All in the Family

Have you ever just wanted to be "one of the boys" or part of the crowd? Now, some crowds aren't worth being part of, but most of us have a need to belong, to be part of a group.We just want to fit in and be accepted for who we are. I guess it gives some feeling of worth. Yes, it would be nice if we were self-confident enough to not have such needs, but it seems that our lives have that much more meaning when we can share life with others... giving to... and taking from... others. (I wonder if this is one reason why a family is such a necessary part of society?)

Well, that appears to have been the case last night for one member of our family.

My wife and oldest daughter... well, my only daughter... were watching a Christmas movie last night. Well, it was a movie that had been given as a Christmas gift, that is. Anyway, as is their custom, they were all wrapped up in their blankets, very engaged in the film. Sadie, the family beagle, left her perch on a new Christmas pillow and tried to sneak under one of the blankets with the other women in the family. Apparently there wasn't room for her.

However, not to be dissuaded, Sadie ran into the office. You see, in the office we keep a nice blanket where she sleeps on cold winter nights. Smart dog. Sadie nudged her way under the blanket and then returned to the family room... blanket in tow, hooked on the brow of her head. Yes, Sadie got herself all wrapped up in her blanket, just like all the other ladies of the house. I suppose Sadie just wanted to be part of the family.

Now, I may have not even noticed this event if I hadn't recently seen "Marley and Me," a movie about a couple, a dog, and a growing family. Marley (a very rambunctious yellow lab) became as much a part of the family as anyone else. The Grogan family would not have been the same if it hadn't been for Marley. You could say the same for us.

As a New Year dawns upon us, and the troubles of life grow beyond measure, it will be tough to tread life's path alone. We're all going to need to belong to something or with someone. Maybe that something or someone can be a family. In most cases, it's hard to replace a family. So, like Sadie, get yourself a blanket, get all wrapped up in it, and join the others in the family room!

"Bleeding Heart Tightwad" or Cheerful Giver?

Well, it's finally here... Christmas is tomorrow. It's interesting how the season slowly builds up for weeks and then sadly abruptly ends. I love the season... always have... but it's turning more and more into a deja vu experience each year. Like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day! Fortunately there is a way to keep Christmas all year long. That is to follow the "giving" way of the Savior of the world... the One born in a lowly stable in Bethlehem... the One whose birth we celebrate every December 25th.

In an interesting article by Nicholas D. Kristof, a self-professed liberal, it appears that the most giving political idealists are conservatives (see "Bleeding Heart Tightwads," NY Times). Ole Nick was very surprised and disappointed to find that those who share his political idealism lag far behind in charitable giving. Well, I know I'm just a basicguy, but I don't share Nick's surprise.

Liberals that I know tend to be more secular and less religious. God is less important than the "village" and church is less important than the state. In this environment, you pay your taxes to the government and they then take care of the people in the village, both here and abroad. It's pretty convenient... you never have to actually confront people in need or see them or talk to them... the government just takes care of it.

On the other hand, conservatives tend to be active Christians (think Religious Right) and as such feel the need to learn of, and live like, the icon of Christianity... Jesus Christ. The scriptures record that Jesus "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38) and most often this good was of a very personal sort... one on one... person to person.

Each of us can "keep" this Christmas... make it last a little longer and keep it from abruptly ending... by following the "giving" way of the Christ. Spend some quiet time in the scriptures and learn how to be a more personal giver. It helps while reading to ask the question posed by Saul, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" (NKJV Acts 9:6.) I've found that keeping Christmas in this way, tends to make me a cheerful giver instead of a "bleeding heart tightwad." This year of all years, when so many are in trouble and hurting, let's make it so.

Merry Christmas!

The Only Bail Out I Like

Is anyone else out there getting just a little fed up with the increasing bail out talk? How many bail outs can the US taxpayer cover? I guess the answer to that is how many future generations of Americans you include in your calculation. From Wall Street to Main Street and all those in between (even states are asking for a bail out!), the numbers are staggering. Of course, to a basicguy like me, I was more than staggered at the initial $700 billion.

