Littlestuff Weekender-2-18-2012

Thursday night I had the pleasure of visiting with my dear friends and fellow patriots of the North Central Ohio Conservatives. My topic was the Fed and the Economy, and I approached it primarily from a micro-economic perspective. Because so many members of the NCOC read these columns, I would like to add a brief macro-economic point of view. But first, I wish to extend many thanks to Jim and Jan Green, Marsha and Keith Rexroth for a great dinner and superb companionship.

With our artificially low interest rates mandated by the Fed, we are facing a national economic Armageddon in the near future. Our $16 trillion debt and our more than $100 trillion in unfunded liabilities added to the profligate spending by our governments at all levels means that our debt service (interest payments) are at astronomical levels and in grave danger of becoming impossible to maintain. Right now the federal government is paying less than 1% interest on the national debt because of the heavy-handed intervention by the Federal Reserve in the free market. If the situation in Europe disintegrates to the point that upward pressure on interest rates is unavoidable, the cost of servicing our U.S. debt will double, triple or perhaps soar out of sight. Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and all other entitlement programs will be severely affected as will national defense and every other government program….constitutional and unconstitutional. Our government’s emphasis will pivot from a buying-votes mentality to a taxing-for-survival oppressive approach. It won’t be pretty. It will be painful. We must prepare.

On a lighter note…..oh, there is no lighter note.

Next weekend…the 25^th and 26^th, I’ll be in Elizabethtown, Kentucky for the annual convention of the Libertarian Party of Kentucky (LPKY). I am honored to be their main speaker with the “Why Liberty, Why Now” message scheduled for 3:30pm on Saturday the 26^th. Thanks to Chairman Ken Moellman and his fellow Bluegrass defenders of liberty for inviting me.

Have you ever found yourself so engrossed in a task that you were unaware of what was happening around you? As I become more and more disturbed by the circumstances of our nation and the congressional failures to challenge the President and stop the bleeding, I suspect that those in Washington whom we expect to stop this mess are clueless. They are so engaged in the political aspects of their offices that they must be ignorant of our dire situation. We know that congress persons rarely read the legislation they pass, and that most of their time is devoted to fundraising and managing their public personas. Indeed, their failures to carefully monitor and understand the ramifications of their legislative activity are profound indictments of the untenable and unconstitutional massiveness of the federal government. It is far too large to be managed by 535 venal people. If the reach of the federal monstrosity were confined to the enumerated powers as listed in The Constitution of the United States of America, the 435 House members and the 100 senators could spread themselves broadly enough with fewer committees to effectively oversee the federal functions. Big is not necessarily better. Big is much worse, more dangerous and totally ineffective. The word that comes to mind that describes the precarious state of the nation is …….delegation. Too much delegation leads to entrenched bureaucratic fiefdoms and unaccountable career politicians.

It’s about time to start my garden seeds, but I’m somewhat hesitant. The winter has been so mild so far that it’s quite possible we will have a vengeful early spring thus delaying the transfer of the little plants to the outdoors. Decisions, decisions….I think I’ll start half of each species/variety now and the remainder in early March.

I read last week that North Korea had employed American-made drones that they purchased from Syria who had bought them as used surplus material from us with foreign aid money and credits we provided them. And some of you believe that Ron Paul’s foreign policy is “wacky.” Perhaps his is, but no one in his right mind and with a straight face can convince me that the one we have now and we have followed for years is working all that well.

Three Afghan nationals were intercepted in Texas after crossing into the U.S. over the southern border. I wonder how many we’ve missed so far. Meanwhile Granny continues to get fondled at the Charleston, W.V. airport and every other interior landing spot that features nothing but domestic air traffic. More government wisdom and efficiency is on display to calm the fears of the citizens. They have semantically disemboweled “protect and defend” until it has become “harass and annoy.” These are the baby steps of a tyranny quickly growing to raging adolescence. It seems that the time has passed for correcting the child in the way that he should go. The only logical response is to sentence the culprits to a juvenile detention center.

