A lust for power is sin. In contrast we all have an inner drive for significance. This desire for significance in my case is powered by the desire to honor my Creator by using the gifts He ceded me for maximum effect. The Biblical reference that drives my mission is "The Parable of the Talents," as defined in Mathew 25 and Luke 19. It's undeniably difficult to achieve significance if we accept what is and ignore the temptation to fight for what should be. In fact fighting for what should be can lead to significance, and we need more people to get on board.
Morality in our society is crumbling. Those who abhor having another's morals imposed upon them are doing exactly what is needed to lower the bar on our standards. You see morality is defined as a descriptive science of the habits and customs of a culture. It's a liquid definition! It describes the behavior that is the excepted norm. It's the "is-ness" of what people do. The line is set at what a culture will accept. To drive the morality of a society to a higher standard, society itself must approve of higher standards and denounce the gray areas used to muddle what is right, and what is wrong.
This my friends is where we can all achieve significance. If we as a people demand a higher standard of morality from our culture, our impact will be felt. It's up to us to instill this code into the next generation as well, so there is no decline or erosion of principles as mankind progresses. It's a simple concept, don't accept the gray areas used to blur the principles. We know what is morally right and what is not. Set your bar at that level and allow no one to crawl under it. This we can all do!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Monday, August 6, 2012
Time To Make A Stand!
Back in agrarian times, people owned the tools they used to survive. Government could cause little interference with the people of the United States, as they were not only the owners of the tools, but the means of production. If a farmer needed a road to his field so he could easily tend to his crops and harvest them, he built it! He didn't wait for the government to do a impact study, soil test, permitting, inspection, and so on, he had a need and he provided for that need. He was self sufficient. The more the farmer toiled, the greater his reward.
Enter the manufacturing age. Big facilities provided the tools for production of goods and services. The owner of the tools employed people to operate those instruments, and the owner dictated what the service the employee provided was worth. The employee was limited by the scope of their hourly wage as to how much the toil of his labor could provide. The profit was once again kept by the one who owned the tools. Who ever owns the tools, owns the production.
Has anyone noticed the government has begun to provide the tools? Under the guise of innovation and the need for progress, the government has assumed the role of the provider. We need better healthcare, the government controls the tools. We need to be energy efficient, the government finances the innovation, (provides the tools). We need to provide the a work force to make America strong, the government provides the education. You have to have roads and bridges, the government provides the stimulus money to make that happen. Ever so slowly we are transferring our freedom and becoming dependent on the government to provide the means. Just like the agrarian age moved from the farmer owning the tools, to the factory owning the tools; we are relying on the government to assume the role of the tool provider.
Let me tell you why this is a problem. It's the philosophy of Karl Marx! Marx called for the state to own the tools so they could level the playing field and redistribute the wealth. When those in government make a point to inform us, "you didn't build that," they are espousing the philosophy of Marxism. When they instill the thought in our head that innovation comes through government involvement, we are being dragged toward a Marx-like agenda. This is not what Americans believe in, yet they are being slowly conned into dependence on the government to provide. The government is seeking to own the tools so they can exploit the labor, and they have!
This is exactly why there is a call for entrepreneur ism. We need to bring our country back around to the days of self reliance. Innovation is best driven in the hands of the people. It also speaks volumes to the freedom of the individual when we provide and create on our own. We need to own the tools. Our success and freedom demand that we as a people provide the tools, production, and toil, and push government back where it belongs. Government is not the research and development arm of the nation, "we the people" are. We have the means to educate ourselves, we can provide our own roads and infrastructure, and we can function free of government interference. Just provide the security so we can leave our homes to create, and maintain the legal structure to keep our ideas from being stolen, and protect our borders from foreign attack, and we'll do the rest.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Enter the manufacturing age. Big facilities provided the tools for production of goods and services. The owner of the tools employed people to operate those instruments, and the owner dictated what the service the employee provided was worth. The employee was limited by the scope of their hourly wage as to how much the toil of his labor could provide. The profit was once again kept by the one who owned the tools. Who ever owns the tools, owns the production.
Has anyone noticed the government has begun to provide the tools? Under the guise of innovation and the need for progress, the government has assumed the role of the provider. We need better healthcare, the government controls the tools. We need to be energy efficient, the government finances the innovation, (provides the tools). We need to provide the a work force to make America strong, the government provides the education. You have to have roads and bridges, the government provides the stimulus money to make that happen. Ever so slowly we are transferring our freedom and becoming dependent on the government to provide the means. Just like the agrarian age moved from the farmer owning the tools, to the factory owning the tools; we are relying on the government to assume the role of the tool provider.
