How Shall We Deal With National Debt?

     Months ago, when I logged into Facebook and scrolled down my homepage, I was stuck by a photo post that listed the salaries of some of the CEO's of top health insurance companies. One of those is the one that I have been enrolled in for the past few years. These CEO's are not only millionaires but multimillionaires and billionaires. I posted this photo on my page and on all three of my pages and I did not see that I got one "like" or comment on this post. What I don't understand is the lack of outrage. I feel both sad and angry that people, both online in my social networks and offline, especially in my church family, seem to feel that the very real and often devastating issues surrounding so many in our culture are somehow secondary to what they seem to perceive as "getting out of office" a President that they resent and hate and whom they would like to see fail. And so many blame him for all that ails our economy. There is a Facebook photo with the caption, denigrating President Obama: "Obama loves the poor so much, he has created millions more of them!" Some are accusing him of scaring senior citizens and others that they will "lose their benefits" if the debt ceiling is not raised; they are calling him the enemy of the people. The same people, from what I have observed, are the ones who tend to call for cuts in spending rather than increased taxes on those with high incomes, certainly millionaires and billionaires.

Now I am not putting down wealth or the right to get rich, as long as it is done by ethical means and the wealthy use some of their resources to support and assist those in need. And many already do and are to be commended for it. But guess what? These wealthy philanthropers, like Bill Gates, are calling for an end to tax breaks for the wealthy, realizing that our ailing economy needs extra revenues from their taxes far more than they do. And also, our President has also gone on record as saying that he does not need any tax breaks. I know that there are so many people who are worried that tax revenues from increased taxes on the wealthy, would "trickle down" to rest of us as these same "super-wealthy" are the "job creators." Really? If that was the case, then why has unemployment so dramatically risen even as these "job creators" were getting their tax breaks? Where were the jobs that supposedly were supposed to produce that "trickle down" effect? I may be missing something her (but I don't think so), but I have not seen these effects of these tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires "trickle down" to the rest of us. And please do not write me off as someone who has "class envy" or begrudges the wealthy their wealth. For I know that if there were not people in the position to provide substantial help to those in need (and this would include many people in positions of wealth or influence), so many charities would not be able to serve those in need and so many of our congregations would not be doing well. And I know that it will be a few such individuals, when I am able to come to their attention, who will be the ones who can help my petition, on behalf of the autism community, really take off!

What really saddens as well as angers me is the resentment, prejudice and even vitriol so many people, in certain social circles in my life and among so many in my social networks, have shown toward those who use "entitlement" programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and certainly need-based programs such as Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and SSI (Supplemental Security Income). I know that so many have expressed concerns and (and in some cases this concern is valid), that people are abusing the system and using these programs to avoid having to work and paty their way through life. I know that many are deeply concerned about this matter. I'm not pooh-pooing the concerns of those who feel this way about the use of government programs. I'm saddended that so many seem to think that using these programs is somehow the "ticket" to the "good life" and that some people "on welfare" are living "better lives," of more material prosperity, than taxpayers. I can tell you, from personal experience, that the use of any of these government programs is not the ticket to lives of material prosperity. It's the live of living on a fixed income, getting just enough for bare necessities, and living with the ongoing stigma of knowing that so many others are stereotyping you as someone who does not want to work and have chosen to "live off society." And I think the resentment and stereotypes of those who use government programs is why so many are supporting the package of spending cuts proposed by the Paul Ryan Plan AND not supporting the call to end tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires. This is sad.
I fear that I risk offending those in my social networks and in my "real life," who are among those who are wealthy or even upper middle-class. I'm talking about those who in the upper income brackets and who make around, let's say, $250,000 or more a year and certainly anyone who is a millionaire or more.  I don't envy your wealth and I don't want to cause you "undue hardship" or bring an end to your prosperity. And if you are using your resources to help those in need (and not just material, but time also), I commend you heartily. But I hope and pray that you will realize the facts about those who are not as blessed as you are and who are in life circumstances where they DO need to use government programs. And I hope and pray that you will see that increased tax revenues from your incoimes will only pay for itself many times over, especially if your $$$ are used to help balance our national budget. We only want you to pay as much PROPORTIONATLY in taxes as the middle-class do. Isn't this fair?

There is the issue of waste in government spending and I have heard and read horror stories about that. It has come to me that in a Facebook user's home state, a factory employed workers who sat around much of the day, played cards and games and were paid out of tax dollars! And the total cost to finance this travesty amounted to a total than what has been set aside to fund autism! Frankly, I find reports like this hard to believe, but the Facebook user showed me the news article with this information (no just because something is in print does not mean it is so). Days ago, a research project was conducted indicating that "autism can possibly be cured"! We have been having such studies ever since the autism spectrum diagnosis came out over 20 years ago! Why do we need another such study! Talk about government waste! Talk about all the tax dollars that are spent on paperwork in administering government programs that are redundant! Anyone who uses programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid or others will tell you about all the forms that have to be filled out and all the notices that are sent even to say that one is receiving a $1 increase in benefits or is receiving only $1 in benefits each month! Many years ago, my late stepdad remarked about what he hear about some government study about the sex habits of "fruitflies"! And I do not mean to denigrate NASA or the decades of having sent people to the moon; I know that space studies and programs have benefited children in school programs who have been fortunate enough to have access to such programs. But the dollars that have gone to send these people to the moon could have, in my opinion, been used to apply the same technology to matters like aiding law enforcement in solving crimes and finding missing people, for example. I can go on and on. On one of my local news channels for years, there has been a series called, "You Paid For It," which tells you have big the issue of government waste in spending tax dollars is.

