Yes it’s the political season and as much as so many seem to hate to keep talking about politics and some not at all I still persist. I can’t really explain why I like talking about it. Perhaps I enjoy a good controversy or perhaps I just want something better for future generations or perhaps it’s a little of each. I just know I need to at least get it out if for no one else but myself. (And that is likely a bigger reality than I realize)
I am talking about the Presidential race here and while I realize that really it’s the Congress and local politicians that get anything done the Presidential race is a kind of symbol of the direction we are headed and after all we have become a country of symbolism. If the symbol of nationally directed and mandated healthcare with the thought we are helping everyone have insurance than how can that be a bad thing? If the welfare program symbolizes that ever person in our country doesn’t go hungry how can that be a bad thing? If amnesty lets all of the “undocumented” population in our country live happy lives how can that be a bad thing? That is basically, in my mind, how Liberals portray their platform and emotionally it is hard to argue with that position; until you look at the numbers that is. The Liberals want to charge that we are a top heavy country and that the rich keep getting richer. I would submit that exactly the opposite is on the horizon. We will become a bottom heavy country with the entitlement class outnumbering the achievers. This will in turn cause a cascade of achievers to slide into the entitled masses. What is the incentive for someone to achieve and be successful if the failures in our country are the prime beneficiaries? That is how Socialism begins and it will fail as it always ultimately has.
The insurance issue which is a big one this year to me is another attempt at getting government involved in another part of our lives. It is about more government control and less private sector ability to allow competition and free markets to drive the cost of healthcare. Now I know, healthcare costs are out of control now so the question is how can we not do something. We can. Just not what is on the table. I believe the way forward is to deregulate insurance across state lines and allow all companies to compete for your business. If you believe in capitalism and I know some of you don’t, you put every one of the companies in the healthcare pool then prices come down or companies go out of business. That is called competition.
Let’s talk about the immigration issue a bit. This is another hot topic. I think every President, both Republican and Democrat has promised to do something. Well here we are now with little progress to show. This is a tough subject. I’ve heard the pros and the cons about why we should just allow all of the non-citizens to stay or we should deport them all. The emotions run high on both sides about this. I am a fundamental guy and look at things purely through the prism of law. The way our country has remained strong is because we have a system of laws that while not perfect has worked more times than it has not.
So the question is where does the law stand on immigration? It is actually quite clear and has never really changed. Each year we have in the neighborhood of a million people become citizens legally and that number continues to increase. That sounds like a lot and it is but look at how in 10 years there are a reported 98 million people that have entered this country through other than legal means. How does our country just allow these people to not only enter our country but make use of all of the entitlements that are maintained for citizens? I think it comes down to the same old reality and that is enforcement of laws on the books. If we can’t enforce the current laws then new laws will make no difference. What a slap in the face it must be to the millions of immigrants that earned citizenship legally to see what is going on now. Time to shore up the borders folks.
The welfare system is another issue that always surfaces. It is a self propagating system that was never intended to be income for so many but was in place as a hand up to ultimately return citizens to being a contributing member of society. It has failed miserably. It has become a way of life. There’s no shame in needing help. There is shame in taking advantage of that help with no intention of ever giving back to society. I don’t know how we ever reform welfare but it will bankrupt this country.
So those are some of the issues on my mind. You can chose the current President if you feel he has this country moving in a positive direction and is showing leadership with every move he makes or you can chose to change the direction of this country. Anyone who knows me at all knows where I stand. Is Romney perfect? Absolutely not. Is any candidate ever perfect? That said, however, I am looking to a President to uphold the constitution and respect it and not flaunt his own agenda regardless of whether that agenda is constitutional or not. I am looking for a President that has solutions and not just positions. I want a representative Republic not a Socialist state. I think government is too big and too intrusive and too powerful. Our liberties are slowly being taken away and it is because it is being done incrementally that many don’t even notice.
I realize many have made up their minds already. My hope is that when you pull that lever or punch away that hanging chad (God willing) you will be striking a vote that makes a statement about how you think this country should move forward.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Politics As Usual?