Like many normal people out there, I opposed all of the bail outs. Practices like financial planning, an organized budget, and living within your means are apparently too old school for the financial wiz kids that supposedly know much more than me. I hoped that congress and the offending financial institutions would come to their senses and begin to show some restraint. But I guess that was a bit too much to ask.

Why? Because we have a president-elect (you know, the one whose going to change the world for the better?) who is planning yet another bail out. You heard me, another bail out. And this one offends me more than them all. Obama's transition team is calling for "dramatic policy reversals on abortion, including $1 billion in taxpayer money for international abortion groups like Planned Parenthood. The report, titled 'Advancing Reproductive Rights and Health in a New Administration,' also calls for a 133-percent increase in funding for the Title X program, which funds Planned Parenthood clinics across the country."

So much for change, huh? Not only am I opposed to bail outs in general, but I am also opposed to abortion, particularly those performed for casual reasons. How can we even consider bailing out an industry that encourages the demise of 1.4 million people. That's right, I said people. Most aborted babies would grow up to be living breathing, productive Americans... future generations that could help us grow our population and income potential as a nation. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.

It seems to me that maybe I am in favor of bail outs after all. If America was a plane, it might be helpful if some of our worst offending members of society bailed out without a chute! Maybe then, saner minds would prevail and our country could be set back onto a more financial secure path. However, I am only a basicguy.

Black Friday was Actually a Bright Spot

Well we survived it. Black Friday is now a distant memory. It was shockingly colored by two seriously disturbing events, but people still shopped in large numbers. There were enough "numbers" that a Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death. There was also a gun battle at a Toys-R-Us. So it's hard to challenge that people weren't passionate this year about the season. Fortunately, most places were just normally busy with frantic, but law abiding shoppers.

However, with all of the good news that shopping was a little better than last year, there was also the bad news. You see, there was one significant change from previous years. Reporters were hard-pressed to explain the phenomenon, but eagerly reported this serious threat to our economy. It turns out that people were indeed shopping at a very brisk pace, but they were only shopping for others... they weren't buying for themselves!

Oh, my gosh. The world is coming to an end. I can't believe that it has come to this. People are setting aside personal needs to think of others during this Christmas season? Well, it was fun while it lasted.

I know, it's over the top tongue-in-cheek stuff there... I couldn't help myself. I don't know about you, but for me, it's sort of natural to think of others at Christmas time. It's the season to be jolly and to live in a way that reminds us of Jesus Christ... whose birth we actually celebrate at this time of year. We should be shedding the "what's in it for me" attitude and doing our best to put someone else first... and for many people, to put someone else first for a change. For example, Blagojevich, the now disenfranchised Governor of Illinois, apparently didn't know what time of year it was as he tried to enrich himself by selling an appointment for senator. Unreal.

Well, enough said. The times are what they are. Money is tight. The economy struggles from day to day. Jobs are more scarce. Companies are closing their doors. It is what it is. Still, I actually find it refreshing that people, even in these tough times, are thinking of others instead of themselves while Christmas shopping. As one born in a lowly manger, Jesus Christ, in His poverty, gave all that He had to others. It somehow seems fitting that American's are shopping... and not for themselves.

Good Luck, Mr. Brit

So, I'm watching the news tonight for a few minutes (I get most of my news on the Internet), and the anchor dangles a carrot. A story is coming about a guy who says he will live for a year without spending a dime. I was interested enough to check back often until the story was reported. It finally came.

It was about a man living in England, a Brit, who had some degree in economics. He was fed up enough with the financial crisis that he was going to show his displeasure with the way things are by checking out of the system for 12 months. You heard me... 12 months.

