It's a Day of Repentance Thing

Dear America,

"We can speak so confidently about the outcome of all your human problems because we know that all human life is governed by a divine law, perfect in its outworking,  The purpose of that law is to draw all men and women , all the human family, into a consciousness of God.  Do not look backwards unless to say, 'How beautiful is the path that I have traversed!'  Do not regret the past.  You are moving forward, travelling life's path to find happiness once again, and this time an enhanced happiness."  

The Quiet Mind

so let's get right to it.

it must be said that over the last couple of days and blogs, little ole Gthang has hardly been Rated G.

and there is no response to it, other than to say this -- this girl much prefers to stay on the side of poise and grace.  And even though the results are in at Rasmussen, showing Teflon Don to now be in the lead after Sunday's stunning debate performance (and I mean, performance), it is all too soon to tell, as the polling came before a few women have come forward claiming sexual assault against him (Of course, one of these claims seems suspect, as it happened like thirty years ago...Oh sure, now you screw him....why now lady?  why speak up now?  who got to you? but i digress, bigly).

But more than anything else these days -- there is not a day that goes without being in constant prayer.  It's as if God is the only one I truly talk to (sometimes, this girl goes through Jesus -- sometimes the Holy Spirit -- but more often than not, it's right to the Source of all things Good, and that is God). 

It's called travelling with the Trinity to infinity and beyond, right...

When my day began, and I saw the numbers @Rasmussen, my first thought was 'oh thank you, Lord."

The second thought swiftly followed, returning to a recurring thought of the last 24 hours -- and that was the story of Tim Tebow.   (Now, it wasn't the first time this dude laid his hands on someone and quite possibly, saved his life...)  

That being said, let's go to my third thought -- sending a message to Trump; to plead for a meeting between the two T's for a "come to Jesus" moment.   It's like, what could it hurt, right?  (And I did!)

Even though from my position, as an outsider looking in, the truth and fiction of how one man lives is on the one hand none of my business -- on the other hand, Trump is making it my business by asking me and all Americans to trust him with our lives and our fortunes......

.......just as Hillary and Bill Clinton have done time and time again!  

For the Clinton's may appear together as a couple -- but really, they are a political machine;  they have been a pair in the public eye for decades now, and together, have dodged and weaved with the unscrupulous the entire time.  How dare the hypocrisy of the Clinton's still standing continue to flaunt and gloat over the American landscape, rolling in and out of the hills and  valleys like no other.  If anything else, we must applaud the Donald in his very ability to stay the course, steadfast and, more or less, unrepentant....and more important, courageously fighting for America.

It was about a year ago when my prayers realized that so much of what will happen in this election is out of my hands, and in the hands of Something Greater.   But by allowing ourselves to recognize God is in charge, it certainly doesn't relinquish the duty which stands before every American -- which is to do everything humanly possible to affect the change in Washington that we so much desire.

The thing is:  America was never intended to be a nation under one man (or woman) "fixing us" all the live long day; no.

America was designed Under God, a Divine Providence that would shelter us and love us and shape us and expand us and nurture us and make us great in a spirit of grace and humility; wealth and happiness organically and integrally tied to our individual efforts -- and when combined, creating the exceptional nation that is America, and unlike any other in history. (Neither a statement of gloat or of superiority -- merely a statement of truth; because for the first time in world history, a country raised the power of the individual over the governing body.) 

and just look at us, it's an embarrassment.

"Ignorance leads Men 

into a party, 

and Shame keeps them 

from getting out again."  

Benjamin Franklin

He also said:

"The Things which hurt, instruct."

Ouch.

It stings a little, huh.

This, in part,  is how my little g sees GOD...for it is our own humanity that leads us astray, and it is in these life lessons learned that either makes us great again, or takes us down --  deep into misery with free abandon.

It always comes down to the choices we make as one person, each connected to the whole.

Our founders were the masterminds of certain truths learned through the ages -- truths of Rome, of Greece, of times and civilizations gone by, and they landed on a system of governing that recognized Divinity OVER US and guiding the INDIVIDUAL in the every day, leaving merely a small government to oversee the order of things, and chiefly, to keep guard and hold a watchful eye over the birth and life of our sovereign nation.  Here's to one of their muses, Cicero:

Therefore Law [of the Creator] is the distinction between things just and unjust, made in agreement with that primal and most ancient of all things, Nature; and in conformity to Nature's standard are framed those human laws which inflict punishment upon the wicked and protect the good..

As one and the same Nature holds together and supports the universe, all of whose parts are in harmony with one another, so men are united in Nature; but by reason of their depravity they quarrel, not realizing that they are of one blood and subject to one and the same protecting power.  If this fact were understood, surely man would live the life of the gods!"  Thank you, Cicero

America has been led down a rabbit hole of Nature's making not because Divine Providence predestined America to fail, but simply by and in accordance to perfect Natural Law.  The free will of our humanity made this mess, and God simply saw it coming.  Just as God knows who the next president of the United States is, too.  tee hee

When we return to words of a blog that seems like ages ago now - -  Spring Up, Oh Well! -- it is to call upon the living water on earth and everywhere to act, to say, to do, that which is good, that which is right, in all ways -- large and small.  And if we do that much, America will prevail.

