Tom Nowe founded Unitax, Tax Free America, Montana Fair Tax, and Prospernomics. Tom Nowe is also a longtime tax researcher and says that the American Economy would quickly stabilize if all taxes were eliminated, including property, income, estate, and gasoline taxes if instead we funded the government through a simple plan that keeps our money supply equal to our production so that the goal of any successful economy can be achieved.
Tom will address tonight on the Political Pistachio Radio Revolution:
- How government can receive more than twice the revenue it gets now - without any taxes.
- Why our economy is dishonest and built on socialist hogwash.
- Why backing the dollar with gold or silver is nonsense.
- Why only banks should be allowed to create money.
- Why inflation is theft, and how to stop it.
Join us live tonight at 7:00 PM Pacific on the Political Pistachio Radio Revolution for the details, or join us later on the archive, at BlogTalkRadio.com/PoliticalPistachio.
Once upon a time, when there were fifty-seven states, an audacious man ran a Kool-Aid stand. Many who thirsted for “hope” and “change” came to drink a cool, refreshing cup of “this is our moment, this is our time.”
Word of this magical elixir spread throughout the land. One day, some men stopped by the Kool-Aid stand and convinced him that the masses should partake of the nectar of the gods. So it was decided that the man and his Kool-Aid stand should go into the land and quench the thirst of the gullible and the entitled. And it was good.
The young Kool-Aid salesman spoke of free gas, free health care and forgiven mortgages. Like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, the man formed a mighty following of the great unwashed, intellectual elitists, union thugs and socialists. And it was good.
By Douglas V. Gibbs By day I drive a truck, 18 wheels of maximum gross tonnage. More often than not I am on the road long before anyone is even considering rising out of their bed, and I usually get home while everyone else has already gathered around the dinner table. I chose the vocation of driving a big rig after twelve years in the construction industry, where, thanks to the housing boom, I made an extremely good living. It was in the construction industry I first procured my Class A Driver's License, since the need arose for me to be able to transport the heavy equipment I operated.
I have always been a writer. An advanced reader as a child, I was writing stories while other kids were out riding their tricycles. Being a writer is a part of who I am, not what I do. If my computer fizzled, my typewriter died, and all paper and writing instruments in the world vanished, I would write in the sand.
Politics became an interest early on. The presidency of Jimmy Carter especially awakened the political voice inside me. I found myself in discussions with adults, explaining to them how Carter was messing up America. Ronald Reagan caught my attention as governor of California. I don't remember when he was governor, but as a child I listened intently to the stories by my parents, and others, about Reagan's governorship. When Reagan became president at the dawn of the 1980s, I shifted my political gears into high, and joined the "Issues and Answers" club on campus.
In high school, during lunch, if I wasn't playing basketball, I was arguing politics with a friend in the center quad. Amanda and I would argue back and forth as my future wife, and her friend Catherine, watched with a confused look on their face. Amanda and I didn't care what people thought, for it was our intention to prove ourselves right to the other person so that they may see the light. Sometimes the debates got so fierce, a few other folks would gather around to observe the spectacle.
During my years in the United States Navy, while haze gray and underway on the USS Chandler DDG-996, if I was not on watch, or in the ship's office pounding away on a typewriter, I was in my rack writing on a spiral binder, in a Bible Study, or was talking politics with a friend. On my second ship, the USS Peoria, LST-1183, basketball on the tank deck sometimes became a pastime as well (you haven't lived until you have played basketball on a ship that is out to sea, and rocking in all directions).
The point is that writing and politics always seemed to be present in my life, no matter where life led me. So, it seems appropriate that after the first forty years of my life passed, I became a blogger on Political Pistachio writing about politics.
A couple years ago the Internet radio show was born as well.
Last night my day in the big rig ran a little long. In the afternoon I was way out beyond Winnetka, the L.A. traffic was at its worst, and my guest had confirmed for 7:00 pm. I knew, as I finished dumping off near highway 101, that there was no way I would be home by the time my radio program began. In fact, I was even wondering if I would have my truck parked by that time. So, I made a few phone calls to ensure my guest was going to call into the show, rather than me call them in as I usually do, that someone would be handling my switchboard, and that my chat room would be up and running, even though I was not going to be able to be in it to field questions and referee the back and forth discussions. I also called my wife, and told her that dinner was unfortunately canceled.
