today said that the recession will be officially over in 3-6 months because Barack Obama is coming in and will change economic policy...that the market will reach bottom in the next month or two because it's been so fluctuating recently.
Hogwash! Tell me some specific, logical indications of how these are going to happen?? They can't...hence, they don't. They just paint a rosy picture. Whether they believe it or not, I have no idea. I hope they don't actually believe what they are saying, or we're in worse trouble than I thought we'd be in. If our economic "experts" believe that the fed throwing money at the situation isn't like throwing gas on a raging inferno, we may have lost not just the battle, but the war.
So what can you do if an economic apocalypse is coming? Well, nothing if that's the case, but let's just say what you can do if a depression is coming? Pay off debt...save money...stock up on essentials. If this economic tsunami doesn't happen, you're in a sweet position.
Don't do what I did and go out and buy a new flat screen TV before paying debt. That was a battle I wasn't going to win, though. It was from mostly Christmas money(as hard as I try, I can't win an argument to use Christmas money to pay debt)...and it was replacing a television that was over 15 years old. Our other television is 5 years old and still chugging along fine. So it wasn't like we were buying something that we have a track history of replacing every couple of years. Besides, I'm winning the war...we've got a good game plan to be completely debt free except for our crummy little living-within-our-means house(and my stupid student loan) in a year.
Hopefully my oh so simplistic way of looking at problems is just too hayseed for those fancy Washington economist types, and hopefully I'm way off my rocker. In any event, it's time to live like our grandparents taught us...well within our means. Good luck! I'll be hoping and praying that a horrible scenario doesn't happen so we're all living on easy street in a couple years.
Sorry to be a downer over this holiday weekend, but I think our economy is hanging on by a thread...and no one is saying a darn thing about it. Of course, I'm not an ecnomist myself, but I am a common sense guy, and my common sense alarms have been going off for a while now.
So what is deflation, and why aren't people talking about it? Deflation is when prices decline in relation to wages. This may sound like a good thing, and perhaps sporadically, or in cases when prices were artificially inflated, it is. But when prices are dropping in bulk or across a spectrum, it isn't.
Think about it. We want the value of our house, e.g. house prices, to rise...wage earnings rise...the inflation that is built into our economy rises. Everything in our economy rises, except during corrections such as a recession, or when idiots mismanage/over-manage a recession, a depression.
These after Christmas sales aren't about retailers being kind and wanting to give shoppers a deal out of the kindness of their hearts. They need to sell product. They can't sell it at regular price...so they have to reduce the price, via a sale. When sales of regular, non-holiday items are in the area of half off, that's beyond your typical sale. That's a price reduction without calling it that. Retailers are having to reduce the prices just to get shoppers to come out to buy things. They call it a sale for marketing purposes...but if items were only 10 - 15% off, most people wouldn't waste their times this time of year in this economy.
How do you get out of a deflationary period before retailers just start closing their stores because they can't make a profit on such deep mark-downs? Well, the federal reserve typically increases the money supply, creating inflation, to get prices to rise again. Well, unless you've been in a stupor for the past year, you know that the federal reserve has already pumped a couple trillion dollars into the economy, with guarantees of up to 7.6 trillion in the future. Uhhh...that's some massive money supply there already. They are printing money like it's going out of style with these promises...because I assure you, the federal reserve doesn't have trillions of dollars sitting around in a vault somewhere.
So if the federal reserve realizes that they are in a deflationary period and tries to introduce more money into they supply...that could create hyperinflation. Hyperinflation, by definition, is out of control. That leads to those $10 candy bar prices I was talking about over Thanksgiving because hyperinflation begins to greatly devalue money.
If you think back 10 years ago...what was the general cost? The two examples I have on the top of my head is McDonald's hotcakes and gas. The age range I'm thinking of is roughly 14 years ago, but both of those things cost at least half of what they cost now. That's inflation. That's roughly 7% inflation, which is solidly more than what the government tells the public the inflation rate is...but I digress. Think of what "out of control" inflation will do? It could double prices in the range of a couple of years, rather than 7 years or more. Wages can't and won't keep up with that kind of inflation...hence a horrible economic situation occurs. Depression.
I hope to God that it won't come to that. But I think that's the path we're headed. Don't let the economic talking heads tell you that everything is rosy without specifically saying how we will or have gotten there. Some economist on NBC today said that the recession will be officially over in 3-6 months because Barack Obama is coming in and will change economic policy...that the market will reach bottom in the next month or two because it's been so fluctuating recently.
Hogwash! Tell me some specific, logical indications of how these are going to happen?? They can't...hence, they don't. They just paint a rosy picture. Whether they believe it or not, I have no idea. I hope they don't actually believe what they are saying, or we're in worse trouble than I thought we'd be in. If our economic "experts" believe that the fed throwing money at the situation isn't like throwing gas on a raging inferno, we may have lost not just the battle, but the war.
So what can you do if an economic apocalypse is coming? Well, nothing if that's the case, but let's just say what you can do if a depression is coming? Pay off debt...save money...stock up on essentials. If this economic tsunami doesn't happen, you're in a sweet position.
Don't do what I did and go out and buy a new flat screen TV before paying debt. That was a battle I wasn't going to win, though. It was from mostly Christmas money(as hard as I try, I can't win an argument to use Christmas money to pay debt)...and it was replacing a television that was over 15 years old. Our other television is 5 years old and still chugging along fine. So it wasn't like we were buying something that we have a track history of replacing every couple of years. Besides, I'm winning the war...we've got a good game plan to be completely debt free except for our crummy little living-within-our-means house(and my stupid student loan) in a year.
Hopefully my oh so simplistic way of looking at problems is just too hayseed for those fancy Washington economist types, and hopefully I'm way off my rocker. In any event, it's time to live like our grandparents taught us...well within our means. Good luck! I'll be hoping and praying that a horrible scenario doesn't happen so we're all living on easy street in a couple years.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Resolutions revisited...and commited...
It's been one of the better Christmas' I've had in a long time. Believe it or not, I attribute part of that to one of my New Year's Resolutions...to simplify my life. Part of simplifying was to organize, and thanks to good organization in putting away things last Christmas, we wrapped every present for our kids and most of the rest of the family on Christmas Eve...in 4 hours.
Not bad...and I had fun doing it. I decided to be Marvin Stewart and learn how to wrap presents well. The verdict? Well, it was no Martha Stewart, but it was much better than I've ever done in the past.
I took some time off work around before Christmas, and I think it helped get me into the "Christmas Spirit" more this year than in recent years. Ever since I worked retail back in college, Christmas just wasn't the same for me. I think I finally snapped out of the retail induced Christmas funk.
I did fairly well with the reading Resolution I made at the beginning of the year. I didn't read just non-fiction books, but I averaged a little over one a month...very good for me.
I think I succeeded with the get-in-shape Resolution. I didn't really lose much weight at all, but jogging 12 miles a week for the past 4 months has helped out quite a bit. I even did a couple 5Ks in the past month and a half, and am scheduled for a half marathon in April.
The father thing didn't seem to take. I don't know why...probably I didn't put enough effort in, though I feel like I did. I did give it a good honest try though, so I'm not calling it an utter defeat.
So for the first time in a long time, I finished the year in fairly good shape in regards to the beginning of the year Resolutions. There was definitely some neglect throughout the year, but it was definitely not a last minute scurry to try to get back on the path of the Resolutions.
Going forward for next year, aside from continuing to read at least a book a month and keep in shape(did I mention I've got a half marathon scheduled in 4 months? I'm already dreading it), and of course continue to keep my life simple and organized....my main Resolution for this up coming year is to live a life of meekness.
