Darkwater RetreatSearching far and wide for signs of intelligence.

Novel concept:  Work hard to get where you want to be.

From Wikepedia the free encyclopedia:

Anarcho-capitalism

Yes Virginia, there is a sinister horde of individuals hoping to destroy capitalism along with all the prosperity, stability and creativity that it offers.  They wish to destroy the foundation on which many generations have striven to maintain and sustain for themselves and their children.  And yes, many believers in capitalism have given their lives to preserve this ideology.

My dear Virginia, this anti-capitalist horde who portray themselves as good and compassionate humanitarians (who claim their only desire is to help the poor and oppressed) are but wolves in sheep’s clothing.  The wolves (aka “progressives”) evolved during the 1960′s and are the leaders of the pack.  These pack leaders were born into families that had gained their wealth by utilizing all the opportunities that capitalism offered.  These “flower children” of the sixties had been given all the opportunities of a capitalistic society but were unwilling to sacrifice or commit to a legitimate humanitarian effort.  They were the cowardly protesters who ran amuck on college campuses across this nation while the true heroic humanitarians were being maimed or killed in war.  Now, thirty years later, still protesting and still cowards, their guilt drives them forward.  Unwilling to admit to their weakness of character (and actual intent), they continue in an obsessive “anti-establishment” hippy-protest-mode (even though they now are the “establishment”).  Their true desire is to maintain continued wealth and status for themselves.  However, in order to do so — they must acquire and maintain control.  If it be to the destruction of others or to our great nation — they care not. The ideology to which they claim is the destroyer (wealth and greed via capitalism) is the very force that drives them forward (for example, millionaire Al Gore will amass even more millions from his green technology scams).  Virginia, please believe me — Al Gore is not looking our for your best interest.  Don’t be fooled by what appears to be noble and honorable endeavors.

The pack preys on the masses by offering false promises with destructive results.  They effectively use “class envy” as a propaganda tool. Creating “jealousy” (coveting thy neighbor’s prosperity and/or ingenuity) among the masses is a very effective and powerful scheme.  Unfortunately “class envy” works to their advantage and many people fall for this scam time and again.  Progressives’ intent has always been to control the masses by using government as its instrument to intervene and control.  Now, after thirty years of infiltrating our government and educational systems, the “period of enlightenment” for the progressive movement has come to full fruition.

Government control of the masses is collectivism — it doesn’t work.  Ayn Rand writes in her book “Capitalism”, copyright 1946 (page 19 in soft back):

In a capitalist society, all human relationships are voluntary.  Men are free to cooperate or not, as their own individual judgments, convictions, and interests dictate.  They can deal with one another only in terms of and by means of reason, i.e., by means of discussion, persuasion, and contractual agreement, by voluntary choice to mutual benefit.  The right to agree with others in not a problem in any society; it is the right to disagree that implements the right to disagree — and thus keeps the road open to man’s most valuable attribute (valuable personally, socially and objectively): THE CREATIVE MIND.

Remember Virginia, never fall victim to the progressives’ twaddle in which they claim they are “looking out for your best interest”.  It is cowardly guilt (and greed for power) that guides their deeds and course of action.  Their agenda will not only destroy productivity and creativity but will eventually take away personal incentives and liberties.

To view this nation’s potential future (if we continue along the road of the current progressive movement), research the history of Native Americans and discover what many years of “government intervention and control” has done to the lives of these people.

Yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus who is creative, compassionate and giving but it is NOT the government.

The midwest is in full court dress in October.  It’s my favorite time of year for visiting my hometown – Podunkville.   Born and raised in Podunkville –  home of the Podunkville Porcupines .  Yay! Go team go!

My annual midwest visit serves a double purpose.  Autumn is also the birth date of my grandchild.  Ya’ll know the ditty – Grandma’s the name and spoilin’s the game.  Well, that’s me to a tee!

It just so happened that my grandchild had been awarded with a school letter (makes my heart proud); however did not have a jacket on which to display this honor.  It was perfect timing for this ole grandma to purchase something special that would not be stuffed away in the bottom drawer until grandma returns again.  I contacted the high school to order appropriate jacket but was informed that all sports apparel purchases were through a local Podunkville merchant.  Supposedly, the local sports shop was the only game in town for obtaining specific Porcupine logo purchases.