Greg Ruffner, candidate for Wood County Commissioner, will be my guest on Tuesday’s show. My little audio battle for liberty begins at 6:00pm and ends at 7:00pm on the Talk of Toledo, 1370 WSPD.

www.wspd.com

Have a great remainder of the weekend. Enjoy President’s Day on Monday by celebrating the few who were constitutionally faithful….shouldn’t take too long. We’ve only had 44 of them and the way things are going, we may not have many more…..if any.

cearlwriting@hotmail.com

www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com

  

Living History

Today as you go about your tasks, you are living history. Today is Tomorrow’s history and next Century’s ancient history. Perhaps if you are caught up in a momentous event today, you may become a footnote in history. There is a methodology for historical analysis called the new social history which attempts to view history through the eyes and sensations of ordinary people. Their primary criticism of traditional historical methods is that they focus too often on “great leaders and grand events” while time and living continue onward outside the elevated activity or person. They may be correct (in fact, they are correct), but scribes and journalists record the monumental movements of societies and rarely chronicle the mundane or ordinary. Thus a history of the common people and their reactions to disruptive occurrences is difficult to define and describe.

As an activist for restoring the United States to some semblance of its constitutional roots, each of you plays an important role in the eventual outcome. Your contributions will probably go unheeded when the history of the movement is written. Your individual efforts may attract others to the cause. Your consistent work for liberty may inspire others. Your thoughtful reasoning may help others conclude that liberty is a worthy goal. Your persistence may inspire others to never give up, and your passion may inflame others to act quickly rather than linger. Chances are you will not merit a footnote when the history of the rebuilding of the nation is assembled for future generations. You will, however, carry your tiny piece of the restoration history in your heart as you are lowered to your final earthly resting place. You may not be IN the history, but you will be a significant force OF the history.

As you are reading this, something is happening somewhere on the planet or in space that will be considered to be historically significant. Odds are you will not be involved in that event, but your place in history has been confirmed because you are at this moment reading this column. In other words, people who have no care or concerns about the nature of our relationship with the government do not read these words. They watch “American Idol,” they bowl 4 nights per week, and they rarely think about how their inattention affects their lives…..for good or ill. Your historical contribution at this moment is to read this because you understand that my primary objective is to teach and inform about the value of individual liberty and constitutional government. There are others who are better teachers than I am, and many who have more information than I do. I understand that this column is not your sole source, and I would be dismayed if it were.

Living history can be more important than being history. I’ve been reading a narrative history about George Washington who, as you probably know, lost more battles than he won during the Revolutionary War. The real heroes were those nameless, faceless members of the Continental Army who honored their commitments and endured amazing deprivations during the war. Traitorous Benedict Arnold, egoist Charles Lee, pompous Horatio Gates and dandy Alexander Hamilton have all been written about in histories, but not too many of the grunts…..the people who did the heavy lifting….have been identified or lauded. Yet it was their perseverance and commitment to liberty that drove them to endure the constant retreating, near starvation and abysmal lack of proper clothing and equipment. We do not know who many of them were, and large numbers of them perished throughout the campaign from enemy fire, disease and frostbite. They made the history. They lived the historic moments that we read about while sitting in the comfort of our easy chairs. They are little noted. They are not lauded or celebrated, but their contributions to our liberty were huge.

As our battle to restore our Republic and its protection of our liberties moves forward, we will benefit by recalling those anonymous warriors of some 235 years ago who believed that independence and freedom were worth the suffering they endured. We should honor the unknown or forgotten soldiers by laboring in honor of their memories for a renewal of their dreams. The history of this movement may feature some “leaders” whom we’ve never met, but each of us can live the history by never faltering. We must carry on living history so that the dreams of the Founders’ and Framers’ will live. That is the least we owe that ragged band of faithful Continentals. We must live the history.