Let me tell you why this is a problem. It's the philosophy of Karl Marx! Marx called for the state to own the tools so they could level the playing field and redistribute the wealth. When those in government make a point to inform us, "you didn't build that," they are espousing the philosophy of Marxism. When they instill the thought in our head that innovation comes through government involvement, we are being dragged toward a Marx-like agenda. This is not what Americans believe in, yet they are being slowly conned into dependence on the government to provide. The government is seeking to own the tools so they can exploit the labor, and they have!
This is exactly why there is a call for entrepreneur ism. We need to bring our country back around to the days of self reliance. Innovation is best driven in the hands of the people. It also speaks volumes to the freedom of the individual when we provide and create on our own. We need to own the tools. Our success and freedom demand that we as a people provide the tools, production, and toil, and push government back where it belongs. Government is not the research and development arm of the nation, "we the people" are. We have the means to educate ourselves, we can provide our own roads and infrastructure, and we can function free of government interference. Just provide the security so we can leave our homes to create, and maintain the legal structure to keep our ideas from being stolen, and protect our borders from foreign attack, and we'll do the rest.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Rediscovering The Art Of Vacation!
I had a great day of reading yesterday, one that was long overdue as I was getting a little backed up on my "to read" list. While I wasn't intending to get as caught up as I did, I found myself enthralled in a book that I never thought I'd like. So much for first impressions! I consumed a 350 page book in one day because it captured me.
So what is this book that stole my Saturday? The title is "A Month of Italy,"- by Chris Brady. I absolutely had no interest in leaving the continental United States, much less touring Italy, but I have to confess, it's now on my list of things to do! Listen when I say, read this book! I'm certain you'll also enjoy the musings of the Brady head of household as he recounts their journey with four children in tow. It's a must read!
God Bless!
Capt Bill
So what is this book that stole my Saturday? The title is "A Month of Italy,"- by Chris Brady. I absolutely had no interest in leaving the continental United States, much less touring Italy, but I have to confess, it's now on my list of things to do! Listen when I say, read this book! I'm certain you'll also enjoy the musings of the Brady head of household as he recounts their journey with four children in tow. It's a must read!
God Bless!
Capt Bill
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Lies, Taxes, And History!
There is little that sets me off like an attempt to deceive. That probably explains my constant wrath directed at politicians and the political arena, used car salesmen, etc. Today I have to correct an attempt to deceive that's being played and played again. I don't know if America suffers from short term memory loss, or if we just are so apathetic we don't care to remember but I have to address this.
Our President has toured the country spouting his plan for recovery. He demeans the opposition by pointing his finger back to the Bush Presidency and proclaiming we don't want to go back to the failed policies that got us here in the first place. All he's proposing is to return to the tax rates that were enacted during the Clinton Administration where we had the a balanced budget.
First a disclaimer, I love balanced budgets! But truth be told, Clinton's prosperity was waning as he left office because the dot com, and tech bubble had burst. We were entering a recession as President Bush took office. Just because President Bush didn't assign blame and squeal like a pig about what he inherited, didn't mean it didn't exist. Another factor was President Clinton enjoyed peacetime prosperity, it's easier to balance a budget without wars to fund during your administration. The economy was heading into the tank. Enter 9/11 and bad just got worse. The tax cuts inspired business to roll up it's sleeves and employ more people. Interest rates dropped significantly, and the housing bubble began. (Please note here that both presidencies experience prosperity because of a bubble). Bubbles are designed to burst, and they both did. The difference was, the dot com/tech bubble only benefited people with the tech skills able to create within that sector. The housing bubble was enjoyed by anyone who could sign their name, as credit was readily available to anyone breathing. You never saw any shows on TV during the Clinton Administration telling you, you could "Flip this Internet program!" It required a special skill and training to prosper from the boon, not so much the housing bubble. Both saw unemployment drop, both allowed America to prosper for a short period of time. Neither bubble was affected by taxation, so tax rates were not a factor in those prosperous times.
What taxes did have in common with both bubbles is as personal revenue rose, so did the Federal government's intake of tax dollars. The only common denominator between taxes and increased tax revenue is higher GDP. So to lower the deficit, balance the budget, and increase the cash flow to the Federal government, we need to raise the GDP. (Sell more good and services). Nothing else affects tax revenue! Let me repeat, nothing else affects tax revenue! Not taxing the wealthy, not giving tax cuts to the poor, not giving tax cuts to the middle class, just enact policies that spur business to go full throttle.
