House Revives, Approves Border Crisis Bill, As Obama Vows to Act Alone

House Revives, Approves Border Crisis Bill

           (from l to r) Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker John Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid

The House late Friday revived and approved a Republican-authored border crisis bill after the GOP came together to revive this bill.  The House legislation was approved by a 223-189 vote.  The new bill seeks additional funding for the National Guard and includes policy changes meant to speed the deportation of illegal immigrant children surging through our borders.  A separate Senate bill died on a procedural vote a day earlier.  The Senate is now on recess and no more votes are expected until early September.  President Obama has vowed to act alone on this issue.  Click on FoxNews.com to read the story.

The Problem is Not Corporations nor the Rich not Paying Their Fair Share of Taxes, it's Government Overspending

    President Obama      (from left to right, Senate Majority Harry Reid, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Minority Leader Dick Durbin)

Billionaire Investor Warren Buffett

During the entire course of the Obama administration President Obama, Democrats, and even billionaire investor Warren Buffett have hurled criticisms at the wealthy for not paying their fair share of taxes.  Obama has said that it affects our national deficit when the wealthy and even corporations use loopholes for paying their fair share of taxes.  Last week President Obama criticized American corporations for using a legal loophole which allows companies to dodge U.S. taxes by moving their headquarters overseas.  He stated that is unpatriotic.  President Obama called on Congress to "fix" these tax inversions.  He said companies are simply renouncing their citizenship to avoid paying "their fair share of taxes."  Obama claims that companies that use loopholes to re-locate to other countries so they can avoid paying their fair share of taxes adds to the deficit.  He said it makes it difficult for America to invest in things that will keep it strong.  I've got news for the President: That's a lie.  It's the reckless overspending from the federal government that's adding to the deficit.

I was reading on FoxNews.com early this week that the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, John Sopko, stated that a rampant amount of taxpayer dollars was wasted for the reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.  It's taxpayer dollars such as wasting billions of dollars in the reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan that has greatly added to the deficit.  Not only that but all the money that was wasted in the reconstruction efforts in Iraq and all the money that's being spent for these ongoing wars in the Middle East that should've ended years ago.  There's money to be made when wars are being raged.  There's no question about it, there's been billions of dollars spent in these wars since October 7, 2001, when the war in Afghanistan was waged.  The hypocrisy of the President and the Democrats in both houses of Congress stinks up to high heavens.  I'm sick of hearing them bashing and taxing the wealthy to death who earn their money honestly.  It's those who are wealthy that create our small businesses.  They are job creators.  When the government tries to drain the wealthy of their income, job creation will stop, higher prices will result when the government places higher taxes upon business owners, and many corporations will locate their business offshore so they can survive financially without having to pay extra taxes.  Some think the problem is the corporate tax rate.  As much as I disagree with corporations paying special taxes, the biggest problem that many businesses have to face are all the array of stringent regulations such as Obamacare, EPA regulations, and the list continues, which makes it difficult for businesses to operate.  Many businesses today are constantly having to think of ways to continually reduce their costs, such as laying off workers, raising their premiums on health insurance, and the list continues. 

The problem with our nation's deficit isn't the lack of taxes being paid to the government.  The truth is America is grossly overtaxed.  Every time one turns around, there's another tax increase coming your way.  Every since the beginning of this year, new taxes increases were levied as a result of the passage of Obamacare in March 2010.  We don't need new taxes levied upon us.  I believe the present U.S. tax code needs to be scrapped.  I believe a flat tax which taxes everyone who works a job the same percentage is what should be implemented in America.  It's not right to drain the American people of their wealth.  Until the passage of the 16th amendment in 1913 the federal government didn't tax a person's income, with the exception of the American civil war in the 1860's, which was for a brief time.  America used to fund the government's activities through tariffs, a tax on foreign goods coming into America. 

As I've said earlier, the problem is government overspending, which has been grossly taking places since the 1980's under the Reagan administration.  The national debt reached $1 trillion for the first time around 1984.  Since that time the deficit has climbed the trillions, with the president debt standing above $17 trillion.  The government wastes money like it's water.  That's why the deficit is in the trillions.  It's not because the wealthy aren't paying their fair nor is it because corporations are locating offshore to avoid paying taxes.  To tell you honestly, if all the assets and wealthy of the wealthy were taken and applied to the national debt, it would hardly make a dent.  The debt is so vast, the interest rates are so high, that there isn't enough money from all the households in America to wipe out our nation's debt.  To tell you the truth, the government will confiscate your tax dollars and continue wasting them on foolishness.  I don't feel sorry for the government.  The President and both houses of Congress are corrupt beyond imagination.  It's tragic.  I'm not sure we can turn things because the debt is totally out of control and Congress keeps spending like there's no tomorrow.  The only hope that America has is God.  Outside of the Lord, America has no chance in making it.  I personally believe America is presently under the judgment of God.  God help us!