I pulled into the yard at 6:48 pm, with scant more than ten minutes to inspect my rig, do my paperwork, toss my trash, gather my belongings, clock out, and call into my radio program (which I was going to have to do by cell phone, without my show prep notes in front of me). The countdown for the show, ticking off the final five seconds, commenced as I ran across the parking lot to my car. I greeted the listeners in a voice that was recognizably out of breath. My guest, JJ Elephant, knew what was up, and I am sure was enjoying the predicament. I made sure she was talking when I asked for $25 bucks on pump number 10, and I warned the switchboard operator about an area on my way home that I usually lose signal, so that he'd know to bring me back on when I called back in.
The first one hour and twenty minutes of the show was conducted with me driving home in my car. The guest was phenomenal, and the show turned out to be quite successful. The topic was intriguing, as well. We were exploring the strange tendency of American Jews being Democrats. The guest, a conservative Jew from Philadelphia, seemed up to the task of handling the topic.
The real question, though, is what would make an ordinary citizen like myself go through all of that in order to conduct my show? Why not just call everyone and cancel it for the night? Why stay up late, sometimes with only three or four hours of sleep ahead of me, writing articles for my site?
In the beginning I began blogging for me. Quick realization that writing is a "name recognition" industry was one of the factors behind the creation of Political Pistachio. The radio show was just another way to get my name out there. But along the way something happened. It became more about the message than about me. The need to inform and educate people who are constantly bombarded by a liberal worldview became the most important part of the blog and the shows. Even if I reach a small part of the population, helping people realize the dangers of big government, and the importance of the U.S. Constitution, has become an important part of my life. It is imperative for the survival of America that we spread the message of conservatism.
As a Christian, of course, the message of Christ's love has a tendency to work its way into my writing and radio shows as well - as well it should. My political beliefs lend much of their foundations to my Christian Faith. But whether it is my calling, His will, or if it is a personally important task I find I must do, I believe that whenever we do anything it should be with our utmost best. That is what I do. I put my best into my blogging and shows.
Lucky for me, I have a wife who supports that effort, and understands that sometimes on a Saturday Morning she needs to wait patiently until I finish writing a piece before we go to the store. For that, I thank her.
Did you miss Friday Night's episode of the Political Pistachio Radio Revolution? JJ Elephant, a Conservative Jew from the Northeast U.S., joined us to discuss why American Jews are Democrats. Check out the archive at BlogTalkRadio.com/PoliticalPistachio.
By Douglas V. Gibbs The New York Times, when it comes to liberal bias, is the king when it comes to such lowly tactics. Sometimes, however, their bias is downright comical.
A piece titled: "C.I.A. Sought Blackwater’s Help to Kill Jihadists" was intended to bring more anger against the hated mercenary group, but borders on idiotic comedy at most.
The piece "accuses" the Central Intelligence Agency of hiring outside contractors from the private security contractor Blackwater USA in 2004 as a part of a secret program to locate and assassinate top operatives of Al Qaeda.
Oh!!!! How dare they!!!! We don't want to kill the (gasp) enemy!!!!
Then again, maybe their moronic idiocy is not on accident. After all, Obama has made it perfectly clear that "victory" is not in his plans. In fact, he doesn't even want to use the word "victory." It might make the enemy feel bad.
By Douglas V. Gibbs One of the things I couldn't stand about George W. Bush and John McCain was their agreement with the Left when it came to their position on amnesty. I am a firm believer that protecting the borders, and disallowing illegal aliens everything except a trip back to their home country, is a necessity.
Before you call me a racist, think about it for a moment. It is illegal to cross the border without going through the proper channels, hence the word "illegal" in illegal alien. The person did so well knowing that the activity is "illegal." So, why would you wish to give amnesty, or even basic benefits, to someone willing to break the law with such ease?
Obama has not mentioned it much, but one of the big pushes on the horizon by him will be amnesty.
A good indication of the amnesty bill to come is what Obama had to say in Mexico about anyone who opposes such legislation. Specifically, at a joint press conference with Mexican President Felipe Calderon and the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Guadalajara, Mexico President Barack Obama called American opponents of amnesty for illegal aliens "demagogues."
Have you ever seen a president talk so much crap on his own constituency before?
Interestingly, in his speech the word "immigration" was used at will. This is a classic liberal tactic of misdirection. The excessive use of the word "immigration" gives the impression that folks who oppose amnesty are somehow opposed to immigration - and then they say something like "it was immigration that built this country," and that we "all come from immigrants."
