Yesterday was a travel day and today I get to enjoy all of God's majesty with his creation of the Ozark Mountains. This morning I'm in awe of all the beauty here in North West Arkansas, and inspired by some of the teachings I read in life's owner's manual, the Bible. Paul tells us in his letter to Timothy...
"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but will have itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths. As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry."- Timothy 4:3-5
Paul also reminds us in his letter to Titus...
"He must hold firm to the sure word as taught so he maybe able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to confute those who contradict it. For there are many insubordinate men, empty talkers and deceivers."-Titus 1:9-10
For my fellow members of TEAM ready to give birth to our LIFE initiative I believe these words carry a sober reminder of the weight of our task. For those about to join our movement, this is an outstanding mandate that we need to know what we believe and why we believe it. And for those who are not yet familiar to what's about to sweep this great nation, I'll refer you to this wonderful explanation of what we do.....
http://orrin1woodward.wordpress.com/
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Friday, September 30, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
There's a New Sheriff In Town!
Everyday the excitement is mounting as we approach the launch of LIFE. While so many people are busting with excitement, there are still a few confused on what LIFE is and what we do. Our critics are not among those. They know exactly what we are up to. We're invading their space and threatening their income. The multi-billion dollar life coaching industry is about to be invaded by a low cost, purposeful initiative, that directs people on a course of specific intent. The multi-billion dollar direct selling industry is about to be invaded by a new industry that has a low cost qualification that pays back 70% of it's income to you the participator. Neither industry has seen either, and as you can imagine, they feel threatened, and rightfully so. We've just capped our best week of building communities of people who understand this concept, and building communities is what TEAM does best.
LIFE teaches virtuous wisdom – applying the right principle at the right time in the right area for the right reason. This is the first time that a leadership company is focused on bringing the best in leadership at a price that is affordable to everyone.-Orrin Woodward
The critics will say it differently, but Orrin says it best. Just sit back and watch our smoke as we return this country to the culture and the principles it was founded upon, or join us and become be part of the energy! Either way, there's a new sheriff in town, and his name is LIFE!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
LIFE teaches virtuous wisdom – applying the right principle at the right time in the right area for the right reason. This is the first time that a leadership company is focused on bringing the best in leadership at a price that is affordable to everyone.-Orrin Woodward
The critics will say it differently, but Orrin says it best. Just sit back and watch our smoke as we return this country to the culture and the principles it was founded upon, or join us and become be part of the energy! Either way, there's a new sheriff in town, and his name is LIFE!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
People Skills And Politics!
Today's post is directed to the campaigning politicians opting for the office of the Presidency. Last week there was a debate in Florida and afterwards a straw poll vote. The surprise winner was Herman Cain, the former CEO of Godfather's Pizza, but maybe it wasn't that much of a surprise. The reason Herman stood out above all the other candidates on stage was a simple strategy that went far over the heads of those politicians, pundits, and media personalities. He simply ignored the opportunity to pick at the others on stage and offered a sound solution to our current problems. He understands dragging down another person to highlight yourself presents to others an obvious lack of people skills. It also gives fuel to the opposition, (which wasn't really those others on stage), and the media to continue the exploitation of the conservative movement. Did anyone else notice that all those other debate contestants were, or are politicians? They all jumped right into the fray of highlighting each other's shortcomings and failed to offer valid solutions. They chose to assault each other's style and ignore the problems at hand. I feel this is why Mr Cain attracted the votes of the Florida straw poll. To me this was hardly a surprise, but a reward for the kind of behavior a leader needs to exhibit. Let's hope it's contagious!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Monday, September 26, 2011
American Free Market
It's interesting how backward and anti freedom/capitalism the mind set in Washington is. The thought process I'm about to explain is prevalent among a great deal of our legislators, and explains why our job market and economy are tanking. They don't have a clue how or why this whole system works.
Let's suppose Washington decided it would be best for the nation for us all to save energy and replace our outdated appliances with new and energy efficient ones. Now as attractive and appealing it might be to have a new set of washer and drier, a new dishwasher, refrigerator, and stove might be to the consumer, financially it isn't a practical move. Despite the savings when the electric bill comes, the savings realized would take forever to pay off the new investment. Most household will opt to replace old worn out appliances as needed through attrition. That doesn't fit in with Washington's timetable so their first move is to interfere with free market principles and encourage consumers to take that leap by enticing them with some sort of tax incentive, or rebate. Effectively they take everyone's money and redistribute it to those who perform as the government wishes. You are paying for someone else to purchase an appliance so that Washington's agenda can hurry up and be realized. In return government collects a sales tax on the item purchased, loses the tax revenue on the extra electricity need to operate the old appliance and leaves you wondering, "what the heck?" Now that program only has short term appeal for both the consumer and the government. They can only allow so much money to bribe you to invest in new appliances you don't immediately need, and there are only so many people who'll jump on this program. So what is the government's next move? They increase the user's tax on the energy required to operate inefficient appliances. They punish you through the power of taxation whether you comply to their wishes or not. The more you comply, the less the punishment.
Now without government interference, the free market principle would demand companies to bring innovations to market that a consumer would find beneficial to their life. Not only would it add value, it would have to be at an affordable price driven by competition. In other words, they would create a demand. The price of the appliances would drop and they would become attractive because of price and diminished energy consumption. Contrary to the method above that artificially holds prices higher because the demand is incentivized by the government. The free market method also encourages product development because demand creates competition and the need to add the most value for the lowest cost drives the seller.
But then the government would have to understand free market principles, capitalism, and delayed gratification.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Let's suppose Washington decided it would be best for the nation for us all to save energy and replace our outdated appliances with new and energy efficient ones. Now as attractive and appealing it might be to have a new set of washer and drier, a new dishwasher, refrigerator, and stove might be to the consumer, financially it isn't a practical move. Despite the savings when the electric bill comes, the savings realized would take forever to pay off the new investment. Most household will opt to replace old worn out appliances as needed through attrition. That doesn't fit in with Washington's timetable so their first move is to interfere with free market principles and encourage consumers to take that leap by enticing them with some sort of tax incentive, or rebate. Effectively they take everyone's money and redistribute it to those who perform as the government wishes. You are paying for someone else to purchase an appliance so that Washington's agenda can hurry up and be realized. In return government collects a sales tax on the item purchased, loses the tax revenue on the extra electricity need to operate the old appliance and leaves you wondering, "what the heck?" Now that program only has short term appeal for both the consumer and the government. They can only allow so much money to bribe you to invest in new appliances you don't immediately need, and there are only so many people who'll jump on this program. So what is the government's next move? They increase the user's tax on the energy required to operate inefficient appliances. They punish you through the power of taxation whether you comply to their wishes or not. The more you comply, the less the punishment.
Now without government interference, the free market principle would demand companies to bring innovations to market that a consumer would find beneficial to their life. Not only would it add value, it would have to be at an affordable price driven by competition. In other words, they would create a demand. The price of the appliances would drop and they would become attractive because of price and diminished energy consumption. Contrary to the method above that artificially holds prices higher because the demand is incentivized by the government. The free market method also encourages product development because demand creates competition and the need to add the most value for the lowest cost drives the seller.
But then the government would have to understand free market principles, capitalism, and delayed gratification.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Sunday, September 25, 2011
The Hills Are Alive!
American poet/novelist/historian, Carl Sandburg is quoted as saying, "Nothing happens but first the dream." Henry David Thoreau a noted essayist/poet/philosopher reminds us to, "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined." My personal favorite is a song! A song that inspires us to chase that elusive dream and never quit, "'til you find your dream!" It was written by Oscar Hammerstein ll, he was part of the duet, Rodgers and Hammerstein. While they are credited for many, many works, this 1959 classic was part of the sound track for The Sound of Music. Please enjoy and live the words of Climb Every Mountain!
