Train Up A Child

Today's rant....Spoiled, Selfish, Inconsiderate people!
I am nearly 1/2 century old, and in all those years, I have seen many different kinds of people.  Some I liked, some I didn't care for, and some I simply could not stand.  As I reflect on all the different types of people, it is apparent that for the majority of the time, children are a product of their environment.  I know there are those who have overcome adverse situations and excelled in spite of their upbringing, and there are also those who have been given every opportunity, yet squandered all of them.
We all know people who, for some unknown reason, you just can't help but love. For me, those people are usually outgoing, friendly, honest, punctual, generous, helpful.  People who are easy to talk to, that give you honest answers in the kindest way possible. People who say what they mean and do what they say.  Dependable people.  These people are usually ones raised by a two-parent home, and by parents who cared more about what was on the inside than what was on the outside.  Parents who taught their children that honesty IS a good policy.  And helped them learn both sympathy and empathy at an early age.
There are lots of in-betweens, but my rant concerns the opposite end of the spectrum.  People who are selfish, rude, inconsiderate.  I have known a few people like this in my life, but never considered them "friends' for very long.  The people I have known who are like this are exactly a product of their raising.  They were raised by parents who were also self-centered and totally unconcerned for others.  These people can't seem to see past the end of their nose.  Your schedule is of no importance to them.  Your wants and needs mean nothing.  Only what they want matters.  Did you work hard and come home totally exhausted?  Too bad, this person wants you to complete a list of chores before bed.  Did you spend time, money and effort planning and preparing an event for them?  So what?  This person will arrive at their convenience, without a thought of your schedule.  Did you reserve a spot for this person to have an appointment with you?  Bummer!  They found something better to do and chose it without even letting you know they weren't coming.  This type of person is also most usually dishonest, and what I call a phoney-baloney!  They tell things that are totally not true.  Not the kind of things one might say when about to get in trouble and trying to get out of it, but totally made up lies, for no other reason than to try to impress someone.  This type of person also usually has a tremendous temper.  One that sends everyone around them reeling.  One that produces a screaming rage at the slightest hint of someone not doing what they want or attempting to tell them "no".  And this person is also one who then denies everything unpleasant they may have done. These people are total manipulators, bullying everyone they can into doing what they say, no matter what the cost.   And these same people who are so ugly on the inside, are obsessed with the outside.  Putting on a show, of sorts.  Always displaying a smile as if they have the perfect life, when the whole world knows they don't.  These people are so concerned with what outsiders may think, constantly trying to appear wealthy when they are not, and always trying to "look" beautiful, when everyone sees how ugly they are on the inside, which overshadows what ever exterior beauty they may have. 
So, I have a few words for these kind of people.  First, Shut up - no one is interested in what you have to say, because 1. you have been so rude to them that they don't care, and 2.  it's probably a made-up lie, anyway.  No matter what you think that others think of you, let me tell you a secret - they know how you are.  You are fooling no one except yourself. Anyone who knows you sees right through your facade.  You could be rich with friends and people who are willing to support and help you, but your prior actions have dried up the river of giving from nearly everyone. For all your efforts to display your "perfect life", everyone sees a sad, lonely, unhappy person.  If only you could just be you.  Plain and simple, you.  You have my pity.

...with Liberty and Pay Increases For all!