I have no problem with legal immigration. My wife is a legal immigrant. It is the illegal immigrants who refuse to follow the letter of the law I have a problem with.
And I am hardly a "demagogue" for thinking that way.
By Douglas V. Gibbs What's the answer to the question?
What question?
Any question.
The answer to any question is: Whatever benefits the Democrats most.
Before 2004 the law in Massachusetts was that if a vacancy opened up, the governor chose the successor. However, with a Republican by the name of Mitt Romney in the Governor's Mansion at that time, the Democrats couldn't risk it with Kerry running for president. What if Kerry beat Bush? So, they lobbied to have the law changed.
Now, however, Kennedy's health could cause his seat to become vacant, and now the governor is a Democrat. So, they wish to have the law changed back so that the Democrat governor can name the successor to insure the seat remains in the hands of a Democrat. After all, they can't run the risk of a Republican winning in a special election, could they?
Typical Democrat tactics. Ethics and fair play mean nothing. But, hey, how can you be a hypocrite if you have no standards to begin with?
I present to you the Democratic Party - The party of no standards, no ethics, and no way to win unless they cheat, lie, and pretend to be more conservative than they are during the campaigns.
By Douglas V. Gibbs The Left will do anything to prove their lies to be the truth, even if it means lying to do so.
Leftists are convinced that Conservatism runs in line with Nazism, even though Nazism is National Socialism - a platform that was very close to what the liberal Democrats have now as their agenda (minus the genocidal atrocities).
Leftists are also convinced that members of the Right are violent racists. To try to drive this one home, MSNBC deceptively edited video from a Phoenix rally near where Obama had addressed the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The video shows a man with a semi-automatic assault rifle slung over his shoulder and resting across his back. Contessa Brewer, the female commentator, says after showing the man with the rifle on his back (close-up shot of rifle, and white shirt background), and another person with a sidearm, that "about a dozen at the event in all were visible carrying firearms, and the reason we are talking about this, a lot of talk here, because people feel like - yes, there are 2nd Amendment Rights, for sure - but also there are a lot of questions about whether this has racial overtones. Here you have a man of color in the presidency and white people showing up with guns strapped to their waists or their legs."
Then the black anchorman comes into the conversation to validate the conversation with his own token speech about racism in America, saying, "It is real that there is tremendous anger in this country. . . anger about a black person becoming president. . . we see this black man becoming president, and we see these hate groups rising up. . . I am not going to be surprised if we see someone get a chance and take a chance to really try to hurt him, and it is up to the Secret Service to make sure it doesn't actually become history, but I think we are going to see somebody . . . some sort of Hinkley figure, because there is so much anger in the country about government."
The other anchor then adds, "and you add racism, put those two together. . . "
The entire conversation was about "them racist rightwingers." Thing is, we could care less about Obama's skin color. The anger by Conservatives, and Independents, and non-liberal Democrats, has nothing to do with race, and MSNBC knows it. We are all angry about his attempt to change the American Form of Government into a socialistic system modeled after the failing European systems. But, the Left is losing badly on the debate regarding the socialist programs Obama is trying to initiate, and they are getting slaughtered in the argument about Health Care. Their attempt to paint the Right as a bunch of gun-toting, Bible thumping crazies has failed too. The Democrats figured, if untrue demonization worked on Bush, surely it would work on the members of the American public that dared to disagree with them. They are now reaching desperately for anything they can get their hands on. A bunch of gun carrying white people outside an Obama function was the evidence they needed that all of their unwarranted suspicions about conservatives was true. All they needed to do was show that those white people mean harm to the President, and are a bunch of racists. Convince the people of that, and everything else would be a hate-induced cake walk.
Problem is, they failed to show you the skin color of that racist white man carrying the semi-automatic weapon on his back, and the pistol on his hip. The reason for that is because the racist, angry, gun-toting extremist was not a white man, but rather a black conservative.
MSNBC has been caught red-handed in a detestable attempt to manipulate public sentiment. It comes as no surprise, honestly, because this is their normal tactic - it's just this time they were caught in a big way, and with a blatant example of "hate-mongering" (funny how the Left accuses the Right of it, yet it is they that are guilty of it).
Let's go back, now that we know the white racist is a black man, and go back over what they said.