Climb every mountain, search high and low
Follow every byway, every path you know.
Climb every mountain, ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow, 'til you find your dream!
A dream that will need
all the love you can give,
Every day of your life
for as long as you live.
Climb every mountain, ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow, 'til you find your dream!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Climb every mountain, search high and low
Follow every byway, every path you know.
Climb every mountain, ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow, 'til you find your dream!
A dream that will need
all the love you can give,
Every day of your life
for as long as you live.
Climb every mountain, ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow, 'til you find your dream!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Saturday, September 24, 2011
The Tri-Lateral Success Initiative!
I read some great stuff last night and had an epiphany. It was noted in the book I was reading that; "obstacles are meant to be overcome, fear is meant to be conquered, and success is meant to be achieved." Then I thought, how true; because if they didn't what is their purpose?
Honestly obstacles have absolutely no purpose other than to deter you from success. Even in games shows where they purposely install obstacles between you and the goal line for the audience's entertainment, their primary function is to get you to quit, or delay you reaching your intended goal. They are a prerequisite to success and an indicator that your approaching your goal! Obstacles create winners!
Fear! Ah, the paralyzing initiative also designed to prevent you from action. Is it not meant to be conquered? What other purpose does it serve? There are many ways to overcome your fears and most of them involve simple solutions. Fear of the dark is solved with the introduction of light. Fear of loneliness is resolved by interaction with people. Fear is being unsure of the unknown, bring it out into the open and expose what little power it actually has, and it disappears just like the darkness does when penetrated by the light. Action solves fear, inaction feeds it.
Why would success exist if it wasn't meant to be had? Success is never outside of anyone's reach who is persistent and checks and adjusts their progress. Overcome your fears and conquer your obstacles and success is had. Just the process of doing that is success and it moves you closer toward your goal. It's amazing how this process works hand in hand. You can't have success without removing fear and obstacles. Success cannot exist with out fear and obstacles as to succeed is to overcome. If your having fears and obstacles in your life, success cannot be very far away. Just make the decision to confront and you begin to win.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Honestly obstacles have absolutely no purpose other than to deter you from success. Even in games shows where they purposely install obstacles between you and the goal line for the audience's entertainment, their primary function is to get you to quit, or delay you reaching your intended goal. They are a prerequisite to success and an indicator that your approaching your goal! Obstacles create winners!
Fear! Ah, the paralyzing initiative also designed to prevent you from action. Is it not meant to be conquered? What other purpose does it serve? There are many ways to overcome your fears and most of them involve simple solutions. Fear of the dark is solved with the introduction of light. Fear of loneliness is resolved by interaction with people. Fear is being unsure of the unknown, bring it out into the open and expose what little power it actually has, and it disappears just like the darkness does when penetrated by the light. Action solves fear, inaction feeds it.
Why would success exist if it wasn't meant to be had? Success is never outside of anyone's reach who is persistent and checks and adjusts their progress. Overcome your fears and conquer your obstacles and success is had. Just the process of doing that is success and it moves you closer toward your goal. It's amazing how this process works hand in hand. You can't have success without removing fear and obstacles. Success cannot exist with out fear and obstacles as to succeed is to overcome. If your having fears and obstacles in your life, success cannot be very far away. Just make the decision to confront and you begin to win.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Friday, September 23, 2011
Success Principles!
There are people in history that embody life principles we can all learn from. I believe the information below is not only timeless, but invaluable and important for every individual to absorb!
Frederick Douglass sought to embody three keys for success in life:
Believe in yourself.
Take advantage of every opportunity.
Use the power of spoken and written language to effect positive change for yourself and society.
Douglass said, "What is possible for me is possible for you." By taking these keys and making them his own, Frederick Douglass created a life of honor, respect and success that he could never have dreamed of when still a boy on Colonel Lloyd's plantation on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
Does this not exude every principle the TEAM and the upcoming LIFE opportunities represent? Frederick Douglass lived in the worse possible conditions during a period of slavery, yet he lived these principles and rose as an influential figure in history. Rising out of the hopelessness of slavery, ( and we think it's horrible to be controlled by a job), Douglass had every reason to just quit. What barriers stand between you and your hopes and dreams?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Frederick Douglass sought to embody three keys for success in life:
Believe in yourself.
Take advantage of every opportunity.
Use the power of spoken and written language to effect positive change for yourself and society.
Douglass said, "What is possible for me is possible for you." By taking these keys and making them his own, Frederick Douglass created a life of honor, respect and success that he could never have dreamed of when still a boy on Colonel Lloyd's plantation on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
Does this not exude every principle the TEAM and the upcoming LIFE opportunities represent? Frederick Douglass lived in the worse possible conditions during a period of slavery, yet he lived these principles and rose as an influential figure in history. Rising out of the hopelessness of slavery, ( and we think it's horrible to be controlled by a job), Douglass had every reason to just quit. What barriers stand between you and your hopes and dreams?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thursday, September 22, 2011
The Battle Front!
Yesterday we discussed the sometimes toxic nature of life. One of the things Orrin Woodward has passed on to me is that whether we are discussing improving our social environment or fixing the problems in Washington DC, the answer begins with the individual. We have to invite the people to change, which will change the culture, which will move us toward finding the solutions to society's problems. It's all about personal responsibility. Mankind has got to get away from the "me first" attitude unless it comes to becoming the best example you can be! Living a self-less life, exuding an example of morality by living in a Godly manner, is the key!
It's not going to be an easy task. While it's easy to be a Christian among Christians, the world will resent an example that treads on the agenda that's been set. Our Creator has been placed on the back burner, ignored because prideful man has decided they own the control over their destiny. To upset that applecart will draw criticism. Becoming a moral example is going to point out that other options are wrong. No one like to be told or shown they are wrong, so expect their ire. That's why it's been said, nothing worthwhile is ever easy. Your critics will see to that!
This is the challenge we face today. Washington had his British, Reagan had the USSR, we have a godless world. Are you ready to rise to the challenge and become your personal best? Do you have the spine to face your critics and understand the battle your in? Come join us in the LIFE program and make the changes necessary to bring the culture back from which it has strayed.....
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
It's not going to be an easy task. While it's easy to be a Christian among Christians, the world will resent an example that treads on the agenda that's been set. Our Creator has been placed on the back burner, ignored because prideful man has decided they own the control over their destiny. To upset that applecart will draw criticism. Becoming a moral example is going to point out that other options are wrong. No one like to be told or shown they are wrong, so expect their ire. That's why it's been said, nothing worthwhile is ever easy. Your critics will see to that!
This is the challenge we face today. Washington had his British, Reagan had the USSR, we have a godless world. Are you ready to rise to the challenge and become your personal best? Do you have the spine to face your critics and understand the battle your in? Come join us in the LIFE program and make the changes necessary to bring the culture back from which it has strayed.....
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Good Finders!
I was just mulling over how interesting an environment I grew up in. It was incredibly toxic, as to survive it was critical to find and point out what was different about everyone you met. They were either too skinny or too heavy, too short or too tall, their hair was too short, or their clothes were out of date. Your survival depended on being critical of whatever you found different about someone else, as if that was a qualifier to lift you up. How happy I am that I was removed from that environment and found out people actually enjoy what is different about each other. How boring would it be if we were all the same. Instead of de-edifying people, you actually tell them how great it was that they had a different characteristic, and learn all about that.
Only now do I realize that those who pointed fingers and laughed at people different from them where masking their own insecurities. They felt if they made a public spectacle out of someone else, the crowd wouldn't be as able to pick apart them. How sad an existence is that? Personal growth comes from learning, and what is more valuable than learning how others differ from ourselves? Being a good finder was something I had to learn, and still am! But wouldn't the world be a better place if we taught that from birth? Find the best in your fellow man.
