February 20, 2010
Marxism ala Obama
This is the paper I wrote for my sociology class. I took a couple sentences out as they only pertained the idea that this was a school assignment.
“According to several news reports over the past several months President Obama has “attacked” banks, and other large corporations such as insurance companies. These attacks have been part of the administration’s attempt to bring reform to our nation’s health care system and financial system. This is what the administration claims at least. There are many who disagree with the claim that the goal is to reform the way most Americans would see it. Obama has been called many things by critics among which are such titles as “Marxist” and “Socialist”. I draw these two out from the many others (Communist, hypocrite, tyrant, etc) because these two seem to hold the most validity. I don’t see these two descriptions as separate, rather one being the exercise of the other.
It is very clear that his platform of “Progressivism” is actually a form of “Socialism”. Loosely defined this is an idea of intervention to bring about what Marx desired to see, no more classes based on wealth. Marx’s conflict theory based on class rule actually describes what the American society has become. Generally the candidate with the most financial backing wins the election, and thus the wealthiest class has their representative legislating on their behalf. Marx desired to see the society more balanced among the classes, or rather to see classes basically eliminated. What the current administration has done to bring about this change is actually to enact the conflict theory full-force. It has been called by people such as Mark Levine, author and political talk host, “Class Warfare”. In other words, the administration has attacked the upper class via the banks and large corporations and is pitting the middle and lower classes against the upper class in what seems to me as an effort to bring the upper class down to the level of the middle class. In this class-warfare system the one trying to eliminate the classes is not using any forces outside of the American Society. He is using the conflict between the classes to bring about the change, or evolution, he desires to see take place. What is interesting about all of this is that it is also taking place on a global scale. The much refuted idea of human-caused global warming has been used in an attempt to “attack” wealthier and more developed (more evolved if you will) nations and force them to supply money to lower countries based on Carbon emissions.
What I really find interesting is that through all of this conflict it is very clear that the result will not be a more evolved society but a society displaying the involution that Chirot talked about. Evolution is basically adapting to bring about a greater ability to survive. The United States as a capitalist society has become one of the wealthiest nations in the world. It has done so by rewarding based on merit and withholding reward when no merit is present. Basically, you get what you have worked to earn. Changing it to the society that Marx envisioned brings more danger than is shown on the surface. When taking away reward from those that have earned it in order to give to those who haven’t, keeping in mind that there are those in each class that are where they are regardless of their own efforts, takes away the desire to thrive and thus the need to survive. If John knows he’s going to get an even cut of the earnings regardless of how hard he works for it, he sees no need to overexert himself, meanwhile Steve feels the same way. The gross product between the two of them goes down due to a lack of effort by each of them. This lack of effort comes from the idea of rational choice. John and Steve are going to choose, regardless of what type of society they are in, to take the course of action that will bring each of them the greatest reward. Under a Marxist society that means allowing the other to do the work since they are each getting the same reward regardless. Under a Capitalist society it means each working as hard as he can knowing his reward is based on what he puts into it. Marx may have had a good idea, but the time it would take to evolve our minds into what they need to be, to determine that regardless of the reward we must put in our best effort or society will fail, would be so great that society would run an enormous risk of failure nevertheless would display involution to the fullest.”
October 16, 2009
Hands and Feet to Those We Find so Familiar
As we’re attempting to discover new ways to make God’s heart for lost and hurting people bleed in the hearts of the youth at our church, I came across a familiar video I first saw back in 2000. I had heard the song many times before, but when I saw the video, I was moved. The faces were familiar. I had just been in the Darien Jungle with these same people —- granted not the same faces in the video, but Kunas nonetheless. I had spent 4 days with the tribe at Peria and had the time of my life and, when I left, I felt I was leaving old friends. This video hit home, because to me these were my friends I longed to reach. The Bible says that the feet of those who carry the Gospel are beautiful. The faces we reach out to are even more so. When we are reaching out, are we simply reaching out to those we know nothing about? Are we reaching out to faces we can easily forget? We are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves. Knowing what we know of Christ as his children, what would we think if those closest to us cared nothing about sharing that hope with us, and only cared about those far away. I’m so encouraged by what our church is doing in Zambia and other parts of the world, and I’m blessed by the renewed passion for those in our midst. I pray God will ignite this passion in our youth, and that the fire ignited in their hearts will spark a renewed since of ownership in the mission in the older generations as well, and these kids would make their mark for Christ and spark new growth in Christ’s church both physically and spiritually.
