Medicine

medical science. Over the years we have benefited from an aggressive medical care.  We have cured measle, mumps, rubela, polio,, and many more but have not cured the common cold.  We have made the insurance companies very rich, The prescription company have more money then I could count. Insurance companies can also dictate what the medical field can do or not do. When you talk to a doctor, they claim to know a small portion of the medicine as there is so much knowledge to obtain.
Why would someone want to cure cancer?  Too much money would be lost. If something happens to you and you ask the doctor what it is, he or she will most likely say one of these thing. 1) Nothing is showing up, it is all in your head so visit a psychiatrist.  It could be one of many things but we are not sure of which one.  You are a hypochondriac so get over it.Take the stress out of your life and you will get all better. There is a name for everything, rls, loose vaginal mesh, way too much weight, too old, too young.Then you have the hundreds of psychological terms. PTS, borderline personality, duel personality,  With all these great cures for all these problems you will get all better by the time the money runs out.  Many people die or live in misery because they ran out of money or insurance. People have lost their homes and cars because they couldn't afford insurance.What is the answer? Money, money and more money.  For those out their who know what I am talking about, you have gone through this.  You have watched your parents, children, and friends pass away because they dont have the money.  My heart disease, my wife's medical problems, have drained our retirement so we live day to day.  We are helped by social program and Disabilities(SDI)  I love to complain about this because I am in pain every day, can't hardly walk, and have big gaps in my memories.  I thank God every day for life, for grand children, and for those who profit from it. This is my only life and there are no do overs.

Opps, missed church today.  To be more precise I don't have a church.  How can you miss something you never had.  It was taken away, and now no longer exist. I guess you could say that it died.  It was killed with hopes of a resurrection in about a year.  I won't be called Westwood, it won't have the same people.I visit other churches, but this is the one we chose over 20 years ago. My grand children were baptized here., I played the organ and piano here.  I directed and sang in it's choir.  I served as an elder and watch many a minister come and go. This building served many a baptism, marriage, sunday school and vacation bible school.  For years we had a basketball on Monday night.  We also played gold and softball under the name Westwood.  Many funerals were held here, young and old.  We opened to the community with a bonfire on Halloween, and served breakfast before the Roosevelt Park parade. We were part of the community and yet we were closed because we were not part of the community. Reasons abound for the real reason in a decline in it;s membership.  The wrong pastors drove many away, and yet it was the people and many other reasons.  In a medical terms we were dying of a virus.  We had all the money to throw at it, but no cure was found.  With much money stored up, we died.   A cure was never searched for, a miracle didn't happen, and yet about 70 remained faithful. We tried everything, guitars, singers, hands raised to heaven, and pastors we thought would turn things around. Who failed? Our pastors, congregation, music leaders, and much more. Gossip, special groups, and failure to greet the people who came looking for a church They were looking for a show, and we were trying to give that to them.  We moved the pulpit around,  closed off the balcony, had baptisms at the lake, and many of us sat back and watched. We kept digging deeper and deeper. The harder we tried, the worse things became.  Don't open your bible, or don't open you hymnals because everything you needed was projected on a screen.  Many of us laughed when 10 minutes late was referred to as Westwood Time. How could we have failed.  We forgot to keep it simple. The pulpit became a podium, and the church service our entertainment on Sunday Mornings.  We gave up 1 hour a week of our time to worship God and perform the show.  We searched for God in our music. our sermons, and our coffee time. Our search for God was considered on how well we performed.  Now the building sits vacant, the parking lot empty, and voids of the laughters that filled this building, and told to find another church. And now we search for another church that might have those show stoppers we failed to achieve. I belive what we were searching for was alway there.  I believe we were searching for God on our terms.  Sundays were never the Sabbath, the day to keep holy. It became 1 hour of the week we had to honor.  We worshiped the day, we worshiped the book called a Bible, we worshiped the communion, we worshiped the baptism, and we worshiped what we had done.  We forgot the 10 commandments and the apostle creed, basics in our church.  We failed to dress in our finest clothes in place we wore what we felt comfortable in..
Many things we did right were done by people who have passed on.  We made our excuses because these people have left.  I would one of the first to say that I had a part in the demise of Westwood Reformed church, Westwood Church, or Lighthouse Church. Besides myself, there were many others who failed our Lord.  I am not actively looking for a church building for Sundays.  I need to look for a place where I can give of my best for the master.  There was an old saying, " you can put a dress on a pig, put on makeup, you can teach it to dance, and you can give it a name, but it is still a pig. I, myself want to become a better christian  and just once a week we give to God is so far less then he has given  me,  Before I look for a church to fill the slot, I need to take a long look at myself. What can I bring to worship our Lord.  When I find that, my search for a building will start.