I don't argue that spending cuts need to be made and that there is much government waste. I'm concerned (as are so many others) that the needed $$$ to balance the budget will be made off the backs off the most vulnerable people in our society and will be taken from services that serve us and keep us safer. We are hearing more and more about lay-offs of public school teachers in some states and about cuts to law enforcement. These are just two examples of services that are vital to all of us! And our government is seeking to cut such services instead of asking the wealthy to pay more in taxes! The argument for millionaires and billionaires paying taxes is that our economy needs it and they can afford to spare $$$ to help meet this need. Now, I understand that no one is going to like the idea of paying extra taxes and that paying more taxes means less money for the taxpayer. But when the taxpayer is a millionaires or a billionaire, isn't it only fair that they pay as much, percentagewise, as so many others who make far less, already do? Middle-class workers typically pay up to 40 percent in taxes, while the wealthy pay only around 15 percent out of much bigger incomes. How can anyone claim that this is fair? This is a call for justice, not welfare. What about cuts to the salaries of politicians, including retired politicians? This has been proposed many times and there is a popular Facebook photo calling for that, and which provides figures. The idea of all local, stated, deferal and all retired politicians taking pay cuts to their salares seems like one this is needed in an ailing economy like this one. Why are they not calling for this, for their own participation in the sacrifices they are calling on all of the rest of us to make?

As for spending cuts on the backs of vulnerable people who use government programs, such as the poor, those with disabilities, senior citizens, and others, why are there so many who seem okay with asking those in these people groups to make further sacrifices beyond what so many already make just to survive? So many younger people who use these programs, would much rather work than undergo the stigma of "living on the public dole," knowing that they are looked down on and stereotyped by so many in society. Many have disabilities or differences which employers can't/won't accommodate. This is one HUGE reason I have begun a petition on behalf of the most unemployed people group (at least in the US), those with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). While people are calling for spending cuts to even entitlement programs, how are people who use these programs supposed to survive? "Go get a job!" seems to be the easy answer to such an issue, but this thinking does not take into consideration that many such people do not have the job skills, social skills or even the transportation, to seek employment. So before you say that people should "Go out and get a job!" please realize that many people with true needs and disabilities are unable to do that, as much as they want to. So many of such individuals use the mental health system, or are homeless or are in jail or prison because of unmet needs. Does it not make sense that helping such people would, ultimately, help our economy than just cutting government programs?

My call is to please realize that, whatever your feelings about government programs and about those who use them, is that ANYONE can find himself/herself in circumstances where you would be forced to use one or more of those programs, even long-term. If you are a taxpayer and you are employed, especially at a career that you love, thank God for His goodness to you and realize that that all citizens are valuable and precious to God, even those who are not in the position to pay taxes.
And please focus on protecting those who need it, not those who do not need it. I know that we are deeply divided about this matter, among others. But it is not necessarily about good vs. evil but is more often about different visions and philosophies and refusing to set aside differences. We all need to find common ground and set aside our differences for the greater good of all, especially the vulnerable who are not in the position to make further sacrfices than they are already making.

