Is Income Redistribution Defendable?

In the past couple weeks with Obama himself exalting the idea of income redistribution it is certain this will be a priority of his once in office. I’m appalled by the idea of giving what Obama claims is a tax cut to people who pay no taxes period, but in reality it is another welfare system in addition to the one already in place. The result of this will be the undoing of everything Clinton did to get people off of welfare.

I’m a youth minister and my wife is a teacher and we could certainly use another an extra couple thousand dollars (like we would get under the Obama plan), but I don’t want any handouts at the expense of people who for the most part have worked their butts off to get where they are today.

The redistribution of income has many economical concerns, but the IMO the biggest downfall to it is how it kills compassion, empathy, and thankfulness in the hearts of people. I get a lot of joy out of giving money and helping out others when I can and it becomes a personal experience that develops compassion and care for others. The same is true for the receiving when you are in need…every time someone has helped me out personally I have felt a sense of being cared for and gratefulness for the blessing they have provided. These actions and feelings are good for the souls of man regardless of your religious or non-religious beliefs.

This is my biggest problem with income redistribution. It kills the soul. When the government takes my money via taxes, I feel nothing other than a lighter wallet even if those tax monies will help others in need. And when I receive money from the government, I still feel nothing.

This concept is terrible because it will produce a stagnant, numb society.

Olympic Fever

I started out interested in the Beijing Olympics primarily for cultural/political angle just to see what happened…leading up to the games, it felt more like an experiment than a competition.  But over the past 2 days, I can’t pull myself away from the TV.  I’m hooked…I’m even watching synchronized diving.  So anyway, the Olympics are tremendous, the opening ceremonies made Vegas appear dim in comparison, and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Favorite random moment so far:  Bob Costas using the phrase “talking trash” on the air to describe the boasting of the French 4X100 relay team.

Runner Up:  The commentators cynical discussion of the actual age of the Chinese team during the women’s gymnastics competition.

I will have a write up in not so long about the Canada Mission Trip!  It was great!!!

I need to get back in the habit of writing.

Want To See A Missile Take Down A Satellite?

Yup, me too.  A few days ago the US Navy launched a missile into space to destroy a defunct satellite.  Pretty cool stuff!  Think China was watching?

 

Andy Pettitte

On Monday, New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte took a step in the right direction that baseball has sorely needed for the sake of its future.  He sat down with reporters at a press conference to talk about his use of HGH as detailed in the Mitchell Report until every questioned for answered to the liking of the fellows on the other side of the microphone.

This is the best moment baseball has seen in many weeks as he did what no other player has been willing to do thus far.  There are so many good stories that have been written by much more talented writers than myself.  Here’s some links to the betters ones I have read:

Jayson Stark (ESPN.com) – Pettitte still has some rough days ahead.

Gene Wojciechowski (ESPN.com) – Pettitte deals with past, making better future possible.

Richard Justice (Houston Chronicle) – It’s fitting to forgive Pettitte after apology.

“Fake Christians”

On CNN with Wolf Blitzer this week, Charles Barkley generalized Republicans as “fake Christians”.  Here’s the clip.

I like Charles Barkley and am always intrigued by what he has to say because it never comes off as verbatim and makes you rethink your own opinion.  I think there is some truth to his comments, but as with all generalizations it discredits the legitimacy of the statement.  Once you get passed his wording, there is much to what he said.

I too am bothered when Christianity becomes a platform for political statements.  As Christians, we need to look past what church a candidate is registered in the membership.  Voting based on religion (or race, gender, or physical attractiveness for that matter) is shallow and detrimental to our country.  We need to vote for the best candidate for president, not the person whom with we would most like to hang out.

Keep speaking your mind Chuck and fueling discussion.

Mr. Clemens Goes To Washington…

In the fall of 2005 on a weekday evening, I was alone in my apartment jumping up and down while screaming in jubilee as my beloved Houston Astros won the National League pennant for the first time in history.  I’ve invested a lot in this team over the years.  I had all the team set of Topps 1988 campaign.  I was there when Craig Biggio was a rookie and when we traded for some third-baseman named Bagwell.  I remember my last game in the Astrodome when Biggio hit a home run into the section on my left to beat the Braves 2-1.  I’ve been to countless games at Enron Field/Astros Field/Minute Maid Park.  And in this single moment for the first time in my life could utter the words, “We’re going to the World Series!”

Everything went in the Astros favor that year.  The hitting was timely and the pitching was lights out.  The hometown heroes tandem of Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte were leading the team they watched growing up towards a season to remember.  They ran out of gas in the World Series against a White Sox team that was just a tad better in every area of the game.