Comment:   cearlwriting@hotmail.com

www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com

  

Greater Expectations

You are probably familiar with the fable about the Emperor’s New Clothes. If we were writing a story about today’s gallant knights who are running for office to save our nation, we would probably note that they’re wearing tin-foil armor. They are clothed with the fragile protection of expediency that they expect us to assume is principle.  Every candidate from every party or movement is to some degree a flawed warrior. For those of us who must choose our standard bearer, we are faced with the unenviable task of choosing a lesser leader. When we consider whom to choose, we should reflect about what our previous choices have yielded so that we do not compound one error with another. We do not require a leader who wears the faulty armor. We must have leaders who have principled minds and courageous hearts.

While at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) last week, I was struck by the dichotomy of passions that I witnessed. On the one hand supporters of various candidates and issues were vociferously promoting their “new best thing,” while on the other hand the overall tenor of the event was tenuous and somewhat subdued. For some Mitt was the best choice, and for others Newt or Rick was the obvious pick. Dr. Paul’s support was somewhat muted because of many liberty-oriented groups decisions not to participate in this year’s cattle call.

http://youtu.be/5BjhJLhSbYg

Is that all there is? Is this the best that America has to offer? Are Mitt, Newt, Rick, or Barrack the true guardians of liberty that our Framers had hoped would succeed them? Are Mitch McConnell and John Boehner the most virtuous and courageous people available to lead the Senate and the House of Representatives respectively? Yes, each of them is flawed….dangerously so, but those of us who are dissatisfied with them and their positions, policies or practices have not explicitly identified our criteria for leadership.

While we may choose to support the most electable or the best option available, we are admitting that our standards have sunk to the point of non-existence. Even in our local or congressional races we celebrate people whom we believe are better than the incumbent but are sorely deficient in principle, integrity and honor. Although we may whine about the paucity of principle among our candidates, we ignore the ones who are steadfast and solid because we perceive that they cannot win. That observation is true because it is a self-fulfilling prophecy. If we settle for lesser candidates in order to win, we shall always lose in the longer run. By promoting or electing lesser candidates what do we win? Perhaps a little more time before the Republic implodes, but not much else. We allow them to chisel away at our liberty and deny us the use of our property bit by bit.

Times have changed, Patriots. When we yet enjoyed our inalienable G_d-given rights and our Constitutionally-protected freedom, we could occasionally afford to elect an unprincipled charlatan or two. Today, however, the landscape has been altered. Each and every day we encounter another abuse from our government, and we cry for men and women of courage and principle to stand up and say “No More!” We must exercise our “greater expectations.” Close enough is not good enough any longer. Electable but seriously-flawed candidates will continue the destruction of our Republic and the future for our progeny. Greater expectations must be the order of the day and all our subsequent days. We have been identified as an exceptional people and nation. An exceptional people does NOT elect inadequate leaders just because they call us exceptional. An exceptional people insist that leaders be principled, honorable and honest. Maybe we should demand the “NOTA” (none of the above) option in our elections until we begin to attract the quality of candidates who are worthy of the Founders’ and Framers’ visions. We should exercise our greater expectations.

We have recently celebrated the 200^th anniversary of Charles Dickens’ birth (b. 7 February 1812), our present constitutional republic has been in effect for 225 years, and our Declaration of Independence was issued some 236 years ago. Our greater expectations have been submerged in expediency and pragmatism as we march toward our tyrannical nirvana. Our liberty has been forfeited on the altar of electability and we have selected or elected leaders who compromise away our heritage….while we allow it. I am painfully aware that no one is perfect. I also know that the perfect candidate cannot satisfy the expectations of 312 million people. If we are convinced, however that a candidate is resolutely committed to identifiable principles then we can choose to support or reject that candidacy for legitimate reasons. Without a clear exposition of principles…we are blindfolded in the dark while trying to detect the least objectionable contestant.  