Just a little side note here..We are currently taking in more tax revenue than in any other time in history. Tax income is not the problem, spending is. But this Blog isn't about spending, it's about the alteration of history, and the misleading of the American public. You cannot change the fact by speaking something counter to the truth into existence. FDR's policies were a failure, Clinton was no more prosperous than Bush, and there is no Easter Bunny. What is written above is historical fact, not meant to make excuses for anyone, just designed to inform so you can base your opinion on the truth. Let me refresh....
Clinton had peacetime prosperity, the dot com/tech bubble fueled that boon. It was limited to those who had knowledge of the industry. The budget was easier to balance without war. He left office with the nation in economic decline.
Bush had wars to fund. His prosperity met or exceeded Clinton's. It was fueled by a housing bubble that the whole nation could participate in. He also left office in economic decline.
Tax rates had nothing to do with either's success and decline. Tax revenue is only tied to the rise and fall of GDP. GDP goes up, tax revenue increases no matter what the tax rate. GDP goes down, tax rates decline no matter what the tax rate. The key to increasing tax revenue is to inspire business to produce and sell more. This hires more workers, raises the tax base, and increases revenue to the government. Simply cut spending below intake of revenue, and you have a balanced budget. This is how you operate a nation in an economically sound manner!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Our President has toured the country spouting his plan for recovery. He demeans the opposition by pointing his finger back to the Bush Presidency and proclaiming we don't want to go back to the failed policies that got us here in the first place. All he's proposing is to return to the tax rates that were enacted during the Clinton Administration where we had the a balanced budget.
First a disclaimer, I love balanced budgets! But truth be told, Clinton's prosperity was waning as he left office because the dot com, and tech bubble had burst. We were entering a recession as President Bush took office. Just because President Bush didn't assign blame and squeal like a pig about what he inherited, didn't mean it didn't exist. Another factor was President Clinton enjoyed peacetime prosperity, it's easier to balance a budget without wars to fund during your administration. The economy was heading into the tank. Enter 9/11 and bad just got worse. The tax cuts inspired business to roll up it's sleeves and employ more people. Interest rates dropped significantly, and the housing bubble began. (Please note here that both presidencies experience prosperity because of a bubble). Bubbles are designed to burst, and they both did. The difference was, the dot com/tech bubble only benefited people with the tech skills able to create within that sector. The housing bubble was enjoyed by anyone who could sign their name, as credit was readily available to anyone breathing. You never saw any shows on TV during the Clinton Administration telling you, you could "Flip this Internet program!" It required a special skill and training to prosper from the boon, not so much the housing bubble. Both saw unemployment drop, both allowed America to prosper for a short period of time. Neither bubble was affected by taxation, so tax rates were not a factor in those prosperous times.
What taxes did have in common with both bubbles is as personal revenue rose, so did the Federal government's intake of tax dollars. The only common denominator between taxes and increased tax revenue is higher GDP. So to lower the deficit, balance the budget, and increase the cash flow to the Federal government, we need to raise the GDP. (Sell more good and services). Nothing else affects tax revenue! Let me repeat, nothing else affects tax revenue! Not taxing the wealthy, not giving tax cuts to the poor, not giving tax cuts to the middle class, just enact policies that spur business to go full throttle.
Just a little side note here..We are currently taking in more tax revenue than in any other time in history. Tax income is not the problem, spending is. But this Blog isn't about spending, it's about the alteration of history, and the misleading of the American public. You cannot change the fact by speaking something counter to the truth into existence. FDR's policies were a failure, Clinton was no more prosperous than Bush, and there is no Easter Bunny. What is written above is historical fact, not meant to make excuses for anyone, just designed to inform so you can base your opinion on the truth. Let me refresh....
Clinton had peacetime prosperity, the dot com/tech bubble fueled that boon. It was limited to those who had knowledge of the industry. The budget was easier to balance without war. He left office with the nation in economic decline.
Bush had wars to fund. His prosperity met or exceeded Clinton's. It was fueled by a housing bubble that the whole nation could participate in. He also left office in economic decline.
Tax rates had nothing to do with either's success and decline. Tax revenue is only tied to the rise and fall of GDP. GDP goes up, tax revenue increases no matter what the tax rate. GDP goes down, tax rates decline no matter what the tax rate. The key to increasing tax revenue is to inspire business to produce and sell more. This hires more workers, raises the tax base, and increases revenue to the government. Simply cut spending below intake of revenue, and you have a balanced budget. This is how you operate a nation in an economically sound manner!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Friday, August 3, 2012
They'll Do It To You Too!
