Thought to Ponder

Ronald Reagan told a story back in 1964. He and a friend were having a conversation with a Cuban refugee who had recently arrive in the United States. After listening to the refugee, Reagan's friend remarked that "we just don't realize how lucky we are." The Cuban responded "how lucky you are, I had a place to escape to." If we loose our freedoms here in America we have no place to escape to. The larger the government becomes the fewer freedoms we will have. Health care takeover, private business takeover, and energy resource takeover (cap and trade) will guarantee our loss of freedom. Remember we have no place to go.

A. C. Smithson

Ironic Observation

Recently the Obama administration called the government of Afghanistan severely corrupt. This is an accurate observation. Now my observation is as follows: The Obama administration is populated by socialist, Marxist, communist, Maoist, tax cheats, anarchist and liars. It is severely corrupt. They lie about why they wish to push an energy tax (Cap and trade) on the taxpayer. They lie about what they're attempting to accomplish with healthcare legislation. They lie about what they've accomplished toward repairing the economy with their stimulus package. They lie about what their intent is when taking over private corporations i.e. banks, financial institutions and auto manufacturers. They lie about who they are, and what they believe. I could list the names of these socialist, Marxist, communist, Maoist, tax cheats, anarchist and liars associated with, or in his administration, but that information is available for all who care to discover it. Is this not a case of the pot calling the kettle black?

A. C. Smithson

Self-esteem

Self-esteem and self-worth are wonderful attributes so long as you acquire them the old-fashioned way, you earn them. Self-esteem is defined as a confidence and satisfaction in one's self. Self esteem is generally built through accomplishment. There is nothing wrong with a person having confidence and self satisfaction so long as there is a relationship between that and their accomplishments.

In the early 1980s it was decided that there was a need for all young people to be full and overflowing with self-esteem. I believe this was a disservice to them in that it eventually led them to believe that they were the equals to their parents, teachers and adults. Youth no longer demonstrate respect or reverence toward adults or others. This is not difficult to understand considering these young people believe themselves to be equal to adults and every regard. When we discuss the psychobabble of self-esteem we disregard the fact that they've (the youth) have done nothing but take all their lives and contributed nothing back to society. Naturally, to the parents their children are precious and without flaw. To the general community, children displaying their unique style of crass behavior may be seen as slightly less endearing.

There is a difference between adults and youths. There's no great onerous in the acceptance that we are not equal. A difference exist between boss and employee, rich and poor, famous and not so famous. The list goes on. It is not a violation of their human rights, constitutional rights, or any other rights. Requiring children to accept the fact that adults are more knowledgeable, mature, and responsible in most instances, will not do permanent damage to the child. It will simply result in them growing up to be better adults.

In the words of preacher Billy Graham: "We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem."

A. C. Smithson

Unlimited

I recently spoke to a person of unlimited stupidity, no limits. This person thinks we can cover everyone's healthcare needs, inexpensively, no additional taxes, no increase to the budget deficit, no decrease in the quality of service to anyone (no additional doctors or nurses), birds will sing, the sky will be bluer, the planet will cool and the sea levels will drop when the government takes control of your health care and life. In these instances, I attempt to contain myself. I don't like calling people names. I have fought the urge for days, but I finally lost out. Healthcare or insurance reform or whatever, they are calling it today there is no plan. There really is no plan there are five or so proposals, but the plan will be worked out behind closed doors in a smoke-filled room. Allow me to digress. Regarding calling this person one of unlimited stupidity I must freely admit that I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer. If I can figure this healthcare scam out it frustrates me that others can't. The current claim in one of the proposals is that 94% of the people will be covered. What of the remaining 6%. I thought we were doing this in order to ensure that everyone has health insurance. What of the millions (GAO estimates over 20 million) which will remain uncovered? We're going to destroy the best healthcare system in the world in order to cover some of the people. There are numerous reasons for the current high cost of healthcare. The liberal's claim that insurance companies are just plain evil doesn't even factor in to the top 10 reasons. Government programs (government run healthcare programs) artificially inflating the market is one of the leading reasons. Don't believe it, look back at healthcare cost prior to the 60s war on poverty. Both federal and state regulations additionally, contribute to these high-cost. Tort reform and I mean true tort reform would reduce the cost of healthcare by at least 20%. Physicians are being forced to purchase expensive malpractice insurance and doctors practicing defensive medicine (the cost of unnecessary test in order to protect themselves) contributes significantly to the cost. One of the goofy claims made is there's just not enough competition in healthcare. If only the government were present to compete with the evil insurance companies. This would drive the cost of healthcare down. There are over 1300 insurance companies nationwide selling health insurance. One more competitor will make no difference. Now to hurt the feelings of some people in our current entitlement society. If you truly want to reduce the cost of healthcare try paying out-of-pocket for routine health care needs. I know some will jump at this and say the poor and destitute cannot afford this. I'm not talking about them. I'm talking about those of us still working, earning an income and taking care of our families. Insurance should be purchased to cover catastrophic health needs not simple office visits and inoculations. If this was insurance on your car in addition to accident, comprehensive and theft what would it cost if you also purchase coverage for your belts, wear and tear, oil changes, brake replacement, wind shield wipers and every other component on your car. I would venture to say the cost would be roughly that of what we're currently paying for health insurance.