I find it amazing how making a proclamation about removing one’s self from politics on Facebook elicits such a response both negative and positive. Obviously many thought I was done spewing my drivel altogether and that could not be further from the truth. I just found Facebook to be a tiring tirade of one liners that ultimately got down to bad talking your opponent’s Grandmother. No good can come from it and I think Facebook is better off sticking to mindless games and humor.
So I thought I would talk about a couple things that have been on my mind. My very prolific writer cousin had some fascinating points in talking about the political atmosphere we find ourselves in. I may regurgitate some of them to his dismay but he’ll get over it.
My Son chimed in on one of his few political moments about how, and I’m paraphrasing, the system is basically broken and it doesn’t matter who’s in office it will be the same old politics. I actually have been thinking about his statement and he may be closer to the truth than any of the rest of us. While that is a truth I think you must dig a little deeper about our system. My wife reminded me that the President is only the figurehead and really the policies he promotes are often coming from pressures within his cabinet and party. I acknowledge that fact. I also think that my viewpoint should not just be directed at Obama for that reason and I’ve often said that the real problem with our country is Congress. This is a huge body of self-serving politicians that really don’t see any issues past their next re-election. Someone on Facebook told me that term limits is a cop out and that we elect our politicians and should be accountable for what we get. That’s a great theory. It’s not so much a reality anymore. I read a study where over 50% of the electorate now can barely tell you anything about who they are voting for. People are not informed and are voting from the last effective negative ad they see or hear. I think term limits are the appropriate check and balance to keep our politicians honest.
One of the most fascinating points I’ve been reading about is the facts that seem to be coming from all sides. Is it 8.9% unemployment or 14.1%? Just how much is Obamacare going to cost? How many illegal aliens are there in this country and if you can count them why can’t you take action on them? The numbers seem to fluctuate all over the map and they are even reset by the very people that make them, for instance the unemployment figures which are reset a week after they are released. Why not wait and release them when you actually know what they are? The larger question is DO you really know what they are? With the advent of the internet and all its fringe kooks that have come into play on both sides you have to be very careful about what sources you use.
Probably the one thing that concerns me the most in our country is how civil discourse has begun to degrade. Instead of debating ideologies it has now become digging for dirt and relentless character assassinations that seems to fuel the political fires. I know you can go back till the beginning of the political process in our country and find examples of nasty campaigns. The bigger problem these days is the more immediate impact these unfounded and many times slanderous accusations on both sides take root. Tell a lie long enough and it becomes the truth. I’m not sure how this gets fixed or even if it can get fixed but it is a real problem in our political arena these days.
You know our country has really prided itself and distinguished itself over the years for being an open political process that few other countries can match. I guess the issue at hand at this point is being able to accurately discern truth from fiction. I will continue to read and try and listen to all viewpoints in making my decisions but I know what my core principles and values are and those will guide me to make what I think are the right decisions. If you know what your core values and principles are and stick to them then you have done the best you can do.
This country is a huge ship to turn if it needs turning. I think the political process, while tedious and frustrating, was set up as to not be able to make drastic changes too quickly and in that way protect us from ourselves. So to those of you that say this will never change I say it can only change if you begin now to advance what you think should happen. It won’t happen overnight but if you don’t at least give it the full effort it will indeed never change.
So I thought I would talk about a couple things that have been on my mind. My very prolific writer cousin had some fascinating points in talking about the political atmosphere we find ourselves in. I may regurgitate some of them to his dismay but he’ll get over it.
