Dreams "On the Side"

What a day to live in. Each day things seems to change right before your eyes. As a boy, growing up in the deserts of southern Nevada, I had my dreams. They fluctuated between playing in a rock band to being an international spy. But at some point, reality set in and I had to “do” something, not just dream it, in order to be a contributing member of society.

In time, I found myself as a teacher. I’ve taught for decades now, not just years. Was teaching ever a dream? No. But it has been a stable profession that has allowed me to marry and raise five children to adulthood. Have all my dreams been dashed upon the rocks of reality? I can honestly say, no.

I still have dreams… they’ve just morphed and changed over the years. I have been able to fulfill many of them “on the side” of real life. Some people experience some luck and fall into a situation where their “dream” and their “life’s work” are one in the same. For most of us, however, we mostly work out our dreams on the side. But that’s OK. Those who fulfill their dreams “on the side,” at least, are no burden on their neighbors.

That brings me to something that troubles me these days. There seem to be many who have no qualms about being a burden on their neighbors. In fact, they often declare that they are owed something. Life owes them, the government owes them, their parents owe them, something or everything. What ever happened to personal responsibility? Picking yourself up by your own boot-straps? Why does it seem like there are woefully fewer individuals who believe in the value of being self-reliant? And then I get really troubled when those who should no better promote such attitudes.

I was shocked recently when word hit the news about some comments Nancy Pelosi gave at a Washington event. She was defending the merits of the unmerited Obama Health-Care Bill. Note this insightful quote from her speech:

“We see it as an entrepreneurial bill, a bill that says to someone, if you want to be creative and be a musician or whatever, you can leave your work, focus on your talent, your skill, your passion, your aspirations because you will have health care. You don't have to be job-locked.”

Gosh, the government will save us. Where were they when I was dreaming about being in a rock band or employing skills as an international spy? I sure missed out didn’t I? Instead, I’m one of those guys who will foot the bill for those who can now escape being “job-locked” and feel free to forever explore their dreams. Why? Because they will no longer need a job to have health care.

Well, as far as I’m concerned, I feel much more useful and valuable to society as an active contributor… one who is self-sustaining and responsible… and still get to enjoy dreams “on the side.” To my own kids, and to the rising generation, I say, try it, you may like it… and yourself.

“It’s not Time to Retreat, but to Reload”

So, what were you doing this morning? Sleeping in? Jogging? Eating a big breakfast? Tilling your garden space for Spring planting? Well, when I started out this morning at my wife’s encouragement, I could think of several other places to be going. Staying with the in-laws in Henderson, NV, we stepped out of their home, hopped into the XTerra, and headed to Searchlight.

What in the heck were we doing going to Searchlight? Well, it wasn’t to shake hands with each of the 773 people who live there. On this particular weekend, there was an organized event. In fact, it was a Tea Party, purposely scheduled in Harry Reid’s hometown. Why? It was a “Dump Harry Reid” party, and Sarah Palin showed up to give it some creds.

About 4 miles outside of Searchlight we ran into stop and go traffic. It was a little surprising since they were only expecting about 4,000 people to show up. We slowly made our way another 2 ½ miles and noticed people pulling of I-95 and parking. We hurried and did the same.

There we were, walking with whites, blacks, Latinos and Hispanics. They were of all ages, from kids to grandpas… all of them happy to be together and shooting pictures of posters and signs. It was also an interesting mix of people from all walks of life. You had your bikers with long hair and earrings to grandmas with umbrellas. One guy had his leg in a brace and a cane… slowly making his way to the event. These folks were quite a contrast to the Reid supporters who drove by yelling obscenities from car windows or who threw eggs at the Tea Party Express bus. In fact, I’m sure the Nevada Highway Patrol had to be surprised by the pleasant thank you’s extended to them as they crossed the street.

When we finally finished our 1 ½ walk, we were surprised to find a crowd of people in a dusty desert bowl surrounding a makeshift stage. High above the stage was a large speaker hanging from a cranes extension. We heard a variety of different speakers whipping the crowd into a frenzy. There were a number of motor homes parked around the bowl marking the perimeter. We made our way to a rise on the opposite side of the bowl and sat on a rocky mound.