Now it's funny that back then I protected my glass house by throwing as many stones as I could find at other's. How much we learn as we age! How many wrong principles we are taught in our youth. How much farther down the road could I now be had this lesson been learned earlier?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Only now do I realize that those who pointed fingers and laughed at people different from them where masking their own insecurities. They felt if they made a public spectacle out of someone else, the crowd wouldn't be as able to pick apart them. How sad an existence is that? Personal growth comes from learning, and what is more valuable than learning how others differ from ourselves? Being a good finder was something I had to learn, and still am! But wouldn't the world be a better place if we taught that from birth? Find the best in your fellow man.
Now it's funny that back then I protected my glass house by throwing as many stones as I could find at other's. How much we learn as we age! How many wrong principles we are taught in our youth. How much farther down the road could I now be had this lesson been learned earlier?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Tax Resolution!
Rush Limbaugh had an outstanding idea yesterday while discussing President Obama's plan for "everyone to pay their fair share." Rush decided that was a wonderful premise, and I concur. Since the Democrats are responsible for enactment of all the social programs; Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare, those who vote for representatives supporting that legislation should divide the costs of what the people they elected voted for.
Now that might seem unfair to some, but I'm a fair kind of guy. So we let the door swing both ways. Liberals are always complaining conservatives spend too much on the defense of our country, so since defense spending is a conservative issue, they should shoulder the burden of what their representatives vote for. It'll break down like this..
The 2010 budget allows for
SSI 20%
Medicare and Medicaid 23%
Defense spending 20%
Interest on the debt 6%
Other 12%
Discretionary spending 19%
Those who vote for legislators who have a "D" after their name, and vote to fund social programs will be responsible for:
SSI 20%
Medicare 23%
Those who vote for legislators who have a "R" after their name and vote for defense spending will have:
Defense spending 20%
If your an independent your tax responsibility follows your voting record. If the people you voted to elect support fiscal responsibility, your tax liabilities reflect that.
If you don't choose to vote your taxes stand as they are.
The balance of the budget will be split between the two compiling 37% of the budget. So tax rates for Democrats will be based on paying 61.5% of the budget needs, and Republicans will be billed by the IRS for 38.5% of the government's fiscal responsibility. It's an equitable split designed to have those who strongly believe in social welfare contribute toward their belief, and those who deem a strong defense important also responsible to pay their "fair share." This is the only true way for voters to hold their representatives accountable and fairly divide the tax burden for all the programs. It's no longer a "class warfare" issue under this system, it's about principles. If you strongly believe in redistribution of wealth, then your's will be redistributed equitably. If you strongly believe in our country having a strong military, your tax dollars will go to support those causes. I'll betcha people do their best to understand what the candidate they vote for fiscal policies are prior to casting their ballots. I'll also betcha they hold those representatives accountable for every vote. The politician you cast your vote for will have a direct impact on your taxable rate. Now that's a fair redistribution of your tax dollar.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Now that might seem unfair to some, but I'm a fair kind of guy. So we let the door swing both ways. Liberals are always complaining conservatives spend too much on the defense of our country, so since defense spending is a conservative issue, they should shoulder the burden of what their representatives vote for. It'll break down like this..
The 2010 budget allows for
SSI 20%
Medicare and Medicaid 23%
Defense spending 20%
Interest on the debt 6%
Other 12%
Discretionary spending 19%
Those who vote for legislators who have a "D" after their name, and vote to fund social programs will be responsible for:
SSI 20%
Medicare 23%
Those who vote for legislators who have a "R" after their name and vote for defense spending will have:
Defense spending 20%
If your an independent your tax responsibility follows your voting record. If the people you voted to elect support fiscal responsibility, your tax liabilities reflect that.
If you don't choose to vote your taxes stand as they are.
The balance of the budget will be split between the two compiling 37% of the budget. So tax rates for Democrats will be based on paying 61.5% of the budget needs, and Republicans will be billed by the IRS for 38.5% of the government's fiscal responsibility. It's an equitable split designed to have those who strongly believe in social welfare contribute toward their belief, and those who deem a strong defense important also responsible to pay their "fair share." This is the only true way for voters to hold their representatives accountable and fairly divide the tax burden for all the programs. It's no longer a "class warfare" issue under this system, it's about principles. If you strongly believe in redistribution of wealth, then your's will be redistributed equitably. If you strongly believe in our country having a strong military, your tax dollars will go to support those causes. I'll betcha people do their best to understand what the candidate they vote for fiscal policies are prior to casting their ballots. I'll also betcha they hold those representatives accountable for every vote. The politician you cast your vote for will have a direct impact on your taxable rate. Now that's a fair redistribution of your tax dollar.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Monday, September 19, 2011
Friends!
Sometimes it best to let others explain things. Here's a tidbit from Orrin Woodward on friendship I absolutely love. To read more go to
http://orrin1woodward.wordpress.com/
True friendship is a lost art in today’s “Me” generation, but that only increases the value of a friend when he is found. The best way to find friends of this caliber is to be one, which is why friendship is one of the 13 resolutions. If someone dies having had several friends of this quality, then he is a blessed man. Make a commitment to give more to each relationship than one receives. Although simple in theory, this is much tougher to do in practice, especially with true friends. Friendship brings so much joy and fun into life, that it should be cultivated as a fine art. Conversely, damaged relationships bring so much pain into life, that conflict should be resolved promptly. Resolve the issues, not dissolve the friendship, if at all possible. The real wealth in life isn’t in a person’s net worth, but in his relationships with God, family, and friends. No amount of money can mend damaged relationship or purchase the joy and happiness experienced within a true friendship. Regardless of the fickleness and fecklessness witnessed in the world, resolve today to give others the fidelity and faithfulness of a true friend.- Orrin Woodward
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
http://orrin1woodward.wordpress.com/
True friendship is a lost art in today’s “Me” generation, but that only increases the value of a friend when he is found. The best way to find friends of this caliber is to be one, which is why friendship is one of the 13 resolutions. If someone dies having had several friends of this quality, then he is a blessed man. Make a commitment to give more to each relationship than one receives. Although simple in theory, this is much tougher to do in practice, especially with true friends. Friendship brings so much joy and fun into life, that it should be cultivated as a fine art. Conversely, damaged relationships bring so much pain into life, that conflict should be resolved promptly. Resolve the issues, not dissolve the friendship, if at all possible. The real wealth in life isn’t in a person’s net worth, but in his relationships with God, family, and friends. No amount of money can mend damaged relationship or purchase the joy and happiness experienced within a true friendship. Regardless of the fickleness and fecklessness witnessed in the world, resolve today to give others the fidelity and faithfulness of a true friend.- Orrin Woodward
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Foundations!
There are four principles directly stated in the Declaration of Independence written and approved by our forefathers we have grown to overlook. They supply the premise for which the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Federalist Papers were grounded upon. Without his understanding, it can all be picked apart as it is today. They are all intertwined and compliment each other.
The first and most important premise in the Declaration of Independence is that there is a Creator. And the only way these documents hold themselves together is that we believe in a God that punishes you for not telling the truth. Everyone of the Bill of rights come directly from the teachings of the Bible.
The second premise this was all founded upon is that you have rights. Rights granted to you by the above mentioned Creator. No man can remove or alter those rights. Rights are only granted by a higher power, a Creator, as if they came from man they could easily be taken away. You cannot erase God given rights.
God, or your Creator exists to protect those rights.
And finally those rights were formally know as Laws of nature, or Common Law. They've been in existence since man began. Grounded in morality, based upon that, that is natural. Like the union between a man and a woman for example. Anything outside those laws of nature are unnatural acts and outside the boundary of morality.
