Will the Real Liberal Please Stand Up Pt 1

"Liberalism," in my opinion has nothing to do with democracy, a democratic republic, freedom, or even humanity. By nature, to be a liberal is the antithesis of liberty.  But before we travel too far down that path, let us look at Merriam Webster's definition of the word:

Definition of liberalism

1. 1 :  the quality or state of being liberal
2. 2a often capitalized :  a movement in modern Protestantism emphasizing intellectual liberty and the spiritual and ethical content of Christianityb :  a theory in economics emphasizing individual freedom from restraint and usually based on free competition, the self-regulating market, and the gold standard (see gold standard 1)c :  a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy (see autonomy 2) of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties; specifically :  such a philosophy that considers government as a crucial instrument for amelioration of social inequities (such as those involving race, gender, or class)d capitalized :  the principles and policies of a Liberal (see ¹liberal 6b) party

I find the reference to the "theory in economics emphasizing individual freedom from restraint and usually based on free competition, the self-regulating market, and the gold standard" to be especially forthcoming when discussing today's self proclaimed "liberal."

Not all "liberals" are cut of the same cloth.  I would go so far, in fact, to state that most liberals aren't really of the liberal ilk, but more centrist in political persuasion. Many go to Christian churches and believe in the traditional Judeo-Christian God of Abraham. Others proclaim different spiritual preferences and follow those precepts, not unlike their republican or Conservative kin. 

The separation occurs around three significant positions, or at least in recent political history, according to most leftists:

1. A large federal government should have autonomous power over the individual states.
2. Federal borders are mostly irrelevant and the removal of illegal aliens is inhumane.
3. Taxation of higher wage earners at a significant rate should be required to pay for those less fortunate.

We can debate issues like abortion, welfare, healthcare, gay marriage, et al. until the cows come home. None of the aforementioned should be downplayed or ignored, but I would pose that any of those could be bucketed in one of the three positions noted above.

True "liberals" are anything but the textbook definition of what a liberalism is.  The liberal who proclaims that taxation, open borders, and a large federal government cannot and will not fit into what Merriam Webster defines as a liberal.  What then, or better yet, where can an individual like this be better labeled?

Spending time reading definitions can be an enlightening exercise.  From Merriam Webster:

Definition of socialism

1. 1 :  any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2. 2a :  a system of society or group living in which there is no private propertyb :  a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3. 3 :  a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done

Consider the bellowing from previous President Obama and the liberals of our country that touted redistribution of wealth.  The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Affordable Healthcare Act (or Obamacare) is a tax, which means one of its intended consequences was to redistribute wealth from one section of the economic strata and distribute it proportionately to another.

I would be remiss if I did not offer this particular definition for consideration:

Definition of communism

1. 1a :  a theory advocating elimination of private propertyb :  a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed
2. 2 capitalized a :  a doctrine based on revolutionary Marxian socialism and Marxism-Leninism that was the official ideology of the U.S.S.R.b :  a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of productionc :  a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away and economic goods are distributed equitablyd :  communist systems collectively

As you can plainly see, the lines between socialism and communism begin to blur as you spend time considering their similarities (many) and differences (few).

I argue that today's true liberal fits somewhere between a defined socialist and communist, wishing for an end to capitalism (they enjoy calling it crony capitalism, although most have no idea what this means), desire an end to private property ownership, and a re-centering of our population to large urban centers (this has been a classic racist movement perpetuated by the left for years, but will be the topic of another post in the near future).  Read and listen closely when liberals scream about autonomy and social justice, then ask yourself, or better yet--ask them, how a "rigged" system should be fixed.  Their answer may surprise you!

It Had to be Said

I attempt to keep politics from creeping into my blogs, but there are times when events or behavior is so duplicitous, so inconceivably vile and hypocritical that I find myself slack-jawed and unable to contain myself.  Truly, I am disheartened and ashamed at so many of my fellow Americans during our recent election and inauguration of Donald J. Trump, our forty-fifth president of the United States.


The actions taken by many on the left were (and continue to be) disgusting and hate-filled.  Funded by leftist anarchist billionaires and millionaires, we watched patriotic events turn violent.  Many claimed the same from the right, but we later learned that instigators were paid, in many cases, to create a scene and perpetuate violence while others filmed right-wingers "being violent" at candidate rallies.  The truth is, like it is so many times, hidden behind a veil of lies and deceit, and took significant investigation to bring to light those individuals who chose anarchy over democracy.