The Most Disrespected US President

     Someone does a drawing of President Obama and a person sneers: "He come from monkeys." (To be fair, I understand that this person has apologized).
     A "friend" on Facebook appears on Chat with me; when I request that this user sign and share a petition, the response I get is an angry: "He hates (the beneficiaries of said petition)! He is our enemy! He is a sociopath!"
     Months ago, I scrolled through my homepage and saw another post about the US President. In the comments section, a user posted "It is time to hand him his pink slip and say it's time to retire."
     As I was scrolling though my Facebook homepage one day, I saw a photo collage of many politicians with the inscription like "Terrorists," among the many photos is one of President Obama, at the far right.
     A "pastor," preaching his "pro-life" sermon one day, denounces President Obama and leads his congregation in a "prayer" for the President to die.
     It is not uncommon for us to see "funnies" in various media outlets, where President Obama is depicted with Devil's horns or pictured in strange poses or with "evil" expressions.
     In one user's Facebook profile pic, President Obama appears standing and over his head is the inscription "I lie."
     Republicans and politics shows supporting Republicans, compare President Obama to Hitler or even call him by that name.
     One prominent, popular politician declares that President Obama "consorts with terrorists and wants to usher in a socialist government."
     A high-profile politician calls President Obama "the biggest Food Stamp President in history."
     Regularly, when I log into Facebook and check my homepage for updates, I come upon posts with the transparent aim: to trash the current US President.
     "Impeach Obama" and "Defeat Obama" causes, petitions and pages continually spring up throughout the social networks.
     "Liar," "Imposter," "Unpatriotic," "Traitor," "Socialist," and other derogatory nouns are constantly tossed around, on all media outlets, and are meant to trash the President.
     One national cable TV network, over these past several years, has functioned with one purpose, as judging by their actions: to destroy the President and those who agree with him.
     On and around patriotic holidays, like Memorial day and Veteran's Day especially, on my Facebook homepage, I see posts with photos of veterans with the inscrpition "Some Gave All," and photos of President Obama with the inscription, "Some Gave Nothing."
     One prominent Republican likens President Obama to a criminal convicted of manslaughter who "has abandoned the ship."
     When President Obama sings a portion of a popular song on TV, another politician calls him the "Entertainer-In-Chief" and states that he is "bad for singing."
     A certain Governor, right on TV, angrily shakes her fist in the face of the US President.
     A certain Congressman orders President Obama: "Get the ---- out of the US!"
     On Facebook, there is an application called "Nobama."
     A certain State Senator "prays" for the death of the US President.
     These numerous, disturbing examples point to a now ingrained habit in our culture that has taken on a life of its own. This trend is dishonoring the President.
     I don't know if this is because of who the current President happens to be but I have a suspicion that this has something to do with all the hate leveled at him. I don't know if this because of unconscious racism toward the first Black President in US history and jealousy of his success. I don't recall that former Presidents, including former President George W. Bush, have been the butt of such hate, contempt and crass disrespect. Yes, many of us have referred to former President Jimmy Carter as "the peanut man," and to former President Bill Clinton as "slick Willie." However, even during the months of the exposure of former President Bill Clinton's scandalous relationship with then White House intern Monica Lewinski and his actions following, and throughout his impeachment trial, I don't recall that he was ever subjected to the level of smearing that President Obama has been.
     Why is this dishonoring of the President so widespread and so socially accepted, even among people of faith? I think that it is because many people have grown up not knowing any better, having had it ingrained in them that dishonoring the Government and trashing those in power is "cool." And then there is the influence of the "TEA Party" movement and a prominent cable news network plus Republican enemies of the President who use all kinds of media outlets and spending $$$ to trash him. I think much of it is because ours has become a culture of general disrespect and younger people are not likely to remember a time when manners and respect were the norm. For it is true: Manners, politeness and respect in general, have been declining for many years. When I was growing up, it was drilled into the younger generation, "Respect your elders" and when we did or said anything to challenge authority, it was not accepted. "Talking back" was a grave offense (granted there are major drawbacks to this which I point out in my blogs about autism and social stigma about "taboo" issues).
     Several   decades ago, we would never have gotten by with telling an authority figure, "Wait," when told to do something. Delayed obedience equalled disobedience. But today is very different and disprespect has become so ingrained that diishonoring the person who holds the highest office in the free world, is socially acceptable and even commended! We have lost the ability to separate a person from his or her office and to honor the holder of such offices despite dislike of them or disagreement with them and their policies.
