Year End Thoughts -- New Year's Hopes

As the year comes to a close, I am taking a look back in review and a look forward into the future.  We all do this in some way or another.  TV stations do it with "Year in Review" footage, "Best Stories of 2011" etc.. So, we as people take a look at what is happening in our own lives, around us and try to see good things in the future.

For many, 2011 was a year of trials and tribulations.  Things like, lost jobs, lower housing values, and rising prices has taken them from teetering on the brink to staring at the abyss.  It is those people that I  truly wish the best for.  For me, God has seen to it that I have enough to keep my family going.  I am thankful for that.

I am in transition though... This year, I chose not to run for re-election for the city council.  I am a term limits believer.  Even though my position is not limited and many before me stayed on for up to two decades, I chose to leave on my terms.  It is important that others lead as well.  A change in voices allows for a more diverse input on the affairs of government.  I will say that I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience, those that work for the city are very good servants and I will miss them the most.  Closing out this chapter of my life also means for the first time in over 20 years, I am not involved in serving people, either in my church or in the public.  It is satisfying knowing that I made a difference, but a bit sad watching it come to a close.

I attended a funeral for a man, who once was my employer.  A very good man with good intentions.  His life was cut short by prostrate cancer.  He gave many their first opportunity to grow into a career and was a force to be reckoned with in his business area.

2011 was more than changing for just me, it was a period in our nation's history that has seen worldwide financial crisis, rising oil prices, political unrest in many part of the Arab world, Tea Parties, Occupy movements and more.  Economic unrest seems to breed political unrest and unfortunately it brings crime as well.  It appears that trickle down works in reverse as well.

As uncertain 2011 has been, 2012 shows great promise.   On the national scene the United States has a huge election.  All of the House of representatives a third of the Senate and the President will all be elected.  As Bill Clinton once said, "It's the Economy Stupid!"  I hope that all of those running keep that in mind.  It is important to live within our economic means both in our own homes and in our government.  Unfortunately, this will hurt many of those who depend on government for their means.  But without these changes, our government will collapse and then no one can be helped.

On a personal note, my son will be off to college in 2012.  I am gratified to see him grow into a responsible man.  He will be the type of man that many will want to work with and be around. 

I will try to find a way to impact my community or my church in 2012.  But for now, I will enjoy the freedom of just the yoke of work and family and not the yoke of service.  Rest and recharge is always important part of they cycle.

On the business side of things, our company made our goals in 2011 and are set to make 2012 a record breaker.  A very impressive feat in this economic climate. There will be some new products and services that we will have available to us that will help us make our numbers again.

The election will set the tone for our economic plans for the next few years.  It will be an election of basic economic philosophies.  Either limited government with more power to the people or a more socialistic government with government running most things.  What ever your choice, it will be important to vote this time around.

There you have it.. a solid 2011 and a hopeful 2012.  It is my sincerest wish that all of you who read this have a hopeful 2012 as well.

Inner Peace in a World Full of Woes

This episode of "Large and Small of it All" focuses on how the smallest of things can bring us the largest of joys. 

This is the holiday season, for some it is a chance to see loved ones that they have not seen for a long time.  For others it is a chance to get a well deserved break from work and get a little family time.  For others still, it is the time of year when their business is either make or break.  The only thing they have in common is that the whole reason for this is the birth of Jesus Christ.

This season is a gentle reminder that we all need to be a litter nicer, smile a little more, think of our fellow man a little more.  We like to think of ourselves as compassionate people and this time of year just brings our focus back to that.

I have come to a conclusion that no matter what the world shoves in my direction, as long as I have faith and show love to others, then it will be okay.  I think the birth of Jesus was to remind us that we are too wrapped up in the things of this world and forget who is really in charge.

The key for me is that inner peace comes from faith and a realization that I am not in charge.  The world spends a lot of time telling us that we are all victims.  Victims of our parents, victims of our bosses, victims of our government, victims of our spouses, and finally victims of ourselves.  There are really no victims, only a feeling of helplessness.  That feeling is supposed to be there.  It is supposed to remind us that God is in charge and that as long as we follow Him with faith, then we will be okay.

I guess we all need to find that "inner peace"  and show it to the world.  This season makes it a little easier.  I am asking that we all find a way to make that feeling last all year round.   Easy ways to do that, is random acts of kindness.  Pay for a stranger's coffee every so often. Hold a door for someone.  Smile and offer help when someone is struggling to put their groceries in their car with 4 kids hanging on them.  Put a cart away for someone while putting yours in the cart corral at the local store.  In other words, just try to love everyone just a little bit, even if you know them or not.  If we all do that, then hopefully they will pay it forward. 

The end game would be just a kinder gentler world.  I know that there is much going on that I cannot control, I just need to try and make the space that I live in a little nicer for all those that share it.

Take some time in the next couple of weeks to thank God for what you have and make a conscious effort to pay it forward.

The Reason for the Seasons - Why to Give Thanks

I have had some time to reflect on life, liberty, and what makes us compassionate caring people.   As much as many would have us believe that religion has no place in our society, it is those core values that have created the opportunities we enjoy today.

In this edit of "The Large and Small of it All", I will try to explain how my small town upbringing has been part of the fabric of  the country as a whole, and the result is the large results we enjoy.

As many of you know, I was raised in a small town in NE Indiana.  It was a town of only a few hundred but there were 7 churches within a mile of my house.  Every Sunday they were full, and at 10:00 am every Sunday the church bells rang out.  All the businesses in town were closed and it was truly a day of rest and recreation.  There were no Little League games or practices on Sunday.  It was just a family day.

