I need to get a few things off my chest here because the current debate in American politics is completely frustrating me, specifically the Republican right as represented by Rick Santorum and his like-minded associates. The Republican evangelical right has been up in arms for years about federal funding supporting abortions. They even got a bill passed that bans federal dollars from paying for abortions. Now they want all federal funding cut from Planned Parenthood because federal funding allows them to use more private money to pay for abortions thus indirectly supporting abortions. They object to abortion on strictly religious moral grounds. I can respect their beliefs, but that does not mean that federal dollars should not be used to support abortions.
What about the pacifists? We should pass a bill that no federal dollars can be used for military action unless they meet the strict definitions of a just war. Just war advocates have argued that there has never been a just war (that includes WWII). So federal funds should not be used for the military because that violates the religious moral beliefs of a significant portion of the American populace.
What about the death penalty? Many Americans are opposed to the death penalty on religious moral grounds. So we should pass a bill that no federal dollars can be used to pay for execution of criminals because that violates the religious moral convictions of many Americans.
Why is it that abortion can be denied federal funding simply because some people object to it on religious moral grounds? Why does abortion get special treatment? I don't like abortion, but I didn't support the Iraq war and I think we need a very restricted use of the death penalty. I can't keep my money from being used for wars I don't support or to execute criminals that I don't think should die. So why do the evangelical right-wing Republicans get to keep their money from being used for abortions?
The Republicans would have us believe that this is a debate about religious freedom and not trampling upon their religious freedom. If this is about religious freedom, then why are they so desperately trying to impose their religious beliefs on all of us? Why are they trying to ban abortions and deny women access to birth control? That is their viewpoint only. They don't have to get abortions or use birth control. However, not all of us want to be the Dugger family. I respect their right to live as they believe. They do not have a right to impose those beliefs on me.
I believe that I am called to be a good steward of the resources that God has given me. That means that my wife and I use birth control because we believe that we are called to provide a good home for the children we choose to have. That means proper food on the table, decent clothes on their backs, and a sturdy roof over their heads. It also means parents who are happy and do not resent their children. As such, there are some things on our bucket list to do before we have children. That is following my religious convictions.
I could go on for quite some time on this subject, but I don't want this post to go on too long, so I will end now, but I will probably be back with more on the current state of politics in this country.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Time for an Update
I know I don't post much here, but generally that is because not much happens in my life. It's usually rather boring - eat, work, sleep, and play a little bit. However, there have been a few happens of late.
For starters, change is coming to my church once again and I'm not completely sure about it. Our Director of Creative Ministries (read music, arts, media) and Youth is leaving. This means that I have to adjust to a different worship leader again. Under our current leader, I have really been able to grow as a musician and learn more about leading worship and making worship truly musical. Under prior leaders we all pretty much banged out chords and played straight rhythms. Now there is syncopation and actual lead guitar in the mix. I have even had a few chances to play lead parts. Through it all, I have been able to gain much more confidence in my overall playing abilities and I have really started to have fun being part of the band. The music we play now has a much higher degree of musicality to it that is refreshing. I do not know where we will go with our new leader, but I hope we continue to work with more complex rhythms and lead parts. I know not everyone in the congregation understands that intricate beauty of what we do on Sundays, but I do and I find it a more significant and poignant offering of my musical gifts. It's one thing to simply strum chords in a regular pattern; it's an entirely different thing when those chords become the background for an intricate lead part or they become syncopated with odd changes. I guess I just have to trust that God is in control and everything will be okay.
The other significant event was my 6 month review at work. Needless to say, I was a bit nervous after my last job ended so badly. Fortunately I have a great boss and terrific co-workers. I had a great review and I am feeling very confident in my work. As with church, I have been able to expand my skills under my current boss. In addition to tasks that I was already comfortable with - processing transactions, managing the vault, opening accounts - I have also been working on loans. I can now take and input an application into the system, including indirect applications that come from car dealerships that we work with. I can also check to see that a car loan has proper insurance coverage and completely handle all aspects of paying off an auto loan. I am also starting to learn how to close a loan. There is a lot to remember and it seems to grow with each day, but I know I can manage thanks to very encouraging co-workers. God has blessed me with a much better place to work and I am ever thankful for it.