Erode these principles and none of the ideals this great nation was founded upon stands unchallenged. Stick to the above premise's and they all make complete sense. It's an all or nothing kind of deal!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
The first and most important premise in the Declaration of Independence is that there is a Creator. And the only way these documents hold themselves together is that we believe in a God that punishes you for not telling the truth. Everyone of the Bill of rights come directly from the teachings of the Bible.
The second premise this was all founded upon is that you have rights. Rights granted to you by the above mentioned Creator. No man can remove or alter those rights. Rights are only granted by a higher power, a Creator, as if they came from man they could easily be taken away. You cannot erase God given rights.
God, or your Creator exists to protect those rights.
And finally those rights were formally know as Laws of nature, or Common Law. They've been in existence since man began. Grounded in morality, based upon that, that is natural. Like the union between a man and a woman for example. Anything outside those laws of nature are unnatural acts and outside the boundary of morality.
Erode these principles and none of the ideals this great nation was founded upon stands unchallenged. Stick to the above premise's and they all make complete sense. It's an all or nothing kind of deal!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Saturday, September 17, 2011
HE DID IT!
If you've ever been around a large family, or been blessed to be part of one with many siblings, your probably aware that whenever something goes wrong there is a lot of finger pointing. After the barrage of "not me" and "I don't know," as a last resort the blame usually gets assigned to the same family member. This unlucky individual isn't always the culprit but is usually unfairly assigned the bulk load of the blame. The same applies in politics.
The Democrat party relies on a reputation of being on the side of the working class, Joe the plumber's best friend! The Republican party has garnered the reputation of being for the businessman, and the Wall Street fat cat. Are these reputation's earned, or just the result of assignment of blame? Let's look at one of the favorite programs of the democrat party.
Social Security was introduced by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a Democrat. His original promise to the American people was that first it was voluntary. The second selling point was that they would only be taxed 1% of the first $1400 of their annual incomes. Third those contributions would be tax deductible. Fourth it would be kept in a separate fund completely removed from the general fund. And Fifth that annuity payments to recipients would never be taxed as income.
So as we are all aware Social Security is now mandatory, The taxed contribution by you and I is 7.65% on your first $90,000. It's no longer a tax write off. Under President Lyndon Baines Johnson, (a democrat) your Social Security tax money was moved to the general fund and spent.The tax deduction for Social Security was removed by the democrats. And under President Clinton, (a democrat) your being taxed on up to 85% of your retirement benefits from Social Security. Finally Jimmy Carter signed legislation to give benefits to people who never paid into the system, dooming it into insolventcy.
But the republicans are the party that wants to throw grandma under the bus! After violating the original contract (FICA), The Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
The Democrat party relies on a reputation of being on the side of the working class, Joe the plumber's best friend! The Republican party has garnered the reputation of being for the businessman, and the Wall Street fat cat. Are these reputation's earned, or just the result of assignment of blame? Let's look at one of the favorite programs of the democrat party.
Social Security was introduced by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a Democrat. His original promise to the American people was that first it was voluntary. The second selling point was that they would only be taxed 1% of the first $1400 of their annual incomes. Third those contributions would be tax deductible. Fourth it would be kept in a separate fund completely removed from the general fund. And Fifth that annuity payments to recipients would never be taxed as income.
So as we are all aware Social Security is now mandatory, The taxed contribution by you and I is 7.65% on your first $90,000. It's no longer a tax write off. Under President Lyndon Baines Johnson, (a democrat) your Social Security tax money was moved to the general fund and spent.The tax deduction for Social Security was removed by the democrats. And under President Clinton, (a democrat) your being taxed on up to 85% of your retirement benefits from Social Security. Finally Jimmy Carter signed legislation to give benefits to people who never paid into the system, dooming it into insolventcy.
But the republicans are the party that wants to throw grandma under the bus! After violating the original contract (FICA), The Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Friday, September 16, 2011
Warning Against Idleness!
The government report has come down that there is currently more people on food stamps than in anytime, ever in history. Apparently the poverty level in the United states is at an all time high, although according to the census report, the majority of those poor enjoy big screen TV's, video games, automobiles, and very few of them actually are concerned about where their next meal is coming from. We've even lowered the bar on the poverty level! People living in poverty shouldn't be capable of enjoying the luxuries of life, that's why they are defined as poor. I mean it's wonderful that their income allows them these amenities, but I'm thinking it's watering down the definition of poverty. I'm certain that the poor in the slums of Brazil for example, don't share the same struggles. So with that in mind, are our poor really living in poverty, or just enjoying a lower standard of living? Then there is this reminder from the handbook of life.
For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, we did not eat anyone's bread without paying, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you. It was not because we have not that right, but to give you in our conduct an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: If anyone will not work, let him not eat. For we hear that some of you are walking in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work.
-The Second Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians 7-11
I'm guessing this isn't a new problem!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, we did not eat anyone's bread without paying, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you. It was not because we have not that right, but to give you in our conduct an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: If anyone will not work, let him not eat. For we hear that some of you are walking in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work.
-The Second Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians 7-11
I'm guessing this isn't a new problem!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thursday, September 15, 2011
It Was For A Reason!
Washington always has something to talk about, the latest and greatest being the Solyindra scandal. For those of you unfamiliar with the story, the short version is we the tax payers lent them a half a billion dollars to manufacture solar panels. They then went bankrupt. Now there is all kinds of finger pointing and who done it accusations, rightfully so. But let me propose a solution, a simple answer to all this to do.
No where in any of our founding documents is the power for the federal government to lend money. How about we quit believing that the Constitution is a living document and simply follow the principles outlined in it? They didn't set up a federal income taxing authority like today's IRS because they understood excessive revenues in the hands of government officials would add a temptation for corruption, and here we have it.
You can have degrees from every learning institution in the United States, but as of yet that hasn't qualified anyone to be wiser than the brain trust that formed this country's policies. They had a specific intent for everything they did, and to this day every time we stray from those ideals problems occur.
Follow the design!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
No where in any of our founding documents is the power for the federal government to lend money. How about we quit believing that the Constitution is a living document and simply follow the principles outlined in it? They didn't set up a federal income taxing authority like today's IRS because they understood excessive revenues in the hands of government officials would add a temptation for corruption, and here we have it.
You can have degrees from every learning institution in the United States, but as of yet that hasn't qualified anyone to be wiser than the brain trust that formed this country's policies. They had a specific intent for everything they did, and to this day every time we stray from those ideals problems occur.
Follow the design!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Education Investment!
When a company decides to invest in a training system for it's employees free market principles demand that the investment should be carried to the point at which the extra return repays the investment and yields the market rate of interest on it. In other words, the company making the investment should see a substantial return. This is sound management of corporate funds. It's a win/win for both the personnel, and the company as they both increase their worth.
The same principle applies to the education of our children. If it's going to cost more to bring them through the process, there should be additional value as an end result. If we are asked to increase funding to our school systems to maintain the same or lower level of literacy, something is wrong in the process. It should never cost a community more to maintain a literacy level. If it does the community is being robbed of a proper return on their investment, and should reevaluate the investment. Every dollar should show improvement statistically and produce to the work force an educated product capable of providing the community with a greater return as far as taxable income produced.
Children couldn't be born any less educated, it should never become more costly to bring them to a level of productivity that serves the community. Every tax dollar spend should be weighed for it's return. So when we are told it's important to invest in our children's future, yet the literacy level declines, it's not a financial issue. It's a teaching process. We are not focusing on issues specific to achieving a better return on our education investment. It will serve us well to remember that when the government tries to sell us on making our children more competitive in the global market. Show me the statistics on our return.....