As I grew, the town grew.  A new supermarket arrived and with it limited Sunday hours. 9-5.  They came a gas station/convenience store with 24 hour 7 day opening.   While handy, these were just chinks in the day of rest.  Communities around us grew much faster and with it came a hurried pace of life.  The Wal-Mart's, K-Mart's, and the lot were sprouting up everywhere.  This ate into Sunday and with it Sunday services.  Not that you could not do both, but it is much easier to think of yourself and shop for yourself instead of going to church and volunteering to help others.

Now just a generation removed from those times, churches in the small towns struggle, the seven that were near my home all are here, but now many of them have less than 30 people in the seats each Sunday.  More people go through the supermarket in an hour than go through the doors of a church in my area.  Little League practitces and plays make up games on Sunday.  Stores are not 24-7, and many in our family work Saturday and Sunday.  The hurried pace places a strain on family and the time to recharge and gain focus.

This country was founded by people fleeing religious persecution, and I certainly wish everyone the right to worship as they see fit.   The problem comes when no one worships, and everyone seeks "earthly pleasures."   I am currently taking some time to organize my life, get my priorities in order and reengage with all my heart.  So truthfully right now I am no better than anyone else.  And for that matter, I am no better than anyone else ever.  I just have a gift to express myself, even if no one reads it. :)

So now on to the seasons.  This year, I watched as the commercialization and growth of Halloween took it's next steps.  Starting in August, I saw aisles and aisles of decorations, lights, costumes and candy.  I think there is more emphasis retail wise on this "holiday" than at any other time than Christmas.  What happened to the "Trick or Treat for Unicef" and other fun things for others.

Now it is Thanksgiving time, a non commercial holiday so to speak, except for a time to gather family together enjoy a meal and give thanks.  Even this holiday has given in to football, shopping and more.  It is kind of like a feast before the shopping...  Very sad.

Starting on the 25th of November, the "Happy Holidays" as they are now called, will be in full swing.  Every year the birth of Jesus becomes less the reason and more of a story.  Santa and the elves are front and center.  Again a sad commentary on our moral fiber as a society.  I saw many a facebook update that saw people decorating and putting up their trees the weekend before Thanksgiving.  Would have never happened when I was a kid.

So, now I will give all the reasons for my seasons.. and I will begin with my faith.  God is good and all the time.  Jesus is the Son of God and I am thankful he gave his life so that I can be forgiven.  I can say with all honesty that my relationship with God needs work and an allot of it.  I know God is up to the task, I hope that I am.

I am thankful for my wife and children.  I could not ask for more.  My son and daughter are becoming responsible adults, even thought it took some serious prodding along the way to get them there.  Many people relinquish their responsibility as parents in order to be their kids' friends, but what they really need are authority figures to guide them, not b.f.f.'s.  As for my wife, she has been the most supportive life partner God could have ever given me.  She does for others without asking for herself, she is dedicated to her family and most of all after 25+ years of marriage, I love her more now than when we got married.

I am thankful that God allows me to make a living doing something that I enjoy and that even after all my sins and ups and downs, He still cares for me, even when I do not deserve it.

I am thankful that my kids are going to get a chance to go to college.  All thanks to my mother-in-law.  A very sweet woman who left this earth too soon.  I am thankful that my parents are still able to do much of what they want to do and are still with us as they are near the age of 80.  I struggle sometimes with their troubles, but know that I owe them more than I can ever repay.

And so as not to bore any of you more, I will wrap this up by saying that I am thankful to be living in a country that is free, that I can express my voice on this forum and despite our differences still has the ability to become more than than the sum of our parts.

I sincerely hope that where ever you find yourselves on this season that you take the time to speak with God, thank him for all he has given you and ask him to heal the wounds that all of us inflict on each other daily.  Ask for wisdom, compassion, and most of all expect nothing, but feel grateful for everything.

Dan Quayle was Right...

Today's blog revisits a era that many of us may have chosen to forget or thought it was just trivial at the time. On May 19th, 1992, a mere 19 years ago... (by us old folks standards), Dan Quayle then Vice President of the United States, returned from a trade trip to Japan.  During this time, Los Angeles broke out into riots over the verdict of Rodney King.  Of course the Japanese were dumbfounded that our country was so out of control and did not understand the culture that not only permits this, but promotes it.  During that speech, Dan Quayle also addressed what he thought was an underlying factor in our society.

Here is an excerpt from that speech...

" In a nutshell: I believe the lawless social anarchy which we saw is directly related to the breakdown of family structure. personal responsibility and social order in too many areas of our society. For the poor the situation' is compounded by a welfare ethos that impedes individual efforts to move ahead in society, and hampers their ability to take advantage of the opportunities America offers.
If we don't succeed in addressing these fundamental problems, and in restoring basic values, any attempt to fix what's broken will fail. But one reason I believe we won't fail is that we have come so far in the last 25 years". -- Dan Quayle

He talks briefly in the above quote about our current "welfare" state, that is people are impeded from moving forward in society because of the lack of family support, structure and personal responsibility.   Now I am not taking this to mean that only the poor are to blame for this.,   The personal responsibility applies to those in our government, and business leaders as well.

He further states...

"The poor you always have with you, Scripture tells us. And in America we have always had poor people. But in this dynamic, prosperous nation, poverty has traditionally been a stage through which people pass on their way to joining the great middle class. And if one generation didn't get very far up the ladder - their ambitious, better-educated children would.
But the underclass seems to be a new phenomenon. It is a group whose members are dependent on welfare for very long stretches, and whose men are often drawn into lives of crime. There is far too little upward mobility, because the underclass is disconnected from the rules of American society. And these problems have, unfortunately, been particularly acute for Black Americans." -- Dan Quayle.