My wife asked if these people were in Cougar stadium how many people would I say were there. It was a good way to look at the crowd. My best guess was that there were 30,000 to 40,000 people crowded in that dusty bowl. Flags colored the crowd: an American flag here; a “Don’t Tread on Me” flag there. A variety of signs and tee shirts carefully moved through the mass of people. One young woman featured a sign that said: “I’m in your DEBT, Obama.” High in the skies above, five planes painted word art messages. “God bless the US.” “Tea Party-ers Vote Reid Out.” And then Sarah Palin took the stage….

She is a crowd favorite. A helicopter from a local station hovered above us; they must have been informed about the time Palin was to speak. It was so noisy it competed with Palin’s talk. The cold wind didn’t help either. It didn’t matter to the crowd, they were glad to be there and to heartily thank Palin for some one-liners that they did catch. What was one of her most popular one-liners? “It’s not time to retreat… but to reload.”

Well, that is the point, isn’t it. The Democrats cram through legislation that Americans didn’t want. They did so in ways that sicken most red-blooded Americans. They’ve abused some principles of representative government. Finally, Mr. Obama signed it into law. With so much going against us… including our own elected representatives… the tendency would be to throw in the towel. “Why try… no one’s listening anyway?”

Well, from what I saw today, no one is throwing in the towel. In fact, they’re writing “Don’t Tread on Me” on their towels and waving them for the world to see. Palin’s got it right… one battle may be over, but the war goes on. Don’t retreat, just reload. Well, this is one Basicguy who will do just that. I’m not finished… I’m thinking we replace those who refuse to represent the people in both 2010 and 2012. We literally reload Congress and the White House and then repeal bad law. In time the bad taste in my mouth will be gone and I’ll once again be enjoying the sweet flavor of liberty and hope.

Well, our first Tea Party experience is now over. How heartening it is to know that good and basic people are rallying to this cause. Little Searchlight, Nevada, drew people from Texas, Oregon, California, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Pennsylvania and, of course, Nevada. This is a nationwide movement. It is a grassroots movement. It is a movement for limited government, free enterprise, and sanity in the political arena. Basic people mad about Mr. Obama’s change, like a sleeping giant, are awake and rising up to wrench America back from the hands of those who hate it and intend to reinvent it in their own sorry image.
Well, America is speaking out… since too few are speaking for them in Washington. Reload America… lock and load… load with the right ammunition—the principles of freedom found in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Now, I’m just a Basicguy, but if America rode into existence on the shoulders of such weighty principles, we can ride them again to reclaim our nation.

Denying the Undeniable

Did you catch the new out of Washington D.C. today? The Obama administration had an anniversary of sorts. Under the circumstances, I’m not sure I would have even brought it up. But they did. It was a year ago today that Mr. Obama signed the nearly a billion dollar Stimulus Bill. Fox News reported it this way:

“The White House stood its ground Wednesday on the impact of the economic stimulus package, arguing that the bill signed a year ago has given an ‘undeniable’ boost to the economy and that Republican critics are just playing politics.

“On the one-year anniversary of the bill's signing, President Obama said the $787 billion package saved 2 million jobs and helped prevent a ‘second depression.’ White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that while many Americans have soured to the program, the bill is working and taxpayers will ‘absolutely’ have a different outlook once it has had its full effect.”

Golly, I’m sure glad we dodged that “second depression”! Of course, on earlier similar claims Mr. Obama and his staff have made, no one had any idea where they got their numbers. We’ll probably hear similar reports about these claims too. But not to worry, Roberts Gibbs assures us that it’s all “undeniable.”

Hmmm. That sounds familiar. Wasn’t that word once used to describe the science behind global warming and climate change… even by this administration? Makes one wonder doesn’t it.

Aw, what the heck. I’m going out on a limb. I’m denying the undeniable in this case. Getting to be quite a habit too.

Tea Anyone?

Now, I’m not a tea drinker… never have been. Actually, some forms of it is against my religion. However, there is one particular tea I’m very partial to. It both tastes good and feels right. It’s something that anyone can taste or feel at your local tea party. What am I talking about?

Well, there have been “tea parties” sweeping the nation for at least a year now and they keep coming. The name was borrowed from our early revolutionists who opposed British taxation on local tea and ended with a major tea party in Boston harbor. The movement today is a national stand of regular people against big government and irresponsible spending. In essence it’s a citizen’s revolt against the policies of intrusion by the Obama White house and the wasteful and out of control spending of Congress. And to me, it’s the only tea that both tastes and feels good going down.

