These are the Days…for the well to do

 Boy the way they love free trade, why don’t they just have a parade, how the rich guys have it made, these are the days.

And it gets hard to grin, everyone seems to be republican, mister we could use a man like MLK or JFK again.

Higher unemployment rates, why can’t the poor just pull their weight, tax rates for the wealthy are just great, these are the days.

TSD

Halloween Reasoning

I find it necessary to open my heart on this Halloween and to share some honest thoughts. My first observation is about the current holiday. There seems to be a parallel between the Halloween of the past and the political scene of a kinder, gentler time. TSD in no way longs to roll the clock back and go back in a time machine to relive the racism or less technological times. I can speak of a childhood in the 70's and 80's. During my younger days, Halloween was simply the high holy day of candy. Clunky costumes and brown paper bags for collecting the tons of treats were the order of the day and teaming up with family or friends for the effort. We were free to dress as a devil or witch or ghost or vampire....non twilight kind or a zombie or werewolf without anyone taking it personal or being offended. I also remember local churches having haunted houses in their gym areas. The rumors began to swirl of apples with glass or razor blades in them and poison candy. These rumors took hold and evolved into fears of Satanic worshipers taking kids from the street and using this date as a Satanic high holiday with blood sacrifices. The sentiment spread across the land and the churches stopped the haunted houses, the costumes had to be non scary and we even had the war cry of "reclaiming the holiday". The celebrating of Halloween has become forbidden unless you are at an approved event, typically a "trunk or treat" event at church and don't bother showing up if you dress as anything scary. I do have an honest confession and apology to make here. There was a small point in the life of TSD when he was searching for truth and had thought the answer was in a strict church life. I participated in the theory and practice of Halloween being evil and bad. I have since had an awakening and know better and could never, in good faith, deny the kids the right to celebrate the greatest candy day of the year. I say all of this to relay my current experience to you. I took one of my children and her friends out tonight for trick or treat. I never gave much thought to the fact that today is Sunday but it quickly became apparent that this clash is ongoing. Some churches had trunk or treat tonight, some had a regular service, some had no service and many told their congregations of the horrors that society has bestowed upon us and the sin of celebrating this day. Entire subdivisions and groups of people decided to protest this holiday being on Sunday by offering treats only on Friday or Saturday or a very limited time on Sunday. My crew started in a large subdivision at dusk. There were a few front porch lights on and the kids went to the doors. We were quickly informed that they had done the trick or treating on Saturday and there would be no treats tonight. We also found a neighborhood that secured their gates to keep the trick or treaters out for the night. After a lot of driving and searching, we were able to find at least 2 areas that welcomed the kids. Some of the homes that we located were decorated for the event and the kids and parents on site were very much into it. Thankfully, we were able to celebrate the holiday enough that the kids never had to know of the conflict within the event. I couldn't help but be sad about the state of affairs. The truth is that we have become so divided as a Nation by all of the scare and fear of the political players that we can no longer reason together. There are bad people out there and they do want to harm us. The Liberals have been so vilified that we almost find reason to be skeptical of legit threats and the conservatives have found comfort in the hate and they feel that they can control the message and the world by convincing the public that there is a terrorist or Democrat hiding behind every door. Can we ever get back to the common sense and common courtesy that made us a great Nation? Can we agree that there is a common enemy and that we can work to be safe and believe in each other? We have a system and a game in place now but I long for a new, fresh time when we no longer allow witch hunts for our fellow man just because they are on the other side of the political isle but what I really fear is that this change can only take place through violence and cleansing of the worst kind. We have ignored the signs of failure and we have winked at the evil that does lurk in some of our hearts and minds but for some, there will be no change of heart until our bleeding hearts cease to beat. Maybe we could start with a simple step of giving Halloween back to the children by allowing them to dress as they choose and let them have a night of sweets and escape in a world that has become so dark and bitter.

The People's Plan

Just for consideration. Imagine that the people could come together a provide a better way to health care. The following is a brief description of an idea that I have been working on. By sharing this vision, I have two thoughts. The first is to gauge support for the idea and the second being to risk that someone will borrow the concept and make it their own. I'm tired of waiting and praying for a true Universal Health care option. The people that we have elected are not trying hard enough to provide the relief that we need. My greatest belief is that we could locate enough people, with a common purpose and that we can combine our smaller means into a greater cause for humanity. By providing for others, we will have what we need. Please feel free to add your ideas or support either in the comment section or on the facebook page. This would not be insurance but simply a way to pay for proper health care.

