Liberty – Part I
I am writing this week’s column on Independence Day, aka the 4th of July. I am in Washington, D.C. with my wife and children, having traveled here in our RV to show them our nation’s capital and watch the fireworks from the National Mall tonight. Our first stop yesterday, was the most important highlight of the trip to me, a visit to the National Archives Museum. I wanted to share with my children the three most important documents in the world, “The Freedom Charters”, or the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and The Bill of Rights.
Like no other nation in history, our founding fathers saw a need to create a new form of government, one free from tyranny. Men like Thomas Paine, “Common Sense”, were opening the publics’ eyes by creating a tool for debate to separate from a Monarchy and move to Republicanism. On July 4th, 1776 fifty-six (56) men penned their signatures to this “experiment” and risked their lives to give to future generations the “Pursuit of Life, Liberty, and Happiness.” These mean, were young, idealistic, and working the land to survive and provide for their families.
Many today claim the writings and thoughts of these men are outdated and need to change with time. However, I would make another assertion; the simplicity of the singe handwritten page of the Declaration of Independence, or the four handwritten pages of the Constitution framed a government that was meant to first trust its people. As I walk around Washington, DC I now see a government that disdains its people, trusts itself, and honors itself. Our country is no longer our country, but one that belongs to a small group of elitists. This is obvious by the monuments, the size of buildings, security barriers along streets, thousands of police officers, and helicopters overflying. Ronald Reagan said, “Man is not free unless government is limited...As government expands, liberty contracts."
Since our last Independence Day our country has changed dramatically, a huge socialist move has taken place under the guise of “Change and Hope.” Throughout history leaders have offered to care for their citizens, provide for them, but ultimately those experiments of evolved to dictatorships with tyrannical consequences: Mao, Hitler, Mussolini, Castro, and Stalin for example. Walking through Washington, I am proud to be an American, but like the bumper sticker on my RV says, “I love my Country…but fear my Government.”
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Family
Life in North Georgia is very different than Volusia County. One noticeable difference is the number of foster families I have met. Fathers’s Day last week made me think, “What is family?” My version of family was the 1950’s Nelsons, Ozzie and Harriett, not my own family of Nelsons, although, my grandparents would have been similar in just about every aspect.
Today’s kids come from many different backgrounds. In the last week I met three different people, but they all share the same thing, they have given of themselves to raise other people’s kids. The first conversation was with a woman in her mid-30’s who has six children. Two of the six are biological and the other four were foster children, all adopted now. Yesterday I met a man who for the last seven months has been a foster parent to a five-year old boy and his eight-year-old sister, both born to a drug addicted woman and who will forever suffer issues tied to their start in life. Last, was a 50-year-old man whose daughter was murdered by a drunk driver two years ago; he has now adopted his grandson and is raising him. A far different vision of retirement than he expected to have. Even my own children have learned to deal with divorced parents and managing two distinct homes. They have a half-brother from my remarrying and step-siblings from their mother’s remarrying. Blended families bring issues, but yet we work through them.
Some kids are fortunate, or maybe not, to have a stable nuclear family. Others are thrust into circumstances we would not wish on anyone. We have an incredible society where unrelated people give of themselves to take care of other people’s children. We have a disgusting society where parents will choose to selfishly indulge themselves and neglect their own children. On Father’s Day I put my priority on my kids – the four people I would not trade for anything. In the following days I watched news reports with dismay as Tony Hayward of BP was criticized for taking several hours off to spend time with his son, but yet he had been discharged of his duties related to the Gulf four days earlier. Contradictorily, President Obama was given a pass to play golf, on Father’s Day, for many hours absent his children. Family is what we make of it, even under pressure we have to find time to support our children first.
Life in North Georgia is very different than Volusia County. One noticeable difference is the number of foster families I have met. Fathers’s Day last week made me think, “What is family?” My version of family was the 1950’s Nelsons, Ozzie and Harriett, not my own family of Nelsons, although, my grandparents would have been similar in just about every aspect.
Today’s kids come from many different backgrounds. In the last week I met three different people, but they all share the same thing, they have given of themselves to raise other people’s kids. The first conversation was with a woman in her mid-30’s who has six children. Two of the six are biological and the other four were foster children, all adopted now. Yesterday I met a man who for the last seven months has been a foster parent to a five-year old boy and his eight-year-old sister, both born to a drug addicted woman and who will forever suffer issues tied to their start in life. Last, was a 50-year-old man whose daughter was murdered by a drunk driver two years ago; he has now adopted his grandson and is raising him. A far different vision of retirement than he expected to have. Even my own children have learned to deal with divorced parents and managing two distinct homes. They have a half-brother from my remarrying and step-siblings from their mother’s remarrying. Blended families bring issues, but yet we work through them.