     It is safe to say that President Obama will go down as the most dishonored and vilified President in US history. Currently, we have entered into the campaign season where he is seeking a second term and as we all know, this campaign will only get nastier until it is all over. Public sentiment against him continues. There are numerous individuals, groups, causes and petitions that are committed to President Obama's defeat. On Facebook, I continue to see posts that are hostile to President Obama and propaganda photos and articles and supposed quotes where the President's words are taken out of context or incorrectly quoted. Yesterday, scrolling through my Facebook homepage, I saw one such post that showed a photo of former President George Washington and underneath his photo was the inscription was "I cannot tell a lie." Next to his photo was a photo of President Obama; under his photo was the inscription, "I cannot tell the truth." More and more users are posting material declaring, "I will vote President Obama out of a job in November 2012!" Even after the President had produced his birth certificate and explained the circumstances surrounding his birth, many still doubt the validity of his US citizenship and declare his "ineligibilty" to even run for the office of the US President.
     I am aware that, among many "real life" people of my aquaintance and among many in my own social networks, many oppose the President. In my social networks and among those who have expressed their political vies, few have shown support for President Obama. And by support I don't mean liking him or agreeing with his political views or his policy decisions. By support, I mean honoring him because he holds the highest (and arguably most difficult) office in the free world, expressing this honor and giving him the benefit of the doubt even when we may not like what he does. I have wanted to post, "What would YOU do if you were in his place?" Myself, I don't agree with all of President Obama's decisions or views, just as I did not agree with all of former President Bush's decisions or his views.
     As a person of faith, I'm fully aware that many question the genuineness of President Obama's Christian faith, though he has stated that he has a relationship with God through Jesus His Son and that his faith guides what he does in his personal and professional life. I will not discuss the reasons people give for why they doubt his faith; these would fill whole books. But I believe that judging the quality of his faith (or anyone's) is nor right and is just as wrong as the reasons their profession of faith is being questioned. This lapse is worst among those who call themselves "conservative Christiona" or "the religious right." Whatever we think of President Obama's views on the "hot-button" issues of gay/lesbian marriage equality or abortion, only God knows the President's heart, just as He knows the hearts of each of us. Each of us arrives at our own views of these two core issues (in the minds of so many) based on deeply held beliefs and often, life experiences. Yes, Scriptural principles come down on the side of life beginning at conception and on the side of marriage being God's design to be between a husnband and his wife (who would illustrate the relationship between God and His people). But we live in a very broken world where so many feel driven to choose abortion or where life circumstances make the sexual orientations of many do awry. The fact that we are so angrily debating these issues shows that we have serious issues that the President, if anything, realizes needs to be addressed. We may not like or agree with how he is addressing gay/lesbiam marriage equality or abortion but the Scripture tells us to honor and pray for those in power.
    As we get closer and closer to the Presidential debates and the election ( now just days away), whoever those of us in the US vote for, let us remember that votes that are cast based on hate for a Candidate and the desire to defeat him at any cost, are poorly cast.
    And if we can disrespect the person who hold the highest office in the free world, we will find it easy to disrespect anyone. This is happening on a WIDE scale. Look at how parents, schoolteachers and pastors of congregations are so often disrespected! Granted, much of that is because far too many have done things UNWORTHY of their titles, but their positions still should be respected and most do deserve to be respected and are not among "the bad apples."
    Now the Election is only weeks away, and the campaign is quite nasty. I have seen one Facebook page called, "1 Million Strong Against Mitt Romney," but most of the Facebook pages pages seem to have been set up, blatently, to influence and even bully, people into NOT voting for President Obama. A phenomenon has been happening for a long time but is getting worse: I'm talking about the lamentable political practice (and yes, it is done on BOTH sides) of trashing one's opponent to get votes. This seems to be replacing the building of a positive message, outline and vision of what Candidates desires to do and how THEY would do better to lead the Country than their opponents would. However, from what I have observed over many, many months to present, I have seen that the trashing, bullying, intimidation and slander seems to be worst in the Romney campaign and among the more partisan among his supporters and among those who call themselves the TEA Party.
     Whether anyone reading this supports or (if you are in the US) will vote for President Obama or not is beside the point of this blog. Whether you support him or vote for him, keep in mind that he is, currently, the President of the United States and the holder of the most powerful office of the Free World. When respect for that office is lost, we will feel freer to disrespect each other or anyone, including ourselves. Is this what we want?
    