And I agree in many ways.  God prompts us to reach out to the poor and help them.  From Jesus' time on earth we are reminded again and again to help the less fortunate.  Unfortunately we have chosen to do so from a cold government fund and not face to face, neighborhood to neighborhood, church to community.  The government social programs takes money from our pockets to give to others and robs us of the income we need to create some really impactful things in our own communities.  George HW Bush talked about the 1000 points of light, how each of us can become a beacon of light to help those in our areas.  Great laudable ideas, but without the means to support it, it just becomes volunteerism that makes minimal impact.  But he also implies that these same social programs that were designed to help others, is the reason that we are stopping others from growing.

Later in the speech, Dan Quayle addresses the selfishness of the baby boomers and their protests of family values and the "get it now" attitude has robbed our society of the things that we built it on.  Families, caring for one another, paying it forward, and personal ethics were all casualties of this movement.  Here is the excerpt...

" I was born in 1947, so I'm considered one of those "Baby Boomers" we keep reading about. But let's look at one unfortunate legacy of the "Boomer" generation. When we were young, it was fashionable to declare war against traditional values. Indulgence and self-gratification seemed to have no consequences. Many of our generation glamorized casual sex and drug use, evaded responsibility and trashed authority.
Today the "Boomers" are middle-aged and middle c1ass. The responsibility of having families has helped many recover traditional values. And, of course, the great majority of those in the middle class survived the turbulent legacy of the 60s and 70s. But many of the poor, with less to fall back on, did not.
The intergenerational poverty that troubles us so much today is predominantly a poverty of values. Our inner cities are filled with children having children; with people who have not been able to take advantage of educational opportunities; with people who are dependent on drugs or the narcotic of welfare."  -- Dan  Quayle

All the things that Dan mentions in these quotes are all facts and are not in dispute.  Most people laughed off Dan as a person who was a bumbling idiot incapable of making these societal observations.  But here we are 19 years later, watching an entirely new generation of people, burn down buildings, trash parks, shut down ports and demand that the world serve them instead of aspiring to help others.  The "Wall Street" crowd is selfishly reaping profits without the regard for their fellow human beings.  This is not a new idea.  It has been going on for centuries.  From the money changers in the Temple, to Ebeneezer Scrooge, people who worship money and the things it brings has been a part of society as long as their have been poor.  The only difference in our society, is that we idolized it.  We admired those with 4M dollar homes, 500K cars, yachts, vacation homes, and more.  The more we looked into those lifestyles the more we found people who sacrificed family, children, social commitment and more to get there.  So the model was set, colleges geared up classes, businesses followed the model and the rich got richer, no matter what the consequence.

Later on in the speech, Dan gets off the now famous "Murphy Brown" quote.  He reflects on Murphy Brown's (TV Character) decision to have a child out of wedlock.  She makes the decision that a dad is not necessary to raise a child and that she can provide all that a child could need.   Dan has this do say during his speech...

" It doesn't help matters when prime time TV has Murphy Brown - a character who supposedly epitomizes today's intelligent, highly paid, professional woman - mocking the importance of fathers, by bearing a child alone, and calling it just another "lifestyle choice." -- Dan Quayle

Dan was ridiculed on TV, in the newspapers, by columnists and everywhere for making this kind of speech.  But 19 years later, we are suffering from a new generation worse than the last.  They are lost because no one gave them a compass to follow.  We removed God from our lives our society and our hearts.  We sought money, power and things.  Dan followed up this by summarizing..

" It's time to talk again about family, hard work, integrity and personal responsibility. We cannot be embarrassed out of our belief that two parents, married to each other, are better in most cases for children than one. That honest work is better than hand-outs - or crime. That we are our brothers' keepers. That it's, worth making an effort, even when 'the rewards aren't immediate. , So I think the time has come to renew our public commitment to our Judeo-Christian values-in our churches and synagogues, our civic organizations and our schools. We are, as our children recite each morning, "one nation under God." That's a useful framework for acknowledging a duty and an authority higher than our own pleasures and personal ambitions.
If we lived more thoroughly by these values, we would live in a better society. For the poor, renewing these values Will give people the strength to help themselves by acquiring the tools to achieve self-sufficiency a good education, job training, and property. Then they will move from permanent dependence to dignified independence." -- Dan Quayle

So Mr. Quayle on behalf of those who refused to acknowledge the contribution to the fiber of or discussion, I sincerely apologize and say.. "You were right"!

Our current cash problems in the world, the decline of our way of life, the dissatisfaction of our existence can be traced back to the time, in which the world turned it's back on God and our own stubborn free will has caused us to hate one another, to fight over the "last crumbs" of government handouts.  In the end there will be nothing but our families and our faith to see us through.  So as Dan said, it is time to turn to God and the bible for our sustenance, not the world.  My only hope is that it happens before it is too late.

For those of you interested in reading the entire speech, follow this link...

http://www.vicepresidentdanquayle.com/speeches_StandingFirm_CCC_3.html

Opinion: Occupy Protests Misguided

Occupy Protests are Misguided

In many of my other posts, I have tried to provoke thought and give my side of the story on large issues from a small perspective.  This one will be a little different in that the entire post is my opinion.  I want anyone who reads this to feel free to give me their opinion, because a free exchange of ideas is possible now, but may not be if the occupy people get their way.  I will delve further into this as the post goes on.  So before anyone tunes out and decides that I am just another right wing nut job.  I beg of you to read with an open mind, and I will do the same for your reply's.  I think that is a fair deal.

Recently there has been the "Occupy (insert city here)" events popping up all over the US and Europe.  The demands are simple.  They feel that they do not have enough wealth and power so they want the government to intervene on their behalf and force those that do, to share.  Seem like a simple enough want.  They want a better life for themselves and for their children.  They want education, heath care, good paying jobs and the American Dream.   I do not fault anyone for wanting this.  But before you label me as "One of the Fat Cats", I would like to tell you that I would be considered Middle Class.  I work, my wife works, I have two children, a house with a mortgage, two cars, and looming college tuition for the children.  My retirement is slim to none.
So, there you have the economic basis of my background.