Truly I do understand the terrible fix that we’re in, but we’ve got to cure ourselves of the self-defeating strategy of falling for the first girl that shows some thigh or the buff guy with the six-pack abs. We must demand more of our candidates….more depth, more principle, more integrity and more courage. Glitter and almost-good enough does not cut it. The John Boehner’s of the world are absolutely undermining our liberty and our nation. Obama and his Marxist clan are destroying our nation. Unprincipled Republicans are allowing it. We must not be complicit. We must be insistent and consistent.

cearlwriting@hotmail.com

www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com

A Legacy

As the proud (very, very proud) grandfather of 3 (soon to be 4) wonderful young people and children, one of my greatest concerns is what type of legacy I will leave for them. I don’t mean legacy in the way that most career politicians use the term….a notable political achievement. No, the legacy that I seek is the one that is firmly implanted on their hearts and their characters. Each of them has unique talents and abilities that equip them well for becoming producers and contributors as they mature. For any living thing to flourish it must have the proper atmosphere or environment. My hope as I mold my legacy is that I do enough to provide my grandchildren with a healthy environment for their personal development.

Like many people I have a desire that I want my grandchildren to remember me, but I prefer that they always recall what they have learned from me. My own maternal grandfather was a great source of wisdom for me as I was growing up, and even though I do not get to spend as much time with my grandchildren as I enjoyed with Grandpa, I would hope that I influence them in a similar fashion. Although I have many preferences and priorities, I do not necessarily want to teach them what to think, but I do wish to help them to learn to think rationally. Certainly I hope that they become warm-hearted and generous, but I wish their minds would lead their hearts. There are innumerable opportunities for helping others, so it requires discernment and reason to choose the best method for achieving the most good.

If I were given absolute control over my grandchildren’s futures, I would bless them with the 4-F’s for their futures. Faith, family, freedom and fun are the cornerstones for a well-squared life in my view. It begins with faith because as a Christian, I understand G_d’s wisdom, mercy and grace. They have sustained me in my darkest times, and counseled prudence when I become too self important. Family is the anchor of this worldly life. If one is blessed to have a loving, forgiving and helping family, then most of life’s obstacles can be surmounted. Freedom is a gift from The Almighty, secured by His Son, and nourished by a loving family. Without liberty….without freedom…life can be robotic and unfulfilling. My definition of fun in this context is “doing what you love and loving what you’re doing.” A typical working lifetime is more than half a century long. To endure 50 years of drudgery damages the spirit. Fun at work, at play, at home or where ever is an important aspect of a complete life.

Obviously I want my grandchildren to share my faith and its comfort, but that is a personal matter between each of them and Him. Young people who are convinced that they are immortal often fail to see the need for a Savior. My prayer is that they discover and accept Him sooner rather than later. The supportive family dynamic is something that their parents, their grandmother and I can nurture each and every day. We must remember that our anxieties or impatience can sometimes undermine our desire to build the strong reliable family unit. My passionate desire to have my grandchildren yearn for liberty is one that I rant, rave, preach and speak about quite frequently. My fear is that my intensity may be somewhat off-putting for my beloved progeny.

Fun is a more difficult concept to transmit. The best method for doing so is to live it. Allow the kids to learn by observation and osmosis. We must encourage them to find their talents and their niches without pounding them into the round holes of our expectations and hopes for them. We must be willing to permit them to develop as square pegs as long as they do so with integrity and honor. The results will be worth it.

The beauty of a legacy of this nature is that it need not be probated. No attorney or the government will get a piece of the action when my grandchildren claim their inheritances. Who knows….they may try to tax it before I take my leave from this earth. If so, I’ll fight it. A legacy is a terrible thing to waste….paraphrasingly speaking.

Our Tuesday show will air tomorrow from 6:00-7:00pm on 1370 WSPD.  www.wspd.com

Comment: cearlwriting@hotmail.com

www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com