Wonderful World

My sixteen year old nephew has entered the wonderful world of politics. We've been sparring back and forth on Facebook. As his comments are on the web, he won't mind, I'm sure, my posting one of his postings here and my response to it. I think you'll find his thinking rather mature for a sixteen year old.

John, my nephew:

Garrett, I think government could get rid of the defecit pretty easily if it diverted unnecessary spending to paying off the defecit. However, I don't think Obama has any intention of doing that. He's added I don't know how many trillion to it and i think all he's gonna do is say "that's not my problem" and then pass on the defecit to the next guy, and whether or not anything gets done about it will depend on whether the next guy is a republican.

Jay, ultimately it is Obama spending the money, though, right? He's the one who makes the budget.

i apologize for the misinformation (i didn't know the dates cuz i was 13 back then and didn't give a hoot about politics), however i'm pretty sure republicans would not do anything so obviously harmful and unrealistic/idealistic as telling mortgage companies they can't deny anyone.

the way i see it, democrats don't want to cut anything, because they think spending is the purpose of government and that somehow, the economy will be fixed if government spends enough money. also, i think that democrats are more emotional and ideological than republicans. i think more often than not republicans have economical benefit in mind as reasons for there viewpoint, whereas democrats (my friends and family who are participating in this debate seem to be in the smarter portion of democrats when they want to be) try to reason with emotions or divert attention by saying "look at that heartless republican trying to kill grandma!" or whatever.

There is more than enough money to pay the pledged money without raising the debt ceiling if, for example, government cut spending on shrimp treadmills.

we agree on one thing, politics is a very complex game, and its easy to sit on the sideline and yell at the players.

Also, nobody has commented on the fact that there is no recovery like the liberal media is trying to tell everybody, so I'm assuming that you guys agree on that one, right?

My response:

Yes, John, Mr. Obama spends the money, but he does so because Congress passes a law that tells him that he must do it. They tell him sometimes in broad terms how to spend it, and sometimes very specifically. Sometimes the law says that (and this is only an example) the Department of Fish Security (hopefully there is no such thing ) is to spend two million dollars this year. Mr. Obama, or his subordinates, then decide how many employees this department will have, how much office space to rent, how many fish to secure, etc.
Other times the Congress writes into the law specific items, such as nine million dollars to build a new six lane bridge that is 1,200 feet long and 65 feet high over the Missouri River on Interstate 70 in Kansas City, or two million dollars to fund shrimp treadmills. Sometimes the law is permissive…you can spend up to this amount…sometimes it is specific…you have to spend this amount. But it’s the Congress that writes all of that and passes it. The President then either signs the laws or vetoes them.
The point is that ALL spending is authorized and funded in some way (taxes or raising the debt) by the Congress. Mr. Obama’s job is to “faithfully execute” the laws that are passed. He can suggest laws. He can suggest spending or cutting. He can submit a suggested budget to Congress. But he cannot unilaterally make those decisions without the Congress. And if he spends money the Congress has authorized, but now doesn’t like, they can always cut funding for that specific item or items. And they have done that from time to time.
Yes, there is more than enough money to pay the pledges. But the Congress has to pass a law that nullifies previous laws that have been passed to spend money. Mr. Obama cannot just unilaterally cut those things out; otherwise he would be violating the law.
You are correct in your assessment that Democrats are more “touchy-feely” and tend to want to “make investments” in this or that, which in plain English is “spend money.” You are correct also in your assessment that Republicans in general wish to hold the line on spending and taxes. There are all kinds of exceptions, however, and the lines that used to define Republicans and Democrats are becoming more blurred all the time. Both Democrats and Republicans are ideological; however Democrats are generally more willing to compromise, in my view, because of their more liberal leanings.
Yes, Republicans have economical benefit in mind; but their idea of that, in my view, is to allow the wealthy to keep more of their wealth in the prospect that they will spend it and so power our economy. Democrats also have economical benefit in mind, but they tend to want to tax the wealthy and redistribute those funds to the poorer and middle classes. Which is right? It all depends on which class you are in.
Although Mr. Obama seems to want to do so, neither party in the Congress seems to be interested in funding the IRS, CMS, and other agencies with enough money to catch those who cheat on taxes, submit fraudulent billing to Medicare, or otherwise scam the government. It has been said that for every dollar the IRS would spend on finding tax cheats, they could take in an additional ten dollars (source: The Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/01/AR2011030106451.html) Also, Wiki has an article titled “Medicare Fraud”. You might want to read it.
Liberal media, conservative media. Listen to them all, then make up your own mind. Thanks for your reasoned response, John. It is discussions like this that enable all of us to learn more. It’s videos like what were posted a day or two ago that only inflame and divide, in my mind. See you Sunday.