Now these "Occupy" people come from varied background.  Initially it appeared that these original protesters were young people, either in college, working or seeking work.  Many of this group have a reasonable complaint that the "Baby Boomers" have left them nothing.  I blame that on the 60's and 70's mentality of "me first".  These are the people who took to the streets complaining how the system didn't work for them.  They changed the system and now it does not work for the rest of us.  However the organized labor unions have appeared to be using these people for further their causes.  And finally add the hippies of the 60's and 70's who did not get what they wanted, and you have a majority of those in the "Occupy" movement.   I could be wrong, but I am basing this on new coverage by local, national and print media.  Some liberal some conservative.

I fear that this movement could come back to haunt all of us in a way that will change anything that has happened in the last 200+ years of the existence of the United States.  Pretty big claim, but let me explain.

I believe the the Tea Party and the Occupy movements have a couple of things in common.  Both believe that government has failed them.  The Tea Party believes that government has become self serving and has created a class of dependent citizens.  The Occupy movement believes that government has become self serving an only serves the needs of the rich.  Somewhere in the middle lies the truth and the solution.

The economy has driven both movements.  In a democracy with capitalism as its economic engine, jobs and economic wealth are created by private enterprise.  Over the years it has been those with an unique idea or product and the willingness to risk their fortunes to bring this to market and sell the service or good.  There have been many who failed and many who have succeeded.  But in the end, the risk and reward belonged to those who owned it.

If the idea succeeded, then there was profit.  This profit was used to purchase means of production or hire workers to make, market or sell the idea.  Investors were also rewarded by lending capital to the project by means of dividend.  These people got wealthier than those that worked for them because they took the risk.  It is by choice that much of this happens.

If the idea failed, then there was no profit.  People who worked there were fired, the owner lost his investment and his job, and those who invested lost their money.  All took a loss.

In today's economy, the government has interfered and has created a dependent business class and a dependent class of people.  I will explain how the loss and reward sharing has been strained.

In today's environment, only the investors seem to take the loss.  The company executives have contracts that guarantee them income no matter how well they run the company.  The government props them up with tax dollars by insuring their activities or loaning them money when they could not get collateral from private means.  The workers take the loss as always, but with one exception.  Now there is unemployment insurance.  Originally a stopgap measure, it now has become some sort of long term entitlement.  When that runs out, there is food stamps, and other government programs to keep them afloat. The result is that neither the worker or the executive has any "skin" in the game.  Only the investor, which in many cases is you and me in our 401K's and IRA's, takes the hit.  So why would the workers or the executives strive to do the best work that they could do?   I know that in every company there are great employees, but their are also many of the other.

A gentlemen I met last week told me that Americans do not know what poverty really is.  I asked him how so?  He replied that he has spent the better part of three years in Afghanistan first as part of the military then as part of a private company.  He said here in America, we believe the poverty means you only have one TV, one microwave and one car.  In the rest of the world, it means that you cannot eat and all that you own can be carried on a backpack.  The generosity of others allows you to get by day by day.   That got me to thinking about what we as Americans "demand" of our government and each other.

While I certainly do not want America to deteriorate into that kind of poverty, I fear that further interference into capitalism will continue to allow us to spiral down.  Lack of personal responsibility by business owners, government officials and the populous as a whole is to blame for this.

If the Occupy people get their way, here is what I see as economic consequences.

1. Higher taxes on business owners and those that have achieved wealth will cause them not in invest in their business in the US but to look to move it to areas of the world that allow them to reap the benefits from their efforts. 
2. Lack of capital as these companies and people leave the US will result in shuddered businesses, less revenue for the government, more on welfare and higher unemployment.
3. Higher unemployment, lack of income and a better way of life will lead to more demonstrations toward the government and further government control of the means of production.
4. The results of more government control will consolidate power with the politicians and make the populous dependent on government for exisitance.
5. More government dependence, will result in more unrest and finally a clash between the political class and the people.  Revolution.
6. The result of the revolution will be strong solialism.  The Chavez type of socialsim.  Boarderline communism.  The type that will eventually lead to a second revolution.  This one bloody.

So to me the key to the revival of America lies in our ability to do some very basic things.

1. Realize that capitalism is not a bad thing. And that those who innovate do deserve rewards.
2. Remove the protection that some people running business has from economic ruin.  Force them to have skin the game just like the owners and workers. As stockholders in our 401K's and IRA's, we need to demand from the board of directors that the pay and benefits of executive rely on the performance of the executive; and that workers that drag down production and profit should be removed, so that all can share in the form of wage increases and benefits.
3. Workers need to realize that the health of the company that they work for is closely tied to their own.  Stop demanding and start cooperating. Be innovative, become part of the solution, not part of the problem.
4. Government needs to get out of business and let supply and demand dictate the goods and services we use and where we get them.  The only role government should have in business is in making sure everyone has an even field to compete.
5. Taxes need to be even and the same for all of us.  From the wealthy to the poor a share of your income should be paid in taxes.  If we use a percentage, then we are all committing a certain percentage of our income to the government.  Some believe that this is an unfair.  But my argument to them is that if I earn 100K and pay 10% in taxes then I pay 10K in taxes.  If I earn 10K and pay 10% in taxes then I pay 1K.  You see there is some proportion after all.  The wealthy and the poor all pay their fair share.
6. A balanced budget amendment with an income tax cap.  We all need to know with certainty that government does not have the right to borrow on our behalf without our permission, and we need to know with certainty that what we earn will not be taken from us as we succeed in a greater portion than it does now.
7. Eliminate corporate taxes.  Tax dividends as regular income. Corporate income that is not reinvested in the company or paid out in dividends is to be placed in savings and will be taxed when distributed.  That is fair tax.
8. Eliminate taxes on estates... That money was taxed when it was earned by our forefathers and relatives.  Do not tax it again, because they leave it to their loved ones.
9. Eliminate capital gains taxes.  All income will be taxed at the standard rate.
10. Eliminate deductions.  Only deductions allowed should be for those who live under the poverty line.  The rest of us will pay our fair share.
11. Shrink the size of government.  Make every department save 5% per year on their budgeted amount for the next 4 years.  The result would be a 20% savings in government spending.  This would help balance our budget.
12. To kick things off, give a tax holiday to coorporations who return money back to the US from foreign investment.  This is money that would not be in the US anyway based on current laws.  But stipulate that the money needs to either be paid out in dividends or invested in the US.