    

Getting Ready For November 6

     It is not possible to tune into the news, whether on TV , newspaper, magazines or through social networks, without hearing about the 2012 US Presidential campaigns and constant anaysis of the candidates and sound bites from both of them. As a regular Facebook user, I find myself getting tired of hearing about it and I get very tired of all the sponsored ads that keep flooding my homepage, and more seem to be coming from the Romney campaign than from the Obama campaign. But I know that there are currently only 28 days, at least, before it will be all officially over and we will stop seeing all those campaign ads. I know that these events are located in my country, the US, but as any President and his administration make many decisions involving foreign policies affecting the entire world, that who will spend the next four years in the White House, as any four-year period, will profoundly affect the rest of the world.
     A week ago, the political debate between President Obama and Mitt Romney was held, and I know that it was widely watched and everyone has different views about the performances of both men. Should we base our votes on what we see of Candidates' performances in a debate? I do not think so. Are such performances an accurate reflection of the job candidates would do as President? In part, yes, especially as candidates respond under pressure and how they would conduct themselves. But to accurately "size up" a Candidate and his or her fitness for office, we should take MANY things into consideration: their past records of performance in other offices in politics (Mitt Romney as Governor of his state and President Obama as President), their entire conduct on the campaign trail, what they say about themselves, what they say about their opponents and their lifestyles and how they relate to the public. Which Candidate do you feel best represents you, your family and the values that you hold dear?
     I'm not writing this to tell anyone how to vote and no one has any right to tell anyone how to vote or which candidate to support. All anyone can ethically do is suggest that you check the facts about the candidates, do your "due diligence" on them  and do your research so you can make an informed decision when you cast your vote and that your vote is not based on a personal like/dislike for a candidate, loyalty to those who tell you how you "should vote," or opinions formed on your listening to campaign ads or partisan radio or talk show hosts. We all have different value systems and different visions of what we think of the direction that the country should "go in." There is nothing wrong with having strong opinions and talking about them. What is wrong is when talking about these opinions morphs into personal attacks, whether on the candidates or on those who support them. And it is very easy to do and tempting for most of us.
It seems that it is very hard to disagree about political issues graciously and respectfully. It is not for nothing that we are warned, "Do not talk about politics or religion."
     There is the Project Vote Smart website which is a nonpartisan website that gives the facts about politicians all over the country, from states to state as well as the two Presidential Candiadates. On the page for each Candidate there are a variety of top tabs for pages. One is for their past voting record. Another is for their stand on the issues. On the page we are told if a politician has taken the Project Vote Smart "Political Courage Test" which is a form that details a politician's stance on a variety of issues. I visited the pages for both Presidential Candiages and, according to Project Vote Smart, neither has filled out that form though asked over and over again. In my opinion, though I prefer that a politician has filled out the form, I don't think it should, in and of itself, count against any politician's fitness for office if they have not filled it out. We need to look at their willingness to take unpopular or controversial stands in everyday life.
     Two separate times, including earlier this year on President's Day, I had sent causes invitations to almost everyone in my social networks who uses Causes, to a Facebook causes called, "Join the Fight to Stop Dishonoring the President." The mission of this cause has been to restore honor and dignity to the office of the Presidency. This honor and respect have been lost and that seems to have sharply declined when President Obama was elected in 2008. I offended a few people simply by sending them invitations to support this cause and they removed me from their friends lists. Many who normally support me, did not support this cause. And I fear that many, many people will cast their votes not because of enthusiasm for their preferred candidate but because they are so against the candidate that they do not like.
     In my Facebook newsfeed, I have seen posts by people who have gone on record as saying that they had their minds made up, well in advance, on how they will vote on November 6. More than a few times, I have seen people "like" pages or post photos indicating "I will NOT vote for Obama" or "I will vote Obama out" "I will vote this person out of a job," and show a photo of President Obama. The supporters of Mitt Romney and the supporters of President Obama have gotten relentless in attacking the other's candidate. I know I will sound biased but I see much more hate, vitiol and trashing from the opponents of President Obama; I cannot log into Facebook without seeing posts trashing the President or at least making slurs that make no secret of the Facebook user's contempt of the President. Some of my most loyal supporters are people who differ with me sharply on political matters, though I don't know if they are aware of this. I would hope that even political differences would not ruin my rapport with them but I'm too aware that political differences are often seen as personal attacks and offenses that cannot be tolerated. One Facebook page is called something like, "1,000,000 Strong Against Mitt Romney." Just today, I saw a Facebook page called, "I Will Not Vote For President Obama" and there a photo with the caption "Nobama." Why is is easier or more fun, to scream about what we are against than to shout out about what we are for?