Whatever happens on November 8, 2016, it will surely go down as the culmination of the most raucous of election cycles,  to date.  And it is probably pretty safe to say that no one in America is proud of the optics, whether the perspective comes from heaven above or below or sea level, right or left.

The truth is, we are corrupt.  We have been corrupted in every which way possible, and back again.  And it didn't start in 2015, it didn't start in 2005....it started a long, long time ago.  Let not your heart be troubled, and let not the media mayhem distract you from the truth underfoot -- the choice is clear.  

We are in one sticky wicket and perhaps we all need a come to Jesus moment (and if it's not Jesus, go to the Supreme Being of your choice, or stay in silence -- whatever -- just let the rest of us repent in peace for a moment or two, please and thank you). 

Pray for Trump; pray for America.  And vote.

Let's close with one more from Ben:

"Great beauty, 

great strength, 

and great riches 

are really 

and truly 

of no great use; 

a right heart exceeds all."

Make it a Good Day, G

Here's a riddle: if a boy goes in for a kiss and the girl slaps him back, which assault wins in court?

It's to the Power of Benjamin Thing

Dear America,

i have a thing for benjamin's...

beginning with Benjamin Franklin, and of Poor Richard's Almanac.

Industry pays Debts, Despair encreases them.

Hope and a Red-Rag, are Baits for Men and Mackerel.

and, one of my favorites,

Well Done, is twice done.

...just to name a few.

The Trump candidacy is taking a perverse cue of these three, so please allow for a wee bit of pithiness to take over.

First, this INDUSTRY factor:

Oh he, as in Trump, knows Industry; some might even believe he invented it by now.   And of course, he sees the Despair -- he bears witness to this sense of longing, the masses deep longing to have what we don't have meeting up with a great weakness, that of coveting...the coveting of things, of wealth, of property, of another and running roughshod and rampant from sea to shining sea. 

Trump is speaking the language loud and clear of all the things we -- the poor of hearth and heart, the disillusioned, the frustrated, the Middle, The FED-up, the righteous citizens of the greatest country in the world, want to hear.

This thing called HOPE, like a red-rag -- it's bait.

ping

ping

ping

Now, just a couple of days ago (go read it), little old gthing laid out some things with a capital T to trouble this lofty presidential hopeful's ambitions -- and now, sad to say, there is more.  It just keeps coming.

But don't take my word for it -- go to The Patriot Post here and now -- for Allyne Caan explains this:

“I think eminent domain is wonderful. … I build a lot of buildings in Manhattan, and you’ll have 12 sites and you’ll get 11 and you’ll have the one holdout and you end up building around them and everything else, okay? So, I know it better than anybody. I think eminent domain for massive projects, for instance, you’re going to create thousands of jobs, and you have somebody that’s in the way, and you pay that person far more— Don’t forget, eminent domain, they get a lot of money, and you need a house in a certain location, because you’re going to build this massive development that’s going to employ thousands of people, or you’re going to build a factory, that without this little house, you can’t build the factory— I think eminent domain is fine.”

If "Industry pays Debts, Despair encreases them,"  a desperate Hope crushes both, in an instant. Eminent Domain is fine, wonderful even...are you kidding me?

Let this be the nation's mantra:  a republican presidential nomination IF well done,  IS twice done.

For consider this:

To err is human, to repent divine, to persist devilish.

If Passion drives, let Reason hold the Reins.

Pardoning the Bad, is injuring the Good.

...indeed, and honorably naming another few.

How I wish upon the morningstar,

for if this passion was poured into the campaign of another Benjamin, how Reason would thus prevail.

Here's a switch up for you, so don't blink....

Ben Carson's full name is Benjamin Solomon Carson Sr.   And I find that exhilarating, to say the least, if not also a lot.

For, with the way my mind meanders, I quickly sought a brief description of King Solomon. [And found one, here]   And sure, it isn't all grand, however, plucking out what I like, let me share a story characterizing the fine use of common sense -- that for some, call wisdom.

Although Solomon was young, he soon became known for his wisdom. The first and most famous incident of his cleverness as a judge was when two women came to his court with a baby whom both women claimed as their own. Solomon threatened to split the baby in half. One woman was prepared to accept the decision, but the other begged the King to give the live baby to the other woman. Solomon then knew the second woman was the mother.

This is how I picture a  presidency under President Benjamin Solomon Carson (Ben).

Ben Carson is thoughtful, wise, and authentic in EVERY response he gives, every word he speaks, and every intention of his candidacy and possible administration.  His answers to questions take reason, logic, and strength -- side by side with humility -- to their highest heights.

And you know what happens when we stand back from a problem, approach it from a higher perspective, taking the long view -- we see the whole picture; we find an answer to the whole, not just the one thorn sticking out.  [Brilliant is the man who wants the people of America to be mindful, not another victim.]