My Son chimed in on one of his few political moments about how, and I’m paraphrasing, the system is basically broken and it doesn’t matter who’s in office it will be the same old politics. I actually have been thinking about his statement and he may be closer to the truth than any of the rest of us. While that is a truth I think you must dig a little deeper about our system. My wife reminded me that the President is only the figurehead and really the policies he promotes are often coming from pressures within his cabinet and party. I acknowledge that fact. I also think that my viewpoint should not just be directed at Obama for that reason and I’ve often said that the real problem with our country is Congress. This is a huge body of self-serving politicians that really don’t see any issues past their next re-election. Someone on Facebook told me that term limits is a cop out and that we elect our politicians and should be accountable for what we get. That’s a great theory. It’s not so much a reality anymore. I read a study where over 50% of the electorate now can barely tell you anything about who they are voting for. People are not informed and are voting from the last effective negative ad they see or hear. I think term limits are the appropriate check and balance to keep our politicians honest.
One of the most fascinating points I’ve been reading about is the facts that seem to be coming from all sides. Is it 8.9% unemployment or 14.1%? Just how much is Obamacare going to cost? How many illegal aliens are there in this country and if you can count them why can’t you take action on them? The numbers seem to fluctuate all over the map and they are even reset by the very people that make them, for instance the unemployment figures which are reset a week after they are released. Why not wait and release them when you actually know what they are? The larger question is DO you really know what they are? With the advent of the internet and all its fringe kooks that have come into play on both sides you have to be very careful about what sources you use.
Probably the one thing that concerns me the most in our country is how civil discourse has begun to degrade. Instead of debating ideologies it has now become digging for dirt and relentless character assassinations that seems to fuel the political fires. I know you can go back till the beginning of the political process in our country and find examples of nasty campaigns. The bigger problem these days is the more immediate impact these unfounded and many times slanderous accusations on both sides take root. Tell a lie long enough and it becomes the truth. I’m not sure how this gets fixed or even if it can get fixed but it is a real problem in our political arena these days.
You know our country has really prided itself and distinguished itself over the years for being an open political process that few other countries can match. I guess the issue at hand at this point is being able to accurately discern truth from fiction. I will continue to read and try and listen to all viewpoints in making my decisions but I know what my core principles and values are and those will guide me to make what I think are the right decisions. If you know what your core values and principles are and stick to them then you have done the best you can do.
This country is a huge ship to turn if it needs turning. I think the political process, while tedious and frustrating, was set up as to not be able to make drastic changes too quickly and in that way protect us from ourselves. So to those of you that say this will never change I say it can only change if you begin now to advance what you think should happen. It won’t happen overnight but if you don’t at least give it the full effort it will indeed never change.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
A Dirty Word
Again I will begin an exercise in what some would consider futility but I enjoy. It is to examine words and their meanings. For this submission I am really going to focus in on one word because it is quickly vanishing from the vocabularies of so many. I know you are all on the edge of your seats waiting for me to divulge the word so here it is: responsibility.
It is such an intimidating and weighty word and the definition is no less intimidating.
1.the state or fact of being responsible. 2.an instance of being responsible: The responsibility for this mess is yours! 3.a particular burden of obligation upon one who is responsible: the responsibilities of authority. 4.a person or thing for which one is responsible: A child is a responsibility to its parents. 5.reliability or dependability, especially in meeting debts or payments.
You see I wasn’t kidding, this is serious stuff. So why has it become an endangered species among words in our society? My answer would be to you the same as why there are more divorces than ever….it’s hard and it takes work. I know I’ve harped on this in the past and I will continue to do so because this facet of our humanity is crumbling to the point that the buck never really stops anywhere anymore. No one person wants to shoulder the blame for anything these days. It’s why lawyers are doing so well even with the most frivolous of lawsuits. Everything and anything is now a potential lawsuit. That’s not to say that all lawsuits are wrong and in fact wrongful people get what’s coming to them almost every day. My point is we are losing our grip on common sense. If you buy coffee at McDonalds and you spill it in your lap then when does it become someone else’s fault? I believe the previous sentence started with two “yous” and therefore it likely should end with a “your”.
I think another area that has exploded is how many people are now on disability. I would propose to you that the reason for this is simply the inability of many to accept their own responsibility of their actions. That and also the fact that disability is easier to get simply because people making the judgments don’t want to be responsible for now granting these claims. See where I am going with this? It is an ugly spiral and we as Americans have a front row seat.
