Are you confused as to where this is going or just curious? I've tried to explain some of my thought process before I rolled it into what I called The Problem. I am hoping that some of you were nodding your head instead of shaking it as you read these past 10 posts.
I am analytical. I study what I see and try to improve it in my work. I listened for the last few months of the rhetoric from The Two Sides as to what is wrong with the country and knew they didn't find the cure, they only managed to cover up the symptoms.
What?
I have used homeopathic doctors for myself and my family in the past and still believe in natural cures for much of what ails us. Apple a day kinda thing.
Sit down cuz this will be a shocker for ya. Drug therapy is a theory. And it is not a perfect theory. There are benefits but components are missing otherwise there would be that magic pill that makes you thin, cures cancer, and all the blah, blah, blah. Religious? God put it on the Earth for a reason. Non-believer? We are all connected and everything interacts.
What the .... does this have to do with the country and politics!?! Its the cure we are after not covering up what's wrong, not kicking the can. I needed you to understand that last bit before I went on. We good? Awesome. What is the cure?
VOTE SMART
When the nation was in its infancy, men chose to try to make a difference and SERVED, unpaid. They were elected to this crazy new form of government and knew they had to do their part for representation of their neighbors. Some probably served reluctantly but did so because it was needed. When their term or terms finished or possibly when the bank account ran low, they went back to their day job. The built in breaks were so they could tend the fields, mind the store, or whatever it was they did back then. It was not their source of income.
Anyone who has read the factual early history of the US knows that GW didn't want to be king. And Congress realized 170 or so years later with FDR, that they didn't want a king either and the 22nd Amendment(2 term limit) became part of the constitution of the United States.
That is so cool! The boss can stay for 8 years and he is out but me? If my name was Strom Thurman, I barely missed the chance to be involved with this amendment, vote into office in 1956 and took a paycheck til 2003. Okay, that's not true. Got paid til I died but stopped running for election in '03. More factual.
He is not alone in longevity of SERVICE for the country. Leadership is what the media calls it.
Think about this, they limited the president to 2 terms but once they got the taste of being the ruling class, they wouldn't or won't consider the same for themselves. Absolute power.
The cure, Andy! Stay focused.
It's simple. And a little complicated. Maybe not so complicated but many things have to happen in order for my crazy idea to work.
Enough already! Tell us and we can work out the details next time!
VOTE SMART
They won't give themselves term limits and we aren't represented by them anymore. So until we can get term limits into place for all elected officials, we come together as the angry mob that we will be after this next midterm and with a social contract with each other, we take our country back...
By voting out everyone who has been in office for more than 2 terms. Everyone.
The implementation will be discussed next time. Its gonna take a lot of work.
Friday, November 2, 2018
Thursday, November 1, 2018
A Little More of The Problem
Gruden is back with Oakland? Jeez, I'm out of touch with football. He did close the deal that (as much as I liked him) Dungy couldn't, at the time. Anyway...
Peter Jackson chose not to recap in the Ring Trilogy. Good thing, they were 3 hours long without it. I didn't go to the theater to watch them after the first one, that was a long time form start to finish. We trudge on as well.
Elon Musk was accused of manipulating the market by announcing his desire to take Tesla private. Big slap on the wrist and fines I think. Profiting off of first hand knowledge of something good or bad happening to a company. Almost doesn't seem right, does it?
Sorry, where was I? Yeah, seduction.
A byline, a Pulitzer in some cases. Important stories that change the world as we know it. Suddenly the company is relevant and advertising money comes pouring in. Raises are given, promotions and with all that...expectations to deliver.
One race in Arizona in this election cycle. Red gets no coverage. Blue is an ISIS supporter. Nutshell version. Red spends $700,000 on one message to say Blue loves ISIS. One race, one message. One time. 470 total races this cycle. Billions are being spent. With a B. For jobs that pay 175,000 and up. B and plural. Bs. Wait! That almost makes sense :)
The two things the money is being spent on is 1: why this candidate and 2: Broccoli. Or I should say, anti-broccoli. Remember, if it's good for us we don't need convincing. Bs are being spent on telling you why you should vote. McDonald's is giving away flu shot for free, Walmart, paying people. Definitely not broccoli. I am not getting into the flu shot or even vaccine debate here. Maybe later. But drug companies, I'll dip my toe in to check the temperature of the water. Why are legal drugs so high priced? To pay for the ads to convince you they are good for you despite the fast scrolling or talking disclaimers.
Andy! Elections, not drugs...focus.
So we have overachievers who work for companies that need to be profitable. The companies control the release and tone of everyday information. If you are outside the belief system of said company you will have to pay to get your message heard. Which will be funded by the same organizations that you stand against just to win. You haven't quite been seduce to the dark side yet but almost.