Upon entering the sports shop, it was truly a porcupine experience – prickly.  I felt as though I had entered a private meeting of some secret Order of the Porcupine and was imposing on their time and space. I’m quite aware that I could not pass for your typical cheer-squad mom so I let the moment pass.  After much thrashing through racks of elusive jackets, I realized that I had questions (up to this point neither owner had asked if I needed assistance).  I literally begged for help and my questions were answered with haughty contempt.  At first, my thought was ok, Miss Fancy Pants, I believe you’re in need of a good whuppin’; but I persevered and continued with my stupid questions (based on her attitude, I assumed they were stupid).  When all was said and done, the total purchase price, including embroidered logo and attachment of letter, was a whopping one hundred fifty dollars.  Being a typical grandma, I was prepared to spend an obscene amount of money to make my grandchild happy.

I now offer an analogy and the direction of my story — a case for free market competition.  More explicitly, Adam Smith’s invisible hand theory. The local high school (government) had set parameters restricting free market competition.  The Podunkville sports shop had been offered a monopoly on all logo apparel for the community (no competition).  Their shopping hours were whenever the owners felt like being there (I had visited the shop on several occasions to find it closed); products within the store were limited (most products had to be special ordered); and as far as customer service – absolutely atrocious.  After checking with other sports shops, I found that the Podunkville shop was my only option.  Of course, I could order direct from the manufacturer; however, I would have to order a minimum of twelve jackets in order to receive a reasonable price (which did not include the embroidery or attachment of the letter).  As I said before, I was more than willing to spend an obscene amount of money but it’s the principal of the situation.  I was outraged!  The owners knew they were the ultimate winner of the game. Apparently, there was no team spirit in being the best that they could be in customer servicing or providing a quality product at a reasonable price.  Isn’t competition what sport events are all about?  Without competition there was no desire or even a moral disposition toward providing their community with primo consumer satisfaction.  This Podunkville shop was in fact given the opportunity to give the best possible service to its own community (without that annoying competition factor).  Why didn’t they?

Isn’t that exactly what our current liberal administration continues to preach to us?  People will naturally do-the-right-thing based upon a desire to spread the wealth through moral and honorable convictions in regard to humanitarian responsibilities?  Of course we all want to believe (or hope) people will do the honorable thing.  We all desire a utopian society where this would be possible.  Socialistic and communistic belief is based on the false premise that people (government merchants of goods and services who will monopolize the market) will offer the best possible service and product because it’s the ethical and moral right-thing-to-do. It simply will not happen.  However, free market competition will (and does) force people to do-the-right thing. People, by nature, will always look out for their own best interest.  This is reality – plain and simple.  Government cannot force it down our throats.  A system must be in place wherein services and goods are allowed to flow in a market – freely and invisibly. The invisible hand theory does work.  A competing sports shop in Podunkville would administer a competitive invisible hand whuppin’ to the current sport shop which would force them to either change their sour attitude or lose business.

I gave my grandchild an obscene amount of cash with instructions to spend on whatever and wherever  — excluding the local sport shop of course.  Free market competition doesn’t necessarily mean your team will always be a winner.

Rush takes a call from “Susan”.

This woman is passionate but is able to control herself and let it all come out! I believe she speaks for me and most women in this country.

Each fall I am able to view herds of elk as they wander and roam our beautiful mountain slopes. Elk are magnificent animals. Recently, one of these majestic animals was munching grass and bushes in my very own backyard! Excited, my husband woke me at 6:00 a.m. so that I too could witness the destruction of my lawn and plants. He frantically instructed me to get the camera, get the camera! As I thrashed through the closet trying to locate the camera, my husband relocated the dog to an area where she wouldn’t be able to see the elk and perform her usual frenzied barking. With camera in hand, I quietly slipped through the screendoor to the backporch. The elk was at least six foot at the shoulder. As I snapped pictures, the elk slowly raised its head and looked at me with a calm and inquisitive look of interest. The elk seemed neither threatened nor threatening. It was an amazing experience.

