Back to the 70’s

Why do I feel as though we are on a downward spiral to the 1970’s? Remember when the toll on the GW Bridge was raised from 50 cents? That was the beginning. Here in NJ, what did the governor suggest to help the fiscal crisis? That’s correct, he wanted to raise tolls dramatically. Fortunately, he listened to the people this time.

Okay, so we don’t have a gasoline shortage but the constantly rising price is hurting a lot of people. I have no sympathy for the people who drive huge SUV’s but for the guy driving around in a 1990 Chevy. You just know that every extra penny he pays for gas is taking away from other necessities such as food and shelter.

Inflation is starting to creep up also. It’s a domino effect. Gas goes up and transporting goods goes up. It’s hard to stay on a budget when the cost of every item at the grocery store goes up every week.

I heard that the value of houses is going down. People are defaulting on their mortgages. Even if these are investors who bought a property for income, that is not good for the economy.

Congress passed a bill to send money to every American family. My check will go to pay my taxes and I am sure I am not alone. How many will use the extra cash to pay towards a credit card or some other bill? How much will actually be used to stimulate the economy?

When will Congress realize that cutting taxes and spending is what truly stimulates the economy? President Kennedy knew it. President Reagan knew it. President Bush knows it but unfortunately the Congress does not agree.

I survived the 70’s and I am sure I will survive this downturn. What is so disturbing is that the powers that be do not seem to have learned anything from the past.

Sex and/or Money

Did you ever hear that the motive for a crime always comes down to sex and/or money? It seems that also applies to certain religions.

I was reading the new report on Mormonism from Catholic Answers (www.catholic.com). It seems that Joseph Smith (founder) suddenly had a revelation from God that polygamy was okay when he wanted to have an affair with a woman. Wasn’t that really accommodating of God?

And how about Henry VIII? He was unhappy to his marriage to Catherine of Aragon so he found some obscure verse in the Bible which he said proved his marriage was illicit. What a kidder that Henry! He just wanted a new babe. And when the Pope disagreed – Bam! new church.

There is a famous quote from L. Ron Hubbard (founder of Scientology) that the best way to get money is to start a religion. I could use a few bucks; maybe I’ll think of a new faith. Of course, it has to appeal to the masses (no pun intended). Maybe a religion which requires you to eat chocolate every day.

You Must Be Rich

I ran into an acquaintance at the grocery store this morning. She said something to me that has me miffed. I thought about calling her up and venting at her but in the spirit of Lent I will bloviate on my blog.

Dear Friend,

When I ran into you this morning you asked how things were going. I remarked as how this seems to be a bad month. I lamented that I had to pay a lot in taxes. Was your reaction one of sympathy? No. You allowed as how I must be rich if I had to pay taxes. You then went on to say how you didn’t pay any taxes and didn’t file a return. You were not laughing when you said this. You were dead serious.

Well, let me tell you, sister, I have worked very hard to get to a place where I can have a decent apartment and a few (very few) extra dollars. For many, many years, my sons and I lived in a 1-bedroom apartment. I slept on a convertible couch or a futon in my living room. The apartment was sub-standard by the meanest standards but since I wasn’t on rent subsidy no one cared. In order to have air conditioning (after several years of living without it), I had to pay out of my own pocket to have a circuit put in which would support the extra electrical need. No one gave us anything.

Sure, if I had been on drugs and welfare, then I could have had my rent paid, my medical bills paid and gotten food stamps. But I went the other road. I worked. You see, I grew up in a time when being on welfare was only for losers. I remember making fun of a family which was on it (behind their back). Not saying that was right but that was how we thought.

You never miss an opportunity to point out how you have no money which always seems to be a veiled hint that I should give you some. The word freeloader comes to mind.

Now I do not know all the details of how you ended up with no savings. I do know from what you have told me, however, that at one point you had some money and you pissed it away. That is not my fault. You should be glad that there are millions of Americans who get up every day and go to work so you can live a comfortable life. If we didn’t have the welfare state, you’d be sitting on a street corner with a begging cup in your hand.