Contessa began with commenting on the fact that "about a dozen at the event in all were visible carrying firearms." In Arizona it is perfectly legal to carry a firearm. Whether or not it was wise for these folks to do so near an event where Obama was speaking is a different matter to discuss. But what is telling about the comment, and the comments we normally hear from the Left, is that there is an assumption that if a law abiding citizen has a firearm on him, they are liable to use them, and probably want to. Oh, them dangerous, gun-toting crazy, white, conservatives!
Of course, to protect themselves so that they don't sound like they hate the U.S. Constitution, or anything, Contessa makes sure she says that "there are 2nd Amendment Rights," but then goes on to say "People feel like. . . this has racial overtones." People? What people? Does she mean the 18% (14%?) of the population that are far left loonies? Nobody is mentioning "racial overtones" except the Left, and a handful of whacko groups that have been using "racial overtones" as their platform since time began. If there is a race issue, it is because the Left is creating one.
"Here you have a man of color in the presidency and white people showing up with guns strapped to their waists or their legs," was her final statement. The Left talks about diversity and unity and bringing the races together in harmony, and then race-bait like this? Are you kidding me? If you were one of the fence-post dense MSNBC viewers (personally, I didn't think there was anyone dumb enough left in the U.S. that watches MSNBC) who believes everything the Left dishes out, then I suppose you would believe that all "right-wingers" are racist - but anyone with a brain who has been paying attention to the political atmosphere will be able to say that they can't recall any racial slurs against Obama. In fact, these same people with brains would have to say the only time "race" is brought into the argument, it is by the Left, as it has been right here by MSNBC.
Remember, too, it is the Left that always talks about "groups." They see America in groups. Conservatives view the populace as individual Americans. Now, you tell me who the racists are: The people that see America in groups? Or the people that see America as a bunch of individuals?
Then the black anchorman said, "It is real that there is tremendous anger in this country. . . anger about a black person becoming president." Once again, an attempt to get the viewer to believe that white people, specifically conservative white people (surprised they didn't throw "Bible-thumping" into the sentence, to be honest), are stereotypical white racists and must believe that white's are "losing America" because a black man is in the office of President of the United States.
I must ask, also, "What anger about a black man becoming president" is this guy talking about? Does this idiot really believe that all of the anger about the government is because Obama has some skin color that is of a darker shade? Is the MSNBC anchor truly that stupid? It is all about the policies! America does not want National Socialism, and that is what Obama is pushing with his policies! You can call it Stalinistic, Hitleric, Leninistic - it is all the same - Socialism.
Once again, I have heard no such drivel about race, or anger that a black man won the presidency, from my conservative colleagues - but I have heard the baseless accusation often from the Left.
The black anchor continued, "We see this black man becoming president, and we see these hate groups rising up." Is he trying to connect the upset people at the Town Hall Meetings with "hate groups?" Are the Tea Parties suddenly "Hate Group rallies?" If not, then what "Hate Groups" is he talking about? There is no rise of hate groups. In fact, "hate groups" from an anti-black standpoint, are fewer now than ever. And, once again, it is MSNBC bringing up race, not the Right.
Then the black anchor makes a shocking prediction over the possible future of Obama's life: "I am not going to be surprised if we see someone get a chance and take a chance to really try to hurt him, and it is up to the Secret Service to make sure it doesn't actually become history, but I think we are going to see somebody . . . some sort of Hinkley figure, because there is so much anger in the country about government."
By invoking Hinkley's name, it is obvious that he is saying these gun-toting conservatives are capable of assassination.
Are you kidding me? What kind of psychedelic kool-aid are these people drinking?
The third anchor than added at the end, "and you add racism, put those two together. . . "
Who's adding racism? Who is trying to provoke a reaction from the populace? Who is trying to manipulate public opinion with this trash?
And remember, the gun-toting racist with the semi-automatic rifle is - - - a black conservative.
Videos follow:
MSNBC's Shameless Report:
Now let's see who that well-armed black man really is, thanks to ABC (surprised they didn't pull an MSNBC):
And with this article criticizing the Left so strongly, I wouldn't be surprised if the site was suddenly censored, shut down, and killed by the intolerant* Left.
* Intolerant of anyone daring to disagree with them.
By Douglas V. Gibbs I love a good roller coaster. My wife and son are not so fond of them, but my daughter is a daredevil like me, and searches out the scariest rides she can find. Part of the fun of a roller coaster is to let go of the bar in front of you and reach for the sky. Releasing the security of a death grip adds a little pizazz to the ride. Makes it a little more fun.