[G note:  King Solomon is credited for writing such works in the Bible as the Book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes and The Song of Solomon, as well as, authoring a couple Psalms (72 and 127).]

Many Foxes grow grey, but few grow good.

Well done, is twice done.

THE THING IS,

we no longer have the time for a do-over after the comb-over, okay.

We may be very well FED-up, but Trump is Not the Best Answer.  Perhaps -- if we stand back -- take a long, discriminating, thoughtful, mighty yet humble, view, the Question is Best Answered by Ben.

Just imagine it -- if the passion behind the mouth changed forces.

ping

ping

ping

Avoid dishonest gain:  

no price can recompence the pangs of vice.

Many a Man thinks he is buying Pleasure, 

when he is really selling himself a Slave to it.

Prosperity discovers Vice, Adversity, Virtue

Make it a Good Day, G

It's Persecution Comes in Many Colors Thing

Dear America,

[fine print on the day -- prepare -- I intend to be all over the place; and with good reason.  bon appetit!]

“Our strategy recognizes that no amount of military force will end the terror that is ISIL unless it’s matched by a broader effort — political and economic — that addresses the underlying conditions that have allowed ISIL to gain traction. … Ultimately, in order for us to defeat terrorist groups like ISIL and al-Qaida, it’s going to also require us to discredit their ideology. This broader challenge of countering violent extremism is not simply a military effort. Ideologies are not defeated with guns; they’re defeated by better ideas — a more attractive and more compelling vision.”

President Obama, yesterday  

And now, let's gain a little perspective and philosophy from 1747 from Benjamin Franklin:

"Were this Union formed, were we once united, thoroughly armed and disciplined, were everything in our power done for our security, as far as human means and foresight could provide, we might then, with more propriety, humbly ask the assistance of Heaven and a blessing on our lawful endeavors." (Smyth, Writings of Benjamin Franklin, plucked from pages of The 5000 Year Leap, Skousen)

Franklin, continued:

"The very fame of our strength and readiness would be a means of discouraging our enemies; for 'tis wise and true saying, that 'One sword often keeps another in the scabbard.'  The way to secure peace is to be prepared for war.  That they are on their guard, and appear ready to receive their adversaries, are in much less danger of being attacked than the supine, secure and negligent."

While this strategy of peace through strength is summed up by Franklin like so --

"Our security lies, I think, in our growing strength, both in numbers and wealth; that creates an increasing ability of assisting this nation in its wars, which will make us more respectable, our friendship more valued, and our enmity feared; thence it will soon be thought proper to treat us not with justice only, but with kindness, and thence we may expect in a few years a total change of measures with regard to us; unless, by neglect of military discipline, we should lose all martial spirit, and our western people become as tame as those in the eastern dominions of Britain [India], when we expect the same oppressions; for there is much truth in the Italian saying, "Make yourselves sheep, and the wolves will eat you."

As we swifty  Skip to My Lou  up to the present day.....here's Marco Rubio, while speaking at CPAC not long ago:

"Our allies no longer trust us, 

our enemies no longer fear us." 

And that's when it happened.

Ding!

The observance of how the Obama Administration "fights" ISIL (or Iran...and any other entity considered to be an enemy of America's security) vs. how the Obama Administration confronts -- no, "degrades and destroys" --  Christianity in America; now, uncharacteristically and profoundly disturbing, making this faith public enemy number one.

Obama, circa 2007:

“Whatever we once were, we’re no longer a Christian nation. At least not just. We are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, and a Buddhist nation, and a Hindu nation, and a nation of nonbelievers,”

And masterfully, paving the way and preparing the world for the pending multicultural America upon the horizon, the very destruction of her foundation begins.

Going back to the president's remarks on ISIL...perhaps tweaking it just a wee bit, we arrive at this:

Ultimately, in order for us to defeat terrorist groups like the Catholic Church or Fundamental Christians, it’s going to also require us to discredit their ideology. This broader challenge of countering violent extremism is not simply a military effort YET. Ideologies are not defeated with guns; they’re defeated by better ideas — a more attractive and more compelling vision, which only the progressive Left can provide. 

In the eight years since, military chaplains are being scolded for holding Christian prayers, or saying Jesus by name; while also, an actual Islamic terrorist attack that killed thirteen patriots at Fort Hood, on American soil, is being labeled "work place violence."

Atheists groups are gaining the secular upper hand, being instrumental in removing prayer in the huddle before football games, or removing the Ten Commandments that were once considered written in stone, from the town square.

And to the most recent demise of our religious rights, and community organizing which blatantly prohibit  "the free exercise thereof," as individuals who decline same-sex marriage services become under assault, taking away not only their religious right to free exercise thereof, but their livelihoods, if not their entire fortune!

In response to Obama's comments on ISIL, here's an excerpt from Dan Gilmore, of The Patriot Post, that makes common sense:

"Clearly, we didn’t win independence from Britain with superior debating skills, nor did we defeat the Nazis or Soviets with speeches. Furthermore, debate works amidst a civil society, but not when one side is enslaving minorities, burning prisoners alive and beheading others, while vowing further violence against people with which it disagrees."