I've always liked the word meek. I learned it a long time ago in church. It just seems to encompass many of the things I'm doing now...keeping myself strong physically and mentally...but instill restraint from displaying this training unless necessary. I used to be much more laid back...not get so worked up about stuff, so impatient so quickly, etc. I want to get back that way. Yet I want to know that when there's a "fight" to fight, I can go to "battle" when needed. I'm fairly good at picking my fights at work...I just need to do that throughout my whole life now.
We'll see how it goes.
Not bad...and I had fun doing it. I decided to be Marvin Stewart and learn how to wrap presents well. The verdict? Well, it was no Martha Stewart, but it was much better than I've ever done in the past.
I took some time off work around before Christmas, and I think it helped get me into the "Christmas Spirit" more this year than in recent years. Ever since I worked retail back in college, Christmas just wasn't the same for me. I think I finally snapped out of the retail induced Christmas funk.
I did fairly well with the reading Resolution I made at the beginning of the year. I didn't read just non-fiction books, but I averaged a little over one a month...very good for me.
I think I succeeded with the get-in-shape Resolution. I didn't really lose much weight at all, but jogging 12 miles a week for the past 4 months has helped out quite a bit. I even did a couple 5Ks in the past month and a half, and am scheduled for a half marathon in April.
The father thing didn't seem to take. I don't know why...probably I didn't put enough effort in, though I feel like I did. I did give it a good honest try though, so I'm not calling it an utter defeat.
So for the first time in a long time, I finished the year in fairly good shape in regards to the beginning of the year Resolutions. There was definitely some neglect throughout the year, but it was definitely not a last minute scurry to try to get back on the path of the Resolutions.
Going forward for next year, aside from continuing to read at least a book a month and keep in shape(did I mention I've got a half marathon scheduled in 4 months? I'm already dreading it), and of course continue to keep my life simple and organized....my main Resolution for this up coming year is to live a life of meekness.
I've always liked the word meek. I learned it a long time ago in church. It just seems to encompass many of the things I'm doing now...keeping myself strong physically and mentally...but instill restraint from displaying this training unless necessary. I used to be much more laid back...not get so worked up about stuff, so impatient so quickly, etc. I want to get back that way. Yet I want to know that when there's a "fight" to fight, I can go to "battle" when needed. I'm fairly good at picking my fights at work...I just need to do that throughout my whole life now.
We'll see how it goes.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Merry Christmas from The Mad Hoosier...
If you're offended by the usage of "Merry Christmas", please don't be. Saying Merry Christmas is merely a greeting of the Christmas Season, in which we are currently in. I use it when I know I'll be seeing someone before the New Year's holiday, or as a good-bye when in close proximity to the holiday...wishing they have a Merry Christmas. Otherwise I will say Happy Holidays to incorporate the full holiday season. If for some reason you are offended by "Merry Christmas", please allow me to explain further why you shouldn't be.
Here in the United States, Christmas was declared a national holiday in 1870 and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant. At that time, the country was still torn apart by the effects of the Civil War, and the holiday was used as a way to help unite our country.
Christians use this day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. While not believed to be the actual birth date of Jesus Christ, the date was chosen to coincide with other winter festivals, such as the Winter Solstice or Roman festivals at the time.
As such, the Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that the federally recognized holiday of Christmas Day is secular, meaning not specificially religious, as are most symbols generally attributed to Christianity, such as a Christmas Tree, a wreath, lights, etc. Of course, the Nativity scene is clearly a symbol of Christianity's tribute to the holiday. Christians are, of course, entitled to that symbol, just as Jews are to the Menorah, for example.
Christians do celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday(with Santa Claus throw in). So what? Get over it and let them celebrate the holiday in their own way. But for the record, the phrase Merry Christmas is not some secret code word used by Christians to suggest that they wish you to denounce your faith or non-faith and immediately swear allegiance to God or Jesus Christ.
So if you are offended by Merry Christmas, I suggest you lighten up, and take it as it is mostly intended, a greeting with seasonal pizazz added. If you do have a supernatural ability to read the true intentions of a greeting, turn the other cheek and treat this holiday as it was intended...a unifying celebration for the nation...and internalize the greeting as the most personal and kind greeting someone could offer during this holiday season.
So have a Merry Christmas everyone. I say that because Christmas Day is two days away, and while I may not post again before the holiday, I'll likely post again before the next holiday, at which time I will personalize that holiday as well.
I sincerely hope everyone has a great, happy, and safe holiday spent with family, friends, and whomever makes you feel good inside.
The Mad Hoosier
Here in the United States, Christmas was declared a national holiday in 1870 and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant. At that time, the country was still torn apart by the effects of the Civil War, and the holiday was used as a way to help unite our country.
Christians use this day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. While not believed to be the actual birth date of Jesus Christ, the date was chosen to coincide with other winter festivals, such as the Winter Solstice or Roman festivals at the time.
As such, the Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that the federally recognized holiday of Christmas Day is secular, meaning not specificially religious, as are most symbols generally attributed to Christianity, such as a Christmas Tree, a wreath, lights, etc. Of course, the Nativity scene is clearly a symbol of Christianity's tribute to the holiday. Christians are, of course, entitled to that symbol, just as Jews are to the Menorah, for example.
Christians do celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday(with Santa Claus throw in). So what? Get over it and let them celebrate the holiday in their own way. But for the record, the phrase Merry Christmas is not some secret code word used by Christians to suggest that they wish you to denounce your faith or non-faith and immediately swear allegiance to God or Jesus Christ.
So if you are offended by Merry Christmas, I suggest you lighten up, and take it as it is mostly intended, a greeting with seasonal pizazz added. If you do have a supernatural ability to read the true intentions of a greeting, turn the other cheek and treat this holiday as it was intended...a unifying celebration for the nation...and internalize the greeting as the most personal and kind greeting someone could offer during this holiday season.
So have a Merry Christmas everyone. I say that because Christmas Day is two days away, and while I may not post again before the holiday, I'll likely post again before the next holiday, at which time I will personalize that holiday as well.
I sincerely hope everyone has a great, happy, and safe holiday spent with family, friends, and whomever makes you feel good inside.
The Mad Hoosier
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Santa's Prayer Is Answered...
I had this story sent to me some time ago. I don't know of it's veracity, but I do know it's a story that tugs at my heartstrings, so I thought I'd share it.
Three years ago, a little boy and his grandmother came to see Santa at Mayfair Mall in Wisconsin . The child climbed up on his lap, holding a picture of a little girl.
"Who is this?" asked Santa, smiling."Your friend? Your sister?"
"Yes, Santa," he replied. "My sister, Sarah , who is very sick," he said sadly.
Santa glanced over at the grandmother who was waiting nearby, and saw her dabbing her eyes with a tissue.
"She wanted to come with me to see you, oh, so very much, Santa!" the boy exclaimed. "She misses you," he added softly.
Santa tried to be cheerful and encouraged a smile to the boy's face, asking him what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas. When they finished their visit, the Grandmother came over to help the child off his lap, and started to say something to Santa, but halted.
"What is it?" Santa asked warmly.
"Well, I know it's really too much to ask you, Santa, but ..." the old woman began, shooing her grandson over to one of Santa's elves to collect the little gift which Santa gave all his young visitors.
"The girl in the photograph...my granddaughter...well, you see...she has leukemia and isn't expected to make it even through the holidays," she said through tear-filled eyes. "Is there any way, Santa...any possible way that you could come see Sarah ? That's all she's asked for, for Christmas, is to see Santa."