We are entering into an ugly political season now. Politicians are probably the worst for not accepting responsibility for mistakes because they deem it to be political suicide. By the way that fact goes for all sides of the aisle. I, for one, and quite probably I’m in a small minority, would find it refreshing to hear Romney say I screwed up in Massachusetts by putting his healthcare plan in place. I would love to hear Obama say I’ve really made a mess out of this healthcare plan and we should start over. It won’t happen. Both would consider it a sign of weakness but on the contrary I would consider it a sign of character.
So I guess my question is how do we break this cycle? It is far too rewarding for the lawyers and their clients. What happened to torte reform? That seems to have gone silent. I can tell you one reason. Most of our congressmen are lawyers so it would not be very self serving for that topic to surface and let’s face it politicians these days are all about serving themselves first! I think that is where it starts though.
The second and probably most critical way to create a change is by teaching our children personal responsibility. The hurdle with that idea is that we need to make parents actually be parents. (Again that’s the whole work thing) Parenting is not all fun and games. Sometimes it’s about teaching the hard lessons to your children so they are able to survive and flourish out in the cold world when they leave the nest. Your children will always have friends but they will only have two (hopefully) parents.
I could go on and on with this but whoever is still left reading this probably needs to get a life anyway. Hopefully I’ve given you a few points to ponder and think about.
It is such an intimidating and weighty word and the definition is no less intimidating.
1.the state or fact of being responsible. 2.an instance of being responsible: The responsibility for this mess is yours! 3.a particular burden of obligation upon one who is responsible: the responsibilities of authority. 4.a person or thing for which one is responsible: A child is a responsibility to its parents. 5.reliability or dependability, especially in meeting debts or payments.
You see I wasn’t kidding, this is serious stuff. So why has it become an endangered species among words in our society? My answer would be to you the same as why there are more divorces than ever….it’s hard and it takes work. I know I’ve harped on this in the past and I will continue to do so because this facet of our humanity is crumbling to the point that the buck never really stops anywhere anymore. No one person wants to shoulder the blame for anything these days. It’s why lawyers are doing so well even with the most frivolous of lawsuits. Everything and anything is now a potential lawsuit. That’s not to say that all lawsuits are wrong and in fact wrongful people get what’s coming to them almost every day. My point is we are losing our grip on common sense. If you buy coffee at McDonalds and you spill it in your lap then when does it become someone else’s fault? I believe the previous sentence started with two “yous” and therefore it likely should end with a “your”.
I think another area that has exploded is how many people are now on disability. I would propose to you that the reason for this is simply the inability of many to accept their own responsibility of their actions. That and also the fact that disability is easier to get simply because people making the judgments don’t want to be responsible for now granting these claims. See where I am going with this? It is an ugly spiral and we as Americans have a front row seat.
We are entering into an ugly political season now. Politicians are probably the worst for not accepting responsibility for mistakes because they deem it to be political suicide. By the way that fact goes for all sides of the aisle. I, for one, and quite probably I’m in a small minority, would find it refreshing to hear Romney say I screwed up in Massachusetts by putting his healthcare plan in place. I would love to hear Obama say I’ve really made a mess out of this healthcare plan and we should start over. It won’t happen. Both would consider it a sign of weakness but on the contrary I would consider it a sign of character.
So I guess my question is how do we break this cycle? It is far too rewarding for the lawyers and their clients. What happened to torte reform? That seems to have gone silent. I can tell you one reason. Most of our congressmen are lawyers so it would not be very self serving for that topic to surface and let’s face it politicians these days are all about serving themselves first! I think that is where it starts though.
The second and probably most critical way to create a change is by teaching our children personal responsibility. The hurdle with that idea is that we need to make parents actually be parents. (Again that’s the whole work thing) Parenting is not all fun and games. Sometimes it’s about teaching the hard lessons to your children so they are able to survive and flourish out in the cold world when they leave the nest. Your children will always have friends but they will only have two (hopefully) parents.