But it wasn’t just the success on the field that made the season memorable.  I jumped at the opportunity to go to any game and marked my calendar for the days Clemens was pitching.  Baseball is great to watch, but it’s incredible to watch someone like Clemens pitch.  He is so dominate and imposing that it changes the way you watch the game.  When he’s on the mound, you pay careful attention to every pitch and soak in the buzz that takes over the atmosphere.

While he was playing for the Astros, I always avoided the “steroids” question.  It was just one of those topics that had no beneficial outcome regardless of the answer.  His legendary rise in his latter years was a query that was better left unresolved. 

When the Mitchell Report was released in December, it unveiled what seemed to be an endless list of players involved with steroids, but the only one that really mattered was Roger Clemens.  There was no bigger name and no one with more evidence to his wrongdoing than the Spring Woods High School legend.  Coincidentally, he was also the player with the most to lose.

In the past few days, Clemens and his former trainer, Brian McNamee, have appeared before the members of Congress to decipher who is telling the truth.  There have been some moments that seem far-fetched for even the best writers.  From what I’ve heard and seen, they both look like liars to me.  I don’t believe everything that McNamee says and I don’t believe anything Clemens professes in that room.

There are numerous folks out there forming opinions about Clemens based solely on this aspect of his career.  While it surely should not be dismissed, there is much more to the guy.  Maybe he wouldn’t have been such a dominant pitcher had he not used steroids, but it wouldn’t have changed the heart that exists in that man.  He’s always involved in his community and alma mater.  He has charities, drive, and the money to support both.  He loves teaching the game to younger kids and being the guy around the clubhouse that helps mold the younger guys in the game.

All things considered, I don’t blame him for taking “steroids”.  Had I been in his position as a flamed-out phenom, I would have done whatever it took to succeed.  In a period of the game where there was no ruling or legitimate testing for HGH, the choice is easy.  HGH is used in multiple professions, but sports are the only ones that we seem to care about much. 

These are some humbling days for the Clemens household, but they will come to an end.  Eventually, people will forgive his iniquities and allow him to move on from his current status.  He has obviously made some poor decisions, but count me in the camp that doesn’t condone, but understands.

Earthquake!

Saturday morning at approximately 12:16 AM I was awoken when I was struck by a beautiful, petite woman lying next to me.  I immediately fell back asleep and woke up early the following morning to head to church to prepare for the busy day that awaited me.  When I returned home from church, Meredith asked if I had felt the earthquake that took place the night before.  I told her I hadn’t and quickly dismissed the thought as I headed out the door after a quick bite to eat.

This morning I was working away in my office and in the midst of my weekly electronic correspondence with youth and parents when a rumbling coupled with shaking walls halted my efforts.  Turns out a 5.1 earthquake centered roughly 60 miles southwest across the border in northern Mexico.  I checked with the bookkeeper to validate my experience and returned to work after my first experience with shifting ground.

I returned home tonight after a few meetings and sat down to watch some TV before heading to bed.  No more than 5 minutes into the recliner, it happened again.  This time it was a 5.0 earthquake centered in the same region.

Today was my first earthquake experience and it happened twice.  Quite frankly, these were just small tremors today and they had me completely on edge.  I can’t imagine the horror of a severe quake and hope to never have a first-hand account.  If I happen to feel another jab in my side in the coming nights, I more than likely won’t just turn over and fall back asleep.

Mit Romney Out

I remember a certain blogger (me) predicted no so long ago that Romney would eventually be the Republican nominee for the presidency.  Today Mr. Romney announced he was suspending his campaign after a disappointing experience earlier this week widely know as “Super Tuesday”.

With Romney out of the race, McCain will surely be the Republican nominee for President.  Of the GOP candidates, McCain looks to be the best hope for the party to retain the presidency.  However, I don’t think it will matter.  Although Obama came out behind Hilary after “Super Tuesday”, I still think he will be the choice for the Democrats because of his unifying characteristics.

Regardless, I still think the next president will not be of the GOP.

Super Bowl Thoughts

I went to a Super Bowl party this year not unlike millions of Americans looking for history to be made.  My pre-game prediction was for the Pats to win handily with a strong second half 37-17.  I thought Moss would have a few big catches attracting enough attention to allow Welker to exhaust the Giants out of the slot.  I knew the Giants were playing well, especially dismantling Green Bay, but didn’t really think they were all that special.

Aside from my predictions, I’m not a fan of either team and was just hoping for a good game that remained competitive for at least 3 quarters.  As it turned out, I got more than I hoped for with a climatic ending that proved to make the best Super Bowl since the Packers and Broncos in Super Bowl XXXII.  Both teams played well and were very well prepared.  It is one of those games I will always remember.