Santa blinked and swallowed hard and told the woman to leave information with his elves as to where Sarah was, and he would see what he could do. Santa thought of little else the rest of that afternoon. He knew what he had to do.
"What if it were MY child lying in that hospital bed, dying," he thought with a sinking heart, "this is the least I can do."
When Santa finished visiting with all the boys and girls that evening, he retrieved from his helper the name of the hospital where Sarah was staying. He asked the assistant location manager how to get to Children's Hospital.
"Why?" Rick asked, with a puzzled look on his face.
Santa relayed to him the conversation with Sarah 's grandmother earlier that day.
"C'mon .... I'll take you there," Rick said softly.
Rick drove them to the hospital and came inside with Santa. They found out which room Sarah was in. A pale Rick said he would wait out in the hall. Santa quietly peeked into the room through the half-closed door and saw little Sarah on the bed. The room was full of what appeared to be her family; there was the Grandmother and the girl's brother he had met earlier that day. A woman whom he guessed was Sarah 's mother stood by the bed, gently pushing Sarah 's thin hair off her forehead. And another woman who he discovered later was Sarah 's aunt, sat in a chair near the bed with weary, sad look on her face. They were talking quietly, and Santa could sense the warmth and closeness of the family, and their love and concern for Sarah.
Taking a deepbreath, and forcing a smile on his face, Santa entered the room, bellowing a hearty, "Ho, ho, ho!"
"Santa!" shrieked little Sarah weakly, as she tried to escape her bed to run to him, IV tubes in tact.
Santa rushed to her side and gave her a warm hug. A child the tender age of his own son -- 9 years old -- gazed up at him with wonder and excitement. Her skin was pale and her short tresses bore telltale bald patches from the effects of chemotherapy. But all he saw when he looked at her was a pair of huge, blue eyes. His heart melted, and he had to force himself to choke back tears.
Though his eyes were riveted upon Sarah 's face, he could hear the gasps and quiet sobbing of the women in the room. As he and Sarah began talking, the family crept quietly to the bedside one by one, squeezing Santa's shoulder or his hand gratefully, whispering "thank you" as they gazed sincerely at him with shining eyes.
Santa and Sarah talked and talked, and she told him excitedly all the toys she wanted for Christmas, assuring him she'd been a very good girl that year.
As their time together dwindled, Santa felt led in his spirit to pray for Sarah, and asked for permission from the girl's mother. She nodded in agreement and the entire family circled around Sarah 's bed, holding hands. Santa looked intensely at Sarah and asked her if she believed in angels.
"Oh, yes, Santa ... I do!" she exclaimed.
"Well, I'm going to ask that angels watch over you, "he said.
Laying one hand on the child's head, Santa closed his eyes and prayed. He asked that God touch little Sarah, and heal her body from this disease. He asked that angels minister to her, watch and keep her. And when he finished praying, still with eyes closed, he started singing softly, "Silent Night, Holy Night - all is calm, all is bright."
The family joined in, still holding hands, smiling at Sarah , and crying tears of hope, tears of joy for this moment, as Sarah beamed at them all. When the song ended, Santa sat on the side of the bed again and held Sarah 's frail, small hands in his own.
"Now, Sarah ," he said authoritatively, "you have a job to do...and that is to concentrate on getting well. I want you to have fun playing with your friends this summer, and I expect to see you at my house at Mayfair Mall this time next year!"
He knew it was risky proclaiming that, to this little girl who had terminal cancer, but he had to. He had to give her the greatest gift he could – not dolls or games or toys -- but the gift of HOPE.
"Yes, Santa!" Sarah exclaimed, her eyes bright. He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead and left the room. Out in the hall, the minute Santa's eyes met Rick 's, a look passed between them and they wept unashamed. Sarah 's mother and grandmother slipped out of theroom quickly and rushed to Santa's side to thank him.
"My only child is the same age as Sarah ," he explained quietly. "This is the least I could do."
They nodded with understanding and hugged him.
One year later, Santa Mark was again back on the set in Milwaukee for his six-week, seasonal job which he so loves to do. Several weeks went by and then one day a child came up to sit on his lap. "Hi, Santa! Remember me?!"
"Of course, I do," Santa proclaimed (as he always does), smiling down at her. After all, the secret to being a good Santa is to always make each child feel as if they are the only child in the world at that moment.
"You came to see me in the hospital last year!"
Santa's jaw dropped. Tears immediately sprang in his eyes, and he grabbed this little miracle and held her to his chest. "Sarah!" he exclaimed.
He scarcely recognized her, for her hair was long and silky and her cheeks were rosy -- much different from the little girl he had visited just a year before. He looked over and saw Sarah 's mother and grandmother in the sidelines smiling and waving and wiping their eyes.
That was the best Christmas ever for Santa Claus. He had witnessed --and been blessed to be instrumental in bringing about -- this miracle of hope. This precious little child was healed. Cancer-free. Alive and well.
He silently looked up to Heaven and humbly whispered, "Thank you, Father. ' Tis a very, Merry Christmas!"
LIFE IS GOD'S GIFT TO YOU...HOW YOU LIVE IT IS YOUR GIFT TO GOD, YOURSELF AND LOVED ONES.
Just as touching as the story itself, to me, is the end "moral" that someone added on along the way. I've struggled lately, and still do, with the particulars of my faith. I have no doubt in God...it's just the rest that I am still trying to figure out. :) The main thing I know, as I continue along my journey, is that the way I live my life is my homage to God.
Three years ago, a little boy and his grandmother came to see Santa at Mayfair Mall in Wisconsin . The child climbed up on his lap, holding a picture of a little girl.
"Who is this?" asked Santa, smiling."Your friend? Your sister?"
"Yes, Santa," he replied. "My sister, Sarah , who is very sick," he said sadly.
Santa glanced over at the grandmother who was waiting nearby, and saw her dabbing her eyes with a tissue.
"She wanted to come with me to see you, oh, so very much, Santa!" the boy exclaimed. "She misses you," he added softly.
Santa tried to be cheerful and encouraged a smile to the boy's face, asking him what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas. When they finished their visit, the Grandmother came over to help the child off his lap, and started to say something to Santa, but halted.
"What is it?" Santa asked warmly.
"Well, I know it's really too much to ask you, Santa, but ..." the old woman began, shooing her grandson over to one of Santa's elves to collect the little gift which Santa gave all his young visitors.
"The girl in the photograph...my granddaughter...well, you see...she has leukemia and isn't expected to make it even through the holidays," she said through tear-filled eyes. "Is there any way, Santa...any possible way that you could come see Sarah ? That's all she's asked for, for Christmas, is to see Santa."
Santa blinked and swallowed hard and told the woman to leave information with his elves as to where Sarah was, and he would see what he could do. Santa thought of little else the rest of that afternoon. He knew what he had to do.
"What if it were MY child lying in that hospital bed, dying," he thought with a sinking heart, "this is the least I can do."
When Santa finished visiting with all the boys and girls that evening, he retrieved from his helper the name of the hospital where Sarah was staying. He asked the assistant location manager how to get to Children's Hospital.
"Why?" Rick asked, with a puzzled look on his face.
Santa relayed to him the conversation with Sarah 's grandmother earlier that day.
"C'mon .... I'll take you there," Rick said softly.
