Shawn,
The people of this great country have made it great through the generations by doing their best regardless of the leadership in Washington. I don't say this as a slam to either current party, and yet to both. While I am one that feels that government only gets in the way of true progress unless it chooses to stay out of the way I think we can plainly see that it is the people of any country that comes along, stands up, and makes due under whatever circumstances are thrown at them.
We still have the greatest country in the world for allowing many of the freedoms we enjoy. Yes, I believe we are losing them fast, but we still have more on the whole than anywhere else that I am aware of.
Show our pride, conviction, determination, and spirit by doing what our forefathers did. In the face of so many bad times-French & Indian War, Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, etc, etc; then, the Great Depression, the recession of the 80's, the almost recession at 2000, and now this Recession/Depression (maybe only time will tell for sure) we have always come back stronger and kept going despite the government and/or any other selfish interest that would try to knock America down.
When we let these times take us to a position of apathy, carelessness, procrastination, despair, etc, that is when we have lost and they have won. (not putting labels on 'we' and 'they', it's you and me that counts).
I don't think it is right for government to intervene and keep any bank, business or other entity in business that obviously deserved to go out of business as any of us would have if we ran ours like they do and went so far in the hole. (Most of them obviously weren't that bad off or they wouldn't have come back so quickly). BUT, we just keep doing our jobs and providing for our families.
That is our main responsibility and obligation. The government should be the last place people go to for help, not the first. Why do we have so many government programs to do this? Because the family and church fell down on the job and we let them. To an extent, we even DEMANDED it of them. And now we are complaining. We must first get the family and the church back into the position of doing their jobs. THEN we can ask government to back off.
Are each of us doing our part? We can always do a little more. Though I believe many here are the type of people that are helping family, friends and neighbors who are hurting.
In a way, I am rejoicing. I see opportunities: for my church to show the community who we are, for my family to set an example to others, for this country to show what we are made of, and for some true leaders to shine forth to give all of us a better selection of political leaders next time around. We had some good ones this time. There are always SOME good ones. But really, I don't think we have truly come to the place where we have looked for the RIGHT people to lead us. Career politicians are not what we need. We need the down in the trenches people. But, they are still down in the trenches instead of offering their services to a larger community.
Again, just my two tin pennies worth. Thanks for the compliment Henry. Just my personal thoughts and perspective on my personal obligations to the society in which I live. We all have very little choice in our place of birth. Contrary to many lines of thought, we can choose where we continue to live and offer our allegiance. And I choose to remain here and do my best under any and all circumstances. While his reference is generally in line with our spiritual lives, my pastor often says, 'It's not about me, you, or us, it's about His Glory'. "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." (KJV) AND, " Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." (KJV)
I could go on, but I think my point is made. Those are my beliefs and why I think I can and should look at this as a positive opportunity and not a time to give in. I don't have to be in total support of everything the President or other leaders do. But I must do those things I am responsible to do. Right or wrong, agree or disagree, this country did vote him in for a second term. With the rest of the Congress that was elected, it will be a battle for both parties. Prayerfully, hopefully, for the best interest of this country, there will be places where they can come together and DO GOOD. I see the lower number of laws and regulations being passed as a good thing. There are way too many on the books already.
Have a Great Day, Brent
I locked the "go vote" thread...it ran it's course, and as many of you know, I didn't like the outcome of the election, but it's over.
"I may have stirred the pot too heavily on occasion; but it is intended to PROVOKE THOUGHT no offend." Oh really???