As it moved on to another location in the yard where it could eat more of my delectable plants and bushes, I was unable to view it from the porch. I went back into the house and located a window where I might see it better. After finding a window where I could view it clearly, I also saw my housecat stalking the elk! He must have slipped out the screendoor at the same time I did. He’s not a very big cat (actually he’s an “it” – he’s been fixed) and he’s also declawed. Crazed, I went flying out the door screaming, are you crazy – you don’t have any claws! Of course this spooked the elk. With one smooth, exquisite powerful move, it leaped over our two-foot pony-wall and down a steep twenty-five foot embankment then trotted off to other pastures. The cat, in his usual haughty arrogant manner, strolled back into the house believing he was the “great and powerful Oz”.

Our readers realize that I won’t be able to end this episode without a political parallel. This is the site of the Darkwater Retreat and that’s what we explorers do — dive deep.

As I see it, the elk is comparable to the proud people of this nation and the liberties that we now enjoy. We as a people can be strong and powerful along with thoughtful and inquisitive. Emphasis should be placed on the words can be. We as a people have the ability to be economically and socially strong and healthy. However, in my opinion, many in this country have lost the ability to recognize current political maneuvers that threaten to weaken and destablize our economic and social structure. As the mighty elk, we should feel neither threatened nor be threatening. However, it has come to pass that many of us, as explorers, do feel threatened and feel we must become more threatening against those who desire to destroy our liberties. As explorers, we must become more inquisitive and more thoughtful to the issues. If we don’t, that haughty, arrogant clawless little cat will slip through the screen door and stalk the mighty elk til it leaps the wall and dissappears. The cat believes he can bring down the elk…..and with the help of crazed uninformed people…..he will do it. We must not let the cat take away our liberties and our freedom.

Oh, by the way, did I mention the color of my cat? He’s black and white.

We really did what we set out to do! We must not stop! We must gain control of our country again.

Conservative Woodstock Rocks the Capital • Looking at the Left

Listening to the radio, I picked up a new way of thinking  about our country.  A way I had already thought of long ag0, but had forgotten.

America is about 250 years old.  Compared with all other countrys, that are thousands of years old, yet we have moved so far ahead of all of them.  Have we forgotten why?

Our freedom and our capitalistic way of life has been at the center of our success.  Then why would ANYONE want to CHANGE that? Our president seems to want us to become a third world country!!!   Has anyone caught on to that yet?  He seems to want to  turn our children into drones and to march and  pledge to him and HIS CAUSE.

Parents and grandparents need to be asking HARD  questions of their childrens’ principals and teachers regarding what kind of song, videos and books they are using.  It’s our right to know…  We don’t have to be accusing anyone, just stay informed.  Ask your older children some questions so they will be looking out for themselves and our values.  Values regarding our country is very important.  It is key to this fight we find ourselves in!

I have heard some disturbing things on radio and TV.  Just in the past week, these things chills me to the bone.  Awareness and vigilance is key for all of us who know what is going on in our Nation.

WE MUST WIN…SPEAK OUT!!

We must win!

WE CAN WIN…SPEAK OUT!!

In the business world, most companies start with a mission statement or vision.  This is their chance to spell out what they believe and choose to be about.  It is with this vision in mind that the company moves forward, looking to this mission statement for guidance and to keep them on track.

In our nation this was, at one time, our Constitution.  This document was Americans telling the world what the U.S. was going to be about.  This had been the case, but what about now?

Even while running for president, Obama made reference to our Constitution being out of date.  It could be the anti-capitalist side of him coming through.  After all, why would a socialist need a mission statement?  If not the Constitution, what is guiding our president?  I think this is a question worth asking about the president, and about our nation.