Rick drove them to the hospital and came inside with Santa. They found out which room Sarah was in. A pale Rick said he would wait out in the hall. Santa quietly peeked into the room through the half-closed door and saw little Sarah on the bed. The room was full of what appeared to be her family; there was the Grandmother and the girl's brother he had met earlier that day. A woman whom he guessed was Sarah 's mother stood by the bed, gently pushing Sarah 's thin hair off her forehead. And another woman who he discovered later was Sarah 's aunt, sat in a chair near the bed with weary, sad look on her face. They were talking quietly, and Santa could sense the warmth and closeness of the family, and their love and concern for Sarah.
Taking a deepbreath, and forcing a smile on his face, Santa entered the room, bellowing a hearty, "Ho, ho, ho!"
"Santa!" shrieked little Sarah weakly, as she tried to escape her bed to run to him, IV tubes in tact.
Santa rushed to her side and gave her a warm hug. A child the tender age of his own son -- 9 years old -- gazed up at him with wonder and excitement. Her skin was pale and her short tresses bore telltale bald patches from the effects of chemotherapy. But all he saw when he looked at her was a pair of huge, blue eyes. His heart melted, and he had to force himself to choke back tears.
Though his eyes were riveted upon Sarah 's face, he could hear the gasps and quiet sobbing of the women in the room. As he and Sarah began talking, the family crept quietly to the bedside one by one, squeezing Santa's shoulder or his hand gratefully, whispering "thank you" as they gazed sincerely at him with shining eyes.
Santa and Sarah talked and talked, and she told him excitedly all the toys she wanted for Christmas, assuring him she'd been a very good girl that year.
As their time together dwindled, Santa felt led in his spirit to pray for Sarah, and asked for permission from the girl's mother. She nodded in agreement and the entire family circled around Sarah 's bed, holding hands. Santa looked intensely at Sarah and asked her if she believed in angels.
"Oh, yes, Santa ... I do!" she exclaimed.
"Well, I'm going to ask that angels watch over you, "he said.
Laying one hand on the child's head, Santa closed his eyes and prayed. He asked that God touch little Sarah, and heal her body from this disease. He asked that angels minister to her, watch and keep her. And when he finished praying, still with eyes closed, he started singing softly, "Silent Night, Holy Night - all is calm, all is bright."
The family joined in, still holding hands, smiling at Sarah , and crying tears of hope, tears of joy for this moment, as Sarah beamed at them all. When the song ended, Santa sat on the side of the bed again and held Sarah 's frail, small hands in his own.
"Now, Sarah ," he said authoritatively, "you have a job to do...and that is to concentrate on getting well. I want you to have fun playing with your friends this summer, and I expect to see you at my house at Mayfair Mall this time next year!"
He knew it was risky proclaiming that, to this little girl who had terminal cancer, but he had to. He had to give her the greatest gift he could – not dolls or games or toys -- but the gift of HOPE.
"Yes, Santa!" Sarah exclaimed, her eyes bright. He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead and left the room. Out in the hall, the minute Santa's eyes met Rick 's, a look passed between them and they wept unashamed. Sarah 's mother and grandmother slipped out of theroom quickly and rushed to Santa's side to thank him.
"My only child is the same age as Sarah ," he explained quietly. "This is the least I could do."
They nodded with understanding and hugged him.
One year later, Santa Mark was again back on the set in Milwaukee for his six-week, seasonal job which he so loves to do. Several weeks went by and then one day a child came up to sit on his lap. "Hi, Santa! Remember me?!"
"Of course, I do," Santa proclaimed (as he always does), smiling down at her. After all, the secret to being a good Santa is to always make each child feel as if they are the only child in the world at that moment.
"You came to see me in the hospital last year!"
Santa's jaw dropped. Tears immediately sprang in his eyes, and he grabbed this little miracle and held her to his chest. "Sarah!" he exclaimed.
He scarcely recognized her, for her hair was long and silky and her cheeks were rosy -- much different from the little girl he had visited just a year before. He looked over and saw Sarah 's mother and grandmother in the sidelines smiling and waving and wiping their eyes.
That was the best Christmas ever for Santa Claus. He had witnessed --and been blessed to be instrumental in bringing about -- this miracle of hope. This precious little child was healed. Cancer-free. Alive and well.
He silently looked up to Heaven and humbly whispered, "Thank you, Father. ' Tis a very, Merry Christmas!"
LIFE IS GOD'S GIFT TO YOU...HOW YOU LIVE IT IS YOUR GIFT TO GOD, YOURSELF AND LOVED ONES.
Just as touching as the story itself, to me, is the end "moral" that someone added on along the way. I've struggled lately, and still do, with the particulars of my faith. I have no doubt in God...it's just the rest that I am still trying to figure out. :) The main thing I know, as I continue along my journey, is that the way I live my life is my homage to God.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Ridiculous Liberals and Bush Haters
This past weekend, the President of the United States visited Iraq to mark a recent agreement for the United States military to begin pulling out of Iraq beginning next year.
The United States has worked hard, spilled blood, and lost lives all for the cause of liberating Iraq from a despicable dictatorship rule. It matters not why we went there initially, those are the marching orders now...to help a nation live free and under democracy, if that is their wish.
It's a noble cause, as we are a noble country.
Yet somehow, when the leader of this noble and great country, the President of the United States of America, comes under attack in foreign lands, all some people can do is laugh and praise the dissenter.
Why? Because the President of the United States happens to be President George W. Bush, and many Americans' hatred of President Bush and self-importance run much deeper than the respect of their own country and demand that honor be shown for the office of President.
Many have already forgotten September 11, 2001...for an attack on the President of this country is the same as an attack on this country. It's quite sad that this country has run amuck, and that many take their freedoms that this great country provides for granted.
Trivialize it as merely a shoe if you want, but know this truth: Conservatives would have been outraged if anyone would have attacked President Clinton in a similar manner. Likewise, conservatives will be outraged if anyone attacks President Obama in a similar manner. There has already been outrage over Al Queda's comments regarding President-elect Obama...from conservatives and liberals alike.
It's a shame that liberals are blinded by hate, so much so that they can't even put the Office of President into proper perspective.
The United States has worked hard, spilled blood, and lost lives all for the cause of liberating Iraq from a despicable dictatorship rule. It matters not why we went there initially, those are the marching orders now...to help a nation live free and under democracy, if that is their wish.
It's a noble cause, as we are a noble country.
Yet somehow, when the leader of this noble and great country, the President of the United States of America, comes under attack in foreign lands, all some people can do is laugh and praise the dissenter.
Why? Because the President of the United States happens to be President George W. Bush, and many Americans' hatred of President Bush and self-importance run much deeper than the respect of their own country and demand that honor be shown for the office of President.
Many have already forgotten September 11, 2001...for an attack on the President of this country is the same as an attack on this country. It's quite sad that this country has run amuck, and that many take their freedoms that this great country provides for granted.
Trivialize it as merely a shoe if you want, but know this truth: Conservatives would have been outraged if anyone would have attacked President Clinton in a similar manner. Likewise, conservatives will be outraged if anyone attacks President Obama in a similar manner. There has already been outrage over Al Queda's comments regarding President-elect Obama...from conservatives and liberals alike.
It's a shame that liberals are blinded by hate, so much so that they can't even put the Office of President into proper perspective.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Lesson Learned : If you're going into a snake pit, bring backup.
Or at least some snake repellent.
So, I've visited my last forum for a while. I posted something as my first post in this "community" and was quickly swarmed by the self-described "vets". I had the audacity to post something critical, and because of that, I was subject to my rightful "hazing".