Stretch

I attended a funeral today. It was for one of the members of the church where I too am a member. It was actually a memorial service as the graveside was first and had already been completed. The folks who conducted the service did very well and I learned a lot about the deceased that I had not previously known. That’s not really unusual in a larger church. Many times we don’t know much about someone else in the church except for their name, and perhaps something of their family.
Funerals aren’t my favorite cup of tea (or is it coffee…). I normally don’t like to sit through them, and suspect that many people feel as I do. However, it is good to do from time to time, because funerals tend to make us think of our own mortality and the legacy we leave when we leave this life.
There are other things we don’t normally like to do that are actually good for us. One is to visit someone in a nursing or care facility. Another is to do something for someone who is “down and out” that involves direct contact of some kind. Still another would be to volunteer at some kind of service or charitable organization.
Now, I know that for some folks those things are not an issue. But for most of us, those kinds of things are things that we feel a little “uncomfortable” doing. And that’s really the good thing. It’s good for us to stretch our comfort zones and take on something that we are not used to doing.
So next time there is an opportunity to do something you don’t normally do or maybe don’t particularly like to do, remember that you can usually be of service to someone else in times like these, and stretch yourself a little. You’ll be glad you did.

An Answer?

Let’s see. Three people plunge to their deaths over a waterfall at Yosemite National Park. They went into the river above the falls to have, we think, their pictures taken. There are warning signs and barriers to warn people not to go into the river. However, when one person slipped on a rock in the river and began to be pulled away, another in the river tried to get him and a third then tried to rescue the second. All three perished. Their bodies have yet to be recovered because the river is flowing too swiftly for the safety of rescuers.
I have yet to develop the ability to fathom such a scenario as the above; yet it happened in just the last day or so. And it happens regularly, all too often. And people die. And people’s lives are changed forever.
It just saddens me to hear about such things. And yet I know that I’ve done boneheaded things in my life. I’ve just not been caught as these people were, and paid for my deeds with my life. I cannot cast stones at these folks because I’ve been there, done that.
What makes people like this? Why do we think we can get away with things like this? What are we thinking? Or are we thinking? Someone have an answer?

Economics 101

The specific information that follows is courtesy of the Wichita Eagle Sunday, July 17, 2011. The commentary is mine.

We Kansans as well as virtually everyone else on earth, think Kansas is an agricultural state, and so it is. However, there is a wide range of manufacturing that goes on here that is really unnoticed by most except those who work in those sectors.
The following is a sample of things manufactured in Kansas and the companies that have located here. I have omitted the obvious…aircraft plants and most agriculture.

Chance Manufacturing—world’s leading manufacturer of amusement rides.
Pioneer Balloon Co.—nation’s largest manufacturer of latex & foil balloons.
Celestaire—Leading exporter of sextants for air & sea navigation.
Russell Stover—Boxed chocolates and other products.
Miller’s Professional Color (film developing)—Largest professional lab in the U.S.
Siemens—Wind turbine nacelles.
Flint Hills Solutions—Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
Tramco, Inc. —Conveyor systems
Aerosol Co. —Original packager of aerosol products. Now makes aerosol cans.
Dessin Foumir—Top manufacturer of furniture.
Brookover Feed Yards—Has fed more cattle than any other yard in U.S.
Cobalt Boats—Leading manufacturer of luxury power boats.
Grasshopper Co. —First viable zero-turn-radius mower.
Moon Marble Co. —Marbles of all sizes and kinds.
Sonoco—Recycled paper products.
Krause Corp. —Top manufacturer of tillage equipment.
Titan Trailer Mfg. —Distinctive trailers.
Stafford Co. Flour Mills—One of the last independent flour mills in the nation.
Hospira—Leading pharmaceutical manufacturer of pain management medicines.
Ferguson Production—Hummingbird feeders (made 10 million in 2010)
Bradbery Co. —Roll-forming and steel coil processing machines.
Tony’s Pizza—What else…pizza.
Philips Lighting—Light bulbs.
ElDorado National—Largest manufacturer of small to midsize transit busses.

This isn’t a full list, but demonstrates the diversity of our economy and the resourcefulness of our residents. I hope this has been as enlightening for you as it has for me.