Somewhere in the last 40 or so years in this country we seem to be trending toward the gray area.  We are willingly choosing to believe in nothing.  Things in the nation and for most people are no longer right or wrong, but everything lives in the middle.  Maybe, more appropriately it could be said that all has become relative.  What I, as an individual, believe becomes the ultimate truth and there becomes no universal truth. It sounds a little ridiculous doesn’t it?  I mean after all, if a friend and I both put our hand on a hot stove, it would be universally hot to both of us.  No matter how hard I believed it wasn’t hot, it wouldn’t change the fact that my hand is still burning.  Just using this as an example could lead to many more examples of universal truths. Unfortunately, it is the relative truth that seems to guide lives of our nation’s leaders.  They change their minds and policies like they change their socks, and, why not?  If there is no guiding vision why shouldn’t they.  The problem is this type of thinking is like building a house without laying a foundation.  If we continue down this path of moral depravity what will be left?

One of the great weaknesses late in the Roman Empire was their hired military.  It was no longer Romans who were fighting for Rome and their people.  It was people paid to do a job, so their loyalty easily failed.

This could very well be the path of our nation.  When you no longer have truths to fight for you lay down your weapons in the heat of the battle.  Even the Islamic terrorists realize this.  That is why they mock Obama because they see his lack of faith and moral fortitude.  They seem to not believe he’ll follow through with his threats.

We used to believe things in this nation like, “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, “ yet  not one these things are guaranteed in the Obama healthcare bill.  Life has only become worth saving or worth bringing into this world if deemed worthy by the government.  We will not retain liberty in our healthcare choices.  Lastly, why pursue happiness, the government will meet all our needs, right?

It used to be said, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.”  I have never found this more true than in the last few years.  So what will you stand for, what do you believe?

I know I try to cover much in this little commentary but it’s what I’m buzzing about today.

When listening to President Obama’s speech to Congress last night about a “health care” plan, one thing really struck me. Obama was referring to a letter written by recently deceased Sen. Edward (Teddy) Kennedy. Obama stated that Kennedy wrote, “This is the year that health care reform, that great unfinished business of our society, will finally pass.” Obama said, “It reminded me that it concerns more than material things.” Obama went on to quote Kennedy’s letter: “What we face is, above all, a moral issue. At stake are not just the details of policy, but fundamental principles of social justice and the character of our country.” Obama then went on to speak about the character of our country by talking about “our self-reliance, our rugged individualism, and our fierce defense of freedom and our healthy skepticism of government.” Doesn’t that sound like conservative or decentralist comments?!! Isn’t that the whole point of the opponents of the proposed health care plan that we are self-reliant, rugged individuals who are trying to defend our freedoms from intrusion by an out of control, Big Brother, federal government?

But, if we take a look at the words social justice, it becomes more clear what Obama and his minions are suggesting and, will again, try to ram down the throats of the American citizens with health care reform, Cap and Trade, FCC “diversity of ownership” policies, and much more: social justice.

Social justice is a term that is used to describe an issue in politics, religion, and society in general. Most individuals wish to live in a just society, but each political ideology has its own concept of what constitutes a “just society”. The term “social justice” is often employed as a euphemism by the political left to describe a society with a greater degree of economic egalitarianism, which may be achieved through progressive taxation, income redistribution, or even property redistribution. Economists refer to policies aimed toward achieving this as equality of opportunity and equality of outcome. The very idea of believing that social justice is feasible is contradictory to understanding the principles of liberty, free will, self-reliance, and rugged individualism; social justice will require all liberty, free-will, self-reliance, and rugged individualism to be destroyed.

The most complete rejection of the concept of social justice comes from Friedrich Hayek of the Austrian School of economics:

“There can be no test by which we can discover what is ‘socially unjust’ because there is no subject by which such an injustice can be committed, and there are no rules of individual conduct the observance of which in the market order would secure to the individuals and groups the position which as such (as distinguished from the procedure by which it is determined) would appear just to us. [Social justice] does not belong to the category of error but to that of nonsense, like the term `a moral stone’.”

According to the Green Party of the US, social justice is described as the right and opportunity of all people “to benefit equally from the resources afforded us by society and the environment.” Remember Van Jones and his speeches? He also referred to social justice.

