Christmas 2010

Tax fix

I believe one of the ways to solve our economic problems in short it is to diminish the voice of the non-employed and students.  Voting should be a right not a privilege of those who are productive members of society.  Currently anyone over the age of 18 has he ability to vote.  This means that if someone is eligible to vote and not working either because they're a student or they are on unemployment or welfare has the capacity to influence the direction of our country.  Not only that but it creates a portion of society that influences our government and garners promises and support for that group.  As we see in government today the Liberals cater to this group.  If this group had no voice then there would be no social programs.  If there were still no social programs than that group would cease to exist at least to the point where the government is involved.  This would force people into the workplace and reduce the unemployment rate.  Now of course there would still be people unemployed, and there would still be students.  I believe it was Pres. Roosevelt who instituted most of our social programs for the needy.  All this did was in enlarge the group to what you see today.  Prior to that when a person was in need they went to their family for help.  If they had no family they went to their local church for help.  The government has tried to make the family and the church ineffectual ever since.  When I say the government I mean the progressive Liberal agenda.  See this agenda isn't really about helping people it's about control.  The larger they can make the group of dependents the more powerful they become.  It's really that simple!

What would I do?

First, change the voting requirements.  Make it so a person can't vote until a person has paid taxes for over 60 consecutive months.  Then and only then will they know what it's like to have their money taken from them by the government.  Of course many people will cry foul and say it's a constitutional right to vote and that it should not be hindered in any form.  They would also say that it's not fair that a certain segment of society in history to different.  I would submit to you that it's not fair that any individual or group of people is treated any different.  But yet that is what you have today.  Individuals like myself who have worked all their life and paid taxes all her life to fund social programs for a group of people who don't need to exist.  Take away the programs and you take away the group.  Subsequently you would have a larger pool of productive members of society and would be able to dismantle the overcomplicated much too large government  we see today.  It is unfair that I am 49 years old and when I go into a store I see an able bodied 25-year-old using food stamps.  Yet I have been struggling with a bad back my entire life.

Secondly, I would institute a flat tax.  It has been proven time and time again that a flat tax would pump much more money into the state and federal coffers.  According to Freedomworks.org Americans are paying the highest taxes in the nation's history.  The current complex tax system includes several inequities.  It penalizes married couples by making them pay higher taxes than single individuals.  And many Americans face a death tax that claims a significant portion of their estate after they die.  Late Noble Prize winning economist Milton Friedman first proposed a flat tax in 1962.  Nearly thirty years later, the idea gained national prominence when FreedomWorks Chairman Dick Armey introduced a flat tax proposal on the House floor.  He pledged  that a simple flat tax would allow Americans to “file their taxes on a form the size of a postcard.” 

Unfortunately, the Armey flat tax failed to pass Congress. To this day, we are still stuck with one of the most comlicated tax codes in the world.  Replacing the current messy tax code with a flat rate tax would be a huge improvement.  Since the early 1990’s, the flat tax revolution has spread across the world.  Currently,25 nations have adopted a single-rate flat tax system.  Most of these nations have tax rates below 20 percent. This month, Romania’s Senate just approved a proposal to lower their popular flat tax from 16 to10 percent. 
After implementing a flat tax, nearly all of these foreign nations have experienced economic growth and lower unemployment rates.  Between 2001 and 2004, The Hoover Institute found that tax revenue actually rose by 79.7 percent. Even a New York Times headline read “Russia Imposes Flat Tax on Income, and Its Coffers Swell.”  When people find their taxes to be low and sensible, they are willing to produce and invest more.  So why hasn’t the United States joined the flat tax revolution? Powerful special interest groups have blocked any efforts to improve the tax code.

According to Mike Pence, our current tax code has “special preferences and tax loopholes that Congress and an army of lobbyists have built into the tax code over time.  These fuel special interests and generally benefit one person, business or industry over another.” No wonder so many special interest groups are hostile to a flat tax. It would actually treat people equally.

Just imagine filling out your tax forms in five minutes with a flat tax.  According to the IRS, the average American taxpayer spends 26.5 hours preparing and sending in their taxes. Even IRS commissioner Douglas Shulman admits that he uses a tax preparer to file his own taxes, “I've used one for years.  I find it convenient.  I find the tax code complex so I use a preparer.”  Over a day of valuable time is lost each year that taxpayers could have spent being productive, spending time with family and friends or any way that they choose.  