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
The same principle applies to the education of our children. If it's going to cost more to bring them through the process, there should be additional value as an end result. If we are asked to increase funding to our school systems to maintain the same or lower level of literacy, something is wrong in the process. It should never cost a community more to maintain a literacy level. If it does the community is being robbed of a proper return on their investment, and should reevaluate the investment. Every dollar should show improvement statistically and produce to the work force an educated product capable of providing the community with a greater return as far as taxable income produced.
Children couldn't be born any less educated, it should never become more costly to bring them to a level of productivity that serves the community. Every tax dollar spend should be weighed for it's return. So when we are told it's important to invest in our children's future, yet the literacy level declines, it's not a financial issue. It's a teaching process. We are not focusing on issues specific to achieving a better return on our education investment. It will serve us well to remember that when the government tries to sell us on making our children more competitive in the global market. Show me the statistics on our return.....
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Charitable Freedom!
And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”-Luke 3:11
Note this passage tells us the individual who has excess should be charitable and share with those less fortunate. There is nothing here about the government taking from that successful subject and redistributing his goods. Our Creator gave us the option to be charitable, or to be selfish when He endowed us with inalienable rights, like the right to choose sin or charity. We have a free will, and a moral obligation to fulfill. It's not any government's job to oversee your morality.
Here's why....
As individuals we can direct our charity more efficiently. There is no bureaucracy to take it's slice of the pie. We are also more astute to the need of our local microcosm than a distant government office can be.
The government bureau that accounts for budgets, (the CBO), tells us that the government applies thirty cents of every dollar toward the actual cause it was intended for. Would it be hard for anyone to be more efficient than that? I think not...Keep the government out of charity.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Note this passage tells us the individual who has excess should be charitable and share with those less fortunate. There is nothing here about the government taking from that successful subject and redistributing his goods. Our Creator gave us the option to be charitable, or to be selfish when He endowed us with inalienable rights, like the right to choose sin or charity. We have a free will, and a moral obligation to fulfill. It's not any government's job to oversee your morality.
Here's why....
As individuals we can direct our charity more efficiently. There is no bureaucracy to take it's slice of the pie. We are also more astute to the need of our local microcosm than a distant government office can be.
The government bureau that accounts for budgets, (the CBO), tells us that the government applies thirty cents of every dollar toward the actual cause it was intended for. Would it be hard for anyone to be more efficient than that? I think not...Keep the government out of charity.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Monday, September 12, 2011
On Purpose!
Becoming the best you that you can be, should be a very attractive proposition. When you accomplish something of magnitude that gives you a sense of pride, are you feeling better or worse about yourself? If you read a personal development book that gives you a tidbit of information that improves your life, do you walk away feeling better or worse? After ingesting a recording designed to uplift your outlook on life, are you more positive, or less positive?
Our Creator gives us a defined time here on this planet, and then He empowers us to use that time to become the best version of ourselves we can be. Our reward is the feeling of satisfaction when we make strives toward that goal. That's why a feeling of accomplishment is so fulfilling, it's the reward for doing the right thing. It's our job to honor God by living a life of purpose.
Think about it. Do you know any depressed accomplished people who have chosen to live a life of purpose? I'm thinking you don't. If they are, they've not realized their purpose yet and those accomplishments are aimed in the wrong direction. Depression is a lack of fulfillment. Satisfaction is achieving your purpose.
Isn't it interesting that God created all men, (and women) equal then gave them a choice. We have the option of living a life of purpose or not. A free will is a wonderful thing.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Our Creator gives us a defined time here on this planet, and then He empowers us to use that time to become the best version of ourselves we can be. Our reward is the feeling of satisfaction when we make strives toward that goal. That's why a feeling of accomplishment is so fulfilling, it's the reward for doing the right thing. It's our job to honor God by living a life of purpose.
Think about it. Do you know any depressed accomplished people who have chosen to live a life of purpose? I'm thinking you don't. If they are, they've not realized their purpose yet and those accomplishments are aimed in the wrong direction. Depression is a lack of fulfillment. Satisfaction is achieving your purpose.
Isn't it interesting that God created all men, (and women) equal then gave them a choice. We have the option of living a life of purpose or not. A free will is a wonderful thing.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Sunday, September 11, 2011
God Bless America!
A decade later we sit and memorialize the victims of 9/11/2001; for some, (those in their twenties), it's been a life time, for others, a moment in time, but for all it's time to forgive. Never have these words rung so true....
Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
With this prayer we are reminded how to memorialize this day. This is the way a free and powerful nation responds to adversity. We are reminded that by some of the verses in America the Beautiful.
"America, America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea! "
And from the second stanza...
"America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!"
And from the third stanza....
" O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine! "
And from the fourth stanza.....
"O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America! "
And from the final verse....
"America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee! "
We will never forget, but we must forgive.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
With this prayer we are reminded how to memorialize this day. This is the way a free and powerful nation responds to adversity. We are reminded that by some of the verses in America the Beautiful.
"America, America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea! "
And from the second stanza...
"America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!"
And from the third stanza....
" O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine! "
And from the fourth stanza.....
"O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America! "
And from the final verse....
"America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee! "
We will never forget, but we must forgive.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Saturday, September 10, 2011
LIFE And Our Culture!
Yesterday I had the opportunity to get some face time with the #7 leadership guru in the world, Orrin Woodward. We began a spectacular discussion that he furthered during the TEAM men's leadership web cast last night, but he packed so many wonderful points into such a brief teaching period I'm not sure everyone understood the impact of what he said.
The political and cultural stand of the nation today is a reflection of the people.
As our discussion moved forward Orrin explained that if the people want government assistance and a nanny state then they will elect politicians who reflect those views. So the way to reform what's going on in Washington today is to reform the culture, one person at a time. For us to find our way back to the principles upon which this great nation was founded, we need to begin with ourselves, the smallest common denominator.
For decades there has been a faction of this country eating away at the foundation upon which it stands. They understand the most vulnerable and easily swayed are the impressionable youth, and they have flooded the learning institutions with their ideals, or lack of them. Generations later, they have a sympathetic audience swayed by the temptation of an easier existence not unlike the serpent tempted Adam and Eve.
Success only comes before work in the dictionary, but some of our citizen's have been led to believe that living the American dream comes in the form of a handout from Washington. They've been told that living a life of principles and morals is just too much effort and your much better served pushing those aside for the easy way out. It's hard work to deny sinful behavior. Is it easier to remain faithful to your spouse, or buckle to the temptation of an affair? Is it easier to labor daily for a paycheck to provide for you and your family, or simply stand in a line for a government assistance check? Doing the right thing is a difficult endeavor, it's so much easier to just allow a sinful existence to guide your life, and there are people in learning institutions, media, and government telling our youth that everyday.
That's where LIFE comes in. Our goal is to point every individual we meet toward being the best they can be, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Society will reflect what the individuals that comprise it have become. Let's all start with us, and watch this movement grow. We're a learning organization focused upon learning to become the best us we can be. A purpose that founded a business and saved a nation.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
The political and cultural stand of the nation today is a reflection of the people.
As our discussion moved forward Orrin explained that if the people want government assistance and a nanny state then they will elect politicians who reflect those views. So the way to reform what's going on in Washington today is to reform the culture, one person at a time. For us to find our way back to the principles upon which this great nation was founded, we need to begin with ourselves, the smallest common denominator.
For decades there has been a faction of this country eating away at the foundation upon which it stands. They understand the most vulnerable and easily swayed are the impressionable youth, and they have flooded the learning institutions with their ideals, or lack of them. Generations later, they have a sympathetic audience swayed by the temptation of an easier existence not unlike the serpent tempted Adam and Eve.