     During the time when Mitt Romney chose his running mate, Paul Ryan, the author of the very controversial "Ryan Plan," the Presidential campaign has really picked up steam. This choice of "running mate" will keep this controversial proposed piece of legislation in sharp focus for awhile. As this plan is an very important part of the Romney campaign, when considering whether to vote for Mitt Romney, any voter should know what the "Ryan Plan" is and what it would mean for self and family. I will provide links at the end of this post where you can find out more about the Ryan Plan and educate yourself about what it is. According to one online "Fact Sheet" that I pulled up today, both Candidates are doing much to misrepresent the other's position. If they are correct in their evaluation of both the Presidential Candidates, who are we to trust? Sometimes I'm unsure of whether to trust the very "Fact Checker" sites that have been set up and if they themselves may be done by people with unconscious biases. In the end, I believe that each one of us needs to make up our own mind about who is the most qualified person to fill any office, all things considered.
     I bring up the Ryan Plan because it is a central part in the platform for the Romney campaign and because his running mate is the creator of this proposed legislation. We cannot afford to be ignorant of it and what it would mean for us and our families. We are living in a time which is the very first time when it has proposals to cut many government programs or services has ever been put before the public but that time is here. Republicans are the party which focuses on minimizing government spending but not until the Tea Party politicians have occupied seats in Congress, have I ever heard talk of federal cuts to Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid. And these cuts are part of the Ryan Plan. I know that there are many people who may never have had to use government programs and may think they may never need them. And I hope they never will be in the position to need them! But we never know what life may hold for us, and we may find ourselves in situations where we may need to use a government program (s) and, if we are fortunate to live long enough, we will need to use Medicare. The only people who need not concern themselves with what the Ryan Plan will mean to their families and themselves are those who are wealthy and whose money will cover them even in times of illness or emergencies. Since that is not most of us, we owe it to our families and ourselves to educate ourselves about the Ryan Plan.
     Another issue that is HUGE in this debate is that of abortion and Mitt Romney and the Republican Party LOVE to portray President Obama as the "most pro-abortion President in US history." Granted, I do NOT agree with President Obama on this particular issue, but with so many things at stake in this election, I wonder at the wisdom of basing one's vote on a single issue. I know that many people are "one-issue" voters and I respect that, though I do not agree with it anymore. I see little wisdom in voting for a Candidate just because I agree with him or her one one issue, while I do not like their stance on any other issue I care about. Yes, the "pro-life" movement leaders do have a STRONG point when they say that if we condone abortion, all other forms of life will cheapen and this is happening. They also have a point when they declare that life is the issue on which all other issues are based. What they fail to see, I believe, is that the many other issues also are based on life issues. What we need, and what neither Candidate OR their parties can or will work toward, is a consistent life ethic which affirms ALL of human life, from conception to death, and not only represented in a certain set of issues while ignoring the others. I was going to provide you with a link to an article that gives an interesting perspective about both political Candidates and abortion, but it seems that the site on which the article appeared has been moved or is deleted. The thrust of the article was that while Romney declares that he will "end abortion," that in his past, much of his private money has indicated that he may not be as "pro-life" as he presents himself. The same article stated that none of President Obama's past private money has funded the abortion industry. There may be more gray area, concerning where they really stand, than we think.
     Quite a few weeks ago, in response to another Facebook user's slur against President Obama, and being fed up with seeing anti-Obama posts and comments, I posted a status update that was not directed at anyone in particular. I lamented all the hateful posts and comments that I was seeing more and more of; I said that while I did not want to sound biased, that I saw more hate being directed toward Obama and his supporters than toward Romney and his supporters. I got few "likes" or comments. One Facebook user said to me, "I'm a Republican and I am a proud one; okay, come out and say that you are a Democrat." Actually, I grew up in a family of Democrats and I support many Democrat policies, but I also support some policies that are considered Republican. I an Independent, I told the Facebook user in my comment.  Politically, I have always felt alienated and caught-in-the-middle because I sympathize with many of my family's views, which are strongly Democratic. But I also sympathize with some of views that are considered more "religious right" in nature, though I do not consider myself a "conservative Christian." As I read my Bible, God is neither Republican or Democrat. I do not think that even the Church, pastors or Christian leaders should tell people what candidate to support or how to vote. Both major parties have strengths and both parties have weakness.
     Like everyone else, I am excited about the outcome of this Presidential campaign but I will be relieved when it will end. I know that as my active petition calls for funds for a cause, that it will take resolution of the budget crisis in Washington before any action can be taken on what I am calling for. In many ways, it does not even matter who occupies the White House as the President can do nothing without the support and co-operation of Congress. This is why my petition is addressed to both Houses of the US Congress as well as to the US President, along with both Houses of my state Congress and to my state Governor.
     As these final weeks continue, we can expect to see the Presidential campaign and other political campaigns, get nastier and nastier. We should base our votes not on attack ads or the opinions of talk show hosts but the facts and I will provide links to a few resources.

