Here I am

I have always tried to write in the first person, in other words I represent me and no one else in my thoughts. I have been accused of copying others or being part of some right wing conspiracy and one guy actually told me I was a liberal in disguise. With that in mind I thought I would for once and for all really expose my feeling and lay myself wide open for criticism from all sides. Sounds like a fun experiment, lets see if it draws a crowd;

First of all a very good friend of mine, and I might say a confident is the ex speaker of the house, here in Nevada. He is a democrat and a real gentleman. When he was Speaker they got more done in a week, than the present house gets in its full term. He was able to reach across party lines to get thing done, and actually has as many republican friends as he does democrats. I am a conservative leaning independent and in most cases I find the liberal movement in the Democratic Party disconcerting. I really feel the Democratic Party has been high-jacked by the far left. Although we have a great deal of differences in our politics, I have the highest respect and admiration for this man. One thing my friend is not, is a far-left liberal, he is a good old fashion blue collar hard working democrat. We can discuss politics without all the demeaning name calling, and actually come to a consensus at times all the while enjoying our conversations.

I bring this up to you because I have noticed a dark side, to some of our blog comments on both sides. Being able to express your opinions doesn’t have to include hostility. Everyone has a right to their opinion and should be able to state their case in terms others can respect. I know there are a lot of people who try to preach to me in their comments, and tell me how right they are, and I must be a total fool because I can’t see their way is the right way. It’s usually the younger generation that have been totally liberalized and feel they have all the answers. I usually ignore these type comments, because they really don’t add to the discussion. I write what I truly believe in, what I have garnered from my years of experience in business and my stint in the military. I am fortunate that I have had a life partner for almost 50 years now, to keep me grounded in principle, and to remind me to always look both ways on the street and in conversation.

I am too old to be swayed with rhetoric, and I really appreciate someone who can argue their case with logic, without including all the standard party talking points. This goes for both democrats and republicans. My views are pretty transparent and I like it that way, it allows me to speak from the heart and not from something I’ve heard in passing.

My beliefs:
I am against partial birth abortion. I feel that it is the same as murder of a living child.

As far as abortion is concerned I have never let myself be brought into this fight as I feel it is totally derisive and neither side will ever be satisfied.

Religion:
I believe my religion is my business, I am a Christian and a believer in God as the creator. I do not try to force my religion on others and I don’t appreciate it when it happens to me. I believe ones faith is a deeply personal thing and is nobody else’s business.

Welfare;
Welfare is something that should be there for emergencies and not there to be a standard of living. Man should be rewarded for his actions, not applauded for his in-action. Welfare should exist for the infirmed and those with temporary setbacks.

Government;
The government should be only for our protection and not be a provider. When the government gets involved in the private sector, it removes all forms of competition, and competition is what leads us to achieve more, and gives us the chance for success. Our goal as a people should be to be self-sufficient and not dependent. When you create a society based on entitlement, you have pretty much reached the end of the line for a democracy. Why should some work while others benefit.

I learned a great deal during the Johnson and later the Carter years. I feel they setback the problem of race and equality for decades, by forcing quotas in employment and education in America. By not demanding the same standards on blacks as whites, they caused not only bitterness in the case of the whites who were frozen out, but allowed black children to slip by without the benefit of a complete education. It was as if they felt the Blacks were unable to learn at the same level. This was an injustice that still haunts the black society today. Some of the most brilliant minds in the world have been black, why would they feel that this was a necessary provision?

Nixon;
This was a case in power breeding corruption. He had his personal guard you might say that was so enamored with power, that they forgot who they worked for. In Nixon I learned that it is not the deed for which you pay it is the cover-up.

My favorite president;
This is a toss up, I feel Ronald Reagan brought a great deal of pride back to our country and allowed the people to be part of his presidency. This has been lacking in the last few presidents and it shows in their inability to get things accomplished. Reagan trumped congress with his wild card, ‘we the people.’ My co favorite president would have to be Eisenhower. He came to us at a time of turmoil (Korea) and brought a sense of dignity and decorum to the office. He accomplished a great deal with his Interstate Highway System. Every time you travel the Interstate you should say thanks Ike.

Military Service;
If I were in charge we would never send our troops into combat situations without guarantying them the opportunity to win. If the cause is great enough for war then it should be fought to win not compromise and settlement. The lives of our men and women in the military should be held in a sacred trust and never squandered for political fortune. If it were up to me every young man and woman would serve in some way his country. The sense of teamwork, the leadership skills and the pride in accomplishment that comes from serving your country, cannot be created in a classroom. Of course I don’t mean all should be soldiers, sailors or marines but there are many ways one could serve.

Gays;
I guess I'm from the old school enough to think that something as personal as sexual orientation, should not be a topic for mainstream conversation. I have known may Gays in my life and have worked side by side with them without a problem. I would be uncomfortable to disguss their way of life, as I feel unqualified to do so. My dealings with people have always been eye to eye, and I never noticed any difference in their abilities. I guess what I'm saying is, that I don't really approve but as long as it isn't constantly the topic of conversation in confrontational way, I simply don't pay attention to that part of their lives.

Teaching;
I believe that teachers should be trained to be as a-political as possible. Both sides of a legitimate argument should always be taught in the classroom without favor. We learn by either example or by forming our own opinions. When a teacher taints the subject with favoritism they eliminates the chance to form our own conclusions, there-by handicapping the student. I believe more emphasis should be put on achievement in the classroom. There has been a tendency to not pay tribute to the achievers because it may upset the un-achievers. I believe this is wrong. I also believe teachers should be paid according to their abilities and this could be based on the test results of their students.

Now you know the man and the reason for his thoughts. What say you.

And that’s my opinion,
Don