Fast food employees are ready to walk of the job if they don't get $15.00 per hour?  Now THAT is something I never thought I'd see! I guess I was unaware that the "art" of assembling a Big Mac or the "technical savvy" of ringing up your taco was such a big deal.  Times must have changed a lot in the last 30 years. I realize that the value of a dollar has changed slightly over that time, but I don't believe it has changed that much.
I got my first job working at Sonic Drive-in when I was 15.  I couldn't wait to earn my own money.  I chopped onions and slung burgers with all the pride I had in me. I knew that whatever my job, wherever my job, if I did the very best I could, I would be rewarded and promoted, and gradually earn more money.  If I remember correctly, I made $3.35 an hour.  And I was appreciative of that $3.35.  For I knew there were others who wanted a job, and I could be replaced at any time. I later worked at McDonalds, and while I worked at McDonalds from 5:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., I obtained a second job at K-Mart, working 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Again, I made minimum wage at that time.  Never once did I consider the possibility of telling my boss that unless they doubled my pay, I was walking.  They would have told me not to let the door hit me in the butt!
I worked for 20 years for a real estate developer, and I made more than minimum wage, but certainly not DOUBLE!  And I only felt justified in asking for a raise (a small raise) when I could present how the work I was doing was adding to or increasing company profits.
I left there to take over my families business, and now make less than I did there.  All in an effort to preserve this family business, making sacrifices NOW in hopes that the business will be doing well enough to reward me LATER. And there are weeks when business has been slow that I don't take a check at all.  I believe the old-timers refer to that as "making due".
I am totally amazed at the gall of these people today.  If I were the owners of theses fast food restaurants, I would send them down the road!  I am sure there are 100 people behind them looking to find a job. And maybe the fact that these fast food workers expect this raise further exposes their intellect.  Apparently they don't realize that if McDonalds makes $100,000 a month, and currently pays it's employees $30,000 and are forced to begin paying them $60,000, something will have to be sacrificed.  These employees must not realize that THEY are the sacrifices!  If you only have so much to spend, then the number of employees will have to be cut.  So, half of them will not only NOT be making $15 per hour, they will be UNEMPLOYED!  Is that the result they are looking for?  Maybe if they had aspired to do something besides make burgers and tacos with their life, they would realize the impact of what they are asking for.  And guess who will pay their unemployment?  The fast food business.  Then, it will either be forced to raise prices, or cut additional employees.  And when the unemployment runs out and they apply for welfare, my tax dollars will pay them.  I am not OK with that.  Their protests should be met with an ultimatum - either work for what we offer to pay, or go get a job somewhere else that pays what you think you are worth.  And good luck.

Anti-Discrimination or Anti-Constitution?