I hope that the year will have more good news to share and you can bet that if it does, I will be sure to write about it.
For starters, change is coming to my church once again and I'm not completely sure about it. Our Director of Creative Ministries (read music, arts, media) and Youth is leaving. This means that I have to adjust to a different worship leader again. Under our current leader, I have really been able to grow as a musician and learn more about leading worship and making worship truly musical. Under prior leaders we all pretty much banged out chords and played straight rhythms. Now there is syncopation and actual lead guitar in the mix. I have even had a few chances to play lead parts. Through it all, I have been able to gain much more confidence in my overall playing abilities and I have really started to have fun being part of the band. The music we play now has a much higher degree of musicality to it that is refreshing. I do not know where we will go with our new leader, but I hope we continue to work with more complex rhythms and lead parts. I know not everyone in the congregation understands that intricate beauty of what we do on Sundays, but I do and I find it a more significant and poignant offering of my musical gifts. It's one thing to simply strum chords in a regular pattern; it's an entirely different thing when those chords become the background for an intricate lead part or they become syncopated with odd changes. I guess I just have to trust that God is in control and everything will be okay.
The other significant event was my 6 month review at work. Needless to say, I was a bit nervous after my last job ended so badly. Fortunately I have a great boss and terrific co-workers. I had a great review and I am feeling very confident in my work. As with church, I have been able to expand my skills under my current boss. In addition to tasks that I was already comfortable with - processing transactions, managing the vault, opening accounts - I have also been working on loans. I can now take and input an application into the system, including indirect applications that come from car dealerships that we work with. I can also check to see that a car loan has proper insurance coverage and completely handle all aspects of paying off an auto loan. I am also starting to learn how to close a loan. There is a lot to remember and it seems to grow with each day, but I know I can manage thanks to very encouraging co-workers. God has blessed me with a much better place to work and I am ever thankful for it.
I hope that the year will have more good news to share and you can bet that if it does, I will be sure to write about it.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
New blog
I started a new blog earlier this week. This blog will still remain for the occasional posts about life in general. My new blog focuses on my adventures with my train set and embracing my inner child. Check it out at jsinnerchild.blogspot.com.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Being Christian
Thanks to my sister, I have recently discovered the blog "Single Dad Laughing". Dan Pearce, the blogger, had a post a few weeks back entitled "I'm Christian, unless you're gay." It was a very powerful post about the attitudes we take towards other human beings; not just gays, but drug addicts, alcoholics, homeless, anyone who is different from us. It was also a challenge to really get down to the core of every major religion and love one another. That concept is not simply a Christian idea. It is one that is easily found in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Sadly, it is an idea and practice that we fail at quite frequently.
How often do we simply turn away from the homeless person, or avoid eye contact with the person in tattered clothes? Do we embrace the person with alcohol on their breath or do we turn away in disgust because of the smell? How often do we laugh behind the backs of people who are slower than the rest of us? The fact is that most of us have done it, and probably still do it without even thinking about it. Dan has followed up by posting several responses that he has received from many people. So many of those responses have shown the power of love to transform lives and make a real difference. Daughters welcomed home even though they left the faith of their parents. Drug addicts finding the hope they need because their family has made contact again and decided to support them instead of rejecting them. That is the power of love.
Sure, we can continue to scorn those who are different. We can turn away from the homeless, reject the drug addicts and alcoholics, and hate the gays. Is that what Jesus would have us do? Are we being Christian? The second greatest commandment is to "love your neighbor as yourself." I know that I will fail many times, but it is time to simply love others and let God worry about everything else. Love can change the world for good. Hate never has and never will change the world for good. If you haven't read "I'm Christian, unless you're gay" you really should. Read it and tell me what you think?