Friday Morning and 70 degrees outside.  Birds chirping, dogs barking, lawns be cut.  Yes, afresh new day

When I was young racial unrest was at a peak.  Selma, Dr. King, Rosa Park,Bobby Kennedy were in the paper.  Along with that was the Vietnam war, the protesters, Kent State, and many other deplorable things.  Richard Nixon was president, and then he wasn't. Just about every day there was some type of protest on a college campus that the police had to quell. Whites and Black were beaten by the police and the local authority.  Our answer was to smoke refer and sing kumbaya around a fire. Another answer was to burn the town down, engage is conversation that fell on deaf ears.  Many a great speech was spoken but very few were listened to. We blamed the police for not being tough enough, and the government prying into our private live. Supposedly the FBI had a file on everyone, and those people were referred to as communist.  The cold war was at its height, and everyone was afraid of a nuclear war. Not only were we in Vietnam, but also in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, middle east, and even some spots you could not find on a map.  There was the Cuban Missile conflict, and many assassination including a President,a senator,  and a civil rights leader. Plants were spewing toxins into the air and into the ground. Car did not have seat belts and they were a major pollution contributor.  Unions were doing their best to stir the pot for rights and wrongs. And we still sat around smoking reefer and singing. The democrats blamed the Republican, and the Republican blamed democrat.  Our government was corrupt as were many of our leaders.  There were payoffs and bribes.  The rich got richer and the poor got poorer. The TV consisted of 3 or 4 station with reporter twisting the truth. People went to church on Sunday, God was allowed in public places and if you were gay, you kept it to yourself.  Today we have it a lot better? We have improved as a human race?  Our health care and poverty is not a problem?  We are still at war. We have sanctioned assassinations? The computer has made life easier for everyone? Computers will do the work and we will sit around smoking reefer. We come a long way baby, to get where we got to today. Policemen are not shooting as many black people and Big Business and Insurance companies grow,paid for by our tax money. Our educational level is one of the worse in the free world and yet we claim to know more then those who preceded us. People, left and right, everyone, pull your head out of you donkey and wake up.  You don't have a better idea, as a matter of fact the only thing coming out of Washington are lies and BS.  Can we really call those days of old"The good ole days". It must be that I just felt better because the reefer was "out of this world man". Did I ever use the word "groovy"? Blame it on the pot. As Walter Concrite and Paul Harvey would say, "And thats the way it is".

Blasting the liberals and conservatives

I love to share observations without making judgements. I am putting myself in a conservatives shoes

Social security is a hand out. People on welfare are black, unwilling to work, are cheating the system, and  uneducated . There is nothing wrong in our police depts.  Social programs are making us communist. The government should tell you what to do (unless it is liberal). Big business should not be governed, they will never do anything wrong.  I know I have missed alot. Our medical system is great.

Liberals
Republicans love war because it is profitable.  It's my money.  I get to tell you everything. Money dictate law.  All whites are racist. HGBT is just an excuse for a weak mind. War is always wrong if it is not profitable.  Unions are a joke to take away my money.  If we cure the problems in Ferguson everything will be ok.

Confusing?  It is to me.  I believe that we have mixed observation and judgments. I do believe both side have a part of the solutions, but don't understand the problems. News seems to be determined by how many papers it can sell.  What we determine is proper news, or a ratings boost. These are my beliefs and they cannot be argued.  However, they can be discussed rationally.  What I believe should not be considered true or false.  My beliefs should be one that includes all, not just mine.  I doesn't matter if it is religious or political,  Is it right or wrong for everyone?  If you disagree with me, let talk about it.  My only request is that you use your brain and not what your political party tells you.  I love to ask questions and how you come to that conclusion.  Let have fun and throw political correctness out the window.  If you want to argue, go talk to a political party addict.  They are happy to argue with you.

Money doesn't solve the problem, but I wouldn't mind trying to solve the problems with money. Money seems to always dictate the problem.  

