21st century socialism. Enough said.
But I will add this--I haven't figured the guy out yet. Obama will not support the revival of the 'Fairness Doctrine.' I applaud him for that. And as a side note to my title, he's not really black...I can't believe I gave into the norm just for a good title on my blog. Yes, his dad was from Kenya...but his mom is Caucasian and he was raised by his white grandmother. He's not black--he's a mulatto. I'm sorry to all of you who thought his election was historical for the shear fact that he was "black."
And finally, to follow up to the post below, Chavez bought the votes to turn Venezuela into a national socialist state. He plans to run for office until he turns 95.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Siguiendo el ejemplo de Chávez
Maybe it's just me, but I'm seeing some eerie similarities between President Chávez in Venezuela and our very own President Obama. (Those two words together still doesn't look right to me)
President Chávez is very vocal and unapologetic about creating a 21st century socialistic rule in Venezuela. He has nationalized a good majority of the country and continues to push for a dictatorship...although he has sugar-coated that word by allowing the people to "vote" for an unlimited amount of terms one can serve in government. But what happens when those votes are bought? I was speaking with a friend in Venezuela last night and there is a great sense of fear among the majority of Venezuelans. Yet Chávez isn't concerned about the majority...it seems he is buying the critical votes and insulating himself. Ten years ago Venezuelans were pleading for change. I remember living there when Hugo Chávez won the election. I still have my copy of the paper for that day. But now the majority have lost their voice...and the change they had voted for has turned against them.
I wonder what our country will look like in 10 years?
President Obama is following in the footsteps of Chávez in two very specific ways currently.
1) Obama has a very nationalistic and socialistic agenda, in my opinion. I respected and admired President Bush...but I never understood why he pushed for and gave in so easily to the first "stimulus" bill. I can only assume there were underlying factors we may never be aware of. And this current stimulus package...we've been calloused by the first round so $1 trillion doesn't sound too bad now. Shovel ready...have you heard that phrase a thousand times today? It sounds socialistic to me. Hitler and Mussolini come to mind with images of shovels. Work for the government and we'll give you a home. But what's the fine print? And how inefficient are shovels anyway?!?! For such a push for change, it sure feels like we're moving backwards. Before we realize what's happening, the majority of the businesses in our country may be nationalized.
2) Have you been following the 2010 census? Rahm Emanuel will supervise the census. RAHM EMANUEL. The devil incarnate...sorry, did I say that out loud? Apparently, Emanuel has taken a play out of the game book of Joseph Stalin. Stalin said, "Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything." It is very likely that Obama is setting the stage to manipulate the state of future congressional districts...thus ensuring his political party almost guaranteed power. Voting on a law that allows you to remain in power indefinitely provided you win the election may not be that far off...
Who knew the United States of America would follow in the footsteps of Venezuela? What Venezuela has done in 10 years...we might do in 3.
President Chávez is very vocal and unapologetic about creating a 21st century socialistic rule in Venezuela. He has nationalized a good majority of the country and continues to push for a dictatorship...although he has sugar-coated that word by allowing the people to "vote" for an unlimited amount of terms one can serve in government. But what happens when those votes are bought? I was speaking with a friend in Venezuela last night and there is a great sense of fear among the majority of Venezuelans. Yet Chávez isn't concerned about the majority...it seems he is buying the critical votes and insulating himself. Ten years ago Venezuelans were pleading for change. I remember living there when Hugo Chávez won the election. I still have my copy of the paper for that day. But now the majority have lost their voice...and the change they had voted for has turned against them.
I wonder what our country will look like in 10 years?
President Obama is following in the footsteps of Chávez in two very specific ways currently.
1) Obama has a very nationalistic and socialistic agenda, in my opinion. I respected and admired President Bush...but I never understood why he pushed for and gave in so easily to the first "stimulus" bill. I can only assume there were underlying factors we may never be aware of. And this current stimulus package...we've been calloused by the first round so $1 trillion doesn't sound too bad now. Shovel ready...have you heard that phrase a thousand times today? It sounds socialistic to me. Hitler and Mussolini come to mind with images of shovels. Work for the government and we'll give you a home. But what's the fine print? And how inefficient are shovels anyway?!?! For such a push for change, it sure feels like we're moving backwards. Before we realize what's happening, the majority of the businesses in our country may be nationalized.