During the biggest dips and loops it is not uncommon to see the riders of a frighteningly fun roller coaster screaming with their hands in the air, and their armpits exposed. At a British amusement park in Chartsey, England, Thorpe Park roller coaster connoisseurs may no longer reach for the sky. The patrons have been banned from putting their arms in the air during roller coaster rides due to concerns about body odor.
The director of Thorpe Park in Chertsey, England, said, "Guests who do not keep their elbows at their sides will be kicked off rides, and repeat offenders will be escorted out of the park."
Apparently, when it gets warm out during the summer, the level of body odor goes up, and the park has received a few complaints about stinky riders. So, based on a few complaints, the ban was put in place hoping to ensure that "guests have the most enjoyable experience and aren't exposed to any unsavory armpits."
I, personally, have come across a few smelly coaster riders in my day. Rather than complain to the park, I just grin and bear it. My suggestion, should you know of such an individual, is for you to do as I do, and invest in some deodorant for them, and hand the extra-dry, super-duty anti-perspirant to the person when you have them alone - adding the words, "This brand may help you more than the other one."
Of course it only works well if the person is a close friend, or family member, that doesn't freak out when given suggestions of this nature. Otherwise, you may receive breath mints, or foot odor spray, in return.
It's better than a nanny-state ride park dictating to the ride-goers whether or not they can put their hands in the air.
By Douglas V. Gibbs The Car Allowance Rebate Program is a failure, not because people are not trying to take advantage of it, but because Washington can't administer it right.
And they think they can administer Obamacare properly?
New York dealerships have pulled out of the cash for clunkers program, and in Maryland only 2% of claims have been paid, placing dealers in a very difficult situation, being that they are out on a limb for all that money.
After six months of Obama's stimulus package, it is turning out to be a horrific failure as well.
The $787 billion stimulus package, a.k.a. the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act," has resulted in the U.S. economy losing nearly 2.8 million jobs, pushing the unemployment rate up to 9.4% - the real unemployment rate being nearly double that if you use the U-6 rating. Fifteen states have double digit unemployment.
57% of Americans recently told Gallup that the stimulus package is either having no impact on the economy or making it worse.
Meanwhile, as he pulls troops out of Iraq, the violence increases - and in the war in Afghanistan (where's Cindy Sheehan now? Suddenly war is okay to these people?) where an increase in troop levels is foolish considering the nature of Afghanistan, the Taliban is threatening to cut off the fingers of voters with purple on the tips which signifies they voted.
And yet the biased media is silent.
If the president was a member of the GOP, they would be accusing him of incompetence, and calling for his head.
Obama walks on the head of the voters, thinking he is walking on water, and the mainstream media just grins and agrees.
The Democrats, after failing to get any Republicans to jump on board the Obamacare Train, have decided to go it alone. Hey, they have the votes. . . as long as those pesky Blue Dog Democrats obey Master Obama.
While they work on changing the health care system to a Stalinistic system, their attacks against the private part of the industry continues. Now, they are inquiring about the business practices of the insurance industry, in the expected set up to villainize them to the public, hoping for a little support from the people they are hoping will side with the Democrats once they convince everyone of how horrible the insurance industry is (same ruthless, derangement syndrome attack model they used against AIG, GM's CEO, Bush, Palin, Joe the Plumber).
The Titanic is going down, and they are trying to bail the water out with thimbles.
In the end, however, I have to say that President Obama has united America in ways he never expected. Everyone, except the far left Marxists, have united in opposition to his National Socialism.
The First Lady, the President's Wife, is usually thought of as a woman of class, lady-like demure, and fashion that reflects modest standards. She is an important addition to the presidential personality, but must remain in the background, so as to not challenge, or overshadow, the presidential image. The occasional news story about her being involved with charities, or attending a special dinner, is expected. Constant feigning over her is not what the media is supposed to do.
The love affair the press has with Michele Obama borders on obsession. They marveled at her sleeveless dresses, and jumped for joy when she spoke strongly as a woman of independence (ignoring her gaffes, or comments about how she failed to love this country until her husband received a political promotion).
After making a big deal about her sleeveless dresses, now a little more skin is being shown. The press can't get enough, now, of her short shorts.
I don't see the big deal. Personally, I think she lacks class.