You win. Everyone celebrates. Morals bent but largely still intact. Thankful for the Bs that helped you win your 175k job. We need a favor. Nooo. Principles, can't help. Do you know who I am? (Hypothetical situation that stays on the drug theme. We could insert chemicals, oil, development, speed bumps[you really have to listen to SaltyTalkRadio sometimes to get all my jokes] or any other list of lobbying that is out there). We are not Hughie Lewis and the News, but we do have a new drug. Vote our way and buy stock in the company and we can supplement your income. Everyone does it. Take a bite of the apple. Itssssss deliccccious.
Insider trading is banned by the FTC if it directly effects personal gain in the stock market. Musk found out what happens when you talk about what might happen. But if you can keep your mouth shut and you stick around long enough you might do ok in the ruling class of the country.
Seduction. The press was seduced and they fell for the love affair. We know the love stricken ones that will do anything that is asked. Introduce me to your friend, baby.
Senator, this is my boyfriend XYZ Drug, a big fan of yours.
I hope I have wrapped up what I feel are some of the basic problems with our system today. There are so many more and I welcome any comments on this blog or anywhere I post it. I welcome any discussions. My next post will outline my idea, my solution to our current situation. I think as the election draws to its conclusion that there will be an opportunity for people to accept a different direction as a group. A willingness to put outrage aside to work together for a common goal of change. My solution to what we face is maybe the only analytical outcome that avoids violence, one that both sides seem to be predicting is inevitable.
My parting words for tonight (the premise and closing line completely stolen from SaltyTalkRadio and RasRadio, hope they don't mind)
We have taken, what has started out as something good and honorable, and destroyed it with complacency, corruption, and conspiracy. We allowed this to happen under our very noses. We voted harder for a class to rule over us. We voted harder for our rights to be stripped away. We voted harder for division from our fellow man. We voted harder but we never voted smarter. And that my friends, is the simple power of truth.
Peter Jackson chose not to recap in the Ring Trilogy. Good thing, they were 3 hours long without it. I didn't go to the theater to watch them after the first one, that was a long time form start to finish. We trudge on as well.
Elon Musk was accused of manipulating the market by announcing his desire to take Tesla private. Big slap on the wrist and fines I think. Profiting off of first hand knowledge of something good or bad happening to a company. Almost doesn't seem right, does it?
Sorry, where was I? Yeah, seduction.
A byline, a Pulitzer in some cases. Important stories that change the world as we know it. Suddenly the company is relevant and advertising money comes pouring in. Raises are given, promotions and with all that...expectations to deliver.
One race in Arizona in this election cycle. Red gets no coverage. Blue is an ISIS supporter. Nutshell version. Red spends $700,000 on one message to say Blue loves ISIS. One race, one message. One time. 470 total races this cycle. Billions are being spent. With a B. For jobs that pay 175,000 and up. B and plural. Bs. Wait! That almost makes sense :)
The two things the money is being spent on is 1: why this candidate and 2: Broccoli. Or I should say, anti-broccoli. Remember, if it's good for us we don't need convincing. Bs are being spent on telling you why you should vote. McDonald's is giving away flu shot for free, Walmart, paying people. Definitely not broccoli. I am not getting into the flu shot or even vaccine debate here. Maybe later. But drug companies, I'll dip my toe in to check the temperature of the water. Why are legal drugs so high priced? To pay for the ads to convince you they are good for you despite the fast scrolling or talking disclaimers.
Andy! Elections, not drugs...focus.
So we have overachievers who work for companies that need to be profitable. The companies control the release and tone of everyday information. If you are outside the belief system of said company you will have to pay to get your message heard. Which will be funded by the same organizations that you stand against just to win. You haven't quite been seduce to the dark side yet but almost.
You win. Everyone celebrates. Morals bent but largely still intact. Thankful for the Bs that helped you win your 175k job. We need a favor. Nooo. Principles, can't help. Do you know who I am? (Hypothetical situation that stays on the drug theme. We could insert chemicals, oil, development, speed bumps[you really have to listen to SaltyTalkRadio sometimes to get all my jokes] or any other list of lobbying that is out there). We are not Hughie Lewis and the News, but we do have a new drug. Vote our way and buy stock in the company and we can supplement your income. Everyone does it. Take a bite of the apple. Itssssss deliccccious.
Insider trading is banned by the FTC if it directly effects personal gain in the stock market. Musk found out what happens when you talk about what might happen. But if you can keep your mouth shut and you stick around long enough you might do ok in the ruling class of the country.
Seduction. The press was seduced and they fell for the love affair. We know the love stricken ones that will do anything that is asked. Introduce me to your friend, baby.
Senator, this is my boyfriend XYZ Drug, a big fan of yours.
