Dude, Where’s My Flying Car?
As with many Americans, I have been questioning the direction of our country. I have been wondering what happened along my American journey that brought us to a state of affairs, such as exist today. In April of 1968, I was a young lad of nine years old. I sat in the front of Houston's Windsor Theater awaiting the start of a movie that would alter my perceptions of what my future might entail. That movie was 2001, A Space Oddity, Stanley Kubrick's epic story of man's first contact with extraterrestrial life. It showed that in 2001, there would be regular ...
What would the THE Founding Father of America Think of What is Happening to our Country?
The final resting place of George Washington, the first President of The United States. In March of 2008, I was one of several teachers that took approximately 60 students from Pasadena, Texas to Washington, DC. One of the places that we visited was Mount Vernon, the pastoral home of George Washington on The Potomac River. During our tour, we were able to visit the mausoleum on the grounds where Washington, along with his beloved wife Martha are interred. During this time in this pastoral location, I had time to meditate and pray about what I felt was the wrong direction my country ...
Just when I thought I was out… they pull me back in!
On this auspicious day in Texas History, I have decided to start blogging again! I stopped posting on my blog two years ago to make more time to handle the increased bureaucracy that came with serving as an educator in Texas. Since that time, I have been a victim of true corrupt evil and refuse to stay quiet any longer! It has been said that dissent is the highest form of patriotism...well, I intend to dissent in a very loud manner! On this day, 176 years ago, Texas declared its Independence from Mexico. Additionally, today is the birthday of "The Raven", General ...
A Definition of Politics and a Commentary on America’s Two Party Political System
Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines politics as follows: Pol-i-tics: a) the art or science of government. b) the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy. c) the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government. If politics is truly the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government, the strategists of the Republican and Democratic parties of the United States are truly the grandmasters. In the game of chess, the object is to checkmate your opponent's King. Player One with the white pieces moves first and has the advantage against Player Two ...
Mar 12
29
Dude, Where’s My Flying Car?
As with many Americans, I have been questioning the direction of our country. I have been wondering what happened along my American journey that brought us to a state of affairs, such as exist today.
In April of 1968, I was a young lad of nine years old. I sat in the front of Houston’s Windsor Theater awaiting the start of a movie that would alter my perceptions of what my future might entail. That movie was 2001, A Space Oddity, Stanley Kubrick’s epic story of man’s first contact with extraterrestrial life. It showed that in 2001, there would be regular travel from Earth to permanently manned space stations and moon bases. The movie itself was a quantum leap in cinematography and special effects. However, it was a window for a young boy to imagine what his life would be like in 21st century America.
One of the pieces of technology I was sure that would be available by the time I was fifty is the flying car.
During the early 1990′s, I became aware of a guy named Paul Moller that was designing my dream, a real, honest to god flying car! Over the last two decades, Moller has been perfecting his flying car called The Skycar. This marvel of modern technology can travel 750 miles non-stop carrying four passengers at 360 miles per hour without the owner having to take formal flight training…fully automatic operation, with a safety parachute system for the entire vehicle to boot! Federal regulations have hampered the development of The Skycar for years. Yep…once again senile Ol’ Uncle Sam is getting in the way of progress. It figures!
Moller International has been taking orders for The Skycar for a couple of years, and deliveries are to start within the next three years. However, the airline industry lobbyist are probably greasing the hands of politicos putting roadblocks to the flying car’s debut into American”s lives. I yearn to fly across the sky like George Jetson, but my government will probably soon have me riding a horse like George Washington, given the increasing gas prices!
When will the morons in Washington, Republican & Democrat alike realize that bigger is not better, especially when it comes to government? America needs to take the burden of over-regulation and over-taxation off of the backs of small businesses in this country. The entrepreneurial spirit of American business is what will save our economy. The Federal Government needs to be totally overhauled and its functions returned to those expressly laid out in The Constitution. The tax code in this country needs to be simplified and fairly applied to businesses, both large and small.
Apple Computer is now the largest corporation on the planet. It was started in the 70′s in a garage by two people.. How many new start-up companies, products and entire industries are being stifled by governmental interference and over regulation? The shackles on small business must be released immediately!
It is up to the people to shape our future, it is not the function of government to do so. It is time to unleash the massive engine of commerce in this country.
I have always loved the saying lead, follow or get out of the way. It is time for the federal government to get the hell out of the way of small business!
The Moller Skycar
Posted in From the Helm Musings about Life Wisdom For Free by .
The final resting place of George Washington, the first President of The United States.
In March of 2008, I was one of several teachers that took approximately 60 students from Pasadena, Texas to Washington, DC. One of the places that we visited was Mount Vernon, the pastoral home of George Washington on The Potomac River.
During our tour, we were able to visit the mausoleum on the grounds where Washington, along with his beloved wife Martha are interred. During this time in this pastoral location, I had time to meditate and pray about what I felt was the wrong direction my country was heading in. Before becoming a teacher, I had made an attempt to effect change against “The Darkness” that was consuming America and its political leaders. The Darkness, is the term I use for those in society that operate under the code of “Ubi Est Mea.” For those who aren’t familiar with Latin, that would translate to “where is mine.” Look around…that theme is all through popular culture. Love thy neighbor has become love thy neighbors stuff. Materialism for materialism sake is now the order of the day for a large percentage of Americans.