So there you have it.  My method for saving our democracy, restoring equity and furthering America's will to invent, and dream.

Your thoughts...?

Baseball Playoffs -- Large vs.Small

This is a completely different take on my normal posts.  I want to talk sports other than politics or philosophy.   It is towards the end of September and the playoff teams are are starting to line up.  As as the title of my blog states... "Large and Small of it All", we have large market teams and small market teams going to compete for a title.  (I know a little weak on the topic relation, but I love baseball.)



Comerica Park -- Detroit, MI
Home of the Detroit Tigers

In the American League, we have perennial teams like the Yankees, and Red Sox (the Large Market) against teams like Detroit and Texas (Small Market).  Not really hard to lay that one out, but anyone who knows me, knows that I am a HUGE Tigers fan.   And this season could really not be more perfect for a town (Detroit) that is trying to rise from the ashes of economic ruin.   The Tigers have been a bright spot in a year that has seen empty neighborhoods being bulldozed, double digit unemployment, housing values dropping by up to 50% in some neighborhoods, and generally decaying infrastructure.   The Tigers have been the antithesis of this.  The ball park is always clean and shiny, the players always ready to play and the crowds large.  Maybe to forget the problems, or to find something good to root for.  Either way, the results are a team heading for the playoffs very hot. 

Texas is the team that was in the series last year, and is gunning for a repeat.  While not from a small market, the team is from an area where Football is king and baseball is just something to do in the summer when you can't play football.  The team there is solid and it is hard not to root for Nolan Ryan, the GM of the team.  So for the purpose of this article, I will call Texas a small market team, because of the sport following in the area.

Then you have the Yankees and Red Sox.  Teams that are the icon franchises of the league.  The Yankees are the team everyone loves or hates.  There is no in between.  They have the highest payroll in baseball and just seem to reload by free agent year after year.  That is the definition of  Large Market.  Then there is the Red Sox, since curing the curse a few years ago, they have become another version of the Yankees.  They have history and large payroll to add to their following.  Most Yankee haters are usually Red Sox faithful.  Another major market team.

So the playoffs in the American League are the big guys against the little guys.  At the time of this writing, it looks like the Tigers will get the Red Sox, and the Rangers will get the Yankees.  Depending on your take of rooting for an underdog or the favorite, the playoffs in the American League have some great intrigue.  Of course you you know who I am rooting for.



Now on to the Senior Circuit, the National League.   As far as regular season records, you have the Phillies and then everyone else. As I said, you have the large market, Phillies, who are shooting for a second straight World Series pennant.  Currently the NL version of the Yankees.  Big payroll, lots of free agents and a perennial powerhouse at least the last 5 years. Then you have the revamped Atlanta Braves, who have a strong history of playoff appearances and is probably one of the most overexposed teams over the years due to the broadcasts of TBS. They qualify for the large market team category.  The small market players are the Arizona Diamondbacks.  A worst to first kinda story with Kirk Gibson at the helm. It is hard not to like them.  Then last but not least you have the Brewers.   A small market team who has suffered years of disappointment, but now is in position to get to the series.  Another feel good story.  The large against the small again.  In this case, I will probably have to root  for the D'backs, just because of Gibby's history in Detroit.

So, there is plenty of new intrigue in the baseball season and it will soon play out in the next few weeks.  Get some popcorn, a hot dog and batter up!!







The Economy

I watched our President speak thusday night on a program to put America back to work.   He spoke for about 30+ minutes, said "Pass this bill, now", about 30 times and spoke in great platitudes.

Now, many people know that I am not a big fan of the President, but I have always considered myself a fan of his gifts.   This guy has the gift of public speaking down to an art.  He is smooth, confident, speaks in terms that endears him to "Regular Joes".   All gifts that I admire.  I would love to have that gift.  Reagan had that gift and very few others have that gift.  I  think I would personally like our president.  He seems like a great guy to set down with, shoot the breeze, watch a ball game or just talk current events.  But I honestly believe he wants to do the right thing.
On this particular night, he was using his gifts to speak on the condition of our economy and what he would like to do about it.  He spoke in high details about how Americans are special and how once again, "Made in America", should be a source of pride throughout the world.  All great things to say and all things we want to believe.

However what we want to believe and what is really happening are two different things.  Currently we have a 9% unemployment rate, stocks are down, home values are roughly 20-40% off of what they were just 5 years ago (depends on where you live), and many homeowners owe more on their homes than what they are worth.   Also, retirees are finding that their 401K's are worth less, gas costs more, health care costs more, and the Medicare-Medicaid that they were looking to depend on are going to go bankrupt soon,  To top it all off, Social Security will soon be a thing of the past, unless some big changes are made.

