Strike Three for the Mighty U.S.A.

First came TARP (Troubled Assets Relief Program) that was passed in a panic scenario to bail out financial institutions with little or no oversight on how the money would be used. Intended to go only to healthy financial institutions, the bill didn’t get out of the starting gate without Barney Frank (one of many liberals who profited from the financial debacle) writing a provision in the bill specifically for his shaky state bank, OneUnited. Since then we have seen abuse after abuse by the financial institutions we bailed out.

Next, the president, as a payback for his ultra liberal supporters, insisted there wasn’t time to read and debate the outrageous so-called stimulus bill, and the Democrat congress along with pseudo Republicans passed a bill that will result in an insurmountable national debt.

Now, we are being bombarded with a military style assault that the Pentagon might take note of for future use against our enemies. Unfortunately this assault, designed to turn our democratic republic into a socialist state, is directed at the citizens of the United States. The health care bill, just like the stimulus package, was deliberately written to mislead and confuse both the congress and the public.

Our current health care situation certainly has room for improvement. The problems can only be solved when all parties—health care providers, hospitals, and insurers—agree to the give and take needed in order to survive. But a common sense approach was never in the works. The intent is to install a UK type socialist system that will cause our ship of state to flounder and eventually sink under a mountain of debt.

Will the Obama (Chicago) steamroller with passage of its behemoth healthcare bill signal the final strike (#3) that topples our country from its status as a champion of freedom and individual rights?

A New Form of Slavery

Why are we rushing toward a new form of slavery wherein our master is the government? Should we allow this “new master” to make all the decisions on healthcare, employment, schooling, or how we must run our homes and/or businesses? Must we allow our government to tell us we cannot sell our own property without making expensive alterations to assure they meet the government’s “green” expectations? And must we be burdened by an unthinkable, insurmountable national debt to pay for it all? The Obama-Pelosi-Reid-Chicago Czar Machine expects a resounding YES to such questions as these. After all, weren’t they elected to do just that?
But this is a far cry from what most of us grew up expecting in this “land of opportunity.” People around the world have flocked here for a taste of the freedom to direct their own lives. Success may not be immediately attainable but there is always another day, another opportunity—or so we thought!
This uniquely American way of thinking was noted in the December 29, 2004 edition of the prestigious British publication The Economist. The following is a quote:
The United States likes to think of itself as the very embodiment of meritocracy: a country where people are judged on their individual abilities rather than their family connections. The original colonies were settled by refugees from a Europe in which the restrictions on social mobility were woven into the fabric of the state, and the American revolution was partly a revolt against feudalism. From the outset, Americans believed that equality of opportunity gave them an edge over the Old World, freeing them from debilitating snobberies and at the same time enabling everyone to benefit from the abilities of the entire population. They still do.
To be sure, America has often betrayed its fine ideals. The Founding Fathers did not admit women or blacks to their meritocratic republic. The country's elites have repeatedly flirted with the aristocratic principle, whether among the brahmins of Boston or, more flagrantly, the rural ruling class in the South. Yet America has repeatedly succeeded in living up to its best self, and today most Americans believe that their country still does a reasonable job of providing opportunities for everybody, including blacks and women. In Europe, majorities of people in every country except Britain, the Czech Republic and Slovakia believe that forces beyond their personal control determine their success. In America only 32% take such a fatalistic view.…
Shall we give all this up for the “new slavery” or feudalism that is being legislated in Washington? There will always be a certain number of people who would give up freedom to be “taken care of.” But how many of us really want to be vassals of the state?

Tired of “Tune”less Songs?

Is it just me or are you tired of tuneless songs? They run the gamut of music genres but are especially irritating in hymns and songs of praise and worship. I’m not sure how it became so prevalent. It was probably started by people who wanted to be rock stars but couldn’t hit the notes or were simply tone deaf. I’m not going to just attribute it to rap music because no effort is made to make legitimate songs out of their performances. They found a niche and are making plenty of money from doing their particular thing.
Few songs today have a melody that replays itself over and over in your mind. Too bad there’s nothing around like ABBA today.

The mind-numbing sameness is especially disconcerting in music targeted for the church. Often the words are quite moving when read but to try to sing them with their repetitive and monotonous string of notes is extremely difficult and unsatisfying. Sadly, most of the newer contemporary praise songs fit that description. What happened? Not too long ago some really moving contemporary songs were coming out and were welcomed by those who longed for meaningful worship. Is it possible? Can we bring those real songs back to the forefront?

Bush Turns the Other Cheek

Some things haven’t changed. George W, with a strange mixture of Texan confidence, born again Christianity, and an almost imperceptible tinge of his proper New England family background showing, gave his farewell speech last night. The man, blamed by the world for everything imaginable, reminded us that his administration had kept our country safe from terrorist attacks since 9-11. He did this without the least bit of animosity toward the legion of wild-eyed Bush haters who had hounded him by way of the mainstream media, the internet, and in person. He reminded us that there was a war between Good and Evil. And, Evil has used all its subtle and not so subtle arsenal of weapons against him for the past eight years. Yet, Bush followed the words of Jesus and turned the other cheek.

Bush was loyal to those around him and looked for the best in people. Unfortunately, many did not reciprocate or practice that virtue. Most of his family seemed a little ashamed of his unabashed, “born again,” Christianity. He sought God’s help and, for the most part, seemed to listen to His advice. However, he also listened to advice from people who did not have his best interests at heart. There were other turncoats like Scott McClellan around, and even a Brutus or two. But those who remained loyal to him did so because they saw in him a man with a heart.

Bush may or may not be treated well historically. After all, we know how often history is written or rewritten to advance a particular “cause.” I, however, remain convinced that, like George Washington, he was the right man for the job when America came under attack. I believe that God put him there for such a time as this.

