Did you watch the MLB All-Star game? If you did, and you saw the recently elected 'savior of the world,' you know that the United
States is out of money! Yep, he said it with his own mouth "We're out of money."
Those who support this administration will say "It was just a joke." The reality is there is always a modicum of truth in every joke.
So now you know the truth folks - we don't have any more money. So why on God's green earth are we trying to pass "Health Care Reform" that will only INCREASE the costs to our own pocket books.
Here are some examples from the legislation in it's current form:
1. You WILL be taxed if you choose not to get health care insurance. Page 110 "Taxes on Individuals Not Obtaining Acceptable Coverage."
2. Increased government page 107 "There is hereby established the Office of Inspector General for the Health Insurance Exchange" Increased government means more taxes
3. Increased government page 30. Section 123 Health Benefits Advisory Committee. Public and private people getting together to talk about this with per diem and travel expenses paid for by YOU.
So let's do some figuring - We are out of money according to our own 'savior of the world.' We are planning to FORCE you to get health care insurance and we are planning to make sure there is more government to oversee it. Add it up and you get - - drum roll please MORE taxes! Yes America you are the new winner of decreased take home pay! Thanks for playing our "We're out of Money" game.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Live Within Your Means
Whatever happened to the good old fashioned idea that if I don't have the money I can't buy it? Where did we turn the corner from "responsible living" to "rights based" living? Rights based living is the idea that because I'm an American I have the RIGHT to have prosperity whether or not I actually earn it. If I don't want to work for it, then the country owes it to me.
Using "rights based" living many have taken on grand ideas of how they should be able to "make" their wealth. Look at recent scam artists that were "working" to make money - Madoff, Petters, and Hecker to name a few. Perhaps they all started out as Responsible Living people, but somewhere their plans took a hit and they became Rights Based people. They went from hard work and dedication to 'give it to me at any cost.'
Eventually they were caught at their games, but not before many, many people were hurt. Their rights somehow trumped the rights of others and they were allowed to profit from their schemes for many years.
Unfortunately the same is NOT true for our federal government. Although there have been many loud outcries against bailouts, 'bridges to nowhere' and other pork projects, the government goes merrily on with it's head in the sand in the name of "saving the economy" or whatever tag line feels good at the time. The Rights Based living has taken us down a dark and dirty road. It has placed a burden on our country that is likely to bury us. The amount of debt saddling our country now will only balloon in years to come.
Where did we turn the corner from living responsibly to this 'rights based' living? More importantly WHY did we turn the corner? Did we think it would be easier just to give prosperity away? Did we think that our children would be better off if they DIDN'T have to work hard? Do we really think that we can sustain this kind of living? Oh I'm sorry, look at the housing crisis and we have our answer - we can't.
People everywhere are worried. They're worried that their investments won't be enough for retirement. They're worried that their houses will be taken. They're worried that their lifestyles will have to be altered. Those worries are justified if the plan is to rely on the federal government to take care of the problems. Washington can't save any of us. Washington's Right's Based system is so entrenched in their thinking that they only see one way to save the world.
In the state of MN recently our state government took action that I haven't seen in some time. The governor actually "unalloted" programs. Yes folks, that means he took money away from various programs. Was it pleasant? No. Was it painful? Yes and no. Was it necessary? Absolutely.
You see Rights Based living can't go on indefinitely. Eventually we have to go back to working for what we get. We have to do responsible things like - spending less than we make, paying our bills, buying only what we can afford, and oh yes working for all of it.
If you want to be more secure in the future, start down the road of Responsible Living today. Make it a goal to pay off your house early. Make it a priority to stop using your credit cards. Make a plan to have money tucked away for a rainy day. If you do this, then you won't need Washington to help bail you out. If you don't, then don't knock on my door asking for bread. After all, I don't believe it's your Right to have it if you haven't earned it.
Using "rights based" living many have taken on grand ideas of how they should be able to "make" their wealth. Look at recent scam artists that were "working" to make money - Madoff, Petters, and Hecker to name a few. Perhaps they all started out as Responsible Living people, but somewhere their plans took a hit and they became Rights Based people. They went from hard work and dedication to 'give it to me at any cost.'
Eventually they were caught at their games, but not before many, many people were hurt. Their rights somehow trumped the rights of others and they were allowed to profit from their schemes for many years.