What's the deal with all the "anti-discrimination" laws?  If I own a business that sells, let's say, religious items, and my motto is, let's say, "Spreading God's Word", and I need to hire someone to work at my business, I am going to want someone who represents what I am selling.  Someone who sends the message of my company to all who shop there.  So, out of all who apply for this job, I will be selecting a person based on MY criteria.  Someone who doesn't curse, someone who is clean-cut, someone who does NOT have piercings and tattoos everywhere, someone who is not a homosexual, someone who is not on the sexual offenders list, someone who does not have prior felony convictions, someone who is not at the bar every night after work, someone who is intelligent, someone who is kind, someone who is friendly, someone who lives their life in a way that is pleasing to God, etc.  These are MY criteria for MY business.  I am (or should be) free to select an employee of MY choosing. This is my right.  I was given the opportunity to start a business and conduct a business to the best of my ability.  The opportunity to make a living through my business.  I want customers who shop at my business to be repeat customers, based on my products, and the way they are treated when they shop there, and the image my business portrays.  My customers will probably NOT be drug users, or swingers, or any one else who lives their life in opposition to what God says is right.  And frankly, I don't care.  I wouldn't expect those people to patronize my business. 
Now, for the government to tell me I HAVE to hire someone who is exactly the opposite of the image I want my business to have is UNCONSTITUTIONAL!!!  If you are gay, you will NOT be employed at my business!  Do I hate you?  Nope.  Do I think I should stand in your front yard with a sign that says "Being gay is wrong"? Nope.  Do I think I should launch a campaign to end people being gay? Nope.  You have every "right" to be gay.  The same as I have every right to disagree with you being gay.  Do I think your lifestyle conflicts with the image and message I want my business to have?  YES! 
Now for the other side:  If you are gay, why do you want to work in a place that is against your lifestyle?  If you are drug addict, why would you want to work at my business?  Everything sold there preaches against what you are doing.  I just don't get it.  Why wouldn't you want to work in a place that condones your behavior?  Wouldn't it be a much more pleasant experience for you? 
And as was in the headlines some time back, a florist refused to provide flowers for a gay wedding. So, knowing that they didn't want to do it, why would you try to "make" them do it?  Wouldn't you rather do business with someone who was excited about doing your wedding?
Is it not enough that you are given the freedom  to be gay?  Is it not enough that most people say nothing to you about your lifestyle?  Why do you seem to want to MAKE everyone AGREE with you?  Don't I have the right to disagree with you? 
If I own a tattoo shop, I want my employees to be excellent tattoo aritsts.  I want them to have lots of tattoos.  I want my customers to see my business image the moment they walk in.  My employees are a walking display of my business.  I don't expect to attract nuns.  I don't expect to have ministers patronize my business.  I wouldn't hire someone who was "clean-cut" and looked like the virgin mary.  It is all relative to what your business is.
Could I force McDonald's to hire me while I sported a Burger King uniform?  Isn't that discrimination against my freedom to choose what I wear?
Forcing me to hire someone who is the exact opposite of my business image will only cost me business. My target customers will not come back to patronize my store if they are greeted by those people.  Essentially, I will be put out of business. That is not right. That is unconstitutional.  That is not free enterprise.
Why is all this controversy over gay people?  Why are there not protests by drug addicts to force drug re-hab facilities to hire them?  Why are there no protests to force businesses to hire sexual offenders?  It's all the same.
If you want to live a lifestyle that is considered wrong by many, go right ahead.  You are free to do it.  But you are NOT free to do it without consequences.  THAT is what gay people want.  They want to live wrongly, but without any consequences for their choices. 
I am amazed that our lawmakers have even considered this!  What crazy times we are living in!

Unimaginable Tragedy - Two Children Dead

I am compelled to write something, though I don't know just what.  Two small children were killed by their own father in our area.  I do not know the details of this family's life, except that there was a custody battle going on between this father and the children's mother.  Small children.  Children whose potential wasn't even begun yet.  I can't fathom taking another person's life, let alone someone you profess to "love".  A mother is now enduring one of the most horrific things I can think of.  Not just losing one child, but losing two.  And not just losing them, but knowing their lives were ended by a person you once loved and trusted.  How can this be?
The only thing that comes to mind is that the father decided if he couldn't have them, no one would have them.  What a selfish thought.  Some have said he was battling depression.  Personally, I don't believe in depression.  Mental retardation is something that can't be helped.  But nearly every other mental "disease" is chosen by those who have it.  It is a way to "check out" of life.  If you succumb to depression, it is because you have chosen not to deal with unpleasantries in your life, and once someone gives you a label, you don't have to worry about it. Don't we all have days where we don't want to get out of bed?  Or days when it feels like the world is crashing in?  Those are the ups and downs of life.  And, believe me, EVERYONE has those days.  Some broadcast it, and others keep it in, but we all go through struggles and trials.  But not everyone chooses to behave in such a terrible way.  There is just no logical explanation for how this father could have done this.
My thoughts and prayers go out to these families that were affected by this.  Again, I can't imagine anything more awful than having to plan a funeral for your child.
And though we are not supposed to question God's plan, I am sure there are plenty here.  As I think about this father and the choices he made, I can't help but think he didn't know God.  I don't mean "believe" in God, I mean know God.  God made the ultimate sacrifice for us, sending His Son to die on a cross and take the punishment for our sins, all so we might have eternal life with Him in Heaven.  So, if you have accepted His gift and asked him to save you and come into your heart, you know God.  You have a personal relationship with him.  You have peace in the midst of whatever turmoil is going on.  You have joy in your heart, even when sorrow surrounds you.  You know that whatever this world brings your way, it is ultimately temporary, and eternal life in Heaven awaits you.  And though we experience heartache and tears while on this earth, there will come a day when our tears will be wiped away by God's own hand.
So, why, if God is a loving God, does He allow such terrible things to happen to people?  I am afraid I do not know the answer to that question.  I believe sometimes we are allowed to go through trials to force us to turn to Him when there is no where else to go.  Sometimes things happen to us so that in the future we will be able to be a comfort to others who may experience similar things.  Sometimes there just doesn't seem to be any reason at all.  When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they brought sickness, pain, trials, and death to all mankind.  So terrible things are going to happen. God, in His infinite wisdom and love for us, made a way for us to avoid the worst tragedy - dying and spending an eternity in hell.  So, these trials and tribulations here on earth are nothing in comparison to hell.
Does that make this heartbroken mother less sad?  No.  But it does give us hope.  Hope for a future and hope for a tomorrow. My prayer is that God will comfort these families and give them the strength and courage to make it through this sorrowful time.