http://votesmart.org/
This is the website for Project Vote Smart, which provides a wealth of facts about politicians and this website is easy to navigate with its search bar.

http://politifact.com/
This is the website where the words and actions of politicians are evaluated and examined and where the record is said to be able to be set straight.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Path_to_Prosperity_The_Ryan_Plan
This is the website that provides comprehensive information about the Ryan Plan but it is a lot of reading and may be tedious to wade through.

http://americanthinker.com/2011/06/ok_just_what_is_the_ryan_medicare_plan.html


    

The Most Dishonored Man in the US

     Someone does a drawing of President Obama, inscribing this drawing with "He has come from monkeys." (I understand the the maker of this photo has apologized).
     A "friend" on Facebook appears on Chat with me; when I request that this user sign and share a petition, the response I get is an angry: "He hates (the beneficiaries of said petition)! He is our enemy! He is a sociopath!"
     Recently, I scrolled through my homepage and saw another post about the US President. In the comments section, a user posted "It is time to hand him his pink slip and say it's time to retire."
     As I was scrolling though my Facebook homepage one day, I saw a photo collage of many politicians with the inscription like "Terrorists," among the many photos is one of President Obama, at the far right.
     A "pastor," preaching his "pro-life" sermon one day, denounces President Obama and leads his congregation in a "prayer" for the President to die.
     It is not uncommon for us to see "funnies" in various media outlets, where President Obama is depicted with Devil's horns or pictured in strange poses or with "evil" expressions.
     In one user's Facebook profile pic, President Obama appears standing and over his head is the inscription "I lie."
     Republicans and politics shows supporting Republicans, compare President Obama to Hitler or even call him by that name.
     One prominent, popular politician declares that President Obama "consorts with terrorists and wants to usher in a socialist government."
     A high-profile politician calls President Obama "the biggest Food Stamp President in history."
     Regularly, when I log into Facebook and check my homepage for updates, I come upon posts with the transparent aim: to trash the current US President.
     "Impeach Obama" and "Defeat Obama" causes, petitions and pages continually spring up throughout the social networks.
     "Liar," "Imposter," "Unpatriotic," "Traitor," "Socialist," and other derogatory nouns are constantly tossed around, on all media outlets, and are meant to trash the President.
     One national cable TV network, over these past several years, has functioned with one purpose, as judging by their actions: to destroy the President and those who agree with him.
     On and around patriotic holidays, like Memorial day and Veteran's Day especially, on my Facebook homepage, I see posts with photos of veterans with the inscrpition "Some Gave All," and photos of President Obama with the inscription, "Some Gave Nothing."
     One prominent Republican likens President Obama to a criminal convicted of manslaughter who "has abandoned the ship."
     When President Obama sings a portion of a popular song on TV, another politician calls him the "Entertainer-In-Chief" and states that he is "bad for singing."
     A certain Governor, right on TV, angrily shakes her fist in the face of the US President.
     A certain Congressman orders President Obama: "Get the ---- out of the US!"
     On Facebook, there is an application called "Nobama."
     A certain State Senator "prays" for the death of the US President.
     These numerous, disturbing examples point to a now ingrained habit in our culture that has taken on a life of its own. This trend is dishonoring the President.
     I don't know if this is because of who the current President happens to be but I have a suspicion that this has something to do with all the hate leveled at him. I don't know if this because of unconscious racism toward the first Black President in US history and jealousy of his success. I don't recall that former Presidents, including former President George W. Bush, have been the butt of such hate, contempt and crass disrespect. Yes, many of us have referred to former President Jimmy Carter as "the peanut man," and to former President Bill Clinton as "slick Willie." However, even during the months of the exposure of former President Bill Clinton's scandalous relationship with then White House intern Monica Lewinski and his actions following, and throughout his impeachment trial, I don't recall that he was ever subjected to the level of smearing that President Obama has been.
     Why is this dishonoring of the President so widespread and so socially accepted, even among people of faith? I think that it is because many people have grown up not knowing any better, having had it ingrained in them that dishonoring the Government and trashing those in power is "cool." And then there is the influence of the "Tea Party" movement and a prominent cable news network plus Republican enemies of the President who use all kinds of media outlets and spending $$$ to trash him. I think much of it is because ours has become a culture of general disrespect and younger people are not likely to remember a time when manners and respect were the norm. For it is true: Manners, politeness and respect in general, have been declining for many years. When I was growing up, it was drilled into the younger generation, "Respect your elders" and when we did or said anything to challenge authority, it was not accepted. "Talking back" was a grave offense (granted there are major drawbacks to this which I point out in my blogs about autism and social stigma about "taboo" issues).
We would never have gotten by with telling an authority figure, "Wait," when told to do something. Delayed obedience equalled disobedience. But today is very different and disprespect has become so ingrained that diishonoring the person who holds the highest office in the free world, is socially acceptable and even commended! We have lost the ability to separate a person from his or her office and to honor the holder of such offices despite dislike of them or disagreement with them and their policies.
     It is safe to say that President Obama will go down as the most dishonored and vilified President in US history. Currently, we have entered into the campaign season where he is seeking a second term and as we all know, this campaign will only get nastier until it is all over. Public sentiment against him continues. There are numerous individuals, groups, causes and petitions that are committed to President Obama's defeat. On Facebook, I continue to see posts that are hostile to President Obama and propaganda photos and articles and supposed quotes where the President's words are taken out of context or incorrectly quoted. Yesterday, scrolling through my Facebook homepage, I saw one such post that showed a photo of former President George Washington and underneath his photo was the inscription was "I cannot tell a lie." Next to his photo was a photo of President Obama; under his photo was the inscription, "I cannot tell the truth." More and more users are posting material declaring, "I will vote President Obama out of a job in November 2012!" Even after the President had produced his birth certificate and explained the circumstances surrounding his birth, many still doubt the validity of his US citizenship and declare his "ineligibilty" to even run for the office of the US President.
     I am aware that, among many "real life" people of my aquaintance and among many in my own social networks, many oppose the President. In my social networks and among those who have expressed their political vies, few have shown support for President Obama. And by support I don't mean liking him or agreeing with his political views or his policy decisions. By support, I mean honoring him because he holds the highest (and arguably most difficult) office in the free world, expressing this honor and giving him the benefit of the doubt even when we may not like what he does. I have wanted to post, "What would YOU do if you were in his place?" Myself, I don't agree with all of President Obama's decisions or views, just as I did not agree with all of former President Bush's decisions or his views.
     As a person of faith, I'm fully aware that many question the genuineness of President Obama's Christian faith, though he has stated that he has a relationship with God through Jesus His Son and that his faith guides what he does in his personal and professional life. I will not discuss the reasons people give for why they doubt his faith; these would fill whole books. But I believe that judging the quality of his faith (or anyone's) is nor right and is just as wrong as the reasons their profession of faith is being questioned. This lapse is worst among those who call themselves "conservative Christiona" or "the religious right." Whatever we think of President Obama's views on the "hot-button" issues of gay/lesbian marriage equality or abortion, only God knows the President's heart, just as He knows the hearts of each of us. Each of us arrives at our own views of these two core issues (in the minds of so many) based on deeply held beliefs and often, life experiences. Yes, Scriptural principles come down on the side of life beginning at conception and on the side of marriage being God's design to be between a husnband and his wife (who would illustrate the relationship between God and His people). But we live in a very broken world where so many feel driven to choose abortion or where life circumstances make the sexual orientations of many do awry. The fact that we are so angrily debating these issues shows that we have serious issues that the President, if anything, realizes needs to be addressed. We may not like or agree with how he is addressing gay/lesbiam marriage equality or abortion but the Scripture tells us to honor and pray for those in power.
    As we get closer and closer to the Presidential debates and the election, whoever those of us in the US vote for, let us remember that votes that are cast based on hate for a Candidate and the desire to defeat him at any cost, are poorly cast.
    And if we can disrespect the person who hold the highest office in the free world, we will find it easy to disrespect anyone.
    