Why do we (and by "we," I mean others) condone violence (you know, things like setting limousines on fire, destroying private property, et al) from one side of the argument who hysterically proclaim their love of democracy?  Why is it okay for musicians and other performers to discuss "blowing up the White House?"  Can you imagine the fallout from the left if a high profile right winger made a comment like that during the Obama presidency? 


On Trump's first day, threats of violence and other illegal acts ran rampant across the United States.  All in response to a democratic republic's presidential election?  I apologize if I don't quite understand the rancor.  After all, we on the right put up with eight terrible years of Obama, and I can't recall a single protest or violent act carried out by a group, large or small. 


You see, the left chooses to proclaim its actions as democratic, but fail to mention that during the most democratic event in the world, that is, the peaceful transfer of power during a presidential inauguration, individuals were actually calling for martial law and anarchy to prevent Trump from taking office.  If you stand on that side of aisle, you are the problem--not just part of it.


Lastly, if you spend your time protesting and destroying other people's stuff, may I suggest a student loan or request for a student grant?  It's time you actually gained some knowledge and applied to something a little more worthwhile than being an un-American tool riding on the coattails of everything our forefathers fought and died for.

New Year, Better YOU!

"Never cut a tree down in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come."

~Robert H. Schuller

I stumbled across this wonderful quote not long ago and thought it would be most appropriate for us all to consider it in the new year. How many times have we made poor decisions, influenced by circumstance and emotion? How often have we wallowed in the subterfuge of an irrational choice?

We are born anew, so to speak, at the beginning of a new year; a time for reflection and a desire to do better going forward. Whether you are a person who makes New Year resolutions, or someone who is generally resolved to get things done regardless of month or year, what matters most is cautious, rational thought, calculated risks, commitment, and follow-through. If you want to make positive changes in your life, I highly recommend the aforementioned formula.

I have long been a proponent of self-responsibility and reliance, believing in one's self, and when called upon to involve yourself in family events, projects, and work--do it without hesitation. If you give your word move Heaven and earth to complete whatever you've committed to! Too often we find individuals who promise to do things, and all to often they lack the moral fortitude to finish them. Don't be that person if you want to be a happier, more fulfilled YOU!

When bad things happen, do not give up! Remember your goals, your resolve, and your desires. Push through the nastiness and keep your eye on the good. Surround yourself with good, likeminded people who share goals or encourage you work toward your own. Embrace the concept of "work-life balance," involve yourself in a hobby or your community, read a lot, think much, then go out and make that positive change.

Remember: Don't be a new you, be a better you!

Happy New Year.

Last Blog of 2016!

What a crazy year it's been! We've all experienced trials and tribulation: death, new career paths, layoff's, hiring, firing, accidents, surgeries, breakup's, breakdowns, loss of friendships, political bickering, world disharmony, climate change, cold arctic blasts, and a litany of items I haven't listed here.


But here's the cool part--we're still above ground. We're breathing air, we're enjoying the day, and we're approaching the holidays. Yeah, I know it can be a struggle for some, but let's do what we can to make the holidays nice for as many people as possible!


I want to personally wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, as well as thanking each and everyone who has taken the time to read my blogs, purchase and read my books, signed up for my newsletter, or those who simply follow me on social media (God Bless you for that:)).


My wish for everyone is peace, prosperity, and an abundance of love now and forever.  Enjoy yourself, be careful out there, and always live your adventure.


Peace.

Cool it with the racist crap, man!

Every day...every single day...I hop on my computer to see what the world is thinking and doing. Inevitably, all the discussion goes back to race. Do I believe there is a large swath of people who believe folks of a particular skin tone are somehow more intellectually superior to others? Of course those people exist. Let's not sugar coat the discussion, but let's also be honest with one another, okay?

First, the recent election was not a moratorium on minorities in the United States. If you believe that to be the case, you are either a.) stupid (and that has nothing to do with your skin color, or b.) you've bought into the lies perpetuated by a media intent on ratings, rather than truth.

I'm not kidding when I say this: I am sick and tired of hearing people on the right talk about how a certain congressman is intent on overtaking a section of the country for black people. I grow weary of the Mexican take-over of the central southern portion of the country, and I can't take anymore of an unnamed president-elect having views that set racial progression back thirty years.

For a moment, can we all put on our big boy and girl panties and talk like adults? I work with a large, diverse team of folks on a daily basis. Everyone here loves one another, we get our job done, and we go home to our families. I suspect most of us are in the same boat.

So, this begs the question: Why are so many insistent upon racial politics and polarization? I'll tell you why--if they (the elite) can divide us, they can rule us (we plebes). If we shrug off the emotional nonsense and not get caught up in the deluge of racial injustice hyperbole, then we can certainly overcome them (the elite).