It does not seem to bother many that the federal government's involvement in healthcare is unconstitutional. Don't just accept that from me, read the constitution or ask a constitutional scholar. That being said the most disturbing aspect of all to me is that people believe they have a right to their neighbors labors. What kind of an upbringing allows people to think that? Another misconception is that ensuring an additional 46 million,30 million,47 million or however many they claim today are without will not cost any more. It's just not possible. One more outrageous yet accepted claim is that in order to help pay for the destruction of healthcare the government will cut $450 billion of waste, fraud and abuse from Medicare. My question, if they know how to do that why haven't they done that already? Are they telling us they could have stopped it at any time yet they stood by and allowed the taxpayers to get ripped off year after year after year? And now for an undeniable truth. No government program has ever or will ever come in at cost or below. They always cost more. That's enough to ponder for now. Please don't just sit back and think that this will work itself out because it won't. Make a decision based on your beliefs and then let your representatives know what you want. After all they do work for you.

A. C. Smithson

A Little Common Sense Goes a Long Way!

Like most folks in this country, I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to get that paycheck in my case, I am required to pass a random urine test (with which I have no problem). What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine test. So here is my question: Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them? Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their ass- doing drugs, while I work... Can you imagine how much money each state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check? I guess we could title that program, URINE OR YOU'RE OUT'. Something has to change in this country-- and soon!!!!

Passed on to me by a friend.

Unknown author but clearly and intelligent thinker.

Barry the Nobel Prize Winner

Obama is correct in his statement that he does not deserve the award. Few of the recent winners did. He was nominated for the award 12 days into his administration. With him everything is about him. I'm sure his private comments were to the effect, it was inevitable, what the hell took them so long. He is our beloved egomaniacal leader. I believe his head will swell to the point that his ears fit.

Let's look at some winners and losers of the award.

Mahatma Gandhi- four time nominee, four time loser. Master of non-violent resistance. Roll model for Martin Luther King. Loser

Harry Truman- led U.S. to successful conclusion of World War ll. Saved Europe's and most of the rest of the world's ass. Loser

Winston Churchill- lead Great Britain during World War ll. Loser

Ronald Reagan- defeated the communist Soviet Union. Loser

Yasser (yes sir that's my baby) Arafat- P.L.O. terrorist. Winner

Jimmy (the peanut farmer) Carter- Messed up the U.S. economy. Double digit unemployment, double digit inflation, laughing stalk in the world. Caused the creation of the misery index. He is the worst president in modern U.S. history. (soon to be second worst) Winner

Al (Bore) Gore- nut case. Winner

Barrack Obama- (Messiah) leader of the hate America, blame America crowd. Denounces U.S. around the world. Attacks the capitalist economic engine of America, which created the nation with the highest standard of living on earth. Moving toward establishing a socialist utopia where we are all equally poor and miserable. Nearing double digit unemployment, soon to be followed by double digit inflation. Weakened our economy at home and our foreign policy abroad. His only answer so far is it's Bush's fault. Winner

Who will be the future recipients of this award? Perhaps one of the Castro brothers from Cuba. Hugo Chavez from Venezuela or possibly Ahmadinejad (accent on mad) from Iran.

A. C. Smithson

Recent cartoon

If a man yells "you lie!" in a room full of politicians, how do they know who he's talking to?

unknown

Wealth Redistribution

So many of us Americans become giddy at the prospect of getting something for nothing. This is why con-artist have it so easy these days. Take from the rich and give to the poor. Nothing wrong with that. We need more of it. If a student earns the grade of D and another earns an A is that fair? Hell no. They should be averaged so that both receive equal credit. Both should receive a C plus, ah what the hell a B minus. The person who got the A might have worked harder, or possibility the person with the D is just not as gifted. This is just not fair, but averaging the scores makes it fair.

A person has a neighbor who earns one million dollars a year. This person earns fifty thousand a year. He certainly is entitled to a portion of his neighbors labors, right? I think so. The total earnings should be divided up fifty-fifty. In days past, rich successful people were considered to be hard working, inventive, risk taking pioneers and economic roll models. These people with money were also the employers. This indeed is old fashioned archaic thinking. We know now they are simply winners in life's lotto.

America is no longer the land of opportunity. It has become the land of guaranteed outcomes. Anything short of that is, well it's just not fair. One of GOD's Commandments is " You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife; nor his male servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's." I guess we decided that GOD was wrong.

Today's new standard is " from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs." These are the words of Karl Marx the father of modern communism. Unfortunately they also are the words of our current governmental leaders. We've come a long way baby.

A. C. Smithson

"The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery.:- Winston Churchill