I hope I have wrapped up what I feel are some of the basic problems with our system today. There are so many more and I welcome any comments on this blog or anywhere I post it. I welcome any discussions. My next post will outline my idea, my solution to our current situation. I think as the election draws to its conclusion that there will be an opportunity for people to accept a different direction as a group. A willingness to put outrage aside to work together for a common goal of change. My solution to what we face is maybe the only analytical outcome that avoids violence, one that both sides seem to be predicting is inevitable.
My parting words for tonight (the premise and closing line completely stolen from SaltyTalkRadio and RasRadio, hope they don't mind)
We have taken, what has started out as something good and honorable, and destroyed it with complacency, corruption, and conspiracy. We allowed this to happen under our very noses. We voted harder for a class to rule over us. We voted harder for our rights to be stripped away. We voted harder for division from our fellow man. We voted harder but we never voted smarter. And that my friends, is the simple power of truth.
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
The Problem
As I see it, anyway
I have tried to outline in vaguely in this blog but we are a week away from the midterm elections and it's time to get to the point. You have to understand that there is nothing we can do now to change much of what is about to happen. My plan, idea will only work after next week and will be outlined in its entirety on the next post but today it is time to share the problem.
There is not one single problem with American politics today there are so many problems that I doubt I can list all of them...and THAT is the problem.
I'm in my late 50s and so much has changed in my lifetime with technology, the economy, what is or isn't socially acceptable to name a few. It is a different world and different country since the time I was born. Hopefully you, as the reader, can accept this truth. It will go a lot easier if you give me that one point.
One of the titles was Royal Flush and spoke of kingdoms, monarchies. Why this title? We are living in one. I know, constitutional republic, nope. Not now. Not today. Not when you give it a little thought. In a kingdom, there is a ruling class. A class that dictates law to the citizens with little concern for them because they view them as their subjects, their children. But are we little mindless kids that want mom and dad to make all the decisions for us without our consent? We do because they no longer represent us. It is all for their best interests. Their pocketbooks. But that doesn't make them a ruling class, you say. Look at who our parents are! A generation of Kennedys, the Bush family, the recent rise in the Slitherin House, the Clintons. All in my head!?! Do you realize that a few have been parenting(lording)over us for almost my entire lifetime? Andy, do your chores, help the family out and be a good boy. Ruling class. Parental oversight. Worse, we have allowed it for 2 generations that I know of.
I will never be a supreme court justice post only backs up this claim. Huh? I don't have the power and money to make any of my mistakes go away. Who would have ever thought that we would have 2 presidents openly admit to smoking pot? Not that I have an issue with pot but according to the law of the land its illegal. Yes, I did too when I was younger but i can't sweep it under the rug. It would come out and be used against me as would other aspects of my life. But when you are groomed for the "job" or like Martin Sheen's character in "the Dead Zone", bully, claw and even murder (if its necessary) your way into the Ministry of Magic then there is no touching you. Who is untouchable in our world today? Royalty. Diana is dead and even the Queen herself has been charged with guilt in the disappearance of children back in the 70s. Crickets. I did do research, so feel free to look up these things.
That's England!, you cry. Its here too. Juanita Broderick and Chappaquiddick come to mind quickly. I'm sure if we sat down At The Kitchen Table and talked, we would agree on many more examples that didn't just focus on the Blue Blood of one house. A constitutional republic is just a monarchy without a specific ruler, similar to Rome but without Caesars. But something happened on the way to the polling stations. We got complacent.
How did that happen? Life. We got too busy making a living a decided we didn't have time for life. You will argue that has always been the case and you would not necessarily be wrong. But things have changed over the last 50 years.
I am trying to get this all down on paper before or just after the elections and it is not my intention to write a complete book in a week, so the things I will skip are the failings of the education system both public and private, healthcare(no matter how huge a roll it has in the storyline), or our military presence around the world with over (Mark Salter from SaltyTalkRadio.com as my fact checker) 800 based worldwide for our Empire. I tried to add a few more to the no time to discuss list but sorry, it will get touched upon.
I have decided that the solution will have to wait a bit longer than the next blog because I see this will be 2 parts of i am still alive and/or able to post again. As a last will and testament, being of questionable mind for writing this and surviving the attempted homicide through misdiagnosis, I leave everything to my wife, Svetlana. Hopefully they won't bother her but Alex is next in line. The other 2 I won't mention there names but in the event of all of us ceasing to exist at the same time, my friends know who they are. Dramatic? Over the top? Maybe, maybe not. Time will tell.
More of the problem...