How often do we simply turn away from the homeless person, or avoid eye contact with the person in tattered clothes? Do we embrace the person with alcohol on their breath or do we turn away in disgust because of the smell? How often do we laugh behind the backs of people who are slower than the rest of us? The fact is that most of us have done it, and probably still do it without even thinking about it. Dan has followed up by posting several responses that he has received from many people. So many of those responses have shown the power of love to transform lives and make a real difference. Daughters welcomed home even though they left the faith of their parents. Drug addicts finding the hope they need because their family has made contact again and decided to support them instead of rejecting them. That is the power of love.
Sure, we can continue to scorn those who are different. We can turn away from the homeless, reject the drug addicts and alcoholics, and hate the gays. Is that what Jesus would have us do? Are we being Christian? The second greatest commandment is to "love your neighbor as yourself." I know that I will fail many times, but it is time to simply love others and let God worry about everything else. Love can change the world for good. Hate never has and never will change the world for good. If you haven't read "I'm Christian, unless you're gay" you really should. Read it and tell me what you think?
Friday, November 18, 2011
US Department of Education
I really hate the US Dept. of Ed. right now, specifically the direct loan servicing center. A few months ago, they apparently rolled out some new software and a new website for all of us to manage our accounts. They credited my account for the Oct. payment but never debited my bank account and I somehow managed to get removed from electronic debiting (could have happened when I changed bank accounts, but I thought I covered that). I called on Nov. 1 to find out why the payment hadn't come out of my account and was told that there were problems with the new system and that it should come out in 7-10 business days. I also got myself reenrolled in electronic debiting.
Yesterday was the 11th business day after that conversation and the money still had not been removed from my account. So, I called. The first time was during work and they were busy and I would have been on hold for over 6 minutes, so I decided to call back later. I called around 7 PM. After holding for 15 minutes, I got through to someone only to have my call get dropped. After another 15 minutes of holding, I got through and no dropped calls. My account will not be debited for the Oct. payment; in fact they are reversing that payment so I will need to pay online myself. Electronic debiting takes 30-45 days to set up and won't be set until December. This means Nov. will be paying online as well.
If there are so many problems with the new system, why was it rolled out? I thought IT people rigorously test these things before the public has to use it. This is absolutely ridiculous that I have had to go through all this trouble because the federal government decided in inflict a bug laden program on all of us with student loans. Of course, I am not the only one affected which is why I was on hold for so long. Why does it take 30-45 days to set up electronic debiting? Most financial institutions can do it in less than a week, usually only a day or two. Once again, another sign of bureaucratic inefficiency and my tax dollars being wasted.
Yesterday was the 11th business day after that conversation and the money still had not been removed from my account. So, I called. The first time was during work and they were busy and I would have been on hold for over 6 minutes, so I decided to call back later. I called around 7 PM. After holding for 15 minutes, I got through to someone only to have my call get dropped. After another 15 minutes of holding, I got through and no dropped calls. My account will not be debited for the Oct. payment; in fact they are reversing that payment so I will need to pay online myself. Electronic debiting takes 30-45 days to set up and won't be set until December. This means Nov. will be paying online as well.
If there are so many problems with the new system, why was it rolled out? I thought IT people rigorously test these things before the public has to use it. This is absolutely ridiculous that I have had to go through all this trouble because the federal government decided in inflict a bug laden program on all of us with student loans. Of course, I am not the only one affected which is why I was on hold for so long. Why does it take 30-45 days to set up electronic debiting? Most financial institutions can do it in less than a week, usually only a day or two. Once again, another sign of bureaucratic inefficiency and my tax dollars being wasted.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
New Job
I guess I should also update the blog with the news that I have a job. Since August I have been working for a local credit union. I really enjoy my job and the people that I work with. It is a blessing to have an income and feel like I am contributing to the family again.
Thoughts on the Occupy movement
The "Occupy Wall Street" movement has been going for two months now and there has been plenty of media coverage of the movement as it has spend across the country and as protesters have clashed with police. So, I thought I would offer my thoughts:
I find myself sympathetic to the original members of the movement. As it has grown the message has been lost and blurred. Hopefully the core can regroup and work to present a coherent message.