I have renamed my blog to "Lost tribe of Westwood"

Months ago Westwood Reformed Church in Muskegon Michigan closed it's doors.  Although the congregation did not have a money problem, it's problems were in it's declining membership, and a congregation that had lost touch with it's community.  There were very few children in the church and the future did not look good.  It was decided to give the church back to the RCA, close the doors, and tell what people that were left that they no longer have a church to call home.  The "plan" was to keep it closed for a least a year and then reopen it under another name.  The worship service would target the younger crowd with loud music, flashing light, and a regular road show.  Some how this will attract new people to attend this new church. Our memberships will be held by the RCA until they deem it necessary to remove it, or a transfer is requested. No church, no people, and no outreach for a while..  In theory this sound good but on closer examination ....well I'm not sure

For years the RCA has been losing membership. Some of the reason could be that fewer and fewer people are attending church.  This society is a computer, glitzzy, and attached to the TV.  Another reason could be that the RCA has outdated itself.  It fails to approach subjects like homosexuals, and alternate life styles. Why do most people go to church. in one word, "tradition". As children they went, their parents went and their parents parents went. Once the tradition was broken for something new, the numbers started to dwindle. Our churches have become social clubs, which by the way, are losing membership also.  Why meet face to face when you can do it by keyboard.  If a church is not a mega church, there must be something wrong. We lost our simple faith.  We forgot that we are not there for the show.  We need to define why we go to church. We need to ask why we need mega churches when the simple country church has worked for soo long. We need to realize we are there to serve and assist our communities. I truly believe that The Reformed Church in America has lost it's faith and it's way.  So with that in mind, let the side show begin.

back again

After along time of nothing to say, just thought I would start up again.  Medical problems have been on the fore front .  My heart with it's 5 stints is now doing fine.  Two day before Thanksgiving I awoke from a nap unable to move anything from my neck on down.  After "millions" of test, nothing could be found.  It was like I had a stroke, but there was no eveidence of having one.  I was transfered to Saint Marys hospital is GrandRapids , and they could find nothing.  By this time my hand were back with tremors and with the help of a therapist my legs were starting to work. I was discharged to home and started physical and speech therapy. for the next 5 months I started to improve with a lot of hard work.  I still have no answers, just a lot of guesses. Just about everything is back except short term memory.  Some days my legs hold me up and some days they don't. My balance is still off so I use either a cane or a walker. Last visit to the neurologist showed nothing except to plan a needle test in three months. Although I see a psychiatrist for stress, they claim that in no way could stress could cause this. I am now taking things into my own hand and am trying to see a orthopedic surgeon. I have been told that i have had bulging disks and maybe this has something to do with this. My family doctor has to refer me to him before I can do anything. So now I have good days and bad days.

Our house insurance company will drop our coverage to F1 unless we re roof. We don't have the money, but it looks good for getting a grant. I can't get on my facebook because I couldn't remember my password to facebook or to the email acount that I formed the page from.  I think I might have it solved, I will know in 24 hours.

We have brought another dog into our house.  He is bulldog and american healer.  Vinny wanted his own dog, so I gave in.  Guess who gets to take care Leo.  He is 5 months old and very friendly, just not completely house broken. We had to get a tree cut down before it fell down, and we had to buy a new car last year. We went to New York last year to visit liz's aunt, and then down to Jersey to visit with Don and Akiko who have returned from Japan.  We now have a total of 5 grandchildren.

Because of damage done to the brain, I can't remember alot of things which has caused some problems.  Liz does her best to help me when i can't find the words.

Our church decided to shutdown.  We were not getting any younger people, and us older ones were dying off. Before we went broke we shut the doors and the RCA will try to transform this church to better serve this community.  The 70 or so of us will have to search for a new home church. The transformation to our church should take about a year. i assume alot of loud music and great lighting and sound system that will blast your ears off.

For the first time since last year the temperature is rising above 60.  It feels great.

Our stove decided to stop working, so my brother had one from a house he was turning.  It was in pretty rough shape.  A lot of elbow grease, sanding, and cleaning it looks like a brand new kitchen stove with everything working.

My computer quit and thanks to friends we were able to piece one together that is working pretty good.  The passwords I didn't write are lost in my brain forever.

For those who care, I think I am caught up.  A lot of work to do this summer for the body, the house, and the family.  With God's help we will make it through.