In the realm of politics we are often subjected to diversely opposed opinions regarding the state of affairs and the process to improve such. Most people find the bickering boring and trivial, but it is revealing. There are hints of honesty in the words they speak, that reveal their underlying agenda. When they cross the borders of the principles that this nation was founded upon, you can rest assured that individual and their posse don't have that nation's best interest in mind.
We are often reminded that this nation was founded upon Judeo-Christian principles. These are found in the teaching offered in the Bible, which has revelations that hold the keys to living a successful life. Our current President has decided to tour the country announcing that anyone who achieves that success is responsible to donate more to the government so they can redistribute that windfall as they see fit. He has gone as far to say that the people who've earned their prosperity, "you didn't do that." His solution is to impose a higher tax rate upon the successful using statements like, "we tried the trickle down method, it didn't work." This is where I take exception, because that is directly opposed to what we are told in life's owner's manual.
"It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior."-Hebrews 7:7
Now that I've cleared that up, let's address another misnomer by the same party. Our current Senate majority Leader has announced that he received a phone call from an unnamed source at Bain Capital that told him Mitt Romney hadn't paid taxes in over a decade. Mr Reid is now calling for Mr. Romney to release his tax records, which again is directly opposed to one of the basic principles our nation is founded upon. We are a nation of laws, laws grounded in principle. One of those principles is an individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the 5th and 6th Amendment speak directly to this improper action. Especially since Mr Romney has filed his taxes and the governing body, (the IRS) has found no fault with his returns. The burden of proof lies upon the accuser. So Mr. Reid, put your proof where your mouth is, it's not Mr. Romney's responsibility to defend himself against your imaginary friend's attacks.
The point of all of this is simple. If a group of people act in this manner toward fellow citizens, what's to keep them from turning on you in this manner too? The only solution is to remove the threat from a position of influence. They simply don't understand the principles this nation is grounded upon, nor do they care. They are drunk with power. They have forgotten that the power comes from the people, and they only exist at the will of the people. This must come to an end.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
We are often reminded that this nation was founded upon Judeo-Christian principles. These are found in the teaching offered in the Bible, which has revelations that hold the keys to living a successful life. Our current President has decided to tour the country announcing that anyone who achieves that success is responsible to donate more to the government so they can redistribute that windfall as they see fit. He has gone as far to say that the people who've earned their prosperity, "you didn't do that." His solution is to impose a higher tax rate upon the successful using statements like, "we tried the trickle down method, it didn't work." This is where I take exception, because that is directly opposed to what we are told in life's owner's manual.
"It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior."-Hebrews 7:7
Now that I've cleared that up, let's address another misnomer by the same party. Our current Senate majority Leader has announced that he received a phone call from an unnamed source at Bain Capital that told him Mitt Romney hadn't paid taxes in over a decade. Mr Reid is now calling for Mr. Romney to release his tax records, which again is directly opposed to one of the basic principles our nation is founded upon. We are a nation of laws, laws grounded in principle. One of those principles is an individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the 5th and 6th Amendment speak directly to this improper action. Especially since Mr Romney has filed his taxes and the governing body, (the IRS) has found no fault with his returns. The burden of proof lies upon the accuser. So Mr. Reid, put your proof where your mouth is, it's not Mr. Romney's responsibility to defend himself against your imaginary friend's attacks.
The point of all of this is simple. If a group of people act in this manner toward fellow citizens, what's to keep them from turning on you in this manner too? The only solution is to remove the threat from a position of influence. They simply don't understand the principles this nation is grounded upon, nor do they care. They are drunk with power. They have forgotten that the power comes from the people, and they only exist at the will of the people. This must come to an end.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Moral Liberty!
Yesterday America made a statement and overwhelmed the chicken chain that stands behind Christian values with an onslaught of business to show their support. I can't help but think this is just a precursor to the turnout come election day in November. Frankly, Americans have had it with this assault on our liberties, and the perversion of principles this country was founded upon. When the Constitution guaranteed the inalienable right of the "pursuit of happiness," it is meant to protect a free society from other people's attempt to destroy or hinder that pursuit. Not grant permission for the morally bankrupt to twist the ideals our founders defined as essential for liberty.
For example, the Constitution recognizes that if the thing that makes you happy is to commit murder at will, that doesn't give you the inalienable right to pursue happiness in that manner. That liberty also does not in any way, shape, or form assure you the acquisition of happiness.