Further reality is that our federal government is spending money at a rate that would make the Trumps blush and those that we have elected are in a deadlock on which way to take our country.

It a short synopsis, we are up crap creek, and the only paddle available is being fought over by the local bullies.  In the meantime, we are careening toward crap falls with a big crash at the bottom.

Our President, is telling us that we need to keep pumping government dollars into the infrastructure and eduction. As well as offer tax deductions to small business.  But, he wants to tax large corporations and "millionaires" at a higher rate to help with the deficit.  In other words, more of what we have heard from our government the last 60+ years.

The other side of the isle is divided.  There are the "tea party" conservatives, the neo-conservaties, and the social republicans.  Kind of a large scale on the same party.   The tea party group is a more libertarian than republican.  The neo-conservatives believe in big government but only if it benefits the wealthy.  The Social Republicans are basically conservative democrats.  They are socially liberal, but fiscally conservative.  Seems like an oxymoron but it is really a true position.

So, we have one group that wants to cut the size of federal government, bureaucracy. and taxes.  The other side says we need to expand the size of government, take control of business and direct the economy from the top down.

Now as a college graduate who took both micro and macro econ, I can say that there are models in the world of both methods.  It all depends on what the people are willing to accept.

China was a stone cold communist state, everything was controlled by the state and the party.  It has now loosened up it's economy, but had kept a tight reign on the social and political power of the country.  It is a top down economy.  By the same token, many European countries are very geared to social liberalism, while trying to keep business afloat.  The US used to be a country with very few rules, great freedoms and a chance to make a fortune in business.  But as some abused the privileges, rules were cast and the more rules and more rules, (you get the gist), until we are more like the European countries than the US that we were.

We all long for the time when the US was the leading innovator, producer and consumer nation in the world.  We are now just he leading consumer.  As we regulated, we reduced the incentive to innovate and produce.  All facts, nothing new here so far.   As a people we seemed to be alright with that.  Our "poor" enjoyed the highest standard of living of any industrialized country on earth.  But still there are those that wanted more.

Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude. -- Alexis de Tocqueville

American started out as a democracy and became socialistic.  I am not saying that the goals of helping the poor and working toward equality are bad, it is just that we sacrificed our freedom and liberty to do so.  The pendulum has swung toward the socialistic side, it just needs to swing back to get our economy back on track.

Those who exploited the economy in the late 90's and 00's were a group looking to make a fast buck be transferring wealth rather than creating it.  They created artifical wealth with the .com boom, the energy boom and lastly real estate.  They extracted large sums of money from others toward themselves. The resulting crashes by these artificial balloons have taken a toll on our economy. High fuel costs are raising the cost of production and transportation.  Finally, terrorism concerns and overseas wars are extracting tolls both in human and financial terms.  The result is a business community trying to keep their cards close to the vest, making profits as they can, investing or growing only when necessary, and avoiding any innovation or growth unless it makes for a larger market share with little investment.

Our economy will have to recover if anyone is going to see the "American Dream" fulfilled again.  The two sides of the aisle will have to become one with the people.  The possible outcome of failure is great.  I could see the US breaking up into smaller countries, groups of 4 or 5 states with no federal government.  I could also see us becoming a pure socialistic society with a very strong federal government, a political ruling class and tax rates approaching 50% on most people.  Both are very scary.

As a country we need to allow our companies to grow and innovate without large regulation.  We need to continue to help the least fortunate among us.  We need to reward those who create wealth by creating something, not by transferring wealth.  We need to make quality goods and services as a partnership with our business owners, instead of an adversary relationship.  Finally, we need to allow all Amercians the freedom to make their own decisions, both good and bad and live by the consequences of those decisions.

Out government needs to put those items at the top of the agenda.   We as voters need to elect people who are responsible and live with the same rules they pass. 

I am for reforming the tax code, simplify it, and lower the rates.  The results are astounding.  As a business owner, if you can reduce your accounting and regularatory costs, you can make more money and have more money to invest.   As a straight tax payers, a simplified code, with a one sheet tax form and no loopholes would make for more money by eliminating the need for large amounts of enforcement people at the IRS.  A tax holiday for multi-national companies would bring large sums of capital back to the US that is setting in foreign banks because of the tax burdens on bringing that money home.  Let them bring it home, just forgive the tax if they invest it in the US.

I am for reducing regulations on companies who are actively involved in innovation.  I also am for, investing in our roads and infrastucture as long as it is done competitively and as the money is afforded.  We need to find sources of energy at home.  Coal, natural gas, oil and more are needed right now to produce what we need to create an atmosphere that allows us to compete.  Cheap energy makes for competitive production on a world stage.

Does Charity Really Begin at Home?

Soup kitchens, homeless shelters, food banks, helping a neighbor clean out gutters, giving money at the Salvation Army kettle at Christmas, food stamps, WIC, low-income tax credits and low-income housing are all examples of man helping man.  It is people reaching out to people who are less fortunate, going through a rough time, or unable to help themselves.  Some call it social programs, others call it community help, while still others call it a moral obligation, but whatever you call it, its is charity.

My purpose is a simple one.  I want you to explore your feelings about charity and give you some of the differernt options for participating.

First of all lets define charity...  Websters Dictionary on-line defines charity as...

char·i·ty

1. generous actions or donations to aid the poor, ill, or helpless: to devote one's life to charity.

2. something given to a person or persons in need; alms: She asked for work, not charity.

3. a charitable act or work.

4. a charitable fund, foundation, or institution: He left his estate to a charity.

5. benevolent feeling, especially toward those in need or in disfavor: She looked so poor that we fed her out of charity

The bible refers to charity (depending on your translation) as works, deeds, or acts.  Matthew 6 talks about doing charitable works and not being boastful or making your acts known, while 1Corinthians 13, talks allot about love and how charity is part of love.  There are so many references to charity in the bible, I cannot cover them all in this post. So, God is pretty clear on the fact that he expects us to care for one another, love one another and charity is part of that love.