Success only comes before work in the dictionary, but some of our citizen's have been led to believe that living the American dream comes in the form of a handout from Washington. They've been told that living a life of principles and morals is just too much effort and your much better served pushing those aside for the easy way out. It's hard work to deny sinful behavior. Is it easier to remain faithful to your spouse, or buckle to the temptation of an affair? Is it easier to labor daily for a paycheck to provide for you and your family, or simply stand in a line for a government assistance check? Doing the right thing is a difficult endeavor, it's so much easier to just allow a sinful existence to guide your life, and there are people in learning institutions, media, and government telling our youth that everyday.
That's where LIFE comes in. Our goal is to point every individual we meet toward being the best they can be, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Society will reflect what the individuals that comprise it have become. Let's all start with us, and watch this movement grow. We're a learning organization focused upon learning to become the best us we can be. A purpose that founded a business and saved a nation.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Friday, September 9, 2011
"Taxing!"
We all got an earful last night during the President's speech, highlighted by the suggestion that Congress, "should pass this now!" It sounded like we were trying to get rid of a kidney stone, as the President suggested once again that we should get the evil millionaires and billionaires to "pay their fair share." Your stand is always in question when you point to a hypocrite as an example to highlight your point. Warren Buffet not only is delinquent in his tax paying responsibilities, he's always welcome to fill out a short form and take the basic deduction, or he can donate tax dollars to the federal government. The IRS has a special area of it's web site dedicated to that kind of philanthropy. He's done none of the above, but back to my point.
Let's do the simple math to start. If the tax code were equal across the board and everyone paid, say 10%, a wealthy individual would pay more than his struggling counterpart. That's fair! If you made $10,000.00 per year, you'd pay $1000.00 in taxes. If you made 1,000,000.00 you'd pay $10,000.00, or as I'd like to say, your fair but equal share. We don't have that in America, our tax code already requires the successful to pay a higher rate than everyone else, which ignores these principles our founding father's bequeathed to us.
All men are created equal.
And
Equal justice under the law.
They went so far as to highlight the "all men are created equal," with the statement, "we hold these truths to be self evident." That statement insists that even President Obama should be capable of understanding this, but alas he doesn't.
The second statement is engraved permanently above the courthouse of the third branch of the government, the Supreme Court, lest they forget.
Despite all this effort to "level the playing field," as the liberal faction of our country is always so fond of leaning heavily toward, the message gets lost on our President. Is he angry with success? Why is a progressive tax code part of our system? It draws lines of segregation between the population. Isn't that frowned upon in a nation of equal individual freedom? Apparently being a someone with progressive views has it's drawbacks.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Let's do the simple math to start. If the tax code were equal across the board and everyone paid, say 10%, a wealthy individual would pay more than his struggling counterpart. That's fair! If you made $10,000.00 per year, you'd pay $1000.00 in taxes. If you made 1,000,000.00 you'd pay $10,000.00, or as I'd like to say, your fair but equal share. We don't have that in America, our tax code already requires the successful to pay a higher rate than everyone else, which ignores these principles our founding father's bequeathed to us.
All men are created equal.
And
Equal justice under the law.
They went so far as to highlight the "all men are created equal," with the statement, "we hold these truths to be self evident." That statement insists that even President Obama should be capable of understanding this, but alas he doesn't.
The second statement is engraved permanently above the courthouse of the third branch of the government, the Supreme Court, lest they forget.
Despite all this effort to "level the playing field," as the liberal faction of our country is always so fond of leaning heavily toward, the message gets lost on our President. Is he angry with success? Why is a progressive tax code part of our system? It draws lines of segregation between the population. Isn't that frowned upon in a nation of equal individual freedom? Apparently being a someone with progressive views has it's drawbacks.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Hey Teach!
Inevitably tonight during the President's speech we are going to hear about the need to invest in America's education system. He's going to seek to "level the playing field" with India and China by upping the investment in our youth's education. He'll promote the need to further enhance our children's math and science skills so they will be competitive in the global market. It's an outstanding goal to provide America's youth with all the tools so they can achieve their maximum potential and compete in the global job market at some point in the future, but throwing money at a problem usually does little to solve it. It's important to understand that fiscal investment in human beings is not on the same return nor is it backed like an investment in physical capital. In this case we have no physical security to back the investment should something go awry. The investment in children's education depends upon the cooperativeness of the individual being educated, or in financial terms, the borrower. We are investing in our children's future, and like any good investment we expect a return. There is no legal recourse if they default, so it's important we research what we are proposing to pour our hard earned money into.
I'm willing to bet that India and China spend far less to educate their youth then we propose to do. In fact, it's highly likely that what differs between the education systems is the culture and the dedication of the instructors and the students, not they money pour into it. The youth of those countries understand the value of an education and the consequences of being illiterate and poor. Their poor actually are poor and don't live at a standard like America's underprivileged. They don't have the government assistance that provides them with an income capable of acquiring big screen TV's, X-box, Playstation 3's, Cable and Internet access, automobiles and the like. Their poor struggle to eat and maintain a roof over their heads. To be uneducated in China and India comes at a heavy price. So those are hungry students who eagerly attend school and would sooner die than miss class. It's their ticket out of being sentenced to a poverty just short of hell. America's youth don't have that same drive.
So with that in mind Mr. President, is money really the issue here?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
I'm willing to bet that India and China spend far less to educate their youth then we propose to do. In fact, it's highly likely that what differs between the education systems is the culture and the dedication of the instructors and the students, not they money pour into it. The youth of those countries understand the value of an education and the consequences of being illiterate and poor. Their poor actually are poor and don't live at a standard like America's underprivileged. They don't have the government assistance that provides them with an income capable of acquiring big screen TV's, X-box, Playstation 3's, Cable and Internet access, automobiles and the like. Their poor struggle to eat and maintain a roof over their heads. To be uneducated in China and India comes at a heavy price. So those are hungry students who eagerly attend school and would sooner die than miss class. It's their ticket out of being sentenced to a poverty just short of hell. America's youth don't have that same drive.
So with that in mind Mr. President, is money really the issue here?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Flip-Floppers
During the upcoming political season we are bound to hear the term flip-flopper. It's an insult hurled at candidates meant to discredit their position on a topic of debate. Honestly they use it in a very loose manner to serve their agenda, because it implies such a unlikable trait.
A true flip-flopper will not say the same thing to different groups they are speaking to. You speak to a union constituency, your pro-labor and all for the blue collar worker. If they speak to corporate heads they espouse a view in favor of management, an for example. If it's a catholic group they are anti-abortion, if it's a woman's rights group then they are all for it. That's a flip-flopper!
What a flip-flopper is not, is one who changes their opinion and stands firmly on the new principle. Often times as we grow as individuals we receive more information, and that helps enlighten us with a new point of view. Truthfully, there was a time I had views that could be considered very liberal, then I got more information. It's amazing what actually having to pay taxes will do for your point of view when it comes to the government. If a candidate has voiced at some point in his or her career a view dissimilar to what they stand upon now, that's not qualified as a flip-flop. It is important they inform the public what changed their opinion, and why. For instance you might have at one time believed in a woman's right to an abortion, but as you grew and have come to understand your faith and the sanctity of life, you now side with the rights of the unborn life. That's hardly a flip-flop but better defined as a personal growth event. Has anyone else noticed most of the people who enjoy the liberal point of view are youthful? Apparently it's something most people grow out of as they mature and have a deeper grasp on life.
Watch out for the labels!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
A true flip-flopper will not say the same thing to different groups they are speaking to. You speak to a union constituency, your pro-labor and all for the blue collar worker. If they speak to corporate heads they espouse a view in favor of management, an for example. If it's a catholic group they are anti-abortion, if it's a woman's rights group then they are all for it. That's a flip-flopper!