When we reconcile ourselves to God, as was the norm at the time of the founding, happiness is often a by-product and the results of God's grace and gifts. Somehow we misconstrued this as a demand that we make upon Him. The founders had no way of foreseeing the infection of secularism into our nation, as to be a God fearing Christian was the way of life in their time. To be a pagan or a heretic was to be shunned by society and never a consideration to lead or hold office. Colonial America understood that if you weren't accountable to a higher power, you weren't accountable for your actions, as denying God is to make yourself the ultimate authority. With man determining what is virtuous, the outcome is subject to the whim of the individual who has assumed power. Hardly a formula for a just and moral society! Mankind is subject to the path of least resistance, and to allow oneself to define what is just, void of divine intervention, is akin to the fox watching the hen house. Our modern day results speak for themselves.....
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
For example, the Constitution recognizes that if the thing that makes you happy is to commit murder at will, that doesn't give you the inalienable right to pursue happiness in that manner. That liberty also does not in any way, shape, or form assure you the acquisition of happiness.
When we reconcile ourselves to God, as was the norm at the time of the founding, happiness is often a by-product and the results of God's grace and gifts. Somehow we misconstrued this as a demand that we make upon Him. The founders had no way of foreseeing the infection of secularism into our nation, as to be a God fearing Christian was the way of life in their time. To be a pagan or a heretic was to be shunned by society and never a consideration to lead or hold office. Colonial America understood that if you weren't accountable to a higher power, you weren't accountable for your actions, as denying God is to make yourself the ultimate authority. With man determining what is virtuous, the outcome is subject to the whim of the individual who has assumed power. Hardly a formula for a just and moral society! Mankind is subject to the path of least resistance, and to allow oneself to define what is just, void of divine intervention, is akin to the fox watching the hen house. Our modern day results speak for themselves.....
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
No More!
I have to say, I'm a little more positive about the state of affairs in America today after yesterday's win by the non-establishment candidate Ted Cruz in Texas. Little by little the citizens are chipping away at the established elite in the political arena. It's a shame that Americans have to battle not only the radical left, but the party that is supposed to represent our views to maintain the freedom that we love. Career politicians have to be looking over their shoulder, worried about the movement toward the removal of the aristocrats who sadly have put down roots in Washington, more concerned about their reelection bids than doing the job of representing conservative values.
You see the politicians have become more interested in doing what's best for them, rather than what is correct. It's hard by definition to do the right thing, and there will come a time when you'll have to sacrifice what your interests are to do it. If it was easy to do what is right and just, everyone would do it! Unfortunately, politicians have opted to do what gains votes, rather than what is best for the country. If the issue has a level of difficulty, they kick the can down the road. Case in point...A balanced budget. It's become far to easy to hand out perks for votes than to take a stand that might not be popular, but is the ethical thing to do. The principle of largess is deciding the fate of our country.
Well, until yesterday! The people of Texas said,"no more!" Voters tried to send along that same message last voting cycle by sending 10 freshman conservatives to Washington, but it fell on deaf ears. That message was reinforced last night, and needs to be continued. It won't be easy to drag Washington back toward the principles that our country was founded on, and frankly what made our nation great; but the tug of war is on!
We don't want the pragmatic. We don't want the credentialist.We don't want career politicians that hand out largess to garner votes. We want integrity, fiscal responsibility, character, and leadership. If this country still works the way it was designed, we'll get it!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
You see the politicians have become more interested in doing what's best for them, rather than what is correct. It's hard by definition to do the right thing, and there will come a time when you'll have to sacrifice what your interests are to do it. If it was easy to do what is right and just, everyone would do it! Unfortunately, politicians have opted to do what gains votes, rather than what is best for the country. If the issue has a level of difficulty, they kick the can down the road. Case in point...A balanced budget. It's become far to easy to hand out perks for votes than to take a stand that might not be popular, but is the ethical thing to do. The principle of largess is deciding the fate of our country.
Well, until yesterday! The people of Texas said,"no more!" Voters tried to send along that same message last voting cycle by sending 10 freshman conservatives to Washington, but it fell on deaf ears. That message was reinforced last night, and needs to be continued. It won't be easy to drag Washington back toward the principles that our country was founded on, and frankly what made our nation great; but the tug of war is on!
We don't want the pragmatic. We don't want the credentialist.We don't want career politicians that hand out largess to garner votes. We want integrity, fiscal responsibility, character, and leadership. If this country still works the way it was designed, we'll get it!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
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