The Federal and State Government are empowered by us to take money in the form of taxes and fund organizations and programs, such as food stamps, women-infants-children (WIC), and in the form of low-income housing to help those that cannot afford a house. There are many more of thise social programs, but I wanted to cover the easiest to identify.  Even our local townships have a fund set aside for poor relief.  All funded with tax dollars.  George Bush the first, gave a great speech about a thousand points of light.  The cruxt was to get people to serve and help charities.

So, now that we have established that all of us participate in charity either voluntary or involuntary.  The question becomes what is the best way to perform charity.  Is it better to have a portion of our money taken in the form of taxes to help people, or is it better to support our local charities to help people.  Both methods help people but which one does it more efficiently and closer to the definition of charity.

I will first delve into the public side of charity, the government side.  Currently our government is spending money faster than we as a people can earn it.  The "entitlement" programs are growing at a rapid pace because of our poor economy and are now a topic of discussion.  Government programs have a few layers of management involved.  This reduces the actual amount of money that actually gets to the those that need. There are literally thousands of people getting paid to administrate the food stamp program. Those are relatively high paid jobs as compared to what people are paid working at Wal Mart, and those jobs come with benefits, insurance, retirement and more.  So the 40 million people who need food stamps are getting less money.   As a guideline, we are told not to give money to charities that have an administrative fee of more that 5%.  Unfortunately the government does not comply with this guideline, but I have no choice but to support that charity.  In the case of food stamps, there are federal, state and local people all drawing salaries from the program.  Many off the same money.  While government charity does serve a purpose and do good works, they are very inefficient in doing so.

Now onto the the private sector,  the 501c3 corporation, or non-profit as many of us know it, is sometimes confused with charity.   All charites are 501c3's, but not all 501c3's are charities.  Seems complicated and in terms of supporting those true charities, it becomes a maze to determine which ones are charities and which ones are just fronts for people taking your money and pocketing it.  For all the confustion, true charities, that fall into the 5% administration costs are by far the most effective way to get money, goods and services to those in need.  Since many of these charities are local, the connection between giver and receipiant is very evident.  Habitat for Humanity homes are an example of this.  Volunteers from the community donate time, talent and money to build a home for a deserving person who needs help.  It is a direct way to see the effects of charity in a community.  Local churches hels their communities, by hosting food banks, raising money for those in need and having "work days" to help those repair or clean their homes. They also provide services, such as counseling, transportation of elderly, and daycare as well.  Another example of a more one on one giving.  In other words giving with accountability.   While private charities are a maze, the good ones are the most efficient way to help those in need.

Whether you are a big proponent of government social programs, or a big proponent of local charites, the end result is that both groups want to help our fellow man.  As a Christian, I do have some affinity for local charitable giving and the art of tithing, that is the act of giving of your first earnings to the chruch.  While I have my own thoughts on what the bible teaches in amounts and types of giving, there is no doubt that the bible teaches charity and kindness to each other and our communities.  Nothing makes me happier than to be able to help another person, quietly and directly without need for recognition. 

My favorite charity story, has to do with helping a mother with 4 kids at a local McDonalds.  I didn't know her or her family.  It was very evident though that she was not having a good day and as usual the kids were helping to make it a little more difficult.   After getting the orders placed for everyone, she begins to dig for her wallet, in her purse, while balancing a two year old on the other hip.  The more she digs, the more she realizes that she forgot her wallet at home.  So she begins to dig for the loose change and other money in the bottom of her purse.  She comes up with some money but not enough for the stop.  She looks at the counter person and tells them that she cannot pay for the food and she is sorry.  The kids begin to ask mom about why they are not going to get lunch.  The counter person is looking annoyed and it is uncomfortable for all those involved.   I reached into my pocket and gave the money to the counter person and told them to complete the sale.   The mom was very defiant, telling me that it was ok, and that she did not want to put anyone out.  I told her that I had kids, and I understand how hard that can be.  I told her to take her kids to lunch and if she ever had the ability to help someone else in the future, just pass it on.   She finally gave in, said thank you, and then proceeded to the playground area.  That felt good.  Really good.  Did I ever know her or meet her again?  No.  But, I didn't care, I was able to help another human being with a simple act.  Did I ask for notoriety or fame, did I get all puffy chested as if to say, "Look at Me.. I am great!"  No, because I didn't need it.  That simple thank you and seeing the look of relief on her face was more than enough.

My local church takes mission trips to central america, regularly to help a village, both medically and construction wise.  Those that participate come back amazed and I am sure full of the same warmth I felt that day, only on a cosmic scale.  These people are to be commended, and their actions emulated.  Not just in going to a foreign country to do work, but giving unselfishly of themselves to others.

To me that is charity.  Not these grandios programs and projects. It is one on one, helping people and families that we come in contact with as the need arises. I do not get that same feeling of warmth from paying my taxes, because it is not my choice but my obligation.  The definition of charity is generous actions to help aid the poor. To me the word generous means voluntary.  So, in my case, charity does begin at home and is probably best done that way. 

The Moral Code of America.. God's or Man's?



The Idol of the 21st Century

 America began as a country that was full of promise.  A group of people who gathered under a common cause, and that cause was to worship freely, conduct business freely and limit government to a small role in their lives. 

The reason this worked so well, is that these settlers lived under a code of ethics that was provided by God.  It was called the Holy Bible.  The morals and lessons of the Bible were taught in the home, at work and at school.  There was no Sunday shopping, because every business in town was closed so that the town could go to church. The moral code said, "Remember the Sabbath and keep it Holy."  The Church and a belief in the Almighty was the one common thread that everyone that had immigrated to America had in common.  Right was right, wrong was wrong and there was no grey areas.