What a flip-flopper is not, is one who changes their opinion and stands firmly on the new principle. Often times as we grow as individuals we receive more information, and that helps enlighten us with a new point of view. Truthfully, there was a time I had views that could be considered very liberal, then I got more information. It's amazing what actually having to pay taxes will do for your point of view when it comes to the government. If a candidate has voiced at some point in his or her career a view dissimilar to what they stand upon now, that's not qualified as a flip-flop. It is important they inform the public what changed their opinion, and why. For instance you might have at one time believed in a woman's right to an abortion, but as you grew and have come to understand your faith and the sanctity of life, you now side with the rights of the unborn life. That's hardly a flip-flop but better defined as a personal growth event. Has anyone else noticed most of the people who enjoy the liberal point of view are youthful? Apparently it's something most people grow out of as they mature and have a deeper grasp on life.
Watch out for the labels!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Education And Competition!
Today we're going to discuss education; public school, government funded, institutions of learning. The process where most of our children are sent for indoctrination, funded by your tax dollars. Now in order to understand this process, we should first examine it's mission statement. What exactly is the government controlled education processes' mission statement? Is it to bring our youth up to speed and compete in the global market? Nope! Is it to prepare them to advance to a higher level of education so they may procure the highest paying jobs and become an asset to the community? Nope! Then what exactly is the mission statement of the single largest demand on your property taxes?
Curiously, it's to promote diversity. Education is further down the list, but the government's priority is to ensure that the playing field is level. So, with that in mind, students are shipped all over town to satisfy some kind of quota system, leaving God knows what size carbon footprint and sucking the tax dollars out of your pockets. Back prior to the twentieth century when the federal government didn't have their hands in the mix, schools weren't focused on diversity, their goal was to create a core of common values essential to a stable society. Does anyone out there feel like this is currently a stable society? Haven't the values of society eroded? And yet we are told that more money has to be poured into the system to keep our children competitive in the global fray. We may not be competitive, but we are diverse, illiterately diverse. Today you have to go to a four year college to get the same quality education a high school graduate received just a few decades ago. We're told if our children are going to be competitive in the job market they'll need a masters degree at least.
Then there's the monuments the school systems erect to edify themselves. Now my school was two story, red brick, and rectangular, you opened the windows when it was hot and they provided heat when it was cold. If it wasn't tiled, it was painted either white or gray. There were no common areas, student lounges, etc. We had classrooms and a gym for exercise. Now we construct architecture that would make Frank Lloyd Wright jealous, containing everything a diverse education system could desire, except the ability to fight illiteracy. We now graduate more students from high school that cannot read or write than ever before, but they are diverse! Somehow prior to all this advancement, we put a man in space using a pad of paper and a pencil for calculations. How did they do that without calculators and computers?
Poor teachers are grossly overpaid, and good teachers are grossly underpaid in a system designed to bring diversity to everyone. Salary schedules tend to be uniform and determined far more by seniority, degrees received, and teaching certificates acquired than by merit. Designed by the collusion between government and the unions. If one were to deliberately seek to devise a system of recruiting and paying teachers calculated to repel the imaginative and daring and self-confident and to attract the dull and mediocre and uninspiring, one could hardly do better than imitate the system of requiring teaching certificates and enforcing standard salary structure that has developed in the education system of today. But we are all on a level playing field and no one is rewarded for exceptionalism. We don't want anyone to stand out, they might hurt someone's feelings.
Perhaps we should redefine our education system's mission statement! We're about to be told on Thursday, during the President's speech when he lays out his plan for improving our economy, that we need to spend more money on education to stay competitive. Who does that serve? Is the money being spent on education or perks, frills, and attempts to level the playing field? Now all of a sudden the government wants us to be competitive in the global market after we spent all this money being diverse and leveling the playing field. You want competition? Pay teachers for performance!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Curiously, it's to promote diversity. Education is further down the list, but the government's priority is to ensure that the playing field is level. So, with that in mind, students are shipped all over town to satisfy some kind of quota system, leaving God knows what size carbon footprint and sucking the tax dollars out of your pockets. Back prior to the twentieth century when the federal government didn't have their hands in the mix, schools weren't focused on diversity, their goal was to create a core of common values essential to a stable society. Does anyone out there feel like this is currently a stable society? Haven't the values of society eroded? And yet we are told that more money has to be poured into the system to keep our children competitive in the global fray. We may not be competitive, but we are diverse, illiterately diverse. Today you have to go to a four year college to get the same quality education a high school graduate received just a few decades ago. We're told if our children are going to be competitive in the job market they'll need a masters degree at least.
Then there's the monuments the school systems erect to edify themselves. Now my school was two story, red brick, and rectangular, you opened the windows when it was hot and they provided heat when it was cold. If it wasn't tiled, it was painted either white or gray. There were no common areas, student lounges, etc. We had classrooms and a gym for exercise. Now we construct architecture that would make Frank Lloyd Wright jealous, containing everything a diverse education system could desire, except the ability to fight illiteracy. We now graduate more students from high school that cannot read or write than ever before, but they are diverse! Somehow prior to all this advancement, we put a man in space using a pad of paper and a pencil for calculations. How did they do that without calculators and computers?
Poor teachers are grossly overpaid, and good teachers are grossly underpaid in a system designed to bring diversity to everyone. Salary schedules tend to be uniform and determined far more by seniority, degrees received, and teaching certificates acquired than by merit. Designed by the collusion between government and the unions. If one were to deliberately seek to devise a system of recruiting and paying teachers calculated to repel the imaginative and daring and self-confident and to attract the dull and mediocre and uninspiring, one could hardly do better than imitate the system of requiring teaching certificates and enforcing standard salary structure that has developed in the education system of today. But we are all on a level playing field and no one is rewarded for exceptionalism. We don't want anyone to stand out, they might hurt someone's feelings.
Perhaps we should redefine our education system's mission statement! We're about to be told on Thursday, during the President's speech when he lays out his plan for improving our economy, that we need to spend more money on education to stay competitive. Who does that serve? Is the money being spent on education or perks, frills, and attempts to level the playing field? Now all of a sudden the government wants us to be competitive in the global market after we spent all this money being diverse and leveling the playing field. You want competition? Pay teachers for performance!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Monday, September 5, 2011
The North Star!
One of the most sure fire things in life is there is going to be change. People hate change, they resist it almost without conscienceness. It's been said that the only thing that appreciates change is the infant in need of a new diaper. Change ruins relationships, it alters your purpose, it changes the definition of life. If you let it.....
How about a constant in your life? Well there is one, it never varies from it's mission statement. It defines your purpose here on earth, and it never needs adjustment. It doesn't discriminate, it cares less if your man, woman, yellow, blue, green black ,brown, or white, handicapped or not. It's the one constant that never varies in life, our North Star. That one guiding light is your Creator's purpose for you. That purpose is distinctly defined. It's for you to be the best you, you can be. In a world of infinite change, this you can count upon.
This is what holds us together in an ever changing world. It's your unchanging purpose in life that makes sense of change. This allows you to thrive in the midst of change. As an individual it's God's dream for us to become the best version of our self we can be. This aids you every time you have to make a decision in this ever changing universe. Is this going to help or hurt me become the best version of myself? Ever opportunity, every crisis can be measured by this unchanging purpose. It helps you in relationships! Is this person helping me become the best me I can be? Am I helping them?
A God given purpose gives value and clarity to our time here on earth.
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Community
Leadership
Mentoring
How about a constant in your life? Well there is one, it never varies from it's mission statement. It defines your purpose here on earth, and it never needs adjustment. It doesn't discriminate, it cares less if your man, woman, yellow, blue, green black ,brown, or white, handicapped or not. It's the one constant that never varies in life, our North Star. That one guiding light is your Creator's purpose for you. That purpose is distinctly defined. It's for you to be the best you, you can be. In a world of infinite change, this you can count upon.