There is a definite problem with out economy when corporate executives collect "bonuses" even when the company loses money. The "bonuses" are guaranteed so the company has to pay them. If the "bonuses" are guaranteed then they aren't bonuses - they are salary. I don't know how guaranteed bonuses came to be, but that is patently ridiculous. Those of us at the low end don't get a bonus if the company doesn't do well, so why should the people at the top, who have more ability to affect company profits, get a bonus regardless of company performance. Corporate America would have us believe that this is necessary to attract the best talent. If you have the best talent, why did your company fail? There is also plenty of good young talent down near the bottom of the ladder. We understand that bonuses must be tied to performance. When we work hard and performance is better, we deserve to be paid well. When performance goes down we understand bonuses will be lower; we know raises will be small, but cuts should start at the top - not end there. We know the economy goes through ups and downs and we believe that everyone, especially the top should be willing to make sacrifices. However, when we (the 99%) are living paycheck to paycheck or maybe slightly better, we don't have much to sacrifice. The 1% with their 3 yachts on two coasts, 3-4 homes across the country, 5-6 cars, a private jet, and other high-priced goods have a lot more room to sacrifice.
The minimum wage today is not a living wage. An average adult today cannot survive on $7.25/hr. We need a minimum wage that is a real living wage. That way we can actually pay back our student loans, pay our bills, save for retirement, save for a house, start a family, and maybe have some left over for a little fun each month. Last I checked, this was a big part of the American dream. For most of us in our 20's and 30's it's going to be a very long road before we achieve the American dream.
I understand why police have stepped in as reports of violence have increased. However, if the movement is able to peaceably state their grievances and ask for redress of said grievances, then they should not have to worry about police coming to arrest them as peaceable assembly to ask for redress of grievances is a basic right protected by the constitution.
Anyway, I know my thoughts ramble a bit, but I sincerely hope that the Occupy movement continues to grow, gain some better organization, and coalesce into something that can fundamentally change the way we do business.
I find myself sympathetic to the original members of the movement. As it has grown the message has been lost and blurred. Hopefully the core can regroup and work to present a coherent message.
There is a definite problem with out economy when corporate executives collect "bonuses" even when the company loses money. The "bonuses" are guaranteed so the company has to pay them. If the "bonuses" are guaranteed then they aren't bonuses - they are salary. I don't know how guaranteed bonuses came to be, but that is patently ridiculous. Those of us at the low end don't get a bonus if the company doesn't do well, so why should the people at the top, who have more ability to affect company profits, get a bonus regardless of company performance. Corporate America would have us believe that this is necessary to attract the best talent. If you have the best talent, why did your company fail? There is also plenty of good young talent down near the bottom of the ladder. We understand that bonuses must be tied to performance. When we work hard and performance is better, we deserve to be paid well. When performance goes down we understand bonuses will be lower; we know raises will be small, but cuts should start at the top - not end there. We know the economy goes through ups and downs and we believe that everyone, especially the top should be willing to make sacrifices. However, when we (the 99%) are living paycheck to paycheck or maybe slightly better, we don't have much to sacrifice. The 1% with their 3 yachts on two coasts, 3-4 homes across the country, 5-6 cars, a private jet, and other high-priced goods have a lot more room to sacrifice.
The minimum wage today is not a living wage. An average adult today cannot survive on $7.25/hr. We need a minimum wage that is a real living wage. That way we can actually pay back our student loans, pay our bills, save for retirement, save for a house, start a family, and maybe have some left over for a little fun each month. Last I checked, this was a big part of the American dream. For most of us in our 20's and 30's it's going to be a very long road before we achieve the American dream.
I understand why police have stepped in as reports of violence have increased. However, if the movement is able to peaceably state their grievances and ask for redress of said grievances, then they should not have to worry about police coming to arrest them as peaceable assembly to ask for redress of grievances is a basic right protected by the constitution.
Anyway, I know my thoughts ramble a bit, but I sincerely hope that the Occupy movement continues to grow, gain some better organization, and coalesce into something that can fundamentally change the way we do business.
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