2) Have you been following the 2010 census? Rahm Emanuel will supervise the census. RAHM EMANUEL. The devil incarnate...sorry, did I say that out loud? Apparently, Emanuel has taken a play out of the game book of Joseph Stalin. Stalin said, "Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything." It is very likely that Obama is setting the stage to manipulate the state of future congressional districts...thus ensuring his political party almost guaranteed power. Voting on a law that allows you to remain in power indefinitely provided you win the election may not be that far off...
Who knew the United States of America would follow in the footsteps of Venezuela? What Venezuela has done in 10 years...we might do in 3.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Remember Lot's Wife
That verse of scripture in Luke 17:32 has created a paradigm shift for me. Elder Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles recently gave an entire discourse on that one verse (and it was given on my birthday--just an added bonus). I encourage you to read it as well as read the context in which the scripture was given (Luke 17:20-37). My sister shared it with me earlier this week...and she could have never guessed the profound impact it is having in my life. This scripture speaks directly to the root cause of one (of my many) issue that has plagued me for years.
I had an incredible childhood. And an even better teenage experience. I loved everything about growing up. I had awesome friends...we laughed most of the time and occasionally discussed more serious matters. I loved school. I loved dating. I loved church activities. I loved the drama that only teenagers can deliver. It was an incredible time in my life. I've longed to go back...almost to the point of wanting to live in the past. And there's something eternally wrong with that mindset.
Not that there's anything wrong with reminiscing and thinking of yester-years (wow--now I really sound old). But my thoughts...and more importantly my heart has been stuck in the past. It has impacted my marriage and my whole outlook on life and eternity (and that's not the teenage drama coming out). And I haven't fully transitioned to adulthood as a result.
Thus the reason this scripture has become a paradigm shift for me. What was the sin Lot's wife committed? Do you remember the story?
Lot and his family lived in Sodom and Gomorrah. They were commanded to leave and not look back. Lot's wife turned back as they were traveling and she became a pillar of salt.
Elder Holland suggests that it wasn't just the fact that she disobeyed the Lord's commandment and turned around. More importantly, her heart turned back and she wasn't ready to leave their old life behind. Three days ago, had the end of my mortal life come and had I seen my Maker, my heart would have been very similar to Lot's wife. I know the promises and blessing of eternal life...but I may have said that a piece of my heart was still in the world. And I would have been subject to the same consequences as Lot's wife, figuratively speaking. Now...I'm still the same person I was earlier this week. But I'm making some changes.
My whole heart has not been living in the present. And that has impacted how I view the future. I'm married to an incredible woman. We have five amazing kids. My life now and my future with them should be everything to me.
Hopefully I'll leave my Sodom and Gomorrah and never look back.
I had an incredible childhood. And an even better teenage experience. I loved everything about growing up. I had awesome friends...we laughed most of the time and occasionally discussed more serious matters. I loved school. I loved dating. I loved church activities. I loved the drama that only teenagers can deliver. It was an incredible time in my life. I've longed to go back...almost to the point of wanting to live in the past. And there's something eternally wrong with that mindset.
Not that there's anything wrong with reminiscing and thinking of yester-years (wow--now I really sound old). But my thoughts...and more importantly my heart has been stuck in the past. It has impacted my marriage and my whole outlook on life and eternity (and that's not the teenage drama coming out). And I haven't fully transitioned to adulthood as a result.
Thus the reason this scripture has become a paradigm shift for me. What was the sin Lot's wife committed? Do you remember the story?
Lot and his family lived in Sodom and Gomorrah. They were commanded to leave and not look back. Lot's wife turned back as they were traveling and she became a pillar of salt.
Elder Holland suggests that it wasn't just the fact that she disobeyed the Lord's commandment and turned around. More importantly, her heart turned back and she wasn't ready to leave their old life behind. Three days ago, had the end of my mortal life come and had I seen my Maker, my heart would have been very similar to Lot's wife. I know the promises and blessing of eternal life...but I may have said that a piece of my heart was still in the world. And I would have been subject to the same consequences as Lot's wife, figuratively speaking. Now...I'm still the same person I was earlier this week. But I'm making some changes.
My whole heart has not been living in the present. And that has impacted how I view the future. I'm married to an incredible woman. We have five amazing kids. My life now and my future with them should be everything to me.
Hopefully I'll leave my Sodom and Gomorrah and never look back.
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