Still thinking about if I still want to be your friend.

Mary

Water

We had no water this morning when I got up. A pipe had burst and the landlord had to turn off the water.

I have to tell you that it was not much fun trying to get cleaned up for work with about a gallon of water (maybe not even that much).

It was a very humbling experience. We take so much for granted that people in many parts of the world do not have. I know there are many places where the people don’t have clean water or have to struggle to get it. This was a good experience for Lent.

I was ever so grateful when I came home tonight and the water was flowing. Never thought the sound of a toilet flushing could be so beautiful.

I thank You, Lord Jesus for the lesson You taught me today.

Singing the National Anthem

Last Sunday evening, I listened while this woman sang the National Anthem before the Super Bowl. I had never heard of her and had no clue if she was a good singer or not. Turned out she had a nice voice but did not know how to sing our anthem.

The National Anthem is not a love song. It is a victory song. Francis Scott Key is extolling the fact that our flag is still flying over Fort McHenry after a battle during the War of 1812. The melody comes from a drinking song.

I can’t stand when it is sung slowly and as if the singer is romancing someone on a balcony. Think about your favorite college fight song. Imagine singing it in that manner. You’d probably puke. Or, if you don’t have a favorite fight song, think of the Marines hymn. And, if you aren’t familiar with any of these melodies, get out of the country because you are not an American.

Anyone who will be singing our anthem in public should get a copy of Whitney Houston’s rendition which she sang at the Super Bowl several years ago. I have never heard it better. You can find it on youtube.

RNC Donations

Every couple of weeks I get an appeal from the Republican National Committee. I am loathe to donate because I am not happy with many of the liberal policies of President Bush and I wanted to see who the nominee would be.

Now it appears that John McCain has the nomination locked up. I really do not care for him or his policies. Also, his health concerns me. So, again, I hesitate to donate any money (not that the amount would be that great).

However, I think I have a solution. If John McCain would make the following pledge, I could be persuaded to change my mind. He needs to pledge that if he strays from the conservative vision, he will personally refund the donations of any conservative who requests it.

Saved from the Mormon

I could hear a collective sigh of relief today when Gov. Romney announced that he was suspending his campaign for president. The people who are against Mormons for a variety of reasons could rejoice. The fact that he shares many of the values of the Christians who are against him does not matter. All that matters is that he is a Mormon.

I think Mormons are mis-guided but not a threat to anyone. Would the same people who are against Mormons be against a candidate who was a Sikh, Hindu, Buddhist, Jehovah Witness, etc? What about a Jew? They are not Christian either.

I wonder if any of these people checked to see if there were mass conversions to Mormonism when he was governor of Massachusetts. I don’t recall any news stories on that topic. Massachusetts seems to have survived very well with him at the helm.

Now, when the next president (Clinton, Obama or McCain) grants amnesty to all the illegals, not a peep, I tell you; not a peep.

The Depression Is Over

The way the Democrats talk, you would think that we were still in the midst of the Great Depression. They are always talking about how terrible things are. No one has health care or jobs or any hope for the future. This is actually an insult to all the people who did live through this horrible period.

Hey, Dems, if you think these are bad times, you don’t know your history. Read first hand accounts of what went on during the Depression. First of all, unemployment was 25%. People were starving and most everyone was scraping by. Very few people could afford a college education. Even if you had a good job, you didn’t necessarily have a car.

Look around. Life has never been better in this country. Why, we are always reading about the obesity epidemic. People who are suffering don’t have enough to eat and are certainly not obese. Today’s definition of underprivileged is that you can’t afford your annual trip to Disneyworld.

Are there areas in the US where all is not rosy? Of course. Michigan has the highest unemployment rate in the country. Gee, I wonder who is running that state? And there will always be segments of the population that has hit hard times. I know; I was one of them.

But the truth is that if you get a good education and work hard, you will not live in poverty forever. How many of the poor are families headed by single mothers? But even so, there are plenty of opportunities for their children. Perhaps one of our failings is getting this information to these families. And it would be great if the kids could get vouchers and go to better schools.

But all in all, things are great here.