Now, as a first post, it may not have been wise to post something critical of the owner of this forum board, but that's what happens when you let something fester in your mind for a while...until it just has to come out. And perhaps I shouldn't have been so negative, though being critical by definition tends to have a negative tone to it. But I certainly could have rephrased it, to take away the bite of my sarcastic tone in the message.
The thing that may surprise you is that this was a conservative forum board. In fact, it was the forum board for whom I've stated in the past that I'm a fan of. It was the forum board of Glenn Beck's web site.
Since we don't get Glenn's his radio show around here, I subscribe to his service so I can download his radio show to the iPod. I've watched Glenn for a little over a year now, and there is something that's always bothered me about him...or more specifically about his website.
He sells merchandise on his website with the insignia "Hate U" and "H8U" branded on it. I was shocked when I first came upon this. I knew there'd have to be an explaination, but also suspected that any explaination likely wouldn't justify the insignia...at least to me.
As it turns out, the Hate U, as in Hate University, merchandise came about when Glenn was on Good Morning America one day with Geraldo Rivera. I am not positive if Glenn was saying that he wanted a closed border, or if he was merely in favor of a border fence, but in any event, he was labeled a hatemonger by Geraldo Rivera, and told that he teaches people to hate. So Glenn decided to embrace the label, albeit sarcastically, and create a line of merchandise that would sarcastically display the hatemonger label. Thus, Hate U was born.
To me, that's not justifiable reasoning to create t-shirts in which any person that doesn't know Glenn Beck(an overwhelming majority in this world) wouldn't understand the meaning behind Hate U. A t-shirt can not explain the sarcastic meaning behind Hate U, and any passerby reading a Hate U shirt would, in all likelihood, automatically be offended by the shirt. I'm not saying we have to walk on eggshells not to offend people, but "Hate U" ignores the eggs and the shells, it stomps all over the chicken.
I should clarify that I don't believe Glenn to be a hatemonger. I find him to be upstanding, inciteful, reasoned, and very much caring of the future of this country. As such, I felt that I needed to send an email to him, which is to say his staff, that I though he should drop the Hate U merchandise. Of course I had no expectations that this would happen, but I felt compelled to try to plead my case.
I hadn't really thought of it much sense, until he recently started saying on his radio show that we had to let go of the hate. That message was within the larger context of each individual person needing to find out who they are and what they believe in. I could get into a big rant on this larger message he spoke of, but suffice to say this larger message he was preaching about already had me in a negative frame of mind. So when he came to the bullet point of letting go of the hate, it was the first time I thought the man a hypocrite. Lecture about letting go of hate, but sell shirts with Hate boldly emblazened on it?! Outrageous!
So, after the second day of him speaking about letting go of hate, I felt compelled again to point out this incongruency, only this time to his "Insider" forum. To be honest, I figured his forum would be filled with conservative, reasoned individuals such as myself, and quite frankly like Glenn.
Boy was I wrong. The tongue lashing I took...the personal attacks that were flung my way...the unreasonable spin in which a few, very few, tried to justify the incongruency...well it shocked me.
It shouldn't have. I knew going in how gang-like other forum communities are. But this sealed the deal...if you've seen one forum board, you've seen them all. I was trying to confirm Glenn's message of letting go of hate, which should include not brandishing Hate on t-shirts, and all I got was hatred for even daring to question the glaringly obvious double standard.
The mere way the forum board is set up was creepy, to say the least. New posters(based on post count) are labeled Corky. I quickly recognized that to be a slam on the intelligence level based on the main character from the TV show, Life Goes On. Their forum rules openly promoted hazing on the new posters.
Many posters, at least the ones that replied to my thread, had over 15000 posts. I can only assume that the vast majority of those had to be emoticon filled replies that had nothing to do with the topic of the thread.
To be honest, all of this made me question the very integrity of Glenn Beck. Even if the man is a huge proponent of free speech, this seemed to be well beyond political incorrectness run amuk or promoting rational discussions on his board. But I had to try to not hold him responsible for what others said on his board. Then I soon realized that many of the people on his forums either didn't listen to Glenn anymore, or didn't like him anymore, or both. The very next broadcast that I listented to of Glenn's made me realize that he has left those in him forum boards behind. He has evolved his thinking, grown as a person, whereas these others had not.
So that was my first personal experience with hatred on the on the right. It was good though, because it reinforced me to think critically of everyone, even those I listen to and agree with a lot...for no one can be right 100% of the time. Except for God, that is...right Rocket? :)
So, I've visited my last forum for a while. I posted something as my first post in this "community" and was quickly swarmed by the self-described "vets". I had the audacity to post something critical, and because of that, I was subject to my rightful "hazing".
Now, as a first post, it may not have been wise to post something critical of the owner of this forum board, but that's what happens when you let something fester in your mind for a while...until it just has to come out. And perhaps I shouldn't have been so negative, though being critical by definition tends to have a negative tone to it. But I certainly could have rephrased it, to take away the bite of my sarcastic tone in the message.
The thing that may surprise you is that this was a conservative forum board. In fact, it was the forum board for whom I've stated in the past that I'm a fan of. It was the forum board of Glenn Beck's web site.
Since we don't get Glenn's his radio show around here, I subscribe to his service so I can download his radio show to the iPod. I've watched Glenn for a little over a year now, and there is something that's always bothered me about him...or more specifically about his website.
He sells merchandise on his website with the insignia "Hate U" and "H8U" branded on it. I was shocked when I first came upon this. I knew there'd have to be an explaination, but also suspected that any explaination likely wouldn't justify the insignia...at least to me.
As it turns out, the Hate U, as in Hate University, merchandise came about when Glenn was on Good Morning America one day with Geraldo Rivera. I am not positive if Glenn was saying that he wanted a closed border, or if he was merely in favor of a border fence, but in any event, he was labeled a hatemonger by Geraldo Rivera, and told that he teaches people to hate. So Glenn decided to embrace the label, albeit sarcastically, and create a line of merchandise that would sarcastically display the hatemonger label. Thus, Hate U was born.
To me, that's not justifiable reasoning to create t-shirts in which any person that doesn't know Glenn Beck(an overwhelming majority in this world) wouldn't understand the meaning behind Hate U. A t-shirt can not explain the sarcastic meaning behind Hate U, and any passerby reading a Hate U shirt would, in all likelihood, automatically be offended by the shirt. I'm not saying we have to walk on eggshells not to offend people, but "Hate U" ignores the eggs and the shells, it stomps all over the chicken.
I should clarify that I don't believe Glenn to be a hatemonger. I find him to be upstanding, inciteful, reasoned, and very much caring of the future of this country. As such, I felt that I needed to send an email to him, which is to say his staff, that I though he should drop the Hate U merchandise. Of course I had no expectations that this would happen, but I felt compelled to try to plead my case.
I hadn't really thought of it much sense, until he recently started saying on his radio show that we had to let go of the hate. That message was within the larger context of each individual person needing to find out who they are and what they believe in. I could get into a big rant on this larger message he spoke of, but suffice to say this larger message he was preaching about already had me in a negative frame of mind. So when he came to the bullet point of letting go of the hate, it was the first time I thought the man a hypocrite. Lecture about letting go of hate, but sell shirts with Hate boldly emblazened on it?! Outrageous!
So, after the second day of him speaking about letting go of hate, I felt compelled again to point out this incongruency, only this time to his "Insider" forum. To be honest, I figured his forum would be filled with conservative, reasoned individuals such as myself, and quite frankly like Glenn.