How would he do it? He would trade his talents and skills for food and other needed items. Instead of a vehicle he'd ride a bike with a small trailer attached to carry possessions. Pretty interesting, though nothing terribly new. This idea has been tried before. Check out of man-made society and into the perfectly created earth. I do wish him well. As a basicguy, a simpler life is very appealing.

However, his last comment was the one that really caught my attention. When asked about capitalism, his profound reply was, "Capitalism is flawed." Wow. Now that is something I'd never considered. Really? Flawed, huh? Well, duh. Of course its flawed! Every man-made financial system is flawed. Name any financial system that has ever existed, and flaws can be revealed. Why is that? It's simple. Financial systems are flawed because people are flawed.

So, Mr. Brit, I do wish you well in your personal rebellion against the way things are in our financial world. With all of its weaknesses, capitalism has the power and energy to resolve massive financial challenges. There has never been anything quite so effective in eradicating poverty and building extensive civilized infrastructures. But sadly it engenders greed and other debilitating characteristics. Yet, even though I'm just a basicguy, Mr. Brit, I can see the day when you get burned by some person who doesn't quite live up to an agreement you made for your services. I hope it doesn't come to that... but all man-made financial systems are flawed... because people are flawed. Good luck, Mr. Brit.

Maintining a Lifestyle or Getting a Life

It's interesting to hear all the reports about how Americans aren't flying or buying or traveling like they used to. Reporters are fretting about it. So are business owners. So is Wall Street. Why all the head-scratching?

The government bailout may allow Wall Street executives, Corporate officers, and Bankers to maintain their unrealistic and expensive lifestyles, but no one else. Most normal Americans no what it means to live within their means. They know when there are financial challenges, it is more important to get a life than to maintain a lifestyle. They may not be able to afford a certain lifestyle, but they can afford a life. And the miracle? No one else has to bail them out so they can maintain some selfish lifestyle.

It's too bad our federal government hasn't chosen to learn from "we the people"... you know, the normal Joes and Plain Janes. I guess it's been way too long since our elected leaders had a real life instead of their false Washington lifestyle. Besides, there is nothing wrong with driving over to Grandma's house instead of the Cayman Islands for a change. I know I'm just a basic guy, but it seems to me that there is far more life in "getting a life" than in maintaining some false "lifestyle."

America's New Day May Be Too New

Well, a lot has happened since I last posted any thoughts. America has chosen an historic direction by voting into office Barrack Obama. He will become the first African-American to so serve. This truly is a new day for America. I just hope that this "new day" isn't too new.

Obama and his cadre of leaders are claiming a mandate from the American people for significant change. Why is it that whenever people win presidential elections they claim some mandate? Now, it is true, some have won by a landslide. In that case, a mandate can be claimed. But most win by a few percentage points. So, can one claim a mandate from just half the people? Not me.

One percentage caught my eye and told me a lot about what happened. In general, the percentage of Republicans and Democrats who vote in a presidential election is pretty even--37 to 38%. However, in this election there was an obvious difference. Democrats maintained their average, while the Republicans dropped by an amazing 7% to 8% points. Now this fact may not have changed result of this years election. But it is telling. It helps reveal that McCain never did garner the needed support of his party.

Change was inevitable for two reasons. First, how do you stand in the way of history? We have witnessed history in the making. In some ways, it's a remarkable time to live for we have come so far as a country. It's a journey we needed to make. Whether now or with this man, is the right time and person, I'm not convinced. Time will tell. Second, Republicans shot themselves in the foot. They betrayed their base support through their own pride and corruption. Who knows how long it will take to repair the damage and rebuild the trust.

In the meantime, with a Republican party as damaged goods, who will be in a position to act as a check and balance to a Democratic Party claiming a mandate? Government size and spending has already ballooned under Republicans, so what will happen as spend-happy Democrats seize even more control? I shudder to think.

Who knows, maybe Obama will come to his senses as he is absorbed in his "new day." I know, dream on, Basicguy.