Some kids are fortunate, or maybe not, to have a stable nuclear family. Others are thrust into circumstances we would not wish on anyone. We have an incredible society where unrelated people give of themselves to take care of other people’s children. We have a disgusting society where parents will choose to selfishly indulge themselves and neglect their own children. On Father’s Day I put my priority on my kids – the four people I would not trade for anything. In the following days I watched news reports with dismay as Tony Hayward of BP was criticized for taking several hours off to spend time with his son, but yet he had been discharged of his duties related to the Gulf four days earlier. Contradictorily, President Obama was given a pass to play golf, on Father’s Day, for many hours absent his children. Family is what we make of it, even under pressure we have to find time to support our children first.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Deadbeat Dads? This is a great article taking a look at the problems in our society, Judges failing to recognize the economic problems due to men losing their jobs. Father's Day Deadbeat Dads Raids
Lame (Duck)
A Lame Duck is an elected official approaching the end of his tenure, thus making him ineffective. Recent articles in the “Wall Street Journal”, “US News and World Report”, and even Germany’s “Der Spiegel” are comparing the President to one-term President Carter. Criticism has been flowing from his staunchest supporters such as MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews. The common theme among all observers is the inability of the president to handle the problems confronting him and to stop shifting blame for his situation back to the prior administration.
Every administration in history has inherited problems; President Ford was a stop-gap president between Nixon and Carter. Throughout Carter’s presidency he used the problems of President Nixon, the energy crisis, recession, and of course Watergate, to make himself appear more presidential. The hostage taking in Tehran occurred on his watch, and ultimately became his death nail when he proved he lacked the faculties to resolve the crisis.
President George HW Bush became a one-term president after bipartisan efforts to negotiate a budget resulted in reneging on a famous campaign promise, “read my lips, no new taxes.” Regardless of his successful foreign policy efforts and management of the world stage, the American people were unforgiving and mandated change through a resounding defeat.
Similarly, President Obama offered “Hope and Change”, but has delivered on little of what he promised. After an elegant campaign two years ago we watch with dismay wishing Hillary Clinton had won the nomination instead. Among both sides there is acknowledgment that she has proven herself loyal and demonstrated leadership characteristics. Vice President Biden correctly prophesied the President would be tested, and the fury of examinations have come both domestically and internationally: Ft. Hood, The Underwear Bomber, Times Square bombing, losing the Chicago Olympics, failing to close Guantanamo, breaking Afghanistan troop withdrawal promises, economic instability, cloudy transparency, the Gulf crisis, and a cast of Czars to guide him.
The inexperienced man, with no executive experience, has missed multiple opportunities to provide “Hope and Change.” Last week was the ultimate example during the Gulf Spill speech, no solutions were offered, no Presidential analysis was given. Instead, Chicago-style political thuggery was the theme to pressure BP, ensure constituency votes were purchased, and springboard non-related legislation. We have 29 months until the next election, and I believe we have a Lame Duck president who, like President Ford, will be remembered for his golf game.
A Lame Duck is an elected official approaching the end of his tenure, thus making him ineffective. Recent articles in the “Wall Street Journal”, “US News and World Report”, and even Germany’s “Der Spiegel” are comparing the President to one-term President Carter. Criticism has been flowing from his staunchest supporters such as MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews. The common theme among all observers is the inability of the president to handle the problems confronting him and to stop shifting blame for his situation back to the prior administration.
Every administration in history has inherited problems; President Ford was a stop-gap president between Nixon and Carter. Throughout Carter’s presidency he used the problems of President Nixon, the energy crisis, recession, and of course Watergate, to make himself appear more presidential. The hostage taking in Tehran occurred on his watch, and ultimately became his death nail when he proved he lacked the faculties to resolve the crisis.
President George HW Bush became a one-term president after bipartisan efforts to negotiate a budget resulted in reneging on a famous campaign promise, “read my lips, no new taxes.” Regardless of his successful foreign policy efforts and management of the world stage, the American people were unforgiving and mandated change through a resounding defeat.