 It's History! You and I grew up in an age when we were taught to learn from history and then move on. Our children s generation was told that history has already past, Live for Today. History will also tell this story in many different ways. All the past shootings are slowly melting into history, only to be reminded by an occasional candlelight vigil. It's sad but true. Violent deaths, racism, bigotry happens every minute of every day in the world. The only answer I can see comes from the Lyrics of an old song "Teach your children well." It is never too late to talk with your children.

 Personally I have never had a race relations problem. I guess that I am just an odd dog. Any neighborhood that was strange to me, I was always looking around. I have made it my mission in life to treat everyone the same, no matter what the color or race. I am Dutch, my wife is Irish, and my daughter in law and granddaughter are Japanese , my grand daughter is a mix of Japanese, Irish and Dutch. My friends and girlfriend were from all races. I have said racist remarks in my time in which I am not proud of. I have asked racist question because I did not know the answer. Sometimes I never knew that the question was racist or what some people called in bad taste. When I see someone, I don't break them down by their part, but respect them in their entirety. To infer that everyone is a racist is completely wrong. As children we are born with a lot of bad habits and sins. What we do to correct these habits is what molds us for the future. If you don't continue to practice those correction and improve on them will determine how you come out in the end. Do I notice if a person is of a different color? Yes, I am not blind, but I do not let that one trait determine what I think of that person, just as I don't let their hair color pre determine what I think of them. We all should know our short comings, deal with them, and then go on to make our selves an example to others, and not try to correct everyone like a giant recall on a broken vehicle. I can't assume that the outcome of the trial this weekend was racial, nor can I bury my head in the sand and deny everything. God gave us all one day at a time, and what we do to paint that picture is much more important then our critique of other peoples paintings . May everyone have a great day creating a masterpiece that all will enjoy.

3 minutes ago · Like

I'm back

Hello everyone, I'm back.  This old computer has had new life pumped into it. Extra ram added, completly cleaned out of virus', and trojans.  New virus protection added, but I am still very busy. It is raining out today and I am inside.  I have reset just about everything on this computer and it is now working up to speed.  This may not seem like much to some of you, but to me it is giant steps. I grew up in the typewritter and telephone era and just the word computer scares the crap out of me.  I have a cell phone that only does phone call and no texting. I don't need to walk around while trying to acces the internet, play games, or check my bank account.  Facebook can wait until I get home and "candy crush" is a version of orange crush drinks.  I loved the world when it was simple and the phone cord could extend all over the house.  Now people can get ahold of me everywhere I'm at.  The government can now follow me around because of my cell phone, my facebook page, or this blog.  If you are the government and you are following me on this blog, you have way too much time on your hand.
I remember the days when the TV consisted on 3 or 4 channels that were free to access.  Now I have a million and one channels that I don't need.  There are channels that are just advertising and news channels that think that people falling down in some foriegn country is news. 
We are being told that the IRS is being used to target groups and criminals.  Isn't this how theycaught mobsters by using the IRS.  The tea party claims they have nothing to hide, but are pissed because the IRS is looking at them.  The next thing that we will hear is that the decendents of Al Capone are sueing because the government used the IRS to jail the mob king.
Is faster always better? You tell me.

New stuff

I will soon be back to writing.  Health problems, kids moving back in, grandchildren and more have taken me away from the keyboard. My computer is very old, and very slow which also makes it tough to be consistant.  I am presently putting together a list of things to complain about.  I am also putting a list together of things to praise.  I hope to reformat this site so that things might look different. I am also open to new ideas.  See you soon.

Guns and People

Basically we have a problem. The problem is people and guns. Yes, I understand the overused phrase of Guns don't kill, people kill. That is as stupid as saying nuclear weapons don't kill. people do, or anthrax doesn't, people do, cars don't kill people do. etc..... i don't believe that banning all guns is the answer as much as I don't believe that closing schools are the answer because they are targets of opportunity. I absolutely do not agree with bringing more weapons into the school. Years ago people and booze didn't mix very well and we saw how useless prohibition was. Instead of banning booze, we tried to put some control on it. We still have a problem with alcohol and it's misuse as well as we do with guns and their misuse. I would be the first person to stand up and support a person right to guns as it pertains to sport and self protection. Putting armed people in a classroom just escalates the chance of violence and death and in the Connecticut case, how many children would have died in the crossfire. The problem is still there. We have been taught in society that our rights supersedes everyone Else's right. We have been taught by our leaders that might makes right and then hand the guns to those people. We tell other countries that we need to take their weapon, and we keep arming our soldier, children, and civilians. Yes, both issues need to be addressed. Our safety and education of our children need to come first. Don't take away funding, recreate a safe and successful education system at whatever the cost. Might makes right backed up by weapons is not the answers.


about a minute ago · Like..