I was extremely impressed with Eli Manning.  I’ve never been a big fan of his and quite often have fallen into the category of “hater”.  I knew he had played well over the last two months, but didn’t think he could maintain his composure in the “big one”.  His line did a great job for most of the night, but when they didn’t he found a way to get out of the pocket and make the big throws.  His game winning drive highlighted the intangibles he possesses and exemplified his toughness and desire to win.  He wasn’t tearing up the defense, but he did what he needed to win the game and in the end that is what matters most.

The Giants defensive line was incredible all night.  No team (including he Giants in Week 17 against the Pats) has been able to get such consistent pressure and put as many hits on Tom Brady.  I know Pats fans are dying to interject a mention of Brady’s injured ankle, but it didn’t seem to affect him that much with the exception of his deep throws that were rarely where they should have been.  But the great defensive play wasn’t limited to the D-line.  The secondary eliminated the deep threats and contested nearly every pass headed for a New England receiver.

In the post-game interviews, the Patriot players were some of the classiest Super Bowl losers I can remember.  They didn’t complain and speak of what could have or make any excuses.  They praised the Giants for their as they should.  BTW, Tom Brady has to be one of the classiest players in the game today.  He always says the right thing.  He needs to run for office after retirement.

Congrats to the Giants on the win.  They beat the team that couldn’t be defeated.  Eli Manning has lived up to his namesake after just 4 years in the league.  It was a great day for the NFL.  I’m sad there is no football next weekend.  I’m looking forward to the draft.  September can’t get here soon enough.

Obama the Next President?

The presidential election will be over in 10 months and ballrooms supporting the winning candidate will be covered in confetti and balloons as patrons dance and cheer in celebration.  A lot can and surely will happen in the forthcoming months as the campaigns wind down and party representatives are announced.  And for Americans like myself who are registered independents, we will spend inordinate amounts of time scrutinizing the possible choices for our next commander-in-chief.

Republicans should be worried as no front-runner has emerged that will appeal to voters at the center of the political spectrum.  Each of the candidates have a committed core group of supporters, but all of them lack any widespread support.  Huckabee appeals to Evangelicals, McCain has the immigration/terrorism crowd, Romney has businessmen and Mormans, and Giuliani is finished without a win in Florida.  Beyond the Republican voters lacking a widespread favorite, all the candidates are scrapping for cash with another 10 months to go.  The current leader, Romney, is the only candidate that isn’t broke and he’s bankrolling his campaign currently out of his own pocket.

Regardless of who wins out on the Republican side, outside of Huckabee (who doesn’t stand a chance) none of the candidates possess the eloquence and likability to win a modern presidential election.  As a whole, the Republican candidates appear much like Al Gore and John Kerry of past elections in the personality department (severely lacking).  And when it comes to national elections there is no more beneficial trait to possess than likability.  Let’s face it, all politics aside, no one wants to vote for a jerk that appears impersonal.  My guess is that Romney pulls out the win in the Republican primary solely because he has the most money at his disposal.  Save the PC, all that comes to mind when I think of Romney is rich, white, Mormon lacking personality…in essence, he’s the Republican version of John Kerry that isn’t Catholic.

Speaking of likability, the Democratic party is in much better shape to throw an inauguration party come November.  Hillary brings more experience, a better political machine, and is accompanied by perhaps the most notable “first spouse” in history.  This sounds like a pretty good start, but there are quite a few obstacles she will have to overcome if she hopes to win out.  To begin with, she is a polarizing figure as is her husband making them an incredibly polarizing couple…most everyone has an opinion and it’s not open for change.  Beyond her husband I just don’t think Hillary is likable enough to win a presidential election.  She just has too many people that hate her.

Which leads us to Obama.  His entrance into the race was lauded by some as a civil rights milestone and caused others to question his religion after hearing his name (after all, we can’t have a terrorist running for president).  After gaining an endorsement from Oprah, he has catapulted into the lead at this point in the primaries.  His youthfulness and good looks will be important factors in his campaign as he continues.  Partly because he has less track record to be used against him.  As vanity infused Americans, good looks always matter no matter what we claim.  I think he will win the Democratic nomination and match up against Romney, and some wacko from the Green party for the presidency.

I fear that I will have similar feelings this election of voting for the candidate whom I dislike less.  America is awesome and there is no where in the world I would rather live, but I’m getting tired of sterile candidates that need millions of dollars in support to even contend.  I know that some of you are probably upset that I haven’t included much of anything pertaining to the beliefs and stances of each candidate.   You can devalue my analysis, but let’s get real…Americans vote for the pretty and best performing.  I can’t be too far off considering the next American Idol will have more votes than our next president.  So here’s to you Barak Obama, the next and first black president (not including Bill Clinton, of course).