October 5, 2009
Comfort in My Loneliness
I remember asking my Jr. Highers, one night, to list all they were thankful for in their lives. We scratched everything off their lists leaving Jesus on them. We asked them if that would be enough of a reason for them to rejoice. The answers were mixed, but most said yes. Of course they would. We were in a church. We then talked about Christ and how if we aren’t content in just him, we don’t know him.
I’ve looked back over past lessons I’ve taught and recent sermons and wondered who was speaking in those times. With the feelings I’m experiencing and the longing for answers I have, I can’t see how it was me at all. I then remember, that many times the speaker is being taught more than the listeners. One of the most common prayers of anyone speaking to a church or youth group is always that God would speak through him, and that God would be heard. How simple of a prayer that becomes when it becomes a formality, but how deep it is when God answers it. I look back at the 2 sermons I was allowed to give at church back in August and September, and I see God telling me to listen. He’s telling me that he was teaching me to prepare me for what is happening now.
The first sermon was about how God places people in our lives to draw us closer to him and to build a stronger faith in him. That one spoke to so many people, and I was able to share about men in my life who shaped me as they allowed God to work through them.
The second one was how God uses pivotal circumstances in our lives to do the same. This one was so hard for me to get through. I don’t know if my eyes dried up once during the sermon. But God spoke, and as I talked I listened.
This past week I looked at those 2 sermons, and I looked at my life. I started seeing people in my life how God has intended all along for me to see them. I started to look at my list of things to be thankful for. When I take all the material things off, I’m still content. God has provided so much through this season, that it isn’t my focus anymore. I know that he will provide what is physically needed. Then I come to those who God has placed in my life as pictures of himself. I have to be honest that right now I don’t know how thankful I could be if they were gone. I lie to myself that that day will never come, but I can’t bring myself to imagine the pain that I would feel. I know I would make it, but would I feel joy in Christ? It’s so hard to say. My biggest struggle right now is finding my joy, my security, and my significance in Christ alone. These people are very few and, for each of them, I could quickly list what my life would lack without them in it. I sometimes find myself feeling like a failure, a loser, or a disappointment to them when I wonder if there’s really anything their lives would lack without me being here. The struggle I face is living in such a way that my departure would leave a hole, however leaving enough room for God to fill that hole instead of me all the while looking to God to fill those holes in my life I have filled with those I love and look too. I believe that when I can begin to achieve this goal, these relationships will be stronger than ever before. God hasten that day.
Phil. 3:14 …I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
October 3, 2009
dePRESSiON
I’ve been jobless now for 13 months. I’m working part-time, but that barely covers much. I’ve always been able to have the answers for times like this and, if not, I was able to keep my head and be an encouragement for Beth. It’s funny how God shifts things around.
When we had our miscarriage a few years ago, I was able to remain in tact and help Beth through it. When I lost my job, I was able to point to God and to what he had done in the past.
Lately I’ve had a harder time of doing that for myself let alone Beth. I described my emotional state to someone last night as a mixture of depression, frustration, and exhaustion. Last night, while I was driving, the songs on the radio spoke to me very clearly. Almost every one of them attested to God’s timing, his hope, and his provision. “I will Rise” by Chris Tomlin spoke the loudest until I had just finished sweeping my last lot of the night. It was about 2 minutes after I left the store when “Cinderella” by Stephen Curtis Chapman came on. I was reminded immediately of what I have in my life that without God’s design wouldn’t be there. The song has new meaning coming from him now, since he lost his daughter to an accident at home. I’m reminded again how much God has provided and continues to through this trying time.