I heard it discussed recently that in my lifetime, the president was untouchable to the degree that as long as he didn't break the law, not the moral law, but the law of the land, that he should not be drug down. This was the 60s. And a different time. News was straight forward. A story was read with no opinion. Then came Watergate. Illegal activity. Pulitzer prizes, movie deals, wow! Cool stuff! How do I take down a president? By reporting. Not reading the news but going out and finding a story. It's that easy? Yes, son, it is. And the cool thing is, if the story ends up having no teeth, no bite to it we can do a few things to get more recognition anyway. How, dear mentor, can we do that? Why it's simple! If you want to do a story on the unsafe design of a pickup truck and how it can explode on impact, to be sure it does, overfill the tank(start a small fire where no one can see it) and barrel a big vehicle into to it. We can call this news and our ratings will be high!
Even though it's only reporting AND it violates the code of reporting it's not news. Drama, yes. And this type of behavior lead to reality TV which didn't have anything to do with reality. What was my point? The seduction of the press for the sake of accolades but not for truth. They found that their hatred was an easy path down the dark side of the force. Seduced they were. Powerful it is. Lost they are.
Part 2 of "The Problem" will not take as long as the 7th installment for Star Wars.
I have tried to outline in vaguely in this blog but we are a week away from the midterm elections and it's time to get to the point. You have to understand that there is nothing we can do now to change much of what is about to happen. My plan, idea will only work after next week and will be outlined in its entirety on the next post but today it is time to share the problem.
There is not one single problem with American politics today there are so many problems that I doubt I can list all of them...and THAT is the problem.
I'm in my late 50s and so much has changed in my lifetime with technology, the economy, what is or isn't socially acceptable to name a few. It is a different world and different country since the time I was born. Hopefully you, as the reader, can accept this truth. It will go a lot easier if you give me that one point.
One of the titles was Royal Flush and spoke of kingdoms, monarchies. Why this title? We are living in one. I know, constitutional republic, nope. Not now. Not today. Not when you give it a little thought. In a kingdom, there is a ruling class. A class that dictates law to the citizens with little concern for them because they view them as their subjects, their children. But are we little mindless kids that want mom and dad to make all the decisions for us without our consent? We do because they no longer represent us. It is all for their best interests. Their pocketbooks. But that doesn't make them a ruling class, you say. Look at who our parents are! A generation of Kennedys, the Bush family, the recent rise in the Slitherin House, the Clintons. All in my head!?! Do you realize that a few have been parenting(lording)over us for almost my entire lifetime? Andy, do your chores, help the family out and be a good boy. Ruling class. Parental oversight. Worse, we have allowed it for 2 generations that I know of.
I will never be a supreme court justice post only backs up this claim. Huh? I don't have the power and money to make any of my mistakes go away. Who would have ever thought that we would have 2 presidents openly admit to smoking pot? Not that I have an issue with pot but according to the law of the land its illegal. Yes, I did too when I was younger but i can't sweep it under the rug. It would come out and be used against me as would other aspects of my life. But when you are groomed for the "job" or like Martin Sheen's character in "the Dead Zone", bully, claw and even murder (if its necessary) your way into the Ministry of Magic then there is no touching you. Who is untouchable in our world today? Royalty. Diana is dead and even the Queen herself has been charged with guilt in the disappearance of children back in the 70s. Crickets. I did do research, so feel free to look up these things.
That's England!, you cry. Its here too. Juanita Broderick and Chappaquiddick come to mind quickly. I'm sure if we sat down At The Kitchen Table and talked, we would agree on many more examples that didn't just focus on the Blue Blood of one house. A constitutional republic is just a monarchy without a specific ruler, similar to Rome but without Caesars. But something happened on the way to the polling stations. We got complacent.
How did that happen? Life. We got too busy making a living a decided we didn't have time for life. You will argue that has always been the case and you would not necessarily be wrong. But things have changed over the last 50 years.
I am trying to get this all down on paper before or just after the elections and it is not my intention to write a complete book in a week, so the things I will skip are the failings of the education system both public and private, healthcare(no matter how huge a roll it has in the storyline), or our military presence around the world with over (Mark Salter from SaltyTalkRadio.com as my fact checker) 800 based worldwide for our Empire. I tried to add a few more to the no time to discuss list but sorry, it will get touched upon.
I have decided that the solution will have to wait a bit longer than the next blog because I see this will be 2 parts of i am still alive and/or able to post again. As a last will and testament, being of questionable mind for writing this and surviving the attempted homicide through misdiagnosis, I leave everything to my wife, Svetlana. Hopefully they won't bother her but Alex is next in line. The other 2 I won't mention there names but in the event of all of us ceasing to exist at the same time, my friends know who they are. Dramatic? Over the top? Maybe, maybe not. Time will tell.
More of the problem...