Remember when the Bush/Hitler posters and shirts were appearing at anti-war protests? Remember the "Hate Bush" T-Shirts? How about the movie that had a scene in which George W. Bush was assassinated?
If any of those people had been interrogated by the police, the Left would have been all over it, screaming that those folk's first amendment free speech rights were being violated.
A suspect has been apprehended regarding the Obama Joker Posters. Police are questioning him, and seek to impose criminal penalties on free expression. I understand the law regarding illegal signs. Folks are warned about them all the time. Illegal garage sale signs, illegal surf shop signs, illegal skate board signs. But the penalties being sought go much farther than any penalty given to past cases regarding the putting up of illegal signs.
On top of that, the signs are being called "racist" as well.
Pretty cowardly approach by the Obama supporters, isn't it?
Dare to stand against Obama, face the full force of his thugs.
Yesterday, Conservative legendary political columnist Robert Novak passed at the age of 79. He was a principled, and first-rate journalist. He was honest, and devoted to the art of journalism. The political world will miss him, his readers will see far less light without him.
I remember reading a few days ago something about the White House sending out spam, and I laughed it off.
I stopped laughing when it turned out to be true.
The White House is blaming other political groups for the unsolicited e-mails it had wrongly sent out (typical spammer excuse).
First, the White House consistently denied sending out e-mails not sought out. They apparently made that declaration without checking it out for themselves, or knowing all of the facts.
Sounds like a typical day in the Obama Administration, doesn't it?
By Douglas V. Gibbs Love for your job is an admirable thing. Passion is a rare gem. "Enough already" is annoying.
Favre has decided to unretire, again. And this time he held out so long I was actually beginning to believe he was going to stay retired.
I should have known better. He has been the kind of individual that is incapable of understanding the word, "quit." His persistence, even in the face of impossible odds, is one of the traits that made him a great quarterback. But he has got to realize that his time came, and he was great - now it is over. He should have retired as a Packer and left it at that. I understand the Brett loves the game, but when will he realize that enough is enough?
Brett Favre will not retire until he either suffers a career ending injury, or Geritol becomes an illegal substance and he tests positive for it.
He loves the game too much, and won't stop until he has no choice but to leave the game.
Then again, maybe I can understand staying in there, even when all of the odds are against you, and sticking it out seems foolish to most - after all, I am a Raiders fan.
By Douglas V. Gibbs Today marks twenty five years of marriage for my wife and I. We will celebrate the event with a picnic on the beach (with our youngest grandson in attendance, more than likely), and a movie in the afternoon after our daughter gets home and can take back the duties of her baby for the evening.
A simple date for a simple couple.
Often, I am asked about our marriage's longevity. After all, in today's society, it is rare for a marriage to last very long at all, especially one like ours. We are high school sweethearts, and the marriage between a pair of people too young to fully understand what they are about to embark on rarely lasts longer than their adjustment into the world of adulthood.
We met when she was a senior, and I was a mere junior, at a Halloween Party where she was dressed up as a cheerleader, and I as Alfalfa from the Our Gang/Little Rascals television program. It was love at first sight. We experienced our first kiss that evening, and our lives were changed forever.
Our marriage began sooner than I had hoped a couple years later, thanks to a pregnancy that resulted from our all too eager examination of the art of love. I decided to man-up and be the responsible man I thought I should be, forgoing many opportunities that were awaiting me on a silver platter. After a run-in with a college system that was intent on protecting the free speech of Leftism, and silencing any who dares to disagree, I was more than happy to set aside college for a later time in my life, and to enlist in the United States Navy. Seemed reasonable, anyway, because military was already one of my possible career paths. I had already talked to recruiters while I was still in high school, though at that time I had been seriously considering the United States Marine Corps. The military was destined to have me in their ranks, nonetheless, and in 1984, a week after marriage, I was off to boot camp.
The first twenty years of marriage was hardly a picnic. Like any young couple, we fought like cats and dogs. We battled for position, always trying to benefit from the arrangement more than the other. Our young minds failed to recognize that consequences for our actions were something that would need to be paid. Instead, we each assumed we were faultless, and that if either of us did have to pay a consequence, it was someone else's fault, and most probably the fault of our partner in the marriage. In short, the first twenty years of our marriage contained the word "me" than any other, and for that, we suffered years of a difficult relationship.