Boy was I wrong. The tongue lashing I took...the personal attacks that were flung my way...the unreasonable spin in which a few, very few, tried to justify the incongruency...well it shocked me.
It shouldn't have. I knew going in how gang-like other forum communities are. But this sealed the deal...if you've seen one forum board, you've seen them all. I was trying to confirm Glenn's message of letting go of hate, which should include not brandishing Hate on t-shirts, and all I got was hatred for even daring to question the glaringly obvious double standard.
The mere way the forum board is set up was creepy, to say the least. New posters(based on post count) are labeled Corky. I quickly recognized that to be a slam on the intelligence level based on the main character from the TV show, Life Goes On. Their forum rules openly promoted hazing on the new posters.
Many posters, at least the ones that replied to my thread, had over 15000 posts. I can only assume that the vast majority of those had to be emoticon filled replies that had nothing to do with the topic of the thread.
To be honest, all of this made me question the very integrity of Glenn Beck. Even if the man is a huge proponent of free speech, this seemed to be well beyond political incorrectness run amuk or promoting rational discussions on his board. But I had to try to not hold him responsible for what others said on his board. Then I soon realized that many of the people on his forums either didn't listen to Glenn anymore, or didn't like him anymore, or both. The very next broadcast that I listented to of Glenn's made me realize that he has left those in him forum boards behind. He has evolved his thinking, grown as a person, whereas these others had not.
So that was my first personal experience with hatred on the on the right. It was good though, because it reinforced me to think critically of everyone, even those I listen to and agree with a lot...for no one can be right 100% of the time. Except for God, that is...right Rocket? :)
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Just Can't Relate to Book or other like statements...
I'm a big Glenn Beck fan. I credit him and Bill O'Reilly for opening my eyes, getting me to think more critically, and giving me the confidence to speak up for my beliefs. However, in regards to his recent book, The Christmas Sweater, and his recent statements on his show about the recent internet suicide that was watched online, I just can't relate.
I'll try not to spoil the book for anyone as I explain myself. I won't give a book review, persay, as there were some things about the book itself I didn't like as well, but that's neither here nor there in regards to not being able to relate to Glenn in this instance. Much of what he has said himself about his book in broad strokes I can use anyway, so I won't be giving away any details that he has spoken about himself.
This book of his, The Christmas Sweater, was written as a fiction work, but he has said that it's based on his life story. In it, the character that's based off himself, is really a jerk to his family. It starts with not getting the Christmas present he wanted, and ends with blaming his grandfather for his mother's death, screaming and yelling hateful things to him before running away.
Now, while I come from a divorced family, I have no reference point for the death of a parent as a youth. In an attempt to be empathetic, I'm not even sure I could do that justice. I can assume what I'd be like if I lost a parent when I was 10, and it's even easier for me with the hindsight of age experience...but I don't think I could accurately put myself into a 10-year-old's shoes who has just lost their parent and confidently say that I wouldn't be a jerk.
Other than yelling at my mother daily as she simply tried to wake me up so that I could make it to school on time (she's such a saint for doing it day after day despite my morning grouchiness), I didn't have many fierce words with my mom. And I certainly never once believed that I hated my mom. I never even thought that of my Dad. In fact, I sought his love more than I sought my mother's since we only saw him twice a year...my mother's love I always knew was true and lasting. But Glenn has read some letters on air and said that he has received countless letters similar to them about how so many people say they relate to the message in the book and how they saw themselves in the title character.
I have no reference point and can't possibly understand the numerous times when the book's character was mean or hateful just for the sake of being mean or hateful...even when there was a clear chance to not be mean and hateful.
Beyond the book, Glenn recently made some statements about the young kid who killed himself online while hundreds of others watched as he posted it from his webcam. The kid left a suicide letter which, in part, says "I hate myself, and I hate living...I've let everyone down, and I feel as though I'll never change, or I'll never improve." Glenn goes on to ask his audience if they see themselves in that letter at all, before saying that this note rings true for him(in the past tense). He said that he believed lots of people could relate to the suicide note left by the kid, and I'm just bewildered by that.
I've never gone more than a few hours of actually hating myself for some previous stupid action I did, and I've never once hated living. And I've never once believed that I'll never improve on things or that I'll never change. It's sad, of course, but I just can't empathize with the train of thought that would leave me to believe that I'd never get better at things throughout my life.
Is it just me? Am I the only one, or even someone in the clear minority, that has never experienced true disdain for someone in their family? If many people can relate, as Glenn hypothizes, then it's no wonder that this country has begun to fall from grace.
I'll try not to spoil the book for anyone as I explain myself. I won't give a book review, persay, as there were some things about the book itself I didn't like as well, but that's neither here nor there in regards to not being able to relate to Glenn in this instance. Much of what he has said himself about his book in broad strokes I can use anyway, so I won't be giving away any details that he has spoken about himself.
This book of his, The Christmas Sweater, was written as a fiction work, but he has said that it's based on his life story. In it, the character that's based off himself, is really a jerk to his family. It starts with not getting the Christmas present he wanted, and ends with blaming his grandfather for his mother's death, screaming and yelling hateful things to him before running away.
Now, while I come from a divorced family, I have no reference point for the death of a parent as a youth. In an attempt to be empathetic, I'm not even sure I could do that justice. I can assume what I'd be like if I lost a parent when I was 10, and it's even easier for me with the hindsight of age experience...but I don't think I could accurately put myself into a 10-year-old's shoes who has just lost their parent and confidently say that I wouldn't be a jerk.
Other than yelling at my mother daily as she simply tried to wake me up so that I could make it to school on time (she's such a saint for doing it day after day despite my morning grouchiness), I didn't have many fierce words with my mom. And I certainly never once believed that I hated my mom. I never even thought that of my Dad. In fact, I sought his love more than I sought my mother's since we only saw him twice a year...my mother's love I always knew was true and lasting. But Glenn has read some letters on air and said that he has received countless letters similar to them about how so many people say they relate to the message in the book and how they saw themselves in the title character.
I have no reference point and can't possibly understand the numerous times when the book's character was mean or hateful just for the sake of being mean or hateful...even when there was a clear chance to not be mean and hateful.
Beyond the book, Glenn recently made some statements about the young kid who killed himself online while hundreds of others watched as he posted it from his webcam. The kid left a suicide letter which, in part, says "I hate myself, and I hate living...I've let everyone down, and I feel as though I'll never change, or I'll never improve." Glenn goes on to ask his audience if they see themselves in that letter at all, before saying that this note rings true for him(in the past tense). He said that he believed lots of people could relate to the suicide note left by the kid, and I'm just bewildered by that.
I've never gone more than a few hours of actually hating myself for some previous stupid action I did, and I've never once hated living. And I've never once believed that I'll never improve on things or that I'll never change. It's sad, of course, but I just can't empathize with the train of thought that would leave me to believe that I'd never get better at things throughout my life.
Is it just me? Am I the only one, or even someone in the clear minority, that has never experienced true disdain for someone in their family? If many people can relate, as Glenn hypothizes, then it's no wonder that this country has begun to fall from grace.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Be Careful of Annuities
I met a respected friend over the holiday who is testing out selling Annuities. He seemed quite gung ho about this new opportunity, so I kept my beliefs about the product to myself. The part that made me cringe was when he talked about how easy it was because of the turbulent market.
It is this kind of thinking that allows people to take advantage of people's fears...predominantly older people. So if you have some money to invest, or have someone that's trying to talk to you about moving money into an Annuity, let's quickly explore some "gray areas" that may not be given much detail during the selling pitch. I used to be a stock broker, and while I didn't sell Annuities, I was licensed to sell them if I wanted.
