Still the Best Hope

I'm reading Still the Best Hope by Dennis Prager. In a nutshell, Prager describes the three primary value systems presently vying for authority in the world:

• Islam
• American
• Leftist

This book is a must read for those interested in figuring out what is really going on in America today.

"For Such a Time as This"

Individuals who want to make a difference can relate to the Biblical story of Mordecai, who influenced Queen Esther with the question, " . . . who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"* Consequently, Esther approached the king at the peril of her life, thereby saving her people.
I believe every citizen is born to make a difference, however insignificant that difference may appear through the lens of others. With courage and commitment, I can stand up and speak up for what I believe, joining others in making a difference now.
*Esther 4:14

"Thy Liberty in Law"

A tenet of my religious faith is, "We believe . . . in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law." Adherence to this tenet doesn't mean I must like or agree with all the laws.
For example, I don't believe money earned by hard-working citizens should be freely distributed to able-bodied citizens who are not required to work for it. This destructive pattern breeds dependence and even contempt from the very citizens whose lives it is designed to bless. If welfare recipients were required to participate in continuing education, citizens on both sides of the dole could ultimately benefit.

Happy Fourth of July!

I spent the Fourth of July studying for a final exam with no fireworks except those going off in my brain. The exam is scheduled for tomorrow at BSU -- Music 100 -- a five-week-three-credit-hour-40-hour-instruction-80-hour-studying sprint that has been downright fun. The best part is the good grade I'm going to get on the exam. I take that back. The best part is that Boise State offers citizens who are age 60+  the sweet deal of paying $5. per credit hour in addition to the learning.
What a country . . . Happy Birthday America!

"Confirm Thy Soul in Self Control"

The idea that government can improve America by attempting to control everything from the weather to the health choices of citizens is hardly rational.
It's like, let's concern ourselves with controlling the above, but hands off culprits who go door-to-door impregnating teenagers who then require government assistance to raise their children.
How ridiculous is that?
How about less failed government control and more citizens practicing self control.

"God Mend Thine Every Flaw"

God's help would come in handy mending the flaws our country faces now.
I know, I know. Some citizens don't believe in God, and that's their right.
Still, most of us believe.
I believe God will help when we study and attend to His priorities, when we give Him credit for knowing what to do and how to do it, and when we align our behavior with His timeless principles.

Who Made This Mess?

Sometimes, I discover a mess in the house and ask myself, "Who left this mess?" Then, I am reminded  that I live alone. I review my responsibility and clean it up.
Granted, President Obama is not wholly responsible for the mess in our economy. That said, his decisions have made the mess bigger. There is no evidence that he will take responsibility or clean up the aftermath of his failed economic policies.
Instead, the country is being ask to move forward toward vistas of unbridled messes ahead.
Mitt Romney is more invested in cleaning up the mess than in assessing blame to everyone else who helped make it.