This works for the argument supporting military might through strength, as well as posing the appropriate context to support religious freedom and civil rights for all.

In THIS country, it's the INDIVIDUAL who remains is king, last I checked.

But not only has the LGBT community, along with the assist from the progressive Left agenda, shut down the debate on the most basic of civil rights, it has begun to make this religious, faithful, Bible thumping community the outsiders in their own country!

And yet, given the numbers -- the 60% of this nation who consider to be called Christian, along with people who are unaffiliated with organized Christianity, but think of themselves believers adding another 22%, and realizing the Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu encompass a mere 6% -- the fact of the matter is....drum roll please....we are a CHRISTIAN nation, having been founded by CHRISTIAN values, all along!   Even those who love reality shows should be able to embrace this without issue.

Where are the authentic Christian believers, with the help from a few of the "unaffiliated"or not,  with the courage to back up our most fundamental right?

Where are you in this fight?

Um, I heard once, not that long ago, "make yourselves sheep, the wolves eat you,"

In this country, we have a right to bake our cake and eat it too and NOT take it to a same-sex marriage ceremony  and NOT be persecuted for it -- whether you agree with this or not; in this country, we are born with this right.  For the free exercise thereof supports the INDIVIDUAL religious belief and whatever actions they take, both public and private. The individual cannot be separated from their religion.  Whether in church, at home, at school, at work, it is all the same-same.  [Case in point, how the Muslim scarf has been allowed to stay wrapped in America, even in the workplace; or how Muslims are allowed to stop and pray, even in the workplace.]

It's why the First Amendment to the Constitution was written the way it was written.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or the prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press; or the right of the people peacefully to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." 

It's true -- we do not have an "established" Christian religion in this country -- just look around; we are not commanded to go to mass, or to a church, of any kind; we are free to do  whatever we want when it comes to believing or not believing.   But the truth is, we are a whole bunch of believers.

While the respect and admiration and hope of this very Omniscience that surrounds us - this notion of Divine Providence  written throughout the ages -- and thoroughly having It's way in the founding of this country is not only recorded vividly and profusely within and around our institutions and declarations and history, It was made with firm intention and looking forward with the totality for all future generations.

Some things don't just go away even if a ruckus crowd denies and degrades and aims to destroy it...

Even if five Supremes choose to deny religious conscience...

Even if some people choose to twist the truth into something dirty or wrong headed, or of the wrong ideology.

What has troubled me from the start of this same-sex marriage revolution is the lack of understanding back behind the real life conscience of the Christian believer [And Christianity not being the only religion with exceptions to these unions, while some even oppose to just being gay.].  For according to the actions, through the courts and otherwise, of the LGBT community and the Left, the civil right of simply keeping to yourself and one's own religion is ripe to be trampled upon to no end.

Oh which reminds me of some poignant and thoughtful comments I read earlier this morning, featured on the Huffington Post, and written by a Christian, Gay, woman...Whitney Kay Bacon.  Now, appreciating her experience immensely; I must say it was well written.   That is, up until the end.   It was in her final paragraph, while making her last point, when she said this:

"So, my dear fellow Christians, from one Christian to another, please mind your own business and PLEASE make sure that your hands are clean before you point your finger at me and my community. Amen."

Likewise, Ms. Whitney Kay Bacon.

PLEASE....Let the bakers, the florists, the churches, mind their own business according to their individual beliefs and walk away.   AND let the bakers, the florists, the churches, etc...speak up if they feel so inclined!  [a gag order, pulleeze.]  My, how persecution comes in many colors and flavors.

Wait a minute...wait a minute...
As a matter of fact, and for the record --- the baker in Oregon WAS minding her own business, Ms. Bacon!   Say what....

Now directing a few questions to the general gay community...

Do you really need to sue?
Do you really have to resort to name calling just because she shares certain beliefs as it pertains to marriage along with plenty of other Christians, mind you?
Do you really need to pummel Christianity into the ground and silence it's rightful civil responsibility to voice it's opposition, and act according to one's beliefs, so help me God?
 

It was the lesbian couple that went to the establishment and asked for services -- and it was the service of baking a cake for a gay wedding which the baker could not support; the homosexuality aspect was not the issue.  The Oregon baker, @Sweet Cakes, was simply minding her own business and it was the direct actions of the Lesbian couple who made it America's business.

I'm pretty sure another baker, or florist, or "unaffiliated" church would love to serve you with not only their full support, but with pure love.

How about you go to those people!
How about leaving those whose faith teaches them another definition of marriage, under God, alone. Is that really so hard?   For why would you want to force a business who cannot wholeheartedly come to the table of agreement with you serve you anyway?  Funny, isn't it -- for in this way the bully pulpit takes on an ulterior rainbow universe all of it's very own.

The thing is, reality proves a greater war under foot, upon American soil, and far, far away from the growth of ISIL in the middle east.

And sadly, it is a war against Christianity.

My mantra of late is four little words:  THY will be done.