The founding fathers were all Christian, but not all of the same religion, and the constitution was written so that freedom to worship God was a basic right.  The separation of Church and State is an invention of those that do not hold God as the center of their lives.  They resent the moral code that being a believer has and instead chose to believe that Government and man should write the moral code. 

So, now a mere 200+ years down the road, we are stuck with a country where you have to be practically ashamed to have faith, unless a disaster happens, then it is alright to pray.  So, why is it that America has become a country of convenient faith?

The shinning city on the hill, that Ronald Reagan describes in many speeches, resembles more the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Men and Government now determine what is right and what is wrong and the old Nike slogan, "If it feels good, do it, " is the code of the day.

Christians who show their faith publicly on a day to day basis are called, "Right Wing, Nut Jobs."  Prayer is no longer a part of our daily school ritual.  Government meetings that begin with a prayer are attacked because of the perceived separation of church and state.  The flag is burned, people build high walls and gated communities to avoid meeting other people.  The pledge of allegiance is almost never recited, and the National Anthem is never sung, unless it is a sporting event and even that is now becoming controversial.  Neighbors do not talk to each other to settle differences, they call the police and then their attorney.  Kids are not allowed to be children, we have to integrate them as adults as soon as possible with sex education.

What is more important, is that the freedom to do any of what used to be done that I described above, is non-existent.  But, it is alright to display murder, bloodshed, immoral behavior publicly without any outcry.  If you do disagree, then again you are a "Right Wing, Nut Job."

The reaction of some is to withdraw from the world.  They control the content and access that they have to world.  They educate their kids in Christian Schools, and attend only sanctioned events from their church.  In short, develop a counter culture.  I believe, that this is just as dangerous as those who choose to participate in the culture of man without concern for their Maker.

I believe that in order to effect change in a society you have to be a part of it.  Jesus and Paul travelled to some of most wicked places on the earth to preach the gospel.  They could have just stayed within their group of disciples. They could have avoided any kind of conflicts.  But instead they chose to confront the world, the wickedness of those living in it and offer comfort and peace of mind.  The result was the spread of Christianity worldwide.

For a Judeo-Christian society, it surprises me that the number of Christians as a percentage of population is as low as it is.  85% of Americans consider themselves Christian, but 99% of Mexicans and 93% of Brazilians do as well.  Where did all of the Christians in America go?

Did they all leave to pursue the "false gods" of money, and a self-worship in their own abilities?  Did they just become "bored" with faith?  Did they begin to worship themselves as a god?  I think, that man began to believe that all he had accomplished was through his own initiatives, not through God, but inspite of God. Evolution and global warming are but a couple of the recent things that has man believing that he is more than God's creation.  Technology and the wonders of science are amazing.  The quest for knowledge is a wonderful gift that God gave man, but we need to always remember who gave us that gift, and in the end who is deserving of thanks.  Amercian exceptionalism, has transformed into Amercian arrogance.  As a people we believe in our own superiority, that we have forgotten the gifts that God has given us and what it means to work hard to develop your own place in the world.  Many believe if they graduate high school that the world owes them a job, a nice house, two cars, flat screen TV's and great vacations.  And many of those same people are ok with the government taking money from those that worked hard to give it to them so that they can have all the things I mentioned above.

To sum up my rant, the moral code that was used to establish America, a faith in God, has been replaced by a code that was written by man.  The result, I believe, is a decline in our way of life and our communities.   There is but one way to restore American to greatness, and that is to restore our moral compass and look to God to guide our way.

Small Town Politics in Indiana

Recently our small town concluded a caucus to select candidates for the fall ballot.  It was fun to watch local candidates speak about their passions and intentions while running for office.  In a small town there is no PAC's, no anonymous donors, no polls, no politics really.  Republican or Democrat, no on really cares at this level, because it is about the person and the job, not the politics.

This year the town has a clear path for November.  The past or the future.   There are three candidates for the council that each have 16 years of experience either past or present on the council and there are three candidates that are either novices or have just served one term.  The town will choose whether they want to relive the past or venture into the future.

The reason for my take on this all?  I am in the last few months of my stint on the council.  Town council positions are like congress, not term limited.  That is why there are so many repeat performers on this year's ballot.  I chose not to run, not because I don't think I can still serve, or that I am burnt out, but because I believe that in order to move forward, leadership has to change.  You have to let each generation's leaders grow, develop and put their ideas forward.  Even in a small town.

I want to say that I am a firm believer that public service should be just that... service.  Not to oneself, but to the community at large.  Many have forgotten this.  Not only at home, but in Washington.  When colleges began to offer political degrees and congressmen and senators began to serve lifetimes in office, it became more about self and less about others.

As our founding fathers would say, political service is the greatest sacrifice that a person could undertake.  You should not profit from your service.  There should be no benefits other than knowing that what you did was for the good of all.  There is no need for retirement package.  No need for fancy perks, special parking spaces, jets or other things that do not involve the business of the people.

Recently, I became aware of the issue of image even in our small town.  One of our candidates recently promoted the need for a new fire truck and the need to issue city bonds to purchase it.  But when it came time to sign the petition for the bond issue, his comment to the petition person was to see him last because he did not want anyone to see his name on the petition as it might hurt his chances in the election.   This comment seriously disappointed me.  This person has always been involved in the city either by volunteer or by election over the years, and I now find out that everything is done by calculation for control and power.   A very disappointing revelation.

So, I guess as much as I thought that small town politics were not about power and control but about service, I guess I am wrong and disappointed in the future for our town and our country.