First and foremost, an Annuity is an Insurance Product. It is not a wealth building tool, but something people use because they are scared of losing the value of their money/investments. If you have no stomach for the market, and let's face it...who does these days, then perhaps an Insurance policy protecting your money(which is what an Annuity is) is for you. I could have made an argument(will explain past tense later) that you could do just as well with a conservative investment elsewhere, but an Annuity does accomplish the preservation of money.
Secondly, the avoidance of probate. Seemingly one of the big pitches is that an Annuity avoids probate when you die. There are two things misleading about this. Firstly, I believe that some allow the people who are buying the Annuity to believe that probate is the taxes that are charged to the estate after death, aka the death tax. This is misleading, probate is not the avoidance of the death tax. Uncle Sam will get his money, regardless of your belief about taxing money that has already been taxed once.
What probate is, is the state appointing someone to oversee a deceased persons estate in the event that no one has been selected to do this by the deceased. The state winds up charging a fee for this service, sometimes up to 5% of the estate...then you get taxed.
So the other thing is that I think salesmen are leading people to think that an Annuity is the only unique product that avoids probate. This is, of course, untrue. Aside from setting up a Trust, any IRA and even some brokerage accounts with a Designated Beneficiary avoid probate. Because all probate does is divvy up assets, so if you have a beneficiary, there are no assets to divvy up. Of course, taxes are still due on the estate.
Another main thing that salesmen try to do is brush over the fees of the Annuity and the other terms that could be unflattering, such as a termination fee, should you want to cash out or need access to the bulk of your assets early.
It's these fees that are the main reason I don't like Annuities. Because some annuities sell you on the fact that your annuity is invested in the market and you can actually grow the value of your annuity, the large fees are overlooked or underrepresented. If you want to invest in the market, get a brokerage account and pay little to no fees. The fees you pay are, again, for the security of being in an Insurance product. It's like you're paying a premium as you would for your car or home, only it is coming out of your nest egg. You may as well find a good bank and put your money into the money market fund there and not pay premiums.
Now, to even more worrisome thoughts. The reason I stated earlier that I would have made the argument that you would have had just as safe an investment as an Annuity, was because of US Treasuries and Mortgage Backed Securities. Of course the Mortgate Backed Securities are in the toilet, and there are worries with the exponentially increasing debt that the US Government is taking on, that US Treasuries may not be as safe an investment as they once were....they may even be at risk of losing their AAA Credit rating. Yes, it is conceivable that the US Government could lose it's credit rating.
And finally...what if insurance companies continue to fail like AIG? Will the Government guarantee all those annuities? Well, insurance companies aren't FDIC insured, so they aren't obligated to.
Let's simply look at the Annuities from the Insurance Company perspective. You sell people market insurance, with the hope of investing in the market yourself and then just keeping the profits you make in the market. But if the market continues to be in the crapper, how do you make money on Annuities if your an Insurance Company? You continue to increase fees until the market suffocates you and your Annuities are worth less and less. Neither of those options bode well for the annuity holder.
So while I'm no longer an investment consultant and won't recommend that you don't buy an annuity. I do recommend that you do all your homework before getting into an Insurance Product that's sold as a complicated investment vehicle.
It is this kind of thinking that allows people to take advantage of people's fears...predominantly older people. So if you have some money to invest, or have someone that's trying to talk to you about moving money into an Annuity, let's quickly explore some "gray areas" that may not be given much detail during the selling pitch. I used to be a stock broker, and while I didn't sell Annuities, I was licensed to sell them if I wanted.
First and foremost, an Annuity is an Insurance Product. It is not a wealth building tool, but something people use because they are scared of losing the value of their money/investments. If you have no stomach for the market, and let's face it...who does these days, then perhaps an Insurance policy protecting your money(which is what an Annuity is) is for you. I could have made an argument(will explain past tense later) that you could do just as well with a conservative investment elsewhere, but an Annuity does accomplish the preservation of money.
Secondly, the avoidance of probate. Seemingly one of the big pitches is that an Annuity avoids probate when you die. There are two things misleading about this. Firstly, I believe that some allow the people who are buying the Annuity to believe that probate is the taxes that are charged to the estate after death, aka the death tax. This is misleading, probate is not the avoidance of the death tax. Uncle Sam will get his money, regardless of your belief about taxing money that has already been taxed once.
What probate is, is the state appointing someone to oversee a deceased persons estate in the event that no one has been selected to do this by the deceased. The state winds up charging a fee for this service, sometimes up to 5% of the estate...then you get taxed.
So the other thing is that I think salesmen are leading people to think that an Annuity is the only unique product that avoids probate. This is, of course, untrue. Aside from setting up a Trust, any IRA and even some brokerage accounts with a Designated Beneficiary avoid probate. Because all probate does is divvy up assets, so if you have a beneficiary, there are no assets to divvy up. Of course, taxes are still due on the estate.
Another main thing that salesmen try to do is brush over the fees of the Annuity and the other terms that could be unflattering, such as a termination fee, should you want to cash out or need access to the bulk of your assets early.
It's these fees that are the main reason I don't like Annuities. Because some annuities sell you on the fact that your annuity is invested in the market and you can actually grow the value of your annuity, the large fees are overlooked or underrepresented. If you want to invest in the market, get a brokerage account and pay little to no fees. The fees you pay are, again, for the security of being in an Insurance product. It's like you're paying a premium as you would for your car or home, only it is coming out of your nest egg. You may as well find a good bank and put your money into the money market fund there and not pay premiums.
Now, to even more worrisome thoughts. The reason I stated earlier that I would have made the argument that you would have had just as safe an investment as an Annuity, was because of US Treasuries and Mortgage Backed Securities. Of course the Mortgate Backed Securities are in the toilet, and there are worries with the exponentially increasing debt that the US Government is taking on, that US Treasuries may not be as safe an investment as they once were....they may even be at risk of losing their AAA Credit rating. Yes, it is conceivable that the US Government could lose it's credit rating.
And finally...what if insurance companies continue to fail like AIG? Will the Government guarantee all those annuities? Well, insurance companies aren't FDIC insured, so they aren't obligated to.
Let's simply look at the Annuities from the Insurance Company perspective. You sell people market insurance, with the hope of investing in the market yourself and then just keeping the profits you make in the market. But if the market continues to be in the crapper, how do you make money on Annuities if your an Insurance Company? You continue to increase fees until the market suffocates you and your Annuities are worth less and less. Neither of those options bode well for the annuity holder.
So while I'm no longer an investment consultant and won't recommend that you don't buy an annuity. I do recommend that you do all your homework before getting into an Insurance Product that's sold as a complicated investment vehicle.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Week of Thanks. Day 4 - Thankful for God, Country and Family
Ok...so a slightly different tone from days 1-3...not that I didn't fully and literally mean every word of the other posts in the week of Thanks. *shifty eyes*
But Thanksgiving is meant to remind us to be thankful to those things near and dear to our hearts, rather than be focused on parades, football, and glutany.
I've been off the beaten path lately when it comes to God as I try to find out what it is that I really believe. But I've never once waivered in my belief in the Almighty. I know He's there, and I know He adores me, just as he does all His children. I'm thankful that He's there, and I'm thankful that He loves me enough to be patient with me as explore the details of my faith.
