Experts? Who said they were experts?

There are no sour grapes in this post. The election is behind us and the next several years will show us what we just elected. My question, in light of the way the current congressman and women are acting, is who said we elected them to be experts? At anything? The way the 535 congressmen and senators have been acting seems to imply they were elected because of their brilliance and ability to manipulate, I mean manage, health care - financial markets - the automobile industry - energy .... When in fact the majority of them made it to Capitol Hill as lawyers.
I mean no disrespect to lawyers. How does a lawyer know what is best for the economy? How does a lawyer understand health care and what is right for the masses? Quite simple - THEY DON'T! Apparently winning an election is the first step in manipulating the future of the millions.
If this is not the case - please explain Nancy Pelosi to me, and she is one of the few non-lawyers on the hill. What background does she have to carry the influence that she wields? She has no background in health care, energy, manufacturing, finance (other than her own family wealth). In fact - her biography only lists that she graduated college. No specialty - no further study ... But she is directing how her party, and the rest of congress, should be taking on these issues that have huge implications for today and tomorrow. Not to complain to much about Pelosi, she is but an example of the 'I am in - now what can I change' gang known as the legislative branch of government.
I am 100% opposed to term limits as We, the people, should be smart enough to vote those out of office that do not represent us well. I am opposed to un-educated voters being allowed, often hand delivered, to vote. Differences are what makes us strong - so this is not about those that disagree with me being blocked from voting. I just believe that people caught up in the hype are not capable of rational thought. Without rational thought - how qualified are you to even vote?

Enough is enough - I say Merry Christmas

Turn the other cheek has long been a part of my language. It comes from my christian upbringing and reminds us to offer forgiveness and an opportunity when we are wronged. As a Catholic I continue to try and practice this most subtle and selfless gesture. However, in a world (USA) where christians and catholics are constantly berated and joked about (everything from CNN to Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Maher - absolutely no relation to me) how many cheeks should we turn? That was a rhetorical reference - I know that I must continue.

The latest attack, or should I say annual attack on the faith of roughly 85% of the US population (Christianity) has started again. If you have not seen the story in Washington state take a look here. From my point of view - if you don't want to celebrate the birth of our savior - don't do it. That is one of the things that makes this country great. Worship your own lord or belief system, but you don't have the right to disparage my lord and faith in the process.

I know everyone had a laugh at the 'Festivus for the Rest of Us' episode of Seinfeld, but the message behind it is truly hurtful and wrong. Christmas is a christian holiday - it is not about Santa Claus and snowmen. That being said, I defend the right of the writers, actors and producers to their freedom of speech. I also have the right to turn off the television, personally boycott the writers, actors, producers, sponsors ..... You get the point.

My family thinks I am nuts sometimes. The only way I can speak my mind is to speak with my wallet. I refuse to purchase certain products, I refuse to watch movies with certain actors/actresses in them and I turn off most professional sports (another post on that one) only because it is my way of excercising my freedoms. I do it without stepping on anyone's rights - I just wish more people would follow through on this type of action.

In the end - this is the season.... It is the season for forgiveness, for preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ. Take the time to prepare yourself. I wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.

Wow! When did that happen?

I spent a couple of days with my son and his class at 'Outdoor School' - Camp Hashawa last week. I remember spending a week there ... many years ago. This time was different. I was the parent, the mature one, the chaperone - what a difference 20 years makes to your vision. I truly enjoyed spending the time with my son and his classmates but something happened on the trip that I have been quietly willing to happen. You know how it is when you can see something (potential) and you nudge it along (encouragement)? What do you do when it actually jumps up and hits you in the face?

I have to be honest that when the potential was reached in front of my eyes - I was truly blown away. What am I talking about? My oldest son has a knack for having others follow him. I first saw this on the baseball field - every kid would look to see what my son was doing. Then, they would try to emulate him. This followed on the soccer field - everyone on the team would take their lead from him. I gently nudged (encouraged) him to grasp the opportunity before him and become the leader. He resisted! In fact, he became even more quiet and reserved.
I have to admit that I try to push my children up to their comfort limit - sports, school, manners - you name it - I will push them up to the point that it gets in the way. So when my son drew back at being the team leader I stopped pushing. He really is a great kid/person and I just figured things would work themselves out. Perhaps I had misread his leadership qualities....