People’s motivation for running for office used to be to serve others. Now, if you look at the net worth of most U.S. Representatives and Senators, it skyrockets once they are in office. Additionally, that usually becomes their permanent employment until they retire. Once they retire, they are eligible for very nice pension packages and lifetime health care that is better than anything you can get in the corporate or self employed world!
George Washington himself set the example for all who wish to serve in higher office. He served two terms in office, reluctantly serving a second term, but refusing to serve a third term, even though he would have probably been a “shoe-in” at the polls. He returned to his beloved Mount Vernon and took up his previous vocation of gentleman farmer.
Washington was never a member of any political party. even though some historical text inaccurately label him as a member of the Federalist Party. Washington was the original Independent! Besides his political independence, he was definitely an independent thinker. The following quotes should be a guide to anyone of what George Washington would think about today’s situation with our broken government:
On the role of elected officials
“I have no other view than to promote the public good, and am unambitious of honors not founded in the approbation of my Country.”
“Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. ”
On the dangers of Big Government
“My observation is that whenever one person is found adequate to the discharge of a duty… it is worse executed by two persons, and scarcely done at all if three or more are employed therein. ”
“The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments.”
How to effect change when Government no longer works
“The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government. ”
“The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon”
And when all else fails
Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples’ liberty’s teeth.
I know if George Washington was able to speak to the current troubles we are experiencing in our country, he would DEFINITELY have a lot to say!
On this auspicious day in Texas History, I have decided to start blogging again!
I stopped posting on my blog two years ago to make more time to handle the increased bureaucracy that came with serving as an educator in Texas. Since that time, I have been a victim of true corrupt evil and refuse to stay quiet any longer! It has been said that dissent is the highest form of patriotism…well, I intend to dissent in a very loud manner!
On this day, 176 years ago, Texas declared its Independence from Mexico. Additionally, today is the birthday of “The Raven”, General Sam Houston, the hero of The Texas Revolution. Seven weeks after the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed, General Sam led the Texian Army in what still today is one of the greatest military victories of all time over Generalissimo Santa Ana and the Mexican Army. The underdog Texians got “payback” for the massacres of Texians at The Alamo and Goliad.
Texas was an independent country before it was admitted to The United States as the 28th state. Texans have always been an independent and self-reliant people. In fact, Sam Houston himself said it best…“Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression, come from what source it may.”
It is said “dissent is the highest form of patriotism”. Well, I mean to exercise my patriotic duty under the First Amendment of The United States Constitution.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances..”
Our country is at the precipice of the abyss. We are a nation divided. Sam Houston also had a word to say about what happens to a nation divided;
“I beseech those whose piety will permit them reverently to petition, that they will pray for this union, and ask that He who buildeth up and pulleth down nations will, the mercy preserve and unite us. For a Nation divided against itself cannot stand.”
I am politically an Independent Libertarian. If you read my previous post, you will see that I pretty much have no love for our current President…but read on, because I really had no love for our previous President and his Sith Lord Darth Cheney. They are different puppets with the same puppet masters pulling the strings.
Our Constitutional rights are under assault. Freedom is becoming an endangered commodity. Our country is at risk from enemies, both foreign and domestic!
Time to be vocal and stand up to the corrupt puppet masters and their evil toady minions, before all is lost.
The Spirit of 1776 is what is necessary to combat the mindset of 1984.
Come join the growing voices of dissent…its the patriotic thing to do!
Dec 09
2
Here’s Your Sign!
Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines politics as follows:
Pol-i-tics: a) the art or science of government. b) the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy. c) the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government.
If politics is truly the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government, the strategists of the Republican and Democratic parties of the United States are truly the grandmasters.
In the game of chess, the object is to checkmate your opponent’s King. Player One with the white pieces moves first and has the advantage against Player Two with the black pieces. White plays to win. Black plays to deny and force a draw, unless White makes a tactical error resulting in a checkmate.
In the game of chess, it is theoretically possible for two grandmaster level players to play to a draw many times in a row. For several decades, the Republican and Democratic parties have been playing to a draw. When one side has the advantage in the political arena of the country, their strategists are more interested in putting their opponents into “perpetual check” instead of finding ways to work together to address the country’s most pressing problems!
Today, the “practice” of partisan politics has become the standard tactic of both parties. The word partisan has a synonym…”follower”!
Is it not time for others to take the lead?
This post is another from my original site on Blogger, but I always felt it was one of my best. On November 7th, 2006, the”pendulum of power” swung back in the direction of The Democratic Party from the Republican side. Will the Democrats (and the G.O.P.) finally remember…ITS ABOUT THE PEOPLE, STUPID! Not corporations, not lobbyist, not unelected special interest groups… us…WE THE PEOPLE!