My life verse is Philippians 3:14. Boy have I forgotten it lately. My hope is that days and months from now I will be able to stand and confess that I pressed on.
Funny how the simple sentence, “I pressed on” is depression rearranged. I must remember when I feel I’m done, to press on.
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
September 23, 2009
Worship
“We delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are; the delight is incomplete till it is expressed.”
— C.S. Lewis
September 17, 2009
What next God?
I haven’t posted here in awhile, but I need to vent, and FaceBook doesn’t give me enough room.
I lost my job September 2 of last year. While on unemployment, I was able to find a part-time job that basically paid minimum wage. This kept me under the maximum weekly income allowance in order to receive full benefits. Unfortunately, that job qualified me for unemployment 1 year later. Why? Because, benefit qualification supercedes any extensions. I was supposed to have 13 more weeks, but now have none. Our savings has gone from 12,000 to almost zero between property taxes and vehicles. I have no idea what’s going to happen next. I said I qualified for unemployment based on my part-time job. This means I’ll receive $51 per week. But wait, there’s more. Since I have a part-time job, I make too much to even get the $51.
We are hurting. I personally, as selfish as it is, feel very let down. I feel let down by our government, by our systems, by God. After all he has done though this experience to provide for us. I still can’t shake this feeling.
Please pray that God would have mercy on me and show grace to my family. Right now, we are about $1000 short of making it through the rest of this month, not to mention the $860 mortgage payment due on the 1st. I know God will provide. I know he won’t let us fall. I just look at what he may be asking of me, and I can’t bear to think of the pain that will be involved on top of the hurt I’ve already been through for the last year. The pain this may bring is far worse. Over the last year, we’ve been ab;e to share a little about our situation to the kids and show them how God has shown up. We’ve done it together. To think of going through this time apart from each other for extended lengths of time just makes me cringe at the thought. When Landon hears I’ll be gone the next day for a side job, he cries in bed, because he’s so used to Daddy being here. I can’t imagine telling him, “Daddy will be home in 3 weeks. But, that may very well happen. I understand him needing to get used to me being at work full-time. But, to have to tell him he won’t see me for 3 weeks, and then after two days of being home telling him he has to go through that again kills me.
I pray God will just extend his hand and provide a full-time job here.
Please pray with us.
July 9, 2009
Let’s See
I want to see how many hits I get from seraches, so here goes. Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Iraq, Iraq, Recession, Recession, Bubbles,
April 23, 2009
8’s
Hmm, I guess I’ll write my first post in forever. Hollie put my name on hers, so here goes.
8 things I am looking forward to…
1. Sleep tonight
2. Saturday night
3. Getting a permanent job
4. Summer fishing
5. The October Salmon run
6. My Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee this morning
7. Friday Night
8. TRIAL Sermon #4
8 things I did yesterday…
1. Worked @ the station
2. Worked @ Coach’s house
3. Put Collin down for his nap
4. Made hot chocolate for Kaitlyn
5. Went to bed @ 2:30 pm
6. Woke up @ 7 pmto Landon screaming after a loud thud
7. Woke up @ 9:43 pm and put Collin to bed
8. Went back to the station
8 things I wish…
1. I had a permanent job
2. I could lose 10 lbs.
3. I had hair
4. I could reach certain people in my life
5. I could kill my “demons” (no I don’t mean my kids.)
6. Conspiracy theorists were wrong
7. Body hair didn’t exist
8. Nose hairs didn’t grow back
8 shows I watch…
1. The Office
2. Survivor
3. The Biggest Loser
4. Iron Chef America
5. Guy’s Big Bite
6. The Ultimate Fighter
7. UFC Fight Night
8. UFC Unleashed
8 people I tag…
Well since I don’t know if 8 people whose links I have will read this, hmmm
1.You
Leave your site link in the comment section
Growing Up Slowly Learning More Every Day 