Unfortunately the same is NOT true for our federal government. Although there have been many loud outcries against bailouts, 'bridges to nowhere' and other pork projects, the government goes merrily on with it's head in the sand in the name of "saving the economy" or whatever tag line feels good at the time. The Rights Based living has taken us down a dark and dirty road. It has placed a burden on our country that is likely to bury us. The amount of debt saddling our country now will only balloon in years to come.
Where did we turn the corner from living responsibly to this 'rights based' living? More importantly WHY did we turn the corner? Did we think it would be easier just to give prosperity away? Did we think that our children would be better off if they DIDN'T have to work hard? Do we really think that we can sustain this kind of living? Oh I'm sorry, look at the housing crisis and we have our answer - we can't.
People everywhere are worried. They're worried that their investments won't be enough for retirement. They're worried that their houses will be taken. They're worried that their lifestyles will have to be altered. Those worries are justified if the plan is to rely on the federal government to take care of the problems. Washington can't save any of us. Washington's Right's Based system is so entrenched in their thinking that they only see one way to save the world.
In the state of MN recently our state government took action that I haven't seen in some time. The governor actually "unalloted" programs. Yes folks, that means he took money away from various programs. Was it pleasant? No. Was it painful? Yes and no. Was it necessary? Absolutely.
You see Rights Based living can't go on indefinitely. Eventually we have to go back to working for what we get. We have to do responsible things like - spending less than we make, paying our bills, buying only what we can afford, and oh yes working for all of it.
If you want to be more secure in the future, start down the road of Responsible Living today. Make it a goal to pay off your house early. Make it a priority to stop using your credit cards. Make a plan to have money tucked away for a rainy day. If you do this, then you won't need Washington to help bail you out. If you don't, then don't knock on my door asking for bread. After all, I don't believe it's your Right to have it if you haven't earned it.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
How's your health care?
Did you watch the markets on Monday June 15th? They lost. Why? Because our newly elected 'savior of the world' was talking about government run health care.
The markets know what they like and government health care isn't it.
Who or what are 'the markets' anyway? The markets are big conglomerate businesses that pitch money to and fro with no rhyme or reason, right? Wrong.
The markets are small (and large) investors who put money into companies with the desire to make a profit. That profit is then used to do other things like more investing or purchasing things - thereby stimulating the economy in a real way.
When the markets hear that the government wants a chance to run something that they shouldn't (and are definitely not capable of running) they become afraid. Why? Because they see their hard earned profits going for something other than their desired goals. They see their money being frittered away into la la land never to be seen again.
So you see my friends that 'the markets' are simply you and I telling the rest of the world through our investing what's good for the economy (and our own profits) and what's not.
Mark my words, if we see *any* intrusion into health care greater than exists today, you WILL see your profits shrink.
The markets know what they like and government health care isn't it.
Who or what are 'the markets' anyway? The markets are big conglomerate businesses that pitch money to and fro with no rhyme or reason, right? Wrong.
The markets are small (and large) investors who put money into companies with the desire to make a profit. That profit is then used to do other things like more investing or purchasing things - thereby stimulating the economy in a real way.
When the markets hear that the government wants a chance to run something that they shouldn't (and are definitely not capable of running) they become afraid. Why? Because they see their hard earned profits going for something other than their desired goals. They see their money being frittered away into la la land never to be seen again.
So you see my friends that 'the markets' are simply you and I telling the rest of the world through our investing what's good for the economy (and our own profits) and what's not.
Mark my words, if we see *any* intrusion into health care greater than exists today, you WILL see your profits shrink.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Awards
Tonight was a fun filled evening. Unfortunately we couldn't all be at the same venue.
My friend Tom McMahon, nominated me for a "Change Maker" award at Arc. Thanks Tom, it was really nice to receive that. I was very moved when I read the letter talking about the award.
My three bowlers - Vicki, Matt and Rachel all went to their bowling banquet. Yes they had PCA's - after all if you're getting an award from one organization, it's really bad press if the cops show up because you weren't caring for your children :)
Vicki medaled in both singles and doubles this year taking 3rd place in each. The other two didn't medal, but they bowled well and had fun.
It's fun to see the accomplishments of my kids and it was a nice treat to be recognized at Arc.
My friend Tom McMahon, nominated me for a "Change Maker" award at Arc. Thanks Tom, it was really nice to receive that. I was very moved when I read the letter talking about the award.