Similarly, President Obama offered “Hope and Change”, but has delivered on little of what he promised. After an elegant campaign two years ago we watch with dismay wishing Hillary Clinton had won the nomination instead. Among both sides there is acknowledgment that she has proven herself loyal and demonstrated leadership characteristics. Vice President Biden correctly prophesied the President would be tested, and the fury of examinations have come both domestically and internationally: Ft. Hood, The Underwear Bomber, Times Square bombing, losing the Chicago Olympics, failing to close Guantanamo, breaking Afghanistan troop withdrawal promises, economic instability, cloudy transparency, the Gulf crisis, and a cast of Czars to guide him.
The inexperienced man, with no executive experience, has missed multiple opportunities to provide “Hope and Change.” Last week was the ultimate example during the Gulf Spill speech, no solutions were offered, no Presidential analysis was given. Instead, Chicago-style political thuggery was the theme to pressure BP, ensure constituency votes were purchased, and springboard non-related legislation. We have 29 months until the next election, and I believe we have a Lame Duck president who, like President Ford, will be remembered for his golf game.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
My Dad
My Dad turned 71 years old on May 26th. To celebrate, my wife, son, and I took my Dad and Mom to a local restaurant for wings, something he had only once before. During dinner I interrogated my Dad; asking questions about his childhood, life on the farm, school, and enlisting in the Air Force. I joked with my Dad that I knew he had no friends growing up because he did not have a Facebook page. Through all of the conversation though it reminded me how different his life was from mine, and how different the children of today are living.
My Dad was born in a farm house, not a hospital. My Grandmother did not worry about insurance; she had my Dad anyway. Living in a wooden house on 200-acres in Scandia, Minnesota the family raised crops, milking cows, pigs, and poultry. My Dad was expected to help on the farm before and after school, he had no cell phone, no computer, and did not have television until he was 14. To get to school he walked, in the snow, nearly two miles. By comparison, his grandchildren get a ride everyday in an air-conditioned car to the doorsteps of school, watch endless hours of television, have cell phones, and have minimal chores.
My Dad has lived through 13 presidencies, from Roosevelt to Obama. He has worked a variety of jobs, had careers, and struggled with recessions. I cannot imagine the amount of money he has paid in taxes, well over a million dollars, and now he reaps the benefit of a broken Social Security and questionable Medicare system. Once he collected unemployment for a few weeks in the recession of 1981, but has given far more than he will ever receive.
My Dad never expected anyone to give something to him for nothing, and he taught me the same. He inspired me to work hard, be true to my word, and have integrity. My Dad worked hard to have bigger homes, new cars and “stuff”. My Dad does not see life as a lottery; with some people luckier than others. Sadly, our country seems to have an opposite view where government is considered the better choice over private business, subsidizing those who choose not to work so they can have “stuff”, and mocking people like my Dad for his values, integrity, and hard work.
My Dad turned 71 years old on May 26th. To celebrate, my wife, son, and I took my Dad and Mom to a local restaurant for wings, something he had only once before. During dinner I interrogated my Dad; asking questions about his childhood, life on the farm, school, and enlisting in the Air Force. I joked with my Dad that I knew he had no friends growing up because he did not have a Facebook page. Through all of the conversation though it reminded me how different his life was from mine, and how different the children of today are living.
My Dad was born in a farm house, not a hospital. My Grandmother did not worry about insurance; she had my Dad anyway. Living in a wooden house on 200-acres in Scandia, Minnesota the family raised crops, milking cows, pigs, and poultry. My Dad was expected to help on the farm before and after school, he had no cell phone, no computer, and did not have television until he was 14. To get to school he walked, in the snow, nearly two miles. By comparison, his grandchildren get a ride everyday in an air-conditioned car to the doorsteps of school, watch endless hours of television, have cell phones, and have minimal chores.
My Dad has lived through 13 presidencies, from Roosevelt to Obama. He has worked a variety of jobs, had careers, and struggled with recessions. I cannot imagine the amount of money he has paid in taxes, well over a million dollars, and now he reaps the benefit of a broken Social Security and questionable Medicare system. Once he collected unemployment for a few weeks in the recession of 1981, but has given far more than he will ever receive.
My Dad never expected anyone to give something to him for nothing, and he taught me the same. He inspired me to work hard, be true to my word, and have integrity. My Dad worked hard to have bigger homes, new cars and “stuff”. My Dad does not see life as a lottery; with some people luckier than others. Sadly, our country seems to have an opposite view where government is considered the better choice over private business, subsidizing those who choose not to work so they can have “stuff”, and mocking people like my Dad for his values, integrity, and hard work.
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