I heard it discussed recently that in my lifetime, the president was untouchable to the degree that as long as he didn't break the law, not the moral law, but the law of the land, that he should not be drug down. This was the 60s. And a different time. News was straight forward. A story was read with no opinion. Then came Watergate. Illegal activity. Pulitzer prizes, movie deals, wow! Cool stuff! How do I take down a president? By reporting. Not reading the news but going out and finding a story. It's that easy? Yes, son, it is. And the cool thing is, if the story ends up having no teeth, no bite to it we can do a few things to get more recognition anyway. How, dear mentor, can we do that? Why it's simple! If you want to do a story on the unsafe design of a pickup truck and how it can explode on impact, to be sure it does, overfill the tank(start a small fire where no one can see it) and barrel a big vehicle into to it. We can call this news and our ratings will be high!
Even though it's only reporting AND it violates the code of reporting it's not news. Drama, yes. And this type of behavior lead to reality TV which didn't have anything to do with reality. What was my point? The seduction of the press for the sake of accolades but not for truth. They found that their hatred was an easy path down the dark side of the force. Seduced they were. Powerful it is. Lost they are.
Part 2 of "The Problem" will not take as long as the 7th installment for Star Wars.
Friday, October 26, 2018
The Eternal Sea
11 days. I thought 2016 was an important election but this one is shaping up to be a defining moment for this country and it's only 11 days away.
My crazy, well thought out, possibly game changing idea is not about this election, never was. The outrage and unrest that could come from it will hopefully be a springboard for what I have in mind. As we have learned from some of my posts, timing is everything in a political climate. Still not ready to spill the beans just yet but I do need to finish some of the background of the story in the next 11 days.
The Eternal Sea
According to bible scholars, this is the world of politics. I am no expert in the bible nor in politics. That said, I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express a few times, so there's that.
Over the past few years, I have done many talk radio shows with a good friend on SaltyTalkRadio. Mark has expanded my knowledge, not from my pizza consumption (a signature of the show "pizza is knowledge ") but from the exploration into ideology. Our back and forth and open mindedness allows for good conversation and the presentation of different ideas. It is safe to say that our friendship has helped me grow as a person and our endless hours of talking has improved my critical thinking skills. Not sucking up, just stating facts.
Bible. Eternal Sea. The first time I heard this phrase, actually read this phrase, was in the book "The Omen". Read it before the movie came out. Actually, many books that I read lead me to opening the bible. Business and the principles of business are outlined in the bible. Quotes in PMA books nearly forced me into reading it. I managed to finish twice. And because the Book of Revelations seemed to hold some foreshadowing of what was to come, "The Left Behind" series was devoured as well. (Read 8 of the books in a month.)
Holiday Inn Express, remember? I've read a couple books, quickly and have 3 hour long conversations with an intelligent friend, ate pizza and now an expert in the world of politics!
Eternal Sea. Endless, perpetual, timeless. How are these things possible without "ever changing"? The water that rolls up the beach with one wave, is not the same water that crashes on the sand the next time. Maybe some but not all. And after a few waves, it's all new. Constantly moving, shifting and changing that, to me, is the Eternal Sea.
And not a swamp.
My crazy, well thought out, possibly game changing idea is not about this election, never was. The outrage and unrest that could come from it will hopefully be a springboard for what I have in mind. As we have learned from some of my posts, timing is everything in a political climate. Still not ready to spill the beans just yet but I do need to finish some of the background of the story in the next 11 days.
The Eternal Sea
According to bible scholars, this is the world of politics. I am no expert in the bible nor in politics. That said, I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express a few times, so there's that.
Over the past few years, I have done many talk radio shows with a good friend on SaltyTalkRadio. Mark has expanded my knowledge, not from my pizza consumption (a signature of the show "pizza is knowledge ") but from the exploration into ideology. Our back and forth and open mindedness allows for good conversation and the presentation of different ideas. It is safe to say that our friendship has helped me grow as a person and our endless hours of talking has improved my critical thinking skills. Not sucking up, just stating facts.
Bible. Eternal Sea. The first time I heard this phrase, actually read this phrase, was in the book "The Omen". Read it before the movie came out. Actually, many books that I read lead me to opening the bible. Business and the principles of business are outlined in the bible. Quotes in PMA books nearly forced me into reading it. I managed to finish twice. And because the Book of Revelations seemed to hold some foreshadowing of what was to come, "The Left Behind" series was devoured as well. (Read 8 of the books in a month.)
Holiday Inn Express, remember? I've read a couple books, quickly and have 3 hour long conversations with an intelligent friend, ate pizza and now an expert in the world of politics!
Eternal Sea. Endless, perpetual, timeless. How are these things possible without "ever changing"? The water that rolls up the beach with one wave, is not the same water that crashes on the sand the next time. Maybe some but not all. And after a few waves, it's all new. Constantly moving, shifting and changing that, to me, is the Eternal Sea.
And not a swamp.
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Guilty as Charged
Mike G played on the church softball team with me. His brother Steve did too. It was a fun game to play with friends. Fellowship with like minded individuals and recap the games on Sunday. Good times.