My three bowlers - Vicki, Matt and Rachel all went to their bowling banquet. Yes they had PCA's - after all if you're getting an award from one organization, it's really bad press if the cops show up because you weren't caring for your children :)
Vicki medaled in both singles and doubles this year taking 3rd place in each. The other two didn't medal, but they bowled well and had fun.
It's fun to see the accomplishments of my kids and it was a nice treat to be recognized at Arc.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Twitter prayers
Our modern electronic culture has moved from your basic text and email to a non-stop in your Facebook twitterpating maniacal craze. People are spending countless hours tweating, twitting and facing life. While I am certain that some of this is good, consider the number of hours talking to no one. Well yes I suppose you do talk, but not face to face. (And to be fair, it's not unlike what I'm doing now. I'm talking to no one, just writing my opinions).
But consider numbers like 400, 5,000, 10,000 etc. Why are those numbers important. I've heard of people on Facebook having 400 "friends." Now I'm not the most popular person on the planet so maybe I'm not a good example, but I KNOW I don't have 400 friends. MAYBE 40. So why is that important. First of all, no one has 400 friends. If we say they have the 40 I mentioned, what are the other 360 doing? They're simply voyeurs looking into that persons life. They're "watching" that person via the internet. Watching some fairly intimate details. Watching and waiting for an opportunity to cause some kind of harm. Think I'm kidding, read or watch the news.
The other two numbers 5k and 10k are fairly large. Those are the number of text messages (or twits, tweats etc) that ONE person has done in a month. Do the math - 5,000 divided by 30 is 167 per DAY which is about 7 per hour for EVERY hour which is about 1 every 10 minutes! For 10k that's about 1 every 5 minutes! Is it any wonder that we feel stressed out!
Finally consider this recent development. Today is the "National Day of Prayer." We have had a formal National Day of Prayer for 58 years. For the first time in 7 years, the office of the White House will NOT have any kind of prayer meeting. HOWEVER, they will begin to Facebook and Twitter in the coming days.
So instead of getting on his knees and talk to God to ask for guidance, our newly elected 'savior of the world' will get on his BlackBerry and talk to the rest of the world to tell them what a great job he's doing.
Sorry I gotta go, I have 10,000 prayer messages to get in before lunch.
But consider numbers like 400, 5,000, 10,000 etc. Why are those numbers important. I've heard of people on Facebook having 400 "friends." Now I'm not the most popular person on the planet so maybe I'm not a good example, but I KNOW I don't have 400 friends. MAYBE 40. So why is that important. First of all, no one has 400 friends. If we say they have the 40 I mentioned, what are the other 360 doing? They're simply voyeurs looking into that persons life. They're "watching" that person via the internet. Watching some fairly intimate details. Watching and waiting for an opportunity to cause some kind of harm. Think I'm kidding, read or watch the news.
The other two numbers 5k and 10k are fairly large. Those are the number of text messages (or twits, tweats etc) that ONE person has done in a month. Do the math - 5,000 divided by 30 is 167 per DAY which is about 7 per hour for EVERY hour which is about 1 every 10 minutes! For 10k that's about 1 every 5 minutes! Is it any wonder that we feel stressed out!
Finally consider this recent development. Today is the "National Day of Prayer." We have had a formal National Day of Prayer for 58 years. For the first time in 7 years, the office of the White House will NOT have any kind of prayer meeting. HOWEVER, they will begin to Facebook and Twitter in the coming days.
So instead of getting on his knees and talk to God to ask for guidance, our newly elected 'savior of the world' will get on his BlackBerry and talk to the rest of the world to tell them what a great job he's doing.
Sorry I gotta go, I have 10,000 prayer messages to get in before lunch.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Accepting Jesus
You may have wondered from recent posts how my "Raising Prices" theme got sidetracked with political talk. The reality is that the rules our government makes are highly important in the discussion of raising our kids. If we have a bad government, we have to stand up and say so. If we do nothing, our children will suffer the consequences.