I WANT THAT

I WANT THAT........... Sitting with my grandson, Vinny, we were reading the many toy ads that come in the paper.  In wide eye amazement he would say that same phrase, "I want that".  Every toy, except Barbie doll would bring that phrase even louder.  When Vinny and I would go shopping together, all I would hear is, "I want that". Now, Vinny is 2 1/2 years old and has no concept of money, or the reason why he can't have everything.  I just have to smile and remember that he is only a child and that when he get older, he will understand. Along with this life lesson he will also learn to share as he grows up.

What made me think of this?  Michigan's right to work legislation, the fiscal cliff and the constant battle between Democrats and Republicans. I am proud to say that my grandson is much more educated then many of these people.  Everyone votes with the phrase, "I want that" in the back of their mind. If their party wins, chances are better that they will get what they want.  If their party loses, there will be years of temper tantrums. If things go wrong, there is plenty of finger pointing and blame to go around.  The rich want their money and don't want to share, and the poor want their money and will gladly share what is not theirs. Everyone is well aware of their rights, and believe they deserve it even if it violates someone Else's rights.

I personally believe that I have no rights entitled to me.  As a sinner, the only thing I want is the love of a forgiving God. I have tried to be the best person possible, I have tried to be the best father and husband, and grandfather.  I have tried to help when I could, and am thankful for the help of friends and family. Health problems have slowed my wife and I, so instead of working, we spend the day watching our grandchildren. The only thing that we want for it, is that our children and grandchildren will pass it forward.

In 2013, the fiscal cliff may hit the United States.  With this will come the elimination of social security. welfare, and all "entitlement" programs.  My wife and I who are on disability will be without any income. The people who have plenty have said, "I WANT THAT". The people who have experienced great health want to keep it to themselves. Those who have been born with a "Gold spoon in their mouth", want to make sure that no one gets a handout. Those who have received these gifts from God are saying, "I WANT THAT AND I DON'T WANT TO SHARE". Do you know what I have to say to these people?  THANK YOU.

I say thank you because it has helped me to realize the great gifts that God has given me, and that when I pass on, you may have all my earthly wealth that is left.  I can't afford the Uhaul to take it with me, and since I plan on being cremated, there will be no room in a casket to stuff my money. I know that when I reach the pearly gates, there won't be a monetary toll both. For the first time, only God will judge me and his judgment won't be based on assumption or a poll of one or two people. I know there won't be people pointing at each other in judgement . Yes, that is what, I WANT", and I'll be glad to share.

Unions

Michigan unions can RIP.  That is what union people are crying after the govenor signed the "Right to work" bill.  Next there will be funerals for the great UAW and other big unions.  Michigan killed the unions.

I don't know how to break this to you, but the unions have been dead for quite awhile.  Look at the abandoned plants in Detroit, Flint, Saginaw and other union strongholds. I have never been a member of a union, but there were times when I wish I were.  Unions were a "gift" to the American working class people who were taken advantage by the "Vanderbilts and Carnages" of the world. The unions broke the slave labor mentality that come with wealth gained by the few at the working expense of the many.  The union gave fair labor wages, safe working condition, and a better working atmosphere where non existed. Life was good for all people who gladly worked, and with pride in there work place. Then something terrible happened. The unions felt that everyone needed the help of the unions and that workers should get everything for nothing. They felt that the most menial worker should get the same pay as the CEOs of those companies. It no longer was what is fair, but how much they could get.  Those same fences that the unions tore down were being rebuilt with a union sticker. Those factories that the unions help build build, are now laying in rubble, those workers are on unemployment and welfare.  The unions have raided their retirement funds and the local union halls are no longer the lavish lounges were union worker exchanged war stories. In the work place, big business is back in control and working conditions are getting worse. Minimum wage jobs are now shipped abroad, and the assembly line is now a thing of the past.  Technology and education has surpassed sweat and hard work.  The nest step will be that big business will run our education system and those big business will get to pick and choose their own people. I realise that I painted this picture with very large brush strokes, but basically it is all true, with one exception.  The unions are not dead yet.  The unions are still needed, the unions are still wanted, but in a different and better role.  The old model is dead and needs to be re invented. Our education system is the base of all work and new technology.  This is where the union is needed to bring us back to educational excellence. This is where the unions can influence big business to invest in their future, our children's education. The unions can break the oil and petroleum lock that big business has wrapped us in. Educate the people that oil is not a replenishing supply that will never run out.  Wind energy and other alternative fuels supplies can help balance the work force again with the help of a union.  Instead of trying to squeeze the money out of big business, create new work that can benefit everyone.  Let these big oil companies choke on their diminishing supply of oil and be part of a new America. 
Hey Unions, instead of forcing people to become members, make them want to be a part of a new union movement.  You still have the chance.

