Thoughts in Writing 3

As with any political party, there is a machine that runs in the background. It turns out its campaign workers and volunteers en masse to help win control. This "machine" is the selfish minds and black hearts of men and women who desire nothing more than power and fame. These are also known as party bosses.
To be favored by a party boss is wanted by any and all who desire a seat in government. Any seat, any where. But the hopes do not stop at the local or state level. These people change from time to time, but the survivors will be always looking ahead to more and more.
We see the examples which have been in our past and present. Politicians who seek favor of the reigning tycoons with tight purse strings and a personal agenda are at their beck and call. It is they who receive the highest tax breaks or business incentives. While they may be responsible for the lively hoods of many dozens, even hundreds, of employees, they themselves are in a class by themselves. They do not care about the simple way of life we live. Their concern is how much money can I make and how little of it do I have to pay out.
My idea of evening up the playing field is not radical. It has been recommended several times, and by people much more wealthier and wiser than I. It is that we should all pay one flat tax rate. Every person pays the same rate, no matter what the income. If that does not coincide with all men are created equal, then I cannot understand the meaning of the term. No deductions, no loopholes, no excuses. The same would apply to corporations and small businesses.
Not in my lifetime!

 

Thoughts in Writing 2

I have had first hand experience in the education of offspring. I have found it to be costly for the student and family. The cost of education includes the courses, books, meals, board and pocket money.
The rules set up for the financing of education has taken a turn for the worst these days. Unless one is born with a 529 plan set up for school or has an inheritance to pay for the classes, then one is at the mercy of the money lenders. The parent(s) must apply for a parent plus loan as well as the student applying for grants. Even allowing for repayment upon graduation, there are times when a break from school is necessary.
The burden of success rests upon the shoulders of the student.
The select few who have control over the finances of us and others like us do not care that we struggle to pay for what we need, let alone what we have. The financial wizards who determine what the price of life today have so much more than several, if not many, of us totaled. They can afford to send their offspring to the finest Ivy League universities while most of ours go to community colleges or even attend evening classes. By arranging this order of class, we will never be able to get ahead unless we win a lottery. Honest days work and dedication are no longer a requirement to maintain a decent lifestyle, let alone get ahead.
I have much respect for the young and old who are trying to better themselves by educating themselves. But I fear that they may be studying the wrong subjects. As for the young, I recommend the Book of Proverbs in the Bible. It has much wisdom. As for the old, I recommend that they get out to vote and vote wisely. Investigate the candidates and ask many questions.
I am reminded of a saying my Mother often used when I was growing up. "I am glad I am on my way out". It now has such a profound meaning for me.

Thoughts in writing 1

When I grew up, we lived in a neighborhood in a city. We had neighbors, as the name neighborhood implies. We knew the residents of the apartment building or block, even if not by name. We recognized the children that played there and the parents looked out for all of them.
Today we live in a society that has no common thread except for roommates and the neighbor on each side, also above and below. Usually due to noise, water leaks, mail mixups, and the like.
It was not a pleasure to walk up to about a mile to go to school, but it was healthy. It allowed each of us to become familiar with the neighborhood and its residents. And we could meet our classmates on the way for fun and games. It stimulated us in a way that no bus ride could.
The teachers knew our families and weren't afraid to talk to them. It even turned out that the parents overlooked a few smacks on the back of the head during school hours, believing that we probably deserved them.
When we were older we played in parks instead of schoolyards. The parks had more room and apparatus to play on. We met more children to play around with and mingled with kids from different schools. Rivalrys developed, and pride gave us something to be better than others.
Boy/Girl friends sometimes lasted past school and turned into marriage. They did not always last, but neither did all of our parents' marriages.
Full time jobs gave us new responsibilities, but they were involved into our main priority, the family. The work ethic was strong, although a few did manage to get by on favoritism, nepotism, and charisma. These were probably as successful as others, and some envy did result. There were times when we did without just because it was being responsible.
As I look at today, I see a loss of all of these things.
But how does anyone tell someone what they are missing if they cannot or will not relate.
The values have changed today. The politicians have removed all controls and regulations of big business and it allows for the greed factor to rule the marketplace. It has also changed the way our youth look at the world.
We have so many new immigrants that labor is now cheap. It seems to be that life is also made cheap. If a family struggles, so what. It is not the problem of us or anyone else, until it hits home. But we have so many entitlement programs in place that a foreign born person can get as much or more than a native born citizen just for a vote. The person who has contributed can no longer rely on some form of assistance to help during those times of lean income or unemployment.
It has become a crime to speak ill of our foreign immigrants or other than our own race or religion. It is not that we have lost freedom of speech, but freedom of opinion.
The true hate comes when ill is spoken and acted upon. If the former were true, we would all be arrested for our speech against the politicians that forget whom they serve.
Put regulation and controls back in place and decrease the amount of immigrants allowed into this country. My grandparents were immigrants who came into Ellis Island and worked hard and honestly in the system for their place here.
As for my son, I do not know what the future may hold. But it looks bleak.