House Approves Lawsuit Against Obama

House Approves Lawsuit Against Obama




How stupid can the House get?  This lawsuit that House Republicans have voted for supposedly as a means to keep Obama in check because of abuse of executive power is foolish.  That lawsuit won't keep Obama in check.  The reason why the President is not in check is because House Republicans (led by Speaker John Boehner's inaction) won't stand up against his unconstitutional measures.  The House is empowered with tools such as impeachment and the power of the purse to prevent the president from having his way to bypass legislation that's unconstitutional.  Obamacare could've been defunded in January 2011, when the GOP took over the House again.  However, Boehner and company sat there allowing Obama have his way.  Boehner has said he has no intentions to impeach the president.  If that be the case, then this foolish lawsuit is just a waste of time.  I believe it's nothing more than to buy time for the president.  Could this lawsuit hinder the GOP's chances to increase their margins in the House of Representatives or reclaim the Senate?  Only time will tell.  Click on the above link from FoxNews.com to read the story.

Isotook: Get Ready for Super-priced Hamburgers Due to NLRB Decree

Istook: Get Ready for Super-priced Burgers Due to NLRB Decree


KFC

You need to read this article.  If things go according to Richard Griffin, whom President Obama hand-picked to be the General Counsel to the General Counsel of NLRB (National Labor Relations Board), then the prices of hamburgers at such fast-food restaurants as McDonalds or Burger King or fried chicken at such joints as KFC could rise dramatically and that could affect many families.  Griffin said employees who work for franchisers such as McDonalds or KFC aren't merely employees of their business owners.  Instead, according to Griffin, they are not joint employees of McDonalds and other franchise companies as well as local store owners.  It would collective bargaining union style. One of the top goals of these negotiators is to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $15 an hour.  If that were to happen, then business at these fast-food places would drop considerably because many families wouldn't want to pay very high prices for burgers, fries, and a coke, for example.  Prices for a hamburger is high enough.  If the wage were to increase to $15 an hour for many of these employees, business would be adversely affected.  Click on WashingtonTimes.com to read the article.

Obamacare Shoots Premiums up to 88% in California

Obamacare Shoots Premium up to 88% in California



Thanks to Obamacare, insurance premiums for California residents will rise between 22 and 88 percent, according to the state insurance commissioner.  Democratic Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones is using those issues to press for more regulatory control upon the industry.  Jones is pressing for a Proposition 45 to be on the state's ballot in November which would allow his office to clamp down on insurance hikes in the state.  Jones stated that unless Proposition 45 is passed or unless some other law is enacted to regulate the rates and the requirement that HMO's and health insurers justify their rates, then California residents could see high year-to-year rate increases.  These rate increases will go into effect in 2015.  Click on the above link from WashingtonTimes.com to read the story.

Pentagon Auditor Spotlights Billions of Dollars Blown in Afghanistan

Pentagon Auditor Spotlights Billions of Dollars Blown in Afghanistan

John Sopko, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction

I'm not surprised about that.  With the troops having been in Afghanistan since October 2001, you know there has to be all kinds of money wasted on purchasing weapons and other materials that won't help Afghanistan.  War is big money.  There has been tons of money being made off this war.  It's a money racket.  With all the money that's been spent fighting the Taliban and reconstructing Afghanistan, what has it amounted to?  Not any.  The level of government corruption amongst the highest levels is so corrupt that it's mind boggling.  Click on the link from FoxNews.com to read the full story.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Vows Israel Will do What is Necessary to Fight Hamas

Israeli PM Benjamin Vows Israel Will do What is Necessary to Fight Hamas



The question I have to ask Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to what extent?  Until President Obama or the U.N. tells you to stop and hold a cease fire?  Hamas isn't going to stop that easily.  As long as the President or the U.N. try to hamstring you and attach conditions on how far Israel can fight this conflict with Hamas, then Hamas will continue striking back.  Hamas doesn't believe in Israel's right to exist.  I guarantee you Hamas doesn't mind fighting Israel unless Israel really hands it to them.  Israel also needs to be careful when Hamas claims to agree to a holiday truce.  Hamas can say that to throw Israel off track and then fire back at Israel when least expected.  To read the full article, click on the above article from FoxNews.com.

Rahm Emanuel: Send Illegal Shelter Kids to Chicago

Rahm Emanuel: Send Illegal Shelter Kids to Chicago


Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel with President Obama

Isn't that nice of Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel to desire to open up the city of Chicago to those immigrant children crossing the border illegally?  I know he has to be concerned for those children.  Ha! Ha!  Is Emanuel going to place them in his home?  Who's going to pay for their food, medical expenses, education, etc.?  Are Emanuel and his rich cronies going to take care of the illegal immigrant children?  I doubt it.  Instead, the taxpayers of Chicago will be footing the bill.  One of the criticisms that some of the residents of Chicago made toward the president was that he wasn't concerned about those who live in Chicago.  Chicago has a high crime rate and many black residents feel he's placing way too much emphasis on the plight of illegal immigrants above Chicago citizens.  I believe they're right.  The truth of the matter is the administration isn't concerned about the plight of illegal immigrant children or illegal immigrants in general.  They're not even concerned about immigrants who come to America assimilate and become a part of America's culture.  Instead we're seeing a Balkanized country that President Obama and his cronies are promoting.  Back when Ellis Island existed, immigrants had to be checked for diseases and if they were granted clearance to come to America they had to learn to speak the English language.  Today the federal government wants to give illegals amnesty.