Back to Outdoor school. One of the sessions the kids worked on was teamwork. The kids would participate in a series of obstacles that required them to work together in order to complete a task. Now, 7th grade boys do not communicate all that well to begin with. You typically have one or two that 'know what to do' and they beat the others into submission. Whether they are correct in knowing what to do or not does not seem to matter - their way will be tried first. At one of the stations that very thing happened. One boy was set in his ways on how to get things done and he took the team down the wrong path. Not surprising as it had happened in two other stations previously. What happened next blew me away. As a parent - I was to observe and keep the kids on task. We were not to teach them or give them the answers - just watch and nudge.

After taking a few steps the wrong direction, my son stepped up and said 'Everybody stop'. They listened. Cool! But then he took control of the group and told each child what they needed to do to get the job done. Not in a bully way. He did it like the leader I knew he could be. He spoke calmly, quietly but authoritative that he saw the answer - had played it through in his mind and that if they did not act now, they would not get the job done. WOW!

I think I popped 2 buttons on my shirt as my chest swelled with pride. Not that he understood how to solve the problem - he does that routinely. He had asserted himself when it was needed. No prodding to do it. No rewards for doing it. He just did it.

BTW, after he did it he slid right back in to his normal spot. He does not like the attention of being the leader. He would rather sit one step behind (just like his old man) and just keep with the group. That being said, I saw the way the other boys looked at him. When he did it, and as they went on throughout their time. They looked up to him.

My son is a leader. I am so happy that I got to see it.

No wonder we are where we are

I am no genius when it comes to ... just about anything. With that disclaimer how hard is it to pass a U.S citizenship test? Personally, I found it to be a relatively simple test - take a look at the questions and see for yourself. Apparently, I am not a normal citizen of the country as 'elected officials' only scored 44 per cent. 'Ordinary' citizens scored 49 per cent. This information was taken from the article 'US officials flunk test of American history, economics, civics' . If the education, or awareness of our country is this abysmal - there is no question as to why we find ourselves continuing to elect officials that really have no idea what they are supposed to do, let alone become self declared experts on foreign policy, financial issues, health care or even the role of government.

Instead of electing people who understand the history of our country, its role in the world or even a strong discipline in an area that matters to the general population, we seem to elect people who will cater to a particular need or cause. Where does this get is .... Refer back to my previous post .

This most recent election brought to the forefront the concern over 'qualifications' to become President or Vice President. Personally, I think anyone wishing to run for office should be required to take the test, pass it with at least an 80% (that was a B in grade school) and their scores and answers published for all to see. Not that it will matter much as we are increasingly becoming a society of hand outs. That is the general population increasingly sits back and puts their hand out looking for what their elected official will give them.

Go back to my previous post on taxation and see where you fit. In the end, if you find yourself not wanting to pay for someone elses beer will you do something about it or just complain and threaten to move if your candidate doesn't win ... like Alec Baldwin promised to do.

Are we reaching the tipping point?

For a long time (20 years or half of my life) I have been worried about the impending end of democracy. Yes, I know that is a bold statement but it is backed with a deep rooted concern over the direction I, and many others, have seen this great country going. It is human nature to reach for what is within your grasp, but the outright stealing of the resources of this democracy is something that is appalling to me. This is not a political statement - it is a statement of concern.

When groups are pitted against each other (socio-economic, religious, race based or political) in order to gain a majority favor - everyone loses. There is a line in the movie 'Miracle' that I truly wish more people in this country would consider. In an effort to get the U.S. Hockey team more focused on working as a team Herb Brooks, played by Kurt Russell, says something to the point of " it's about time you starting thinking more about the name on the front of your jersey, than the name on the back" . That line has stuck with me since I first heard it as a montra for our country. John F. Kennedy uttered something along the same lines that seems to have been lost as something from yesteryear, but could not hold more true today "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country".

Whether those asking are the homeless, homebound or homeowner. Factory worker or factory owner. Victim of malicious crime or perpetrator of that crime. Ask what you can do to make the world and this country a better place.

Along that line, there is another evil within our midst that has been subtle in its growth. That growth has found its way into our way of thinking could not be more wrong. Reading a book that my children are working with in school (elementary and middle school ) - I found it square in the middle of the text. There was a time when the United States of America was a melting pot. That melting pot welcomed every view - everyone was welcome and everyone was encouraged to bring their particular flavor to the pot. That pot would meld the disparate beliefs, customs, and heritage into something that was unique in the world - America. Now, we are told to welcome the same but not to encourage the blending. This creates, as my kids book illustrates, a tossed salad model. Each contributing to the overall flavor of the bi-product but without attempting to blend together. This is not America. This divides American's rather than uniting them.

Where do we go? Are we at a the tipping point? Is the end of the democratic republic close at hand? I just hope I am wrong in my conclusion of where we are in Tytler's Circle.