Until I had to use Mike in a professional capacity. Marriage counseling. Not cool, not so fun and if I remember correctly, the end of my nearly professional career as a church league softball player.
Things were not amazing at home. Life was difficult in the relationship department and I knew Mike was in the business and I liked and respected him. So I paid him for a few visits and explored my inner workings.
I think it was the 3rd and final visit that got to the root of the problem and after that, I didn't return to his office or the team or even the church for some time.
A little of topic...Gary Smalley is a very successful Christian Family counselor and in his studies, successful families have one thing in common, camping.
We didn't camp and I usually have a current point to make as I tell a story, regardless of whether I tell the story good or bad.
During my last session with Mike , I used the word deserve. I don't remember the sentence but it was his sudden increase in writing that made me realize it might be important. The second time I said it, ten minutes later, after a flurry of scribbling and a "hmmmm" I knew I found out something important. Well, it wasn't until he said "you used that word twice".
I knew then that I was guilty of something that kept me from finding peace and happiness in my life, at least on a subconscious level. What was it that I needed to deserve happiness? To deserve tranquility in my life?
In retrospect it is easy to answer this...I needed to not feel guilty for being me. For being born in a country that allows me certain qualities of life that others don't have.
I have learned over the years that even though I have had a few extra opportunities because of education, skin color, country of birth, or any other non-politically correct situation that I should not question whether I deserve something or not. I have scratched and clawed my way through life, the same as others. I've been homeless and penniless and still fought through it all. I have not felt the discrimination that some skin colors have but I never felt privileged either. But to look south of the border, at the invasion that may soon try to cross our border, and try to justify it by saying we are more privileged than they were and we don't deserve the lives we have, this thought process should find you on Mike G's couch.
Just because we have made a life for ourselves through any and every obstacle we've encountered does not mean for one second that everyone will have our live because they have not earned it.
No regrets for who I am and what I've done with my life? Yes, i am guilty as charged
Until I had to use Mike in a professional capacity. Marriage counseling. Not cool, not so fun and if I remember correctly, the end of my nearly professional career as a church league softball player.
Things were not amazing at home. Life was difficult in the relationship department and I knew Mike was in the business and I liked and respected him. So I paid him for a few visits and explored my inner workings.
I think it was the 3rd and final visit that got to the root of the problem and after that, I didn't return to his office or the team or even the church for some time.
A little of topic...Gary Smalley is a very successful Christian Family counselor and in his studies, successful families have one thing in common, camping.
We didn't camp and I usually have a current point to make as I tell a story, regardless of whether I tell the story good or bad.
During my last session with Mike , I used the word deserve. I don't remember the sentence but it was his sudden increase in writing that made me realize it might be important. The second time I said it, ten minutes later, after a flurry of scribbling and a "hmmmm" I knew I found out something important. Well, it wasn't until he said "you used that word twice".
I knew then that I was guilty of something that kept me from finding peace and happiness in my life, at least on a subconscious level. What was it that I needed to deserve happiness? To deserve tranquility in my life?
In retrospect it is easy to answer this...I needed to not feel guilty for being me. For being born in a country that allows me certain qualities of life that others don't have.
I have learned over the years that even though I have had a few extra opportunities because of education, skin color, country of birth, or any other non-politically correct situation that I should not question whether I deserve something or not. I have scratched and clawed my way through life, the same as others. I've been homeless and penniless and still fought through it all. I have not felt the discrimination that some skin colors have but I never felt privileged either. But to look south of the border, at the invasion that may soon try to cross our border, and try to justify it by saying we are more privileged than they were and we don't deserve the lives we have, this thought process should find you on Mike G's couch.
Just because we have made a life for ourselves through any and every obstacle we've encountered does not mean for one second that everyone will have our live because they have not earned it.
No regrets for who I am and what I've done with my life? Yes, i am guilty as charged
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Broccoli
No. It won't be Dana Carvey singing an amazing tune about a veggie that HW loves to hate. Not even close. This is about advertising. And in the political season we are in with 2 weeks remaining before a blue or red tsunami sweeps across our nation, it seemed like a great time to talk about broccoli.
When was the last time you saw an ad for it? Or for cabbage, beets, onions, or garlic? We know they're good for us, balanced diet and all and the growers of these products don't seem to ever advertise. But...
Beef, it's what's for dinner. Pork, the other white meat and all of the other ads that we've seen over the last 20 years trying to get you to choose the meat that is best. Ads. Choices. Manipulation to earn your dollars and your attention.
Trump has raised $100 million for his re-election bid already. (BTW, I didn't match any numbers on the mega millions). Special interest groups have matched and exceeded that for the mid-term elections that are about to, in my opinion, divide the country forever. Why? Because voting is not broccoli. It's not good for you, not the way we participate currently, anyway.
