A Daily Dose of Insight and Common Sense

The fast food philosophies couldn’t be farther apart. It comes down to choice and whether or not you want to make one. No one sits forever at In-N-Out unable to make a decision. You can count the possible items on one hand. Of course there are a few insider options for those who know the system, but their entire menu would be legible on a postage stamp. Sonic’s menu could fill a billboard in 12 pt. font. It has over 168,000 drink combinations, not including shakes and coffee drinks. Breakfast is served all day and you can customize every combo, burger, coney, sandwich, wrap, salad, side order (way to many to list), or dessert. You can run down a car battery with just the radio on well before you’ve read all the options (so there are lots of pictures). This extraordinary country was founded on the principle of freedom. Freedom comes from being able to make our own choices: on religion, political opinion, education, health care, and even what we eat. Don’t get me wrong, I love In-N-Out, and would choose an In-N-Out burger over a Sonic burger every time, but I don’t always want a burger. I’m glad I still live in a country where I have the power to make my own decisions, even if they are not always the best ones for me. We need to encourage competition, reduce the red tape, and eliminate unconstitutional regulations that give preferences to or punish certain businesses or industries. The consumer is smart enough to make the big (and little) decisions when given the choice. Capitalism allows us to learn from our mistakes, rather than be restricted from making any.

The form of legal tender has probably been the most evolving element of our relatively new society. We have gone from genuine metal coin and barters to a gold backed dollar, and then to mere paper with only contrived value. Credit, now the most popular form of funds, exchanges the hope of potential wealth. We wager on futures. Investments are made on artificial assets, mere illusions. Exploiting that system will critically damage any economy. The castle has been built on a cloud. The question to ask now is, “Can it be repaired?” At this point, bringing the financial system back down to earth will require desperate measures, but it is still possible. The key to any workable solution will have to include returning to a system built on honest value. The present trend has led to instability and if we continue on, to collapse. Following that path the next logical currency exchanged will be power. — If the dollar falls, so does freedom.

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The most miserable of classroom assignments: there are always those who do the majority of the work, those who sleep on the job, those frustrated because their opinion doesn’t matter, and everyone shares in the graded outcome. Unions have stifled economic growth, suppressed innovation, and weakened the workforce. The workers only have the rights that labor legislation and the union permit. A person’s rights are surrendered to the union, and an individual has no right to choose representation, ask for a raise, or negotiate on their own behalf. Wages and benefits are decided by union contracts based on the collective; there is no meritocracy. Collective rights leave no liberty to the individual, no freedom to succeed, and no motivation to move beyond the mediocre. Those who don’t join the union are still dominated by it. Exclusive representation, fixed wages, and dues are still required. Their only difference: no union vote. The real “free-riders” are those who benefit from the talent and work ethic of others. Employees should sink or swim based on their own merits, rather than forcing everyone into the same boat. The government, courts, and unions, all try to answer the question, “What is fair?” Isn’t the individual worker the best person to decide what is in their best interest? This current system is pass/fail. We need the opportunity to surpass the set standards and achieve excellence.

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Violence, vandalism, and verbal assaults are just a few of the indiscretions forgiven to protect the First Amendment. But what rights do law-abiding citizens have under that same Constitution? Do you have the right to infringe on another’s rights? Does freedom of speech imply freedom of means? Is method protected by protestors’ rights? It was ruled in Oregon that riding bicycles naked was allowed because it was done as a protest. The laws of indecent exposure were suspended due to freedom of speech. The bare cyclists were not protesting clothing, they were against SUVs. Are all laws subject to freedom? Aren’t all crimes merely forms of expression, one person saying that their rights take priority over another’s? What law could stand if personal liberties always took precedence?

Freedom is the right to be wrong… not do wrong. – John G. Diefenbaker

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Any possible good intentions of socialism soon transform. It is about power; government grows naturally if not kept at bay. Before long the werewolf emerges. Private sector entities are now being plucked from the herd at an alarming rate: banks, car companies, the health care industry, and others. If they aren’t down yet, they are bleeding out. The free-market is slowly being devoured. Free speech and other constitutional rights are being nibbled away at. Many who realize what is happening are trying to shepherd us out of this mess only to be attacked. There are so many still blindly following like sheep. The current administration refuses to see, or is leading us down the path to destruction. Many ask why they don’t see the demise of that destination. It is because a wolf in sheep’s clothing deceives himself by pulling the wool over his own eyes.

The original Boston Tea Party was the culmination of “No Tax without Representation.” The media and those uninvolved in the movement today place an assumed emphasis on the word “tax.” The vast majority of the movement has no problem with paying taxes; they only want “representation.” The colonists rallied against the tyranny of the English government. They simply wanted a voice for their service to the crown. The Tea Partiers of today feel that the current leaders of this country don’t hear their voices, share their values, or even value the opinions of those they represent. They work for the people, not big business, special interests, or their own pocket books. The movement began under President Bush with the passage of TARP, and yet it is slandered for being racist and anti-Obama. Tea Partiers assemble on tax day to remind the government of whose money they are spending. But they are patriots that also meet as often as the 4th of July, September 12th, December 16th, Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, at city halls, state capitols, and local parks. They have local barbeques, picnics, and book clubs. They are sincere. No membership applications or dues required – simply show up. You are likely to see some people you know, make some new friends, and learn more about making your voice heard. Those at rallies are educated, informed, and involved in their communities. They are grandparents, veterans, mothers, small businessmen, blue-collar workers, and people you see at church on Sunday. A typical Tea Party line-up: the Pledge, Star Spangled Banner, and a prayer for our leaders and our military; they are urged to call their representatives, run for office, get educated about the political system and legislation, register to vote, and take part in the process that affects their lives and future generations. The threads that hold the grassroots gatherings together are issue and policy based. They are concerns about the national debt, rising deficits, unemployment, fading liberties, and growing government. If liberty, freedom of speech, and equal representation, are un-American, then what has America become?

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About

Although a few entries may be a little hard for some to swallow, my hope is to show readers a fresh perspective, by linking the issues and problems of today with analogies from everyday life.

I had taken a break from daily writing to realign my offline priorities. Gotta keep it all in perspective. I hope to make almost daily posts again and keep you clicking back to see newer posts as they are written. I know time is a rare and valuable asset, thanks for spending some of yours here.