What if America took care of America?

I keep seeing these horrific photos and videos of ISIS and all the terrible things they are doing to innocent people.  Right now, we have marines that are slowly being surrounded by ISIS and what are we doing about it?  Having a hearing or some nonsense meeting about it.  Do we have no one in charge?  Does no one make decisions anymore?  I am not a politician, nor am I a military person.  But this whole thing makes no sense whatsoever.  Why do we not either bring our Americans home and let these other countries destroy themselves, or get over there and show our power?  ISIS has enough intelligence to infiltrate the United States, but we don't have enough sense to infiltrate them? If I stand on the street corner and say the word "bomb" there would be federal agents wanting to talk to me within minutes.  Yet we continue to wonder around like imbeciles while this terrorist group picks off people, one by one.  Even in Vietnam we had recon and had knowledge of where our enemies were.  Why don't we know where ISIS is?  And if we do, why are we doing nothing?  These countries have had unrest for years and years, and I don't expect we will create peace in any of them.  Why don't we just bring our people home and worry about securing America?  I can't help but feel if Ronald Regan were in office these problems wouldn't have escalated to where they are now.  And with or without the United Nations approval, we would have made a clear statement to these other countries.  There is nothing wrong with being a super-power, as we once were, as long as it exists to right wrongs and is not abused. 
It is terribly sad that innocent people are being tortured and killed.  And if we CAN do something about it, let's do it.  If not, let's send our condolences and move on.  Secure our borders.  If you are of middle-eastern descent, and you think we are profiling you, sorry.  We need some kind of system to provide those people who have been researched and checked with documentation that says they are not a member of ISIS.  The same idea as "green cards" for immigrants.  We need to deport everyone who is not a citizen.  No exceptions.  This doesn't need to be forever, just until we get our own country somewhat secure.  We need more stringent rules for allowing people to enter our country.  And if you want to join up with ISIS, how about we pay your airline ticket to send you to their headquarters?  I can't imagine wanting to be part of that, but if you think it's the life you always dreamed of, then head on out.  And wouldn't being a member of a terrorist group be considered treason? There should be stiff penalties if you are a US citizen and it is confirmed you have joined up with the enemy.  And by "stiff", I mean death.  Get that speedy trial you are entitled to and zoom on over to the execution chamber.
I guess I just don't see why it is so difficult to do something.  Anything.  With google earth, I can zoom in on my house.  Why can't we seem to find these guys until after they have had a mass beheading?  I feel like the best interest of America is not what is in the heart of our leader.  Seems we should be way less worried about being politically correct and more worried about protecting the United States, at any cost.
...more later...

Banning Energy Drinks from Food Stamps? Really?