Just my two cents,
Doug

THE GUN IS CIVILIZATION

Subject: 'THE GUN IS CIVILIZATION"




THIS IS THE BEST WORDED PRO-GUN ARGUMENT I HAVE EVER READ.
Very good article, of course from a Marine !!!!
   
 "The Gun Is Civilization"

      Interesting take and one you don't hear much. . . . . .

      As the Supreme Court hears arguments for and against the Chicago , IL Gun Ban,
I offer you another stellar example of a letter (written by a Marine),  that places the proper perspective on what a gun means to a civilized society.

      Read this eloquent and profound letter and pay close attention to the last paragraph of the letter....

          "The Gun Is Civilization" by Maj. L. Caudill USMC (Ret)

      Human beings only have two ways to deal with one another: reason and force.
      If you want me to do something for you, you have a choice of either convincing me via argument, or force me to do your bidding under threat of force.
      Every human interaction falls into one of those two categories, without exception. Reason or force, that's it.

      In a truly moral and civilized society, people exclusively interact through persuasion.
      Force has no place as a valid method of social interaction, and the only thing that removes force from the menu is the personal firearm, as paradoxical as it may sound to some.

      When I carry a gun, you cannot deal with me by force.
      You have to use reason and try to persuade me, because I have a way to negate your threat or employment of force.

      The gun is the only personal weapon that puts a 100-pound woman on equal footing with a 220-pound mugger, a 75-year old retiree on equal footing with a 19-year old gang banger, and a single guy on equal footing with a carload of drunk guys with baseball bats. The gun removes the disparity in physical strength, size, or numbers between a potential attacker and a defender.

      There are plenty of people who consider the gun as the source of bad force equations.
      These are the people who think that we'd be more civilized if all guns were removed from society, because a firearm makes it easier for a [armed] mugger to do his job.
       That, of course, is only true if the mugger's potential victims are mostly disarmed either by choice or by legislative fiat--it has no validity when most of a mugger's potential marks are armed.

        People who argue for the banning of arms ask for automatic rule by the young, the strong, and the many, and that's the exact opposite of a civilized society. A mugger, even an armed one, can only make a successful living in a society where the state has granted him a force monopoly.

        Then there's the argument that the gun makes confrontations lethal that otherwise would only result in injury.
        This argument is fallacious in several ways. Without guns involved, confrontations are won by the physically superior party inflicting overwhelming injury on the loser.

         People who think that fists, bats, sticks, or stones don't constitute lethal force watch too much TV, where people take beatings and come out of it with a bloody lip at worst.
         The fact that the gun makes lethal force easier works solely in favor of the weaker defender, not the stronger attacker. If both are armed, the field is level.

          The gun is the only weapon that's as lethal in the hands of an octogenarian as it is in the hands of a weight lifter.
          It simply wouldn't work as well as a force equalizer if it wasn't both lethal and easily employable.

          When I carry a gun, I don't do so because I am looking for a fight, but because I'm looking to be left alone.
          The gun at my side means that I cannot be forced, only persuaded. I don't carry it because I'm afraid, but because it enables me to be unafraid. It doesn't limit the actions of those who would interact with me through reason, only the actions of those who would do so by force.
           It removes force from the equation... and that's why carrying a gun is a civilized act.

            By Maj. L. Caudill USMC (Ret.)

My aching back

Well its been sometime since I posted a new article here, but to be honest I'm frustrated with my back.  it doesn't seem to be getting any better.  I can't really do anything physical because I have to be careful.  I feel like an old man.  Pretty soon I'm going to need one of those little boxes to remind me what day I take pills on.but the good thing is I bought a Web camera and I chatted with Daniel last night while he was at the college using Skype.  I liked that I could see him and he can see me.  It's real cool.  It really makes it nice for her family that live far away.  Well I have some errands to run today so I better get cracking.  Talk to you later bye.

I hate being on disability

I have been on disability since October 27 of this year because of a ruptured disc in my back and it's not fun.  I went to work today to fill out some paperwork and got to see all my coworkers.  I spent almost 2 hours there and had a good time.  I want to go back to work because I hate sitting at home doing nothing.