And in this moment, I pray, for not only THY will be done -- I pray that we, as a nation, find a way through this.   Nothing is by accident. [And believe me when I say, you don't have to pray if you don't want to...just sayin']

THY will be done

[Matter of fact, it is done, already

in the mind of God.

Is that soothing to know, or what...]

I BELIEVE, we are assembled and united by a Higher Purpose, even now.

You are here, right now, for a reason.
I am here, right now, for a reason.

To question and become disturbed by things unsettling and troubling, is to question God -- and that is not going to get us anywhere.

It is time to pray for guidance, humility, love and peace for every single one of us and watch the magic that IS Life, that is God, in action.

Spirit has always proven to be superior to matter ....

take the spirit of overcoming Britain, against all odds, in the American Revolution...

take the spirit of overcoming slavery, against all odds, in the Civil War...[While it was the same Christianity which assisted William Wilberforce use his faith to change the world, for he believed slavery was wrong, long before America's Civil War was fought and won.]

take the spirit of overcoming Christian bigotry happening all over the world, right now, and tragically, even here, in the United States of America...

against all odds.


America has been here before.
And it will take every single one of us, as individuals, to work it out and see it through, allowing Divine Providence to carry us, for Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness for all and ultimately protect this beautiful, spiritual, promised land.

Make it a Good Day, G

It's an Enabling of the Enablers Revolution...let the self-destruction begin Thing

Dear America,

"The Borrower is

 a Slave to the Lender;

the Security to both."

Benjamin Franklin

and along those lines, can you say, term limits?


Make it a Good Day, G

 

It's a Republic If You Can Keep It Thing

Dear America,

'i don't have a problem, you have a problem.'

'i don't have a problem, you have a problem.'


get ready for a continuation of another bicker fest over the holidays, right?

you know how it goes -- it's pent up -- and every couple of years, it gets a little bit ugly across the table.

We've been surveying all things related to boundaries this week.  Some people just don't know where to stop.   [A worst case scenario:  looking a lot like "a beatdown" in Lansing a couple days ago.]

But more often than not, another perfect rendition can be witnessed coming out of  'the people's house.'   Instead of being genuinely and earnestly and humbly intent on doing the right thing, we get grandstanding, politicking, name calling, teasing, milk spilled and mashed potatoes thrown by the fist-full.  Washington turns into this unruly gaggle of egomaniacs, one-upping each other by the 24/7 media minute.

Don't they get it?

Don't they realize who they represent?

[Don't answer that]

Washington represents the people -- and if A equals B and B equals C, then guess what?  -   A equals...us.

and aren't we all a wee bit into ourselves and our position.

BUT THIS!    This just takes my breath away:




Seriously, Harry?  I love you and that voice of yours, but honestly, what planet are you living on these days? Lock up the opposition?  That's your recommendation to Obama?   Are you insane, trying to be clever and ironic, or  simply angling to work into comedy?
 
And that goes for all of you on the Left -- insistent and self-righteous about the so-called "mandate" of the president....

Take a seat.  Somebody needs a time out...

Let's review:  The election results show the president brushing against a split of  50.6% - 47.8% of the popular vote -- in real numbers, that works out to 62,611,250 votes to 59,134,475 and a difference of 3,486,775 votes, at last count; it also looks like 26 states going BLUE and 24 states going RED; it also looks like the Senate having a Democratic majority of 55 Senators to 45 Republican Senators; it also looks like a Republican majority in the people's House with 234 representatives, bickering alongside a  200 strong Democrat minority.

WHERE IS THE MANDATE?

You know what it's like?  It's like you're all clamoring to be the one on top -- perhaps mom and dad's favorite.  You know how it goes, being the one who brings home the most trophies... being the smartest, the slickest, the most successful in their eyes.... when all they really need is love.    Love for the process; love for the chance to get all together; love for the responsibility and duty to the whole; love for the monumental and historic opportunity to get something done  -- something that will be truly memorable (and forever honored, if we do it right)  long after they are gone.

Think of it as a time being held hostage in a time capsule.  One day....years, decades, centuries later -- this time will be looked upon with fresh eyes.  For it's just a fact:   Historians are recording the facts and numbers and the chief movers and shakers, as we speak. This is our time for all time.

TO be sure -- there is one person who will be owning the days we make.  That person is the president.

But even so, isn't Washington just a sorry representation of all of us right now?  We are all in the room.

Don't we want history to be kind?

Don't we want the history of THIS -- the fiscal cliff and more -- to show substance, with egos safely checked and balanced at the door for the betterment of the whole?

But let's get one thing straight, Mr. Belafonte, Mr. Sharpton, Ms. Pelosi, Mr. Reid, President Obama,  and anyone else standing on the left leaning soapbox and screaming into the left leaning mic without a mandate -- respect the space.   Where is the tolerance?  Where is the openness for arriving at a compromise?  Where are the spending cuts? Where is simply the decency to treat us -- the Right -- with civility in the public forum, as well as behind closed doors?