      

Tax Breaks for the "Super-Wealthy," Spending Cuts and Why We Should Be Concerned

          A few days ago, as I have been doing more often, I logged into Facebook and was reading and examining the day's posts that had streamed into my Newsfeed. I read one post where the person expressed frustration with those in this person's network who were "spewing hate toward" and "discriminating against" millionaires and billionaires. The poster of this status exhibited concern that we were mentally categorizing people into categories, like rich and poor, and that wealth wasn't evil and that possessing it did not make anyone evil. Comments the person received in response indicated that that others agreed that the entitlement mentality is frequent among both those with wealth and among those facing poverty but especially among the "haves."
          I agree with the poster of that status that wealth is morally neutral, not good or evil, that wealth itself does not make anyone wrong or evil and that we have the moral obligation to value and look at every person based on who they are and not on personal qualities, including wealth or poverty. And I agree with those who commented that wrong attitudes toward money are found among both the "haves" and the "have nots." The Bible makes it clear, from cover to cover, that money itself is not evil but the love of it is the root of all forms of evil. Money and wealth can be terrible traps and sources of temptation.  Greed for riches can sink people into the deepest kinds of human depravity known to humanity, not to mention that it can make is vulnerable to scams and even crime, whether as participants or as victims. And poverty doesn't make anyone immune to greed.
          In terms of discrimination, though, the Bible is far more concerned about discrimination against those facing poverty than "reverse" discrimination against wealthy people. This is because the "have nots," by definition, are much more vulnerable because of they have many more needs and have far fewer options, than those who have money and wealth. As for a "middle-class," this seems to be  a modern cultural construct and the Bible seems to see only "haves" and "have nots."  As for wealth, it usually brings with it power and prestige and the means to lay hold of countless opportunties which can only be accessed by money or capital. Those fortunate "1 percent," of course, are just as likely to face illness, sorrow, death, and other losses just as much as anyone else, for many tragedies are also "equal opportunity destroyers." However, high-income people usually have many more options, tools and resources with which to deal with what they and their families may face. A wealthy person who has a missing loved one, for example, usually has the money, the social connections and the prestige that are essential to gain media exposure and awareness for that loved one and this greatly increases the odds for that loved one being found. Families without wealth have limited options and money for awareness and must deal not only with the nightmare of a missing loved one but with struggling to gain and keep awareness for their loved one. And a wealthy person, diagnosed with cancer, can usually access far more and better health care options, like state-of-the-art and cutting edge cancer care treatments. Superior health care greatly increases their chances for survival and for their cancer to remain in remission. The "have nots," however, have not only the devastation of a cancer diagnosis but the worry of how to obtain and keep getting cancer treatment, and the worry of out-of-pocket costs. Many do not have insurance at all. It's a well-known fact that health care providers often treat private pay patients better than those with insurance, especially if it's government-funded. And the quality of and access to health care will probably affect the outcome of any cancer patient.
         This brings me to the twin proposals to continue tax breaks for the millionaires and billionaires while at the same time making proposals for spending cuts on programs and services that can have devastating effects on the middle-class and the poor. These spending cuts would be made to education, grants for needy college students, domestic violence protection and shelters, rape crisis centers, law enforcement, health care, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, disability services, postal services, and other vital services that are vital to our lives and well-being. We all should be deeply concerned about and angry at the sheer injustice of tax breaks (and hefty ones at that) for millionaires and billionaires while spending cuts are being proposed that could force so many less fortunate people to have to sacrifice even more than they are already giving up! Supporters of these tax cuts for the "super-rich" have long argued that the "haves" are the job creators on whom the entire economy hangs and that tax breaks provide incentives for them to create jobs and rewards them for stimulating the economy so they will continue to create jobs and hire more people. Supporters have also contended that all this should "trickle down" to the rest of us. And they argue that wealth and success should not be punished. These arguments seem to make sense until one looks deeper. Years of tax cuts have not induced these "job creators" to generate more jobs and they haven't prevented massive lay-offs, an economy on the brink of ruin, or "trickled down" to most of the rest of us. These tax cuts have not done what they were supposed to do! Why should the government take from the middle-class and the poor when most can't afford to lose $$$ out of their pockets, and give even more $$$ to the super-wealthy, who don't need it in the first place?! Shouldn't those who have profitted from a way of life, as President Barack Obama asked earlier in the year, be asked to pay more? Isn't this only fair? Aren't we yet sick and tired of the simmering anger, frustration and even rage at a government that most have lost trust in and respect for?
          The case for millionaires and billionaires being required to pay, percentagewise out of their gross incomes, as high a tax amount as the middle-class already pay, is that of moral obligation and the Biblical principle that "From him to whom much has been given, much will be required." So I find the arguments of the supporters for the "Bush tax cuts" to not only be in conflict with Biblical principles but also violate common sense. None of us who oppose tax cuts for the "super wealthy" wants to punish wealthy people, especially all those who have gotten their wealth from talent and hard work. It's just that we are living in a time when many, even most people are are being hit hard by this economy. Many are losing their jobs, losing their homes, surviving on fixed incomes or low-paying, dead-end jobs and many more fear unemployment, homelessness or losing access to government programs that they need to survive. And they are being asked to bear even MORE costs through spending cuts? It is wrong, unjust and cruel to require struggling and hurting middle-class and poor families and individuals to bear the devastation of spending cuts that would hurt them and AT THE SAME TIME sustain give even MORE $$$ in tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires!
          Over and over, I have been confused, frustrated, disturbed and angry at the apparent lack of concern about and outrage over the proposed continuing of tax breaks for the wealthy and spending cuts that would affect the rest of us. Several times, when I have circulated petitions on Facebook calling for an end to tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires, I have actually gotten negative responses to the petitions. Recently, one person, vehemently, commented in the comment area under my petition, that the rich are the "job creators," that taxing them more would hurt everyone else, that this person came from a family of successful people who got their success through hard work and how dare petitions like mine seek to punish families like this person's? All I know is that such an attitude is in stark contrast to that of the US President, Obama, who has gone on record as saying that he is willing to have his own taxes be raised and that all those, like him, who possess more wealth than most should pay more taxes to level the playing field for all of us in the arena of sacrifice.
          Lest we forget, the hostility to ending tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires is in stark contrast to the attitude of God in His Son, Jesus. Christ, the richest Being in the world, with access not only to all Heavenly wealth and the worship of all the angels but Who also is the ultimate owner of all things on this Earth, at one time, became poor for all of us. He left Heaven and came to our Earth. He grew up in a poor family and as an adult, he was homeless and faced hunger and thirst and a humiliating death on a cross to save us from sin and its punishment. Then He was rewarded with a historical, bodily resurrection. Friends, whatever the outcome is with the proposed spending cuts and the co-proposed continued "Bush tax cuts," we can be assured that the God of the Bible identifies with the middle-class and the poor and that He truly feels our pain.

          In the meantime, we ought to stand with President Obama, whatever we feel about him and unite behind him in his advocacy on behalf of those "99 percent of us" who are among the middle-class or even facing poverty. If you have not hear the President's latest speech, you can do to this link and get an idea what it was about at this link: http://www.cbpp.org/. Or do a Google search for the April 3 speech.