I've said before that I believe it's His inspiration that launched this nation. I know things didn't just fit together like a puzzle, but I'm often astounded at the great gathering and collaberation of all the great minds that make up our Founding Fathers. While I often rail on how I believe this nation has turned away from what the Founding Fathers intended, and I wonder if, when I'm old, I'll even recognize this as the same nation I grew up in; but I'm so very thankful that I live here and get to make out of this life what I put into it. Freedom is a wonderful gift that I all to often take for granted, but I'm thankful to everyone who made freedom and this great country possible.
And it would be a shame if I didn't get to share our gift of freedom with people I cherish greatly. I'm thankful to my Mom for raising a man whose wife consistently says she's lucky to have for a variety of reasons. Most of those reasons seem quite ordinary to me, but apparently stacked up against her friends, they are more than ordinary...and my mother is to thank. I'm thankful to my wife for being my best friend and for being so patient with me as I become more outspoken in regards to my conservative beliefs. She still hates it when I argue with the television, but it's certainly understandable and can easily be overlooked for all the rest that she does for me. And of course, I'm thankful for my kids. They are my pride and joy, and while I sometimes feel like a failure in life because I'm merely a night auditor at a local hotel, I have but to look at them once and realize how lucky I am to be able to raise them myself rather than being stuck at work while a sitter raises them.
Luckily, I do give thanks for all these things more often than once a year, and while Thanksgiving's prayer may not be any more important than all the others in which I give thanks, it is a great occasion to share with everyone else the blessings that I'm thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone. Enjoy the day, enjoy the family, enjoy the fun...stay safe and take care.
The Mad Hoosier
But Thanksgiving is meant to remind us to be thankful to those things near and dear to our hearts, rather than be focused on parades, football, and glutany.
I've been off the beaten path lately when it comes to God as I try to find out what it is that I really believe. But I've never once waivered in my belief in the Almighty. I know He's there, and I know He adores me, just as he does all His children. I'm thankful that He's there, and I'm thankful that He loves me enough to be patient with me as explore the details of my faith.
I've said before that I believe it's His inspiration that launched this nation. I know things didn't just fit together like a puzzle, but I'm often astounded at the great gathering and collaberation of all the great minds that make up our Founding Fathers. While I often rail on how I believe this nation has turned away from what the Founding Fathers intended, and I wonder if, when I'm old, I'll even recognize this as the same nation I grew up in; but I'm so very thankful that I live here and get to make out of this life what I put into it. Freedom is a wonderful gift that I all to often take for granted, but I'm thankful to everyone who made freedom and this great country possible.
And it would be a shame if I didn't get to share our gift of freedom with people I cherish greatly. I'm thankful to my Mom for raising a man whose wife consistently says she's lucky to have for a variety of reasons. Most of those reasons seem quite ordinary to me, but apparently stacked up against her friends, they are more than ordinary...and my mother is to thank. I'm thankful to my wife for being my best friend and for being so patient with me as I become more outspoken in regards to my conservative beliefs. She still hates it when I argue with the television, but it's certainly understandable and can easily be overlooked for all the rest that she does for me. And of course, I'm thankful for my kids. They are my pride and joy, and while I sometimes feel like a failure in life because I'm merely a night auditor at a local hotel, I have but to look at them once and realize how lucky I am to be able to raise them myself rather than being stuck at work while a sitter raises them.
Luckily, I do give thanks for all these things more often than once a year, and while Thanksgiving's prayer may not be any more important than all the others in which I give thanks, it is a great occasion to share with everyone else the blessings that I'm thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone. Enjoy the day, enjoy the family, enjoy the fun...stay safe and take care.
The Mad Hoosier
Week of Thanks. Day 3 - Thankful for Super Majorities
With all the hope and change coming, how could you not be thankful for the trifecta of Democratic leadership that will usher in the next great movement. Now technically the Super Majority refers to there being enough members in one party of government to prevent a filibuster. With two races still to be decided in the Senate, that's still a possibility, given that the two Independents vote with the Democrats. However, today, we're just referring to the watered down version of Super Majority, referring to a Democratic President AND Democratic majority in the House of Representatives AND a Democratic majority in the Senate.
This trifecta has only happened twice in our history, and each time it was with the Democrats being in charge. The first time was when the majority crafted andpushed through The New Deal, and the second time was when the Democratic majority crafted The Great Society. There has already been talks of a New New Deal, and a New Great Society. Hopefully they will come up with a better moniker to describe the blissfulness that will follow the skewed legislation.
Now I know what you're thinking: Each of those brought about change that changed our country, left millions enslaved to the Government, and will eventually cripple our great nation. I say, lighten up Sally Sourpuss...let's not think about the future, let's live in the here and now.
The New Deal gave us the wondrous gift of Social Security. A way to not have to work after the age of 65 and still get paid as though you were working...at a percentage of what your once were...for the next two years of your life because life expectancy when the New Deal was created was 67. That's outstanding. Anyone who can look at that and point out that the mere fact that life expectancy has went up 20 years yet the age at which benefits kick has remained the same is looking at the glass as half-empty. Our government loves us...they aren't trying to buy votes of the aged or anything by keeping things as is. AND, the unemployment benefits that were enacted during the New Deal were such a great idea, that the current congress just extended the coverage of unemployment benefits by nearly 2 months.
So on to the Great Society, as I'm sure there are some naysayers out there that aren't a fan of Medicare and Medicaid. To be honest I'm not sure what's not to love about making the elderly and destitute rely on the government for their basic life needs. The all inclusive brand of healthcare works so well in other countries for those that still maintain their own private health insurance. So there may be an instance or two where a government run healthcare provider has had a decision between two people in the exact same situation and the decision came down to age. I'm sure the elderly person realized that they had lived a full life, it was time to let someone else have a chance at a full life. It's the right perspective to have, when you're sharing thewealth benefits of all inclusive health care. I'm sure they were all thankful to be in the position they were in.
Just like I'm thankful that I'll be able to partake in the next New Deal and/or next Great Society. Thank you Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reed, and Barack Obama...thank you for loving me so much.
This trifecta has only happened twice in our history, and each time it was with the Democrats being in charge. The first time was when the majority crafted and
Now I know what you're thinking: Each of those brought about change that changed our country, left millions enslaved to the Government, and will eventually cripple our great nation. I say, lighten up Sally Sourpuss...let's not think about the future, let's live in the here and now.
The New Deal gave us the wondrous gift of Social Security. A way to not have to work after the age of 65 and still get paid as though you were working...at a percentage of what your once were...for the next two years of your life because life expectancy when the New Deal was created was 67. That's outstanding. Anyone who can look at that and point out that the mere fact that life expectancy has went up 20 years yet the age at which benefits kick has remained the same is looking at the glass as half-empty. Our government loves us...they aren't trying to buy votes of the aged or anything by keeping things as is. AND, the unemployment benefits that were enacted during the New Deal were such a great idea, that the current congress just extended the coverage of unemployment benefits by nearly 2 months.
So on to the Great Society, as I'm sure there are some naysayers out there that aren't a fan of Medicare and Medicaid. To be honest I'm not sure what's not to love about making the elderly and destitute rely on the government for their basic life needs. The all inclusive brand of healthcare works so well in other countries for those that still maintain their own private health insurance. So there may be an instance or two where a government run healthcare provider has had a decision between two people in the exact same situation and the decision came down to age. I'm sure the elderly person realized that they had lived a full life, it was time to let someone else have a chance at a full life. It's the right perspective to have, when you're sharing the
Just like I'm thankful that I'll be able to partake in the next New Deal and/or next Great Society. Thank you Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reed, and Barack Obama...thank you for loving me so much.
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