I’ve watched it with a great deal of interest and feel swells of patriotism for my country. A glimmer of hope fills me knowing that I’m no longer alone in a world that once appeared to be slipping into political and economic insanity. But of course, if we’re not careful, all of this hope can be dashed upon rocks of reality. I see worries on the horizon.

Tea Partiers beware! Political forces see you as a prime source to exploit, are at your doors. Don’t get sucked into their web. Many are conspiring for their own gain. The GOP would love to “catch” your wave and claim you as its own. Now, I’m a republican, a say this carefully. I may be a Republican, but I’m a conservative first. Republicans like Democrats use movements to gain power. Republicans “used” conservatism for this purpose and once in control ended up wielding their new-found power to simply maintain job security on the people’s dime. Conservatives felt betrayed when those entrusted with the reins of power defaulted to party politics. The same thing will happen to the Tea Party movement if you are not careful.

Another warning I can see is the temptation to establish a third party. Political parties tend to exist less for movements, and more for those who seize control of them. Power invested in the few has a debilitating affect on mere mortals. They tend to think its all about them instead of an opportunity to use talents for the greater good… servants of the people. With this in mind, I was glad to see Mark Skoda (a Tea Party organizer in Memphis, TN) says:

“This movement is beginning to mature… not as a third party but a force to be reckoned with in the traditional party structure.”

Now that makes the most sense to a basicguy like me. The Tea Party needs to remain as a movement. There may a star around which the movement takes voice such as a Sarah Palin or a Mit Romney. But as soon as any one person sees it as a chance to seize some power and wealth, and Tea Partiers allow it to happen, then the movement dies. So, let’s keep our fingers crossed… no, let’s stay ever vigilant and not allow for any one person or entity to rest it from the hands of the people.

Finally, a tea the tastes and feels good going down… and that isn’t against my religion. Tea anyone?

A Season of Firsts

This political season has been filled with firsts. Firsts are often considered striking events... things never to be forgotten. The capturing of the presidency by the first African-American (well, sort of... his mother was white) was one of those events that made history. Mr. Obama's seizure of the American state was just the beginning. Soon thereafter, he seized elements of Wall Street and GM too. The government taking ownership of private business, if not technically a first, is certainly extremely rare and unusual. It's something you'd expect in Venezuela, but the United State of America.

If that were all, it would be enough... at least for me. When was the last time the Democrat's ignored the polls? During the presidential campaign they followed the polls religiously. But what do we find now? Congressional and presidential approval ratings are the lowest in decades. American's have clearly spoken and the direction the country is heading is not what is wanted. And yet, the once religious poll watching Democrats act as if there are no polls. A political poll? What's that?

Just today, the Senate voted (just barely) to impose floor debate on a very unpopular Health Care bill. Most Americans have expressed a desire for health care reform, but not a public or government run option. Well, the Congress ignored the polls and voted in a public option health care bill and sent it on to the Senate. And now the Senate has chosen the same path. Both houses of congress are dominated by Democrats. Personally I oppose both of these measures. I hope that, when given the chance, their constituency stomps loudly as they give these hard of hearing Democrats the boot.

I'm a Republican, but I'm a conservative American first. I believe in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. I believe in free enterprise... that it is the engine that allows this country to run and provide an opportunity for the American dream. I believe in a strong central government... but a lean one. I believe that government must live within its means like every entity in this country. Government should have a balanced budget and should stay out of way of states and the private sector. So everything that I'm seeing now is very troubling. The Democrats seem hell-bent on pushing this country into a very large government that controls every sector of the economy.

If the Democratic agenda is forced upon this country, regardless of the loud voices from every state in this nation, then I'll hope for yet another "first." What would that be? Throughout our political history there have been some weak moments when Democrats have succeeded in ramming a government option through the system. One example is the Social Security administration. Once these "government options" get their foot in the door, they never leave. They become government entitlement programs that become a serious drain on the American people... who pay for these entitlements whether they work effectively or not. Well, if insanity succeeds and we see a national health care plan rammed through the system against the will of the majority, then I hope for the first time, that it becomes the first entitlement to get the axe.

A season of firsts? I hope so.

"Surrendering the Field"

Years ago while in college I took a military history class. It was a very interesting look at war throughout history. It heralded the great strategic minds that have succeeded over ages past. Some particular battles were turning points. For example, a battle at Canne, France, led to the end of the knight as a war machine and the rise of the long-bowman as an effective warrior.