I could go on and on with this but whoever is still left reading this probably needs to get a life anyway. Hopefully I’ve given you a few points to ponder and think about.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Travel Notes
Writing for most people like me is a way of expressing my feelings and also a release sometimes in dealing with day to day frustrations. Often it is both. Actually it is usually both. I’ve done a bit of travelling in the recent past some for pleasure and some for family losses.
Travel in all of its forms is resplendent with good material. I don’t care if you are flying or driving there is no end to the frustrations that can surface. For me it usually centers on poor service or people with very little courtesy or common sense. It is hard to narrow down bad drivers and try to come up with one area of the U.S. that has the worst drivers but I think I’ve got my own opinions developed from driving over a good portion of this country. Florida you win. Put a turn signal on in Florida and you are basically a laughing stock. You want to change a lane….just do it. Red lights? They are only mere suggestions. Speed limit? What?? Where??? My area is not exempt from bad drivers as are most parts of the country, especially around metropolitan areas, but after driving in and living in for 5 years I might add, Florida is the winner. I actually felt relaxed driving in Raleigh coming home from Florida and that is a pretty scary thought on its own!
Let’s talk about flying a bit. Frankly as the TSA continues to clamp down on everyone flying is becoming about as inconvenient as driving and in some cases worse. So it may be about a 10 hour drive from here to Orlando. The flying time is about an hour and a half. Flying time that is. Now let’s add the time it takes to get to the airport; 30 minutes. Oh wait turning in the rental car; better give it an hour. God forbid actually checking in a bag instead of trying to cram a weeks worth of clothes into a carry on and then getting through the most heavenly experience of the security line. Better give that an hour. Oh and you need to be at least an hour early before the flight and most people shoot for two hours unless you are those 1 or 2 people who are hell-bent on holding up your plane and arriving within minutes of closing the hatch.
So now you are on the plane. This can be a real cornucopia of human experiences. I always seem to get someone that sounds as if they should be in an oxygen tent sitting right behind me seething out their glorious germs upon my already stressed body. I may as well just call in sick before the plane takes off. I know I’ve said this before but why are they telling people how to put on their seatbelts as they are taxiing down the runway? If someone just can’t understand how to work those suckers will they stop the plane or turn around and go make them get off? It seems that should be the very first briefing before the plane leaves. BY the way, if I ever need a flotation device I am going to grab the big zip lock baggie that the foreign guy took on the plane that had some sort of God awful smelling, indeterminate food in it that he felt he had to share with everyone else on the plane. I digress.
The next pleasurable experience flying is retrieving your bags. The baggage claim area has a kind of Las Vegas feel to it. As the bags begin to show themselves, which could easily add another 30 minutes of frustration to this experience, I seem to envision a roulette wheel as you are waiting for the ball to drop on your number. Then you finally beat the house and get your bags, usually looking like they were thrown 20 or 30 feet on the pavement, and then you need to either call a cab, or find your car and get away from the airport. I think you get my drift. Flying is not the fast and efficient experience it once was. I know…I know…we live in a different world.
So there we have it. Another installment or should I say indictment on travelling. I actually enjoy driving. (in most states) My wife; not so much. As I get older I may just stop moving altogether and my travel will consist of the recliner to the refrigerator to the bed, which incidentally my wife would say I have already perfected. Here’s hoping I got a chuckle out of you and by all means fly the “friendly” skies and good luck!
Travel in all of its forms is resplendent with good material. I don’t care if you are flying or driving there is no end to the frustrations that can surface. For me it usually centers on poor service or people with very little courtesy or common sense. It is hard to narrow down bad drivers and try to come up with one area of the U.S. that has the worst drivers but I think I’ve got my own opinions developed from driving over a good portion of this country. Florida you win. Put a turn signal on in Florida and you are basically a laughing stock. You want to change a lane….just do it. Red lights? They are only mere suggestions. Speed limit? What?? Where??? My area is not exempt from bad drivers as are most parts of the country, especially around metropolitan areas, but after driving in and living in for 5 years I might add, Florida is the winner. I actually felt relaxed driving in Raleigh coming home from Florida and that is a pretty scary thought on its own!
