Monday, December 03, 2012

Politics

So much in my brain that needs to come out.  I've exhausted myself with politics.  I am convinced thast America is on the decline not because America isn't smart, but because they are ignorant.  We are doing things on automatic because we don't know any better.  It isn't that I am uncaring about the poor and underprivileged (I grew up that way and I am cetainly not rich now!), it is that it cannot be SUSTAINED.  I would love to make sure every family in America has a tv, phone, food, shelter, insurance and transportation.  HOWEVER, we cannot afford it.

There are things that are good and wholesome and worthwhile that my personal family cannot afford either.  Hubby and I went to a fundraiser banquet recently and my heart was stirred in a big way.  I wanted to write a huge check to this ministry and help them raise the funds they need to help all the people the way they want to help.  However, hubby and I had already determined what we could afford before we went and that is what we were able to give.

Emotional giving is something we all face.  People appeal to our emotions to try to prompt us to give more money.  I got no problem with that.  Maybe you give up a luxury item to be able to give more.  Maybe you give up alot of things to really bless a charity.  That is awesome and I applaud it.

The same should not hold true for TAXES.  Taxes are collected to maintain the government in the way the Constitution outlines.  We COULD pare back governmental spending to just those things and then from there we can see what is left and where we can afford to help with other stuff.  How about we start paring back Congressional benefits until crooks and theives are not so attracted to it.  Don't appeal to my charitable leanings for GOVERNMENT.  Don't tell me that because someone is UBER rich that they should have to pay more.  BULL.  They are not the enemy.  No one should be able to force you to give more of your income because you have worked hard for it and make more than others.  Taxes should be percentage based, period.  Do you realize that most people in America do not pay taxes and the very rich pay over 50% of their income?  In what world is that fair???  People with kids get a HUGE tax credit...why?  Did we not choose that?

I love this country and all she has to offer.  At this point in the game, anybody that is willing to work hard can earn a living.  I worked two part time jobs when I was fresh out of high school so I could live on my own in Paducah and go to school.  That is alot of working time and I still did not make alot of money as both jobs were minimum wage.  However, it did teach me to live frugally.  There were not any extras.  It was a good lesson.  I don't consider cable, cell phone and eating out to be needs.  Those are luxuries.  Even transportation is a luxury...cars cost alot to operate and maintain.  Pets are another luxury.  Cell phones are certainly a luxury.

My point is, our government needs to cut back on spending and so does its citizens.  We need an education in basic needs versus luxuries.  We need to stop worrying about what everyone else has and focus on what we can afford.  Those pesky 'Joneses' always keep buying more stuff...it makes them impossible to 'keep up with'...so we should probably go ahead and stop trying.

Neglect

My blog is much neglected of late.  So is my house and my hair is long overdue for a trim.  There are mini gardens in my backyard that remain in need of attention.  This is my life right now.  I have to prioritize and that means some stuff gets left out.  My children are center stage right now and my job as chaffeur is much in demand.  I also lend my chaffeur skills to my mom about once a week.  Add to that the many projects I am a part of at church plus the online history class I am taking and there just isn't alot of extra space left.  Oh and that pesky little part time job.

So, all of that to say, I am in the 'busy' season of life.  And, for the most part, I am content there.  I've never really been one who likes inactivity.  Most of the things I enjoy are things that require motion-even if only the wheels in my brain at times.  I try to remember that these are the last years of my children being in my nest.  In the next 8 years, my nest will become something I will have very limited control over.  Something that will not even resemble what it is now, not that I am kidding myself thinking I have anything resembling control now, lol.  I just know the winds of change are only a breeze right now but will become a hurricane soon enough.

Yesterday, my house was full of the small children in my growth group from church.  I get misty-eyed watching toddlers.  I have mixed emotions-I was 'there' for all of my kiddos growing up years.  I didn't 'miss' it but I am not sure I savored it enough.  I looked forward to the next thing too much and did not enjoy the right now.  Of course, this is one of those 'with age, comes wisdom' kind of things.  I could not change a thing...even if I went back in time, the events would just repeat. 

I remind myself to savor the years I have left.  I love my children with the enlarged heart that all mothers possess.  Even with the mouthiness that accompanies puberty.  The self-centeredness that causes the independence that causes kids to grow up.  The 'world revolves around me' mentality that exists even in the most good-natured teen.  Does it shrink my heart?  Not at all.  It does make it ache a little.  I so vividly remember from my own life the tough lessons that are ahead for my children.  I long to insulate them from the day they learn the world does, most assuredly, NOT revolve around them.  I wish I could save them from one-tenth of the heart ache that lies ahead.  But I cannot.  This heartache will continue their whole lives and it is where their character will emerge.  It is how God will make them into the women He needs them to be.

So, forgive me for too much nostalgia this morning.  My babies are growing up and I have a love/hate relationship with it.  However, I am well rested and my kids help me with cleaning and housework.  They do not rely on me for everything.  Soon I will even have a young driver to run some of my errands.  Life is good and every age brings with it new challenges, but also new blessings.  I am thankful God made my life into something glorious.  My blessings are heaped up and spill over.