There was one term that has stuck with me over the years. It is a term I have tried to apply in my personal circumstances. You never "surrender the field" unless it is to continue the fight later on your own terms. Of course, some armies had to "surrender the field" or be annihilated. As some have supposed, its better to be a loser than dead. But these are extreme cases.

While watching a few moments of Good Morning America this morning, I was a little taken back as I watched anchor, Robyn Roberts, "surrender the field." Unfortunately in this case, it had nothing to do with putting herself in a position to continue the fight later on her own terms.

Robyn was reporting on President Obama's staged New Hampshire town hall meeting regarding health care reform from the day before. As she introduced the story, she referred to Mr. Obama as "Fact Checker-in-Chief." Now, I know I'm just a basic guy, but that sounds a lot like "surrendering the field" to me. By relegating to the president the responsibility of "fact checking," she surrendered one of the Press's most lethal weapons. So, the question remains: why isn't the Press fact checking the concerns of the American people? Instead all we hear is that the Americans who are acting all angry and obstinate at this August's rounds of town hall meetings have been whipped into a frenzy by talk radio or been bought off and planted by worried insurance executives.

Well, I say fact check it. Let's have a wary Press fact checking all the claims on both sides of the isle. I'd like to see them quote the health care bill that is being debated. Why haven't we seen such a thing? Instead all we get is Mr. Obama's denials (even though he has admitted having not read the bill himself). One Congresswoman in Missouri asked her constituency, "Don't you trust me?" It was a resounding "no!" Americans are worried about the runaway government all while the Press lays down its weapons.

If the Press refuses to do its duty to protect the American people from an unwieldy government, and instead drops their weapons and runs with the enemy, what else can a people do but put up their own fight the only way they can. Americans have been talking and writing and pressing their opinions to the deaf ears in Washington. So when a chance comes to express their opinion, they speak loudly during town hall meetings.

Call it what you will: unruly or uncivil. These boisterous Americans may not look flattering on camera, but how else can they be heard? How do you talk to the deaf? Congress continues to ram expensive programs down the throats of their constituency, even though the obvious majority doesn't support them. Well, all I can say to my fellow Americans: don't follow in the footsteps of the traitorous Press... do not "surrender the field." If we do, we all lose the battle... not only for ourselves, but our children... their children... and their children's children. Once this battle is lost, there's no turning back.

Kicking the Dog

So it was our date night (as each Friday is) and when we hit the button on the garage door opener, our Beagle darted out of the garage yelping and running back and forth. By the time we all get into the house, her yelping and darting continued. She ran from one room to another and back again... all excited to see her master.

Boy, do I feel loved. Dog's can do that to you. I could have kicked her before I left and she would have acted the very same way when I got home. All is forgotten... just glad I'm home. She was so excited tonight that I thought she might have a heart attack. Soon she was out of breath... and energy. It left me feeling pretty self-conscious. Do I deserve such devoted attention? But after I threw her a bone, I decided that I did.

As I pondered this experience, it reminded me of conversations I had heard earlier in the day on talk radio. Some of the most outrageously bad political and economic news in decades has hit this country. We have never had four straight months of record unemployment numbers. The stock market has plunged over 3,000 points since Election Day. Huge stimulus bills have been passed after bitter political battles in congress. And yet President Obama enjoys stellar approval ratings.

Mr. Obama has been less than perfect. Some of his executive decisions have been contrary to what he promised during the campaign. Many of his appointments have been tax evaders. His stimulus package has been proved mired in earmarks. He has been caught in lies. In essence, he kicked the dog on his way out of the house, and yet when he returns, Americans, like my dog, yelp and dart back and forth in joyful ecstasy to celebrate his return. And Mr. Obama throws a bone.

What is it? Why such Clinton-esque teflon? Now, I'm just a basicguy, but it all seems to border on worship to me. I once wrote that Mr. Obama's victory was more historical than anything else. People had captured the history of the moment. The first black man (well, half black anyway). Fairly young. Considered articulate. Cool and with it. But now that two months have passed, along with horrendous economic woes and obvious missteps, and still his approval ratings soar. I'm left with one explanation. Some Americans worship Mr. Obama.

As for me, I'd say this is very dangerous ground for this country. When one is worshiped, and that person knows it, the temptation to get away with anything your heart desires is real. And so Mr. Obama is getting away with anything he chooses to do. So, how long will the dog let himself get kicked before he finally bites the hand of the master? I hope it's not long. The future of America as we know is at stake.