This is what holds us together in an ever changing world. It's your unchanging purpose in life that makes sense of change. This allows you to thrive in the midst of change. As an individual it's God's dream for us to become the best version of our self we can be. This aids you every time you have to make a decision in this ever changing universe. Is this going to help or hurt me become the best version of myself? Ever opportunity, every crisis can be measured by this unchanging purpose. It helps you in relationships! Is this person helping me become the best me I can be? Am I helping them?
A God given purpose gives value and clarity to our time here on earth.
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Community
Leadership
Mentoring
Sunday, September 4, 2011
The Seduction Of The Mob!
The philosophical ideas the resulted in the French Revolution took nearly a century to implant themselves in the minds of the crowd. It was a slow process constantly picking at the edge of morality, chipping away at behavior that people knew to be incorrect, verses behavior that satisfied the masses. This was an irresistible force, when once taken root led to the riots and beheading via the guillotine. The striving of a nation toward the conquest of social equality through hecatombs that would have terrified Ghengis Khan and Tamerlane.
A long time is required to implant ideas into the heads of society, especially those ideas that run counter to what's socially acceptable. It takes an even longer time for those idea to be eradicated. The liberals believe the masses are several generations behind their learned men and philosophers. For instance, how would gay marriage or abortion been looked upon by the generation of the 1950's? Now semi-acceptable practices we assume into everyday life, they didn't come about over night. It was a slow process of erosion that provided us with once shunned ideals, and our indifference to the process.
One on one this debate could have never come to fruition, but as with the French Revolution, if you present it to the masses, no argument is returned. The crowd fuels itself on emotion and an orator simply has to paint the picture of injustice void of a dissenting opinion. A vision of personal freedom, even if that decision runs contrary to reason or intelligence. Just gin up the mob and heads will roll.
The seduction of the masses is an art of the liberal mind set. Those evil rich people don't need all that money, they stole it from you! They ride around in private jets and limousines, while you struggle to own a vehicle. They don't remind the crowd that those are the people who pay their salaries and most of the taxes required to run this nation. The just seek to aim the crowd's ire at a sect of people who are unlike themselves. The unions of today thrive on this same cowardly ferocity. And because the intelligence level of an individual drops substantially when united in a herd, this propaganda is bought,lock, stock, and barrel without objection.
Ever wonder why there are caucuses in Congress? Because if lawmakers are allowed to freely interchange ideas with other individuals of a different mind set, they may have to be reprogrammed back toward their social cause. It's to keep the follower on the right track, not to be distracted by factual points to the contrary. Individual thought is free of mob centered emotion. Your not as likely to get caught up in a cause, fueled by other's emotion.
Ubi Caritas Et Amor, Deus Ibi Est!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Mentoring
Community
Leadership
A long time is required to implant ideas into the heads of society, especially those ideas that run counter to what's socially acceptable. It takes an even longer time for those idea to be eradicated. The liberals believe the masses are several generations behind their learned men and philosophers. For instance, how would gay marriage or abortion been looked upon by the generation of the 1950's? Now semi-acceptable practices we assume into everyday life, they didn't come about over night. It was a slow process of erosion that provided us with once shunned ideals, and our indifference to the process.
One on one this debate could have never come to fruition, but as with the French Revolution, if you present it to the masses, no argument is returned. The crowd fuels itself on emotion and an orator simply has to paint the picture of injustice void of a dissenting opinion. A vision of personal freedom, even if that decision runs contrary to reason or intelligence. Just gin up the mob and heads will roll.
The seduction of the masses is an art of the liberal mind set. Those evil rich people don't need all that money, they stole it from you! They ride around in private jets and limousines, while you struggle to own a vehicle. They don't remind the crowd that those are the people who pay their salaries and most of the taxes required to run this nation. The just seek to aim the crowd's ire at a sect of people who are unlike themselves. The unions of today thrive on this same cowardly ferocity. And because the intelligence level of an individual drops substantially when united in a herd, this propaganda is bought,lock, stock, and barrel without objection.
Ever wonder why there are caucuses in Congress? Because if lawmakers are allowed to freely interchange ideas with other individuals of a different mind set, they may have to be reprogrammed back toward their social cause. It's to keep the follower on the right track, not to be distracted by factual points to the contrary. Individual thought is free of mob centered emotion. Your not as likely to get caught up in a cause, fueled by other's emotion.
Ubi Caritas Et Amor, Deus Ibi Est!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Mentoring
Community
Leadership
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Love Is.......
I thought it might be a good time for all of us to feel the love. Here's a few of my favorite observations ....
"The only place outside of heaven where one can be perfectly safe from all the dangers of love is hell, and that's because love is totally absent there." -CS Lewis
The real benefit of true love comes from loving others before it comes from being loved. To give is to receive- not the other way around.
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on it's own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends."- Corinthians 13:4-8
"By this we know love, that He (Christ) laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers."-1 John 3:16
"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken."-CS Lewis
And finally...
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Mentoring
Leadership
Community
"The only place outside of heaven where one can be perfectly safe from all the dangers of love is hell, and that's because love is totally absent there." -CS Lewis
The real benefit of true love comes from loving others before it comes from being loved. To give is to receive- not the other way around.
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on it's own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends."- Corinthians 13:4-8
"By this we know love, that He (Christ) laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers."-1 John 3:16
"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken."-CS Lewis
And finally...
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Mentoring
Leadership
Community
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Anger Management!
"Anyone can become angry-that is easy.But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose and in the right way-that is not easy." -Aristotle
It's perfectly fine to be angry with the things that should arouse our ire. Racial violence, torture, genocide, child abuse, drug and sex trafficking, divorce, low educational standards, greed, adultery, pornography, and assaults on your faith all come to mind as being topics we can define as being displeased selflessly. None of the above have a selfish motive, and that's the qualifier to righteous anger. If you find yourself angry because your neighbor doesn't keep his lawn at an acceptable standard that pleases you, reread the frist line of this post.
While anger itself isn't always wrong, anger for a selfish motive is. We don't have a license to lose our temper with people who annoy us, but we do have an obligation to show displeasure with the things God hates for the reason God hates them. The anger that mars our fallen world is a self centered agenda, not a God centered one. So check your anger, is it aimed at those who dehumanize, mistreat, or denigrate others, or are we simply rationalizing that we're not getting what we want? It's not our responsibility to point the finger outward first, but to look inward to insure we are not contributing to the problem. If other people's sin angers you more than your own, it's time for a check-up from the neck up! And lastly
"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil."- Ephesians 4:26-27
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Mentoring
Leadership
Community
It's perfectly fine to be angry with the things that should arouse our ire. Racial violence, torture, genocide, child abuse, drug and sex trafficking, divorce, low educational standards, greed, adultery, pornography, and assaults on your faith all come to mind as being topics we can define as being displeased selflessly. None of the above have a selfish motive, and that's the qualifier to righteous anger. If you find yourself angry because your neighbor doesn't keep his lawn at an acceptable standard that pleases you, reread the frist line of this post.
While anger itself isn't always wrong, anger for a selfish motive is. We don't have a license to lose our temper with people who annoy us, but we do have an obligation to show displeasure with the things God hates for the reason God hates them. The anger that mars our fallen world is a self centered agenda, not a God centered one. So check your anger, is it aimed at those who dehumanize, mistreat, or denigrate others, or are we simply rationalizing that we're not getting what we want? It's not our responsibility to point the finger outward first, but to look inward to insure we are not contributing to the problem. If other people's sin angers you more than your own, it's time for a check-up from the neck up! And lastly
"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil."- Ephesians 4:26-27
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Mentoring
Leadership
Community
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