How's Your Vision

When I was a child my family travelled across the southeastern part of the United States. On more than one occasion on that trip I saw signs that indicated who could eat at a restaurant, use the bathroom and ride public transportation. When I asked my parents they said those signs were put up by "people who couldn't see well." Although these sights left me confused as a child because I been raised to see people as individuals and not as colors, my parents response was very clear. That was a long time ago and with all of advances that have come in our country and culture one would thing that those images would have become a thing of the past. Sad to say that is far from the case.

With the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court we once again hear the rally call of racism leveled against anyone who opposes her assuming this position. We have heard this most recently about anyone who disagrees with our new president. What a paradox it is that one of the ugliest chapters in America's history is constantly used as a "wild card" by those in Washington who are supposed to represent all of the people. Those who do this have but one agenda, and that is to impose their way and opinion on everyone. They will use race, ethnicity and anything else to win. In reality though, as long as these tactics are part of our culture no one will ever win.

We continue to be a nation that falls for lies like this as we consistently move away from the truth. Many today would say there is no truth to move away from because all truth is relative. That is officially called post-modernism and it is perhaps would of the oldest lies of all. Proponets of this lie would argue that there is no truth except as it appears in the eyes of the beholder so man can do and say whatever he wants.

Moving away from the truth has had tremendous consequences that we continue to experience on a daily basis as a nation. A collapsing economy, immorality accepted as normality, and the gutting of the nation as we have known it. While all of this is purported by some as clear evidence of man's on going evolution as a species it is in reality the sad result of man's devolution. While our amazing technology improves, the nature of man continues to deteriorate. If you doubt this take any week of any month and read or listen to the news.

I am thankful for being raised to see people as unique individuals. My wife and I raised our 8 children that way and hopefully they will do the same with their children. Through the years we have had so many wonderful friends from all over the world. Different cultures, languages and faces. But all unique individuals.

In the Old Testament God told Samuel to go and find the new king of Israel. When Samuel met one man he thought to himself that this must be the new king of Israel, but he was wrong. While he probably was an impressive young man he was not the one of God's choosing. In verse 7 in II Samuel God said, "Do not look at his appearance or his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

I hope you see well enough to recognize the truth and not fall for the lie!
You guessed it, the bible is the truth that I was referring to. To reject it and neglect it is tantamount to being lost in a huge cavern while someone turns off all the lights out and then complains about the darkness.

The Saddest Thing About Washington Politics

In recent days many changes have taken place in our country. While these events have caused some to rejoice many wonder where we are headed as a nation and what will be left for those who follow after us. The popularity of the U S Congress is at the lowest point in a long time. The frustrations and concerns of many Americans have gone largely ignored by those who sit on both sides of the aisle. The majority in the media have taken to openly referring to many Americans who voice concerns as trouble makers. Part of our government has labeled at best some of these as people who should be watched and at worst, terrorists. I cannot personally remember a time like this in American history.

While all of this and more is troubling I find part of it to be with out a doubt the saddest thing about politics. There is a lack of a key ingredient in most of those who legislate, govern, carry out policies and sit behind desks of power in our nation's capital. This missing ingredient is probably doing more to harm the present status and future direction of our country than any other single thing. What single thing could be so dangerous? Lack of character.

It is lack of character that will allow a politician to lie to the American people. They simply don't understand that one of the driving elements of frustration in this country is that so many in Washington think that the average American is dumb enough to believe the constant pattern of lies. George Washington understood the importance of character when he said "few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder." Mark Twain also understood the value of character when he wrote the following words in 1901: "Always do right. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest." Many of us in this country would like to be astonished by the abundance of a politician's character.

When character is missing trust has no fertilizer and men begin to do whatever is right in their eyes. When character is no longer valued than the moral and spiritual fibers become strained and begin to fray. When character is no longer elevated than men and women have no problem looking into a television camera and tell whoppers to the people who elected them. When character is lost than those who should have it don't even realize its gone.

I recently read a great story that illustrated personal character and integrity. Thomas Edison once invented a talking doll that had a phonograph inside its body with nursery rhymes that had been previously recorded. It was a one of kind invention. Hundreds of these unique dolls were produced before Edison found out that his company had sold the right to manufacture phonographic toys to another company years before.

Although the other company never complained Edison immediately stopped manufacturing the talking dolls and had the remaining ones destroyed. That was character. He chose to do right because it was the right thing to do.

Perhaps those who have been elected, appointed and hired to fill the all important jobs in government should take stock of themselves and realize the consequences of governing without character. Across this great country there are older Americans and very impressionable younger Americans that are all trying to figure out if there is anyone left inside the "beltway" that can be trusted.

The saddest thing about Washington politics is that those involved have forgotten that the measure of a person's character is what they would do, if they knew they would never be found out. Regardless of what the outcome might be, it is always right do to right!