(Not even one fricking number! Sorry, lottery complaints)
Vote harder! That is one of the memes we see and understand the ridiculous notion of going out and doing something that "they" convince us to do to try to make a difference in our lives. It's only so we feel better about the purchase we made that we can feel better. The one vote that was ours to spend, based on the advertising we listened to could've changed everything we know. Why didn't it?
Because it isn't good for you, it only makes you feel good to do. It's not broccoli.
In the beginning of this series, I spoke about change, about an idea. Next Tuesday, I will start to tie up some of the loose ends so we can move forward as a nation. As you see the advertising to vote early, vote for this candidate, or vote often, remember it is not about voting harder but it will be about voting smarter. Vote for broccoli.
When was the last time you saw an ad for it? Or for cabbage, beets, onions, or garlic? We know they're good for us, balanced diet and all and the growers of these products don't seem to ever advertise. But...
Beef, it's what's for dinner. Pork, the other white meat and all of the other ads that we've seen over the last 20 years trying to get you to choose the meat that is best. Ads. Choices. Manipulation to earn your dollars and your attention.
Trump has raised $100 million for his re-election bid already. (BTW, I didn't match any numbers on the mega millions). Special interest groups have matched and exceeded that for the mid-term elections that are about to, in my opinion, divide the country forever. Why? Because voting is not broccoli. It's not good for you, not the way we participate currently, anyway.
(Not even one fricking number! Sorry, lottery complaints)
Vote harder! That is one of the memes we see and understand the ridiculous notion of going out and doing something that "they" convince us to do to try to make a difference in our lives. It's only so we feel better about the purchase we made that we can feel better. The one vote that was ours to spend, based on the advertising we listened to could've changed everything we know. Why didn't it?
Because it isn't good for you, it only makes you feel good to do. It's not broccoli.
In the beginning of this series, I spoke about change, about an idea. Next Tuesday, I will start to tie up some of the loose ends so we can move forward as a nation. As you see the advertising to vote early, vote for this candidate, or vote often, remember it is not about voting harder but it will be about voting smarter. Vote for broccoli.
Sunday, October 7, 2018
Royal Flush
I asked a few people I respect if a constitutional republic is a monarchy without a crown. There was no clear consensus only that it was an interesting perspective. So I did a little research. I won't answer the question but I will share some thoughts about royalty and let you draw your own conclusions.
Ruling families started when tribal wars began. The strongest warrior leading his close neighbors into war with next next town over. Why? Food, seeds, didn't like they way they looked or spoke, no good dating sites yet, or maybe oil. Whatever the reason, there was a victor and he claimed the land as his. Because of his strength and bravery he was appointed leader. And general passed on the leadership to next of kin. And blah, blah, blah because you know how the basic work out.
This takes us to Rome. Roman kings we know as Caesars and to wrap up what happened quickly and not draw the ire of many readers, the ruling of the people was turned over to the Senate, at least that what Marcus Aurelius wanted as told to us by Maximus. (I did do more research than watching Gladiator and Game of Thrones.) A model was formed for some of the future monarchies around this time, no matter where I got the information.
There are 26 current kingdoms around the world ruling 43 countries. The most interesting, the Vatican. I'll say it slower if you read to quickly. T h e V a t I c a n. Calm down, its kingdom only as large as the walls that surround Vatican City. But a far reaching kingdom just the same. No, each church is not a consulate and protected by diplomatic immunity, although we have treated it that way until recently. But I am getting sidetracked.
The best known is the United Kingdom. The role of Queen is largely ceremonial and the House of Windsor has been in place only since 1917. Ruling royals battled for control since the late 900s with new "Houses" taking control every so often.
Now somewhere along the line, subjects got tired of the ruling family, even though they did have some representation set up. Still came down to what the king said would be law of the land.
How they modeled the constitution is not up to me to decide. It does have some of the basic characteristics of a monarchy without the royalty, in my opinion. Fortunately for us, the founders may have had some altruistic ideas on how things should work. Serve for free and for the good of the people and nation would be a cornerstone, again, in my opinion.
Every revolution that modern day history has recorded with some degree of accuracy has always ended the same way. A lower class gets an idea and wants to take from the ruling class what they have and the criminals with the biggest cahonas usually become the next leaders. What I believe the constitution did was to create a vacuum of power. Sitting there for someone to take. The patriots of our nation did all they could to anticipate the greed of man but nature finds a way.
Confused? So what happens is that there is enough leeway in the original documents that some of the rules can be changed, a little. Orwell is still most famous for his predictions in 1984 but his most memorable book was not the futuristic writings but that of the past...Animal Farm.
In the vacuum, the opportunity was created to have a new ruling class and public went along with it by voting for the new leaders. We believed that they would represent us an what the majority of each district actually wanted. We now know, as the confirmation hearings are wrapped up, that they represent us at all.