Under the stress of marital battles I finally threw up my hands in late 1995, and walked out. I didn't feel like I was happy. From day one our marriage had been a battlefield. She wouldn't listen to me, as far as I was concerned, and she only thought of herself.
For thirteen months I remained away, filing for divorce at one point. Then, while in family law mediation, after I spewed out my venom on why I deserved custody of the children, my wife stood up to give her side of the story. She looked the mediator in the eye, and said, "All I know is I want my husband back."
My heart ached in ways I didn't think it could. I did not leave her because I didn't love her anymore. I had left because I felt like she didn't love me anymore. Her proclamation in that mediation session changed things. It told me that she still loved me, and was willing to work with me. That night we had a piece of pie at a local bakery, went to the show, and packed my things so that I could come home.
Shortly after, Dad gave me a piece of advice that helped launch the next chapter of our marriage. He said to me, "She may, or may not, have been the right person to marry when you said those vows, but the moment you said 'I do' she became the right woman in the eyes of God. Marriage is a contract you make with God, as well as with your wife. So, you must do what you can to honor that contract. Focus on your growth. Go to church, with or without her, and put your marriage in His hands. As you grow, one of two things will happen. Either, she will grow with you, or you will leave her in your dust, and she will take what she believes to be appropriate actions. Give selflessly to her, and she will give back. Be the man that God wants you to be."
I dove into The Word, and returned to a habit of regular attendance at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California. I began to also be a part of the annual Harvest Crusades at Angels Stadium. A daily devotional called "Streams in the Desert" served as a morning reminder, and inspiration.
During this time, my non-Christian wife would stand in the doorway to block my departure to church, or accuse me by saying, "You just want to go to church so that you can look like some good, righteous man. I know what you are really about. You are fooling no one."
My responses were often filled with a request that she join me at church, of which she continuously balked. I went to church anyway, well knowing that her anger may possibly be the sign of a guilt-ridden human nature fighting against her rapidly softening heart.
One morning, without warning, she got up with me and went to church. Shortly after, she gave her life up to the Lord, placing all that she is in His hands.
That was about five years ago, and that is really when our marriage truly began.
We have become servants to each other, placing the other's needs before our own. In return, the other gives as well. Our relationship has nearly eliminated all arguments, and our outlook on life is from a Godly point of view. Now, as economic stress strikes home, we do all we can to make ends meet. We have placed our marriage in Christ's hands, knowing that as we provide for ourselves, He will also provide.
A quarter of a century has passed since we made the vow of marriage to each other, and the storms of life weaved in and out of our troubled relationship during those years. The waves crashed on us, the winds howled, and the boat rocked. We battled each other for years, and the storms became nearly unbearable. We had forgotten that Jesus is on that boat with us, only asking that we have faith. He never promised our trip would be a smooth ride, but He did promise to get us to the other side, and to carry us when our lives were most troublesome, and we were at wit's end.
What is the secret to a long marriage? I suppose it varies from couple to couple. For us, it has been the realization that we are not in this marriage for ourselves, but for each other. It is our responsibility to serve each other, and to love each other as the Lord loves us. In His hands, we are secure, and are looking forward to the next 25 years.
By Douglas V. Gibbs The truth about the Obamacare Health Care monstrosity is that it has nothing to do with health care. None of the programs the Democrats are trying to put forth have anything to do with what they claim them to be about. Each and every one of their pieces of legislation is designed to be about increasing the size of government, and ultimately, taking away your choices, your money (to be redistributed), and your freedom. Liberty is not fostered by increased government manipulation of your life. The Democrats are pushing for increased intrusion into your private, individual lives while doing what they can to minimize the People's ability to stop them (like the appointment of czars that are outside of Congressional or Judicial control). Barack Obama and the far left Democrats that currently have complete control of Washington are trying to "change" the American Form of Government, and they "hope" to do so without you stopping them - and they are using tactics that disallow any kind of debate or dissent. They are demonizing the voters that attend the Town Hall events and the Tea Party Events, and are shutting the Republicans out of any discussions regarding their policies. That is not actions of a Republican form of government - that is the sign of a fascist takeover.
Republican Tom Price on the House Floor says it well when he admonishes the Democrat government-takeover of health care.
MarketWatch reported: “In what is shaping up to be one of the more effective boycott campaigns in years, advertisers are abandoning the Glenn Beck show on Fox News following the host’s incendiary comments that President Barack Obama is a ‘racist’ and has a ‘deep-seated hatred for white people’.”