Honor, Duty, Commitment, and LOVE: The Real Christmas Story

For more than 40 years, the children of Margaret (Hunt) and Griff Von Schmittou have continued a tradition begun when they would gather at their maternal grandparents’ house on Christmas Eve along with their cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. Quickly, they outgrew that little house and they began meeting in other venues and eventually changed the date to the Sunday before Christmas. We were able to attend this year and I watched as they took a photo of the seven siblings (2 sisters, 5 brothers) and thought, “It’s amazing in these times that not a single divorce has taken place among the children.” Of course, their parents and grandparents had set that particular example for them. It struck me then, that it is what children see day in and day out that teaches them far more than our words. They had honored their vows, and probably without even thinking about it, recognized their duty and the need for commitment. Of course, the very fact that this occurred revealed the love that was evidenced not so much in words as in deeds.

All of a sudden it came to me, “That is what the real Christmas story is all about.” God so loved the world that he sent his only Son to save us. Jesus Christ, honored his Father, recognized his duty, and was committed to fulfilling it—no matter the cost. Through his death, he bore and experienced the degradation of all our sins. He paid the full price and more importantly, he was victorious over death and made it possible for us to join him in his glory. As the apostle Paul taught, the greatest gift we can receive is love. He also told us what real love is: “Patient, kind, NOT envious, boastful, proud, rude, self-seeking, or easily angered. Love keeps no record of wrongs or delights in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. Love never fails.” (I Cor.13:4-8)

Chicago and Bossism--Nobody Does It Better

I don't know if the Daleys were ever officially anointed "Boss" of the state of Illinois but they have reigned in Chicago (with fingers of corruption extending to every sector of the state) for most of my lifetime and that's been awhile. Many big cities have had their king of cronies: Boss Tweed of NYC, Boss Crump of Memphis, Huey Long in New Orleans and the state of Louisiana, and Papa and Son Daley of Chicago. It seems no matter how many are sent to jail for a tiny "pimple" of their corruption, Chicago's political monolith spreads it corruption throughout the state. In case you haven't noticed, all these guys were Democrats. (Well, Long called himself a populist but he was a Democrat.)

If you weren't blinded by the hype, you probably noticed that Obama had an inordinately large campaign chest from the get-go. Like it or not, he was groomed and financed by high-ranking members of the powerful Chicago political machine.

It was hard not to laugh out loud when Jesse Jackson, Jr. denied vying for the senate job and willingly playing for the highest bidder stakes. After all, he knew how the game had always been played. His father has used that ploy for decades on corporate executives all over the country by playing the race card and shaking them down for large contributions to whatever he was pushing at the time.

You would think the citizens of Chicago would get tired of the game. But I suppose that's the only game they know. Jobs, appointments, elections, bridges, highways, buildings, officials and high stakes players in all walks of life owe their very existence to the machine.

Someone said that only one party could win in Chicago (Democrats) and the Republicans had, for all practical purposes, given up any hope and thus, the fight.

I remember it took a long time for the corruption started by Boss Crump in Tennessee to finally give up the ghost. When Governor Ray Blanton was convicted of selling prison pardons, the people of Tennessee finally had enough and elected a Republican governor (Winfield Dunn) for the first time in fifty years. This let some light shine on the political process in Tennessee and I remember it well.

There has always been corruption in politics. It's kind of like watching some fresh young talent do well in entertainment and then hoping against hope they will not fall prey to the drugs, greed and sex purveyors that flock around them. But the Daleys and the Chicago empire seem to withstand any long-lasting cleanup campaign that has been launched. I suppose too many people owe their livlihood to them.

History Forgotten = Patriotism on the Wane

Sunday, December 7, 2008 was the 67th anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day and very little mention was made of it. Perhaps that is because you must be in your 70s to have been alive when it happened. It will soon be just another forgotten or distorted piece of American History if the liberal revisionists have anything to do with it. Even now, people in our own country are trying to belittle what our country did for the rest of the free world in its role in defeating the Axis powers. Few Europeans want to admit they owe their very sovereignty to the brave fighting men of the United States. We gained no foreign soil except as graveyards for our young boys. Yet we are criticized and denigrated on a daily basis for our lack of sophistication when we display our patriotism and the liberals of this country agree with them!

Only five years old at the time, I was playing outside on a warm December Sunday. Mother had just baked some cornbread and I buttered a piece and took it outside with me as I joined my sister and brother in play. When they saw what I was eating, they too wanted some and we went back inside just in time to hear the radio blaring: “The Japs have bombed Pearl Harbor.” Yes, they said “Japs” and we didn’t think it an offensive word; it was just a short way to say Japanese. People weren’t as touchy in those days. I was only in the first grade and didn’t know where Pearl Harbor was and wasn’t really sure who the “Japs” were. But we knew something very important and frightening had happened because of how our parents reacted. Our house was on a hill and we ran down toward the road shouting “The Japs Bombed Pearl Harbor!” Just like a headline on a newspaper, we shouted to no one in particular and I don’t know if anyone heard us at all. Yet, I’ll never forget that day, December 7, 1941.

America has since been embroiled in Korea, Viet Nam, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Iraq, and other battles where American lives were lost in an attempt to protect the freedom of others. Still, the only ground we have gained is that of a burial site. I suppose we should learn our lesson and become isolationists but is it ever right to stand by and watch when we could actually help others? That hasn’t been the American Way but I’m not sure there will even be an “American Way” in the future.

Most Americans over twelve remember 9/11 but even now that memory seems to be fading in relevance and importance. If this trend continues, will America lose its courage and honor and no longer answer in kind to an act of war against us?