Fortunately no matter how bad a government may be, God can still be at work. Consider what Laura said about our 6 year old the other night:
He was in bed tonight and I could hear him crying. I went in his room to see what was the matter. He said he was crying because he needed a kleenex (we strongly discourage getting out of bed once in it). He said the other reason he was crying was that he hadn't prayed yet so he could go to heaven. I asked him if he would like to do that now. He said he would. We talked about how only Jesus can take away the sin that we all have and that sin separates us from God. He repeated a prayer after me. We went out to tell Dad and I noticed that he was almost glowing. We told him we were very excited and told him that he will never be separated from Jesus again because He lives in his heart now. His face was so peaceful and then he took a deep breath and his whole body relaxed.
This kind of night is what we as Christian parents look forward to. This world is messed up and has nothing to offer us for eternity. There really is only one way to peace and to heaven and it is through Jesus Christ. Now regardless of the crapola faced on this earth, my son will enjoy an eternity completely crap free. What could be better than that?
Fortunately no matter how bad a government may be, God can still be at work. Consider what Laura said about our 6 year old the other night:
He was in bed tonight and I could hear him crying. I went in his room to see what was the matter. He said he was crying because he needed a kleenex (we strongly discourage getting out of bed once in it). He said the other reason he was crying was that he hadn't prayed yet so he could go to heaven. I asked him if he would like to do that now. He said he would. We talked about how only Jesus can take away the sin that we all have and that sin separates us from God. He repeated a prayer after me. We went out to tell Dad and I noticed that he was almost glowing. We told him we were very excited and told him that he will never be separated from Jesus again because He lives in his heart now. His face was so peaceful and then he took a deep breath and his whole body relaxed.
This kind of night is what we as Christian parents look forward to. This world is messed up and has nothing to offer us for eternity. There really is only one way to peace and to heaven and it is through Jesus Christ. Now regardless of the crapola faced on this earth, my son will enjoy an eternity completely crap free. What could be better than that?
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
100 is such a nice number
It's time for report cards class. How many of you can count to 100? Jimmy A+, Susie B-, Rachel C, 'savior of the world' D.
Oh I'm sorry 'sotw' you can count to 100, but you have not accomplished anything meaningful before you reached 100. 100 days that is. Yes we're actually talking about the first 100 days of the newly elected 'savior of the world.'
While the rest of the world is drooling over the accomplishments, I am simply drooling. I realize there are a number of possibilities as to why I am drooling, but that's beside the point. Consider these possibilities:
-A private sector company's president was ousted
-Numerous high level appointees have been turned down or stepped down because they didn't pay taxes
-We now pay to kill babies in foreign countries
-We are allowed to make and kill babies in the name of research
-Known enemies of the state are now free
-Other known enemies of the state will go free
-Enemies of the state are laughing uproariously at us because they know we won't really hurt them anymore
-TRILLIONS of dollars have been thrown away and my portfolio is still in the toilet
By now you may be saying 'wow, he's lost it.' Well folks, there are verifiable stories for each one of the above mentioned actions. Now you know why I'm drooling. I'm seething so bad, it's just leaking out.
You wanted change. You got it. How's it going now? Not so good? Too bad you were fooled by all of the rhetoric.
If you think 100 is a nice number, just wait until we get to 1000. By then things should be bad enough that you'll finally see the truth.
As for me, I've got a drooling problem to control.
Oh I'm sorry 'sotw' you can count to 100, but you have not accomplished anything meaningful before you reached 100. 100 days that is. Yes we're actually talking about the first 100 days of the newly elected 'savior of the world.'
While the rest of the world is drooling over the accomplishments, I am simply drooling. I realize there are a number of possibilities as to why I am drooling, but that's beside the point. Consider these possibilities:
-A private sector company's president was ousted
-Numerous high level appointees have been turned down or stepped down because they didn't pay taxes
-We now pay to kill babies in foreign countries
-We are allowed to make and kill babies in the name of research
-Known enemies of the state are now free
-Other known enemies of the state will go free
-Enemies of the state are laughing uproariously at us because they know we won't really hurt them anymore
-TRILLIONS of dollars have been thrown away and my portfolio is still in the toilet
By now you may be saying 'wow, he's lost it.' Well folks, there are verifiable stories for each one of the above mentioned actions. Now you know why I'm drooling. I'm seething so bad, it's just leaking out.
You wanted change. You got it. How's it going now? Not so good? Too bad you were fooled by all of the rhetoric.
If you think 100 is a nice number, just wait until we get to 1000. By then things should be bad enough that you'll finally see the truth.
As for me, I've got a drooling problem to control.
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