A Great Adventure

We got back last evening from a quick trip to Colorado Springs to see our niece retire after a great career with the Air Force. Stationed at the Academy these last several years, the ceremony was an appropriate and dignified way to close out her career. I am grateful we were able to go. The weather was, of course, cooler and nicer there than here. It was enjoyable to be able to take in some cooler temperatures and drier air.
On the trip out and back, we noticed that several areas that normally are very dry this time of the year (Northwest Kansas, Eastern Colorado) have had at least some good moisture. The grass is still green and the dryland crops seem to be doing OK (not great, but OK). Central Kansas, however, is very, very dry and in the midst of a severe drought, as are many other parts of the country right now.
We stopped to visit a friend in Oakley for a few minutes over lunch. The Colonial was about as it always has been, with pretty much the same menu on the buffet as always. For less than nine dollars, however, and just off the Interstate, it was a good deal. I am glad we were able to make that connection with Kathy. She has been, and continues to be a true friend and fellow servant of God.
On the way back, we stopped, as we usually do, at Vernie’s Hamburger House in Hays. Our relationship with that place goes way back to the 1970’s when Vernie himself would make the chili and cook the burgers. Having passed away several years ago, his widow and daughter now are at the helm and have kept things pretty much as Vernie had them many years ago. It was good to re-make that connection as well.
Things do change, however, even when they seem to stand still in time. People get older, buildings get creakier, and prices get higher. Businesses close, people move, and some folks just aren’t with us any more. I was reminded at the retirement ceremony that Angie’s Grandad would loved to have been there…a wounded WWII Marine vet; he would have been, no doubt, the guest of honor. He passed on awhile back.
Life goes on. And as we get back into the thick of it, I am filled with gratitude for the privilege I have of seeing life from my perspective and for those who are going through time and space with me. It’s a great adventure; one that is unique and awesome. Thank you, Lord, for your love.

Full Volume

Today as I was running errands, I had the radio in the pickup on PBS (as usual). The piece that came on when I turned on the ignition one time was obviously the 1812 Overture by Tchaicovsky, formally known as The Year 1812, Festival Overture in E flat major, Op. 49. The overture does not celebrate the War of 1812; rather, it commemorates Russia defending Moscow against Napoleon’s advancing armies in 1812.
The music is familiar to most of us, even if we don’t know for sure what it is called or who wrote it. Some truly appreciate music like this; others tolerate it. It all depends upon one’s taste in the arts and music in particular.
When I heard what was playing on the radio, I immediately turned the volume up full. My speakers can handle that volume without distortion, and it isn’t loud enough to cause ear damage. However, one can more fully appreciate some of the more obscure runs and instrumentation that comes out more audibly when the total volume is high.
I know some who might ride with me might not appreciate the volume, but no one was with me today, except a fly that was clinging for dear life to a window. I truly enjoyed the performance, as I do many of the classics at that volume level, performed by those who are the ultimate professionals.
Thank you, PBS, for providing people like me with the music I like, and a variety that expands my horizons.

If You Haven't Done the Research...

If, for some reason, you doubt that there is any redeeming value in young people today, I urge you to check it out for yourself and not just take someone’s word for it. Check out an upper level, college prep class at the public school. Volunteer at a high school cross country meet this fall (or just attend one). Check out a JROTC program. Ask someone in scouting about the latest Eagle Scout and his project.
And check out this URL http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/fromthetop/pages/ sometime. PBS has a show called “From the Top at Carnegie Hall” that features young people performing a wide variety of music on a wide variety of instruments. Watch any episode and you’ll be amazed, gratified, and pleased with how these young people have ordered themselves with discipline, grace, and use of ability and talent. You may not appreciate music as some do, but you’ll certainly appreciate the message of the show.
My wife and I had the privilege of chaperoning a part of our youth group on two trips to help other churches conduct a vacation Bible school. There were fourteen or fifteen youth and several of us sponsors who traveled to Minnesota and also to Central Kansas for these projects. The young people overall behaved quite well and worked hard to see that the experience of those attending was as it should be and we reached our goal of providing good religious education to the kids.
No, not all youth are of this caliber. But then, not all adults are of a high caliber either. All too often we hear the bad news and haven’t a clue what is happening that is good and decent and right. And all too often it is due to our own laziness in accepting what someone else (FOX, MSNBC) wants us to know rather than finding out for ourselves. If you haven’t done the research (Listening to cable news is NOT doing research), don’t express the opinion.

Independence Day

Well, it’s Independence Day. Once a year we especially remember the beginnings of this nation and what it has meant for not only us, but for the human race. This year, comments on Facebook run the gamut from ours being the greatest nation on earth to ours being the last hurrah before the unwashed hordes overrun us and we drown in debt, immorality, and corruption.
I admit that I readily do not know which way we are headed. Nor does anyone else, for that matter. We are all entitled to our opinions; however, rather than being orators of doom or paradise, maybe it would behoove us to do the things in our corner of the world to make the world a better place for our having been here.
Even that sounds like something from a fairy tale fantasy at times. But the reality is that we all have ways that we can influence not only our environment, but also those we contact in our everyday lives. Whether family, friends, retail sales people, classmates, the taxi driver, or someone else, virtually all of us have some kind of contact with the environment and with other people on a daily basis. It’s what we do with those routine contacts and interaction that collectively make the difference.
Life is seldom glamorous and glitzy. Routine, boring, and ordinary are all good words to describe what most of us experience on a daily basis. Many times, life seems to be patently unfair. Yet it is the possibility of the future, including the hope of a life that is eternal, that makes it all worthwhile.
The signers of the Declaration of Independence, “with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence”, made the decision to “mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.” They saw the possibility of the future. Many of them also knew the hope of a life that is eternal. That, friend, is what made it worthwhile for them, and even today calls us to service and sacrifice.