But let's go back to something that should frighten each and every one of us.  This body politic, the one that represents us -- it should be of no surprise for the family resemblance.  The truth is, IT is US in a nutshell, in a nut-house, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until the day we die.  We put these people there.  And a hard reality is rearing it's ugly head, they are simply the microcosm of the macro acting psycho.

Who voted this guy into office?

Seriously?  There will be blood...let's imprison the opposition....come on people, can't we just get along????

Let's think about something for a moment.

For those of us who love politics, isn't the dialog, the controversy, the ideological divide what it's all about?  Doesn't it fuel us, from deep down inside us, to become more involved, more educated, more confident to speak up, to make a change, and hopefully, BE the change?   We choose to be republicans and democrats, conservatives, liberals, independents, libertarians, and even green  for a reason.

Apparently, somewhere down the line, we can no longer get together and simply, and respectfully, and lovingly, agree to disagree.  The boundaries safely honoring each man's space to believe what they will have been smudged, infringed upon, if not offensively crossed.

And with that, dialog is sure to stop altogether, retreating to our own corners, slamming doors and all; what should become of us now?


The thing is --  and I really hate to be argumentative here -- but THERE ARE two sides to every situation.  Yours and mine.  What in tar-nation is the problem?

Somewhere in the middle lies the hope of reconciliation and resolve.

But if we stop talking to each other -- we stop.

And if we never stop to listen -- we lose.

And if we just wish we could lock somebody up for being of a different mindset, or call for blood because we want two different things, we have already crossed a line and over to the other side.   In a word, it's called chaos; it looks a lot like lawlessness,  untethered recklessness in thought, word and deed.  It's also unconscionable, given what we inherited!

In such a situation, a third party or mediator is useful.  In relation to Washington, that responsibility falls to the one in charge  -- the president.   His job grows less political and more about keeping the peace, finding solutions, breaking the standoff, blending the ideas, assuring confidence in the process that all is not lost, much like a loving father would do.

Unfortunately, President Obama doesn't recognize this mandate.  He resorts back to taking measures outside of tradition, outside of the realm of precedence and chief duty of keeping the peace.  [And shocking, isn't it... given this is the response from a recipient of a Nobel Peace Prize!  talk about getting  a trophy for doing nothing....]

But let's make something perfectly clear, Mr B. and President O.  Unless living in your own little narcissistic, egotistical, pig-headed, unyielding, stupid world --  there is no mandate; the American people are split down the middle in two, almost in equal portion.

No, scratch that.  It's not that simple.

Let's not fall into the trap of sugarcoating over our reality, for that's just being delusional.  We are a patchwork of characters, with each our own idiosyncrasies in Technicolor glory.  Independent and magnificent, aren't we all a little bit crazy in our own way?  But now we're just getting sidetracked.

The American people are inherent of a foundation -- complete with the tools, the design, the principles, the structure, with all the hopes and best intentions in the world.   It was as if the founders blessed us with a family heirloom --  so fragile, not even they could guarantee it's future.

"a republic, madam, if you can keep it." 

Benjamin Franklin

And what this means is --  we are in the midst of only one mandate.  We must each take a corner and own it, mend it, patch things up and cherish it.  All voices are not only expected, but mandated, to show up around the table.

In the people's house, everyone has a chance to have the floor -- while for everyone else, there is an open  opportunity to listen.  It's a beautiful thing, being in real relationship with one another.

Sure, it comes with a whole host of problems and issues; it's not perfect; it's loud, teetering on obnoxious.  But it's real!   It's engaged -- it's dysfunction -- it's American -- and "it's" still talking.   And let  me tell ya, that is a whole lot better than not saying another word.


Make it a Good Day, G

It's Growing Our Good -- in People, Places, and Things

Dear America,

"I think the best way 

of doing good to the poor, 

is not making them easy in poverty, 

but leading or driving them out of it." 

Benjamin Franklin 

found in  

On the Price of Corn and Management of the Poor  

 via this place:  

http://www.kevinstilley.com/benjamin-franklin-quotes/

Improvement of our experiences and conditions in life do not happen purely on their own; something deep inside us motivates us to change, aspire, and become something bigger and better than the day before.  Often it may come from a mentor, or family member, giving us encouragement and gingerly guiding us in the right direction; while sometimes, it comes from that inner voice... to head in the direction of our God-given talents and never look back; while sometimes, it comes down to a basic need to eat, to survive.

But wherever it comes, in the end, it has to be something we want for ourselves...we have to see that there is something in it for me.

Suffice it to say, Benjamin appreciated this aspect of human nature, to the extent of carving out for himself a platform calling attention to the price society pays by providing a life of ease in abject poverty -- the kind that does no service to anyone, especially for the one who is in it.... for in truth, according to Ben and many others, "the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer."    For a full read, go here.

"On the contrary, 

I affirm that there is no country 

in the world 

in which the poor 

are more idle, 

dissolute, 

drunken, 

and insolent." 

again, Ben, speaking of America
...way back when in 1766

Skipping stones across the choppy waters, let me offer you this from another angle -- just a wee bit of wisdom from yesterday's daily horoscope on Yahoo! --

"As uncomfortable as conflict can be, it is not an inherently bad thing.  The waters that rush over stones are literally running them the wrong way, but beauty is the result.  These polished, smooth stones are something more than they could be without a powerful force affecting them....This conflict will polish and improve you."