Let’s talk about flying a bit. Frankly as the TSA continues to clamp down on everyone flying is becoming about as inconvenient as driving and in some cases worse. So it may be about a 10 hour drive from here to Orlando. The flying time is about an hour and a half. Flying time that is. Now let’s add the time it takes to get to the airport; 30 minutes. Oh wait turning in the rental car; better give it an hour. God forbid actually checking in a bag instead of trying to cram a weeks worth of clothes into a carry on and then getting through the most heavenly experience of the security line. Better give that an hour. Oh and you need to be at least an hour early before the flight and most people shoot for two hours unless you are those 1 or 2 people who are hell-bent on holding up your plane and arriving within minutes of closing the hatch.
So now you are on the plane. This can be a real cornucopia of human experiences. I always seem to get someone that sounds as if they should be in an oxygen tent sitting right behind me seething out their glorious germs upon my already stressed body. I may as well just call in sick before the plane takes off. I know I’ve said this before but why are they telling people how to put on their seatbelts as they are taxiing down the runway? If someone just can’t understand how to work those suckers will they stop the plane or turn around and go make them get off? It seems that should be the very first briefing before the plane leaves. BY the way, if I ever need a flotation device I am going to grab the big zip lock baggie that the foreign guy took on the plane that had some sort of God awful smelling, indeterminate food in it that he felt he had to share with everyone else on the plane. I digress.
The next pleasurable experience flying is retrieving your bags. The baggage claim area has a kind of Las Vegas feel to it. As the bags begin to show themselves, which could easily add another 30 minutes of frustration to this experience, I seem to envision a roulette wheel as you are waiting for the ball to drop on your number. Then you finally beat the house and get your bags, usually looking like they were thrown 20 or 30 feet on the pavement, and then you need to either call a cab, or find your car and get away from the airport. I think you get my drift. Flying is not the fast and efficient experience it once was. I know…I know…we live in a different world.
So there we have it. Another installment or should I say indictment on travelling. I actually enjoy driving. (in most states) My wife; not so much. As I get older I may just stop moving altogether and my travel will consist of the recliner to the refrigerator to the bed, which incidentally my wife would say I have already perfected. Here’s hoping I got a chuckle out of you and by all means fly the “friendly” skies and good luck!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Death and Dying
A subject that has been visiting itself upon me more regularly, not to my liking, is death and dying. I understand as you get older, which some people like to point out, that the topic of mortality becomes more in the forefront but just the same it is a difficult issue for many to deal with and I am no different.
It becomes more clear to me as the years go by that this simply can not be all there is. Your life here is only temporary. That being said your life here has permanent impact on your next stage of life. I am a Christian therefore my belief is my next stage is with Jesus Christ. Am I a “saved” Christian? I was saved when I was baptized and to my way of thinking my life should be centered around the stark realization that I should live in a way to show thanks for that fact.
I don’t want to turn this into a religious discussion but as far as I’m concerned death should at its very core be a religious discussion. I am not naïve enough to know that there is a large faction of people out there in this world that are atheists and I am still confounded how you can live your life believing that it is a one and done kind of existence. What a truly depressing way to live.
I choose to not believe I am quite so important on this Earth and that my purpose in this life is to try and convince others that your real future as a Christian is not getting into the best retirement home or having the fattest bank account but to prepare yourself for the eventual meeting with your maker. If I am doing that, I am doing something far greater than earning 7.5% in my IRA (I know a pipedream).
Do I stand on the corner reading my bible to strangers? No but I find nothing wrong with that. The way you teach others is by example. It is not necessary to preach the word to everyone overtly but simply by living your life out as the best person you can be speaks volumes and might just turn a heart or two.