I get up and get my coffee and my heating pad then go for a walk to keep my back loose.  Then later I go to the gym and swim and do some weight machines with light weights.  Oh well, I might be back to work on January.  we will see.

WikiLeaks

Who is this Wiki Leaks person?  His name is Australian Julian  Assange and he is holed up in Stolkhom Sweden.  Well, he believes that the world should live in transparency, and he is the self appointed regulator of this transparency.  Ever drive in the fast lane behind someone that refuses to drive one mile an hour over the speed limit?  I call these the self appointed speed regulators.  This is just what Julian Assange is and nothing more.  Funny though how a person that trots the globe with only a backpack and remains an elusive person believes in transparency, but isn't so transparent himself!

The Tea Party Movement Gains Traction in the U.K.

LONDON -- The Tea Party [1] movement's recent electoral gains have gotten international attention, including in the mother country whose taxes inspired the first Tea Party -- the United Kingdom.

A new rebellion against big government and high taxes is resonating in Ye Olde England....

I have always said that we are just a few years behind the U.K. in how left and socialistic we are becoming.  If you want to see the future of the United States then look at our motherland, Great Britain.  They are heavily taxed with strict gun control being only allowed to have a hunting rifle and that is to be kept stored with the authorities until you want to go hunting.  They have a higher Muslim population then the United States and the problems that go along with it.  They also have socialized medicine or national health care as we like to call it.  They have long ago been absorbed into the E.U.  

"And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no power as yet but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast." (Rev. 17:12-13)

Unless you have been sleeping in a cave you might have noticed the global economy deteriorating.  Well you see it has to deteriorate to pave way for the new economy.  A New world order needs a One world currency.  But thanks to the American Movement of the Tea Party other nations are waking up.  Read the article I have provided a link to above and see how our motherland is waking up.  Now is the time more than ever for people to wake up and voice your concerns.

Nighthawks by my good friend Casey Pearce

What light casts shadows at the edge of the night?
Souls laid bare, a chill clinging to nights air.
What hidden darkness creeps, in shadows bleak?
While inside light, makes desolation bright.

Who views from darkened portals, those high and those low?
Others come, drawn near...kept from light, they so fear.
What cold, uninvited, guests lie languishing?
Quick their crawl, quick their creep, in shadows dark, and darkness deep.

What remains, does create such ancient decay?
Present the night, prevent the day, souls ever on display.
No entry, no exit, eternal, immortal?
Inside brick, and unseen stone, unknowing, unknown, all are alone.

What transit delivered such lone and sad cargo?
None are living; none are aware, all empty dreams, with sightless stare.
Who watches, these souls ancient antiquity, while night lingers long?
Those from day, to night have past! Dark chill, cold shadow, ever to last!

Who bars such escape, behind lighted, clear stone?
Eternal in presence, souls they do dwell! Living, immortal, night of hell!
What empty wind blows, dark passages keep, souls now restless and alone?
Eternal, in sorrows, helpless they moan! Unknowing, unknown, all are alone.

Father daughter date November 2010

Amberly and I had our first father daughter date tonight.  She is going to be 16 soon and she is my little princess.  We ate at McCormick and Schmicks in Roseville.  Very nice place.  I bought her a dozen roses before the dinner and we had a blast.  I like this having daughters thing it's pretty cool.  I pitty da fool that breaks her heart!

ThanksGiving

THANKSGIVING

WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our sasety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.
(signed) G. Washington

I got a ticket last night

So I have been disabled since the 27th of October.  I have worked all my life and never borrowed money from family nor been a burden to society.  I being fiscally conscience of the state of our economy try my best to not be a drain on society.  Actually the disability check I am going to get is from an insurance program through my union that I have paid over $15,000 into so far over the years.  I will draw 1 - 5 months payments maybe, so I am still not affecting the state coffers.

While at the doctors I had the opportunity to get a 'disabled placard' but I declined because the doc wants me to walk more and because I dont want to take a spot from someone who really needs it.