Monthly premiums- $300 for individual and $700 for family plan.
We would have to reach a certain commitment level before we could begin the program.
People would have to pay into the program for 6 months before they would be eligible for a claim or benefits. This to establish the fund for paying claims.
There would be zero deductible and no such thing as a pre existing condition.
This program would cover 100% of doctor, dental and surgery cost, including Rx.
The program administrators and workers could make a maximum salary of $100,000 per year. If there were a National sales person, they could have travel expenses paid but there would be no huge income rates or golden parachutes.
If the program was based on 1,000 members to start and the rate was based upon the minimum of $300 per month, in six months, the program would have $1,800,000 to start paying health care for the people. As you can see, the numbers only improve with more members and the coverage would be the best available. Since it is not insurance, we would have the ability to negotiate rates for Rx and doctors if we so desired. The intent of the program would be to provide a full coverage health care plan for all members by placing monies into a common fund. If the numbers were big enough, there would never be a lifetime limit of payout of claims...like the insurance companies like to do at 2-3 million. Some folks would have big claims and some would have very little but the numbers speak for themselves. The biggest threat would not be competition because no other insurer would be willing to cap the salaries or provide 100% benefits but rather, the biggest threat to the program would be that the insurance giants would try to buy the fund out. My idea would be to further place a contract over the fund that would prohibit the selling of it for an extended amount of time as well.

The idea sounds simple and it really is but I believe that the power of the people is strong. This program can cross political lines and be the basis for the health care that we all deserve and need. Please add your voice to this page and feel free to share the concept with others. I will be starting a facebook page for the idea as well. If you agree with the concept and would be interested in becoming a part of the fund, join the facebook page and if the numbers prove to be large enough, maybe we can make the dream a reality.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=157980040882789&ref=ts

TSD- 09/06/2010

The Rich and the Wrong

The Southern Donkey has a pedigree is religion. Sometimes my rantings and observations lead to friends and readers asking if I still retain my faith. The truth us, that life has offered me much sadness and heartache in this area. The more that I am honest with myself, the more I question everything. I notice that the real problems within the church can almost always be traced to power and greed. I recently sat under a sermon from a well meaning Pastor and the scripture being preached was on the following...
Luke 18:18-23 (with the context of vss. 24-30 also)

[18] A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

[19] "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good -- except God alone. [20] You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'"

[21] "All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.

[22] When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

[23] When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth.

If you are a true believer, these verses are pretty simple and straightforward, the first lesson being that Jesus did not like being called "good" but yet we have reached a point that the religious leaders do like being called good and perfect and like being given free things and receiving discounts on everything. The second lesson is that the rich young ruler lied by saying that he has always kept every commandment which is of course, impossible so Jesus one ups him and says that since he has kept all the commands, then he needs to sell all his stuff and give all his wealth to the poor. This makes the rich young ruler sad because he was very wealthy. The health and wealth preachers love to say that this is not a sermon about how evil money can be and that the real story is that we allow people and things and attitudes to come between us and God. Given the chance to speak out against the big and rich church society, it is rare to ever find a Pastor that will do so. The problem is that many of the Pastors are well paid and well supported by the cheering crowd of the well to do and aspire to have more and more wealth and benefits. There is never a reason for big religion to have fat bank accounts and money horded up while the world around them dies and goes without. Playing church for show and dough is and always has been a sin. The church is no place for rich and powerful elite people that are racist and use their wealth to influence the pulpit with political party support and to silence the real message that should be shared.

A Republican Prayer

A Republican Prayer

Father forgive me for I have sinned
I have taken from the poor and provided for the rich
In your name I have declared wars and taken lives
I have taken bribes and embraced controversy
Hate and deceit have been on my tongue each and every day
I strive to obtain power no matter the cost to my fellow man
Pride has allowed me to sit in places of honor and esteem
While the poor and helpless wonder in the street
I have not been accountable in my moral state
But I have judged others as guilty with no shame
Money and greed have been my only concern
As long as I have mine, who cares if the world burns
Deny my fellow man the same rights I have
Don’t you know marriage is only between a Woman and a Man
I have no respect for the leader elected by choice
But I have questioned his birthright with a loud voice
Can there ever be hope or change for a sinner like me
Or have my choices confirmed my own dark destiny?