Just remember, the buzz words “social justice” mean reparations and taking from those who have to give to those who have not based on need, past discriminations, or any other premise to “equalize both opportunity and outcome”. Wasn’t that what the basis of Karl Marx’s Communist Manifesto?

From the Marx’s Communist Manifesto:
“We see then: the means of production and of exchange, on whose foundation the bourgeoisie built itself up, were generated in feudal society. At a certain stage in the development of these means of production and of exchange, the conditions under which feudal society produced and exchanged…the feudal relations of property became no longer compatible with the already developed productive forces; they became so many fetters. They had to be burst asunder; they were burst asunder. Into their place stepped free competition, accompanied by a social and political constitution adapted in it, and the economic and political sway of the bourgeois class. A similar movement is going on before our own eyes…. The productive forces at the disposal of society no longer tend to further the development of the conditions of bourgeois property; on the contrary, they have become too powerful for these conditions, by which they are fettered, and so soon as they overcome these fetters, they bring disorder into the whole of bourgeois society, endanger the existence of bourgeois property.”

Or, perhaps his best known quote: From each according to his ability, to each according to his need (or needs).

And who now wants to still say our current government and administration are not Marxists? Social justice is just a euphemism for “the collective” or communist ideology.

Click Here for Video Peter Schiff, being a little more selective on who he allows himself to be interviewed by…  He was right!

I read “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand not too long ago.  This is a classic book, originally published in1957, yet still in popular demand.  This book made me shiver with the correlations to some of the current issues and events happening within our government and country.  The book is a work of fiction set in a future USA whose economy is collapsing as a result of the common theme that everything must be done under the premise of “what is good for all” or “the collective” and that rich businessmen are evil.  Industries are taken over, one by one, by government issued directives or laws, and the masses are starving because the government does not know how to efficiently or effectively run businesses.  Laws are changed at the whim of the government only to benefit a few powerful, behind the scenes government officials whose only goal is power and control. Sound eerily familiar to some of the things happening in our country? The Treasury department’s takeover of banks like AIG , Citigroup, and Chase, or the auto companies of GM, and Chrysler? Timothty Geithner’s asking for the blanket power to take over any public or privately owned business that may “threaten our economy”?

Now the government wants to run the health care system which comprises 1/6 to 1/7 of our total US economy. In a recent interview with Glenn Beck, Great Britain’s Daniel Hannan, a Tory (Conservative) member of the European Parliament, really provided the “Aha” moment we have all been looking and waiting for.  He said that the reason Great Britain cannot get rid of its abysmal socialized, nationalized health care system is because it is the third largest employer in the WORLD—only behind China’s Red Army, and India’s government owned Indian Railways—and any time a candidate for office in government proposes scrapping the government run system and returning to a private, capitalistic or market- based system, the 1.5 million employees of the British National Health care system push back; this would mean certain defeat for the candidate. The most recent unemployment rates in Great Britain are much lower than currently seen in the US—around 6.3% as of December 2008—in part because so many citizens are employed by the government within the health care system bureaucracy!! Mr. Hannan also stated that the health care system is the single largest item in the country’s budget each year! He issued a dire warning:  If the US passes and implements a nationalized health care system, there will be no turning back. The government will run the economy (even more than it currently does) and will have POWER AND CONTROL over the most elemental and fundamental aspects of our daily lives—our health. Too fat?  Sorry, no knee replacement for you. Oh, you smoke? Sorry, no treatments for pneumonia or COPD. Oh, you need dialysis and are over 65? Sorry, no money available for that—you are no longer a “productive” member of the collective. Oh, you think you can refuse the H1N1 flu shot?  Sorry, government directive 5413 makes it a mandatory inoculation. That precious baby you have been waiting for was born prematurely and needs life-saving critical care for the next four months—sorry, that will cost too much and the baby has no economic value to the collective.

Every step a government takes to control the economy of a country takes its citizens one step further away from freedom. “Individual rights are not subject to a public vote; a majority has no right to vote away the rights of a minority; the political function of rights is precisely to protect minorities from oppression by majorities (and the smallest minority on earth is the individual)”—Ayn Rand. Our founding fathers put into place the most perfect document to protect citizens of the United States of America from their government. It’s time we stand up and use our Constitutional rights to oppose being a “collective”, whether referring to nationalized health care or any other governmental scheme that proposes to take away our rights and freedom and return again to the insistence that each individual in this once great country has the right to freedom of choice—including economic freedom of choice.

