Can you believe the dangerous predicament we’re in? Just today, while searching the Internet, I found out that the US has once again reached its debt limit at over 14 trillion dollars. And the most worrisome part is that there is no agreed upon plan to do anything about it… especially from the Whitehouse. Why don’t they see the danger that basic folk see and get busy fixing the problem?
Another news story was another sign of dangerous times ahead. 2010 marked the first time that more was spent from Social Security than was taken in. I had hoped that my many years of contributing to this fund would still be available when I retired, but I seriously doubt it now. I suppose a lot could happen over the next 9 years, but having watched the Obama economy, it isn’t likely.
So, how did we get here? Well, we have a government with no fiscal restraint. I see it as one of the problems that come with a generation of career politicians. They spend as if the American economy will eventually overcome all shortfalls. It may be true when the economy is robust. Which brings us to another obvious problem; the economy is not robust these days and doesn’t show any promise that it will become such either. The political climate that a vote for change has brought has ensured that.
I have heard talk of two other problems that contribute to these dangerous conditions. One is the Baby Boomers. With a very large and growing aged population (many drawing upon Social Security and other government sponsored programs) the pressure on government entitlements threatens to overwhelm our resources.
Why? Well, one reason is our shrinking work force. The American workforce isn’t shrinking just because of high unemployment rates; there is more to it than that. It’s true, we find ourselves in challenging circumstances. Fewer people working equals fewer taxes which equals fewer dollars to cover our increasing debt and other government programs like Social Security.
But there is another reason for this workforce shortfall. Plain and simply we have fewer people entering the workforce. Families are smaller than they used to be. With each successive generation, family size is shrinking. We should have known that this day would come; when a very large bubble of boomers who have done their part for the American economy are now ready for their day in the sun.
But there is still one more reason that needs to be mentioned, and faced by this nation. Years of Roe v Wade has assisted in the genocide of millions of babies. What a waste. Not only do we miss the talents and skills that may have been born with the live birth of some of these sacrificed embryos, but we miss the shear number of individuals that could have been part of today’s workforce. I’m left to wonder how things might have been different had some Americans been different in how they viewed life. So, before you complain about the serious imbalance between the American workforce and the retiring Baby Boomers, first consider whether you are part of the problem or not.
Now, I personally believe that abortion is a plague. It is far more serious a problem than a simple imbalance in this country. Each child in embryo is a God-given gift. Each deserves a chance at life, to fulfill dreams, and to contribute in a positive way to this great nation. It is a national shame that we have allowed it to plague us for so long. Well, now we all have to pay for it… literally. Talk about a debt limit… this one dwarfs our $14 trillion.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
How Wide the Divide?
As I have watched the discussion in Utah regarding illegal immigration, I’m struck with the difficult situation that it has become… especially for members of the LDS Church. Being a member myself, I have been caught in the firestorm of deliberation over the LDS Church’s seeming confusing compassionate stand on illegal immigration.
One of the strongest arguments against the Church’s compassionate stand is found in it’s own core doctrine. The 12th Article of Faith declares that the Latter-day Saints believe in “obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.” There are some things surrounding illegal immigration that make a compassionate stand extremely difficult. Just the word “illegal” says a lot.
On the other side of the divide, there is another aspect of this situation that puts the Church in a difficult circumstance. What if the Lord is inspiring some of His children in Mexico and other places to risk coming to the US… even illegally? Many of them have found their way into the Church; especially families. The Prophet Joseph Smith once expressed something he had learned from his experience with God:
“Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpire” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 256).
I know it doesn’t fully explain the 12th Article of Faith, but it does create some sense of being measured in our response to the situation. So, with that said, as a basicguy I believe the following:
1. We need to first secure the border. It really is a security risk and we live in a very dangerous world.
2. We then need to formulate a fair and manageable immigration policy and process… one that makes sense, requires a commitment to English, encourages acceptance of the American tradition, and one we can afford.
3. Finally, we need to develop a measured but compassionate strategy for dealing with those already here. Some are more deserving than others; some are criminal and need to be deported immediately. However, there are those who truly seek a better opportunity. Is it possible that the US position of turning a blind eye towards our own immigration law has actually encouraged illegal immigration? If so, does that not beg for some compassion for those who are here illegally? In a way, we’re all guilty of illegalities. We risk speeding up to 5 mph over the speed limit because law enforcement allows it. Should we hold our neighbors to a higher standard than the one we ourselves are willing to abide by?
I think we can deal with this issue in a way that both sides will find fair and balanced. I’m just glad that someone smarter than I will be left to figure it out.
One of the strongest arguments against the Church’s compassionate stand is found in it’s own core doctrine. The 12th Article of Faith declares that the Latter-day Saints believe in “obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.” There are some things surrounding illegal immigration that make a compassionate stand extremely difficult. Just the word “illegal” says a lot.
On the other side of the divide, there is another aspect of this situation that puts the Church in a difficult circumstance. What if the Lord is inspiring some of His children in Mexico and other places to risk coming to the US… even illegally? Many of them have found their way into the Church; especially families. The Prophet Joseph Smith once expressed something he had learned from his experience with God:
“Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpire” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 256).
I know it doesn’t fully explain the 12th Article of Faith, but it does create some sense of being measured in our response to the situation. So, with that said, as a basicguy I believe the following:
1. We need to first secure the border. It really is a security risk and we live in a very dangerous world.
2. We then need to formulate a fair and manageable immigration policy and process… one that makes sense, requires a commitment to English, encourages acceptance of the American tradition, and one we can afford.
3. Finally, we need to develop a measured but compassionate strategy for dealing with those already here. Some are more deserving than others; some are criminal and need to be deported immediately. However, there are those who truly seek a better opportunity. Is it possible that the US position of turning a blind eye towards our own immigration law has actually encouraged illegal immigration? If so, does that not beg for some compassion for those who are here illegally? In a way, we’re all guilty of illegalities. We risk speeding up to 5 mph over the speed limit because law enforcement allows it. Should we hold our neighbors to a higher standard than the one we ourselves are willing to abide by?
I think we can deal with this issue in a way that both sides will find fair and balanced. I’m just glad that someone smarter than I will be left to figure it out.
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