Blinded by the Wool

WOW  Last year at this time we were still in Japan.  One year later and we still can't absorb all that we saw and did.
The elections are over and still no one won. Once again the American people had the wool pulled over their eyes. The media made alot of money by trying to tell everyone how close a presidental race there would be.  I kept trying to figure out how they were coming up with this? After the elections, the winner and still president by a large amount, President Obama. The media made a ton of money by falsly telling everyone that this was a close race. It's not wrong, it's called "Freedom of the press.". Both political parties were telling us how it was suppose to be close and they get away with the lie by saying "Freedom of Speach." Both sides lie about each other and it is protected by "Freedom of Opinions". I am reminded by the story of a Boy who cried wolf. How can we believe anybody when there is no honor in politics? That is simple, you don't have a say. Your vote is just a jesture.  Capitalism, not your vote is running our government. Keep that wool pulled over your eyes, it's cold out there.

You don't count.

One vote does not count. 
How many time have you heard the phrase, "your one vote counts". This is the biggest bunch of BS ever uttered, drunk or sober.  Your one vote hasn't mattered in years, and won't for years to come.  Could you imagine, "The next president elected by one vote?' How about "Social Security saved by one vote." It won't happen, it can't happen, and it will never happen.  Your one vote has already been bought by the party of choice. See, they don't just buy one vote, they buy a bunch of votes  Yes, they being the political parties, gather in as many votes as possible.  Now it is theirs to do with whatever way they want.  No, you don't have a say, you gave your vote to that party. By voting party line, you have, "sold your soul to the company store". If you didn't vote either party, you just threw away your vote. The last thing that either party wants is for you to not vote party line.  They want to make it nice a neat for you, just pull that one party switch, and they will do all the rest. As far as changing things the way you want them, your vote means nothing.  There use to be two ways a vote can go, Republican or Democrat.  Now that we have become a capitalistic society, the outcome is paid for by your party selling your vote to big business. 

Changing the Diapers

I'm sorry that I havn't written in a while.  Many things have been happening this summer and my writing had to be sacrificed.  Now that it is just my wife and I in the house, I have got my office back.  Well, partially back as I share it when the grandkids are over, then half of it is a play room. Right now my grandson Deacon is suppose to be napping in his playpin, but he is awake and talking up a storm...........he is only 5 month old. While watching him it made me think of how simple life can be, and how we as adults are the ones that make it confusing.  When  Deacon is hungry, he cries.  When Deacon needs to be changed, he cries.  When Deacon is unhappy, he cries.  When Deacon is happy, he laughs.  We as adult just need to fill in the blanks.  What does Deacon want? Most of the time it is simple, one end or the other, but there are times when it is something else.  American politic are alot like a baby.  It cries when it needs more, and cries after it has given you it's shit.  A soon as the political party cries, we look for an answer and 90% of the time we find #2. It is that simple, they want attention and once they get it, they give you #2.  Right Deacon is babbling away and is happy that I am listening.  I can't understand what he is saying, but I am still listening. Deacon also reminds me that what ever he is saying could be a lie, or could be the truth.  Political parties are the same as they themselves can't tell the difference between the truth and a lie.  They, like Deacon, just want, and will say anything to get what they want. If you are wondering if I believe the mental state of the political parties is the same as the age of my grandson, you are half right.  The other half is the voting public.  Most will follow the #2 that their partty has expelled. 
People, it is very simple, don't swollow the #2 even when you are told how good it is. 