So, I guess a Missouri lawmaker is trying to ban energy drinks from being purchased with food stamp cards.  I didn't even know you  could buy them with food stamp cards.  What the heck?  So, here's a family either not working, or working but not earning enough that they need to use food stamps.  And in your dire situation you go to the store to get sustenance for you family and you choose energy drinks?  Here's the deal: If food stamps only included the most basic of necessities, I believe it would be less used than it currently is.  You need fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meats, beans, rice, pasta, flour, sugar etc.  All those items can be used to make healthy,nutritious meals for your family.  And with those products, you can even make treats, too!  Why on earth would I want to pay for you to buy energy drinks?  I can't afford energy drinks(not that I would buy them anyway, but it's the principle).  Nothing burns me more than to be standing in the checkout line with my generic brand products, only to see the guy in front of me buying crap, and name-brand crap, at that, and whip out a food stamp card to pay.  Some weeks I don't know if I'll have enough money to get the groceries we need, so if we have to do without, we do without.  I don't ask the government for money to buy junk! Arrrgh!

Civil Rights or Civil Riots?

I guess I am a bit confused here.  I thought slavery ended years ago.  I thought Martin Luther King rallied for civil rights.  I thought when we had the Civil War, it was to end slavery and through the years that followed, for black people to be treated the same as every other color or race in America.  I hate that following the end of slavery there was still a division in our country.  But through protests (peaceful protests), pride and persistence, that division was slowly dissolved....I thought.  I believe Martin Luther King did, in fact have a dream, and a great dream at that.  But I do NOT believe his dream was looting and burning buildings in Ferguson, Missouri.  I have a business. I treat every person that comes through our door the same, whether black, white, purple or green. Whether male or female, fat or skinny, short or tall.  I am white.  I am an American.  I do not refer to myself as a "White American"  or an "English American" or a "Cracker American".  Just an "American".  I was born here - that makes me an "American".  So why does the media continue to refer to "Black Americans"  and "African Americans"?  I don't get it.  Everyone who was present during the Civil War raise your hand....no one? Oh, so none of the current Americans were slaves.  And none of the current Americans owned a slave.  Our country has come a long ways since then.  Every one has the same rights at present - everyone can go to school, go to college, get a job, vote, fight for our country, state your opinions, protest what you disagree with, etc.  EVERYONE.
But not everyone chooses to exercise those rights.  Some choose to drop out of school.  Some choose to sell drugs on the streets.  Some even choose to burn businesses in their own neighborhoods.  How is it that people hope to further their cause by demonstrating that way?  I have been disgusted with the many injustices in our country many times.  But not once did I think it would be a good idea to steal from and destroy the places I shop at.  And not once did I think it would be a good idea to risk going to jail for my opinion.  Actually, I haven't ever protested, because I have a job to go to, and I would have to jeopardize that job if I were to be gone long enough to attend a protest.
So, to all you people rioting in the streets and destroying property you don't own, how is it you find the time for this?  Do you not have a job?  Do you not have a family that expects you home for dinner?  Maybe if you were half as passionate about getting a job and acting like a responsible citizen and doing something productive with your life, you would be a remarkable success.  And this alleged injustice, though it might make you angry, would pass with time and you would move on with your life.
As to the specific shooting incident, does anyone realize that if Michael Brown had not robbed a store, this would never have happened?  Had he been at work that day, at a job, where he earned money, he would not have had the time to rob a store.  Had he surrendered to the policeman at the first request, this would never have happened.  And why is race an issue when a black person is involved?  There have been many white, hispanic, etc people shot and killed by policemen through the years.  It wasn't a racial thing - it was policemen doing their jobs.  The same policemen you would call if someone was trying to break into your home.  The same policemen you would expect to protect you when you needed them.  Are there bad cops?  Sure.  And they should be dealt with accordingly.  But these riots imply a total disrespect for the authority we give to our policemen.  If I am walking down the street and hear a policeman say, "Stop or I'll shoot", I am probably going to stop and do whatever they ask.  Because I don't want to get shot.  Even if I don't know why they are saying that to me.
Oh, Martin Luther King, I fear your dream has somehow turned into a nightmare.