Mark Lerner @ astrology.com

The thing is, real life experiences -- conditions that rock our world, and sometimes not in a good way -- carry the magnitude and potential to make us better; or, bury us, of course.  It can go either way.

 

But only in a truly free market is it truly FAIR for all of us at the same time.  That is just a fact.

Cause and effect, reaping what we sow, building ourselves up or tearing ourselves down, is in our own hands as a gift from our Creator; government does nothing but interfere and make things worse.  

Maybe it would be helpful to recognize another fact of life from Ben: "our necessities never equal our wants."

Movies in the mail are not a necessity; and look how quickly the free market reminds us --

see Netflix news...having lost like, 800,000 customers, with it's stock dropping like a big fat polished red rock. Just like that, the marketplace adjusts and when customers are unhappy, uncomfortable in the relationship, they walk. Netflix will either adjust appropriately or go belly up.

Competition is the best natural formation of regulation in every way.

Here's a good interview, looking at this from yet another angle -- also featured via Yahoo!-- with Breakout guy, Jeff Macke interviewing Wayne Rogers:   go here.

Rogers explains the misguided Occupy Wall Street protestors in terms of cause and effect, returning us to the point government regulation forced changes upon the marketplace without thinking it entirely through, without looking a hop skip down the road; sometimes -- this impetus to change -- something wicked this way comes.  (Wall Street merely took advantage of the conditions legislated by Congress.)

And then other times -- it is all good:

"We hear of the conversion of water into wine at the marriage in Cana as of a miracle. But this conversion is, through the goodness of God, made every day before our eyes. Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards; there it enters the roots of the vines, to be changed into wine; a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy. The miracle in question was only performed to hasten the operation, under circumstances of present necessity, which required it."
~ in a letter to Abbé Morellet in 1779

"I’ve lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing Proofs I see of this Truth — That God governs in the Affairs of Men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his Notice, is it probable that an Empire can rise without his Aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that except the Lord build the House they labor in vain who build it. I firmly believe this, — and I also believe that without his concurring Aid, we shall succeed in this political Building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our Projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a Reproach and Bye word down to future Ages."
~ in a speech to the Constitutional Convention, 28 June 1787

With many thanks to "Kevin Stilley Dot Com" for making possible an easy encore presentation of Benjamin quotations for use @ poor G's american almanac...

A nation's true wealth is in it's people -- growing our good, inside and out.   

If our competitive spirit returns to the marketplace of creating good, virtuous, creative, industrious, able-bodied and busy people -- all will be just fine, and maybe, quite possibly, really really good for all of us at the same time.

Make it a Good Day... is what I say everyday

and it is no accident...

as a matter of fact, it is quite purposeful in every way

Make it a Good Day, G

Dear America,

Happy Fall everyone; but watch out, first step is always a doozy.

Somewhere between watching the premiere of Biggest Loser and catching in the corner of my eye a "YES WE CAN" bumper sticker, it came to me.

We've talked about America's exceptionalism before, and in more ways than one, to be sure; and I believe we will talk a trillion times more on the subject, as I don't see a time ever in our future when we could hang a banner of mission accomplished on this one.  WE must remind ourselves of our good and the good we do, as a people, or we will drift into some kind of foreign land, fall into some kind of valley, and perhaps never muster enough self-esteem to climb ourselves back up.

Velma is still with me, in spirit.  I can't shake her utter desperation and her genuine appeal to the president wondering if this is all there is, is this what we can expect from him, is this all he wrote via the teleprompter, for today, tomorrow and the kingdom come?  Her depression became an instant overnight sensation felt in the gut of every American -- and no one could have said it any better.  It lingers with us...

It's just that, call me funny now, our president, just turned his head and laughed.

Does anyone else find that reaction kind of troubling?  Has anyone else caught on that he finds things amusing at the most awkward times -- almost like a nervous twitch, he is quick to go to a little chuckle, as if he could just giggle himself out of answering any questions.

Mr. President, with all due respect, America is experiencing some serious sh** these days; it isn't that funny.

And there you are laughing, while the rest of us are wiping our tears and watching one more of your economic team give notice (oh, right, cuz you guys were planning on Larry Summers leaving by the end of the year, right). If we had a three stikes you're out policy, you would be getting the pink slip; that is if we add up Orzag and Romer who earlier beat Summers to the punch.  And then there is this, before long we will be watching Rahm leave -- you know, to go organize Chicago; I suppose, when an administration gets tough, the tough run for 'dem hills -- or outside the beltway if at all possible.

Anyway, back to where I was really heading this morning, all of a sudden...you know, sometime between Biggest Loser and the bumper sticker, I had this sense that YES WE CAN has been AMERICA's ideology since day one.  It has always been yes, we can; it has always been, whatever you need; it has always been, tell me what to do, and I'll do it. 