Don't get me wrong: I think there are factions, albeit small ones, that want nothing more than chaos and instability, but the vast majority of us (the plebes) just do our thing and go on about our business. Personally, I think we should give every media outlet in the world the collective middle finger then go fishing or bowling.  That'll fix 'em.......

My Fascination with Sports

I spent some time dwelling on my fascination with sports, specifically my favorite sports team(s) that I won't mention here because some will take issue (Roll Tide Roll). It's true that I get caught up in the moment, the hype leading to each game, prior to the season, and sit riveted to the television during games over which I have zero control.



Those last four words of my previous sentence are what drew me into this thought provoking quagmire. No level of superstition, pre-game ritual, attire, or food eaten prior to, or during, the game will change its outcome. Despite my heartfelt prayers, I doubt God has the time or inclination to interfere in the outcome of a game. Naturally, none of this prevents me from exercising my right to conduct each of the aforementioned, but the reality is it's for naught.



My allegiances notwithstanding, why, I wonder, do I get caught up in the emotion of the game? The obvious answer, and one sans analysis, is I grew up with it, played the game(s), and understand them. Why is then that so many who may not have grown up playing sports feel energized while watching them?


The answer to this question, insofar as a group of fans is concerned, is most likely a complex one. People enjoy camaraderie, togetherness, the mass thrill of victory, and the comfort large groups provide in the face of defeat. On a deeper, more personal level, however, I am most fond of four aspects of team sports (individual sports like wrestling, MMA, gymnastics, etc. follow similar levels of respect in my mind, but those are not the focus of this article):

• The acute mental faculties of the players--I.E. their never say die attitude, their willingness to buy into a coach's system, and their game acumen.
• The incredible conditioning they put themselves through to be the best of the best.
• Their unwavering support for their teammates.
• The strategy and chess-like application a coaching staff will put in place in order to be victorious.

For a player to be mentally prepared for the physicality of any sport, he/she must move pain to a different compartment in their brain. I'm not talking about ignoring pain, I mean a honed athlete can compartmentalize pain temporarily, moving it from their mind and locking it in a safe spot until needed, post-game.

The victorious team will have jumped headlong into a coach's system without question. He/she will focus on how to improve their game, be responsible for his/her assignments on the field or court, and will study game strategy and playbooks until they become a part of him/her.

Conditioning is tantamount to experiential achievement on the field. Without fail, what a player does in practice is what he/she will do on the field. Game time is fun, but practice and training make the athlete!

These teammates will stand by each other no matter what. Support and encouragement are a small part of what teammates do,  but it shouldn't be underestimated. When someone screws up, blows a play, or gets on the coach's bad side, his/her teammates are there to pick him/her up and push them back on the right track.

The strategy a coach employs is critical to victory. How a team adapts and overcomes on the "field of battle" is shaped by the head coach and refined by the coaching staff.

All of these things combined is what draws me to the television or to a live game. The constant push for perfection by a team without consideration for their opponent is the most enviable outcome they can desire.

Relax!

The craziest, nastiest, most disgusting election in American history is over and we the people can get back to getting along now.  I ain't kiddin' either.  It's time for people to drop the hateful rhetoric, the "I know more about how this country works than you do" nonsense, and simply be neighbors and human beings again.

No one cares about your protests and riots, and I don't know a single soul who was moved by a remark you made on social media about a supporter of a particular candidate being a moron.  Our friends and family are a mixed bag of liberals and conservatives and everything in between.  Relax folks!  We're Americans--we don't take anything seriously (except sports).

I am a politically conservative guy and have angered a number of people on the left over the years regarding their position/s in politics, but I like to think I have evolved somewhat in tone.  Diligently (at least I hope so), I work to refrain from personal attacks; there is simply no need for it and I am asking you all to try to do the same.  It's okay to talk politics, but stay on point and leave the emotion out of it.  Can't we all just get along?

There are many friends of mine who have varying political positions, and I am good with it.  We form these over time based upon personal experiences, profession, the people we choose to hang out with, our own national and global perspectives.  This doesn't make us bad people, it makes us thinkers. 

So, let's tone it down a bit, please.  We can disagree and still love one another.  This isn't a difficult thing to accomplish--just take a deep breath and think before you respond.  In fact, it's perfectly acceptable to not fall into their trap by electing to forgo political interaction.  Chances are you will forget about their post or discussion within moments and you can remain friends.  If you must chime in, keep it civil.