If I had to pick a hero that best represents the ideals I admire the most, it would have to be 18th century Scottish philosopher Adam Smith.  For classical economists, Adam Smith is a superstar.  Adam Smith is known as the” Father of Capitalism” and even though Socialism is currently in vogue, many like myself opine for the wisdom of Smith. Adam Smith is closely associated with Laissez Faire and the Invisible Hand theory.  His view is that as people pursue their own self-interest, great amounts of goods and services are moved as if being pushed by an invisible hand. When people look out for their own best interest, they inadvertently help society as a whole. Critics often dismiss Smith’s theories as promoting selfishness and see it as “morally reprehensible”.  Economists see his theory in a far different light.  Now, I ask that you suspend the usual knee jerk reaction of which most people do upon first hearing this principle. Let me put  this into context: 

1. Smith is not saying that we should be this way, he’s saying “we are this way” (of which there is nothing wrong with that).  He maintains that we all look out for our own best interest (which includes our families too). No matter how altruistic a person’s actions appear - is the individual still not doing it for self ? If a person donates money, clothes or food, does that not make the donator happier? If a person is kind to others, does that not bode well for that person? People assume that self-interest means something negative but many acts of kindness are implemented because it’s in the best interest of the individual.  Aren’t we all better off because of it?  I provide for my family because it’s in my best interest to do so (it would bring me pain if I didn’t).

2. Let’s examine a neighborhood bakery in Karl Marx’s (Father of Communism) world compared to Adam Smith’s (Father of Capitalism) world.  At Marx’s bakery, they make cookies for the sake of society as a whole (based on their ideology).  Adam’s bakery makes their very best cookie recipe because, if they don’t, their competition will (based on self preservation).  At Marx’s bakery, there is no concern about the welfare of the bakery business.  Marx’s bakery is owned by the government and their customers have no choice but  to shop there. Therefore, there is no concern about going out of business – there’s no competition!  At Adam’s bakery, they either have to have the best cookies or have the cheapest cookies (or both) to stay in business.  Adam’s bakery has competitors. Marx’s bakery does not have those problems so they don’t have to concern themselves with price or quality. Marx’s bakery may or may not have the  best cookies because there are no other cookies in which to compare. Without competition how would one know if they were good or bad?   At Adam’s bakery, customers know what comprises a good cookie and will be quick to change to another bakery if Adam was to do a poor job (or use inferior ingredients). Marx’s bakery has been assigned to the area (and the other areas have similar Marx bakeries) so their bakery can charge whatever they deem appropriate. Customers have no say in regard to cost or quality of Marx’s cookies (unless the customer makes their own cookies).  Customers determine what they are willing to pay for Adam’s cookies.  If customers don’t believe his cookies are worth the price , they go elsewhere.  In Adam’s world, customers have the power. In Marx’s world, the supplier (government) has the power.

3.       Some might remember the following event. In 1990, McDonalds (one of the largest market based [capitalistic] companies) was brought to its knees by a relatively small number of Americans. For those of you who remember the late eighties and early nineties, environmental awareness was not like it is today. McDonalds was packaging their burgers in styrofoam containers (which is not biodegradable). At that time, most people did not consider the containers a big deal but some people complained to McDonalds and they changed their containers fairly quickly. Was it because they saw the error of their ways?  Maybe.  More than likely, they realized that Burger King (or another competitor) would make the change; then, would publicly mock and ridicule McDonalds for not being environmentally conscious.  Competition and (free-market based) media keeps American companies in check. Sure, capitalistic companies break the law and do unethical practices, but once the public becomes aware, they will feel the wrath of the consumers and media. During this same time (in a communist country) a small factory was shown (by American media not their own) to be pouring toxic chemicals directly into a major river. Protesters were “up-in-arms” about the situation. The country’s military stepped in and threatened to shoot them. What was the peoples’ recourse? The country’s media was also government owned (other than the people there and people who watched it in our country) their people didn’t know it happened. When a country owns the means of production, to what entity and where would complaints be directed?   The government is controlling the flow of information and the complaint is against them.