It was always, how can I serve; it was always, how much can I give for my country; it was always, where do I sign; it was always, don't need any thanks, I am obliged to be of help; it was always, let me give of my time and my talent without any need for attention. 

It has always been YES WE CAN and we will! And it will be good.

Somewhere along the way, our independence factor -- our ability to make a life on our own, under a limited government, sheltering our ingenuity and pursuit of happiness and individual liberties safely under the arm of America's Constitution -- has become our very own mental hurdle that just too many of us can't seem to break.

Now Velma, she is speaking for most of us because she gets it; she knows what she needs to do in order to build a life for herself and her family.  What has her perplexed and "quite frankly exhausted" is the mountain she must climb, now that our government is way too big for it's britches.  WE can't afford this kind of gluttony!  And she is wondering, like the rest of us, just how, Mr. President, are we gonna pay for all this -- and be able to eat something other than "beans and franks" or was it "franks and beans" -- either way, the combo sucks.

What has the left all in a tizzy, is watching the tea party patriots climbing the walls and crying out in agony, with sweat dripping off their brow, gasping for air, saying NO MORE! we aren't gonna take it anymore -- but in a good way.  WE, the Tea, see what we must do to overcome the hole that we are in; we are willing and able to do the work; so bring it. 

Yes WE can, as Americans and all together (making every attempt to blend red shirts with blue), get through this time in our lives and get over it, by golly -- and we have no time for messing around, as our blood glucose level is off the charts.

Do us all a favor, and stop over indulging, big government; start setting an example that the kids can be proud of, will ya?!

Oh, the level of emotion watching the Biggest Loser can be so overwhelming.  Just when you think you got it bad...bam!  Left hook smacking you in the face when we're not looking up, ka pow!  And we are on our knees. 

Between the story of the young mother who fell asleep with her three year old son, with cancer, no longer breathing when she awoke...between the mother of five, wife of a military officer, and never having time to take care of herself... between the woman who survived breast cancer, only to be up against the battle of  her real life, losing twenty years of bad weight... and the round of dads who just want to set a good example for their sons and daughters...every story, every issue, every feeling, we can't help but get sucked into their lives as if it's our own -- cuz that's just what we do here in America.

Velma and I are like sisters of a different color -- but of the same culture, the same country, the same dreams, and pretty much the same stress.  But what is most striking -- and this is the real kicker in the old behind -- is the level of understanding as to how much of this we brought on ourself -- in the MACRO sense, that is (not personally, as in little old me and Velma, for we are perfect in every way, but...).  The thing is, we let our country do this to us when we were not paying attention.  WE let ourselves go, and now we are paying the price.

The left wants you to believe that MORE government is the answer; when it is precisely the glut of government which got us here in the first place.  Wake up and smell the coffee growing on the hillsides of Columbia, people.  We can't keep doing this to ourselves.  Everyone needs to catch their own fish now, and more importantly, eat it, as it is way better for you than most things we snap, crackle and pop into our mouths.

Oh YES WE CAN overcome; yes we can climb the mountain and lose the excess weight -- but it will take a concerted effort and everyone's undying commitment.  Oh yeah, and it will hardly be a cake walk; "Obama's Money" is not opening up a cupcake factory coming to a neighborhood near you.  WE got no money; the cupcakes are bad for you; and we would be better off taking a spin around the park and coming home to a well balanced meal of living within our means with a side of double happiness, followed up with a good night's sleep instead of ding dongs and twinkies, that is after a long day at the fishing hole.  And then, for the icing on the cake, to wake up and do it all over again the next day.  It's gonna be so fun.

YES WE CAN is not a slogan -- it is a way of life, and Mr. President, you better not mess with it.

YES WE CAN, is right on the money and two for the show, and three to get ready now, go, go, go.

I am a conservative;
and even though I am virtually skinny girl from way back...
(and feel free to hate me on both infractions -- if it gets you through your day)
 ... but believe me when I say,
whether left or right, I am here for you --
to pump you up this morning!
Whatever number of pounds we have to lose, we will do it together!
WE can do this.
For I am woman, and we are AMERICA, hear me roar!

Time is now -- while time also happens to be real money, go figure --
and there is no going back.

Make it a GOOD Day, G


Found in The 5000 Year Leap:

"Life, Liberty, and the property do not exist

because men have made laws. 

On the contrary,

it was the fact that life, liberty, and the property

existed beforehand

that caused men to make laws

[for the protection of them]

in the first place."

Frederic Bastiat

The Law

From Benjamin Franklin:

"I am apprehensive, therefore -- perhaps too apprehensive --

that the government of these states

may in future times end in a monarchy.

But this catastrophe,  I think, may be long delayed,

if in our proposed system we do not sow the seeds

of contention, faction, and tumult,

by making our posts of honor

places of profit.

If we do, I fear,

though we employ at first number and

not a single person, the number will

in time be set aside;

it will only nourish the fetus of a king

(as the honorable gentleman from Virginia

very aptly expressed it),

and a king will the sooner be set over us."