Top 10 Reasons to be a Democrat in the South

10. It's a ground floor opportunity. Lots of room for expansion.

9. You don't have to worry about matching any outfits to a rebel flag motif.

8. You can have ethnic friends.

7. It's a great way to make a preacher cuss.

6. You don't have to watch fox news.

5. You can have other hobbies besides shooting wildlife without questioning your manhood.

4. You can admit that Global Warming is real.

3. You don't have to be wealthy to have a voice.

2. You can run for office and make a difference.

1. There are plenty of parking spaces at our meetings.

Distorted Fireworks

The 4th of July should be a time to celebrate the independence of the United States. In the South, this means fireworks, overeating and jumping in a pool or pond. The meaning of this date should be simple but it is often lost and revised by well meaning Americans. On this day, let us reflect on the good and the bad.

The Good- America was founded for many reasons. Some of the early settlers that came here from Europe wanted a chance at a better life for themselves and their families and others came here because of religious conflicts with the Church in Europe. There was no established and or accepted one reason for the people coming here. The original settlers seem to have tried to coexist with the Native Americans and contrary to popular conservative belief, the Europeans were strangers in the land.

The Bad- America has been made out the be a noble establishment sanctioned by God without fault. We have been glamorized into a perfect foundation and it was our "christian " right to possess the land and oust the savages that were here before us. We have also rewritten history to place into fact that the founding fathers were all christian men and founded the Nation on God and the bible.

I found myself at a local church service today. It is always cause for concern for me when a patriotic holiday occurs on a Sunday. This is because of the mixing of the political and religious that has taken place over the past 20 years or so. I have in the past, observed people in the congregation, raising their hands and worshiping to the star spangled banner and I have seen veterans stand and do infomercials for the military from the pulpit. Of course, the common inference is always that God and Country and Republicanism are the same and equal thing. These days often turn into Obama or Democratic bash-a-thons and it is almost more than any normal person can stand.

The undeniable fact is that this Nation declared it's independence from Britain and it's self imposed tyrannical rule and then we imposed our own tyrannical rule and will on the Native American people. For lack of a better term, we are a bastard Nation that took a Country by force and exterminated the Native occupants almost to extinction. I know these are not words that make us want to celebrate and party but they are true nonetheless. I sat through a local pastor today that stated that this Country was founded by christian men and that the men that signed the Declaration of Independence were mostly christian and based that document on biblical and christian beliefs. My questions are many. If these founding fathers were as smart as we say that they are, then why did they not specifically state the christian beliefs in this document? If these were really Godly men, why did we not mention slavery being a bad idea? The local pastor said that the founding fathers wanted the bible to be taught in schools and that we could not find even one current congressmen that would support that notion nowadays. Not only do we have one that would support that, but we have every Republican and some conservative Democrats that would be for that. It would be a horrible idea and it would violate the very intent of the founding fathers documents. He also placed some art from the capital on a big screen above the sanctuary. The first painting was one of Pocahontas being baptized. The pastor was so proud to state that the legends of Pocahontas had left out the fact that she had become a Christian and had changed her name to Rebecca...a more Christian and less Savage name. I found that statement to be very offensive in and of itself. He went on to state that the Founding Fathers were not Deist like some would contend. He gave examples of approx. 6 of the men that signed the Declaration of Independence that were Christians. He said that he would not bore us with naming more of them for time sake. The funny thing was that 5 of the 6, were hardly known men and he used Samuel Adams as the anchor. This is coming from a pastor of a church that preaches against drinking at all and he is using Samuel Adams as his best example? I think he did not continue with more example because for every one that he gave, I could provide 2 that were not christian but were at best Deist and no, Deist is not Atheist. Deist believe in God only. They do not support or argue over his front men or prophets.

My point is, that I am getting very tired of the sentiment that we were founded as a christian Nation and that all the Founders were perfect christian people and that this Nation has been chosen by God to rule in dominion over all the earth. There is always negative comments about the current society being bad when compared to the good old days. I even heard a local speaker at a christian golf tournament say that we are an illegitimate Nation as he was referring to single parent households and Liberal ideas. As you will remember, I called us a bastard Nation earlier and we are but the bastardization started at the founding and has gotten worse because of our self righteous beliefs and our bull mentality toward anyone and anything that we don't understand or like.

On this day, let us reflect on the good and the bad but in our own way, let us better ourselves and speak out against the overreaching of these United States. Celebrate Independence and acknowledge our faults and strive to make this a better place for future generations. And the lesson that I learned today, is that the next time that there is a patriotic holiday on a Sunday, this Democrat will not be attending.