So anyways, last night my brother and his girlfriend drove down from Oregon to Sacramento California were I live to attend a work comp doctor appointment in downtown Sacramento.  So just getting a call from him and with a few minutes to spare.  I decided to go get a pizza for him because they were hungry.  I pulled into the local Papa Murphy's pizza place and there were cars everywhere.  And this lady next to me was taking up two parking spots, which forced me to take up about a third of a handicapped parking spot.  Now mind you I never, seriously never, park in a handicapped spot, albeit I was in a hurry and figured there was room if somebody with a handicap placard needed to park their car.  So I walked in, pizza, walked out in less than five minutes and low and behold I'm getting a ticket.

So what have I learned from this?  What I have always known to be true.  Take advantage of everything that's offered to you, even if you never use it.  It's like the time when I was offered pain meds for my back a few months ago.  And I thought that I could muddle through it, but a couple days later I was wishing that I had went to the pharmacy and got the medication.  So I had to make another trip to the doctor to obtain a prescription for my pain medication.  That was a waste of time.

So here I am legally disabled with paperwork from the doctor to prove it.  And I get a ticket for parking in a disabled parking spot.  So my thinking is go to court, show the paperwork and try to convince the judge that it should only be a fix-it ticket.

Just my thoughts,
Doug

update - the ticket cost $405.00 thats robbery!  I haven't had a ticket in 20 years!

Tax the rich huh!

Tax the rich huh!

California has the highest sales tax rate, the highest gas tax rate, the highest overall income tax burden in the nation, and the highest corporate tax rate.  The Tax Foundation ranks California’s business climate as 47^th in the nation. 

The assertion that the rich do not “pay their fair share” is simplistic, sounds good and satisfies some innate desire to punish anyone who would dare to be successful or what we might perceive to be wealthy; but the slogan is patently untrue. 

The Democrats’ effort to increase income taxes on the wealthiest California residents to 12% will be the highest income tax rate in the nation – twice the national average.  By comparison, Vermont’s 9.3 percent income tax rate is second highest in the nation; however, it does not apply until income reaches $357,700 in income. 

California’s new tax rate will apply to a married couple making more than $89,630 a year.  This theoretical couple’s state income tax for 2007 was $8336.  If approved, the state’s new tax rate will cost them $10,700 a year, reducing their net income by more than $200 a month and their annual combined income to $78,900.  These figured don’t include federal income tax, sales tax, property tax, gas taxes, utility taxes, etc.  I guess that’s the price you pay for being “rich” and living in California.

Letter to the churches

Letter to the churches

Emotional and verbal abuse is a form of abuse that people rarely see or understand.  You could be sitting right next to an abuser, and not know it.  He could be your best friend, your brother, a police officer living next door or sadly, even your pastor.  This type of abuser carefully creates a beautifully crafted shield to protect him from suspicion.  He joins the ranks of those involved in moral activities and presents himself as a friend to all. He invests time, effort, and finances into these groups to thicken the armor of his shield.

However, slowly, carefully and calculated he begins his crusade of abuse.  His wife selected because of a combination of low self-esteem, neediness and a moral inclination towards submissiveness has unknowingly been his victim from the beginning.  In the beginning he presents himself as charming, loving and giving promising her the world and all that he has to offer.  However, these loving characteristics over time, give way to his desires and selfishness.  Whether formed out of his consciousness or unconsciousness, his plan from the beginning was total dominance and submission of all under his roof.

Contract addendum

okay so the stupid contracts with companies are really starting to tick me off!

So I've decided to add a contract to any company that tries to suck me into a contract with them.  And here it is.

1. Any breach by your company or any employee of your company makes his contract null and void.
2. any lack of services from your company or an employee of your company is cause for a prorated payment from me.
3. any new promotional deals that you make public that are cheaper than my arrangements shall be made available to me.
4. if I agree to even to an electronics fund transfer, commonly known as an EFT and you or anyone in your company neglects to to withdraw my funds for such payment I am not responsible for the bill.
5. lastly the contents of either contract are subject to change by myself, and shall be recognized by your company.