The purpose of brining illegals to this country is for the globalist purpose of erasing our borders and merging us into this one-world government eventually.  I've heard Lou Dobbs (when he was an anchor at CNN) speak about the North America Union where then president Bush and leaders from Canada and Mexico want to erase Canada, North America, and South America's borders and make them one huge country.  The agenda our government has for illegals have nothing to do with charity or compassion.  It's about radically changing America and destroying America's roots and foundation.  To read the full story, click on the above link from The Washington Times.

Our Choices Define Us Rather Than Our Abilities

Several days ago I passed by a local middle school close to where I live when I was headed to work.  It had an inscription on the school's message board which stated "Our choices define us rather than our abilities."  How true that statement is.  That doesn't mean that our abilities or our talents are irrelevant, because they're not.  But with talents comes the responsibility of utilizing discernment.  We have the responsibility to make choices in order to use them properly.   The choices that we make in life say much about who we are.  They reveal our character.  Choices we make reveal whether we're wise or unwise.  Making choices are very crucial.  Through choices, we are making decisions that can/will affect us for the rest of our lives.  That's how serious making choices are.

Back in December 2002, I wrote an essay entitled, "Life is a Choice."  I titled it that way simply because life is all about making choices.  You will spend your whole life making choices.  Why do you think there's so much emphasis being placed upon teenagers that are approaching graduation from high school?  The reason is because they will be making choices following graduation that will affect the rest of our lives.  The first choice you'll have to make upon graduation is what choices you will make when it comes to your future vocation.  Will you attend college/vocational school, etc.?  What type of job or career are you planning on embarking upon?  What are you going to do when it comes to personal relationships?  Are you going to get married someday and to whom?  Most important, is where does the House of God rank in your life?  Are you serving Him and if not will you make that choice to dedicate your life to God and serve Him?  These are some of the choices you'll be making in life.  Making choices is something that you can't escape.

I've seen the logo "Life is a Choice" on buttons by pro-life groups.  I'll add a quick note here: The choice to create another human being is made prior to conception.  Once conception takes place, the choice has already been made.  You can't redo that when a pregnancy takes place.  When a couple make the decision to engage in sexual relations with one another, you're consenting to life if a pregnancy occurs.  This idea of choice after pregnancy is not an option in God's eyes.  Abortion is murder in God's eyes and once conception takes place, that is another human being that's created.  Nothing will change that.  I thought I would add that in to those who might believe abortion is justifiable according to situational ethics.

As I stated earlier, our abilities are important.  God endows every human with talents for the purpose to serve Him.  However, talents must be used wisely and the choices we make about how we use our talents say much about us.  It reveals our character, our judgment, and what's important in our lives.  In the basketball arena, there's always much said about our talented basketball players.  When college basketball coaches recruit players, they look for the most talented players there are.  However, there's more to great players than their abilities.  It's the choices they make while they are on the floor.  I do understand that the head coaches draw up strategies and give them instruction on how to win the game.  However, there will be moments when a basketball player needs to possess wisdom on what to do at the right moment, and many times that can be instantaneous.   The reason why LeBron James is so revered in NBA basketball, for example, is because he knows how to make the right choices at the right moment.  As talented as he is, it's his judgment on when to pass the ball, when to shoot, and to whom to pass the ball to is what defines him, not just his talent alone.  There are some players that are very talented but they don't go very far in the ranks simply because they don't make wise choices while on the floor or they don't play smart basketball.  I heard Louisville head coach Rick Pitino make the statement last year that his 2013 national championship basketball team knew how to play smart basketball.  Playing smart basketball, along with your talent level, is what wins championships.  You can't be very successful in whatever vocation or endeavor you're involved in if you don't make wise choices. 

It's our choices that define us.  Abilities are important if you're going to accomplish a task but if you don't make wise choices when it comes to using your ability, you'll be limited on how far you travel in whatever venture you're involved with.

The Gospel of Matthew

Summary of the Gospel of Matthew

I am going to begin featuring a number of posts on the Gospel of Matthew.  Matthew is the first of the four gospels of the New Testament.  However, many scholars ascribe the Gospel of Mark as being the oldest of the four gospels.  Scholars believe that the book was written before the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70.  There was no mention of the temple in Jerusalem that was already destroyed.  The authorship of this gospel was ascribed to Matthew, the tax collector, whom was one of Jesus's twelve disciples.  Matthew knew much about figures and statistics.  In Matthew 25, the author speaks of the parable of the talents, which during Bible times revolved around money. 

The Gospel of Matthew was written to the Jews and Matthew makes reference to Jesus being the Son of David. In the Gospel of Matthew, you read about the genealogy in chapter 1, the birth of Jesus in chapter 2, John the Baptist in chapter 3, Jesus being tempted by the Devil in chapter 4, and the list continues.  You also read in chapter 24 where Jesus describes to his disciples what are the signs of the times.  In chapter 25 you read about the parable of the talents and in chapters 26-28, you read about Jesus's crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection.  To read more about the Gospel of Matthew, click on the above link.