So lately I have seen a number of souls move on and none of them were preachers but they all lived their lives in a way, that although not perfect, displayed their belief that there was more on the other side. I salute them and am better for knowing each of them at some point in my life. When each of you eventually leave this life behind, I hope there is someone out there that can say the same about you because in my mind, if that’s the case, you lived a good life and yes even a Christian life.
It becomes more clear to me as the years go by that this simply can not be all there is. Your life here is only temporary. That being said your life here has permanent impact on your next stage of life. I am a Christian therefore my belief is my next stage is with Jesus Christ. Am I a “saved” Christian? I was saved when I was baptized and to my way of thinking my life should be centered around the stark realization that I should live in a way to show thanks for that fact.
I don’t want to turn this into a religious discussion but as far as I’m concerned death should at its very core be a religious discussion. I am not naïve enough to know that there is a large faction of people out there in this world that are atheists and I am still confounded how you can live your life believing that it is a one and done kind of existence. What a truly depressing way to live.
I choose to not believe I am quite so important on this Earth and that my purpose in this life is to try and convince others that your real future as a Christian is not getting into the best retirement home or having the fattest bank account but to prepare yourself for the eventual meeting with your maker. If I am doing that, I am doing something far greater than earning 7.5% in my IRA (I know a pipedream).
Do I stand on the corner reading my bible to strangers? No but I find nothing wrong with that. The way you teach others is by example. It is not necessary to preach the word to everyone overtly but simply by living your life out as the best person you can be speaks volumes and might just turn a heart or two.
So lately I have seen a number of souls move on and none of them were preachers but they all lived their lives in a way, that although not perfect, displayed their belief that there was more on the other side. I salute them and am better for knowing each of them at some point in my life. When each of you eventually leave this life behind, I hope there is someone out there that can say the same about you because in my mind, if that’s the case, you lived a good life and yes even a Christian life.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Respect? Where has it gone?
It seems to becoming more evident to me than ever that generally speaking we are losing our way as a people in being respectful. I’m not trying to sound old fashioned but I’m going to anyway about this topic. I was raised to be respectful. That doesn’t mean you agree with anyone but it does mean you treat others as you would want to be treated. (the golden rule ain’t so golden anymore)
So I am curious as to why it appears, to me anyway, that generally speaking people are much less cordial and respectful. Again, although this appears to be an indictment of everyone it’s not really meant to be that at all but more so a trend I am seeing. I, in fact, try to not surround myself with people who are disrespectful so likely if you are reading this it doesn’t apply to you. (How’s that for a save?)
This also may be a phenomena taking place more regionally to me but people are fast becoming all about me in their approach to most anything. If you walk in a grocery store and let someone pass by you in an aisle you are an exception. Most people move through stores as if they are all alone and no one else matters. Drive any distance across our fruited plains and you will also see this displayed on the roads. Speed limits are basically ignored unless a blue and white is parked in the median. Turn signals are merely suggestions and typically about the only time you might get a smile or a wave on the roads from a stranger it is one of those special pieces of sign language that I decipher as being number 1.
I recently had an exchange online from an individual that is obviously an atheist and tried my very best to be respectful only to get disrespected, bashed and received a supersize plate of condescension. I don’t know this person and frankly don’t ever want to know him but he is evidence of just how people’s hearts seem to be turning.
I guess my quandary is not so much what I am observing but how it can be changed. Can it be changed? Is this the path we are headed down? What sort of future does this diminished respect have for us? Am I over-exaggerating? Am I just crazy? (OK, don’t answer the last question)
This may seem as though I am whining and there could be a little truth to that but I think there is more to it than that. I go out of my way to be respectful and considerate because I was raised that way and yet I see so many people throughout my day that do not show any of those traits. I will stay the coarse and do my best to continue to smile and be respectful (even at DMV) and I invite you all to do the same!
So I am curious as to why it appears, to me anyway, that generally speaking people are much less cordial and respectful. Again, although this appears to be an indictment of everyone it’s not really meant to be that at all but more so a trend I am seeing. I, in fact, try to not surround myself with people who are disrespectful so likely if you are reading this it doesn’t apply to you. (How’s that for a save?)