Do you realize that if no one had their rights infringed upon, and that we all had the freedom to do what we wanted, if every religious practice was allowed, if there were no moral standards to live by, or there were no laws to live by and it was survival of the fittest, that because of this there would be no differences between the wild animals and the human race? We could mate with anyone or thing, kill anyone we didn't like, and there would be no difference between us and the animals. There would be no hate crimes, and no homophobes. Freedom come with a responsibility to act in the best interest of the people. We vote to get the opinion of all the people and the laws are suppose to reflect all of us. The President, a man elected by the people now wants to throw out every states law that prohibit same sex marriage. I believe that 40 of the 50 state already prohibit same sex marriage as voted on by those people. Let's just throw out the constitution and live like the animals. Stop government control and throw out minimum age for anything. Let's legalize all drugs because we can't have the government interfering. I think the people have spoke loud enough. Now for those who want to call me "homphobic", I have not even stated my feelings on t he subject, so back off. Those who completly agree with what I have said, get a new life and stay out of consenting adults bedrooms. This country is suppose to be , "of the people, and by the people", and on this case the people have spoken. Liberals and conservatives need to shut their mouths and work on more important things, like we the people who are without privilege, we the people who are without money, and we the people who are under educated. Freedom for every person is not possible, but you have the right to disagree. Now, move on. Mr. President, you are in the minority so please move on or you will be without a job come election time. On a more personal note, Please Mr. President, move on, we can't afford 4 years of Mitt Romney.

Sunday Morning comin down.  That is a song from Johnny Cash that I love.  It is Sunday morning and my wife and I were awaken by our 2 year old grandson very early.  He is so excited to be up in the morning as a stark contrast to everyone else.  The other stark contrast is that the sun is shinning brightly and it is freezing outside.  It reminds me that life is full of stark contrasts.  Changes have occurred due to health and family situations that God has placed in front of us. My gas tank is on empty until payday, my bank account is empty, and our SSI disability check that is coming is already allocated with nothing to spare. Our meager income supports us, my grandson and my daughter, one dog and one cat. Ten years ago before my first heart attack, our business was growing and the kids were still home and I was looking towards retirement at 65 along with a good pension.  Ten years later, that is gone for medical bills and SSI is all we have.  It can happen that fast, even faster. The government can screw around with me financially but they can't take away my smile.  My love for my children and grandchildren is something no one can touch. My wife and I have been married 30 years and money or lack of, has done nothing to dim our romance. God has blessed us in so many other ways and I pray that he will continue to bless us.  The next time I hear some right wing idiot spouting off about people living off the hard work of millionaires, I will smile and tell them "Thank you".  Thank you that I get enough money to live from day to day and to help support those I love.  Thank you that I have the time to spend with family and friends, thank you that I do not let those out dated cans of food go to waste.  Thank you for the ability to share my love when sharing my money is difficult.  Thank you for thinking about me, I'm alive and doing fine. What a beautiful Sunday Morning.

I haven't posted in a while, kinda busy. My daughter and grandson have moved in and watching him is like being a parent all over again.  There is a good reason that we have children when we are young.
I have enjoyed reading all the articles about the condition of our economy, SSI, health coverage, and the swinging pendulum of public opinion.  Most of the opinions are either far right or far left with no middle ground.
Let me just say this very plainly and I promise not to studder.
It sucks.  No ifs, ands or butts, it sucks.  In my lifetime we have come from a generation of handshake agreements to 2,000 page contracts that can still be broken.  We have come from a doctor making house calls to being lucky if you see the doctor.  Health care has gone from caring for the sick and dying to getting rich on the sick and dying. SSI has gone from an insurance to being called a handout. The right wing wants a game without referees and the left wing want a game where there is no winners or losers.  People use to make money with hard work and sweat, and now it is a key stroke or a foreclosure.  We make money on other peoples pain and suffering. We are introducing a new healthcare system they require everyone to pay in or be imprisoned or fined.  This include the people who are out of jobs and can't afford to pay.  This is because there are no jobs out there.  Business, who we entrusted to create jobs, are slimming their work forces to make a profit. We have shipped out lower paying jobs and now bitch because we don't have those jobs.....that's right, the ones that we turned down because they were beneath us.  We elect the richest politicians, give grants and money to the wealthiest companies and complain about the crumbs of a trickle down economy. We have an education that ranks last in  education and ranks number one in wasteful spending. Our education system has gone from the 3 R's to who has the best sports team or the best dressed students, and when a school system fails, we blame it on the underpaid teachers who now do everything but teach.  They have to be police, guidance, coaches, sex ed teachers, babysitters and more.  We give the school system the money that is left over and then wonder why it's not working. More to come later.