I know it's crazy to think it but let's fly over North Dakota right now. Elected senator Heidi Heitkamp knew that 2/3rds of her state wanted her to vote yes for Kavanaugh. But her proud motherhood would not allow her to give her kids what they demanded, lest she spoil them on her way out.
That was a quick and easy one to point out. She made her deal to be taken care of after she loses the election and now has created a new blood line for the party.
I want to include a couple links, which I don't normally do, to help you understand where we are and how we got here. If you're going to play along with me, this was all needed to set up the plan for change.
Remember, the House of Windsor is only 100 years old, as you scroll through our own ruling classes in the good old US of A.
https://www.npr.org/2013/07/18/203289915/the-united-states-of-dynasty-boom-times-for-political-families
https://ballotpedia.org/List_of_current_members_of_the_U.S._Congress
There was a time that serving your country was honorable because it was done for the betterment of the nation. Unfortunately, those days are behind us and the fault lies squarely on the shoulders of the people. We have some work to do to take our country back, both sides of the aisle. I believe we can do this together without the hatred and infighting. Together we can grab the handle of the toilet that makes up our country's politics and give it a royal flush.
Ruling families started when tribal wars began. The strongest warrior leading his close neighbors into war with next next town over. Why? Food, seeds, didn't like they way they looked or spoke, no good dating sites yet, or maybe oil. Whatever the reason, there was a victor and he claimed the land as his. Because of his strength and bravery he was appointed leader. And general passed on the leadership to next of kin. And blah, blah, blah because you know how the basic work out.
This takes us to Rome. Roman kings we know as Caesars and to wrap up what happened quickly and not draw the ire of many readers, the ruling of the people was turned over to the Senate, at least that what Marcus Aurelius wanted as told to us by Maximus. (I did do more research than watching Gladiator and Game of Thrones.) A model was formed for some of the future monarchies around this time, no matter where I got the information.
There are 26 current kingdoms around the world ruling 43 countries. The most interesting, the Vatican. I'll say it slower if you read to quickly. T h e V a t I c a n. Calm down, its kingdom only as large as the walls that surround Vatican City. But a far reaching kingdom just the same. No, each church is not a consulate and protected by diplomatic immunity, although we have treated it that way until recently. But I am getting sidetracked.
The best known is the United Kingdom. The role of Queen is largely ceremonial and the House of Windsor has been in place only since 1917. Ruling royals battled for control since the late 900s with new "Houses" taking control every so often.
Now somewhere along the line, subjects got tired of the ruling family, even though they did have some representation set up. Still came down to what the king said would be law of the land.
How they modeled the constitution is not up to me to decide. It does have some of the basic characteristics of a monarchy without the royalty, in my opinion. Fortunately for us, the founders may have had some altruistic ideas on how things should work. Serve for free and for the good of the people and nation would be a cornerstone, again, in my opinion.
Every revolution that modern day history has recorded with some degree of accuracy has always ended the same way. A lower class gets an idea and wants to take from the ruling class what they have and the criminals with the biggest cahonas usually become the next leaders. What I believe the constitution did was to create a vacuum of power. Sitting there for someone to take. The patriots of our nation did all they could to anticipate the greed of man but nature finds a way.
Confused? So what happens is that there is enough leeway in the original documents that some of the rules can be changed, a little. Orwell is still most famous for his predictions in 1984 but his most memorable book was not the futuristic writings but that of the past...Animal Farm.
In the vacuum, the opportunity was created to have a new ruling class and public went along with it by voting for the new leaders. We believed that they would represent us an what the majority of each district actually wanted. We now know, as the confirmation hearings are wrapped up, that they represent us at all.
I know it's crazy to think it but let's fly over North Dakota right now. Elected senator Heidi Heitkamp knew that 2/3rds of her state wanted her to vote yes for Kavanaugh. But her proud motherhood would not allow her to give her kids what they demanded, lest she spoil them on her way out.
That was a quick and easy one to point out. She made her deal to be taken care of after she loses the election and now has created a new blood line for the party.
I want to include a couple links, which I don't normally do, to help you understand where we are and how we got here. If you're going to play along with me, this was all needed to set up the plan for change.
Remember, the House of Windsor is only 100 years old, as you scroll through our own ruling classes in the good old US of A.
https://www.npr.org/2013/07/18/203289915/the-united-states-of-dynasty-boom-times-for-political-families
https://ballotpedia.org/List_of_current_members_of_the_U.S._Congress
There was a time that serving your country was honorable because it was done for the betterment of the nation. Unfortunately, those days are behind us and the fault lies squarely on the shoulders of the people. We have some work to do to take our country back, both sides of the aisle. I believe we can do this together without the hatred and infighting. Together we can grab the handle of the toilet that makes up our country's politics and give it a royal flush.
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