This also may be a phenomena taking place more regionally to me but people are fast becoming all about me in their approach to most anything. If you walk in a grocery store and let someone pass by you in an aisle you are an exception. Most people move through stores as if they are all alone and no one else matters. Drive any distance across our fruited plains and you will also see this displayed on the roads. Speed limits are basically ignored unless a blue and white is parked in the median. Turn signals are merely suggestions and typically about the only time you might get a smile or a wave on the roads from a stranger it is one of those special pieces of sign language that I decipher as being number 1.
I recently had an exchange online from an individual that is obviously an atheist and tried my very best to be respectful only to get disrespected, bashed and received a supersize plate of condescension. I don’t know this person and frankly don’t ever want to know him but he is evidence of just how people’s hearts seem to be turning.
I guess my quandary is not so much what I am observing but how it can be changed. Can it be changed? Is this the path we are headed down? What sort of future does this diminished respect have for us? Am I over-exaggerating? Am I just crazy? (OK, don’t answer the last question)
This may seem as though I am whining and there could be a little truth to that but I think there is more to it than that. I go out of my way to be respectful and considerate because I was raised that way and yet I see so many people throughout my day that do not show any of those traits. I will stay the coarse and do my best to continue to smile and be respectful (even at DMV) and I invite you all to do the same!
Saturday, April 14, 2012
On April 15th, 2010 there was an event that perhaps did not shake the world or get high amounts of publicity but it shook and changed my world forever. My Dad passed away. You see he was not an ex-President or royalty or even a celebrity but he was indeed my hero and I can safely say was many others as well.
He was a man that although at times live a hard life, lived it with integrity and faith. You always knew that the two most important sides of this man were his family and his faith. He could be tough sometimes but he was always fair and he was generous on many occasions. He could fix anything and had very keen analytical skills. He was sharp as a tack and if you ever dared to go down the path of battling wits with him you better be ready to get your butt handed to you.
We were pretty diametrically opposed on matters of politics or at least that’s what he seemed to profess but the more I would talk to him one on one the more we agreed rather than disagreed. I think many times he just enjoyed throwing out the hook and snagging me in a discussion and it was more his enjoyment in getting a rise out of me. I would define him as a Kennedy Democrat.
I have some very special memories of this man especially later in life when he actually did seek out my council after the death of his wife. I had, unfortunately, some experience losing a spouse that way and I think we had some very poignant discussions that I will never forget.
I could fill a book with memories but I prefer to keep many in my heart alone. So you see this man, while not worldly famous, will never be forgotten by me and many more. Dad, you made me who I am, yes both the good and the mischievous part, and while we never verbalized this enough I am sure you knew I loved and admired you and I really look forward to the day I see you again……
He was a man that although at times live a hard life, lived it with integrity and faith. You always knew that the two most important sides of this man were his family and his faith. He could be tough sometimes but he was always fair and he was generous on many occasions. He could fix anything and had very keen analytical skills. He was sharp as a tack and if you ever dared to go down the path of battling wits with him you better be ready to get your butt handed to you.
We were pretty diametrically opposed on matters of politics or at least that’s what he seemed to profess but the more I would talk to him one on one the more we agreed rather than disagreed. I think many times he just enjoyed throwing out the hook and snagging me in a discussion and it was more his enjoyment in getting a rise out of me. I would define him as a Kennedy Democrat.
I have some very special memories of this man especially later in life when he actually did seek out my council after the death of his wife. I had, unfortunately, some experience losing a spouse that way and I think we had some very poignant discussions that I will never forget.
I could fill a book with memories but I prefer to keep many in my heart alone. So you see this man, while not worldly famous, will never be forgotten by me and many more. Dad, you made me who I am, yes both the good and the mischievous part, and while we never verbalized this enough I am sure you knew I loved and admired you and I really look forward to the day I see you again……
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