5 PM – P2+ (25-54) (35-64) Glenn Beck– 2,502,000 viewers (658,000) (1,224,000) Situation Room—610,000 viewers (114,000) (218,000) Hardball w/ Chris Matthews—487,000 viewers (123,000) (227,000) Fast Money—206,000 viewers (a scratch w/ 52,000) (100,000) Prime News–146,000 viewers (84,000) (112,000)
In the garbage timeslot of 5 PM Eastern, not only is Beck drawing more than twice as many viewers as any show on CNN and triple any show on MSNBC — but he outdrew Sean Hannity on Friday: 2,502,000 viewers to 2,278,000 viewers. For that night, he had the No. 2 cable news show.
We’ll see how often that happens. Maybe the eyeballs will bring the advertisers back.
Added note: Remember, under threat of forces attached to the Obama Administration, Advertisers have been withdrawing from Glenn Beck's program, yet his popularity continues to rise.
In desperation to save his precious nationalized health care bill, Barack Obama called out to his emotions over the death of his grandmother, and the notion that he would have been willing to pull the plug on grandma under a health care bill like H.R. 3200. He stated that the argument regarding death panels and euthanasia was nothing more than a scare tactic. Obama said, "When you start making arguments like that, that's simply dishonest - especially when I hear the arguments coming from members of Congress in the other party who, turns out, sponsored similar provisions."
Obama spoke of his grandmother's death, striking back against the Conservative claim that "end-of-life counseling" in government health care programs is a step toward euthanasia.
As Obama was trying to explain away the "death panels" provision in the Health Care bill, telling the American People that the provision does not exist, key senators were working on excluding the provision on end-of-life care from the health care legislation.
Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican out of Iowa, said of the move that the death panels provision had been dropped from consideration because it could be misinterpreted or implemented incorrectly. The provision reimbursed doctors for voluntary counseling sessions about end-of-life decisions, a provision that has been considered by critics of the bill to be a doorway of opportunity for H.R. 3200 to lead to death panels and euthanasia for seniors.
If the provision never existed, as Obama was assuring us, then how is it they were able to remove it from the bill?
Led by Sarah Palin's claim that the bill is "evil," the protests at the Town Hall meetings, and the accusation that the legislators would never allow themselves to live under the rules that Americans would be forced to live under, the onslaught of dissent regarding the bill has apparently made headway. Now, the Democrats are making claim that they will be withdrawing the public option, and are moving in the direction of instead pushing a system of nonprofit insurance cooperatives.
Their claim to move in the direction of nonprofit insurance cooperatives is a slick deception. Such a move would not remove the public option, it only redirects its intrusion. Whether it be a public option, or a co-op, increased government involvement in the health care system will not solve the problems that infest the system. The problem is government intrusion in the first place, so how can more government involvement be a cure? The regulations on the insurance industry that requires a narrow band of lateral movement of the insurers, and restrictions that keep the industry from allowing the providers to be more competitive through a variety of products more suitable to the needs of the individuals, strangles the industry, and squashes the free market.
Obama has specifically denounced Tort Reform, which would have more effect correcting the out of control costs of health care, while continuing to proclaim he wishes to bring down the costs with government intrusion, and the eventual elimination of the private system. Tort Reform would limit frivolous lawsuits, and in turn ease the burden of malpractice insurance which is crippling the industry while encouraging the medical industry to over-order procedures in an attempt to cover all bases in the hopes of staving off the blood-sucking ambulance chasing lawyers that the Democrats seem to have gotten in bed with.
The Democrats, instead, would have us spend more money on a government intrusion that would destroy our private system, and give bureaucrats the power over our choices regarding health care. They would have us further bankrupt America in an attempt to destroy the free market aspects of the health care industry, and ultimately give more power to the government over our lives.
I am not suggesting that the current health care system is without its failings. I am suggesting that the primary cause of those failings is government intrusion, and the solution to the problem is not an increase of government control over the system. Rather, control over the legal system's exploitation of the medical industry, and the increasing control over the industry by government forces must be addressed, and resolved. Until then, the health care industry in America runs the risk of losing its title as the best in the world, and risks becoming so expensive that only the most elite will be able to afford proper care for themselves, and their families.
Without the retreat of government from the system, it is doomed to become a system broken and tattered, and yet another victim of big government's unquenchable thirst for totalitarian power.
