Today I had a sad experience. Two teens walked into a restaurant we were eating at. We said our greetings and immediately they told me they were moving to Canada. When I asked why, they replied because Canada gets free health care. Then they told me about the movie Sicko, and how the US of A is ranked 36th in the world in quality of health care. I looked into their eyes and could tell they were sold on the leftist rhetoric of Hilary’s health care plan. I asked one question, is that the movie Michael Moore produced? They gave an excited reply, like Michael was the modern day John the baptist, or a prophet sent from the gods of government.

Since I’ve never seen the movie I told them to not just buy into the spin. I made the statement, Canada or Cuba may have “free” health care but it has a heavy cost. I have a simple question, am I so out of touch with reality that our nation is actually considering “socialized medicine” and does Michael Moore carry this much weight(no pun intended)?

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General

Strewn like shattered glass lay the debris of play time gone bad. I hear the chatter and the in depth discussion on rebuilding “New York city”. Building the towers. A shriek, someone stole the wrong block and a squabble ensues. Suddenly a voice, their attention is wafted away by its familiar call. Mommy, with suckers! They dash like mad to receive their reward.

Being a parent is a challenge. That’s my understatement of the year. A blessed challenge. They try your patience, scare you silly, and say things that are brilliant.

Like in the restaurant my two year old screams, “I tooted!” All the world pauses and laughs. Being a parent should require special training. Like translation science - understanding grunts. Top notch negotiating skills. First Aide. Peace keeping missions. Family diplomacy and many more fancy titles.

You know people use the word “break up” to convey a relationship has been terminated. I guess some think that a “break up” is climbing the social ladder of relationships until you get the one you want. Not so with the family. I’d rather use the term Break Down. When the family breaks down so does society, so does the church, so does the nation.

When I hold my little ones and look at my wife, I must remember the value. The priceless moments. The worth of a kind word, a gentle kiss, and tender touch. Instead of a harsh word let me speak wisdom and patient correction. Well, this post has turned into something I wasn’t aiming for so let me lighten it up a bit.

Buddy Jewel singing Lacey’s Song

Men, lets get things in order. Lets let the only destruction be of our kids toy room by a two foot tornado (Sydney’s nickname), lets not allow our lust, greed, and anger destroy our families. Jesu Juva.

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Family

With all jokes aside, I have been digging deep into my soul and have been challenging my (sometimes blind) faith in the fellows who run my party. They call themselves conservative… but are they really? I will admit, that because of my age and my preoccupation with my life, I have neglected my duty to fully understand the principles in which I publicly support. So I have taken steps to learn more, read more, and contemplate more on what political scholars write instead of what politicians say. Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr. wrote in 2002:

“Leaders are rarely as ideologically sound as followers. The Nixonians were better than Nixon, and the Taftians were better than Taft. This stands to reason. Private intellectuals have more freedom to speak out; politicians, as a part of their job description, have to seek a broader appeal.”

Or in other words (my words), Politicians (and talking heads like Rush Limbaugh) consistently compromise their principles for what they call, “The Greater Good.” But should it be like that? Maybe in some minor cases (many would say)… but for your Core Principles? I don’t understand that logic of thinking. Is there any candidate out there that wouldn’t sell out his Core principles when pressured by whatever force or special interest (use your imagination)?

I can only think of one: Ron Paul. Yes, you read it right… and no, I am not sippin the fire water. I have officially changed my stance on who I support for the Presidency of the United States (to the chagrin of my wife who still supports Huckabee… it could be worse, look at Arnold and Maria).

Ron Paul and I have had our differences of course, many of which were due to my quick to judge, reactionary personality that I have been cursed with (just ask Guav, he knows it all too well). But all in all I don’t think there is a better candidate who will, without reservation, stay true to his campaign promises… promises that are consistent with the perseverance of our Constitution. I have come to realize of late that his Libertarian ideals truly resonate with me. Like I mentioned before, I am in a state of intellectual limbo (with my politics and my religion). Better said, I am still trying to nail down what I believe to be true. What’s the old saying? The more I learn the more I realize how ignorant I really am. That speaks to where I am at in my life right now.

No laughing Guav.

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Campaigns, Patriotism, Politics

History Lesson: Remember the fiscal mess our country went through in the 30’s and 40’s? And remember Franklin Roosevelt’s big brain child called “The New Deal?” It pretty much screwed the constitution, led to countless alphabet agencies, and took the conservative “planks” or principles, that were the foundation of their platform, and threw them over the proverbial fence. The GOP then led the way (so to speak) as the party of conservatism.

Question: Are we, as the GOP, throwing our planks away?

Answer: With the inevitable nomination of McCain and the last 8 years of Bush… it sure seems to point that direction, doesn’t it? I am truly sad for our country.

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Patriotism, Politics