Crosswalk Response to Masculinity

Crosswalk Response to Masculinity

Their response to Newsweek
27 Sep 2010
Oh, why do I bother even responding to yet another attack on masculinity?  http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/mohler/11638512/ Which was reflected in a milk toast neutral opinion.    A scholarly approach and review that does nothing to inspire men to genuine masculinity but merely incites more philosophical debate between like-minded men like you.  Like that’s going to inspire men to rise to the occasion!
Men and women are decidedly, inherently, genuinely different and have been since creation.  Any moron can see that we're physically different, and anyone with common sense realizes that we are emotionally different.  This begs the question then, why are we different?
Since I'm a man lets look at that first.  I am 6 feet tall, 260 pounds, muscular, tattooed, and I ride a Harley Davidson motorcycle.  When an injustice occurs to anyone in my presence, I am emboldened with a furious spirit to protect the weak and the innocent.  I am a 49-year-old prison guard who currently works at Folsom State Prison in California.  I have been in several physical altercations and know that I will be in more, and not just inside the prison walls.  I am analytical, decisive, and logical.  I am not inclined to be nurturing, nor sensitive.  However, I am not a knuckle-dragging Neanderthal with never a thought for anyone else.  I consider and value the opinions of my wife and the effects on others because of my decisions.  I have a very deep relationship with my Father that is above all else.
Now, my wife is tiny, beautiful and decidedly feminine.  She has a servant's heart and is very nurturing.  She does not enjoy confrontation and likes it when I open the car door for her.  The only way my wife could offer protection my way is in prayer.  Fortunately, she does this every day for me.  The concept of her defending me physically is as irrational as me trying to be nurturing.

The contrast between the two of us is foundational in our relationship.  We understand and appreciate the differences in the genders.

Rapid Fire Talking

26 Feb 2010


Being accustomed to being around inmates for over 23 years, I have become an expert on ‘manipulative tactics’ and the people who wield them. One of these tactics heavily used by manipulators from all walks of life is what I call ‘Rapid Fire Talking.’ My wife refers to it in her book “Why Is He So Mean To Me?” as jeopardizing the conversation.

Salesman, con artist, and abusers employ this tactic heavily to confuse their victim. If you are going to win in this battle for freedom from abuse you must take away this tool from the abuser.

Lets’ analyze ‘Rapid Fire Talking’ –


1. The abuser is direct and fast
2. He brings up several topics quickly, one after another
3. Soon he becomes accusatory


What has this done to the victim –?


You are trying to be rational, objective and respectful
Soon you have forgotten many of the points that he has brought up, and because of his fast tongue you do not respond to many of the topics
Your lack of response to any one topic means that he presumes his view point is correct


So what do you do to protect yourself? First of all you must either commit to get dirty doing this or stay the victim, you must decide


You must do whatever it takes to control the pace of the conversation
 Always stop him after each topic and demand that he allow you to respond
 Of course he wont and will continue with the RFT
 You must walk away and separate yourself physically from him for a couple hours if possible. Do not answer your cell phone. Go to Starbucks and re-gather yourself


 You must be consistent and in charge
 Go home and re-engage and answer only the first topic he brought up
 Ask him what was the second thing he said and then stop him after he tells you

 Now tell him that you will get back to him later in the day. He will of course hate this and demand that you answer now or what time will you answer
 Do not let him paint you in a corner. Tell him you will answer when you are ready
Repeat this process over and over


There is no reason to answer any of his questions until you have thought about them
Remember, no conversation requires an immediate response unless you are in a life and death situation



This is only one element of dealing with an abuser. My wife covers much more in her book, and you need to prepare yourself on all fronts.

I know that this sounds very hard to do with someone you’re supposed to love and respect and I am drawing from my experience with dealing with felons, but the techniques used by the abusers are exactly the same. If you follow this advise coupled with the information in “Why is he so mean to me” you will be following a road to your freedom and recovery.


Doug Burrell

Biblical Legalism & The Abuser

15 Feb 2010


Doug’s’ Viewpoint


Biblical legalism creates a safe haven for abusers to live; an abuser will be quick to point out that your actions of disobedience aren’t biblical.

Because of our lack of ability as people to follow His Spirit, God created a list of rules for us to follow. The rules are meant to point us to Him.

Heb 10:1 For the Law, since it has [only] a shadow of the good things to come [and] not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. NASB

Like the Pharisees of old, Legalistic Abusers hide themselves behind scriptural rules and are quick to point out an infraction of the law. They are totally oblivious to the fact that the abused have been crying out to God for protection from them. The abused is the one that is close to the Father’s heart. From my experience the abused is the one who has been following the Spirit of God and does not dabble in biblical technicalities.