Adam Smith and Classical economists maintain that market based systems give the power to the people. Capitalism, as consumers, the people determine what is best for ourselves. Socialism has “enlightened politicians” determining what is best for us (not for themselves, of course, but everyone else). So pardon me if I laugh at those who assert that socialism somehow represents the interests of the “common man”.  That, my friend, is pure propaganda perpetrated by rich, elite fascists. Socialism is about power over the masses by an elite few.  Capitalism works for everyone — for those who eat caviar and those who eat spaghetti-Os.

For over forty years, my husband and I have owned a small mom-pop business. Networking is a crucial part of operating a business. Between the two of us, we joined every club, organization, group, association, society, institution, guild, society or committee (both social and professional) which allowed us affiliation (and a few which didn’t want us affiliated). At times it was difficult operating a business and participating in extracurricular activities as it took much of our valuable time and energy. Nevertheless, we plowed ahead and committed ourselves to the purpose, function or direction of those particular affiliations. We learned and gained much experience from many years of community involvement. Along the way, we had lots of fun and made many friends.

In recent years, participation in most clubs/organizations have diminished (and is continuing its rapid decline). Most often, the clubs in which we were involved had humanitarian goals. In recent years, contributions (both monetary and service) from its members have dropped substantially. Even clubs which are socially directed are suffering from poor enrollment. This country’s current economic situation is most likely the number one reason; however, would it not make sense then for people to be more community oriented rather than less?

Our business no longer donates, sponsors, gives or contributes nor do we personally donate, sponsor, give or contribute. Our state and federal government closed our business doors with over-regulation and over-taxation. Our business no longer has the monetary means to contribute to our community.

In past years, I faithfully contributed to a disabled veterans organization. I actually visited their facility and witnessed for myself where my money was being applied. It was a very worthy cause. Unfortunately, I am now unable to make donations to my favorite group.

I believe more and more people, like myself, have decided to cut back on donations. Why? Because our government now does that for us. Both state and federal government tax us and make those decisions to whom, to where, and to what will receive our money. For example, like “turtle bridges so they may cross safely.” Shouldn’t it be my decision where to spend my money? I choose disabled veterans rather than turtles.

Government has now taken the place of our churches and many, many humanitarian institutions. Government has killed this country’s sense of community. Big Brother is now in control!

Like millions of other Americans, I too mourn the loss of a beloved idol. Though many in the media have mocked and ridiculed as being sick, twisted and broken, I (and many others) never lost faith.  As far back as I can remember, the idol was part of my life.  Though much older than me, I remember in the eighties when there was a surge in my idol’s popularity and everyone was singing the same tune. No one doubted the greatness of the message. At the skating rink, the diner, the disco and even at the movies, the influence was everywhere. Even countries that did not believe in such extravagances were in awe (and many fans were created). It’s sad that so many have forgotten the greatness and the powerful message and how that so-called “friends” helped to undermine the message. Doctors, lawyers and government officials sought to bring down the “King”. Neither doctors nor drug producers tried to help but, in fact, enabled the demise. Even those who had been given so much and whose lives had been changed for the better did nothing to help. Many of you may be saying “what could we possibly have done”!

We could have demanded that those in charge help to stop the hurting of what we had come to love. We could have refused to listen to all the false lies and slander that people in the media placed on our idol. But — we did nothing. We were constantly looking for the next best thing and did not realize what we had until it was gone. In recent years, my idol was weakened and hammered and mis-characterized on many matters not guilty of.

Last week, my idol, when needing us most, was KILLED in the darkness of night by members of the House of Representatives from a lethal mix of something called Cap and Trade. The media largely ignored the passing because they chose to focus on the demise of some mere pop celebrity. For me, I mourn the death of the “King” of economic systems — Capitalism.

Rest in peace, you will live in the hearts and minds of millions of fans forever.