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.

The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture

Back in the Fall I attended the National Youth Worker’s Convention hosted by Youth Specialties in San Diego.  Great event as always with multitudes of worship, resources, and speakers.  Every year before I leave I buy 5 or 6 cds from sessions that I did not have the chance to attend for one reason or another.  Guided by the recommendation of a friend, I grabbed a presentation by Shane Hipps on the power of electronic culture.  I was leery at first (because haven’t we heard the anti-media message from Christians before), but eventually submitted to peer pressure and proceeded towards the checkout.

I listened to it on the short 2 and half hour drive home from San Diego and then again the following week in the office.  I was ecstatic to find a different message relating to media that made incredible sense. 

After another 3 or 4 months, I broke down and bought the book.  17 days later, the book was finished.   Now 2 months upon completion, I am finally writing a review.  Proceed if you dare.

Shane Hipps is a pastor in Phoenix.  He looks like a pastor, entitles books like a pastor, and probably even smells like a pastor (I have no evidence or source for the last statement).  The only problem here is that he doesn’t write or speak like a pastor.  He sounds like an expert on media theory and doesn’t build his premises with theology as the sole foundation.  This all makes sense when you learn that before communicating the gospel his main goal in life was communicating the awesomeness of Porsche’s cars as strategic planner for an advertising firm.

In his attempt to explain the powers that media possesses, he has a few simple statements that seem to guide us through this maze of information.  Concepts like “the message is the medium” and “instead of asking ‘what does this do?’ we would be better served to ask ‘what does this mean?’” are revisited often.  He also frequently references Marshall McLuhan and relies heavily upon his set of questions dubbed the Laws of Media:

• What does the medium extend?
• What does the medium make obsolete?
• What does the medium reverse into?
• What does the medium retrieve?

He does a terrific job explaining the complexities of media and communication theories.  One section I found particularly interesting was his comparing and contrasting of the communication forms of the printed word and images and their connection to shift from post-modernity into this realm in which we are going.  I really appreciated the time he took to explain the impact of different media types on culture and the church.  For me, it really helps me gain a better understanding of the big picture.  (I can’t stand it when authors assert a point and give no reason assuming you know it…if I knew it, I would NOT be reading what you wrote!)

Another area that piqued my interest is where he writes about not being mastered by mediums of media.  In our media saturated lives sometimes we lose perspective of what we are actually doing and become enslaved to various mediums in our behaviors without giving much thought as to what simple task is being accomplished by the said medium.  Hipps suggests that our understanding of the impacts of the media we use is vital to our relationship with Christ as our focus remains fixed on the cross and not on specific mediums (ie. projection screen, sound systems, videos, bulletins, etc.)

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in understanding the impacts of media both subconsciously and the greater cultural climate.  It’s well-written and relatively easy to follow considering the content.  For me this book really helped me to identify the implications of different media forms that are present in my life.  Good read.  Definitely worth 17 days of your reading time.

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.

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.

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).