Remember going to school as a young child? And you were told to color within the lines? That was meant as a guideline to help you mature. Do those same rules apply to you today? Maybe; maybe not! Depends on what you are trying to achieve. Does the rule of staying within the lines have less value now? Certainly not! That rule might have helped shape you into a beautiful artist. If you are terrible at being an artist, maybe you should go back to square one and color within the lines to learn how to be an artist. If someone is still coloring within the lines, do they have the authority and knowledge to give advice to an accomplished artist? The artist would be foolish to listen to a first grader wouldn’t he? Yet for some reason legalistic abusers today are given authority over others in the same manner. It sounds insane doesn’t it?

How do you combat abuse? Yes I said combat; you must take off your church dress and prepare for battle.

Here are some responses I want you to say when confronted by your abuser.

A = abuser…because that’s what he is V = victim…because that’s what you are


1. Your not being biblical
2. So what, I’m not playing bible with you anymore



1. Your not being submissive
2. Your right, I’m not doing that anymore



1. Your not being understanding
2. Good, because that’s worked real well in the past hasn’t it.



1. If you were a loving wife…
2. Blah blah blah, go away!


These responses are meant to infuse you with the right attitude. You have to grab hold of the “I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore” attitude. You cannot play church anymore. Remember Christ came against the Pharisees with the same attitude. Wouldn’t you rather be Christ-like instead of church-like?

I hope that you can see the common thread and grasp the need for quick cutting answers.
You cannot allow yourself to engage in intellectual, compassionate, understanding conversations. He will spin you like a top and spit you out. Do not engage the enemy because that’s what he has become. I cannot stress this enough! Do not engage him.

Feel free to ask for help in your battle.



Douglas Burrell

The Feminization of the Church

4 Sep 2009

The world, along with the church, has reduced men to mamby pamby sissies. I'm sick and tired of hearing sermons in church telling us men to "step up to the plate." What exactly does that mean? They want men to be more involved but they don't want us to flex our muscles. They don't want us to confront what we feel is wrong. For that matter they want us to "turn the other cheek" in every conflict that comes our way. So in "stepping up to the plate" we must discard our God given instincts and gifts of masculinity and become non confrontational.

The world, including the 'Feminine Movement' and stupid laws that inhibit men from handling situations, has contributed to the emasculation of the male gender. Many things have been written on the demise of the male because of feminisim, so I will not write on that subject. Needless to say, I feel that women are my equal but have different strengths and weaknesses than myself. Women should be protected and cherished by their male counterpart - never abused or taken advantage of.

However, I will expound on what I mean by 'stupid laws' that inhibit us. For example; years ago if someone was to say, rape my daughter, I could take care of that guy and make sure it didn't happen again. Now we give him what's called a 'fair trial' and commit him to the 'Criminal Justice System.' Even the title is revealing! Justice for the criminal! What about justice for the victim? No, instead we warehouse felons at taxpayer expense and let them out after only serving half of their sentence, only to commit another crime and create another victim.

If the church and the world were to allow men to be men again, crime would be less and women would be treated the way God intended.

Just my thoughts...

Doug Burrell

National Health Care from One Christians Perspective

"As a Christian nation, we should support health care for all."

Such is the cry of some who attempt to impose a higher moral standard on those who assert that health care is, in fact, a commodity, rather than a right. The notion of health care as a right is patently ridiculous. We neither have a right to a house, a job, food, or a vehicle. We must either be willing to pay or work for what we want. Let's be honest: the people who support socialized medicine are the same people who believe that someone else should meet their needs.

On the surface, socialism has an air of fairness and compassion about it, yet it ultimately violates our innate human desire to pursue excellence, to profit according to our labors and to work toward the betterment of ourselves and our standing in life – and the lives of our children. When excellence goes unrewarded, there is little cause to pursue or expect it. We have seen socialist nations suffer and dissolve as a result of dysfunction and widespread poverty - a direct result of government authorities rationing commodities.

Our nation was created as a capitalist republic. As individuals, each of us possess certain gifts, talents and abilities which enable us to produce and contribute services and benefits which generally enable us to provide support for ourselves, our families and others. Capitalism allows each individual the opportunity to succeed. Some will enjoy more financial success than others. So what? We have also been gifted with extended families, friends, neighbors, churches and community organizations to support each other in times of need.